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Archive 2013 · Scotland Trip!!!

Chestnut
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Scotland Trip!!!

Hi everyone! My family and I are headed to Scotland for my first time later this summer! (Their 2nd time)

While my wife planned a route of about 10 days, we are still open to suggestions and recommendations for what sites there are for some nice photography... If we can get some help from the wonderful pool of talent and knowledge here, that would be awesome!

Here's our route:

Screen Shot 2013-06-09 at 11.52.39 AM by nuttyphotonut, on Flickr

I'd love to hear (and see!) any suggestions from anyone here who have been near any of these places! Thanks a lot!!

Jun 09, 2013 at 11:11 AM

rsk7
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Scotland Trip!!!

I found Portree and Isle of Skye very picturesque. You could connect D to E via Isle of Skye

Jun 09, 2013 at 11:28 AM

Bones74
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Scotland Trip!!!

I agree with rsk7. I was on Skye last year. It is well worth the trip. Not to mention taking the ferry across from Mallaig (D). If you time it right you get to see the Hogwarts train (Jacobite Steam Train) coming in too. The ferry can be quite busy so if you don't want to hang around for hours it's best to book in advance. Don't forget to see the Old Man of Storr too. Its been in many films (Prometheus for one) and also the subject of several winning landscape images. If you come back across the bridge you get to see Eilean Donan Castle, which is pretty special and in the right light, spectacular.

Fort William is great too. I got Ben Nevis across the water at Sunset. What a view. Enjoy

edit: I forgot to mention there are a few Scotland and Skye images in the landscape section on my site

Jun 09, 2013 at 12:35 PM

Chestnut
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Scotland Trip!!!

Thanks, guys! Sadly, due to time constraints, we can't hit Isle of Skye this time around.... (very sad... believe me!)

But good news is that my in-laws are very interested in taking the Jacobite Steam Train, so that's taking up one of our days... supposed to be one of the best train rides in the world? That's what "C" to "D" is... the train ride takes us to Mallaig from Ft. William, and we're training back after a brief 1.5 hour stop (no other option to stay longer due to train schedules). Again... sad... but that's more reason to revisit again!

I'll look into Old man Storr for next time!

How far is the Eilean Donan Castle from Fort William? Maybe I can talk them into taking a detour! And if so, what's a good vantage point for the Castle?

Anything else along the route?
Here's more details:

(A) Edinburgh -- 3 nights
Tattoo, see friends of in-law

(B) Crianlarich -- 1 night
See Sterling and Loch Lomond on the way there, leave next morning

(C & D) Fort William -- 2 nights
One day for train ride (D), 10:00-16:00, nothing else planned... see Ben Nevis?

(E) Inverness -- 2 nights
Nothing planned here yet

(F & G) Kingussie via Elgin -- 1 night
On the way to Kingussie, see Cathedral ruins, distillery, cooperage; a one night stop over in Kingussie, Highland Folk Museum supposed to be nice in the morning, maybe castles on the way to Dunfermline

(H) Dunfermline -- 1 night
Carnegie Birthplace Museum if there is time, leave for airport in Edinburgh early next morning

What do you all think?
Thanks!

Jun 09, 2013 at 02:04 PM

David Leask
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Scotland Trip!!!

Hey Dex,

First of all, congratulations on making the best decision ....... ever! You will not regret coming to Scotland, I guarantee it

I know all of the places on your route intimately. Take a look at my Scotland Gallery and you will see images from many of the locations on your route: http://www.pbase.com/davidleask/scotland

When you say 'later this summer' which month do you mean? The weather is very unpredictable in Scotland and often we think it follows no season at all. Having said that September is a good month, October (if you are lucky with weather) is even better because the autumn colours come through then.

I wholeheartedly agree with the suggestions above to take in the Isle of Skye on your trip. Take the ferry from Mallaig and spend at least a day and night on the island. Drive right round the coast and the views will take your breath away. When you are done on Skye cross the bridge and come back along the A87 past Eilean Donan Castle and through Glen Shiel. After Loch Cluanie, instead of continuing to follow the A87, take the A887 to Invermorriston then the A82 north to Inverness, watching out for Nessie on the way. In taking this route you will be missing some of the best wilderness and scenery Scotland has to offer i.e. Torridon and Assynt, but you can pick these places up on your next visit

On thing that will strike you is how compact Scotland is. If you drove 'non-stop' from Edinburgh to Skye it would take you 5 hours (give or take half an hour) so don't worry about running out of time. 10 days is a perfect length of time to allow you to enjoy what you think are the highlights. I will resist suggesting my highlights, they will be different from yours. Just chill out, drive slowly, take in all the views, eat the haggis, drink the whiskey, take loads of photos and write a detailed report here on your return,

.

If you need further info don't hesitate to PM me.

Good luck!

David

Jun 09, 2013 at 02:17 PM

David Leask
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Scotland Trip!!!

Dex,

Our messages crossed so I didn't see your next post. Shame about Skye! Next time .....

Fort William to Eilean Donan Castle is about a 90 minute drive - worth it for the castle alone but the scenery en-route is awesome.

Edinburgh Tattoo - good decision!

My friend works in the Highland Folk Museum in Kingussie (it's actually in the neighbouring village of Newtonmore). You will enjoy it.

David

Chestnut wrote:
Thanks, guys! Sadly, due to time constraints, we can't hit Isle of Skye this time around.... (very sad... believe me!)

But good news is that my in-laws are very interested in taking the Jacobite Steam Train, so that's taking up one of our days... supposed to be one of the best train rides in the world? That's what "C" to "D" is... the train ride takes us to Mallaig from Ft. William, and we're training back after a brief 1.5 hour stop (no other option to stay longer due to train schedules). Again... sad... but that's more reason to revisit again!

I'll...Show more →

Jun 09, 2013 at 02:24 PM

helenica
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Scotland Trip!!!

My favourite places were on Skye and near Glencoe. Most of these shots are from those regions.

http://www.helenica.nl/New/Scotland/

Jun 09, 2013 at 03:12 PM

Chestnut
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Scotland Trip!!!

Thanks, David. The wife and her parents made the decision to skip Skye in favor of seeing more of the other things (E-H on my itinerary, other castles, distillery, etc.) this time around. I'm guessing we will return in a few years, for a dedicated visit to Skye and its surroundings in more detail.

We will be there the 12th-22nd of August, I believe... that's the only time I have a break between semesters. And don't get me started on Haggis.. been looking forward to authentic versions of it for a loooong time. I've had some version of haggis during the highland games here, but I'm expecting the real thing to be much better! (food at fairgrounds are never representative of the real thing...)

Thanks for showing me your Gallery, Helen, you have made some beautiful images!! I hope I'll get lucky and get some good light while I'm there! (weather permitting)

Jun 09, 2013 at 06:02 PM

Squirrely Eyed
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Scotland Trip!!!

I find all of Scotland to be picturesque. Enjoy the trip, you will find gems all over.

Jun 10, 2013 at 01:11 PM

Plinian
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Scotland Trip!!!

I spent 3 wonderful days driving around the highlands last month, David Leask was kind enough to make some great recommendations.

I was mostly interested in wildlife, but one fantastic place that offers spectacular views and amazing wildlife is about 45 min away from point F on your map. The Troup Head nature reserve is on the edge of a cliff about 10 miles East of Banff; it's a 15 min walk from a parking lot, and is really amazing; I would recommend an afternoon visit (for the angle of the sun, and plan on spending a couple of hours. Someone posted a youtube video that is similar to my experience:

Have fun,

Greg

Jun 13, 2013 at 05:01 PM

Richard Booth
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Scotland Trip!!!

Agree with most comments here. If you are that pressed for time, I might consider driving up to Glenfinnan to grab a few shots of the Harry Potter train and bridge. Been to Mallaig, IMO not a whole lot there if you consider swapping that time to see Eilean Donan and Glencoe. Wish I were there right now.

Richard

Jun 13, 2013 at 07:49 PM


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