Scotland - Where to go?

[Tracey McGovern]

Hi Everyone

We are thinking of going up to Scotland next weekend for a few days, where's the best place to go to take pictures? I'd like to take some good scenery shots, maybe a couple of nice sunsets, places of interest ie buildings, ruins, and some castles (to keep hubby happy) etc, he said it would be good if I could capture a stag stood on top of a misty hill......!!!!! Hmmmm, think we might be pushing it a bit with that one....!!!! So if you know where I could capture ALL of that in a couple of days that would be great.

Also, can anyone recommend some nice places to stay that are reasonably priced.

Thank you for any suggestions you might have.

Best Wishes
Tracey

[John]

Crikey, is that all you need to know?

Past Carlisle you enter the area of Dumfries and Galloway and turning west towards Kirkudbright and beyond will bring you in range of lots of castles, ruins and scenery. Try Caerlaverock Castle to see a very unusual design that looks fantastic at sunset.

Further north you need to go beyond Glasgow and once Loch Lomond opens up before you then the landscape gets really fantastic. It's a great drive northwards towards Oban. If you head for Oban it's quite a way for a few days trip, but the rewards are there. We haven't been to the Isles of Mull and Skye yet, but they are also supposed to be superb photographic locations.

Still going north from Oban, Fort William is the next "sea change" in the landscape and we suddenly enter a world of huge granite mountains. This is the "road to the isles" towards Mallaig, and up here you will find the incredible Eilan Donan Castle, familiar from Highlander and other films. Another great sunset location.

So when you've done all that, we'll see you in a couple of months! Everthing in Scotland is a long way and there will be lots of driving involved. Stags on misty hills are not guaranteed....

As for places to stay there are lots of B&B and hotels and the hospitality is warm and friendly.

Hope you have a great time.

[Theo Dibbits]

There are a couple of classics along the road of Loch Lomond but be aware that the road is very narrow and full of buses.
Glen Coe, Loch Linney (shoot seals on the shore) and Kinloch Leven are all recommended. From Kinloch leven follow the signs for the west highland way out of the town North for about a mile and a half. It rises steeply but it gives you spectacular views over Loch Leven and a couple of waterfalls as a bonus. If I remember correctly it was used for the opening scene in Brave Heart.
Being on the west coast you have a chance of some decent sunsets.
If you are going to Ford William take your boots. You can go up Ben Nevis but it is one hell of a clime. Instead follow the road out of the town to Glen Nevis. You can drive all the way down to the end of the road where there is a carpark. A level walk of a couple of miles brings you out on the Glen. Streams, waterfalls, open views etc. No good for sunsets because yuou are facing east.

Finally: Take plenty of insect repellent. Everything you have heard about them is true. They feed them on Irn-bru.


Theo

[Tracey McGovern]

Thank you all so much for the information, tips and ideas you have sent through, it's all very much appreciated. I'm not sure I'll be able to fit all of this into one trip as we were only supposed to be going for a about 3 days but now I want to stay for longer because there is so much to see.

I'm going to be planning our trip over the next couple of days based on the information you have given. I can't thank you enough for your time over this so thanks again.

Best Wishes
Tracey

PS. See you on Thursday evening up at Rivvy (unless the weather is bad, then I'll see you at the club).

[Brian]

Trace

Try here for inspiration -> http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/

Personally I would say Melrose area .. just over the border and you have the ruins of Jedburgh, Melrose, Dryburgh and Kelso Abbey (Historic Scotland - http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/ ), Abbotsford (http://www.scottsabbotsford.co.uk/ ), the family home of Walter Scott (and yep you can take photos inside, the guy has a nice library and weapons gallery) there are various castles (remember Scottish Castles are not like the Welsh ones but more like English stately homes) like Floors in Kelso (http://www.roxburghe.net/floors_castle_ ... index.html ), and all this in the space of about 10 mile radius (the chinese in Kelso is really nice too ). You are about 1 or 2 hours drive from Edingburgh so you have the city, castle and even Roslyn Chapel (but I hear its got scaffolding and is a lil expensive since Da Vinci Code) .... Then you can go to Hexham Abbey on the way home and take a look at Hadrians Wall

Smailholme Tower was a lil disappointing but if you want its there

I know there are people that would tell you to go to Caerlaverock Castle and as its n the South East you can always take a look at that on the way home too .. but when you consider bang for your buck I don't think you can do better than Kelso area .. Oh and Dryburgh is a very nice place if you get the sunshine very peaceful