Summer hols - ideas..

[pippyd]

It's approaching that time of year again...

A few years ago we had a fantastic and very memorable holiday touring the Outer Hebrides. Weather was fantastic, scenary stunning and just the ticket in terms of quiet, remote, beautiful.

In fact I got a number of recommendations of places to visit and eat at by either someone out on Harris or on the west coast but I've long since lost the PM so was unable to thank them - (PM me if you remember!, and thanks ;))

This year we'd like to do similar, as we do most years just in different places. So...


Quiet.
Preferably remote (doesn't have to be if it's still quiet)
Beautiful
Sea close by - wild camping on beaches goes down well with the water obsessed springers...
Good nature (otters and birds of prey as + point)
Camping (fine if it's wild, wild preferable in fact)



We've camped on Lewis, Harris, Uist (N and S), Barra, Mull, Coll.
Will be 2 adults, 2 springer spaniels and a Landy.
Likely start of August.

Any other recommendations? I'm about to start reading up on Orkney Islands and Shetland.

My wife is not someone that flies so it will need to be accessible by boat not plane.

BB Hive mind - where should we go?!

I'm getting excited already!

[BladeScout]

Quiet. CHECK
Preferably remote (doesn't have to be if it's still quiet) CHECK
Beautiful CHECK
Sea close by - wild camping on beaches goes down well with the water obsessed springers... CHECK (well, its water)
Good nature (otters and birds of prey as + point) CHECK
Camping (fine if it's wild, wild preferable in fact) CHECK



http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm308/ScoutDragoon/Outdoor/heights.jpg

[cave_dweller]

How about Skye? I've had a few very memorable holidays there, and it seems to tick all the right boxes. Watch the midges though.

It can be gorgeous in the right weather. It's best not to talk about what it's like in bad weather!

http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01504/skye2_1504585c.jpg

[reuben]

Hi there, we've just come back from 5 days on the Sango Sands campsite at Durness - fantastic!! Great site, pitch where you want unless you need a hook up. 2 great beaches with hardly anyone on them within 100mtrs with several more within walking distance. Not a midge to be seen whilst we were there due to the pretty constant stiff breeze. More Germans & Dutch than Brits. Their website doesn't do it justice but have a look anyway.

[Wham666]

We cycled round the Shetlands camping for two weeks last year. Going to the Orkneys this year so if I find any top spots I'll let you guys know :)


Sent from my iPhone using my Lady fingers.

[john wings]

i can recommend mull

[pippyd]

Thanks people!

BladeScout, that's one hell of a view :D

Reuben - will check them out, thanks for the tip

Wham666 - will be interesting to hear your experiences of the Orkney Islands and how you found the Shetland isles.

Mike - We were on Mull for our last summer holiday 2 years ago so although I loved that place might leave it a year or so more.
I think we might just short list a few places on the west coast and perhaps a few elsewhere, head up there then try and find the place with the best weather and min midges :D.

[Chui]

A few years ago, when I could afford it, used to go salmon fishing on The Helmsdale. One day, with the river raging in spate, took a drive aboot.

Ended up going around the north and passing along by some of the coastal areas around Tongue - quite, quite stunning beaches and scenery. Wildlife around - we watched an otter eating a crab about 20m off shore - and raptors overhead.

As for wild camping, not too sure but I am sure you'd find some.

[the laird]

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm308/ScoutDragoon/Outdoor/heights.jpg

how do I get there???

[BladeScout]

how do I get there???

You walk!:D

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm308/ScoutDragoon/Outdoor/preikestolen.jpg
(Preikestolen)

Preikestolen or Prekestolen, also known by the English translations of Preacher's Pulpit or Pulpit Rock, and by the old local name Hyvlatonnå (“the carpenter-plane’s blade”), is a massive cliff 604 metres (1982 feet) above Lysefjorden, opposite the Kjerag plateau, in Forsand, Ryfylke, Norway. The top of the cliff is approximately 25 by 25 metres (82 by 82 feet) square.
The Pulpit Rock is located in Ryfylke, Rogaland, a county in Western Norway. The city of Stavanger, the fourth largest in Norway, is located only 25 kilometers from the site, and the parking facility of the Pulpit Rock is located about one hour from Stavanger by ferry and car.

The road to the site ends at a parking facility at Preikestolen Fjellstue. A trail extends from the parking facility to the site, which goes through a variety of mountain landscapes. A trip to Preikestolen from the closest car park takes about 3-4 hours for a round-trip hike.

The walk to Preikestolen is very steep in places. The path starts at the Preikestolhytta, at an elevation of approximately 270 metres (886 feet) above sea level, and climbs to 604 metres (1982 feet). The hike takes 1-3 hours depending on experience and fitness level. Even though the elevation differential is only 334 metres (1096 feet) and the walk is not particularly long (3.8 km each way), the total elevation gain and loss over the course of the hike is more than one might initially expect, as the path climbs and descends various ridges.

The rock is much loved by people with suicidal tendencies - gee, I wonder why.....

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm308/ScoutDragoon/Outdoor/preikestolen2.jpg
(Preikestolen)

[Hatethatgiraffe]

Thanks people!

BladeScout, that's on he'll of a view :D

Reuben - will check them out, thanks for the tip

Wham666 - will be interesting to hear your experiences of the Orkney Islands and how you found the Shetland isles.

Mike - We were on Mull for our last summer holiday 2 years ago so although I loved that place might leave it a year or so more.
I think we might just short list a few places on the west coast and perhaps a few elsewhere, head up there then try and find the place with the best weather and min midges :D.


You walk!:D

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm308/ScoutDragoon/Outdoor/preikestolen.jpg
(Preikestolen)

Preikestolen or Prekestolen, also known by the English translations of Preacher's Pulpit or Pulpit Rock, and by the old local name Hyvlatonnå (“the carpenter-plane’s blade”), is a massive cliff 604 metres (1982 feet) above Lysefjorden, opposite the Kjerag plateau, in Forsand, Ryfylke, Norway. The top of the cliff is approximately 25 by 25 metres (82 by 82 feet) square.
The Pulpit Rock is located in Ryfylke, Rogaland, a county in Western Norway. The city of Stavanger, the fourth largest in Norway, is located only 25 kilometers from the site, and the parking facility of the Pulpit Rock is located about one hour from Stavanger by ferry and car.

The road to the site ends at a parking facility at Preikestolen Fjellstue. A trail extends from the parking facility to the site, which goes through a variety of mountain landscapes. A trip to Preikestolen from the closest car park takes about 3-4 hours for a round-trip hike.

The walk to Preikestolen is very steep in places. The path starts at the Preikestolhytta, at an elevation of approximately 270 metres (886 feet) above sea level, and climbs to 604 metres (1982 feet). The hike takes 1-3 hours depending on experience and fitness level. Even though the elevation differential is only 334 metres (1096 feet) and the walk is not particularly long (3.8 km each way), the total elevation gain and loss over the course of the hike is more than one might initially expect, as the path climbs and descends various ridges.

The rock is much loved by people with suicidal tendencies - gee, I wonder why.....

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm308/ScoutDragoon/Outdoor/preikestolen2.jpg
(Preikestolen)

That's just went on my list of places to go before I die!

[BladeScout]

That's just went on my list of places to go before I die!

Scotland is hard to beat for beauty, but in that case, here is a few more pics for you:

Seen from Lysefjorden
http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm308/ScoutDragoon/Outdoor/Preikestolen4.jpg

View from Preikestolen
http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm308/ScoutDragoon/Outdoor/preikestolenviewfrom.jpg

Panoramic view from Preikestolen
http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm308/ScoutDragoon/Outdoor/Preikestolenpanoview.jpg

Black & white pic of Preikestolen
http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm308/ScoutDragoon/Outdoor/Preikestolen_black_and_white.jpg


Preikestolen vid
http://www.youtube.com/user/visitnorwaycom?v=zLE63VyxbV0

Preikestolen Base Jump Wingsuit (go for it, HTG! You know you want to...)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JD1Cnc8qYCM

[Qwertylop]

A couple of ideas-

http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/kintail/Fallsofglomach.shtml

http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/cairngorms/ben-macdui.shtml

We just returned from a trip around Pitlochry, all around that area you are surrounded by beautiful camping locations, not too bad for midges either. 8)

[benp1]

Looks like you're going to have a great time Phil, wherever you're going!

What about something in England (like the deep South West) or something in Wales (again something South West?)

[happy camper]

There are loads of nice places to go (Mull is one of my favourites for spectacular and diverse wildlife) but as you are already considering it i'd recommend Orkney. Beautiful countryside, lots of interesting places to visit (especially good for ancient historical sites and interesting archaeology). Lots of interesting and spectacular coastline (although i wouldn't say it necessarily has the best coastline for sandy beaches and swimming there are lots of beaches to explore with plenty of wildlife and rockpooling). There are also lots of working artists and crafts-people with open studios if that is of interest. The people have always struck me as particularly open and friendly, and there are plenty of nice places to drink and eat.

Here's a couple of pictures to give an idea of some of the coastline (it varies quite a bit though).

View from Yesnaby on west coast looking south toward Hoy..

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g5/happy-camper/orkney.jpg

North coastline looking toward Brough of Birsay..

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g5/happy-camper/orkney-2.jpg

[Ropeman]

I'll join the chorus recommending the Northern Isles Phil. Orkney at least and, for a fascinating change in culture, Shetland.

If you can spare the time they are very similar in appearance and completely different in attitude.

The roads are superb and there is more coastline than you can shake a stick at. No trees but being a Pennine man that won't phase you (or the dogs) :D