West coast of Scotland.



We're just back from a week in Kinlochewe right below Beinn Eighe - absolutely fabulous area but didn't realise the place we booked was right on the NC500
We never went much further than Torridon to the south and Gairloch/Poolewe to the north because there were so many fabulous places to walk
Word of warning though the midges are having a bumper summer to the west whereas we are hardly getting any at home in the central Highlands

Good luck to the OP
Oh and anyone wanting somewhere really quiet and off the beaten track may want to try Ardnamurchan, Strontian and Acharachle - truly stunning place
 
Fished a few places up there, Lochaline on the Sound of Mull, and Loch Etive. Stunning scenery, the only thing that spoils it is when the midges come out - its thick with them.

More of a SW Scotland bloke myself, been going up there for over 30 years, Kirkcudbright, Isle of Whithorn, Portpatrick and Sandhead, where I go yearly now. Great scenery (From the the Mull of Galloway lighthouse, you can see England, Scotland, Ireland and the Isle of Man),but not on the level of Western/North west Scotland, although you don't get any midges.

Wherever you go, I'm sure you'll enjoy it.
 
The said:
Went to Oban a couple year back and had a trip over to Mull. Very enjoyable and managed to catch excellent weather. Lovely part of the world.
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I went over to Mull a few yrs back.big mistake, it was on a Sunday and public transport was non existent. Good job the pub at the ferry terminal was open. Had a good 5 hrs to kill before catching the return ferry.
 
Captain Slackbladder said:
Cycled it last year as part of the NC 500...

Applecross up to Durness was stunning....doubtful you'll get a bus on most of the single track I rode on mind.
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That’s some shank on a push bike. I was up there at the weekend, I go every year on my motorbike and always think you cyclists must be mental pedalling that.

As regards the OP, I saw a coopers coach up there, they are based in bedlington so could be worth looking in to.
 
EcosseMackem said:
We're just back from a week in Kinlochewe right below Beinn Eighe - absolutely fabulous area but didn't realise the place we booked was right on the NC500
We never went much further than Torridon to the south and Gairloch/Poolewe to the north because there were so many fabulous places to walk
Word of warning though the midges are having a bumper summer to the west whereas we are hardly getting any at home in the central Highlands

Good luck to the OP
Oh and anyone wanting somewhere really quiet and off the beaten track may want to try Ardnamurchan, Strontian and Acharachle - truly stunning place
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If I can get the family organised, hopefully off up Beinn Eighe in the next hour
 
Dinsdale said:
The Granary? Last time I was in had a piece of lemon meringue pie which was tremendous, but last time we were back the sit in part was shut. I think the lad who owns it is called Barry iirc and he is/was a very good chef and tried his hand a baking.



The Lower Deck probably

Best food sit-innery was the Cuillin Hills for a posh meal or Arriba for a quick bite. With lockdowns and what not I haven't been out much on my visits up the last couple of years so I'm not sure whats good at the moment. Always enjoyed the Stein Inn but it changes chef every year, but its location is tremendous (see I'm not always doom and gloom :lol: )
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My brother in law has just moved from Portree back to Fife
They had one of those big townhouses on Bosville Terrace overlooking the harbour
Can't see the appeal of St Monan's after living on Skye to be honest
 
T_Bone said:
Never been. My missus has suggested we should do a coach trip. Seing as we are in our sixties and our grand kids are away soon I woukd like to look into it.
Can anyone suggest a coach company who will pick up in Teesside or Durham fir such one trip ?
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Dumfries and Galloway and the Solway Coast are smashing.
Or are you thinking further up into Ayrshire?
 
DaveH said:
I’m in Gairloch at the minute, arrived late yesterday. Any recommendations for walks in the area?

One difference I’ve noticed is in the lakes there is a well trodden path to the top of each hill, they seem less accessible here, or do people pick their own routes?

We have sea kayaking booked this morning and got a strong westerly wind and rain. Should be interesting!
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Theres a nice walk to loch maree from Poolewe, cross the bridge and walk up past the houses following the river.
 
Tattootwin said:
Theres a nice walk to loch maree from Poolewe, cross the bridge and walk up past the houses following the river.
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Cheers. There does look to be a canny route along the north of Loch Kernsa and down. I might try that out if the family don’t kick me out.

Everyone is dosing after a day of walking, even the dog is flat out. I’m sitting getting the map out ready for the next big walk. I’m already getting comments like “perhaps give it a day or two before you start looking”. We are only here for a week.
 
Dinsdale said:
Most of my family lives on Skye and if you want the advice of a regular visitor its this:
  • book every hotel or campsite months in advance
  • avoid June-August as the midges with bite your face off. Most repellents are rubbish.
  • if you're driving prepare for road surfaces from the 1850's
  • if you're venturing across to the outer hebrides book your crossings in advance and don't rely on the ferry not breaking down
  • for the remoter places don't rely on anything being open on a Sunday
  • on Skye particularly every tourist destination will be packed in Summer and car parks full to overflowing. You may even get turned away from places like the Fairy Pools.
  • The food in a pub or restaurant will be twice the price you pay in the NE and will be twice as bad.
  • There's plenty of places where you can escape the hoi poloi but you'll have to walk to get to them.
  • The further north you get from Fort William the quieter it will be.
I know some of this won't be applicable to the OP on a bus tour, but it might help someone


Also this.
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I've read some pretty grim reviews about the food on Skye: expensive and bland.
 

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