Trip to Scotland- where to go?

[jon r]

I was thinking about going on a trip to scotland for a week to enjoy the vast terrain, lochs, and forrests. However i have never been to scotland before and i have no idea where would be a particularly nice place to go. Can anyone suggest a location that would be a nice place to visit. Perhaps you have a favourite place that you like to visit. Im looking for an area with large forrest and remote from any major civilization.

 

[gsfgaz]

where do u want ti start...the futher north yi go it get's even more stunnin

 

[jon r]

i dont mind going the extra mile to get somewhere super beautifull, as long as i can get there by train

 

[gsfgaz]

the west highland line runs to mallaig..beautiful area

 

[stewsam]

You could catch the boat from Mallaig to Knoydart...

 

[gsfgaz]

You could catch the boat from Mallaig to Knoydart...

or u could go ti Skye.. knoydart is beautiful m8

 

[jon r]

what attracts you to Mallaig? i just looked on google earth and it doesnt look like there is an abundance of trees there. Does it have an unspoilt coast rich with shell fish etc?

 

[stewsam]

Have a look at Inverie on the Knoydart peninsula...

Mallaig is literally the end of the line on the west coast

 

[Doc]

Knoydart is good, but mostly unwooded and was not as lonely as I thought it would be:

http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=30727&highlight=knoydart

North end of Loch Etive is wooded and quieter.

Glen Affric is huge, wooded with Scots pine and for pure scenery is hard to beat.

For train access, Rannoch moor is good, very lonely, but no trees.

 

[Gill]

if you are looking for wooded ,why not try Tentsmuir forest over on the east coast,just above st andrews it is a huge forest of scots and corsican pine that runs right along the coast line.so it would be good for a paddle as well.

 

[gsfgaz]

try the cairngorms oot , the linn of dee side..plenty crackin pines...

 

[Toddy]

Train to Pitlochry and just keep walking
Trees, trees and more trees, and hills, and lochs, burns and rivers

Oh and the chippy up the road to the Co-op, "The Plaice to Be" is really, really, really good........he even does gluten free batter

There's also a backpackers hostel in town so you can get a clean up and a night's b&b before the journey home among other folks

Or, How about Inverness ? Loads of forests along Loch Ness.

cheers,
Toddy

 

[jon r]

Great, thanks for the response! i'll get reserarching these places right away

 

[locum76]

Oh and the chippy up the road to the Co-op, "The Plaice to Be" is really, really, really good........he even does gluten free batter

Funnily enough, I was there yesterday on the way back from the Black Isle. He claims to have sold over 1 million fish suppers.

Jon you could get the east cost train line to Inverness which opens up your options for getting further north by public transport, you can change to a train to Plockton and Skye from there too so you're not limited to Mallaig on the West Coast too.

The Black Isle is good for camping, good food and wildlife but isn't quite as spectacular as Western Isles or the Cairngorms in terms of scenery. It is, however, much drier and midge free. It is the best place in Scotland for spotting dolphins and red kites. It's a bit parochial though.

Then there's the Borders, the Upper Clyde Valley, the South East Coast, Strathspey, Strathearn, Strathtay....

What would you like to see and do the most?

 

[w00dsmoke]

if you are looking for wooded ,why not try Tentsmuir forest over on the east coast,just above st andrews it is a huge forest of scots and corsican pine that runs right along the coast line.so it would be good for a paddle as well.

:AR15firin
I worked there on the reserve and the coast around Tentsmuir has some of the most dangerous currents and rip tides not to mention speed of tides in Scotland. Never paddle a kayak or canoe there unless you are with a local guide/expert. The tide at one time went out around 5 or 6km and rushes in fast. I got sick of rescuing tourists/boats who had wandered/motored in and got cut off on their way back.

Tentsmuir is a great place but the FC did have a habit of chasing campers off (the law has changed now so ur ok!), their ranger wasn't the most people friendly guy I've met.
The sand dunes are a well known cottaging location so just be aware that if you choose to camp in the dunes you may see some sights pmsl.

At this time of year why not choose a route with bothies? You'll get plenty shelter, have achance to dry out your gear and have a decent fire and get a heat into you as well. Most folk underestimate the weather up hear and it may not be snowing or sleet yet but the wind and rain make it really uncomfortable if you are just bivi'ing it or tenting it.

 

[Grooveski]

Feel obliged to mention Argyle.

West Coast Motors run a few buses out of Buchanan St every day. The drivers know the road well and get you places in good time.