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North of Scotland/Orkney & Shetland


mattyq
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Planning on going up to the far North of Scotland and possibly either Orkney or Shetland for a week in August.

Anybody got tips as to what to do, where to go etc?

Can't decide whether to drive up or fly to Edinburgh/Glasgow and get the train the rest of the way. 

Interested in walking and outdoors stuff interspersed with the odd pint and whisky

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I would drive, mate.

 

I've not been to the islands but the far north of Scotland is a beautiful and rugged place, most of which is inaccessible by public transport.

 

Unless you were planning on hiring a car up there, in which case, ignore me.

 

Hope you get decent weather.

 

Edit - last time I was there was a family holiday about 35 years ago, hence the lack of information.

 

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I'd head for Lochinver on the west coast of Sutherland, make that your base for at least a few days. Stunning location close to mountains such as Suilven and Canisp and a white sandy beach called Achmelvich.

 

A nice day out is climbing nearby Stac Pollaidh which is a little to the south. And to the north you can hike out to the old man of Stoer. the drive takes you past Clachtoll which is another stunning beach.  

 

Durness is right in the top left-hand corner of Scotland close to Cape Wrath and also amazing. Smoo cave worth a look. Then across the top of Scotland to John O Groats via the Kyle of Tongue. Sensational stuff, enjoy, mate

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I'd head for Lochinver on the west coast of Sutherland, make that your base for at least a few days. Stunning location close to mountains such as Suilven and Canisp and a white sandy beach called Achmelvich.

 

A nice day out is climbing nearby Stac Pollaidh which is a little to the south. And to the north you can hike out to the old man of Stoer. the drive takes you past Clachtoll which is another stunning beach.

 

Durness is right in the top left-hand corner of Scotland close to Cape Wrath and also amazing. Smoo cave worth a look. Then across the top of Scotland to John O Groats via the Kyle of Tongue. Sensational stuff, enjoy, mate

How would you know?

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The NE corner is flat and boring , Wick is a dump and there is nothing worth doing at John O Groats other than getting the photo to prove you were there, Driving west along the north coast you find some great deserted beaches and the landscape changes at Tongue with some spectacular mountain views. Take warm clothes !

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I'd head for Lochinver on the west coast of Sutherland, make that your base for at least a few days. Stunning location close to mountains such as Suilven and Canisp and a white sandy beach called Achmelvich.

 

A nice day out is climbing nearby Stac Pollaidh which is a little to the south. And to the north you can hike out to the old man of Stoer. the drive takes you past Clachtoll which is another stunning beach.  

 

Durness is right in the top left-hand corner of Scotland close to Cape Wrath and also amazing. Smoo cave worth a look. Then across the top of Scotland to John O Groats via the Kyle of Tongue. Sensational stuff, enjoy, mate

Fucking hell sounds like something out of a Harry Potter meets LOTR film.

 

Or a bad porno plot.... I got Kyle of Tongue in my Smoo cave while old man Stoer John O Groated me with a Canisp. Than I got a STI called Clachtoll and my Achmelivch fell off.

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We go NW Scotland every year, heading further north each time. If you like driving then deffo, deffo drive. Once you're past the Great Glen (Fort William) the roads empty of caravanners and the roads are truly epic. Check out the north coast 500 website: I'd recommend the area around Torridon, Gairloch and Apple-cross: drop-dead gorgeous and plenty to see.

 

Orkneys & Shetland deserve a separate explore at another time.

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Planning on going up to the far North of Scotland and possibly either Orkney or Shetland for a week in August.

Anybody got tips as to what to do, where to go etc?

Can't decide whether to drive up or fly to Edinburgh/Glasgow and get the train the rest of the way.

Interested in walking and outdoors stuff interspersed with the odd pint and whisky

Declare victory and get out.

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I'd head for Lochinver on the west coast of Sutherland, make that your base for at least a few days. Stunning location close to mountains such as Suilven and Canisp and a white sandy beach called Achmelvich.

 

A nice day out is climbing nearby Stac Pollaidh which is a little to the south. And to the north you can hike out to the old man of Stoer. the drive takes you past Clachtoll which is another stunning beach.  

 

Durness is right in the top left-hand corner of Scotland close to Cape Wrath and also amazing. Smoo cave worth a look. Then across the top of Scotland to John O Groats via the Kyle of Tongue. Sensational stuff, enjoy, mate

 

 

Interesting , thanks

 

Thinking about going up to Cape Wrath as done most of the the other extremities of the mainland over the years.

Whats the ferry like for the last bit ? I don't generally get on too well with boats and choppy seas.

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Interesting , thanks

 

Thinking about going up to Cape Wrath as done most of the the other extremities of the mainland over the years.

Whats the ferry like for the last bit ? I don't generally get on too well with boats and choppy seas.

No bother. The ferry to Orkney (Scrabster to Stromness) has the potential to be choppy, it just depends, mate. Even in summer it can be a bit ropey. If it was me I'd head for the isle of Skye instead. Prettier, nearer and it has a bridge...

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We go NW Scotland every year, heading further north each time. If you like driving then deffo, deffo drive. Once you're past the Great Glen (Fort William) the roads empty of caravanners and the roads are truly epic. Check out the north coast 500 website: I'd recommend the area around Torridon, Gairloch and Apple-cross: drop-dead gorgeous and plenty to see.

Orkneys & Shetland deserve a separate explore at another time.

No one gets past Great Glen.

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