north west scotland in july (1 Viewer)

[deansmith]

can anyone suggest some places of interest along the north west of scotland to visit in the middle of july, i have a family holiday from the 10th for 2 weeks and whilst all 4 of us are interested in birds and wildlife at different levels its been left to me to find some places that may be worth going so far i have only found handa island

This isnt a wildlife holiday so the places have to fit around the regular family holiday, so far the plan is travel up the west coast and visit the north of scotland and stay at 4 or 5 different places. though i belive Durness, Ullapool, and Arisaig are likely places we will be in or around.

thanks for your time

 

[delia todd]

Hi Dean

Just a few ideas, I'm sure there'll be others chip in.

A day boat trip out from Ullapool to the Summer Isles would be lovely, as would a trip to the Outer Hebrides.

OK you've ticked Handa off (a must) but don't just take the ummm... 'main road' in and out; on the way back it's well worth the detour round by Fanagmore and Foindle.

At Durness there's a ferry to Cape Wrath and a bus will then take you to the Lighthouse. A great trip. Also at Durness is Smoo Cave. I love Durness.

D

 

[gordon hamlett]

can anyone suggest some places of interest along the north west of scotland to visit in the middle of july, i have a family holiday from the 10th for 2 weeks and whilst all 4 of us are interested in birds and wildlife at different levels its been left to me to find some places that may be worth going so far i have only found handa island

This isnt a wildlife holiday so the places have to fit around the regular family holiday, so far the plan is travel up the west coast and visit the north of scotland and stay at 4 or 5 different places. though i belive Durness, Ullapool, and Arisaig are likely places we will be in or around.

thanks for your time

There's a nice hide overlooking the bay at Scourie - red throated divers etc. Inverpolly is stunning scenically - greenshanks, divers, raptors, seabirds. At Balnakeil , walk out onto Faraid Head for puffin plus corncrakes nearby. The villages beyond Kinlochbervie good for machair. Most of the big lochs have black-throated divers. Golden eagle etc at Ben Hope.

If you pm me, I'll send you a sample chapter of my book to gove you some more ideas.

Gordon

 

[JTweedie]

can anyone suggest some places of interest along the north west of scotland to visit in the middle of july, i have a family holiday from the 10th for 2 weeks and whilst all 4 of us are interested in birds and wildlife at different levels its been left to me to find some places that may be worth going so far i have only found handa island

This isnt a wildlife holiday so the places have to fit around the regular family holiday, so far the plan is travel up the west coast and visit the north of scotland and stay at 4 or 5 different places. though i belive Durness, Ullapool, and Arisaig are likely places we will be in or around.

thanks for your time

I was hoping to go up there last year, but finances and a broken car dictated otherwise! Handa Island looks like a must.

The whole area is part of a Geopark as the geology up there is some of the most important in Europe, with the oldest landscapes in the British mainland. There are some caves that were the remains of extinct animals were found and I think that's supposed to be a decent walk to them, and you may be lucky with the wildlife at the same time.

There's also Sandwood Bay, thought to be amongst the best beaches in the country, but remote, being a few miles from the nearest road.

Loch Stack holds Black-throated Diver, Dipper, Greenshank.

See here for more ideas: http://www.northwest-highlands-geopark.org.uk/index.html

 

[deansmith]

thanks for all your replies very much appreciated