Le Tout P'ti FC Posted June 26, 2021 Share Posted June 26, 2021 Kerrera today. If you want to know the exact distance a seven year old can walk before having a full meltdown, it's about 200 yards short of the return journey to Gylen Castle. Full tantrum ensued.Fortunately the RNLI speeding past to recover a sailboat which had biffed some rocks enlivened matters and the tantruum was abated.Top tip from today would be get the 8:45 ferry, which we had to ourselves, as the next ferry at 10:35, and those coming after, brought waves of people. The time we had the island to ourselves was superb. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I'm Brian Posted June 26, 2021 Share Posted June 26, 2021 Few days in Oban booked in August was thinking of heading to Lismore for a few hours to see the lay of the land, mainly to check out Coeffin Castle Any recommendations for things worth looking out for? Going to Luing and Easdale as well followed by a couple of nights on Arran, hoping that I don't get TOO drunk at the distillery 3 hours ago, Le Tout P'ti FC said: Kerrera today. If you want to know the exact distance a seven year old can walk before having a full meltdown, it's about 200 yards short of the return journey to Gylen Castle. Full tantrum ensued. Fortunately the RNLI speeding past to recover a sailboat which had biffed some rocks enlivened matters and the tantruum was abated. Top tip from today would be get the 8:45 ferry, which we had to ourselves, as the next ferry at 10:35, and those coming after, brought waves of people. The time we had the island to ourselves was superb. I had that exact same tantrum when I was there. I was on my own though Cracking loop that southern end. Like you I was in heaven with the peace and quiet. Other than the postie on her quad bike I think I passed two people towards the jetty on the last leg 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Le Tout P'ti FC Posted June 26, 2021 Share Posted June 26, 2021 Few days in Oban booked in August was thinking of heading to Lismore for a few hours to see the lay of the land, mainly to check out Coeffin Castle Any recommendations for things worth looking out for? Going to Luing and Easdale as well followed by a couple of nights on Arran, hoping that I don't get TOO drunk at the distillery [emoji4] I had that exact same tantrum when I was there. I was on my own though [emoji1787] Cracking loop that southern end. Like you I was in heaven with the peace and quiet. Other than the postie on her quad bike I think I passed two people towards the jetty on the last leg First day up Oban way today in a good while, no new recommendations as such. I notice a new place (The View), where they've built a nice looking terrace overlooking the bay. It used to be the horrible Skippinish Ceilidh House. Haven't been in yet.Otherwise it has only been a case so far of visiting Kerrera and Ganavan, then getting a nice chippy from George Street Fish bar. Lunch was from the seafood hut at the ferry terminal. They had the admirable cheek to both say they only took card for £20+ transactions AND sulk and ask if I had anything smaller when I handed over a £20 note to pay for our £14 purchase. First time I've used cash to buy my lunch since Covid, that £20 note has probably been with me since then. They gave me my change in 20 and 50p's. Service has never been their "thing" I suppose. Over to Mull tomorrow. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorongil Posted June 26, 2021 Share Posted June 26, 2021 14 minutes ago, Le Tout P'ti FC said: First day up Oban way today in a good while, no new recommendations as such. I notice a new place (The View), where they've built a nice looking terrace overlooking the bay. It used to be the horrible Skippinish Ceilidh House. Haven't been in yet. Otherwise it has only been a case so far of visiting Kerrera and Ganavan, then getting a nice chippy from George Street Fish bar. Lunch was from the seafood hut at the ferry terminal. They had the admirable cheek to both say they only took card for £20+ transactions AND sulk and ask if I had anything smaller when I handed over a £20 note to pay for our £14 purchase. First time I've used cash to buy my lunch since Covid, that £20 note has probably been with me since then. They gave me my change in 20 and 50p's. Service has never been their "thing" I suppose. Over to Mull tomorrow. Service is generally bad in the Highlands and much of rural Scotland. It’s a weird mentality. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorongil Posted June 26, 2021 Share Posted June 26, 2021 On 31/05/2021 at 22:40, Avon Barksdale said: Going to Arran for the 1st time in July. Genuinely excited. Arran is just a magnificent place. Where I live I can be at the Ardrossan Ferry in 25 minutes. For family reasons we go to Lewis a lot. Have also visited Skye and Harris. if anyone wants any info re Lewis just say. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vikingTON Posted June 26, 2021 Share Posted June 26, 2021 (edited) 1 hour ago, I'm Brian said: Few days in Oban booked in August was thinking of heading to Lismore for a few hours to see the lay of the land, mainly to check out Coeffin Castle Any recommendations for things worth looking out for? If you're interested in Coeffin then I'd take in Tirefour broch on the way: a still remarkably intact Iron Age round building on the east side of the island. Walkhighlands has a guide for the route to Tirefour from the ferry terminal (stay on the right side of the island and you can't go too far wrong). The junction that runs up from Tirefour to the main road/clachan/heritage centre is about 500 yards away from the opposite path going down to Coeffin, so it's not a significant diversion at all. That also gives great views over the Appin mountains before heading over to the Morvern ranges on the other side. If you have time then getting the other ferry back from the northern point of Lismore to Port Appin, passing Castle Stalker and then getting the bus from Portnacroish back into Oban is a good bonus as well. Quote Going to Luing and Easdale as well followed by a couple of nights on Arran, hoping that I don't get TOO drunk at the distillery Another great and underused day out from Oban, if the weather is good then the beer garden looking over the sea at Ellenabeich is glorious as well. Edited June 26, 2021 by vikingTON 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Mantis Posted June 27, 2021 Share Posted June 27, 2021 (edited) 18 hours ago, Thorongil said: Arran is just a magnificent place. Where I live I can be at the Ardrossan Ferry in 25 minutes. For family reasons we go to Lewis a lot. Have also visited Skye and Harris. if anyone wants any info re Lewis just say. Whereabouts in Lewis? my missus is from Uig. Quite a bit on this thread if you dig back for 24 pages. We're off again next Thursday. Edit - just to add a couple of cheeky pics from our last visit in April/May. The last one is St Kilda from about 50 miles away. Edited June 27, 2021 by The Mantis 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorongil Posted June 27, 2021 Share Posted June 27, 2021 3 hours ago, The Mantis said: Whereabouts in Lewis? my missus is from Uig. Quite a bit on this thread if you dig back for 24 pages. We're off again next Thursday. Edit - just to add a couple of cheeky pics from our last visit in April/May. The last one is St Kilda from about 50 miles away. My Mrs is front Sandwick. We tend to go all over the place when we are up. Great pics! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Le Tout P'ti FC Posted June 27, 2021 Share Posted June 27, 2021 Mull today. Made it no further than Langamull and Calgary beaches. Outstanding. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vikingTON Posted June 28, 2021 Share Posted June 28, 2021 The whole Firth of Clyde to Arran is turquoise at the moment and with the weather holding it could get even brighter through the week. This was from Dunagoil on Bute today. First visit to Helmi's in Rothesay for a Syrian breakfast as well, very much a holiday vibe today. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamamafegan Posted July 1, 2021 Share Posted July 1, 2021 Heading to Orkney for 5 days on Saturday. Will read through the thread later to see if there’s been any suggestions but if anyone’s been I would appreciate recommendations for things to do/visit. I’ve got a plan drawn up but there’s room for more. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
invergowrie arab Posted July 1, 2021 Share Posted July 1, 2021 (edited) I probably can't add much that TripAdvisor won't have as top 10 Orkney sites but Ring of Brodgar, Maes Howe, Skara Brae and Stennes etc all class. When I was there you could a ticket that covered all Historic Scotland sites. Tomb of the Eagles is a bit of a hike but stunning on a sunny day. Highland Park tasting tour is the best whisky tasting experience I have done in Scotland. Was about 80 quid but well worth it. You also have Scapa distillery We couldn't get to Hoy as ferries were all booked so book in advance if you fancy that. The beaches are great all over. I would say the Italian Chapel is skippable. Interesting story but not much to see in and of itself. Nobody is too cool to get the Twatt photo. In Kirkwall itself St Magnus Cathedral is well worth an hour or so. We didn't eat out much but Helgis was god for a pint. Skippers and Torvhaug were more for the young team/offshore lads. I like the Auld Motor House too. Edited July 1, 2021 by invergowrie arab 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamamafegan Posted July 1, 2021 Share Posted July 1, 2021 2 hours ago, invergowrie arab said: I probably can't add much that TripAdvisor won't have as top 10 Orkney sites but Ring of Brodgar, Maes Howe, Skara Brae and Stennes etc all class. When I was there you could a ticket that covered all Historic Scotland sites. Tomb of the Eagles is a bit of a hike but stunning on a sunny day. Highland Park tasting tour is the best whisky tasting experience I have done in Scotland. Was about 80 quid but well worth it. You also have Scapa distillery We couldn't get to Hoy as ferries were all booked so book in advance if you fancy that. The beaches are great all over. I would say the Italian Chapel is skippable. Interesting story but not much to see in and of itself. Nobody is too cool to get the Twatt photo. In Kirkwall itself St Magnus Cathedral is well worth an hour or so. We didn't eat out much but Helgis was god for a pint. Skippers and Torvhaug were more for the young team/offshore lads. I like the Auld Motor House too. Brilliant, cheers. Brodgar, Skara Brae, St Magnus are already on the list. Hoy is as well, I'm a bit wary of ferry spots so will need to get that booked as I want to spend the day there. Definitely doing the HP tour, I was thinking just the standard one for £30 quid which includes 3 drams. The next one up is £60 per head, the gf will not be up for paying that as she doesn't like whisky. Not arsed for the chapel but the gf wants to see it. Going to get a nice meal out one night as well so will trip advise that for ideas. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RiG Posted July 1, 2021 Share Posted July 1, 2021 (edited) Orkney is fantastic. Absolutely love the place. Depending on tide times it's worth getting out to the Brough of Birsay if you can. Some stunning sunsets on Orkney as well so be sure to head out for a wander in the evening to catch some of them. The view from Yesnaby is wonderful. For food I recommend The Foveran just outside of Kirkwall. Edited July 1, 2021 by RiG 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamamafegan Posted July 1, 2021 Share Posted July 1, 2021 On 27/06/2021 at 14:03, The Mantis said: The last one is St Kilda from about 50 miles away. This photo angle is bamboozling me. I'm trying to imagine you taking the photo from Lewis and I cannot get my head round this. From left to right: Hirta, (wtf is that island?), Boreray, Stac an Armin? I'm on St. Kilda right now, I've been looking out the window trying to figure this out 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamamafegan Posted July 1, 2021 Share Posted July 1, 2021 4 minutes ago, RiG said: Orkney is fantastic. Absolutely love the place. Depending on tide times it's worth getting out to the Brough of Birsay if you can. Some stunning sunsets on Orkney as well so be sure to head out for a wander in the evening to catch some of them. Yes, this is on the list. Plan is to go there for sunset on Saturday - low tide is at 2348 so fingers crossed I can just about walk over the causeway just in time for sunset at 2220 so I can photograph some puffins. Ring of Brodgar for sunset another night as well. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
invergowrie arab Posted July 1, 2021 Share Posted July 1, 2021 2 hours ago, jamamafegan said: Brilliant, cheers. Brodgar, Skara Brae, St Magnus are already on the list. Hoy is as well, I'm a bit wary of ferry spots so will need to get that booked as I want to spend the day there. Definitely doing the HP tour, I was thinking just the standard one for £30 quid which includes 3 drams. The next one up is £60 per head, the gf will not be up for paying that as she doesn't like whisky. Not arsed for the chapel but the gf wants to see it. Going to get a nice meal out one night as well so will trip advise that for ideas. I sent the missus jumper shopping whilst I I hoofed. The 3 dram one will be fine as its a really unique distillery just to see too. If you get the old boy you will get more than 3. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Mantis Posted July 1, 2021 Share Posted July 1, 2021 (edited) 7 hours ago, jamamafegan said: Brilliant, cheers. Brodgar, Skara Brae, St Magnus are already on the list. Hoy is as well, I'm a bit wary of ferry spots so will need to get that booked as I want to spend the day there. Definitely doing the HP tour, I was thinking just the standard one for £30 quid which includes 3 drams. The next one up is £60 per head, the gf will not be up for paying that as she doesn't like whisky. Not arsed for the chapel but the gf wants to see it. Going to get a nice meal out one night as well so will trip advise that for ideas. Went to HP many moons ago. The missus didn’t like whisky either. On that tour they gave you your dram right at the start then sat you down to watch a video. I thought, fine, I’ll get hers at the end of the video. But she had arsed it She’s never looked back. Also Scapa was mothballed while we were in Orkney that time. We did a few house swaps when the kids were young, we had Harbour House at Scapa pier and were looking over to it every day. Went back in 2018 and toured Scapa. A bit meh, and no photos allowed. The chapel used to be free for you to wander into. It’s now about 3 quid which is no hardship, but if you want photos and aren’t arsed about going in, you have to stand outside the fence. And it’s so popular it’s hard to get a shot without some fat wifey in an orange cagoule wandering out the door just as you press the shutter. You can go to Hoy by passenger ferry from Stromness but you probably need bikes to get to Rackwick and walk to the Old Man. Otherwise it’s not that worthwhile. Also a car ferry from Houton, goes via Flotta. That way you can visit Longhope (Lifeboat tragedy) and the WWII museum at Lyness, as well as driving up to Rackwick for the Old Man, or climb Ward Hill. The two big hills on Hoy are visible all over Orkney. There’s a Sea Eagle nest at the Dwarfie Stane which the RSPB make a big fuss about. All the nice young English staff insist on calling it ‘stone’ so you can wind them up by saying what next, Falchurch instead of Falkirk, Churchcaldy instead of Kirkcaldy, Fortfermline for Dunfermline etc etc. And I think it’s pronounced ‘dwaarfie’ rather than ‘dworfie’. Edited July 1, 2021 by The Mantis 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8MileBU Posted July 1, 2021 Author Share Posted July 1, 2021 (edited) On 29/06/2021 at 00:07, virginton said: The whole Firth of Clyde to Arran is turquoise at the moment True story. This was my view from Kintyre over to Arran from a wee beach near Peninver (between Campbeltown & Carradale) on Tuesday afternoon. Absolutely stunning. 8 hours ago, jamamafegan said: Brilliant, cheers. Brodgar, Skara Brae, St Magnus are already on the list. Hoy is as well, I'm a bit wary of ferry spots so will need to get that booked as I want to spend the day there. Definitely doing the HP tour, I was thinking just the standard one for £30 quid which includes 3 drams. The next one up is £60 per head, the gf will not be up for paying that as she doesn't like whisky. Not arsed for the chapel but the gf wants to see it. Going to get a nice meal out one night as well so will trip advise that for ideas. The ferries from Orkney mainland to the other Orkney islands are run by the council and have always been first come first served any time I’ve been up there. Think pre-booking a ferry spot normally only applies to specific HGVs or special delivery type vehicles which need to be carried urgently. Basically though, the inter-island ferries are just town service buses on water for the most part. That said and now I’ve wrote all the above, it’s been just over two years since I was last in Orkney so not sure if Covid might’ve changed things with the ferries. Hoy is definitely worth a visit, even if only for the war museum. It’s not much to look at from outside mind you but I had a couple hours to kill before a return ferry when last on Hoy and could’ve easily spent most of the day in there reading all the stuff on the walls and in the displays. The museum was free as well but a wee donation wouldn’t go amiss. Same if you go to St Magnus. Skara Brae is fascinating and well worth the visit too. Takes a good couple hours to get round it all especially if you take in Skraill House too. It was free for me with my Historic Scotland membership card, but have to add that it was very nice of the wee auld wumin at reception to admit my colleague as a child and said “If anyone asks he’s your son”. Which would’ve made me a father at 8 year old! Edited July 1, 2021 by 8MileBU 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Jean King Posted July 3, 2021 Share Posted July 3, 2021 The whole Firth of Clyde to Arran is turquoise at the moment and with the weather holding it could get even brighter through the week. This was from Dunagoil on Bute today. First visit to Helmi's in Rothesay for a Syrian breakfast as well, very much a holiday vibe today. Sea has been that colour off the Ayrshire coast for weeks likewise Kintyre last weekend. An unusual although harmless algae bloom apparently behind it. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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