Scottish Islands

[Billy Jean King]

On 13/08/2023 at 20:42, Le Tout P'ti FC said:

Finished off a long weekend based at Tarbert with a trip over to Arran today. Third island of the weekend and my 7th and 8th ferry journey!

I’ve never really been to Arran. One previous trip which amounted to an over-and-back trip to Brodick. Also skirted around it on the Waverley once.

Have always imagined it to be overrated, and I’m still slightly sceptical about it (too busy; too close to feel like a proper Calmac adventure) but I did enjoy my wee walk today around the Fairy Dell.

Was only over as a foot passenger on the Catriona today and time limited by need to catch a particular ferry back to Claonaig to begin my long journey home.

Drove back via Kilberry Stones and found the place where they filmed the opening credits of the Crow Road.

Seems like a long time since I left the house on Friday morning, which is a good sign I suppose. Expect to sleep well tonight!

You will have driven past my family home on the way round the Kilberry road. A good few scenes of Crow Road were filmed at Ardpatrick House about a mile down a rough road from the family home at Ardpatrick crossing. The house is in an absolute stunning location looking over the West Loch.

We fished all round the North of Gigha (mainly around a rock formation known as "The Stirks") and the shoreline right around that end is amazing although it's pretty dangerous even for small boats. Beautiful area with some well hidden treasures including the caves at Kilberry Head and a couple of amazing remote beaches most notably at Kintallan Bay and Stronefield in Loch Stornoway. 

[Le Tout P'ti FC]

You don’t get much for £5.6m (plus £3.4m conversion) these days.

The MV Utne has developed a nasty dose of Calmacitis and is stuck in Craignure for three days. 

And so my wee half day Bank Holiday trip to Mull has been scuppered.

Yet to make it aboard the Utne. But at least I get to stare malevolently at it from close distance as I await my ferry turning around to dump me back in Oban.

 

[8MileBU]

On 15/08/2023 at 11:24, The Mantis said:

Had a week in Shetland during the Tall Ships. However we went off to Lewis 3 days later so I'm only getting round to sorting out the photos. Stayed with in-laws in Sandwick but went off up north for a couple of nights, to Yell and Fetlar. Only downside was not getting tickets for Peat & Diesel. 5000 tickets, sold out in a morning.

Hoswick from the road into Sandwick. Mossy Hill right, and Sumburgh Head in the distant centre.

Vaila Mae dwarfed by the big boat full of Sagas. Brian Wishart and Marc Chivers training some youngsters.

Arctic Skua or Skooty Allan

Yell landscape

Fetlar. Genuinely the most bleak place I’ve ever been. 5/6 hours felt like 5/6 months.

[The Mantis]

1 hour ago, 8MileBU said:

Fetlar. Genuinely the most bleak place I’ve ever been. 5/6 hours felt like 5/6 months.

It's actually far more fertile than Yell which you must have travelled through to get to Fetlar. Yell has the reputation that you draw the blinds on the side windows as you pass through. The bird life on Fetlar is tremendous though.

Yell landscape:

[LongTimeLurker]

Never been but always heard that about Fetlar being the garden of Shetland and stuff like that. Most of Yell is one big peat bog basically. Guess the bits around where the ferrys arrive at either end are not that bad when the weather's behaving itself to be fair but definitely not a recommended holiday destination. The picture of Sandwick makes me homesick for some crew biscuits from there topped with butter and salt and some milk straight fae the byre wi nane o that pasteurisation nonsense.

[ArmadaleKillie]

I actually liked the day I spent on Fetlar when we went to Shetland a few years ago. Used my drone at a couple of places there. Also went to a RSPB hide but saw very little.. probably because my kids can't be quiet.

 

 

 

[8MileBU]

On 28/08/2023 at 15:36, The Mantis said:

It's actually far more fertile than Yell which you must have travelled through to get to Fetlar. Yell has the reputation that you draw the blinds on the side windows as you pass through. The bird life on Fetlar is tremendous though.

Yell landscape:

When I was there it was for work on a day it was dark, grey and pissing rain sideways. 

However I did have possibly the best flapjack I’ve ever tasted at the wee cafe.

[Jeek]

I've looked through a bit of this thread and the pictures are fantastic.

a couple of weeks back, we went on a visit to Easdale Island and loved it

In a couple of weeks time we're back in Scotland again and want to do a bit of camping, either on a site or just wherever. Are there any other little island that are nice to visit that wont absolutely take the piss with a fare for the ferry?

[vikingTON]

If you did Easdale then you might have done Lismore already. If not then it's beautifully located and easy to get around. If you can get to Port Appin for the local ferry (lobster creels on the boat too!) then the journey is an added bonus - Port Appin/Castle Stalker is also a beautiful part of the mainland.

[cal234ey]

Picked an ideal weekend to head over to Gigha. Stunning weather for exploring lots of the little beaches, and spotting a couple of seals. Great views across to Jura and Islay.

Planning a longer trip over to some of the other islands later this year.

 

 

Edited April 30 by cal234ey

[Derry Alli]

There's a boy who posts on a Dundee messageboard from Islay. He's as mad as a box of frogs and everything my work try to put me over there I just point blank refuse. A boy I've never met has destroyed what is supposed to be a lovely place to visit for me because his postings on an Internet forum worry me I might bump into him and he finds out I'm from Dundee.

Mad old goat.

[The Mantis]

Been updating my islands list from page 1, plus a few pics to relieve the boredom...

Spent a long weekend in Islay in late April with a quick couple of hours in Jura. Jura was a let-down as it was Sunday. Never even saw a deer, but there was a Great Northern Diver. Islay was potentially about wildlife but was about 90% distilleries and some ferry-type stuff.

 

Been to Lewis twice already and going back in August. Also got a golden wedding to attend in Shetland in July, so combining it with a couple of days in Orkney. 

 

Shetland ( 17 times I reckon)- Mainland, Yell (3), Unst (2), Mousa (3 or 4), Vaila, Foula, Fair Isle, Bressay (2), Noss (2), Burra, Trondra, Fetlar (2), Whalsay, Muckle Roe, St Ninian's.

Orkney (2) - Mainland, Hoy, Burray, S.Ronaldsay, Rousay.

Western Isles - Lewis & Harris (maybe 100 times), N. Uist (2), S.Uist (2), Benbecula (2), Barra (2), Eriskay, Berneray, Scarp, Scalpay (3), Great Bernera, Pabbay, Monach Isles, Taransay, Hirta, Bhatarsaigh, Shiant Isles.

Inner Hebrides - Skye (maybe 15 times) , Raasay (2), Rona, Muck, Rum (2), Eigg (4) , Islay (4), Jura (4), Coll, Tiree, Mull (4), Iona (2), Staffa, Gigha (2), Arran (maybe 10) , Holy Isle (2), Bute (2), Great Cumbrae (2), Seil, Luing, Davaar (2).

Others - Ailsa Craig, The Bass (3), Cramond, Fidra, May (at least 7) , Inchcolm (2), Inchmickery, Handa.  

Also been to Rathlin which is a kick in the erse off Scotland, and Carrick-a-Rede, St Margaret's, Burgh Island (Devon), Anglesey and Lindisfarne.

 

[CarrbridgeSaintee]

4 hours ago, The Mantis said:

 

Been updating my islands list from page 1, plus a few pics to relieve the boredom...

Spent a long weekend in Islay in late April with a quick couple of hours in Jura. Jura was a let-down as it was Sunday. Never even saw a deer, but there was a Great Northern Diver. Islay was potentially about wildlife but was about 90% distilleries and some ferry-type stuff.

 

Been to Lewis twice already and going back in August. Also got a golden wedding to attend in Shetland in July, so combining it with a couple of days in Orkney. 

 

Shetland ( 17 times I reckon)- Mainland, Yell (3), Unst (2), Mousa (3 or 4), Vaila, Foula, Fair Isle, Bressay (2), Noss (2), Burra, Trondra, Fetlar (2), Whalsay, Muckle Roe, St Ninian's.

Orkney (2) - Mainland, Hoy, Burray, S.Ronaldsay, Rousay.

Western Isles - Lewis & Harris (maybe 100 times), N. Uist (2), S.Uist (2), Benbecula (2), Barra (2), Eriskay, Berneray, Scarp, Scalpay (3), Great Bernera, Pabbay, Monach Isles, Taransay, Hirta, Bhatarsaigh, Shiant Isles.

Inner Hebrides - Skye (maybe 15 times) , Raasay (2), Rona, Muck, Rum (2), Eigg (4) , Islay (4), Jura (4), Coll, Tiree, Mull (4), Iona (2), Staffa, Gigha (2), Arran (maybe 10) , Holy Isle (2), Bute (2), Great Cumbrae (2), Seil, Luing, Davaar (2).

Others - Ailsa Craig, The Bass (3), Cramond, Fidra, May (at least 7) , Inchcolm (2), Inchmickery, Handa.  

Also been to Rathlin which is a kick in the erse off Scotland, and Carrick-a-Rede, St Margaret's, Burgh Island (Devon), Anglesey and Lindisfarne.

 

Jeezo that’s some list!

What did you think of Fair Isle?  Did you fly or get the Good Shepherd?

[The Mantis]

30 minutes ago, CarrbridgeSaintee said:

Jeezo that’s some list!

What did you think of Fair Isle?  Did you fly or get the Good Shepherd?

Fascinating although you can see I've been to some pretty amazing places anyway, but nowhere so obsessed with birds. We flew from Tingwall. Here's a shot of our baggage handler who entertained us with his geetar...

Mrs Mantis has a sister in Mainland Shetland so we broke up the week with 2 nights in Fair Isle to give her a break. Booked well in advance so lucky with the weather (May 2016). Stayed at the FIBOT observatory before it burned down...

Got led on an introductory walk by one of the staff, first afternoon. Obviously they're all mental birders while I'm really more of a photographer. They all have walkie-talkies so we got alerted to a Calandra Lark and a Woodchat Shrike and piled into the minibus to fly around the place.

Next day me and the missus walked around and climbed the hill. But first we were out early as they check the Heligoland traps. A few 'birds in the hand'

Then it was back to Tingwall airport.

Had some amazing experiences in Shetland mind you, Up Helly-Aa for one. We know Chris Stout of Fiddler's Bid. His family are from Fair Isle. One year his father was having his 50th and his daughter was 18.
They hired the Carnegie Hall in Sandwick but instead of the usual stuff with a disco and a load of sandwiches etc, they got half the folk in the village providing seafood, plus the music was provided by anybody in Shetland that happened to be free. So we had Chris Stout, and Gary Petersen of Hom Bru, and Filska. 

[CarrbridgeSaintee]

1 hour ago, The Mantis said:

Fascinating although you can see I've been to some pretty amazing places anyway, but nowhere so obsessed with birds. We flew from Tingwall. Here's a shot of our baggage handler who entertained us with his geetar...

Mrs Mantis has a sister in Mainland Shetland so we broke up the week with 2 nights in Fair Isle to give her a break. Booked well in advance so lucky with the weather (May 2016). Stayed at the FIBOT observatory before it burned down...

Got led on an introductory walk by one of the staff, first afternoon. Obviously they're all mental birders while I'm really more of a photographer. They all have walkie-talkies so we got alerted to a Calandra Lark and a Woodchat Shrike and piled into the minibus to fly around the place.

Next day me and the missus walked around and climbed the hill. But first we were out early as they check the Heligoland traps. A few 'birds in the hand'

Then it was back to Tingwall airport.

Had some amazing experiences in Shetland mind you, Up Helly-Aa for one. We know Chris Stout of Fiddler's Bid. His family are from Fair Isle. One year his father was having his 50th and his daughter was 18.
They hired the Carnegie Hall in Sandwick but instead of the usual stuff with a disco and a load of sandwiches etc, they got half the folk in the village providing seafood, plus the music was provided by anybody in Shetland that happened to be free. So we had Chris Stout, and Gary Petersen of Hom Bru, and Filska. 

Cheers Mantis, all sounds very interesting.

Sad to hear the Bird Observatory burned down.

I did Up Hella Aa years ago too.  Stayed in the Queens Hotel in Lerwick - Dan Snow the historian was there at the same time.

The Bells Brae school was rocking! 

[The Mantis]

13 hours ago, CarrbridgeSaintee said:

Cheers Mantis, all sounds very interesting.

Sad to hear the Bird Observatory burned down.

That was 2019 but it’s been rebuilt. However I’ve just checked and it seems they still have to finish it internally and the builders have gone bust.

Edited May 18 by The Mantis

[Le Tout P'ti FC]

Have made it to a few islands this year - Bute, Lewis, Harris, Scalpay, Gigha, Islay, Seil, Easdale, Mull, Iona and Kerrera. Oh, not forgetting Cramond! And Black Isle bar!

Was booked to go to Colonsay whilst on Islay but I abandoned plans as the sky was as black as soot and I felt I’d better delay it until a better day to do my first trip justice.

Looking forward to trips to Skye and Raasay when we’re based in Plockton for the summer holiday. First time on Skye since my 30th birthday and we hat wasn’t yesterday!

Also got a family trip to Inchcolm coming up. And there will be a Summer trip to Cumbrae before too long as (newish) traditions must be upheld.

But still I’ve never made it to Barra or Eriskay! Looks like that won’t happen this year either. Still smarting about my cancelled 2020 trip there.