Scottish Holiday - Can anyone help please ?

rolling earth · #1 (**permalink**) 25-05-2008, 03:29 PM

My wife and I are spending 2 weeks in Mallaig at the start of June with a view to watching and (hopefully) photographing whatever wildlife we can. I've got loads of info from the web for Ardnamurchan,Knoydart,and the Islands but can find very little info about the immediate area.It would be nice to know what to expect "locally". We're particularly keen to see Otters,Seals and any Cetacians which may move up the Sound of Sleat and we will be ideally placed as our cottage looks out towards Skye.We'd be grateful for any tips or info anyone could provide.

I realize that it is a very sensitive time of year with regard to breeding birds etc so I wouldn't expect any "de facto" details in that respect.

P.S. Got my Deet and Tick removal tweezers at the ready.

rlchew · #2 (**permalink**) 25-05-2008, 05:08 PM

Two tips ....

For the midges .... Avon Skin So Soft is excellent!

For a sites and locations .... NHBS - Best Birdwatching Sites: Scottish Highlands - Gordon Hamlett

I visit the Highlands and Islands regularly but I am not too familiar with the Mallaig area other than a route through on the way to Skye. However, I do recall seeing Manx Shearwaters through the Sound of Sleat, presumably from the Rhum colonies.

Enjoy your trip .... there is always something exciting to see up there!

Richard

rolling earth · #3 (**permalink**) 25-05-2008, 05:28 PM

Many thanks Richard, I'll check them out,my wife will be especially pleased with anything which will keep the midges away.

poschiavanus · #4 (**permalink**) 25-05-2008, 07:46 PM

Many years ago one could do a day trip to the Small Isles, either on the CalMac ferry or with a local boat man. On a nice day the views are great & good chance of seeing lots of birds, and perhaps more.

Arisaig has very nice beaches, with great views: remember the film Local Hero? I'm sure that many of these could be worthwhile.

There is also a little road along Loch Morar with the odd path leading off into the back country. Loch Morar has its own special fauna: Morag.

Look out for Atlantic Hazel and Oak woods with their special moss and lichen floras (very photogenic).

HTH,

poschiavanus

rlchew · #5 (**permalink**) 25-05-2008, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poschiavanus

Many years ago one could do a day trip to the Small Isles, either on the CalMac ferry or with a local boat man. On a nice day the views are great & good chance of seeing lots of birds, and perhaps more.

I had forgotten that. I did that trip many years ago on a VERY lumpy sea but there were loads of seabirds.

You can still do this trip .... Summer: summer-small-isles--mallaig-eigg-muck-rum-canna.gif

Richard

rolling earth · #6 (**permalink**) 26-05-2008, 03:19 PM

Looks like island hopping and cruises will be well up the agenda.

Was it MOLE who said " There's nothing quite like messing around in boats " ?

almostnormal · #7 (**permalink**) 27-05-2008, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rolling earth

Many thanks Richard, I'll check them out,my wife will be especially pleased with anything which will keep the midges away.

on this front...avon skin so soft is much quoted as being great (my housemate uses it with citronella mixed in) but it does cause skin irritations in some people, so i'd check. DEET's pretty good although it'll need to be tropical strength to deal with scotish midges. if scottish midges are in synch with northumberland midges you'll be pleased to know that they are beginning to arrive...

seamusagleann · #8 (**permalink**) 27-05-2008, 08:30 PM

hi there rolling earth !!! where your going is on my doorstep, its a lovely part of britain. the beaches are truely amazing !! seals can be seen from almost any part of the shore and with luck otters too. around the isle of Muck, porpoises can be seen.woodlands,both coniferous and broadleaf abounds.if your passing the door pop in for a cup of tea and a chat!! as they say in my language ,Ceud mìle fàilte!!!....wecome!

rolling earth · #9 (**permalink**) 28-05-2008, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by almostnormal

on this front...avon skin so soft is much quoted as being great (my housemate uses it with citronella mixed in) but it does cause skin irritations in some people, so i'd check. DEET's pretty good although it'll need to be tropical strength to deal with scotish midges. if scottish midges are in synch with northumberland midges you'll be pleased to know that they are beginning to arrive...

The Deet i got is "Expedition 100 + " max strength so here's hoping! Thank you for the warning about avon/citronella,I will indeed check it out.

rolling earth · #10 (**permalink**) 28-05-2008, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seamusagleann

hi there rolling earth !!! where your going is on my doorstep, its a lovely part of britain. the beaches are truely amazing !! seals can be seen from almost any part of the shore and with luck otters too. around the isle of Muck, porpoises can be seen.woodlands,both coniferous and broadleaf abounds.if your passing the door pop in for a cup of tea and a chat!! as they say in my language ,Ceud mìle fàilte!!!....wecome!

Unfortunately we won't be able to drop in for a cuppa as we will be travelling by train but "Go raibh maith agat" for your kind offer Seamusagleann (hope I've got the correct derivitive/spelling).

I hope to post a trip report of some description when we get back if it's acceptible on the WAB.