Exploring Scotland help please

[Jim Ford]

Originally Posted by sleipnerofasgard

I am camping on mull at the end of july for four nights

Try to get across to Ulva - it's a little gem!

Jim

[joeted]

Originally Posted by Jim Ford

Yes, it's Rothiemurchus forest. If you cycle, you can spend all day on the forest tracks, The waterfall in the Gallery is also in the Cairngorms (Glen Feshie), as is the 'Fairy Glen' (Glean alt Sluggain).

You can walk and camp anywhere in the Cairgorms. For a civilised camp I use one at Coylum Bridge, near Aviemore. I then usually set off on two or three (sometimes longer) backpacking trips from there.

Jim

Thats brilliant thanks alot Jim
sounds great there and exactly what im looking for.So if i went into the Rothiemurchus (i wont bother trying to spell that when ive had a few !) forest I could just set up a tent anywhere ?
Also thanks to everyone else so far for your suggestions, im spoilt for choice now

[joeted]

By the way ive just been looking at loch morlich on google earth and it looks amazing surrounded by forest. is that correct ?

[Jim Ford]

Originally Posted by joeted

So if i went into the Rothiemurchus (i wont bother trying to spell that when ive had a few !) forest I could just set up a tent anywhere ?

You can, but I wouldn't recommend camping in the actual forest. There aren't many clear spots and the forest floor is very uneven and lumpy with heather covered rocks. You can find good camping spots by the rivers with nice grassy banks. For starting, I suggest you try near the Cairngorm Club Footbridge on the Lairig Ghru path. There's some nice spots around NH935 074. If you get very adventurous, try the side of Loch Etchachan, it's beautiful there:



There's also good camp spots in Glen Fesshie:



and:



If feeling very adventurous and your tent is up to the prospect of high winds, the Wells of Dee on the Briariach Plateau is a great spot at around 4000 ft

At the head of Glen Einich, a stalkers path takes you up to a high corrie with good camping and from there you can get onto the Briariach Plateau.

Lots of choices, but be prepared for midges and clegs!

Jim

[joeted]

If i was to fly does anyone know what the best airport to fly to would be ?
I'd rather fly and just get a hire car at that end to save time

[Jim Ford]

Originally Posted by joeted

By the way ive just been looking at loch morlich on google earth and it looks amazing surrounded by forest. is that correct ?

Yes, but it's quite busy and there's little opportunity for camping, except on the official Forestry Commission site.

Jim

[Jim Ford]

Originally Posted by joeted

If i was to fly does anyone know what the best airport to fly to would be ?
I'd rather fly and just get a hire car at that end to save time

Inverness airport.

Jim

[Ian MacLeod]

For an off the beaten track experience, try Glengarry, 23 miles of single track road coming to an abrupt end at the hamlet of Kinloch Hourn. To get there, follow the A82 to Invergarry village then the A87 for 6 miles. Turn off onto the single track road sign posted Tomdoun/Kinloch Hourn.

Glengarry forest is designated a red squirrel stronghold and crested tits can be found there. Loch Garry is now a SSSI due to it's special bird life and Scoter, black and red throated divers nest locally. Golden eagle are seen regularly and sea eagle occasionally. Osprey have returned to the glen this year after a 3-4 year absence.

Red deer are almost guaranteed on the hills around loch Quoich though they tend to be higher up and harder to spot in July and August. Come November and they will almost be sticking their heads in the car window. Scenery is wild and stunning at any time of year.

You say you do not want to join a tour or guided walk but this will give you the best chance of at least spotting the wildlife you seek. I can help if you want to go this route (very small groups). Unless you have specialist knowledge and masses of patience, don't expect to get photo's of Eagle or osprey that show anything more than a little black speck in the sky.

Another great wildlife watching spot is Ardnamurchan. I was out at the lighthouse last week and photographed a basking shark 10 yards off the shore, Gannets in flight and watched an otter walking along the shoreline. This is probably as good a place for golden eagle as you will find. Sea eagles are regularly sighted too. For the best wildlife opportunities, be out at or just after dawn (around 04.30 just now!)

By the way, the Fort William to Mallaig road is no longer single track as one of the other respondents mentioned, the final section of two way road having been opened this year. That said, I'd recommend taking the old part of the road between Arisaig and Morar for the scenery, especially the beaches (Traigh, silver sands and Camusdarrach) and the views to Rhum and Eigg

[sidewalkdoctor]

Originally Posted by Jim Ford

Yes, it's Rothiemurchus forest. If you cycle, you can spend all day on the forest tracks, The waterfall in the Gallery is also in the Cairngorms (Glen Feshie), as is the 'Fairy Glen' (Glean alt Sluggain).

You can walk and camp anywhere in the Cairgorms. For a civilised camp I use one at Coylum Bridge, near Aviemore. I then usually set off on two or three (sometimes longer) backpacking trips from there.

Jim

I agree with Jim on this one, it's all on your doorstep.

[smartie]

I've just come back from a glorious week on the Isle of Mull, where we saw over 70 species of birds, including white-tailed eagles on their nest, lots of golden eagles and a Slavonian grebe (a lifer for me). There are good sightings of otters round Loch Beg and red deer coming into the meadow next to our house. Didn't see the corncrakes on Iona - heard them, but they are so well hidden in the long grass that it's only by the sheerest luck that anyone is seeing them at present. Also didn't see the crossbills in the pine forests, though others did.

Only downside was that the midges are dreadful just at present, and there are a lot of sheep ticks about.

I'm now definitely going to buy a better camera for next time.