Isle Of Skye. [Archive] - Talk Photography

Galaxy66

08-02-2008, 23:44

We are off to the Isle of Skye in September for one week, we are renting a cottage in Sleat, Southern Skye.
We have never been there before but from what I have seen on the net it is a very photogenic place so hopefully I will be capable of taking decent pics by then to justify the outlay on the gear I now have.
It's a long way off I know but if anyone has any tips on where to go I will make a note of it, and also anywhere to call in on the way up there from Northumberland.

Cheers.

mobilevirgin

08-02-2008, 23:56

Not a photography tip. But go and have lunch or dinner at the Three Chimneys (http://www.threechimneys.co.uk/welcome.php) at Colbost. Its well worth the outlay - its a superb restaurant.

Pretty much the whole of Skye is photogenic. A quick tour around the various visitskye.com type websites will soon fill you in with places to go and see.

You will also go past Eilean Donan Castle (http://tinyurl.com/22rds3) on the way there. probably one of the most photographed places in Scotland. And for good reason.

Galaxy66

09-02-2008, 00:01

And the Three Chimneys, which looks good, is now bookmarked :thumbs:

Grendel

09-02-2008, 00:01

I went to Skye about 4 years ago and stayed at The Three Chimneys (http://www.threechimneys.co.uk). An absolutely gorgeous place with the most amazing restauarant and incredible rooms. The view over Loch Dunvegan is beyond compare. To say this place is remote is a major understatement :eek: but are photographic opportunites to die for. oooh I want to go back :)

EDIT: Well Mobilevirgin and I can't both be wrong :lol:

laser_jock99

09-02-2008, 00:23

Cuillin Ridge?

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f206/laser_jock99/TRAVEL/SKYE/Mvc-0414.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f206/laser_jock99/TRAVEL/SKYE/Mvc-0420.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f206/laser_jock99/TRAVEL/SKYE/Mvc-0445.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f206/laser_jock99/TRAVEL/SKYE/Mvc-0459.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f206/laser_jock99/TRAVEL/SKYE/Mvc-0466.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f206/laser_jock99/TRAVEL/SKYE/Skye_006.jpg

You've got be pretty fit though! I managed to get 3 whole days of blue skies in May 2000- unbelieveble weather for climbing. More pics here: http://s48.photobucket.com/albums/f206/laser_jock99/TRAVEL/SKYE/ appologies for the quality they are all video stills.

chewyuk

09-02-2008, 00:25

Where to start.... Went exactly a year ago next week ... talking about a place to literally blow you away. We based ourselves in Portree - Cuillin Hills Hotel and I got an education is whisky to start, suffice to say Talisker is now never far from my lips.

In terms of photography, you will see when you arrive, regardless of your arrival route - Mallaig ferry or Kyle of Lockalsh route exactly what it is as an island and that every road, turning, river or munroe is a shot itself. I never got tired of stopping the car and pulling over or walking and getting wet.
So many do not misses, I don't even know where to start.

Beautiful country, people, whisky and scenary. I am VERY envious. ENJOY and discover yourself! Happy to post a couple of don't miss places if you fancy it.

Moadib

09-02-2008, 00:49

You're also spoiled for choice on the way up too - drive up via Glencoe and take in Eilean Donan Castle, then over the bridge? Or travel along by the white sands of Morar, Traigh, and up through Arisaig, then take the ferry over onto Skye at Armadale - also an excellent road from Armadale into central Skye :D

EDIT : I also recommend this
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Scotland-Best-Peter-Irvine/dp/0007258887/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=gateway&qid=1202518238&sr=8-1
I've lived here all my life, and still use it all the time!

mobilevirgin

09-02-2008, 00:55

EDIT : I also recommend this
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Scotland-Best-Peter-Irvine/dp/0007258887/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=gateway&qid=1202518238&sr=8-1
I've lived here all my life, and still use it all the time!

Agreed - excellent book. Its a list of the 10 best things to see and do in Scotland, eg 10 best waterfalls, 10 best walks, 10 best views, 10 best restaurants, 10 best ...... etc. Skye has a pretty impressive hit rate in most lists.

Steep

09-02-2008, 08:05

Skye is small(ish), in a week you can go everywhere! :)

Galaxy66

09-02-2008, 13:12

Thanks for the tips and the links, will definitely pay the Three Chimneys a visit.........my own cottage has three also :).
Can't wait for September.
This is where we are staying, chosen because we also have two dogs.
www.spanglefish.com/hirsel

windward123

09-02-2008, 14:44

Been there a good few times in the past. Elgol is worth a visit for a great view of the cuillins specially if the weather conditions are right. Dunvegan Castle is quite interesting but even in bad weather you can get some really moody photos all over the Island

Wookie

09-02-2008, 15:11

my favourite route onto Skye is the 3rd crossing, the old cattle crossing at Glenelg/Kylerhea. You turn left off the A87 (The Kyle of Lochalsh road) at Shiel Bridge and take the hairpins up over the mountain. The ferry is brilliant, its a little boat with a turntable deck. When you head up the hill on the Skye side look back over your shoulder at the view, but only briefly as the road is single track, blind bends and a big drop on one side. At the top there is space to park and look back properly, just keep back from the edge!

http://www.skyeferry.co.uk/

and take really really good waterproofs, the Cuillins are the wettest part of the UK.

Wookie

09-02-2008, 15:12

Elgol is worth a visit for a great view of the cuillins specially if the weather conditions are right.

:thumbs:
I meant to write that too. You can get some fantastic views of the mainland and coast from the road out to Elgol, and Elgol itself gives you an amazing view back into the middle of the Cuillins.

reddeathdrinker

09-02-2008, 17:34

my favourite route onto Skye is the 3rd crossing, the old cattle crossing at Glenelg/Kylerhea...

Snap - I have a pic my parents took of me as a baby with the ferry in the background, and I have a pic of my own kids, on the same wall, with the same ferry :) More fun going across when the tide is running, If I remember right, it's about an 8-knot current at full rip! You can pop along the road while you're at Glenelg to Dun Telve and Dun Trodden (Pictish Brochs), and see the ruins of Bernera Barracks as well.

On Skye itself, take a drive up to Uig, and take the road over the hills to Brogaig, great views of the Quirang. When you come back down onto the main road, head south, visit Kilt Rock. You have several points from where to photograph the Red and Black Cuillain, just drive around them till you find one you like:)

Witch

09-02-2008, 22:32

Eilean Donan Castle....

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g45/Photozone72/Hebrides%20pics%202007/0010EileanDonanCastle.jpg

Skye is wonderful, the Islands further out even more so in my view. Up at the Ferry Terminal at Uig you will find the shop for the Isle of Skye brewery - handy for stocking up on supplies of a liquid nature. ;)

Gandhi

09-02-2008, 23:27

Try getting onto skye on the crazy little ferry from glen elg to kylerhea. It's proper job and much better than the bridge. Whilst there, glen brittle, the old man of storr, the ret of the quirang, glen brittle and a boat trip from elgol to loch coruisk are all worth doing.

Galaxy66

10-02-2008, 16:08

macky799

10-02-2008, 16:18

Not a great photo but heres one of Skye bridge.Was taken from the glass bottom boat that leaves from the mainland .

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/gallery/data/500/Skye_bridge.jpg (http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=26836)

Venomator

10-02-2008, 16:58

gibbo

10-02-2008, 17:18

If you can hire a small motor boat and have a look at some of the inlets and sea cliffs they are out of this world (Providing the weather is good) There are beaces you can access by sea Unless you can climb to them that are well worth a visit..... do you camp ??
The dreaded miidge is still lurking about in Sept, take some skin so soft by Avon and slap it on, its a bit kinder than Deet

macky799

10-02-2008, 17:24

Great thread ... :thumbs: ... we have just booked for June ... :D

Saves me asking the question myself now ... :thankyou: ... Galaxy

Even more looking forward to our trip having seen all these ideas ... ;)

:p

When are you going in june ven ive got a week booked beginning the 28th june, where are you staying

Galaxy66

10-02-2008, 23:34

If you can hire a small motor boat and have a look at some of the inlets and sea cliffs they are out of this world (Providing the weather is good) There are beaces you can access by sea Unless you can climb to them that are well worth a visit..... do you camp ??
>>>>The dreaded miidge is still lurking about in Sept, take some skin so soft by Avon and slap it on, its a bit kinder than Deet<<<<

Midges :eek::eek::eek: not the same little gits that terrorise visitors to Kielder reservoir I hope.

laser_jock99

10-02-2008, 23:49

One of the advantages of going in May or earlier is that 'midge season' hasn't fully started. Even on the very summits of the Cuillins they'll come for you if there's no wind. We overnighted near the summit of Sgurr Alisdair and still got the blighters at 2800 ft!

gibbo

11-02-2008, 00:19

Midges :eek::eek::eek: not the same little gits that terrorise visitors to Kielder reservoir I hope.

yup the very same, I attract theem like a kids to a sweet shop. I spend some time up in the Highlands and (so called)friends send me ahead just to attract the little b********
I was that badly caught out by them on Knoydart I had these women (total strangers) covering me in skin so soft By Avon as I had started to glow from the deet (ummm nice & it took some time to apply hahahaha) :thumbs:

gibbo

11-02-2008, 00:22

there is a midge forcast site its usually ok

http://www.midgeforecast.co.uk/2007/default_map.asp

(sorry if this is an attatchment)

Galaxy66

11-02-2008, 09:15

there is a midge forcast site its usually ok

http://www.midgeforecast.co.uk/2007/default_map.asp

(sorry if this is an attatchment)

We are staying Sept 13-20 hope it is not too bad then:'(

Eoghan

11-02-2008, 09:32

Skyes a great place with plenty of things to do as i am sure you are aware...

heres the other view of Eilan Donan castle that you get.
(apologies for the technicolour picture!)

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j245/BIG_EOG/Skye2006/castle.jpg

If you haven't seen it, watch stardust. there are several scenes filmed on skye and the especially the quiraing

Eoghan

Venomator

11-02-2008, 10:10

When are you going in june ven ive got a week booked beginning the 28th june, where are you staying

Hey Macky ... we're going to be there from 07th for just over a week and we are staying HERE (http://www.scottishcroftcottage.co.uk/) ... :D

:p

macky799

11-02-2008, 10:18

Looks nice ven were staying the other end of the island.Another place to visit is the seal boat trip at Dunvegan Castle, it takes you out and gets you really close to them:thumbs:Looking forward to all the pics posted after everyones trips.