Road Trip ideas

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Simon
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I have a day off from the family tomorrow and want to make the most of it. Willing to get up early and travel around 120 miles from around Edinburgh. Three options come to mind - The Lake District, Glencoe and Bamburgh/Dunstanburgh. My plan is to shoot from dawn to dusk and perhaps beyond if the sky clears for some astro. I'm not adverse to a little walking but won't be climbing up mountains.

Glencoe is my first choice as there will be snow but the driving conditions put me off. I have got winter tyres on so should be ok unless it gets really bad but you can't take account of other road users. I have done Bamburgh recently so it would more likely be Dunstanburgh for the classic rocks shot. I've never photographed the Lake District and it looks a good all day venue. Weather looks reasonable everywhere so any hints, tips or insights would be gratefully received.
 
Glencoe would be my vote....in fact I was very tempted to try and head up there myself tomorrow, but the length of the drive (and the fact I would have to skip work) put me off. The lakes is nice and you would no doubt see some amazing sights, but I don't think much can beat Glencoe in the snow.
 
I would imagine the main roads will be fine, and any road leading to hotel / resort type place will probably be good as well. I imagine it must be peak season for the ski places around there so should be fine. It will probably be absolutely freezing though :D
 
I was going to head to glencoe this weekend but the traffic cameras for Altnafeadh shows it as horrendous driving conditions (I'd be travelling from Staffordshire). A couple of hours ago you couldn't even see the road for snow.

You could head south to Bamburgh/Alnwick and try the coast.
 
I was going to head to glencoe this weekend but the traffic cameras for Altnafeadh shows it as horrendous driving conditions (I'd be travelling from Staffordshire). A couple of hours ago you couldn't even see the road for snow.

You could head south to Bamburgh/Alnwick and try the coast.


The Altnafeadh cameras are what is putting me off. The road south at Tyndrum looks fine.
 
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Snow gates aren't closed but it's looked rough up there all day.
It could be cleared by tomorrow but the road has been covering over very quickly.

A friend is up their skiing and some of the drifts are really deep, he said roads were passable but very slow going yesterday. It just looks worse now!
 
I think the issue is where the hell do you park. There are a few good spots but then you are walking over deepish snow or along a road. It's easy enough when there is no snow as there is usually somewhere to the side of the road within a few hundred yards but I won't be able to see those spots and if I put a tyre wrong I'll be stuck. The road does look clear but as you say it wouldn't take much for it to get pretty hairy.
 
I think the issue is where the hell do you park.

This is one thing stopping me, I'm in a camper and been stuck there in snow before at Dalness. You'd be limited with A82/WHW parking if the other roads are snowed up, so will everyone else.
 
That's a decent shout but I have no knowledge of the area and I really want to get a shot or two. It's been a wee while since I have been out and there is nothing better to get your mojo back that taking a nice image. At least with Glencoe there are a few compositions I know will look good and given the snow should make for good images.
 
You cant fail, any mountain with snow on top will make a nice shot from up there:D
 
Looking at the traffic website it looks much the same as Glencoe. Snow falling and roads not totally clear. I'm starting to think the Trossachs might be a better shout. Still snow on teh peaks at least and a bit closer to home and less severe.
 
I'd have a morning in Edinburgh taking a few shots then an afternoon on LR with a hot drink or 2.

This coming from the idiot who'll be walking in Snowdonia if he can get out tomorrow.
 
You'll be fine if it isn't all iced over by morning, at least they treat the roads up there.

Good luck and keep warm, don't forget your hat and gloves(y)
 
Hope you have a good day

I did a similar thing a couple of Sundays ago in the Yorkshire Dales

Headed up to Ribblehead Viaduct for sunrise then drove round shooting all day then did the Lone Tree at Malham for sunset

Had a brilliant day by myself not having to work round what others were wanting to do

Need to plan a few more :)
 
Hope you have a good day

I did a similar thing a couple of Sundays ago in the Yorkshire Dales

Headed up to Ribblehead Viaduct for sunrise then drove round shooting all day then did the Lone Tree at Malham for sunset

Had a brilliant day by myself not having to work round what others were wanting to do

Need to plan a few more :)

Haha I did exactly the same a few Sundays ago (apart from I was too lazy to make sunrise). Probably passed at some point.
 
It was a smashing day to be out but not as productive as I had hoped with the camera. Restored some MOJO though and hoping for another trip in the next couple of weeks. I'm through in Glasgow a week on Saturday to watch Hibs play The Rangers so might do the Trossachs
 
I think we all go through lows and don't touch the cameras for a while, life takes over. When I lose the urge to go out with the cameras I also tend to do a road trip, it definitely helps with the mojo. You're also in the best country in the world, so you've got no excuse:D
 
I'm through in Glasgow a week on Saturday to watch Hibs play The Rangers so might do the Trossachs

AS you're in the govan area that day, hAve you thought of some shots around the squinty bridge, riverside museum area which can be quite photogenic if the light plays ball
 
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