isle of skye

[markyb]

having sacrificed a week in tenerife for a week in glencoe in feb, ive got the bug and want to go back in may for a week at yet another sacrificed week in tenerife
this time i was thinking of going a bit further north and quite fancy the isle of skye
question ?
is there enough of photographic locations to keep me going for a week or am i better staying on the mainland and having a day over there.
how does skye compare to the highlands around glencoe
ive looked at various websites on the island but the photos dont seem to do it much justice

[andysnap]

2.Isle of Skye, Scotland
The Isle of Skye - Information and Guide ... A Picture Tour of Skye. Self-catering & Bed and Breakfast Accommodation. Arts, Crafts & Galleries ...
www.isleofskye.com - 2k - Cached have a look at this hope it helps

[AJB]

We have been up to Syke on 3 occasions now and are going back again in October. There's definately lots to keep you going. The Cullins, Trotternish ridge, Quirang, Neist Point, Dunvagen Castle where you can also see the seals, The Coral Beaches, I could go on and on. If you stay in the south of the island then you can also drive back to the mainland and up into Westerross. Then there's always a boat trip to Harris, Lewis, Eigg or Rhum. I don't think you'll run out of places to photograph. Having said all this it does tend to rain alot but then there is the Talisker whiskey factory!! :):):)

[DavidK]

I'm off to Skye in 10 days, I think there'll be enough to keep you busy for a week :)

[Dimitri]

Having been there, I don`t think one week is long enough to really explore Skye.

Also try this link, (http://www.pbase.com/dimitri_v/skye) it will give you an idea of what to expect.

[flowergirl]

i am going to hijack this thread, and ask about mull. They run puffin tours from there, thoughts? Puffin tours from skye? Which way to go??
geez dimitri, they are such beautiful images!!

[markyb]

well it seems like im sold on skye.
still trying to find a cottage at a good price. most seem to be booked up.
is ther any better place to stay ie :north / south
besides landscape i like to try my hand at wildlife/birds etc
so like flowergirl i have also looked at mull as a location

[markyb]

ok cottage booked and we go a week on friday
i have a few questions
we are stopping about 5 mins from potree.
were is the best place to stock up on food. is there a tesco/morrisons
on the isle
,we could stop at fort william on the way up. but with frozen food its not a good idea.

petrol stations. were are the stations located on skye and are there plenty of them.
i saw that excellent thread on skye by dimitri. but i would like a bit more info on places to photograph.
like best location for sunrise / sunset shots.
are there any nice beaches on skye?
oh and one last thing. are we going to be pestered with the dreaded midge

[flowergirl]

i can't answer your questions mark, but i hope you have a great holiday, and let us know how it went, and look forward to your piccies.

[Mark]

petrol stations. were are the stations located on skye and are there plenty of them.

I found Morrisons in Fort William to be the cheapest place for petrol/diesel when up there.

[DavidK]

ok cottage booked and we go a week on friday
i have a few questions
we are stopping about 5 mins from potree.
were is the best place to stock up on food. is there a tesco/morrisons
on the isle
There is a large Co-op superstore in Portree, follow signs for the Uig road and you can't miss it. There is also a medium sized supermarket in the town centre near the Bosville Hotel (which is just up from the turn-off to the town harbour)

There is also a large Co-op store in Broadford (behind the petrol station), and there is a large Co-op store accross the bridge in Kyle of Lochalsh

petrol stations. were are the stations located on skye and are there plenty of them.
There are a few dotted about but your best bet is to fill up in either Portree or Broadford - prices there aren't too bad


i saw that excellent thread on skye by dimitri. but i would like a bit more info on places to photograph.
like best location for sunrise / sunset shots.
are there any nice beaches on skye?
I'll try and get some maps and info posted up for you late this evening


oh and one last thing. are we going to be pestered with the dreaded midge?
Highly likely, it was 20+ degrees up there the other day so they'll be well and truly active now! :mrgreen:

[Dimitri]

ok cottage booked and we go a week on friday
i have a few questions
we are stopping about 5 mins from potree.
were is the best place to stock up on food. is there a tesco/morrisons
on the isle
,we could stop at fort william on the way up. but with frozen food its not a good idea.
The 1st wee town you will get to when on Skye (and on your way to Portree) is Broadford, there is a super market there (co op i think) and also a petrol station right next to it, thats where you get your supplies from, there are other petrol stations all around the island so as long as you fill your tank, there is no need to panic about fuel.
i saw that excellent thread on skye by dimitri. but i would like a bit more info on places to photograph.Unfortunately Mark, that thread was for the trip from Glasgow to Skye and not for Skye itself, i`ll try create one for just Skye as soon as i have some time.
like best location for sunrise / sunset shots.
are there any nice beaches on skye?For just now get an idea of places from my pictures (http://www.pbase.com/dimitri_v/skye), thats as much as i can help.
oh and one last thing. are we going to be pestered with the dreaded midgeAt this time of year probably not.

[DavidK]

I'll try and get some maps and info posted up for you late this evening

I've made a start on it - plenty more to come :mrgreen:

http://www.inspiring-photography.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11652

[markyb]

thanks for all the excellent replies and info you have all provided.
im going to spend the next few days looking at it and making notes, on were to go.
oh i hope you are right dimitri. regarding the midges. we had the pleasure of there company last aug whilst camping in glencoe. horrible things
we got some repellent just in case. but was wondering what you guys recomend

[Mark]

we got some repellent just in case. but was wondering what you guys recomend

I can't tell you if it works as I never needed to use it but it came recommended to me.... Avon skin so soft, apparently the Army uses it.

[Bourne]

Avon's Skin So Soft Body Oil which you can buy as a spray does the trick.Used it when i was doing the ridge a couple of years back works a treat.

[Dimitri]

I can't tell you if it works as I never needed to use it but it came recommended to me.... Avon skin so soft, apparently the Army uses it.
I`ll second that, its like oil/cream and lasts for awhile.

[markyb]

ive heard of the Avon stuff before
ill contact them and see if they can get me some delivered before the 17th
oh Dimitri, with regards to your post on the trip from Glasgow up to Skye , ill try and follow that on the way up.
traveling through the night from wigan, so should hit loch lomond for sunrise , got plenty of time to get there plus we cant get in to the cottage till 16.00

[Dimitri]

ive heard of the Avon stuff before
ill contact them and see if they can get me some delivered before the 17th
oh Dimitri, with regards to your post on the trip from Glasgow up to Skye , ill try and follow that on the way up.
traveling through the night from wigan, so should hit loch lomond for sunrise , got plenty of time to get there plus we cant get in to the cottage till 16.00
There you go. (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/AVON-SKIN-SO-SOFT-DRY-OIL-BODY-SPRAY-INSECT-REPELLENT_W0QQitemZ270234104271QQihZ017QQcategoryZ 31753QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

[markyb]

just looked at Avon web page.
there must be dozens of products called skin so soft .
everything from bath oil to hair removal .
can you give me an idea of which one i need

[Dimitri]

just looked at Avon web page.
there must be dozens of products called skin so soft .
everything from bath oil to hair removal .
can you give me an idea of which one i need
I just put a link above your question Mark.

[Scottie]

It is still quite early in the season for big Midge attacks but they're definately out there already, be aware Mark, that with Avon skin so soft being a scented Oil if like me you try and wear it on a hot sunney day your skin will be fried !!

[markyb]

thanks dimitri our posts must have crossed
i hope you are right about it being a bit early scottie
last time we experienced them was in aug 07
i was a smoker then and i must have chain smoked all weekend to keep them away
ive quit now so cant do that this time

[Scottie]

What I didn't like about the avon stuff was that although the midges didn't appear to bite me they still pestered me and landed on me, read this review http://www.wyrdology.com/edinburgh/midges/avon.html

I used to do a lot of inland fishing in Scotland so I've had my fair share of midge attacks, I found jungle formula to be quite effective in keeping them away all together.

http://www.jungleformula.co.uk/

Also, my brother used to be in the RAF and would bring me home this cream which I also found very effective

http://armynavysurplus.co.uk/British+Army+Insect+Repellent/aw-12301268.html

good luck with whatever you choose :) Remember, midges don't like really hot sunny days or breezy conditions so keep that in mind before you go slapping on the repellent :)

[markyb]

well i just got back from my week in potree on skye
the time is now 01.13 and ive been on the road since 10 .30 sat morn
been stopping all the way back. and im wrecked
420 miles to my home in wigan and ive done 1500 miles in total
thanks to all you guys on here who helped out with information and places to go
i printed loads of it off and took it with me,
i think i must have been down every road and track on skye
as for the weather well what can i say.
i was hoping to get maybe a couple of nice days out of 7. we had in fact wall to wall sunshine. i got burnt quite a bit even though it was quite breezy
i managed to shoot hundreds of shots ,but struggled at sunset. for some reason i seemed to be always in the wrong place .
elgol was a struggle as well .
with the days being longer now it was very tiring being out all day till late and i never managed to get up for sunrise.
ill have to trawl through them and see if any worth posting

[Scottie]

i was hoping to get maybe a couple of nice days out of 7. we had in fact wall to wall sunshine.

:eek:

You lucky bugger Mark !! Glad to hear you had a good time mate :)

[flowergirl]

sounds like you had a ball though mark, enjoy sifting through all those photos!! Look forward to seeing them.

[SusieB]

Wall to wall sunshine on Skye, unbelievable.... can't wait to see your shots!

[markyb]

the problem with all the warm weather and sunshine was.
no water.
all the rivers seemed to have dried up and even the lochs seemed to be lower
so no silky water shots.
called at etive mor on the way and that was just a trickle unlike in feb

[Richard Peters]

well i just got back from my week in potree on skye
the time is now 01.13 and ive been on the road since 10 .30 sat morn
been stopping all the way back. and im wrecked
420 miles to my home in wigan and ive done 1500 miles in total
thanks.
The drive is a killer!! It was 654 miles door to door for me and we did it in one day on the way home, took me 12 1/2 hours...yaaaaawn!!!