[Closed] West Coast of Scotland - Tips

I'll be flamed but.... for many, the West Coast starts north of Skye 😁

Have a look at the Arisaig area, also Movern and Ardgour and Ardnamurchan. Mull is a good call, with lots of interesting geology if you are into that.

If you only have a week then try not to spread yourself too thinly.

An advantage of not going north if Skye is that you will avoid the NC500 (though Skye has been increasingly busy this past couple of years).

Don't forget your smidge! Smidge that midge! Scotroutes is right as well.

Quick and dirty response:

Drive to Skye via Glenfinnan/Arisaig/Mallaig ferry.

Climb hills anywhere en-route, although I personally would recommend Rois-bheinn as one of the best viewpoints on the West Coast

See-kayak in Arisaig.

On the way home, instead of the Skye Bridge, drive via the Kylerhea ferry (pretty much the only crossing in Scotland crewed entirely by collie dogs!) and stay a night in the Glenelg inn. If you have time climb Beinn Sgritheal nearby, possibly even better viewpoint than Rois-bheinn (but a longer, steeper climb...).

Distillery tours everywhere, but Talisker would be the obvious one on Skye.

Heaps of wildlife on Skye, day hikes or mountain hikes. I would recommend Boreraig as a day hike, maybe hike into Loch Coruisk from Elgol and arrange to get a boat back. Further north there's great short hikes out of Portree (I had a triple Sea-Eagle fly over near here) and the obvious stuff like the Quirang etc. Hiking out to the bothy on the northern tip (Rubha Huinish) is a short but beautiful diversion, just don't expect the bothy to be empty!

Mallaig is an interesting fishing and ferry port but is a bit of a dump. It does make you appreciate more where you've been ferried to. Seriously good smoked salmon in these parts.

Arasaig is stunning for kayaking

Oyster shed up the hill behind the Tallisker distillery on Skye - assuming you don't have a shellfish allergy.

Worth a trip to some of the smaller islands. Rùm has proper mountains and eagles and otters. Or Eigg has a quiet road for cycling, and some nice beaches. Or Raasay has a new distillery. And avoids most of the crowds on Skye.

Just came back through Skye this morning. It's heaving with campervans already and won't be any better in September. If Skye is as far as you can go, the Outer Hebrides are too far but have the best beaches. Arisaig (you can go via Corran / Ardgour ferry) and Mid Argyll have lovely beaches and should be quieter than Skye.

Mull is closer than Skye and has decent beaches at Calgary and towards Iona. Great day trip to Staffa for Fingal's Cave and some puffin spotting.

top tip, the water looks lovely, but it's usually baltic! 😆 End of august/beginning of september, is as warm as it'll get though!

top tip, the water looks lovely, but it’s usually baltic!

Only for southerners.

Well, sea temp usually only gets to 14/15C max. The lochs get a bit warmer, but even then it's all variable.

Regardless, It's still baltic, only difference is if you've got the balls to jump in or not! 😆

Those balls will magically disappear inside when you do.

Also midge net. I can't emphasise that enough.

Wear a coat with a hood.

How long have you got?

If its only a week, pick one general area or you end up spending too much time in the car and not enough exploring.

Are you camping? This will allow lots of flexibility of location according to weather conditions. It can be very different on the west than the east at times for example.

All the areas mentioned above are fabulous. My personal favourite is pretty much anything from Kyle of Localsh north to Cape Wrath! I know its a little more driving, but worth it, and in September you'll be after the worst of the NC500 busy period.

More thoughts:

The stunning beaches / coastline - Arisaig area is stunning ("Local Hero" beaches) - the only thing is the many campsites full of static caravans, but they're surprisingly well hidden once you're actually on the beaches. Further north, Achmelvich/Clachtoll are lovely spots to camp by beaches. And there's always Oldshoremore and Sandwood Bay right at the top...
Mountains - almost anywhere, but on the west coast, Cuillin of Skye, Torridon, Knoydart, Fisherfield Forest and Assynt are some of the best anywhere. Knoydart and Fisherfield are probably a bit "wild" for a flying visit, you need to walk in a fair way.
Sea Kayaking - Arisaig
Hiking / Walks - anywhere!
Cycling (this will prob be a pass out rather than a full day) - again, most areas excellent. Applecross circuit including the Bealach na Ba if you're keen.
Distillery Tour - Talisker on Skye
Wildlife - sea eagles and whales - Mull good for these. Otter sanctuary near Glenelg ferry on Skye.

Arran.

Has everything you ask, and about 10 hours less driving than Skye. And it won't be rammed.

Watch this, filmed on Skye:

globalti

Member
Watch this, filmed on Skye:

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fairly mild, I've seen worse! 😆

 

Ain't no insecticide known to man stopping that! 😆 You need a physical barrier!

And loads of antihistimines for the bits you missed to cover!

Smidge will stop that or at least 99% of it. It really is a game changer.

For sea-kayaking can recommend the following:
-Day trip around the summer isles
-Camping out for a couple of nights on Torsa
-Circuit of Ulva including Gometra (Mull)
-Uisken to Fionphort (Mull)

jagain

Member
Smidge will stop that or at least 99% of it. It really is a game changer.

Not in my experience. smidge is alright to a certain level but after a time it's as useless as anything else.

Morvich is nae bad. At the end of the Affric Kintail way, and also the falls of Glomach (theyre quite high, cant remember how high) nearby.

Parts of Skye are ridiculously heavily populated with tourists. I wouldnt be heading there at peak tourist time.