[i.munro]

Periaodically I get homesick & feel the need to spend some time in Scotland (odd as I've lived 99% of my life S of the border but there it is) & I feel like that at the moment.

I'm not planning a pure bouldering trip as I know what the weather & insects are like but a bit of walking some sightseeing perhaps a bit of sea-kayaking.
However if a miracle happens & the weather happens to be dry & the skies are clear of flying beasties it would be a shame not to have the shoes & the pad. so...

I was thinking of Mull & or Torridon/Applecross  of which i know Applecross a little & the others not at all
but pictures of reiff & loch buie look good..

Any recommendations ideas welcome

thanks as ever

ian

[GCW]

What do you mean "a bit" of walking?  The Fisherfield forest is a great place to wander around and backpack.
There's some rbouldering up there too, Ullapool etc.  Reiff is great for routes too.
Mull is a great island, as is Arran.

How long are you going for?

[SA Chris]

Ian, we did a two day seakayaking trip on Ardnamurchan last year and thought it was great, definitely recommended.

This crowd organise kayaking trips at Applecross http://www.applecross.uk.com/msg/kayaking.htm

If you are planning on heading up before end of may, midgies shouldn't be too bad.

You could easily head to Applecross, some OK bouldering around the bottom of Beallach na Ba (apparently the steepest road in the UK , and a challenge for the legshavers), then head to Torridon for a spot of bouldering (or some great trad) and do the classic moutains around there if you fancy that, then head up to Ullapool (some bouldering around there, including on the beach at Ardmair(with the best skimming stones in the world) then Reiff and Reiff in the woods. The campsite at Achnahaird (for Reiff) has stunning views.

Then there is Skye too. And the Hebrides.

The new bouldering guide is just out, you can get it through Stone Country website. I don't think it is the shops just yet.

Shout if you have any more questions.

[i.munro]

Thanks Chris?

That was kind of what I had in mind partly because I had to drop out of a sea-kayaking course with those guys you mentioned  a few years back (somehow didn't occur to me that a wrist injury bad enough to stop me climbing for a year might struggle with kayaking Doh!) but really enjoyed just hanging out in Applecross.

Sadly, work means that I'll almost certainly be going in midge season. Having said that, on my one previous attempt at bouldering in Scotland I had much more trouble with ticks & horse-flies than the midges. (God's own country alright).

As to how long I'm thinking ten days-ish but just playing with ideas at the moment.

Ian

[dave]

if you want to buy the old Stone Country bouldering guide, in good condition, I'm your man. Its a superb guide (honest).

[SA Chris]

Ticks are a fucker from April onwards. No amount of breeze will keep them away. Had one of my best ever days out at Applecross the year before last. Climbed Cioch Nose in the morning, then went over to Applecross for the afternoon for the seafood festival. Mid summer, cloudless skies and strong breeze kept the midgies away. Paddling on the beach at Applecross with views over to Hebrides, chowing down on fresh seafood and listening to live music. Pity we had to drive as I could have quite happily sat there and got ruined.

The roads in that area are also improved enormously now, much easier to get around.

There are seas kayak centres all ovet the place now if you are looking for options.

[Jaspersharpe]

if you want to buy the old Stone Country bouldering guide, in good condition, I'm your man. Its a superb guide (honest).

http://ukbouldering.com/board/index.php/topic,8106.msg121225.html#msg121225

 

[i.munro]

if you want to buy the old Stone Country bouldering guide, in good condition, I'm your man. Its a superb guide (honest).

http://ukbouldering.com/board/index.php/topic,8106.msg121225.html#msg121225

 

Thanks guys but I'm already a proud owner & I enjoyed it. Having said that I'll watch any old Sh&*t on TV if it's set in Scotland (told you I get homesick).

[dave]

Oh well, you can't blame a guy for trying.


In Ft William area and Skye last June the ticks were ridiculous. You only had to walk within about a yard of a bit a bracken and they'd be all over you, necessitating a thorough stripsearch upon return to the crib - I'm glad I went with the shortie. A mate of mine got lymes disease from a tick in sweden a couple of years back, so its worth taking seriously.

[SA Chris]

Worst I have come across is at Creagh Dubh. The place is overrun with goats (not sure if they are wild or feral, I didn't ask) and has shoulder high bracken in the summer. Swear I had dozens of the bastards on me, some the size of small spiders. Didn't even like the climbing much.

Thise tick removing hooks are definitely a worthwhile investment.

[i.munro]

Not exactly "visit Scotland" or whatever it's called on here is it.
I hate ticks!!!