Honeymoon in Scotland, trip suggestions

[NPG]

Not an easy question to answer and there will be many differing points of view. So, for want of giving you some food for thought, I wonder if you will have time to do all that you mention in your post? For example, Skye might give you a taste of what Harris and Lewis will give, do you really need to go to them?. Yes for sure Harris and Lewis are different, but not that different.

Bring some good Lightweight binoculars(10x40) with you, as there is much interesting wildlife to be seen, but often it will be at a distance.

Avoid the Tartan justification lecture and the family history story---------it has the same effect as a shark swimming into a shoal of herrings on the locals!

If you are going to wear the kilt then make sure its worn properly---hose pulled up, kilt at the correct height etc., the locals will appreciate that. And if father and son are wearing their kilt at the same time, it would best best if the kilts were of the same tartan,or at least of the same Clan.

Hope this helps and please do not hesitate to ask me for further thoughts should you require them.

Jock,

Thanks for the feedback. I really appreciate the tip about the binoculars, as that is not something I would have thought of until it was probably too late. Are there any must see spots for wildlife you can recommend?

As for the kilt in my other trips the only time I've worn the kilt in Scotland before was when I was 10 years old padding about my uncle's place in Ayrshire. It was my first kilt and I didn't know any better. I think we'll only pack the kilt if we have anything on the schedule that might be an occasion to wear one (highland games or ceilidh) and if we do I'm sure we will both be wearing the custom tartan we're having made, so we will match.

[Jock Scot]

Jock,

Thanks for the feedback. I really appreciate the tip about the binoculars, as that is not something I would have thought of until it was probably too late. Are there any must see spots for wildlife you can recommend?

As for the kilt in my other trips the only time I've worn the kilt in Scotland before was when I was 10 years old padding about my uncle's place in Ayrshire. It was my first kilt and I didn't know any better. I think we'll only pack the kilt if we have anything on the schedule that might be an occasion to wear one (highland games or ceilidh) and if we do I'm sure we will both be wearing the custom tartan we're having made, so we will match.

As you probably know, seeing wildlife either happens by accident, or after sitting, watching and waiting! If you are in the Highlands then, ten minutes with the binoculars whilst by a loch, glassing the hills and water can often pay dividends. Skye is probably the best place(not the only place) to see the Golden Eagle and the Sea Eagle, but with wildlife it really depends on the time of year and luck. Dolphins, whales and basking sharks are also around our shores in the summer months too.

You are getting good advice here from the others too. Sometimes, often in fact, it is the visitors who have the "T shirt" who are the ones who have the useful travel tips to an area and the posts above prove the point.

Yes Scotland is wet, but you may be interested to know that the Western Highlands has been the warmest place in Britain for the last few days and looks like being so for a few more days. Beware of the sun in Scotland! It is not tropical type heat, but with little air pollution the human skin can and does burn easily. I kid you not.

[NPG]

As you probably know, seeing wildlife either happens by accident, or after sitting, watching and waiting! If you are in the Highlands then, ten minutes with the binoculars whilst by a loch, glassing the hills and water can often pay dividends. Skye is probably the best place(not the only place) to see the Golden Eagle and the Sea Eagle, but with wildlife it really depends on the time of year and luck. Dolphins, whales and basking sharks are also around our shores in the summer months too.

You are getting good advice here from the others too. Sometimes, often in fact, it is the visitors who have the "T shirt" who are the ones who have the useful travel tips to an area and the posts above prove the point.

Yes Scotland is wet, but you may be interested to know that the Western Highlands has been the warmest place in Britain for the last few days and looks like being so for a few more days. Beware of the sun in Scotland! It is not tropical type heat, but with little air pollution the human skin can and does burn easily. I kid you not.

Great information. I know patience is the key, but knowing where one might find some of the wildlife to begin with is a big help so I appreciate the recommendations. I also appreciate the note about the heat and the sun. As one prone to burn I'll take note. That reminds me, how bad are the bugs up in the Highlands in the summer?

[Jock Scot]

Great information. I know patience is the key, but knowing where one might find some of the wildlife to begin with is a big help so I appreciate the recommendations. I also appreciate the note about the heat and the sun. As one prone to burn I'll take note. That reminds me, how bad are the bugs up in the Highlands in the summer?

Good question! Generally speaking, the western and northern sides of Scotland can be pretty bad for bugs. The "wee midge" is the well known hazard, but the tic, the horse fly(cleggs), and the mosquito are common in most places throughout Scotland. Although I think still fairly uncommon, Lyme's disease(from the tic) is now regularly diagnosed by our doctors these days and whilst being bitten by any blood sucking insect has its risks I am not aware of any other real health issues with the other biting insects here.

The "wee midge" can in the right conditions------windless days and in the evenings particularly and they don't worry about the rain-------can drive you indoors. They don't seem to operate in towns in numbers, but they are still about. In the country the moors can look as though they have a thick layer of smoke wafting just above it, its not smoke, its midges! I firmly believe that they are one of the reasons why the kilt is not worn regularly in the Highlands from about mid May to about mid September. Avon skin so soft lotion can help repel them and is used by our special forces and the locals to keep them at bay as do some other lotions---for a while--- and midge nets are a help too, but retreating indoors is always the best option.

[Jock Scot]

Just a wee taster of one of Scotland's more interesting airports. Barra.

The tide is out, wind not too brisk and from the right direction, and visibility is good enough, lets go!


So far so good!


Safely on the way to Inverness.