Scotland-Hiking the Highlands

[ktmrider]

So, I just returned from two weeks in Peru. I used the X100 for color and M6 for b&w and some color. I used the 35 field of view on both cameras with just a couple using the 90. The 21 never left the camera bag.

I am looking at the Highlands of Scotland in September. I plan on possibly hiking the West Highland Way and then spending about a week exploring Scotland by bus and train.

So, I am looking for must things to see/do. Am thinking a single M with just a 50 and Ektar 100 or the X100.

Thanks.

 

[shadowfox]

Soooo, how about posting some pictures from your Peru trip? 🙂

 

[ktmrider]

Actually, I have never posted anything, ever, on the net.

 

[MikeL]

I did the hike in the 90s and had a great time. I loved all of it, so I don't have any specific must-sees. I think the most fun was all the people I met on the hike, people from all over the globe.

If I were to do it again, I'd bring a 35 or a 28 + 50. And I'd go lighter than I did last time. My feet still hurt from walking on all the granite with a good-sized load.

 

[dbarnes]

My wife and I spent two weeks in the highlands and islands in June 2010. We rented a car and drove Edinburgh, Fort William, Skye (Portree), Uig>Tarbert ferry, Stornoway>Ullapool ferry, Inverness, Sterling, Edinburgh and home. Lots of informal day hikes along the way, nothing serious. But the terrain is rugged.

And it's just stunningly beautiful. Grass and rock and sea. (And sheep.) Very few trees on the islands.

I brought a Bessa R with 35/2.5. My wife brought a Nikon D3000 with 18-55. That combination worked pretty well. We had unworldly fabulous weather and the scenery pretty much commanded panoramas. My X100s would have been great on that trip! Worse weather might have socked in most of the long and wide views. I can imagine long hikes being just magical and full of great photos. Or wildly wet and cold, but perhaps still full of great photos.

The Scots are smart and friendly. And as Mike L said, there are visitors from everywhere. We had a particularly nice dinner sharing a table with strangers, a couple from Barcelona, at a crowded restaurant on the Tarbert harbor.

I would go back in a heartbeat.

Happy to exchange PMs and further info if you like!

 

[Gareth Rees]

Remember the midge cream, just in case the weather is warm!

 

[pkreyenhop]

I'd take a waterproof camera! I did the hike in early autumn and it was raining every day. Some days it was raining only for a few hours, but enough to get properly soaked.

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

If you do get to Ullapool then try and get on a boat trip to the Summer Isles. The views back to the mainland are superb and you are seeing the mountains from sea level...

Regards, David

 

[Paul Jenkin]

As Gareth Rees said, take a jungle strength insect and midge repellant. Not joking. I've known grown adults crying with frustration and the pain of infected bites. Worst areas tend to be anything lower-lying with water nearby.

Otherwise, the West Highland way (and its continuation, the Cape Wrath Trail) is an absolutely stunning path and something I wish my knees could cope with these days!

Be prepared for four seasons in a day, twice-over. I've needed everything from waterproofs to a thin vest top on the same day.

You'll love it....

 

[ktmrider]

Thanks. Was originally looking at two routes in 14 days. Now one trail only (probably West Highland Way) and then a few days to explore the important parts of Scotland, the single malt distillaries. Actually, I want to do one hike and then do something other then hiking like Edinburgh.

And I do want a simple photo kit so either an M with 2 lens max (thinking just a 50 actually) or X100. Of course one needs film while the other needs a batteries. Machu Picchu was good in b&w but I am betting Scotland calls for color so thinking Ektar 100 might be the correct palette.

 

[rumbliegeos]

A combination of the West Highlands and Edinburgh offers many rich opportunities for photography. I don't have any titles handy, but looking at some of Colin Baxter's panoramic photographs of the Highlands may be inspirational. I echo all of the advice about raingear and insects. If on reflection you can live with the weight, taking a slower and lighter 90mm for the M may allow interesting foreshortening and isolation effects for the mountain scenes, which I suspect may be quite different than the Andes topography.

 

[Barolodrinker]

Ektar in Scotland in September? You will need to also bring something faster.

 

[Michael Markey]

Ektar in Scotland in September? You will need to also bring something faster.

Yes, I would suggest 100 is way too slow.
I would recommend 400 minimum.

 

[Snowbuzz]

Yeah, weatherproof camera: my Rollei 6008 malfunctioned because of misty rain up there.

 

[Bob T]

Loch Ness

Glen Coe

Scotland

Edinburgh

All shot with a Fuji X-E1 and 18-55 lens. Scotland is a wonderful place to visit!!

 

[Bob T]

Correction, the Loch Ness shot was done with the Fuji X-E1 and a Hexanon M 90 with Fuji adapter. The pano function of the Fuji works well.

 

[ktmrider]

Love the panoramas. The X100 does a great job with them as well. As much as I like M bodies and film, sometimes I think we analogue dinosaurs are missing the boat with the new cameras and the technology they represent. So which would work better in the rain, a M body or X100? I am guessing a film body.

 

[locheeboy]

Hi KTM

The West Highland Way, is a great start tae the trip, walked it and cycled it. There's plenty info on the web.

Try and get down tae Edinburgh by the North East/East coast, Aberdeen, Dundee (my home town) then Edinburgh. The East coastl usually has its best weather in May/June and then September.

Don't worry about expensive tropical insect spray, this is what the smart folk use...

Outdoor stores and climbing shops now stock this, as well as any good chemist. Midgies hate it! Ah believe it's good for the complexion also...😎