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sweatysock



Member Since: 17 Jul 2011
Location: Warwickshire
Posts: 283

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 CSW Indus Silver
Trip around Scottish Islands
Hi Folks,

Planning a trip around the Scottish mainland and Islands, with a max of 5-6 days to play with. Whilst (as you expect) I have good knowledge of the mainland, my experience of the islands is limited.

I am going with Mrs Sweaty Laughing so a mix of camping and B&B being the likely solution. My question is therefore, does anyone have any advice on the best islands, decent B&B's (island based) and other logistical considerations.

The distance from Warwickshire in not inconsiderable so missing those most northerly islands may be an idea but I do wish to sample the isolation that a more remote island may bring.

Thanks for any input

ps. advice on kit etc also welcome Sweatysock
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110 CSW TDCI (Puma) 2007
Post #240762 3rd Jun 2013 6:31pm
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wyvern



Member Since: 14 Dec 2009
Location: Cornwall
Posts: 2071

United Kingdom 2012 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Firenze Red
Hi Sweaty
I work up out of Shetland, ahd have lived on Unst, - it is a fab place to visit, but takes an over night ferry from Aberdeen to get there - then the same time to get back.. mainland shetland has lots of little interesting places to see. the bird reserve on unst is second to none, the sea scapes are awsome, the people are genuinely nice, and there are a lot of sheep... Shocked
The roads are good, but not fast driving, and the interesting places are spread out over a large area & on various islands.
As you mentioned - I would save that trip for another time and do the islands it on their own to do them justice and justify the cost of the ferry.
Thumbs Up Poppy - TDCI (Puma) 110XS 2.2 - Camper conversion - see the build here - https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic56530.html
Elgar -TDCI(Puma) 110XS Dormobile - now sold
Devon & Cornwall 4x4 Response - DC126
Post #240784 3rd Jun 2013 7:16pm
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MartinK



Member Since: 02 Mar 2011
Location: Silverdale (Lancashire/Cumbria Border)
Posts: 2664

United Kingdom 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Orkney Grey
One route I have been thinking of is to Corrievreckan. It's the largest Whirlpool in the UK, and (IIRC) 2nd largest in the world.

It's located at the North of Jura near Scarba
It's only driveable by decent 4x4
To get there you hop over the island of Islay (mucho Whisky)
Jura has a great pub
and a Distillery
You also drive past the house where George Orwell wrote one of his famous books
Best view is on a big tide.

Of the islands I have visited, Rum's my favourite...and Harris 2nd...But I've only scratched the surface...not been to Orkney or Shetland yet, been "doing" the Hebrides (are you watching the programmes on the Hebrides just now?). Defender "Puma" 2.4 110 County Utility (possibly the last of the 2.4's)
Post #240809 3rd Jun 2013 8:26pm
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sweatysock



Member Since: 17 Jul 2011
Location: Warwickshire
Posts: 283

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 CSW Indus Silver
Cheers, love the sound of the wildlife but, as you indicate, the trip is too far for my available time.

ps. So whats your deal > Cornwall base and work in the wilderness ? Sweatysock
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110 CSW TDCI (Puma) 2007
Post #240811 3rd Jun 2013 8:27pm
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wyvern



Member Since: 14 Dec 2009
Location: Cornwall
Posts: 2071

United Kingdom 2012 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Firenze Red
sweatysock wrote:
Cheers, love the sound of the wildlife but, as you indicate, the trip is too far for my available time.

ps. So whats your deal > Cornwall base and work in the wilderness ?


Nearly ... Cornwall based, work out on an oil platform East of Shetland .... Whistle
So fly in to and out of Shetland every couple of weeks ..

Funny but we even have a Defender2 mini club out here with a few forum members droping in every now and then ! Thumbs Up
(Hi Big Russ & Rosco! Laughing Razz ) Poppy - TDCI (Puma) 110XS 2.2 - Camper conversion - see the build here - https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic56530.html
Elgar -TDCI(Puma) 110XS Dormobile - now sold
Devon & Cornwall 4x4 Response - DC126
Post #240823 3rd Jun 2013 8:50pm
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sweatysock



Member Since: 17 Jul 2011
Location: Warwickshire
Posts: 283

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 CSW Indus Silver
Hi chaps

MK - not seen tv prog re hebrides ? what channel pls. Will check out Rum to see what it has to offer, thanks

Wyvern - neat idea to have mini Def 2 forum - if any of your colleagues have local experience or advise re the islands then that would be great Sweatysock
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110 CSW TDCI (Puma) 2007
Post #240844 3rd Jun 2013 9:46pm
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mick



Member Since: 08 Feb 2010
Location: Yorkshire
Posts: 2109

England 2010 Defender 130 Puma 2.4 HCPU Rimini Red
MartinK wrote:
One route I have been thinking of is to Corrievreckan. It's the largest Whirlpool in the UK, and (IIRC) 2nd largest in the world.

It's located at the North of Jura near Scarba
It's only driveable by decent 4x4
To get there you hop over the island of Islay (mucho Whisky)
Jura has a great pub
and a Distillery
You also drive past the house where George Orwell wrote one of his famous books
Best view is on a big tide.

Of the islands I have visited, Rum's my favourite...and Harris 2nd...But I've only scratched the surface...not been to Orkney or Shetland yet, been "doing" the Hebrides (are you watching the programmes on the Hebrides just now?).

Just had a week in Oban with the rib went for a play on the Corri awesome place a pal took this vid
Post #240845 3rd Jun 2013 9:48pm
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wyvern



Member Since: 14 Dec 2009
Location: Cornwall
Posts: 2071

United Kingdom 2012 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Firenze Red
sweatysock wrote:

if any of your colleagues have local experience or advise re the islands then that would be great

I'll ask one of the lads due out tomorrow - if we get a chopper!! Embarassed
(the weather is not playing nice at the moment !) Whistle Poppy - TDCI (Puma) 110XS 2.2 - Camper conversion - see the build here - https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic56530.html
Elgar -TDCI(Puma) 110XS Dormobile - now sold
Devon & Cornwall 4x4 Response - DC126
Post #240848 3rd Jun 2013 9:50pm
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sweatysock



Member Since: 17 Jul 2011
Location: Warwickshire
Posts: 283

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 CSW Indus Silver
Great thanks.

if you have a min, can you pls post a pic of your set up you have on your avatar. I can see a tent linked to the landy but cannot quite see the detail.

Good luck with you trip in the chopper tomorrow, Sweaty Sweatysock
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110 CSW TDCI (Puma) 2007
Post #240859 3rd Jun 2013 9:58pm
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wyvern



Member Since: 14 Dec 2009
Location: Cornwall
Posts: 2071

United Kingdom 2012 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Firenze Red
Pics are all in my gallery ... Very Happy Poppy - TDCI (Puma) 110XS 2.2 - Camper conversion - see the build here - https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic56530.html
Elgar -TDCI(Puma) 110XS Dormobile - now sold
Devon & Cornwall 4x4 Response - DC126
Post #240861 3rd Jun 2013 10:00pm
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sweatysock



Member Since: 17 Jul 2011
Location: Warwickshire
Posts: 283

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 CSW Indus Silver
wyvern wrote:
Pics are all in my gallery ... Very Happy


Doh, ta, nice looking Land and nice tent set up Very Happy Sweatysock
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110 CSW TDCI (Puma) 2007
Post #240867 3rd Jun 2013 10:07pm
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wyvern



Member Since: 14 Dec 2009
Location: Cornwall
Posts: 2071

United Kingdom 2012 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Firenze Red
Info on the awning, cooker, beds and trips on each of the pics.

There are many ways to convert defenders to campers, we just took one way and have added our own tweaks to fit our travel style ... Cool

Recent additions have been the security window vents from Brendon (Leeds ) which have been fabulous !! Thumbs Up
What have you done/doing to yours? Poppy - TDCI (Puma) 110XS 2.2 - Camper conversion - see the build here - https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic56530.html
Elgar -TDCI(Puma) 110XS Dormobile - now sold
Devon & Cornwall 4x4 Response - DC126
Post #240872 3rd Jun 2013 10:17pm
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sweatysock



Member Since: 17 Jul 2011
Location: Warwickshire
Posts: 283

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 CSW Indus Silver
wyvern wrote:
Info on the awning, cooker, beds and trips on each of the pics.

There are many ways to convert defenders to campers, we just took one way and have added our own tweaks to fit our travel style ... Cool

Recent additions have been the security window vents from Brendon (Leeds ) which have been fabulous !! Thumbs Up
What have you done/doing to yours?


Well nice piccies you have there, looks like one great times. I have just bought my first 110 CSS albeit 4th defender. Done very little to date and the Scottish trip is the first I have enlisted mrs sweaty on so want to get it right. I am planning to use this experience to see what is right for us via temp set ups before lunging into anything permanent. I will add to my gallery soon to show one piccies of the beastie Razz Sweatysock
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110 CSW TDCI (Puma) 2007
Post #240877 3rd Jun 2013 10:41pm
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keith



Member Since: 15 Aug 2012
Location: Edinburgh
Posts: 2163

Scotland 
Hi sweatysock I brought up an old post which might help. Its on defenders things to do in Scotland.
Post #240886 3rd Jun 2013 11:11pm
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BigRuss



Member Since: 15 May 2010
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 2785

United Kingdom 2010 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Santorini Black
When I lived in Aberdeen I did a lot of trips around aberdeenshire and other parts of scotland as far as the isle of lewis/harris (I think it was a 2 hour sale form ullapool to stornaway).

good places to go are.......
Aviemore
Balmoral (Royal Lochnagar distillery is in the grounds)
Braemar
Falls of Feugh Banchory (theres a restraunt/cafe next to a waterfall which is great for watch the salmon jumping depending on the time of year)
Lochness

There is also a great cottage on harris which is right on the beach/waters edge if you go island hopping http://www.seasidecottagesscotland.co.uk/

Thumbs Up Russell
2011MY 110 XS USW Black
Post #240916 4th Jun 2013 8:35am
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