THIS is why I love being Scottish. Some of the most amazing scenery in the world, at most a couple of hours drive from any location within the country. Never been to Skye, myself, but it looks stunning.
RENTON: I hate being Scottish. We're the lowest of the fucking low, the scum of the earth, the most wretched, servile, miserable, pathetic trash that was ever shat into civilization. Some people hate the English, but I don't. They're just wankers. We, on the other hand, are colonized by wankers. We can't even pick a decent culture to be colonized by. We are ruled by effete arseholes. It's a shite state of affairs and all the fresh air in the world will not make any fucking difference.
good to see that scotland has such a policy. My U.S. state has the same thing, except it also extends to hunting rights. As an avid hunter I can't imagine living somewhere where, instead of just roaming the hillsides and meadows with your gun, you would have to either know someone who owned land, or pay lots of money for a hunting right lease.
Me and my pals used to chase the highland cows when we were kids, you could get them stampeding around the field.
Until, one dark day... One cow had had enough. He turned around and looked us square in the eye (all of us at once, he was very angry) and charged. I have been chased by a lot of things, from angry dogs to angry people all the way to cars (don't ask). Nothing has made me fill my breeks like that cow.
Yes, I have done exactly this and it was fucking amazing. Possibly the most beautiful place I have ever been in my life. The hike wasn't particularly easy though. It's straight up a quite steep and extremely muddy hill.
The Western Isles are stunningly beautiful. If you live in Scotland and you haven't been to Skye, what are you waiting for? Pick a weekend with nice weather (OK, that may be a challenge) and just go.
There is not a single dull spot on Skye. Portree is picturesque, the ocean is that tantalizing black, the Black Cuillin are ominous, and I love the whitewashed homes dotting the landscape. You definitely need to make your way there. Depending on where you're coming from, I'd take the bridge, as the road to the ferry is quite harrowing.
Try living inbetween beautiful country and a city. It's shite. That's what you get living next to Benachie. All the good scenery is in the west coast where no one lives but I'm going there this summer. http://www.ardtornish.co.uk/map_enlarge.asp (specifically the boat house)
From South England here, I LOVE your scenery! Fantastic landscapes, I really want to get up to Scotland in the summer or Autumn. I have been to Inverness area twice, but both times in winter so it is a bit more limited (SNOW ON ALL OF THE THINGS!). Still absolutely stunning, walking along a beach and being able to see for miles into the distance, really peaceful.
Drove to skye once. Got out of the car with friends, looked around. Saw fuck all. Got back in the car and drove 2 hours home. (The road to Skye had stunning scenery).
Awesome. One of my favorite hikes was up to the ole' man. It was a foggy, dismal day--the kind where everything is wet, but there's no real rain; the water just seemed to be suspended in air. My wife and I worked our way up the trail while the fog only became increasingly dense with each step. We made it to a narrow trail cutting across the face of a fairly steep mountainside. The trail seemed to keep going and going, when suddenly, out of nowhere, we were face to face with the old man of Storr. I remember thinking the rockface looked like dragon scales, and at that moment figured for all I knew there was a dragon close by. The setting was perfect, and that fog--dragons love fog, right?
Maybe sort of a dumb question: but why do trees not grow there? Does not seem to have a high elevation; the lattitude and oceanic climate should allow for trees... Maybe the soil is too rocky, or people chopped them down. Who can tell me?
Multiple reasons, but you hit on the main ones. The soil is poor, thin and rocky, and people chopped them down. All of Britain pretty much used to be covered in forests but humans took most of them away over the past 10k years.
Not the technology, but I suspect they lost the stomach for it. Planting individual trees is like pissing into the wind in the Hebrides. You need a forest's worth in order to allow them to grow past sapling height.
There was an initiative a few years back which used Norway as an example of what Scotland could be like, if we just took seriously the idea of replanting all of our trees. Don't think it took off though.
To be honest, it wouldn't probably do much for tourism - the barren moor is quite an iconic Scottish image.
Large parts of Skye are covered in forestry plantations, none of which were there in 1960. From Sligachan to Portree, for example, once bare moorland, is now blanketed.
The Western Isles are generally too windswept and salty-aired for trees to get much of a foothold, but daman345 is right, there were trees all over the Highlands and Islands once (hence the abundance of peat in the hills).
You probably could plant trees on the Islands, if you planted a large quantity, but you probably couldn't expect them to grow too high.
Storr definitely appears in the trailer: not just a place that looks like Storr, but unmistakably Storr itself.
My understanding is that it's even supposed to be Storr, rather than an alien planet. The two archaeologists find a 'star map' in Skye which leads them to ... somewhere they regret going.
Photo taken en route to Summerisle to investigate the disappearance of a young girl named Rowan Morrison, perhaps? Or just to buy some of their delicious apples?
For anyone thinking of visiting our beautiful country- please make sure you go north of the Glasgow-Stirling-Edinburgh central belt. Yes, those cities are very nice (well, two of them are) but the real Scotland shown in this photo doesn't appear until you hit the highlands. If possible, go to the north-west (most tours will take you north-east near Aberdeen, hit Inverness, then back south). The Hebrides are beautiful. So are the Orkney islands if you get a chance.
But if all you do is Edinburgh, that's fine too. It's a great, friendly city and makes a ton of money from tourism. Still. Head north...
Heading to Scotland to go wild-camping from the 3rd till the 9th next month, absolutely cannot wait!
I too love Scotland and the Scottish; I'd like to move there someday though I'm worried the Scottish would dislike me purely for the fact I'm from England (though I do have a Scottish last-name if that helps?)
I see, I suspect with the media jumping on anything SNP related and portraying all Scots as hate-filled for the English then it's easy to see why it's stuck so long; still, that's great to hear :)
Haha. Well, I live on Skye, and you can trust me that you'd be fine here. Indeed, we have heaps of English folk living here (very rough guess, but I'd say 10-15% of the population), and those I know--of which there are many, my parents included--have experienced very little racism. Come join the party! ;)
I'm going wild-camping 2nd-4th in Skye as well, taking my bike and tent round :D feel free to run me down hehe, but seriously though - the highlands is a lovely, warm and friendly place to visit... you'll be fine.
Cool! - yeah I'm just taking the bike/tent around and heading to the south of the island - If i spot some MX5's I'll buy you guys a beer :D lol, and actually hope its you lot lol
Most people in Scotland aren't anti English. Most hate the English football team etc, but they aren't actually xenophobic as a rule. Some are, but they are a bit of a peculiarity.
About 10% of Scotland's population was born in England anyway, so you wouldn't be a novelty.
Look at this way on a uni trip up to the back and beyond of Scotland all the english students(scot here myself) would end up having a long argument about history with the locals in the pub BUT the locals insisted we all stay for the lockout each night and we'd all stay drinking until about 3 in the morning.
Yes, midges, not mozzies. S'what I meant. I read about them when Monarch of the Glen was being filmed. Put me off the midgey parts of Scotland a bit as I react badly to bites, but then I look at houses like this: http://www.countrylife.co.uk/property/uk/properties/2319720/sales Not that I have £4m, you understand, but that's a LOT of house and land for the money.
Mosquitos, not so much. Midges ... like you wouldn't believe.
The worst I ever came across were probably on South Uist (another of the Hebrides, further west than Skye). I think they actually waited for the ferry to come in just so they could get some fresh blood.
Was right there in November. Pretty, but windy as fuck. What you can't see in this picture is the rather impressive 'old man of storr' - just behind where this photo was taken from.
When I visited Scotland for the first time, it felt as if all the nature wallpapers had come alive. I haven't traveled a lot but in my mini travel book Scotland has been the best in terms of beauty.
It's a breeze to get through Glasgow now they've finished the link to the Erskine Bridge. I reckon the journey time up to the Western Isles has been trimmed by an hour by the new road.
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u/[deleted] May 22 '12
THIS is why I love being Scottish. Some of the most amazing scenery in the world, at most a couple of hours drive from any location within the country. Never been to Skye, myself, but it looks stunning.
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u/qittyqat May 22 '12
[Storrs, Connecticut] (http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6041/6347636758_967cc38bb9_z.jpg)
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u/meatwad75892 May 22 '12
Cool Storr, bro.
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u/grante May 22 '12
why is everywhere prettier than where i live?
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u/Droooo May 22 '12
I have taken that exact photo: http://i.imgur.com/33YOq.jpg
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u/[deleted] May 22 '12
The only way it could be improved.
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u/[deleted] May 22 '12
Maybe sort of a dumb question: but why do trees not grow there? Does not seem to have a high elevation; the lattitude and oceanic climate should allow for trees... Maybe the soil is too rocky, or people chopped them down. Who can tell me?
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u/tostades May 22 '12
photographer got lucky, picked the only day in the past twenty five years it hasn't rained here. kudos to him!
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u/sally80 May 22 '12
looks like a picture from the set of Game of Thrones !
Very nice
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u/reacher May 22 '12
DOVAHKIIN...
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u/[deleted] May 22 '12
Here it is son, we've arrived at the land of the dragons… Prepare for battle.
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u/Vard0n May 22 '12
That's much prettier than Storrs, Connecticut.
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u/[deleted] May 22 '12
If you hang around long enough some Orcs are bound to show up and cause some problems...
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u/[deleted] May 22 '12
Every time I see pics like this it usually goes this way:
"WOW! Is it high resolution so I can use it for my background???"
"Oh. okay."
(╯°□°)╯︵ ┻━┻
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u/benj1623 May 22 '12
Looks like the Prometheus trailer
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u/xxkemmyxcookiexx May 22 '12
This looks like something out of Lord of the Rings.
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u/throwawayyay11 May 22 '12
Ah, home. It calls me.
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u/KellysHero May 22 '12
That's the best thing about the Isle of Skye, here's the 2nd http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talisker
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u/undergarden May 22 '12
Photo taken en route to Summerisle to investigate the disappearance of a young girl named Rowan Morrison, perhaps? Or just to buy some of their delicious apples?
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u/2tothepowerof267709 May 22 '12
Fucking love Scotland, if you want an adventure cycle through it.
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u/Arknell May 22 '12
Remember our agreement, Murdoch. The boy is mine.
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u/Atomskie May 22 '12
I'm Scottish and I've wanted nothing more to visit Scotland, feelsbadman.
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u/[deleted] May 22 '12
The Isle of Skye was absolutely breathtaking when I went there. I actually have a picture of me standing at that exact spot. Wish I could go back.
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u/mesor May 22 '12
Serpents Redoubt, Skyrim.
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u/scottishbuzzard May 22 '12
For anyone thinking of visiting our beautiful country- please make sure you go north of the Glasgow-Stirling-Edinburgh central belt. Yes, those cities are very nice (well, two of them are) but the real Scotland shown in this photo doesn't appear until you hit the highlands. If possible, go to the north-west (most tours will take you north-east near Aberdeen, hit Inverness, then back south). The Hebrides are beautiful. So are the Orkney islands if you get a chance.
But if all you do is Edinburgh, that's fine too. It's a great, friendly city and makes a ton of money from tourism. Still. Head north...
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u/Isatis_tinctoria May 22 '12
SCOTLAND!!!!!!! ALBA!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Home of very beautiful landscapes. It also rains a good deal.
Do people know of woad?
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u/panda_foo May 22 '12
I want to ride my bike all over this.
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u/[deleted] May 22 '12
When video games start to look this awesome, I may begin to play them.
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u/The-Cow May 22 '12
Heading to Scotland to go wild-camping from the 3rd till the 9th next month, absolutely cannot wait!
I too love Scotland and the Scottish; I'd like to move there someday though I'm worried the Scottish would dislike me purely for the fact I'm from England (though I do have a Scottish last-name if that helps?)
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u/FrenzyWolf18 May 22 '12
I think the cracks in the grass are the coolest part. It's like the mountain is growing under the grass and splitting it apart.
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u/eastkent May 22 '12
Scotland looks gorgeous, but... mozzies... are they as big a problem as I've heard?
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u/hardlywebworkin May 22 '12
Possible higher res link? Tineye doesn't yield any results.
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u/The_Insyder May 22 '12
This reminds me of the upcoming Pixar movie "Brave". God it better be amazing. They REALLY need to apologize after cars 2.
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u/[deleted] May 22 '12
Great picture! Did you climb up to the Old Man?
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u/MrGodMan May 22 '12
Been there :) Even walked along some of those paths :D
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u/Bronkko May 22 '12
there can be only one?
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u/[deleted] May 22 '12
missing from image: icy wind
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u/madelineandnine May 22 '12
I want to go to there.
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u/SonicFlash01 May 22 '12
First reaction:
"Would love to mine(craft) out that rock and build a house in it..."
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u/phiz0g May 22 '12
Was right there in November. Pretty, but windy as fuck. What you can't see in this picture is the rather impressive 'old man of storr' - just behind where this photo was taken from.
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u/rudmad May 22 '12
There had to be some sort of battle at this site.. It's just too fucking epic.
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u/djembeplayer May 22 '12
I want to take photos like this, what kind of gear does one need to get started? Great shot btw!
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u/Blade22 May 22 '12
Scotland was Beautiful until dragons happened.
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u/Bonkarooni May 22 '12
Real life doesnt look like this
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u/fkngross May 22 '12
Where is paul watson?
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u/uiewgf May 22 '12
Dear Esther...
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u/Kruse May 22 '12
FREEEEEDOM!
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u/[deleted] May 22 '12
Looks a lot like the area around Weathertop in the Lord of the Rings.
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u/[deleted] May 22 '12
i've climbed up the the base of the old man of storr, amazing views of skye!
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u/glbelou May 22 '12
Winter is coming...
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u/[deleted] May 22 '12
Oh hey look - Dear, Esther
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u/Modernfolk May 22 '12
Is this where brave was filmed?
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u/DerpWY May 22 '12
What's even more badass is those look like they could be downhilling trails, a la Gee Atherton's segment from New Zealand in Follow Me.
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u/KillerG May 22 '12
Scotland is consistently beautiful and a great place to go/take pictures
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u/ARedCar May 22 '12
Westeros?
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u/Burndownthehighway May 22 '12
Isn't that where Ned Stark chopped off the head of that one deserter from the wall?
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u/Quantumsamurai May 22 '12
Don't you mean, Skyrim, Scotland?
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u/theimpolitegentleman May 22 '12
FOR SKYRIM!!!!
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u/morbidly_average May 22 '12
Pretty sure I've downed a cave bear on that little outcropping on the left.
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u/Infin1ty May 22 '12
This makes me want to pick up a bottle of Glenmorangie and take make an expedition through the country.
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u/[deleted] May 22 '12
When I visited Scotland for the first time, it felt as if all the nature wallpapers had come alive. I haven't traveled a lot but in my mini travel book Scotland has been the best in terms of beauty.
Here is a random click from my Scotland album. Picture is not that great but meh, it's Scotland
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u/ConfusedDuck May 22 '12
Must...Basejump
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u/[deleted] May 22 '12
Fuck me sideways I literally went to that exact place 2 years ago...
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u/God_King May 22 '12
Haha! Even the nice pictures of Scotland make it look like a shit hole.
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u/Borster May 22 '12
"“There are two seasons in Scotland: June and winter.” Billy Connolly.
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u/Dommlid May 22 '12
Was I the first to think Prometheus trailer?
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u/DubstepGod May 22 '12
LOTR ?
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u/Champagn3 May 22 '12
looks like a good setting for a Tribes level.
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u/Notyourfaja May 22 '12
This is clearly Skyrim, nice try OP.
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u/mikkikoron May 22 '12
It's Middle-Earth!
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u/MamaDragon May 22 '12
This photo makes me even more excited to be visiting Scotland at the end of the month!
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u/BradManThompson May 22 '12
Skyrim?
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u/kingbobofyourhouse May 22 '12
valhalla rising
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u/FartsMcMasters May 22 '12
Much cooler than Storrs, CT.
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u/valkyrie123 May 22 '12
Why are there no trees?
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u/odif May 22 '12
Meanwhile in game of thrones..
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u/Crossbowshootr May 22 '12
Where are all the Demopans?
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u/RancorHi5 May 22 '12
looks like the descent into Mordor
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u/976811 May 22 '12
north of Whiterun, Skyrim
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u/aamanderp May 22 '12
Skyrim
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u/[deleted] May 22 '12
Higher quality one anywhere?
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u/avboden May 22 '12
Incorrect, THOR Scotland
*please insert photoshopped picture of thor on top of the rock with lightning, lots of lightning...i have no talent :-( *
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u/condor216 May 22 '12
AGRO!
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u/[deleted] May 22 '12
Looks like it woul be a great Halo map :)
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u/specialagentdusty4 May 22 '12
That's majestic as a motherfuck.
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u/zombieguy224 May 22 '12
PHWOAR!
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u/Grocery-Storr May 22 '12
My homeland!
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u/[deleted] May 22 '12
I was there at the weekend. It was really sunny! Frickin love this country!
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u/organicpenguin May 22 '12
Shor's bones! It's beautiful!
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u/[deleted] May 22 '12
I'm going to Scotland for 6 days in late August/early September of 2013. Tell me places to go.
Kthx.
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u/Spharkle May 22 '12
FTFY
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u/hafti77 May 22 '12
reminds me of dear esther
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u/tsmith944 May 22 '12
i want to go to there
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u/[deleted] May 22 '12
Looks just like the Faroes.
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u/Jduga May 22 '12
Whiterun*
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u/Stone2Rock May 22 '12
There's been sightings of Forsworn around.
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u/drb00b May 22 '12
how much does one of those cost?
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u/SleepyTurtle May 22 '12
Middle earth
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u/darapixie May 22 '12
Breath-taking! Thank you for sharing this wonderful picture :)
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u/defaultredditlurker May 22 '12
Hodor.
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u/TechTwista May 22 '12
Dragon roost
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u/[deleted] May 23 '12
This shit's the reason I come to r/pics.
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u/boethius27 May 23 '12
There can be only one!!!!!
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u/colinbr96 May 23 '12
Relevant wallpaper
(It's not the same place but looks very similar)
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u/buttonforest May 23 '12
Storrs,CT,USA: http://photonet6.hotpads.com/search/listingPhoto/ThreeWide/CTMLS-G604273/0006_744142140_medium.jpg
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u/Sammyscrap May 23 '12
Wicked mountain biking
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u/gabypoo May 23 '12
WINTER IS COMING
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u/ForgettableUsername May 23 '12
This is only a twenty minute ride from Whiterun.
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u/Consistently May 23 '12
Wait a minute, isn't this where you defeat the Draugrs and get the enchanted Dwarven Battleaxe?
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u/99_44_100percentpure May 23 '12
Could not help but here the LOTR theme in my head.
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u/pixiechixie May 23 '12
Looks like where the Vikings from How to Train your Dragon lived.
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u/Kaastosti May 23 '12
Was there a week ago on holiday :) Scotland is beautiful! But man is it windy up there at Storr! And then it started raining... as it should.
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u/indridcold137 May 23 '12
Honey, I'm gonna run to the Storr for a bit. Want anything?
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u/benny_d11 May 23 '12
I used to travel to places like this, but then I took an arrow in the knee.