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-   -   Scotland - Watching the Tide? (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/scotland-watching-the-tide-574227/)

leonberger Dec 3rd, 2005 10:26 AM

Scotland - Watching the Tide?
 
Hello, everyone.

I'm looking for a great place in Scotland to watch the tide come in - preferably where it crashes over rocks or looks spectacular in some way. We've been to the Mull of Galloway (sp? feeling lazy about looking it up) and found we were too far above the action for our liking.

We'll be in Scotland for a week or two in May/June (still working out the precise schedule), and my Dad's big request is to discover a fine place to watch the tide come in.

As a reference, our two favorite places to do this are 1) Bedruthan Steps in Devon/Cornwall and 2) Cape Elizabeth in Maine USA. If you've been to either of those, or are familiar with them, you'll get an idea of what we're looking for.

All ideas/suggestions welcome!

Thanks.

Gayle

sheila Dec 3rd, 2005 11:39 AM

My favourite place to do this is Frenchman's Rocks on Islay.

The third photo down on this page is where I mean.

http://www.armin-grewe.com/holiday/s...ortnahaven.htm

and. oddly the third one down on this one:-

http://freespace.virgin.net/kenny.m/..._home_page.htm

Where else?

Collieston in Aberdeenshire

One of Danny Ross's paintings captures it nicely on this page:-

http://www.tolquhon-gallery.co.uk/Ex...5%20pg%202.htm

or this:-

http://www.scotpix.biz/sc2.jpg

Couple of good ones on here, too

http://fintrayfineframing.co.uk/prod...a932ad80ebc013

leonberger Dec 3rd, 2005 01:25 PM

Thanks, Sheila - great links to pictures! As always, I appreciate the knowledge that you share so freely!

Gayle

sheila Dec 4th, 2005 11:41 AM

You should have seen Aberdeen beach tonight!!

Craigellachie Dec 5th, 2005 03:30 PM

Might have known Shiela would suggest somewhere on Islay ;-)
Depending on wind strength and direction, the harbour wall at St Andrews, almopst anywhere on the west coast of the outer isles, Ardnamurchan Point are all possibilities, though in all of them you might need to retreat if the sea is really rough. If you want to be gobsmacked at how fast the tide comes in over sandy beaches, try anywhere on the Western Isles machair, Montrose Basin, the Eden Estuary north of St Andrews, or best of all the River Nith and the Solway coast in the south west. I've stood on one of the low hills (I think it was Criffel) overlooking the Solway and I'd swear I could see the tide line moving by the second.

hopingtotravel Dec 5th, 2005 04:22 PM

Not exactly tide related, but I've been reading "The Wreckers" some of whose chapters are on Scotland, citing whirlpools, rocks, surging eddies, etc.

leonberger Dec 6th, 2005 03:43 AM

Craigellachie, I really appreciate your suggestions, too. Now I've got several great ideas, in different areas of Scotland! Pefect! Depending on the weather, the tide schedule, and our plans for the day, I'll be able to find a great place for Dad - thanks for the replies!

Gayle


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