Cuilin hills, Isle of Skye, Scotland, lens recommendation?

[ralf_strandell]

Hi,

 

Has anyone been to the Cuilin hills on Isle of Skye, Scotland?

 

What would be the most useful focal lengths for mountain landscapes

there? Would it be a disaster not to carry anything wider than 28mm

equivalent lenses? And what about tele?

 

Currently I only have a 28mm-105mm equivalent zoom (Nikon AF-S 18-70mm

f/3.5-4.5 DX) and a 35mm f/2.0 and 50mm f/1.8 prime coming...

 

Any specifically interesting locations there?

[ralf_strandell]

And those primes, meant for evening/night use, are 52mm and 75mm effective on a dSLR.

[allan_jamieson2]

I've climbed in the Cuillin a few times; I take it that you mean the Black Cuillin

which are the most famous mountains on Skye. There are also adjacent

mountains called the Red Cuillin, which are much less tricky to climb

technically and can give some very fine viewpoints towards the main Cuillin

range.

 

Regarding lenses, you will certainly want a 28mm lens at any rate and no it

wouldn't be a disaster to "only" have a 28-105mm lens; that pretty much

covers the most useful focal lengths that you will wish to use.

 

Maybe you could clarify whether you will be photographing the Cuillin from a

distance or actually climbing amongst them. If climbing them, I would hope

that you are a technically competent mountaineer, as some of them are way

beyond the average hillwalker, rockclimbing experience and scrambling

would be a distinct advantage. And if you have a good head for heights you

will really enjoy yourself! Saying that there are mountains like Bruach na

Frithe (reached from Glen Sligachan side near hotel) which are much easier

and give good views and there are a few others that are reasonably easily in

the middle of Glen Brittle across from the hostel, but there are more than a few

bad steps to look out for and it would be wise to check guide books and take

local advice before attempting something over ambitious.

 

You can as I mentioned before climb the Red Cuillin to get good views to the

Black Cuillin and you can get spectacular shots from Loch Scavaig at Elgol;

the drive to Elgol is one of the most scenic on the island, best done in morning

for photography, various lochs and mountains to photograph along the way.

There is a boat trip across Loch Scavaig to the fresh water loch Loch Coruisk

right beneath the Cuillin, the boat is called the Bella Jane and runs several

times a day, best to book it; you can get some great pictures approaching the

mountains this way. Plus good views of seals basking on the rocks too.

 

Other that that there are numerous places where you can see the Cuillin from

and photograph them, including the small pond/lochan just across the road

from the Sligachan Hotel near the old bridge. Be sure to give yourself enough

time to really explore Skye, it is really a photographers heaven and there is a

lot more to see in addition to the Cuillin, be sure to check out the Trotternish

Ridge further north on Skye, in particular the rock formations called the Old

Man of Storr and The Quiraing, which are really bizarre!

[allan_jamieson2]

Digital snapshot of Black Cuillin seen across Loch Scavaig from Elgol, Skye<div></div>

[ralf_strandell]

Thanks! That was very helpful. I'll check out both the Elgol road and the boat trip to Loch Coruisk. I wouldn't have heard about the boat trip unless I asked here... I'll be exploring Neist Point (and the lighthouse), too - and Glen Brittle (and Talisker :) if I have time.

 

I have also got a topographic map now, and the area seems exciting. There must be plenty of detail to photograph. I'm not a rock climber so I need to stay away from the cliffs, though.

 

I'm not after some "mountains in the distance" photos. Those are too often boring. Instead I'm looking for lakes, waterfalls, flowers, interesting rock formations etc. that could be photographed against a distant background, the sky, the sea... The best way to get some of those photos would be to climb but I have neither the skill nor the courage. Hence, I'm staying on or close to the paths (marked on the map). And yes, I might want the Cuillin in the background, if there is something interesting in the foreground.

[ralf_strandell]

Unfortunately I'll be staying only two days on Skye, so what I have time to see is limited.

 

I guess the Neist Point light house, Portree, Glen Birttle forest, Talisker distillery, Elgol and Loch Coruisk is a nice and varied sampling of the Skye.

[allan_jamieson2]

I think that you won't have any trouble filling your time on Skye in. Neist Point

is good, either morning for standard sun behind you type of shot or in evening

for possible sunset images. There are loads of interesting places on the west

coast of Skye to look at, be sure to check your map/s carefully.

 

I don't know where you will be staying, loads of bed and breakfast

accomodation and hotels plus plentiful campsites and hostels. You will find

plenty of interesting people in the hostels too; not all of whom snore! If you

don't mind sharing a room, the official SYHA Broadford Youth Hostel is very

comfortable, with Elgol being only a short drive from there. There is another

one in Glen Brittle looking right at the mountains, which might be more to your

taste. Just along the road from that hostel there is a nice beach, which might

give you a few different angles on the mountains. If you are camping, be sure

not to camp next to fresh water, or you will be donating a lot of blood to the

midges! Somewhere nearer either coast would be safer.

 

And last thing to remember is that the weather can be highly localised on

Skye, i.e. it can be wet and cloudy over the mountains and bright and sunny in

the north of the island. So, if you happen to see some rain where you are,

don't assume that it will be like that all across the island.