Finally after a hectic work life, I am able to squeeze out a 8-9 days for a Holiday. The destination is selected, bookings are done and prayers for a good weather have started.
I need some help on driving or if possible any experience with driving in Scotland. I have driven around in UK extensively for the past one year and I am confident of driving on motorways and A roads. But I have never embarked on a long journey (more than 4 hours). Drive from my town to the ferry port is around 8 hours both ways covering roughly 500 miles each way. The first and last day will be the most exhausting.
To help you guys understand the preparations required for this trip, here is my itinerary.
And here's the map
Trip Map
The terrain in this entire journey is not challenging. The roads are all tarmac, although some roads on Isle of Harris and Lewis are single lane, not challenging for the car, but the driver.
Here's a list of things I am going to ensure are proper in the car
1. Mechanicals
Check clutch, brakes, engine cam belt, tyres including spare, jack, air con, battery health
2. Check Fluids
Engine Oil, Brake fluid, Coolant, Washer fluid
Keep at-least 2 litres of bottled water
3. Electrical
Spare fuses, spare head lamp bulbs, spare brake light and turn indicator bulbs, phone charger
4. Tools
Tow rope, car tool kit, screw driver set, swiss army knife, M seal or equivalent, jump start cable, reflective triangle, hand/head torch, digital tyre pressure monitor, Tyre sealer-inflater can, wet tissues, dry kitchen tissue roll
5. Car papers - 5 copies
6. Driving license - 5 copies
7. Car owner’s manual
8. Check roadside assistance coverage in Scotland with insurance company
Personal stuff to carry
1. Clothing
- Fleece zippers, Windcheater, Walking shoes, Walking sticks
- Head cover/hat/cap/hoody/whatever protects from midges and cold
- Midges repelling cream
2. Documents
Passport copy, Visa copy, DL copy, Register with NHS
3. Photography
- 70-300mm or 70-200mm lens - to hire
- Wide angle lens - to hire
- Circular polarising filter - to buy
- UV filters - to buy
- Lens Hoods - to buy
- Canon EOS 600D
- Kit lens 18-55
- Prime lens 50mm f1.8
Need some help from you photography gurus out here. I have no experience with bird or wildlife photography. These islands are a paradise as it appears from the research I have done for bird spotting and photographing whales and dolphins on boat trips. So, I was thinking of renting out a 70-200mm or 70-300mm lens for that week. These are the options I have
70-300mm Lens for hire 70-200mm Lens for hire 17-40mm Lens for hire
Any opinions on this ?
Can you guys please point out if I have missed anything or I have become paranoid and putting myself through a lot for a 1500 mile trip. This would be my first long distance road trip and I don't want to overlook something now and regret it later stuck on an island with no help in sight or reach. Also, some tips on preparing myself mentally for the trip would help, a do's and dont's list kind of thing.
Last, but not the least, if anyone has been to these islands and can share their experience of driving there, it would be fantastic!
Deepak
Mods: If this is not in the correct section, please move it to the relevant one. I figured this was the most appropriate.