West Coast of Scotland trip....

The old Galena mines are very interesting and if I remember correctly there’s a nice walk to and old mine site from Pollach.
 
runnach said:
Cale, are these silica mines, similar to Lochaline?

Sorry, not been following all the thread posts.
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It’s where they mined Galena to make lead and a by product was Strontium. Lots of mines on the way up the hill. The road over to Pollach and Glen Hurich is a cracker and not for the faint hearted it’s got some good switchbacks and mighty steep. Well worth a wee look.
 
runnach said:
Hmmmm, I need to research this, sounds interesting.

Lochaline is a rabbit warren from the silica mine, very high grade, exported worldwide.

Cheers for info.
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Strontium has a whole interesting history of its own....

In 1787, an unusual rock which had been found in a lead mine at Strontian, Scotland, was investigated by Adair Crawford, an Edinburgh doctor. He realised it was a new mineral containing an unknown ‘earth’ which he named strontia. In 1791, another Edinburgh man, Thomas Charles Hope, made a fuller investigation of it and proved it was a new element. He also noted that it caused the flame of a candle to burn red.

Meanwhile Martin Heinrich Klaproth in Germany was working with the same mineral and he produced both strontium oxide and strontium hydroxide.

Strontium metal itself was isolated in 1808 at the Royal Institution in London by Humphry Davy by means of electrolysis, using the method with which he had already isolated sodium and potassium.

But I've spent a fair amount of time exploring silica and Fluospar workings further south...
 
I think they are still working the mines but the are scattered all over the hillside and very explorable. It’s where Strontium was discovered I also think you can still overnight at Arundle wood at the bottom of the hill road.
 
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Great pics and great part of Scotland, how you getting on with the kayak, thanks for putting your pics up:wave:
 
Silver sprinter said:
Great pics and great part of Scotland, how you getting on with the kayak, thanks for putting your pics up:wave:
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Steep learning curve to be honest....
'fings whot I' Ave learned soo far...

I get colder than 30 years back
My balance is a lot wobblier than it used to be on the water
I'm a lot more concerned about how dark and deeply menacing the water looks
I doubt I can just flip out of a kayak in a capsize situation like I once could.

Maybe I should have gone for a inflatable boat rather than a pointy floating coffin.
 
mistericeman said:
Steep learning curve to be honest....
'fings whot I' Ave learned soo far...

I get colder than 30 years back
My balance is a lot wobblier than it used to be on the water
I'm a lot more concerned about how dark and deeply menacing the water looks
I doubt I can just flip out of a kayak in a capsize situation like I once could.

Maybe I should have gone for a inflatable boat rather than a pointy floating coffin.
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We bought a sevylor inflatable two man job for me the misses and dog last year and it’s great fun. Easier to store and transport than our two rigid kayaks.
 
Are you still the most westerly wildcamper in the uk or is it busy? Have you experienced the Ardnamurchan midge yet, I cut the grass at Bridge of Orchy on Sunday and the wee buggers were out in force.
 
caledonia said:
We bought a sevylor inflatable two man job for me the misses and dog last year and it’s great fun. Easier to store and transport than our two rigid kayaks.
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Looked at those as well as heaps of others.... Wanted to get back to my earlier days of sea kayaking though....
Not sure the 30 or so intervening years have been kind to me though....
Early days yet BUT might go down the route of a small 'rib' that could stand vertical on the rear scooter rack....
Just need to consider a small outboard too though.
 
caledonia said:
Are you still the most westerly wildcamper in the uk or is it busy? Have you experienced the Ardnamurchan midge yet, I cut the grass at Bridge of Orchy on Sunday and the wee buggers were out in force.
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Still here till Sunday (need to get another curry in from Sanna Spice yet)
No midges as yet.... Been cooler and overcast today BUT forecast is improving tomoz by the looks.

Cruise ship Marco Polo currently moored waiting to enter harbour at Tobermory.

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mistericeman said:
Looked at those as well as heaps of others.... Wanted to get back to my earlier days of sea kayaking though....
Not sure the 30 or so intervening years have been kind to me though....
Early days yet BUT might go down the route of a small 'rib' that could stand vertical on the rear scooter rack....
Just need to consider a small outboard too though.
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A friend had his at Harris last year. Great fun and tows a little knee board, easily launched on the beach but takes up a bit more room then the kayak.
 
Have you visited Cul Na Croise beach where they filmed the failed survival documentary Eden?
 
Great thread, the weather is making the landscape look its best, keep the pictures coming, very jealous.
 
Bit of rain this morning BUT soon passed and back to bright clear sky now.










 
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mistericeman said:
Bit of rain this morning BUT soon passed and back to bright clear sky now.










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Thank you for posting pictures and updates on your trip gives one inspiration and makes one jealous but all said and done I can see and know you all are having a great time


atb Michael
 
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