Basics - The Rough Guide to Scottish Highlands and Islands - page 40

dates, or see Visit Scotland's excellent Fish Scotland
brochure ( W fishpal.com/VisitScotland). For more
information and contacts see W fishscotland.co.uk.

Watersports in Tiree ( T 07793 063849, W surfschool
scotland.co.uk).
Surf shops rent or sell equipment and provide
good information about local breaks and events on
the surfing scene. Two further sources of informa-
tion are Surfing Britain and Ireland by Nelson/Taylor
(Footprint; £14.99), which details breaks around
Scotland, and the Surfing Great Britain website
( W surfinggb.com).

Watersports

Opportunities for sailing are outstanding and
tainted only by the unreliability of the weather.
Even in summer, the full force of the North Atlantic
can be felt, and changeable conditions combined
with tricky tides and rocky shores demand good
sailing and navigational skills. Yacht charters are
available from various ports, either bareboat or in
yachts run by a skipper and crew; contact Sail
Scotland ( W sailscotland.co.uk) or the Association of
Scottish Yacht Charterers ( W asyc.co.uk).
An alternative way to enjoy Scotland under sail is
to spend a week at one of the sailing schools. Many
schools, as well as small boat-rental operations dotted
along the coast, rent sailing dinghies by the hour
or day, as well as windsurfing gear , though the
chilly water means you'll always need a wetsuit. The
Hebridean island of Tiree is internationally renowned
for its beaches and waves and has an excellent surf,
windsurfing and kitesurfing school, Wild Diamond
Watersports ( W surfschoolscotland.co.uk).
In recent years sea-kayaking has witnessed an
explosion in popularity, with a host of operators
offering sea-kayaking lessons and expeditions
across the country. Canoe Scotland ( W canoe
scotland.org) offers useful advice, while Glenmore
Lodge ( W glenmorelodge.org.uk), Uist Outdoor
Centre ( W seakayakouterhebrides.co.uk) and Skyak
Adventures ( W skyakadventures.com) are highly
reputable for either training or tours.

SURF SHOPS AND SCHOOLS
Tempest Surf Riverside Road, Thurso T 01847 892500. At the
harbourside, you'll find lessons, a shop and a café that may tempt you to
remain snug indoors.
Wild Diamond Watersports Isle of Tiree T 07793 063849,
W surfschoolscotland.co.uk. Professional instruction and hire for
surfing, windsurfing, kitesurfing and kayaking.

Travel essentials
Costs
Scotland is a relatively expensive place to visit,
with travel, food and accommodation costs higher
than the EU average. The minimum expenditure for
a couple travelling on public transport, self-catering
and camping, is in the region of £30 each a day, rising
to around £50 per person a day if you're staying at
hostels and eating the odd meal out. Staying at
budget B&Bs, eating at unpretentious restaurants and
visiting the odd tourist attraction, means spending at
least £75 each per day. If you're renting a car, staying
in comfortable B&Bs or hotels and eating well, you
should reckon on at least £100 a day per person.

Surfing
In addition to sea-kayaking, Scotland is fast gaining
a reputation as a surfing destination. However,
the northern coastline lies on the same latitude as
Alaska and Iceland, so the water temperature is
very low: even in midsummer it rarely exceeds 15°C,
and in winter can drop to as low as 7°C. The one
vital accessory, therefore, is a good wet suit (ideally
a 5/3mm steamer), wet-suit boots and, outside
summer, gloves and a hood, too.
Many of the best spots are surrounded by
stunning scenery, and you'd be unlucky to share the
waves with other surfers. However, this isolation -
combined with the cold water and big, powerful
waves - means that many of the best locations can
only be enjoyed by experienced surfers. If you're a
beginner, consider a lesson with a qualified coach
such as Craig “Suds” Sutherland at Wild Diamond

Crime and personal safety

The crime rate in the Scottish Highlands and
Islands is very low indeed. Even the largest urban
centre, Inverness, sees very few offences commit-
ted. Out on the islands, the situation is often even
more tranquil: until a fight at a wedding in 2010, the
Isle of Muck (population 27) managed 50 years
without a single reported crime.

Discounts

Most attractions in Scotland offer concessions for
senior citizens, the unemployed, full-time students
and children under 16, with under-5s being admitted
free almost everywhere - proof of eligibility will be
required in most cases. Family tickets are often
available for those travelling with kids.