Advice needed, visiting Ireland and Scotland

[snusmumriken]

Yes! One time I was vacationing in County Carlow and someone in a local cafe told us about a ruined castle overlooking the Barrow river. Not signposted at all--we had to open a farmer's gate and slog across a mucky field and there it was: a very old ruin, probably Norman, with a skinny stone circular stairway up to the top with no handholds or safety devices at all. It was on a bluff above the river valley and the view was astonishing. I've tried to find it again and always failed.

We found this place entirely by chance. There was a tiny signpost by the road, but you had to knock at a door to ask an old boy for permission to borrow his boat and row across. If we hadn’t happened to drive that obscure route, we would never have discovered the place, but it was magical.

 

[BobUK]

2021 Newspaper link.

Map of midge hotspots and where to avoid the blood-sucking insects

A bumper hatch is expected to thrive this year - but experts have now located exactly where the biting bugs will be located.

www.dailyrecord.co.uk

In my younger more nimble days, backpacking across the moors and hills of Western Scotland was a thing I really enjoyed.
Unfortunately for me blood sucking insects see me as fresh meat, a real treat.
I always ended up with a face and arms looking as spotty as a Lego brick.
A well known British adventurer Colonel Blashford Snell when interviewed on the wireless said he had travelled the world and experienced mosquitos etc. in deserts, forests, the bush and jungles everywhere but nothing was as bad as Scottish midges.

Lovely country though.

 

[Rolleiflexible]

When I lived in Ireland back in the Pleistocene era, hitchhiking was a safe and easy way to get around. Waits were short and the conversations were nearly always worthwhile. I don't know if it's still worth considering but I thumbed my way around nearly the entire island and have fond memories of the experiences.

 

[Vaughn]

I have been informed by someone in Scotland that midges in Scotland are not a major problem until July. Pull my other leg so I walk straight!

Well, I survived the New Zealand sandflies on my few trips there...was always fun to see a cloud of them circling in front of tent's entrance.

 

[foc]

I don't know if it's still worth considering but I thumbed my way around nearly the entire island and have fond memories of the experiences.

20-30 years ago it was an unwritten rule that if you were driving, especially on the smaller roads, you shouldn't pass a hitchhiker. I stopped many a time and also enjoyed the conversation and it passed the journey.

It's not as common these days. People are more safety conscious (their own safety) about picking up a stranger, and there is the fear of litigation after stories of hitchhikers suing after falling out of the car (an urban myth but still).

Quick funny story. I once picked up two guys hitching. They got in the back of the car and shortly olong the journey they turned the conversation to "you are very trusting, how do you know we won't attack you? I replied, "How do you know I won't drive the car into the ocean and kill us all?"
They asked to get out at the next village.

 

[Rolleiflexible]

20-30 years ago it was an unwritten rule that if you were driving, especially on the smaller roads, you shouldn't pass a hitchhiker. I stopped many a time and also enjoyed the conversation and it passed the journey.

It's not as common these days. People are more safety conscious (their own safety) about picking up a stranger, and there is the fear of litigation after stories of hitchhikers suing after falling out of the car (an urban myth but still).

Quick funny story. I once picked up two guys hitching. They got in the back of the car and shortly olong the journey they turned the conversation to "you are very trusting, how do you know we won't attack you? I replied, "How do you know I won't drive the car into the ocean and kill us all?"
They asked to get out at the next village.

I love it! Maggie Thatcher was busting up the TUC when I lived in Dalkey, so yeah: It's been a minute.

Hitching was easy then. Violent crime didn't exist and there was a lot of trust in both directions. The only people who *never* stopped were priests and nuns. And for some reason, a lot of my rides were from solicitors and barristers.

I am tempted. At 65 with a Rolleicord around my neck, I bet I could do it.

 

[MTGseattle]

@Tel I'm going to guess either Ballyloughan castle or Rathnageeragh castle as the one you visited.

10 Castles in County Carlow

Co. Carlow has many fine castles from medieval ruins, National Monuments to a fully preserved castle open to the public and castle beeing a private house.

mycarlow.eu

 

[Vaughn]

...

I am tempted. At 65 with a Rolleicord around my neck, I bet I could do it.

At almost 69, I'm taking the Rolleicord to Wales/Scotland-- leaving the 5x7 behind this trip.

 

[mpirie]

I'll keep a lookout for a cloud of midges carrying a Rolliecord!

Mike

 

[bedrof]

Huh, I hitchhiked around the West part of Ireland and all the way to Dublin like ten years ago and that was a lot of fun and nice talks. Really enjoyed the experience.
Few years later when travelling by car there I picked up few hitchhikers myself.
County Galway and Dingle peninsula were my favourite parts.
I think some of my most important photographs (for me) were made during those travels.

 

[Tel]

@Tel I'm going to guess either Ballyloughan castle or Rathnageeragh castle as the one you visited.

10 Castles in County Carlow

Co. Carlow has many fine castles from medieval ruins, National Monuments to a fully preserved castle open to the public and castle beeing a private house.

mycarlow.eu

I'm going to agree, but it's hard to pick the right one after 40-odd years. The terrain of Ballyloughan looks dead on correct for the landscape but I don't recall a second structure next to it. Rathnageeragh looks like the right structure but the landscape is too flat. In any case, it tweaks the curiosity to go on a hunt....thanks for the find!

 

[Sirius Glass]

I love it! Maggie Thatcher was busting up the TUC when I lived in Dalkey, so yeah: It's been a minute.

Hitching was easy then. Violent crime didn't exist and there was a lot of trust in both directions. The only people who *never* stopped were priests and nuns. And for some reason, a lot of my rides were from solicitors and barristers.

I am tempted. At 65 with a Rolleicord around my neck, I bet I could do it.

At 76 I do not need an extra lens hanging around on the camera. I put a Hasselblad around my neck.

 

[MTGseattle]

@Tel No worries. I enjoy minor internet detective work like that. All of this Ireland/Scotland talk has me wanting to plan a trip.

 

[Bronson Dugnutt]

My wife and I are looking at spending a week in both locations. I don't feel like driving so will probably do a tour in both locations.

My wants are stunning landscapes, castles, seashore, pubs and small villages.

Do you know of any tour companies that take most of that in?

Time frame is the last two weeks of September.

Thanks

 

[Eric Rose]

I'll have to parse the replies. Thanks for the advice!