Autumn in the North West Highlands

I wonder if there is anywhere a bit further down closer to Glasgow that would be good place to try for red deer. Something like the argyll forest park or near Ben lomond or the trossachs.

Do you visit Scotland often David ?

I quite like Coire Leis on Ben Nevis. I have to say it is one of the most impressive sights I have ever seen! looking up from the slope of Carn Dearg Meadhonach to Tower / Castle ridge makes you feel so small.

There are wild deer all over the Highlands of Scotland, but you have to pick the right time of day (usually twilight) and be lucky and/or very patient to see them.

Andrew

Are deer more active during the twilight or is that more a consideration of getting some nice lighting ?

I know they are all over ... but I also know there are places where you would be more likely to see them

I have done quite a lot of walking in Scotland as that was a great love of my wife and I until she fell from a munro last year and broke her ankles.

But strangely for all the walking we did I only ever encountered deer twice (one herd on the side of Carn Dearg Meadhonach and one near the Sloy hydro electric plant.

Only other encounters with deer in Scotland (and I live there) was a near collision with one on a dark icy road on Mull a couple of years ago and the groups of them that seem to congregate near the M8 (brave of them!).

Oh and I heard a stag bellowing one late night coming off of Beinn Ime which was kinda freaky as it was pitch black and we were walking back to the car with head torches on.

I think they tend to come off the mountains in the evening. I've seen wild deer from the road between Ardgour and Strontian a few times; also on the high route to Applecross (very regular in the late afternoon, I've heard) and on the mountain road to the Bridge of Balgie from Loch Tay. You can see farmed deer in lots of places - Glen Strathfarrar (a must visit!); Glen Etive and the road betweeen Acharacle and Loch Moidart come to mind. There used to be a deer sanctuary/park on the Schiehallion road south of Tummel Bridge - though I think that has now closed.

Andrew

I try to get the the Scottish Highlands at least once a year. Autumn or Winter is the best time but the light can be tricky. Its either wonderful like my first two days there last week or dire when the clouds and mist block out everything. On my last trip to Skye I couldn't even see the base of the mountains let alone the peaks.
There will be many places to find deer not far from Glasgow. The Trossacs, Loch Lomond, around Argyll and Bute for instance. You shouldn't have to travel far from the Clyde.
David

PPG: http://www.pentaxphotogallery.com/artists/davidtrout

Lovely photos, particularly from my favourite bit of Scotland up beyond Ullapool. As soon as I saw the deer shots I wondered if they were near the King's House.

Deer are funny things. You can be out on the hills during the day and they'll run away even though you're a kilometer away. As night falls they don't seem to bother. You can practically walk up to them. Not much use for photography though, I suppose.

The small hut is just near a lovely Scottish Mountaineering Club hut I've stayed in a few times.

Robert.

Nice set

My better half is making noises about visiting Scotland - maybe sooner rather than later