February 2018 Outdoor Photography 57Loch Arklet, Stirlingshire
L
och Arklet sits in a wild and
remote setting between Loch
Lomond and Loch Katrine, near
the end of the narrow and twisting road
through the Loch Ard Forest from
Aberfoyle. Surrounded by mountains
(and little else), the sense of solitude
combines with some superlative views.How to get there From Aberfoyle, take
the B829 west wards for 11 miles through
the Loch Ard Forest to reach Loch Arklet.
There is roadside parking for a few cars
opposite the water authority access track
that will lead you to Loch Arklet.
What to shoot Views along the loch to
the mountains of The Trossachs, or westtowards the Arrochar Alps above Loch
Lomond. Lone trees and highland catt le.
Best time of day Sunrise for the chance
of mist on the loch. Late-winter sunsets
and gloaming light can yield sp ect acular
r e fl e ct ions of the Arrochar Alps in the
waters of the loch, esp ecially if the peaks
are under snow.
Food/drink The Pier Café, Loch Katrine,
Stronachlachar, FK8 3TY, 01877 386374,
thepiercafe.com.Accommodation Inversnaid
Bunkhouse, Inversnaid, FK8 3TU,
01877 386249, inversnaid.com.
Other times of year Oct ober and
November for autumn colour; around
the sp ring equinox for st unning
sunsets over the loch.
Ordnance Survey map LR 56
Nearby locations Loch Lomond
(4 miles); Loch Chon (4 miles).1½ miles from Holyhead • 25 miles from Bangor ACCESS RATING
11 miles from Aberfoyle • 30 miles from Stirling ACCESS RATING
© Simon Swales© Rob AmsburyPorth Dafarch, Gwyndd
P
orth Dafarch is a blue fl ag beach
located south-west of Holyhead
on Anglesey in north Wales.
Although small in size, the unique
access and surrounding headlands
have struck a chord with its visitors.
The formations of mica schist that
make up the craggy coastline are one
of the area’s most stunning features,
attracting visitors and geologists
from all over the world.How to get there Head out of Holyhead
on the A55, turning on to the B4545 at
the roundabout, signed Bae Trearddur
(Trearddur Bay). Take the immediateright turn on to Porthdafarch Road and
follow this for one and a half miles to
Porth Dafarch. At the end of the road
turn left ; the car park is almost direct ly
opposite you. Follow the small path
along the headland on the south side
of the beach, where you will discover
numerous gullies and cliff s to photograph.
What to shoot The intricate patt erns
of the mica schist rock faces.
Best time of day Late aft ernoon/
evening, as the cliff s are west facing;
ideally with an outgoing tide so the
rocks are wet.
Food/drink The Beach Motel, Lon St
Ffraid, Trearddur Bay, LL65 2YT,
01407 860332, thebeachmotel.co.uk.
Accommodation As above.
Other times of year Summer is also
a good time to photograph here, as the
sun sets to the right of the rocks, so you
get the best of the colour in the sky
without the sun appearing in shot.
Ordnance Survey map LR 262
Nearby locations Craig-y-Mor (1 mile);
South Stack lighthouse (2¾ miles).54-57 VP at a glance 227_SW.indd 57 18/12/2017 15:39