Wanderlust - 04.2020

wanderlust.co.uk April 2020 145

HannahMackie,AsiaSpecialistat

ImagineTravel,givesushertop

tipsfortraveltoSriLanka...

Where to go? Although small, Sri Lanka has much to o

 er.

Marvel at rock fortresses in the cultural triangle, ride into

the rolling hills of tea country by train, relax on ine beaches

and go in search of wildlife in Sri Lanka’s wild heart – my

highlight was spotting elephants in Gal Oya National Park.

Best time to go? The best time of year in the south and

west of the island is December to March. In the north and

east, peak season is between May and September.

Top tip? Go now! After a challenging year, travellers are

starting to lock back to the island. Go sooner rather than

later to experience fewer crowds, great

value for money and the warmest welcome

from the Sri Lankan people, who will

truly appreciate your support. Call me

on 020 3131 5034 for more Sri Lanka

travel tips, or visit imaginetravel.com

Insiders’guide to...

SRI LANKA

A simple stay

There are over 100

bothies in the UK;

(below left) the sun rises

over Milecastle 39 on

Hadrian’s Wall

Shutterstock; Geo Allen

BEDDING DOWN IN A BOTHY

IN SCOTLAND’S HIGHLANDS

Q

I’m intrigued by the idea of

staying overnight in a bothy.

Where’s a great place to start?

Hayley Donovan, via email

A

I’d recommend Uags Bothy

on the southern tip of the

Applecross peninsula in Scotland’s

Highlands. The walk is a six-mile

round trip across open moorland

along a well-trodden footpath, and

on a clear day there are views over

to Rasaay and Skye’s Cuillin Hills.

The bothy is an old stone cottage

perched on a rocky promontory

above the tide line, which formed

part of a crofting community.

Otters are often seen down by the

shore and porpoises out in the

Sound, and if you’re very lucky you

may glimpse a golden eagle.

Bothies are open shelters with no

booking system or wardens. Just

turn up with the items you’d take

camping, plus candles, and fuel to

add to the ire. Bothies have no

facilitates (gas, electricity or a tap),

but can become a cosy home from

home, especially if you bring some

ine food and perhaps a wee tipple.

Be ready to welcome other bothy

goers, and leave it clean and tidy.

Geo Allen

The actual walking, however,

is only part of the appeal of the

Hadrian’s Wall Path, and this 28-mile

hike is also blessed with attractions

such as the Roman Army Museum

at Carvoran and several Roman

forts including Birdoswald,

Chesters, Housesteads and the

Vindolanda fort, renowned for its

outstanding archaeological inds.

Other reasons to choose this

part of the trail? Well, there are

some characterful pubs and

restaurants in the vicinity, including

the remote Twice Brewed (at the

tiny hamlet of Once Brewed) and

the Old Vicarage in Walton – both

of which, coincidentally, are

attached to breweries. Happy days!

Henry Stedman