This summer (2020), Corona Beer released a controversial advert ‘Isles Beyond Skye’ showing staycationers touring rural Scotland. The ad came under fire by many for encouraging vandalism and wild arson. Watching the ad might spark your sense of adventure and fuel the urge to explore more of our country but do the locals want you? Follow the old saying “Take nothing but photographs, leave nothing but footprints” and you will be welcomed. The locals want you to experience the beauty of their home, but they also want it to be preserved for the next visitor. We’ll show you how to safely and respectfully enjoy all the spots featured in the ad.
The group of four travelled in a Land Rover and brought camping equipment. We all know the Scottish weather can be a little unforgiving, so we recommend touring in one of our luxury VW campervans. They all come with solar-powered heating to keep you toasty during the night. You can collect your vehicle from our base in central Scotland and start your adventure right away.
The first stop is Glen Etive. Turn off the A82 and travel down a dramatic single-track road, this road is arguably the most scenic road in Scotland is featured in James Bond Skyfall. Park at a suitable spot along the road, make your way down to the river and brace yourself for the plunge. You can also walk along the river up to the Higher Glen Etive Pools for calmer water.
Our Tips for Wild Swimming in Scotland
· Be aware of the shock of cold water. Go in slowly, splash your face, neck, and wrists and focus on calm breathing. Your body should adjust in a few minutes.
· Watch out for submerged logs and rocks, especially when jumping in. Storms and heavy rain can cause changes to the river bed so be cautious even if you have swam before.
· Make a plan. Never enter the water without a clear plan for how you’ll get out and how you will warm up. Make sure you have a towel and dry clothes ready.
After your wild swimming experience, you’ll probably want a warm place to relax. We recommend traveling into the village of Glencoe where you will find a choice of pubs and restaurants. We recommend a visit to the Atmospheric and award-winning Clachaig Inn where you can soak up some live music while enjoying traditional food and drink. You can wild camp or book a spot at a touring park for the night. If you are wild camping please make sure to read the Scottish Outdoor Access Code and act responsibly.
Next, the group travel North West and enjoy a scenic waterfall hike. We suggest stopping at the Ben Nevis carpark, just a 23-mile drive from Glencoe. From here you can walk through a gorge to Steall Waterfall. The hike should take around 2 hours and is moderately flat, making is suitable for all abilities and ages. There are full directions online at Walkhighlands.co.uk.
The next stop is the Isle of Skye, Scotland’s only island to be connected by bridge. Skye is very popular with visitors so make sure to book ahead if you plan on staying in a campground. There are lots of great activities on Skye so we’d recommend staying for a few days. The largest town, Portree, makes a great base with its picturesque harbour and brightly painted houses. From here you can create your own adventure, hike the iconic Old Man of Stor, visit a distillery or simply wander around the quaint shops and galleries.
On Skye the group are seen drinking beer around a fire on the beach. This scene is part of the reason the ad received so much backlash as tourists lighting fires has increasingly been resulting in damage to land and property. If you would like to enjoy a campfire on your trip please follow all the guidelines to make sure you do so safely.
From Skye, the journey continues North to the Outer Hebrides and the Isle of Harris. To get here you will need to take a 2-hour ferry from Ulg to Tarbert. Be sure to check out the ferry schedule and prebook your place. To find the beach featured on the advert you will need to drive around 30 minutes across the island past Luskentyre to traigh an taoibh thuath. This breathtaking beach is only accessible during low tide when the white sand stretches for miles.
The advert received some negative attention due to the behaviours of a minor number of tourists. The highlands and islands are open and waiting for you to explore them. Just be sure to preserve the beauty and leave them in the same condition for your next adventure.
