Scotland is nearly perfect for wild camping… // Islay & Jura Day 1

[@Evasapprentice]

Just found you, and like the fact you have a personality and a sense of humour…

[@StephenJReid]

Thank you! I’ve been cultivating my personality for a few years now 😂 welcome to the channel!

[@woodycarr]

Absolutely beautiful footage and wonderful edit. Well done Stephen! Really enjoyed watching. Off to watch day 2>>>

[@StephenJReid]

Thanks Woody 🙂 Enjoy

[@MarvinofMars]

I sailed up there twice from Lough Neagh through the lower Bann to Gigha then Jura the Islay, All brilliant in there own ways, but Jura ROCKS 100%, for biking and camping. Spent 4 days on the Paps then sailed back to Islay via The Corryvreckan Whirlpool, great trips, Indian restaurant in Port Ellen after 7-8 days roughing it and hot shower 💯. Then back to Coleraine.

[@StephenJReid]

That sounds amazing! Definitely want to go back and explore a lot more of Jura next time

[@xti2020]

I couldn’t deal with the bugs. Would literally drive me mad. Nice video. Can appreciate all the work that went into that. The drone footage was great.

[@StephenJReid]

Thankfully the bugs only features in about 5-10% of the time we were there. But definitely a memorable part 😂 hasn’t stopped me yet, still worth it for the adventures

[@freeforester1717]

Permethrin is your friend. 😊

[@ThisOldPanda]

This came on at the perfect time.. just need a cuppa tea and a few biscuits and im watching.

[@StephenJReid]

Enjoy Anthony! 🙂

[@jujujay]

Well done lads... nice to see someone joining your adventures.. The drone footage was ace! MORE PLEASE...Scotland ha the highest of all levels of midges more then ireland!!! every time i go there I do try to go only in the winter so not to meet the blood suckers!!!

[@StephenJReid]

More on the way! 🙂

[@davieislay]

The wee girl Westie is Mara and the wee boy is Thor! 👍🐶🐶

[@StephenJReid]

Ah, great pups! Assuming you’re a local? I wish the ferry was cheaper, would be over a lot more often.

[@davieislay]

Yeah, I live in Bowmore but work at Bunnahabhain so that was my pal Danielle that took you round. Coincidentally, the 2 dogs are currently about 6 feet away from me in our kitchen cos their owners from the Hotel are on the mainland. 😁👍🥃🐶🐶

[@StephenJReid]

@@davieislay Haha, brilliant, tell them I said Hi 🐶 Must be an interesting place to live, did you grow up on the Island?

[@davieislay]

Didn’t grow up here, Stephen. Came here first 31 years ago which is about half my life ago, and just love it. Blessed though, cos my 2 daughters, son-in-laws, and 4 grandkids are all here. 🤷‍♂️👊🥃

[@StephenJReid]

It’s always all about the people 🙂

[@MarJonBeauchampHPR]

A friend of mine is going hiking across Scotland this week. That fact and this video has made me want to go back 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@StephenJReid]

Scotland is amazing

[@SandiLuney]

That gel inside the bladderwrack is a great moisturiser and soothes skin irritations such as midgey bites!!

[@StephenJReid]

Oh really?! That’s brilliant to know, would have come in handy at the campsite!!

[@lennyjames1200]

And all I've done is scratch my head watching this video.

[@StephenJReid]

Itchy itchy

[@SwampyDuckRidesAgain3636]

Seeing as I’d watched Conor’s Jura vid I had to watch yours. Don’t tell him but I found yours more interesting. Quite like all the short clips as they do still tell the story rather than hours of trail. Just can believe you locked your bikes up. When I went to Mull and asked if my bike would be safe the guy at Duart Castle was having hysterics he reckoned nothing got stolen and of it did nobody would get it across in the ferry. £155 is steep for a ferry crossing that wee boat doesn’t even do food🤣

[@StephenJReid]

I’ll say nothing 😁 haha I guess I’m just not very trusting. Not sure who or what I was expecting to try and steal the bike 🤷‍♂️ Yeah wish the ferry was cheaper or it would be a regular trip!

[@Theorangeman.]

This video made me itch non stop 😅

[@StephenJReid]

😂 it’s 95% itch free

[@Theorangeman.]

@@StephenJReid was in the highlands two weeks ago. Was luckily we had no midge encounters

[@SteRumbelow]

What is it with you and taking your bike up big hills? 😂 Glutton for punishment! Also, those tics - it’s a no from me!! Cracking video as always. 👍🏼

[@StephenJReid]

At least I could push the bike this time 😂

[@NikkiEvernight]

omg! what did you do to get that many ticks on you!!! Note to self, save trip to those islands until winter with a hard frost. I'm itchy just watching this!

[@StephenJReid]

We walked through some long grass beside a river when getting water

[@thepeakdistrictviking]

Nothing stops the midges when they're en masse. Only thing is a midge net or go before May or after September. 😂😂😂😂

[@StephenJReid]

Or bring a flamethrower 😂

[@thepeakdistrictviking]

@@StephenJReid that's about the size of it 🤣🤣🤣

[@connormcc]

I was on this trip with you and I was still literally laughing out loud watching 😂

[@StephenJReid]

I was laughing while editing. Us standing there with the tape removing the ticks was ridiculous 😂

[@connormcc]

@@louisereid3426 😂 needs must!

[@davidpoots8362]

Brilliant, hoping to get there next year, but I'm too mean to pay for the ferry so will sail over in a dinghy, what could possibly go wrong?

[@StephenJReid]

That sounds somewhat scary, although half tempted to volunteer as highly inexperienced crew 😂

[@ThisOldPanda]

That was worth the wait.

[@StephenJReid]

Thanks Anthony!

[@alanrobinson2229]

It's always been my ambition to mount the Paps.

[@MountainsWithMatt]

The main thing that puts me off Scotland is the midges! the scenery looks beautiful but I'd be so fed up of the bugs

[@StephenJReid]

If you want to avoid them completely, just go before May or after September. A lot less people around too. The midges are annoying but only really bothered us one evening after we stopped for the day so for only about 10% of the trip

[@m__r1100]

Two types of midge attack: one where you think you will die, one when you hope you will die...

[@colincampbell4261]

​@@m__r1100they can be tortureous.

[@iwasapirateonce1639]

Ahh the trilogy of ticks, midges and horseflys... summer is here. Also got badly attacked by those horrible baby ticks recently! Luckily they can't carry lymes (only the nymphs and adults do). Cracking adventure, surprised by the cost of the ferry however, more expensive than Stenaline to mainland Scotland?

[@StephenJReid]

Good to know the baby ones don’t carry Lymes! Didn’t know that. Yeah pricey tickets but this ferry can only carry 16 people per trip and only about 3-4bikes. Stenaline can fit about 600 people and as many cars. Islay ferry is also travelling twice as fast as the stenaline ferry. Would be amazing it was nearer £50-75 return tough

[@jamesburwash5635]

Great video, I thought only Canada had terrible bugs. Ha ha Quick question in the video the map shot, you show the line moving along your route how did you did that. Cheers Vancouver Island Canada.

[@StephenJReid]

Thanks James! That animated map was from an app called FatMaps

[@Tiffer1989]

I'm doing the West Highland Way next month, but I might just cancel after seeing those ticks!

[@StephenJReid]

Don’t let it put you off, Scotland is amazing. Just watch out for long grass and wear repellent

[@MegaCraigr]

Got loads the last time i did the West Highland way. We wild camped and mostly the small pin sized ones. :( At least you know when the midges bite..

[@adventurousdavee]

If you could come up with the perfect midge protection , you would be on to a winner 😂

[@StephenJReid]

I keep going back for more 😂

[@adventurousdavee]

@@StephenJReid 😂

[@louisereid3426]

Look out for him on Dragon's Den with that!

[@adventurousdavee]

@@louisereid3426 👌👌

[@iancampbell6925]

I found thermocell actually attracted midges as I could see a little cloud of midges above it, maybe it could be converted to a midge trap?

[@StephenJReid]

I’m visualising a Ghostbusters ghost trap 😂

[@freeforester1717]

It’s a bit like global warming in the winter - think of how many midges you’d have had eating you if you’d gone without the Thermacell?😅

[@nigelmcardle4112]

Always love watching your adventures Stephen but the midges can ruin your day!

[@StephenJReid]

That they can! Didn’t ruin it this time though, just an annoyance

[@6BRENO6]

Boris Johnson 😂😂😂

[@StephenJReid]

😁😁

[@pixelpeter3883]

Taking a ferry whilst travelling always gives me a feeling of really getting somewhere :-) The missus is never tempted to go with you on your hiking/camping trips?

[@louisereid3426]

I require an actual toilet block for me to camp.

[@StephenJReid]

Yup always feels different than just driving somewhere

[@pixelpeter3883]

@@louisereid3426 Would say that's a very reasonable request :-)

[@nejcpilih]

this is so beautiful 😍

[@StephenJReid]

Thanks! 🙂

[@DavidDoyleOutdoors]

Thats crazy the amount of ticks, call me pedantic but ticks are not insects, they're a type of spider, notice that they have 8 legs and not 6 legs

[@StephenJReid]

yeah wAS A Crazy number of insect ticks, those tick insects are just the worst kind of insect 🤪

[@DavidDoyleOutdoors]

@@StephenJReid what is it with you with ticks and midges lol

[@SpaceCadet4Jesus]

Can you please go to a bug free location where you're not getting eaten alive? Say maybe, a bicycle and video tour with friends around your living room. The pests see you coming from miles away and they radio ahead. You're doomed. 😅 Your video/editing skills are top notch though.

[@StephenJReid]

Haha only in Autumn & Winter

[@martinsherry]

i was tempted to buy a thermacell this year, you saved me some cash. thanks for the vids

[@StephenJReid]

So I did find the next day that it was useful for clearing the midges out of the inside of my tent in the morning. But I kinda feel like a cheap candle would achieve the same effect

[@martinsherry]

@@StephenJReid thanks stephen. just make sure youre not inside when using it as that stuff aint good to breathe in.

[@deleted.23]

Beautiful area and views but I don't think I could cope with the midges and ticks

[@StephenJReid]

I think it’s worth it 🙂

[@SpaceCadet4Jesus]

He does it so we don't have to. Taking one for the team again.

[@StephenJReid]

@@SpaceCadet4Jesus always 😂

[@squidwurf]

Jeremy... 🤣

[@thomasshafe]

Sea birds. I'm not the only one who says that, good to know, everyone thinks i'm nuts for saying it.

[@StephenJReid]

For saying Sea birds?

[@thomasshafe]

@@StephenJReid yup

[@johnetches9741]

What was the time of year of your trip?

[@StephenJReid]

End of May 2023

[@m__r1100]

RE: cars being nice. It's usual on smaller roads and away from business. It's politeness not law.

[@chrismawer5291]

No comment 😁😉

[@StephenJReid]

😁

[@NickMcClelland]

Ticks or swarms of midges 🙈

[@StephenJReid]

I seem to attract them all 😂

[@colincampbell4261]

Midgies Galore! Not the best for camping.

[@blacksunapocalypse]

150 pounds for a ferry ride? Goddamn.

[@StephenJReid]

Zero competition unfortunately and still the cheapest way to get there by a long way