"Out on the edge" Top 5 Page for this destination Durness by Charlie_UK

Durness Travel Guide: 43 reviews and 109 photos

4.48 am 31 May 2003

Durness is the most north-westerley village on mainland Britain. It has a population of about 300 scattered over a couple of miles of barren moorland, backed by wild mountain scenery and perched above the cliffs that lead down to golden beaches and a fulminating sea. It was a popular childhood holiday location for John Lennon, but when I went the most famous musician around was Brian May of Queen, holder of a PHD in astronomy, accompanied by the world famous astronomer Patrick Moore, for Durness was the prime UK location to see the annular (ring) eclipse on the morning of the 31 May 2003. This was very early (just after sunrise) and the summer sunrises are very early indeed. Even in deepest night it is no darker than twilight.

Sadly Patrick and Brian nipped up the coast to Talmine before I got there!

Pros and Cons

Pros:Great scenery, good hospitality, superb beach
Cons:puffins
In a nutshell:John Lennon never sang "Imagine there's no Durness"!

Last visit to Durness: May 2003
Intro Updated Jun 21, 2003
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Reviews (8)

Eclipses of course Favorites (1)

Well, what else would it be? The gorgeous sandy beaches? The caves? The wild scenery? The friendly locals? Yep, that... more travel advice

photographic film can blind you! Warnings Or Dangers (1)

I repeat the warning on my Ceduna page: When looking at eclipses remember that even a little exposed sun contains... more travel advice

like a blazing excalibur emerging from the murk.. - Durness

Off the beaten path? More like out of... Off The Beaten Path (1)

Eclipse watching. The last annular eclipse over Britain, in 1921, was also over the far north of Scotland. Only one... more travel advice

More like twilight life Nightlife (1)

Nightlife? Well there was a barbecue at the village hall, which has a "John Lennon tribute." This informs us that John... more travel advice

Travelogues (1)

Written Aug 17, 2003

8 photos

Ring of Fire - 31 May 2003

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Comments (3)

gosiaPL Feb 15, 2004 at 3:26 PM Report Abuse

Nice pics of the eclipse and good humour :-)
wojsyl Feb 10, 2004 at 11:33 AM Report Abuse

What do you have against puffins ?
HORSCHECK Jul 11, 2003 at 4:11 PM Report Abuse

Good start about Durness ... Nice photos and funny comments ... thanks!