Have you toured Scotland?

RowenaBCAMC
RowenaBCAMC Forum Participant Posts: 1,732 ✭✭✭
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edited September 2019 in UK Campsites & Touring #1

There are some incredible routes to tour in Scotland including the West Coast 400, the Heart 200 and the South West Coast 300. Has anyone toured these routes? If you have do you have any tips, advice and inspiration for touring these routes or pictures to share? 

If not, do you have any routes to tour in Scotland that you would recommend? We would love to hear from you and share with other members. 

Comments

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,389 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2019 #2

    I have travelled large chunks of those routes and the 500 but not since 2002 so my memory is somewhat dimmed and I doubt any advice other than take your time over these routes would be of any help. However, ||Scotland is a beautiful country and cannot fail to impress and I have attached some photos taken on my trips.

    peedee

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,144 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2019 #4

    I’m inclined to agree with Brue. We’ve been touring Scotland, mainland and islands, for 40+ years - long before anyone dreamed up names for the routes. Each area has its charms and there’s far too much to describe here. Make your own plans and just go where you want to go and don’t fall for the ideas of someone who decided to push a particular route.

    I think we saw it at its best before Scottish tourism went into overdrive and became a victim of its own success. These days, at popular times, parts of Scotland are too crowded for my liking. 

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,865 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2019 #5

    When I first heard the term NC500 I had no idea what it meant. On investigation I realised that we had covered part of the route without realising it and with the then caravan! We also like cities and have just spent an excellent five days at the Edinburgh site where were able to explore a bit more of this wonderful City. Now looking for a site with convenient public transport links to Glasgow. 

    David

  • nelliethehooker
    nelliethehooker Club Member Posts: 13,644 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2019 #6

    Why would I want to encourage more people to visit what were once quiet remote area. The plugs such as this have already caused many of the narrow roads, in particular in the North West, becoming chocked with vehicles, sites too full to get a pitch, and complaints from many of the local about the numbers that are blocking their villages and scattering rubbish all over the place, which was very noticeable this year. 

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,056 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2019 #7

    Totally agree. It’s about discovery and enjoyment, not ticking off a box. We could spend months properly investigating some of the wonderful things in just one small part of Scotland. 😁

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited September 2019 #8

    I don't tour by numbers. When we go into Scotland beyond the borders we usually spend 7 weeks using 10 sites. And have visited about evey 3 years in the last 15 years. 

  • ABM
    ABM Forum Participant Posts: 14,578
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    edited September 2019 #9

    Does  STRATHCLYDE not look good for Glasgow, David ??

  • KjellNN
    KjellNN Club Member Posts: 8,670 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2019 #10

    There is/was a CL on the outskirts of Milngavie, which is just north west of the city, and has a railway station with good links into the city centre, worth checking out.

    Buses also available.

    Hmm, does not come up in a search, must have closed, that is a shame.

  • KjellNN
    KjellNN Club Member Posts: 8,670 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2019 #11

    Only go there if you do not mind traffic noise, it is very close to the very busy M74.

  • KjellNN
    KjellNN Club Member Posts: 8,670 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2019 #12

    Depending on how far out is acceptable, and what type of site you want, you could consider the CAMC site in Ayr, very close to the station, though the train fares to Glasgow can be a bit steep!

    If you were happy to drive the MH closer to the city, I could suggest some quiet on street parking only a  couple minutes from a bus route into the city.

    There is also a P&R site at the Silverburn shopping centre on the south side, which may be OK for a MH, it is on the M77 which is the direct route from Ayr to Glasgow

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited September 2019 #13

    I can't say that the traffic noise bothered me but not a site that I liked or would likely use again. When we stayed we drove to a nearby  P&R train station to access Glasgow.

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,389 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2019 #14
  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,056 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2019 #15

    We ‘re there at the moment, slap bang between the coasts. Fortunately for us, most of the lemmings are doing the ‘routes’. It’s been lovely and quiet, no hold ups, no crowds, no queues😂

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,865 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2019 #16

    Kj

    Don't mind up to a half mile walk to the bus stop providing there is a fairly frequent service and would prefer a journey from then into the centre of no more than half and hour. Strathclyde Country Park would be OK and we are used to traffic noise on sites if its anything like Durham. It did cross our minds to visit from Edinburgh. WE used the Club site in Edinburgh but might be tempted to use Morton Hall the next time as transport seems slightly easier. Thanks for the suggestions. 

    David

  • KjellNN
    KjellNN Club Member Posts: 8,670 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2019 #17

    In that case, you could do as ET and use Strathclyde Park and drive to the P&R  at the railway station.

    If you want to leave the MH on site, then Ayr could be the answer.

    Unfortunately the sites near the city are few and far between and public transport is tricky.

    When would you be looking to be visiting Glasgow?

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,865 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2019 #18

    We thought we might have gone when we were at the Edinburgh site last week but decided against it so it would have to be a different holiday and not this year. I have been reading the site reviews on Strathclyde  and 80% of them are useless!!!  Someone did say they used a taxi to a local station which might be an option. Alternatively as we live on the Glasgow mail line perhaps it would be a hotel  break using our railcards?

    David

  • KjellNN
    KjellNN Club Member Posts: 8,670 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2019 #19

    That sounds sensible, probably not much in it once you factor in fuel and site fees.

    Plenty of decent hotels in the city centre.

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited September 2019 #20

    Fly up, it's probably cheaper! Or stay close to Stirling and get the train to Glasgow (half an hour?)

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
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    edited September 2019 #21

    I see PD's fourth pic has captured the reaction to pitch encroachment.

  • Aspenshaw
    Aspenshaw Forum Participant Posts: 611
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    edited September 2019 #22

    We tried the 300 two years ago and gave up because the road surfaces were so bad. Shame, it should have been a great experience. 

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,389 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2019 #23

    laughinglaughing Love it CY, it was actually taken on a vist to Sterling Castle.  Number one is Loch Lomond, Two, Fourth railway bridge, three, Flakirk wheel and the last, a well known Club site.which as per usual I won't name. wink

    peedee

  • Graymee
    Graymee Forum Participant Posts: 84
    edited September 2019 #24

    I think the picture is more likely a Scotsman's reaction to your spellings of Forth, Stirling and Falkirk! cry

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,144 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2019 #25

    No need to name it, PD, North Ledaig AS is instantly recognisable. 

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,389 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2019 #26

    I did say it was well known TW.smile

    peedee