Scotland Aug 2024 - Stonehaven / Bunree
We're planning a 2 week holiday in Scotland this summer and have so far booked 1 week at Stonehaven and 1 week at Bunree. However we're not sure whether to change this to 2 weeks at Stonehaven as we've been to the West coast several times. My questions are:
1. Is there enough to do around Stonehaven for 2 weeks (we don't mind travelling for days out)
2. If we were to do the 2 sites, are the roads OK between Stonehaven & Bunree (we have a twin axle) - what would be the best route?
3. On the booking form for Stonehaven it says if you have a twin axle read the important information - I cannot find it!
4 If we did go to Bunree, are the roads easily manageable to get home? I've heard (and seen) the road round Loch Lomond is tight.
Comments
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4. I advise avoiding the A82 alongside Loch Lomond and to use the Callender/Stirling route instead. Other than that, no problem with roads but beware of the west coast midges.
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1. I would get bored with a two week stay anywhere. Perhaps three separate weeks?
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That's originally why we booked 2 separate weeks. I just need to find a suitable route between the two sites now...
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Route could be A96 via Elgin to Inverness then A82 down to Bunree -about 180 miles. Although you might decide on a couple of sites on the east coast or two on the west coast and cut out that 180 mile drive. Big country but you choose.
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An option could be Culloden Moor for a few nights, or one of the numerous non-camc sites in the area. I’m a fan of C&CC’s Dingwall site.
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We used to use Stonehaven quite a bit in the passed but I don't think I could do a week there let alone 2 weeks. Don't get me wrong it's a nice site and nice town but nothing much to do.
There is Dunnottar castle then a trip to Aberdeen and that's about it.
If it was me I'd think of 5 days then move to another site for say 5 days then onto Bunree for the remainder.
Again been to Bunree and while it's a lovely site it's terrible for midges especially in the summer months. Not a lot to do there either I'm afraid as nothing nearby.
I think If it was me in the summer months I'd stick to the east coast and move every 4 days or so. Then again maybe you are quite happy to sit around the sites and chill out.
Everyone tours their own way, even when we had a caravan we rarely stayed longer than 5 days. However you have a big van and might not like moving on often only you can decide.
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While Stonehaven is nice, as TG said, there is not much there to warrant a 7 night stay. (Not sure why a twin axle would be a problem.) There is much more to visit from the Banchory site, especially if you are National Trust members. There is also a good CL near Banchory, with serviced pitches, but my choice would be Deeside Holiday Park, not far out of Aberdeen. Good facilities and serviced pitches for less than a CAMC site.
I would then use CCC Dingwall, if you are a member, or CAMC near Inverness.
Other than the road down the top part of Loch Lomond, all roads are fine for a twin axle ( we have a T/A).
From Dingwall or Inverness, you could continue down the Great Glen, possibly stopping at Bunree, then cut across to Loch Lomond via Inveraray, where there is a good site just south down the loch from the town, Argyll Holiday Park, and Arrochar . We have used all these sites.
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I’ve done Bunree and Stonehaven albeit on different holidays, a west coast and an east coast tour.
As has been said 7 days is plenty at Stonehaven. We loved the heated outdoor saltwater lido right beside the club site. Also walked the coastal path to the castle.
when you leave Stonehaven consider visiting the Scottish Borders on the way back to Derbyshire. We found a lovely cl and there are numerous interesting towns to visit and also Roslyn Chapel is you’re a da Vinci code fan!
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Thanks for all your comments - some good ideas here. I think I need to spend a little more time planning both sites & routes!
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Sorry forgot to mention that whilst on the CL in the borders we caught the local train into Edinburgh for the day, the Royal Yacht Britannia was well worth a visit if you haven’t done it. Lots of other things to do as well.
If you go down this route and you need the name of the cl just ask.
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nothing wrong with the A82!!!! fold your mirrors in as they are not needed on the narrow bits.
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Really? In my opinion that’s the very place they are needed, especially north bound.
I and others seem to prefer the sensible option of avoidance.
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Hi, in our opinion, the easiest ( but probably not the quickest ) route between the 2 sites is via the A9 and Dalwhinnie. Stonehaven to Dundee, Dundee to Perth, Perth to Dalwhinnie, Dalwhinnie via Loch Laggan A86 to Spean Bridge then down to Bunree. Most of the route will be dual carriageway, with some narrower parts around Loch Laggan, but nothing to worry about. We've visited both sites many times and they are both excellent. But as has been suggested, a week at each would probably be too long for us. You could maybe add North Ledaig, near Oban as the start of your journey home. 3 sites, 5 nights at each. All the best, Alex.
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I would be more worried about the oncoming log lorries and tour buses! They are bigger and sturdier than our caravan, and probably just drivers rather than owners.
I have lost 2 extended mirrors over the years to oncoming buses, I prefer not to lose the whole caravan.
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Tour buses are amongst the most carefully driven.....have you seen the price of a mirror for one plus they are not permitted to continue their tour until it is fixed!Log lorries are a law unto themselves but I have never yet met one on that road.White van man is the worst culprit as the mirrors tend to be at the same height as towing mirrors and they tend to drive too fast around the bends! I have lost 2 towing mirrors over the years on that road (one smashed the caravan window) and that is why I fold my mirrors in as previously stated!
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Thanks for this - we will certainly look at adding another site. We will need a site anyway on the way up to break up the journey, probably Northumberland somewhere.
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