Scottish route any hints/help appreciated
Hi
Me and the wife are off to Scotland in a few weeks time in the caravan and im after some help/pointers on routes to take.
We have the sites booked up.
We are coming up from the Oxford area (have a stop over just off the M72) and the first site is the Caravan club site at Movich, Shiel Bridge IV40 8HQ.
My idea was the M74, M80 to Stirling then the A9, A889, A86 then from Spean Bridge the A82 and the A87. Any better routes?
Next stop is the Kinlochewe Club IV22 2 PA route plan was the A87 then up the A890 and the A832.
Then to Ullapool Admair point site IV26 2TN so the `a832 to Garve then the A835.
After that back down to the Cannich site in Glen Affric IV4 7LN. The idea was down A835 and A832 to Muir of Ord. Then the A862 and the A831 to Cannich or am I better off going. Or am I better off keeping on the A835 and A9 to Inverness then A82 and
the A831 to Cannich?
Then its down to Moffat not sure whether to A831 and the A82 back up to Inverness then down the A9 to eventually get to M74 or go south on the A82 to Spean Bridge then
the A86 to get to the A9.
It will be the first time we been to Scotland in the caravan, last time was on the bike so a slight difference in size :-) Any help would be most welcome
Many Thanks
Graham
Comments
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Nothing to do with the route, but do make sure you have midge protection. Here's a good place to start:
https://www.smidgeup.com/0 -
I have toured Scotland many times in the last 40 yrs and while the roads in places can be a little narrow it is no more so than some roads in the lake district, cornwall etc, common sense prevails plan you route dont rely on sat nav for road suitability do that on OS site (free)and check road width before setting off with the van in tow. allow time to get to destination, gives you more thinking time!! Most of all enjoy the drive as we always say its not the destination but how you get there!!
P.S. Brian1 is correct about the the little biting B*sT*rds if you ever think you have enough protection YOU Hvan't!!!(from experience!!)
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Post Script to the above i have been into the highland and islands with an 76 sprite major and rover 3.5 coupe which trust me is a long unit with no breakdown cover and as long as you are sensible its not an issue
Also been to southern Spain with the same outfit with a collins europe map!!! trust me its all about the prep and the worst that can happen is you have to spend a couple of night camping!!
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tdm, hope you realise the length of some of the distances you intend towing. Some of the roads are relatively narrow, especially from Morvic to Kinlochewe, and are not the fastest roads to travel.
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Not exactly the same route but we towed from Morvich to Dunnet Bay comfortably in a day a couple of years back.
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Nothing to do with the route, but do make sure you have midge protection. Here's a good place to start:
https://www.smidgeup.com/All stocked up
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I have toured Scotland many times in the last 40 yrs and while the roads in places can be a little narrow it is no more so than some roads in the lake district, cornwall etc, common sense prevails plan you route dont rely on sat nav for road suitability
do that on OS site (free)and check road width before setting off with the van in tow. allow time to get to destination, gives you more thinking time!! Most of all enjoy the drive as we always say its not the destination but how you get there!!P.S. Brian1 is correct about the the little biting B*sT*rds if you ever think you have enough protection YOU Hvan't!!!(from experience!!)
What site is that Jeff?
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The route is doable but do be aware of the distances. That first bit getti g to Morvich looks a long way with only one stop over. My guess the distance is going to be well over 700 miles and certainly the last leg from Stirling will be sliwer going and far
slower once of the A9. I would certainly try for two stops on the way up.Going back again check the distances but the A9 route should be faster.
Before setying off run the route planner and check the mileages an rememer the roads will be far slower so make sure you are happy with them and get off dites in time for completing the days drive.
Fuel can be scarce in some areas so never let the tank get low and be aware there is no fuel on the A9 from Stirling until you are almost at Inverness although some places just off the route do have this.
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Wildwood There is a filling station at the side of road between Blackford and Auchterarder, Broxden Services at Perth are as near to the A9 as many motor way services. Did you forget the Ballinluig Truck stop ? Aviemore is hardly a massive detour off the
A9 either. Kellysmum0 -
Thanks everyone looking at your suggestions we will probaly set off Thursday and have another stop over on way to Movich now.
Now that makes sense! There's a filling station just off the A80 between the M73 and the M80 by Cumbernauld, and S of Glasgow the Tesco at Lesmahagow is easily access off the M74
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Wildwood There is a filling station at the side of road between Blackford and Auchterarder, Broxden Services at Perth are as near to the A9 as many motor way services. Did you forget the Ballinluig Truck stop ? Aviemore is hardly a massive detour off the A9 either. Kellysmum
Must admit I must be blind as I cannot say I have ever noticed the filling station at the side of the road. I did mention there was fuel at some places off the road but I felt most people would prefer not to go off the A9.
I would fill up at Tesco at Perth myself but it might be a bit tight for really large outfits and there is a petrol station at the end of the by pass on the right at the roundabout.
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Both Morvich and Kinlochewe are really lovely sites with great walking. Both are Hell for midgies, especially Kinlochewe. It's not unusual to see people walking round with nets to cover their faces.
There is very little in the way of shops near either site, so be sure to stock up first. Kinlochewe does have a good pub with local beers & food near the site.
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Both Morvich and Kinlochewe are really lovely sites with great walking. Both are Hell for midgies, especially Kinlochewe. It's not unusual to see people walking round with nets to cover their faces.
There is very little in the way of shops near either site, so be sure to stock up first. Kinlochewe does have a good pub with local beers & food near the site.
Depend the time of year of your visit. We've never had any problems at either although we do tend to go early in the year, May or the start of June.
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