Touring west of Scotland
we hope to do a five week tour of the west of scotland including the western isle and would love any hints or advice from people who have done this.we have already invested in midge repelants.
Comments
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Invest in waterproofs too
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Dont listen to the doom mongers. Tips.1) Scottish miles seem longer, take your time
2) If motorhome be flexible, not too much booking ahead,
3) Fill up with fuel in Supermarkets, local garages will be very expensive ( Estimate the mileage on a full tank)
4) Get a Calmac brochure and look at Hopscotch tickets. Again be flexible by not booking hops in advance. If the first ferry is full the next one or next day will have room.
5) I look at a quick trip to north of Glasgow and then think the holiday starts
6) Good sites- Killin, Poor sites at Oban, be ware. Glen Nevis, Kinlochewe. with few Cls
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We used North Ledaig AS site a couple of times at Connel, just North of Oban, which is a hub for CalMac ferries to lots of islands. We loved the site, it is large, but very nice, with gorgeous views. Easy drive back into Oban as well for early ferries. Can recommend a trip to Iona, via Mull. We only had the day, but lovely if you can spend longer. Not sure about taking MH over to Iona, but it is only a short ferry trip back to Mull.
We drove alway down West coast to Mull of Kintyre as well. Very interesting and you can take ferries via Arran. Kintyre is lovely, especially McRahanish beach on western side. Campbeltown is an interesting place.
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The landscape has changed up there David with the addition of a faster road to Mallaig, but if you make detours off the villages and small sites with their lovely views are still there.
If you want to see some of the western isles, as suggested, look at Calmac for lots of travel ideas and routes. Oban is a good starting point or further up try Skye or Ullapool as departure points. If you want to stay on the mainland you'll probably have to make a decision how far south or north you want to go, there's quite a bit of mileage involved.
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How big is your van? How do you feel about driving single track roads?
We have found that every road to the west of the main road is worth driving down, even the return from 'dead ends' shows a different view.
Altnaharra is a great spot if you don't need shower/toilet block.
We would revisit the Inner Hebredes but not the Outer although apart from the Uists they were worth one visit, although sites are few.
If you want more detailed info just ask.
Dave
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Thanks for all the comments
with reguard to some of the island we were thinking of pitching van at some sites and just head of in the Volvo to do some day touring and not have to worry about the van so could get to some of the remote areas.
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I would avoid the clubs route planner if you are going out to Oban or Fort William from the M74, It uses the M8 and A82 to Crianlarich but this road at the North end of Loch Lomond is narrow and twisting with an unforgiving stone wall at one side and can be a real problem if the timber lorries are out.
I would use the M73 from Glasgow to the M80 and M9 to just past Stirling and then follow the A84 and A85 which are far better roads and despite being a little longer should be quicker and less nerve racking.
Fuel can be expensive so I agree that using the supermarkets at Oban and Fort William should be the best bet.
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Second that one. We did meet a timber lorry on our first caravan trip at that particular spot by Loch Lomond. Oh Boy, it was a definite "knicker changing experience", lol. Now we use the Stirling route. Much better. Fill up at Stirling though, garages are few and far between on that route and when you do find one, expensive. Have a good trip, it is a lovely part of the Country. And don't forget your Avon Skin So Soft, a good midge repellent.
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Were going to bunrea at Easter from Lincolnshire , would we go as far as glasgow before we turn off , could you list the places we should head to I would really appreciate it
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No paper map to hand at present, TyandMaggie, but
I'd think Glasgow might be a bit too far in one hop
especially as a 'first'. Would suggest something like
Melrose first stop then up early and off to Crianlarich
etc for Bunree.
All this is off the top of my head, but by the time I've
got the map & magnifying glass out the "Experts" will
probably proved me wrong
!! Remember 'tis a holidayso please enjoy yourselves.
B
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We have been before and I,m afraid to admit stick to sat nav directions, hence hadn't even thought about going a different way but remember well the winding round around loch Lomand area and the stone wall
would rather go a different way if possible , we also stayed and will be doing again at englethwait will sit and get a paper map out and see which is better , any advice and places to put in sat nav would be very much appreciated tho x0 -
From Englethwaite ( Which I use ) motorway north then north-east towards Stirling, then A roads westwards to Crianlarich!
That will allow you to pick up the northern end of your route up thro' Glen Coe ( shiver shiver
) then north to BunreeAll pretty much as Wildwood said earlier
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Thank you very much x
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Probably set sat nav for Doone which will get you on the right road and then reset for where you are going. Basically you just take the motorway past the first Stirling exit and use the next exit and head left for Callender and Crianlarich.
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Living just north of Glasgow, with a 9am start, we can be at Ferry Meadows by 5pm, allowing 90 minutes for stops. That is pretty much motorway all the way.
So Lincolnshire to Glasgow in one day is possible. However, much nicer to have a shorter day when possible.
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