Our First Trip To Scotland
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Midges! They're already here!
Avoid shady pitches, pick something out in the open sunshine, and if possible, elevated to gain the maximum from sea breezes etc. During the summer, I look for something on or as near to a beach, or as high as I can get. Inside the van I use citronella candles. Avoid the cheap ones. They are not a cure, but they help keep the blighters down. I am told that eating foods high in vitamin B1 make the human form unpalatable to them.
If you really do get pestered, get a midge hat.
Finally, there are numerous models of gatling guns on the market, none of them work, you can trust me on that one.
Unfortunately midges are part of the Scottish way, so you are really looking to manage the situation, rather than cure it. Kill one, and a thousand relatives turn up for the funeral.
Bunree is a great site, and the local area is a wonderful introduction to holidays and caravanning north of the border. Enjoy it. ;-)
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This is a recipe for two, to repel midges. Take half a bottle of vodka (preferably Polish), tip some out onto your hands, and rub all over your exposed skin, the midges do not like vodka. Drink the remaining vodka.
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"Here" as in IOW or Scotland? Either way, not good news - another aspect of climate change?
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Scotland of course ;-) I must sort my location again.
Climate change? Well something is broken with the weather. Another winter has passed with little snow and high temperatures. Even the farmers and crofters are not jumping for joy, because parasites and bugs are positively thriving. Than means more cost for animal treatment.
I don't think any amount of wind farms will change things, especially when wood chips are being burnt in huge quantities like its going out of fashion.
Your correct, not good news. Make the most of what we have, while its still here.
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When are we all heading up there? Our trip, our first serious trip with our caravan, is planned for April. And I too am grateful for all the comments here!
We're wondering how flexible the sites are at that time of the year, whether they get booked up or if there's a degree of last minute availability - the weather's going to play a part in how much we feel like moving on, or coastwards, or further inland, and that's not predictable from this far ahead.
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This discussion was started by a newbie with a genuine request for information about travelling up to Scotland for the first time.
I hope the warnings about midges haven't put The Nerms off. I've already put in my comments but I could put in many, many more positive comments about the uncrowded, spectacular roads and the sites in Scotland.
Just one more for The Nerms. If you are now thinking of postponing your trip to Bunree, whatever you do, don't go to Kinlochewe in July and August!!
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Most of the sites will not be booked up in April as long as you avoid Easter. Basically if you go without booking you should get in most sites.
As for the midges they do exist and can be a nuisance but with the right protection you should be OK. Some people are more affected than others though so it is difficult to give firm advice. I am not trying to put people off they will be very welcome but at the same time the question has been asked and I do try to be honest about it.
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We're wondering how flexible the sites are at that time of the year, whether they get booked up or if there's a degree of last minute availability - the weather's going to play a part in how much we feel like moving on, or coastwards, or further inland, and that's not predictable from this far ahead.
If they are CC sites rather than AS sites why not book Friday/Saturday nights in advance when sites are near large town/cities as you can always change your mind. I doubt that you will have a problem however.
We were surprised though last year on the Culloden site which we were on from 23rd April for 5 nights. One of the nights it was pretty much full if not completely so. This was due to a cycling event around Loch Ness. One reason why you can sometimes be caught out by a local event. I expect local events also effect the likes of Bunree if events are on in nearby Fort William or the likes of Ayr.
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Good advice about possibly booking weekends - and there is a bank holiday at the end of April as well as Easter in the middle. I am going to arrive in Scotland just after Easter and intend being careful about weekends and the bank holiday.
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north of the Clyde == Forth Central belt there are no motorways
That will be apart from the M9 and the M90 of course!!
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Things should be easier getting in and out of Strathclyde Park now as the underpass on the roundabout at junction 5 of the M74 has now opened and traffic should be far easier there.
It should be but unfortunatly it isnt. The roundabout is just as bad, the "rush" hour is just as long, as are the queues to get onto the roundabout.
Something to do with there being 30 possible routes through the roundabout complex, and only two have benefited from the multi-million pound spend.
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Come along now Navigateur, you know full well what I mean about The Central Belt -- I'm using that term to separate the Southern Lowlands from The Highlands as understood by many, if not most, Tourists
{ Altho' I grant you I was being very free with my terminology
!Embarrassed A B M
P.S. Thanks for the comments about Strathclyde, I'll try Lydalia A.S. for a change !!
B
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Since this is turning into a growing thread of advice on touring Western Scotland, & I'm mighty grateful to The Nermes for starting and sharing it, please may I ask another West Coast roads question?
We too are going to Bunree ... we have to, we met at Onich some 45 years ago!... then planning to pause at Sheil Bridge, thence to Gairloch before further stations North.
So for now, the route from Bunree to Sheil Bridge looks like A82 past Fort Bill, Invergarry onto the A87, without much option.
From Sheil Br to Gairloch would be onto the A890 just before Kirkton, complete with arrows, then either way it's passing places stuff, according to my map. The options are A896 via Lochcarron & Torridon, or sticking with 890 to Achnasheen before the 832 past Kinlochewe, where the other route rejoins, and so on to Gairloch.
I'm new to caravanning but used to towing a smaller trailer, and gaining confidence by playing with local roads, though Northants isn't just quite the same as the W Highlands looked last time we were there! The van is 5m long in total and barely wider than the car.
Are there any particular horror spots on my plan so far?Many thanks to any who have passed that way and have The Knowledge!
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As these roads are the only roads they carry buses, coaches and all sizes of lorries. Consequently, the passing places are frequent and large.
Just remember you stay on your "own" side for passing. If the passing place is on the other side, stop opposite.
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That's useful, Navigateur. Merci ! There may be other queries to follow, if that's OK with you, as our plans for further North progress. But they already firmly include Not going near Applecross while the van's fastened on!
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I agree with Navigateur that the roads are easily navigable with care. Much depends on how much time you've got. The A896 via Lochcarron and Torridon is far more scenic (assuming the weather's fine) but needs more care, especially from Shieldaig, along Upper Loch Torridon, through Glen Torridon to Kinlochewe. Personally, I'd do the alternative route via A890 through Glen Carron to Achnasheen, then A832. The roads are wider, faster and safer. That's the route we usually use and the one we'll be taking when we're up there in May.
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Just another thought, "Hedgehurst". I don't know if you worry about provisions and prices when you're on holiday, but like previous readers, whilst you're at Bunree, I'd recommend that you stock up at Morrisons in Fort William. Whilst at Morvich (Shiel Bridge), if you have time, stock up at the Co-op in Kyle of Lochalsh before going to the real north.
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