Itinerary for Scotland 2019 - a big ask
A big ask but I'm feeling a little overwhelmed and I think other more enterprising members will have lead the way. What I would really like to know are the details like what roads to avoid!
I expect to take 2 to 3 weeks to do a round trip and get back home and I will be towing a Venue 550/4 a long van.
Starting from Warrington (between Liverpool and Manchester) heading for the east coast of Scotland and eventually up to Inverness the Dinner Bay.
This is were it get a little complicated, a member of our party would very much like to go to Oban and I wondered if it's reasonable to tow from Inverness across to Oban and return home down the west coast.
I'd also like to avoid ferry crossings, they were cramped enough when I used them in a car the thought of squeezing a fan on is daunting.
This is what I have so far :-
1, First night stopover in the Glasgow Edinburgh area, is Edinburgh worth a night of two? If so at what sight?
2, Stonehaven.
3, Cullodin
4, Dunnet Bay
5, Oban - what site? Aiming for 4 - 5 days on site
6, stop over on way home - what site? Or should I do it in a day? Would Ayr be a good stopover?
Ahh.. One other important issue when are there less midges? Last time I was in Scotland they are me!
Many Thanks. Aamcle
Comments
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That’s a big itinerary for 2-3 weeks.
The North Ledaig site near Oban is the one we use and the one way journey to or from Inverness is doable.
Ferries? You won’t need them unless you visit the islands and they are very manageable.
The only road I would avoid, apart from the obvious Applecross peninsula, is the A82 alongside Loch Lomond. I use the motorway route via Stirling/Calender instead.
Midges are not totally predictable but tend to appear around June time until the weather cools. They are far worse on the west coast.
I suggest you sit down with a map and plan a slightly less ambitious route unless you intend to have weeks away. Scotland is bigger than many people realise and, once away from motorways and the A9, you will make much slower progress. It’s better to take your time and see only part of the country rather than rush around and cram too much in. It’ll still be there another year.
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Hi Edinburgh would be worth a visit for a few days we use the club site out near Leith which is a nice site and has good bus links in to the city. The road between Edinburgh and Stonehaven is fine we towed up that way a few weeks ago with no trouble. I can't really comment on the site further north as it is a place we have never been but I would also agree not to use the A82 by Loch Lomond as it can get busy and is narrow in parts. We use Ayr Club site on a regular basis as it only 30 mins from home but it is easy to get to and the roads are fine for towing also there are a few things to do in the area so it may be worth staying at Ayr for a few days.
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If you want follow the western side after Oban you will be faced with a lot of driving via Lochilphead, Inverary and the Rest and be Thankful then Loch Lomond, maybe Glasgow or out to Gourock. This is a big journey and will eat in to your travel plans. Several parts of your trip would probably be better taken on separate occasions due to the time you have allowed. All worth seeing and doing but you won't see much unless you allow more time.
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Some years back, I did a three site tour over 19 days. Oban, Morvich and Dunnet Bay with one overnight on the way up and two on the way home and I live right down on the south coast. A similar tour is doable in three weeks from where you are. You're halfway there already.
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But not to include stopping at Edinburgh, Inverness, Aberdeenshire and Ayrshire as well, CY.
I don’t know how long ago you did it but traffic volumes have increased dramatically in recent years.
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Edinburgh as already said is a typical club site, large HS pitches and there's a minibus service into the city from the site.
Culloden is again a wide open site with hardstandings and well placed to explore the area (Fort George is a good visit)
No midges on the East coast but are more of a problem on the west. Bunree could be very bad.
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If you are going for 2-3 weeks I'd avoid going to Stonehaven, which would give you more time at the other sites. The road from Stonehaven to Culloden is slow and we find rather boring. Do you realise how far it is from Dunnet Bay to Oban? It's over 200 mls by the shortest route, doable but will take you a long time towing a caravan.
If you do want details of roads, once you have selected your sites, please let us know and there are plenty on here who can help.
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If you want to avoid the midges, best to stick to the East Coast of Scotland. -- However if you are not bothered by the "wee beasties" , the best site for your Oban visit is the Commercial as. site at North Ledaig. Your best stopover in the central belt would be Strathclyde park ( Just off the M74 Motorway ). It's not the quietest site with continual road noise but OK for a stop over. -- The Edinburgh site would be an alternative but not so handy to any main route.-- Inverness to Oban is an easy journey with great views all the way. --- Enjoy your holiday
Regards Kennine
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If it were me I would miss out Dunnet Bay.
I would do Edinburgh, Stonehaven, Inverness, Ullapool, Oban, Ayr.
All very doable in 3 weeks.
Many years ago we did Perth to Aberdeen, Inverness, Thurso, Ullapool, Skye, Fort William, Oban then home all in 2 weeks with 2 teenage boys and a dog. We didn't have the drive up as we live here but 3 weeks is enough time if you just stay 3 days at each site.
Best site for Oban is North Ledaig, usually no midges here due to the sea breeze.
Given where you are coming from I would more than likely go up the West coast first and down the East. So Ayr, Oban, Ullapool, Inverness, Stonehaven, Edinburgh.
If you enjoy it (you will if the weather is good) you could plan to do the very North another time.
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2019 is a long way away, but if you like planning and scheming here are a few random thoughts...
1. Get a smaller van unless your happy with narrow roads.
2. Go either in spring or autumn
Edinburgh... plenty of sights to see and keep you occupied for a couple of days. There is a CAMC site, but I prefer the privately owned Linwater at East Calder. Drive to the Park & Ride and get a bus in to the city.
The Stonehaven (Stoney) site is OK, but I don'r rate the town much. I think I'd prefer Forfar. There's nothing wrong with the road from Stoney to Culloden. With luck the Aberdeen bypass would be completed by then! However, you'd be better skipping Stoney etc and go via. Perth and up the A9. Sites round Pitlochry or Blair Atholl.
The road up the N.E coast is fine until you get past Thurso. You then get into some single track roads, so practice reversing your van.
IMO, Culloden is the most God forsaken place on earth - unless you really want to see it. Can't help you after that. I avoid it like the plague since the NC500 came along. Before that I used to like Morvich and Kinlochewe sites, but the midgies can make your life a misery in summer.
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I'm inclined to agree with you about Culloden GW unless you want to visit Cawdor Castle but I think I'd also miss out Forfar too, maybe the OP needs a re think about what can be visited end route. As usual I would be heading for a look at the Cairngorm's. Too much to see.
I think the west coast route suggested by TammyG might make things easier. Leave out the east till Inverness and Dunnet. 0 -
There are also a few CLs that you could use for an overnight stop or longer instead of using club sites it you're familiar with them.
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"Reduced Midges" ?? Well, Spring generally is ok, Summer Early Autumn Is Chronic !! late Autumn rather like Spring.
Trees near water in the west -- Midge Breeding areas
BUT the East coast normally only sees midges when tourists bring them from the West
That being said there are several anti-midge lotions or potions :--
Jungle Formula -- been round for many years & still sells
Smidge that Midge -- fairly new but the product of research at Aberdeen Uni I believe
AVON SKIN SO SOFT { Dry oil spray } -- Used by the Military in Afghanistan and by ME in Scotland -- NO LAFFIN' -- IT WORKS FOR US !! ( sadly it does not repel the Taliban !
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Basics -
Smidge works brilliant
2-3 weeks to explore the areas you are talking about covering is a big ask and will mean you have limited exploring time
Suggestion - all the drives reasonable - Edinburgh to Brora longest
Leave Manchester
Edinburgh site - 3 nights - explore Edinburgh, Linlithgow, Stirling
Brora - 5 nights - easy day trip to like of Dunnet Head, Wick, John OGroats, Durness
Bunree 5 nights - Day trips to Oban, Fort William, Mallaig
Strathclyde 3 nights - Day trips to Glasgow, Ayr
Melrose 2 nights - Melrose, Galashiels, Hawick, Kelso
Back to Manchester
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That sounds good Solobay, exhausting but good, except Strathclyde, I'd miss it out and visit Glasgow from Loch Lomond...you might as well try and get the Trossachs in as well.
By the way, no midges in the towns, they prefer beautiful sea and country places.
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