The Isles of Arran and Islay
Does anyone have any input or tips for visiting both these Isles - I enjoyed a day trip to Arran many years ago and would like to take the caravan. Is it feasible to get to Islay via Arran and perhaps return to the mainland further north?
I can see the two campsites on Islay are chalk from cheese - and the less popular would appear to be better suited to my taste - remote and quiet - unless it is ridiculously pricey as well. Have sent off enquiries to both those sites. Arran seems to have more choice. I aim to go sometime in the second half of September unless the weather forecast is really dire.
Thanks in advance for any ideas.
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My thoughts as well, FC, as they don’t share the same stretch of sea.
Here's the Calmac link if needed.
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Arran and Islay are both beautiful Islands with much to see. We toured both on a weeks cycle holiday 3 years ago staying in Bed and Breakfast accommodation.
Arran just has the one road round the island with a linking road across east to west. The whole island can be cycled round in a day. It has one Distillery and a Small Brewery worth a visit. --- -Islay has more roads and at the time we were there, had eight Distilleries all well worth a visit. A short ferry ride takes you to Jura where there is another distillery. We investigated every one during the week.
The ferries are expensive for vehicles.
Kennine.
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OK jonray I will see what I can do. Thanks Kennine - I think Islay and Jura will be enough this visit. I knew there were a lot of distilleries but ALL of them? I think one is probably enough but I shall see! I do like my whisky! Yes unfortunately I did know the ferries are expensive but I have my heart set on visiting Islay in particular for some reason - I meant to go last year but sick brother got in the way of that one. I wonder if the midges will have left by mid September with it being such a strange year. I did B & B to the Isles of Scilly which I loved but I am not a fan of leaving my own comfort! Much easier with the dogs too to be in our own space. I told the landlady on Scilly that they were big dogs and she provided beds suitable for Yorkies!
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I have just seen the route is suggested up Loch Lomond - I don't think I want to do that one again! Mind you it is only as far as Tarbet and the worst bit is after that. Kennacraig is quite off any track I have beaten so far.
Surely someone has visited Islay?
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Yes, last time about 45 years ago, ferry got lost in fog and grounded just short of the pier..... coukdnt see anything so stayed on the ferry and when eventually unstuck itself returned to mainland. I think the chances of someone having been with a caravan are slim.
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Pippa we did that route when we went to the site at Carradale, it's not too bad around Tarbert. Have you seen the CL at Tarbert, it looks handy for the ferry (make sure you get the right Tarbert!)
Edit, remember you'll be turning off the Loch Lomond route before the narrow bit and then head for Lochgilphead via Rest and be Thankful etc.
If it seems too daunting why not take the car for a day trip?
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You can coss from the mainland to Islay using ferries. Ardrossan (mainland) to Arran (Brodick) drive to Lochranza then ferry to Claonaig (Kintyre). I've used both those crossings. Then drive west to Kennacraig. Then ferry to Port Askaig on Islay.
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We went to Islay with our tent and two young kids over 30 years ago. Tent got trashed trying to put it up in the wind. However, the site operator rang one of her friends, who opened up a flat in Port Ellen, which he was in the process of shutting down for the season. We had actually looked at renting one but they were too expensive. However, he took pity on us and didn't charge us much more than we would have paid for the site.
A lovely Island. In those days before the internet and everything, very out of it. Newspapers did not arrive until the afternoon on the ferry, although you could drive to the small airstrip and get one earlier. We had a great 10 days, exploring. It is the home of my favourite whisky.
I don't think I would take the caravan, but might return if we get a motorhome.
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Yes thank you TW I have read reviews of both camp sites there - I hadn't noticed there is no chemical disposal point at Kintra Farm - so I need to check that there are some on the Island - in the outer Hebrides there seemed to be disposal points at most of the ferry ports. Strangely they don't take bookings at Kintra Farm either - first come first served - but I am drawn to that one with it being more remote - although that decision could be weather dependent that one is very exposed!
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Apologies if this is a repeat post - one disappeared!
Harryb did you take a caravan? I know the ferries are pricey but it's a dream and I so enjoyed the Outer Hebrides and Shetland - Islay is also the home of my favourite tipple! Thank you Wildwood I will bear the availability in mind and book as early as I can.
Funnily enough I bought the Outlander because I thought it big enough to sleep in the back or take a tent but what seems to be the best campsite is near the port the other 4 miles down a single track road. Steve - the idea of all those narrow roads with a MH is one of the reasons I like to park up and enjoy touring all the nooks and crannies with the car. Shetland was brilliant and everyone knew how to use passing places properly but I wouldn't have done that in anything sizeable. I actually went too far off the road to make room for a postie - with my car and had to get a tractor to pull me out I had sunk so far.
Fortunately I have had a lucky year in the finance department - and even the Bank Manager pointed out that time is rushing by - he told me 85 is the normal age for women to pop their clogs - so it's all his fault I have splashed out on a new caravan and have an expensive trip in mind! I can't take it with me after all!
Thank you everyone - I love CT"
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Pippa have you seen the way Calmac can help plan your routes on their hopscotch pages? If you look at this you can get an idea of how to do the trip, good luck! If you do it, lets us know how it goes. I am waiting for my daughter and partner to get back from a camp site on Tiree, there are so many lovely islands to visit.
Hopscotch routes for Islay LINK
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We did a Hopscotch route of the Hebrides this year and, although it works out the same financially, it only meant making one booking and giving all our sizes and other details once for the first leg of the journey.
After that, each time we wanted the next ferry trip, it only involved making a simple phone call quoting our booking ref number to reserve our space. It was very easy and the call centre staff were excellent.
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Harryb did you take a caravan?
Yes.
We went from the club site at Craigie Gardens at Ayr to the club site at Carradale at the bottom of Kintyre. We island hopped across Arran to save the long drive round via Inverary. See my profile as to why. It was August of 1997 and the Queen was visiting the island. We got delayed as the Royal Yacht with RN Frigate escort took priority. She did give us a wave to say thanks as we drove past her though.
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TW I looked at the Hopscotch for the Outer Hebrides and got cross eyed trying to work it out! I ended up not doing it but I can see it would be easier bookingwise! But I went to Barra in the car alone so that messed up the arithmatic!
Harry that was quite a challenge - well done! I am not keen on long boat crossings but saving that long drive is a big bonus - my site of choice would be New England Bay to start I think - although I haven't visited the Ayr site. I guess it could depend on the ferry times.
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