Some ideas for our second trip to Scotland please
In 2016 we did our first trip to Scotland, 4 weeks going up the West Coast and then across to the East, the main sites were Bunree, Morvich, Brora and Grantown on Spey, and what a great trip it was, we really fell in love with Scotland and intend to go back next year for another 4-5 week tour which I am making a start on planning the trip. We really liked Skye and the West Coast so out trip will be centered around that area (Skye) but would then like to keep on the West Coast and explore further North and south of Sky. We also would also like to venture to one or two of the many Islands situated off the West Coast, either with or without the caravan. In 2016 we did the trip in September/October and were very lucky with the weather and 'no midges' but next year we are thinking of going June/July but not sure if that is the right time to go regarding busyness and midges.
So, Questions What do you feel is the best time to go. Do you have favorite sites in some of these areas. Have you been 'island hopping'.
Hopefully I can get a few ideas to help plan. Thank you in advance
Comments
-
May into June is always a good time to spend time on the beautiful west coast of Scotland.
There are loads of great campsites, few CMC though. If you like adventure you could always visit the outer Hebrides. I prefer to travel south to north starting with the ferry Leaving Oban to Castlebay on Barra where there are the most gorgeous beaches stretching for miles, even the airport runway is on the sand. Then by ferry to Eriskay and over the causway to South Uist and on to Benbecula and North Uist still using causways. There is much historical interest on all those Islands.-----From North Uist you have a choice of a ferry to Uig in Skye - Or- The ferry to Harris at Leverburgh where you can continue northwards touring Harris and then the much larger Lewis. You can then take the ferry from Stornoway to Ullapool, where you can continue touring the west coast mainland. It is all easily done with the van on the back, but give yourself plenty of time as there is a lot to see. McBraynes ferries do an Island hopping ticket.
Whatever you choose Broadside, have a great time
Regards K
2 -
The West Coast is beautiful. Agree re Dumfries and Galloway, some stunning Gardens there, it gets Gulf Stream weather. We have done Mull of Kintyre as well, and Arran.
0 -
Thanks for this great suggestion Kennine, until you suggested it I did not realise you could do a trip like that around the islands. It really appeals to us, I have already looked up the trip on Google Maps, looked at possible camp sites and looked at the ferry (but not found price of ferry yet!!) It looks a brilliant and an unusual trip which I will certainly put at the top of the trip list. Just a couple of questions, did you pre-book the camp sites or can you just 'play it by ear', did you book the ferries on line or by phone, can you wild camp on the islands? Thanks again Kennine. BS
PS thanks for the suggestions from the other posters.
0 -
BS, we 'did' the Outer Hebrides this year. It’s easier with a MH but still doable with a caravan. We picked a Hopscotch route, sailed out of Ullapool, travelled south through Lewis, Harris, N Uist, Benbecula, S Uist and Barra then sailed from Barra to Oban. You will find all the ferry details on the Calmac website. From memory, I think we paid around £220 in total for our 6m MH and 2 people for the 4 ferry trips.
The camp sites are good if you choose carefully and you can find them on UK Campsite, where I’ve written a few reviews, as well as finding info on the tourist info website.
https://www.visitouterhebrides.co.uk
Last year we did a similar trip through Orkney and Shetland.
Shout if you need any info.
1 -
Glad the information was useful Broadside.
In answer to your questions, we only booked our first site on Barra. The rest we phoned ahead the day before leaving each current site and we were always accommodated. Its very friendly and laid back in the Hebrides.
On your second question about ferries, we planned in advance by phoning the Caledonian MacBrayne ( CalMac) office in Oban and told them which ferries we wanted to use and they advised us which was the most cost effective "Island hopping" package to suit our tour. --- Best to book early as the ferries can be busy.
We didn't wild camp so I can't advise on that. What I can tell you is there is absolutely no Wild Camping allowed on the island of Barra, but the other Islands had many Motorhomes wild camping when we were there.
Regards K
1 -
To add to K's post, we only booked the first site on Lewis then rang the others a day ot two ahead. Wild camping is OK in the recognised spots but, having seen several of them, I would definitely not recommend them for a caravan.
We chose our Hopscotch package from those listed on the Calmac website and purchased it on line. There was only a need to book the first crossing and we rang Calmac's call centre to book the other sailings a couple of days in advance of each sailing. The advantage of the Hopscotch ticket is that you only need give your booking ref number and they immediately have all you personal and vehicle details to hand.
1 -
Thanks for your suggestions TW. Now that I have found this possibility I am already looking forward to it so in the next couple of week I shall plan and book the first part of it and I think yours and Kennines way of just booking the first night is the best way. I was surprised at (what seems to me) the reasonable cost of the ferry, although I am sure I may find different whet I book it.
Thanks again for great information Broadside
0 -
You’re welcome.
No doubt the ferry will cost more for car and caravan but, on the whole, they are reasonable due to the subsidies in place.
Do your research as there’s much to learn.
Btw, be aware of the Sunday shutdown, particularly on Lewis, as Sunday is strictly observed.
This is Luskentyre, West Harris.
0 -
We spent two weeks (much to short) on the Outer Hebrides at the end of May/beginning of June this year. We crossed from Oban to Barra working our way north then across to Skye. Because of the caravan we decided to pre-book sites and ferries. It was absolutely the right thing to do. The sites we stayed on were all fully booked, also the ferries. If we had been in a motorhome we wouldn’t have made these bookings as it’s very easy to wild camp and hang around for a ferry slot, not so with the caravan. Regarding the ferries - it’s much easier, at the last moment, for them to fit a motorhome on than a car and caravan. We had a wonderful time and would highly recommend it. The only thing we would do differently would be to spend longer over there.
0 -
Hi, VB. It was fabulous, wasn’t it? Could have done without Storm Hector at Eilean Fraoich, though!
I've often wondered if we passed each other somewhere en route.
0 -
Hi, thanks for the tips regarding booking the camp sites which I think now, I will do. I was surprised that you found it so busy, especially at that time of the year and the fact that you can only get there by ferry. We could make this trip in September/October instead of June/July which by the sound of it, could much quieter. I agree with what you say about spending as much time as possible, we did 4/5weeks last time and intend to at least the same, if not more, next year.
0 -
It certainly was - the weather! By the time Storm Hector hit we were at Dingwall. We stayed an extra night there before travelling up to Altnahara.
We wondered if we might have passed you too. We were at Croft No 2 on Barra from May 25th-27th. Moorcroft, N Uist from 28th-31st. Eilean Fraoich from 1st-6th June. Not nearly long enough but we loved every minute.
0 -
I think May/June is a popular time for anywhere in Scotland as it’s generally pre-midge time and the weather is dryer. I wouldn’t say it was particularly busy on the islands, it’s just that there aren’t that many campsites out there and the inter island ferries aren’t very big.
0 -
We did it north to south and arrived on Lewis at Eilean Fraoich on 12 June so completely missed each other!
We then moved to Talla Na Mara, West Harris (not that great), then Balranald, N Uist (great), Shellbay, Benbecula (better than anticipated), Kilbride, S Uist (my favourite), and Borve on Barra (very good).
Happy days!
0 -
Most grateful here for all these suggestions.
We too went up the NW coast last year in April. We enjoyed every minute, and plan like you to head onto some islands with our caravan in April or May 2019, so the info here's most useful.
If you're near Ullapool on the mainland, meanwhile, there's a gorgeous site at Altandhu, on the Summer Isles, though interesting to reach when towing.
The local people on our route told us that being there that early in the year was a great thing, as we avoided many of the Scotland 500 brigade trying to rush round.
Perhaps more experienced travellers can say if the roads do indeed get clogged up with them in May ? One slight drawback of April was that it was just a bit before many things like local boat excursions had opened, and the ones which were, tended to be cancelled due to the high winds.0 -
They’re not bad at all, PD. For the most part they’re pretty straight and the main routes are two lanes wide. HGVs use them. I don’t recall having any problems.
0 -
TW, I know it's all subjective & individual, but it would be good to know what made W Harris not so great for you - Harris is one of the destinations my wife has mentioned on her "like to visit" list, but we're never going to get time to reach everything, so we're more than willing to listen to experience in editing the list down.
And I'm intrigued about why Benbecula was better than expected
Thanks.
0 -
There was nothing wrong with West Harris, HH, in fact it was spectacular - see my pic. The West Harris Trust runs sites and official wild camping spots and we picked Talla Na Mara which didn’t live up to expectations and was expensive. It was the site, not the island, that disappointed. Another time we’d use the Seilebost school site as it looked much nicer.
Benbecula as an island exceeded my expectations because, having heard tales from ex-military folk who had been stationed there, I was expecting something bleak and barren with a site to match. The reality was very different with great scenery and beaches and a fair number of shops and facilities. The site was good and I’d return to it.
1 -
Happy to help if you’ve got any questions. There are plenty of sites listed on UKC and I’ve got info on wild camping in the Hebrides somewhere.
0 -
I forgot to mention a couple of events that are close to where I live..
1. The 2 day Turriff show which is one of the largest countryside shows after the Royal Highland show. Apart from the agricultural bit, there are displays like show jumping, motorcycle stunt riding, highland dancing etc.. Turriff caravan park is adjacent to the showground.
2. The Portsoy traditional boat festival - singing, dancing, food & drink with a fishing theme and fireworks display. Campsite adjacent to harbour.
0 -
All good information! Thanks TW and all.
Keep it coming, seems like there are a number of us reading here
0 -
We did the outer Hebrides with a caravan covering Barra and the Uist with out any problems, most roads now are two lane and those that aren't have plenty of passing places, the people we met were so friendly and the sites so easy going. As others have said go and try it then you will become like the rest of us and want to keep going back.
1 -
We did a lovely tour many years ago, visiting both coasts. Started off heading up to North Ledaig, always a favourite, near Oban. Did a lot of Castle visiting, Mull and Iona for day, from there, then after a week, towed van right across to Yellowcraig and had a couple of weeks there, taking in Royal Highland Show, which was very memorable, particularly as we were heavily into horse showing at the time. We tossed a coin to see who did the whiskey tasting in the Food and Drink marquee, utterly yummy! Great show. Lots to see and do round Yellowcraig as well. Easier to do a lot of sites nowadays with MH, so we need to head further North.
0
