Ferry suitability for caravans in Scotland?
I’ve been browsing through this forum for tips and hints, for a planned holiday in Scotland, and picked up quite a few ideas. Perhaps I should say that my visits to north of the border over the years have been generally limited to weekends in Edinburgh for the rugby, so I’m not wholly familiar with what, where and when in Scotland.
Because of Covid risks, we are planning Scotland in May/June 2021, instead of our normal Spain/France/Italy early summer trips. (Don’t want to get stranded overseas)
We are thinking we may go up the west coastal area, up to the far north, and then back down via an alternative route. We understand we won’t be able to go everywhere, and we think most of our time will be spent in the west and north, across the 5 weeks or so of the trip.
A specific point which would help our planning is some pointers about where and when it makes sense to take a ferry, and whether (of course), they take a large 4WD and 8 m long caravan, or not? Are ferries an integral part of getting around stretches of water separating peninsulas? For example, an early stopover might be at Ayr, and then across to Kintyre, or Arran.
Where would folk recommend a caravan-friendly ferry? Which ferries May be too small? Where is the longer road trip preferable instead of a short hop ferry? Which must see islands necessitate a ferry? Or are some a by foot day trip?
Hope that makes sense, to help our early stage planning, to get sites booked well in advance.
Comments
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Check out Calmac Ferries for info on Hebridean and Clyde routes, fares, sizes carried and info on the islands.
Be aware that Covid restrictions may affect who can travel to the islands.
Skye and Mull are big enough to spend a few days on while Bute is, I think, better suited to a day trip. The Outer Hebrides can occupy you for a couple of weeks. I think you need to decide which islands you'd prefer to visit so people can give more specific info.
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Ah, yes, I remember! Hope whichever route you chose worked for you.
We've 'done' a lot of Scotland and the far north is fabulous as are Orkney, Shetland and The Hebrides. I’ve loads of website links saved. Shout if you need any info.
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There are three routes to Mull of Kintyre, two via Calmac Ferries, dependent upon it being a more normal year, and the time of year you want to travel..........you can of course drive all the way round, via Inveraray, time consuming, but very scenic. We have done this with caravan in tow. In Summer, it’s possible to cross over to Arran, then cross again the other side of Arran onto the Mull (Ardrossan to Brodrick on Arran, then Lochranza and across to Claonaig on the Mull). The Winter Ferry Route is Greenock to Dunoon, then a race to cross the peninsula to Portavardie and onto Tarbert on Mull of Kintyre.
Kintyre is wonderful, gorgeous beaches (especially Macrahanish), wild goats, deer, golden eagles, some lovely villages. It’s possible to cross to Northern Ireland from Campbeltown, which is a nice place with some good little shops. The AS Club Site at Carradale has its own beach a short 5 minute stroll away.
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Commercial vehicles use the ferries so don't worry too much about getting the van aboard, one or two ferries are smaller and you can always book. As TW says the Calmac web site is the best place to start, they offer island hopping ideas. You could easily spend time in each area but if you want to do the areas you mentioned a car will get you to places like Skye, Mull and Iona with a mainland base for day trips. Same for Orkney if you don't want to stay there.
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The Macrahanish site looks a bit pricey. £20 a night for a non EHU pitch. Shouldna think they'd get many canny Scots.
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Ian, I recall you being anxious about that route from Looe to Woolacombe. I think that with a outfit such as you describe - and the caravan 8 feet wide- you will find some of the routes around the Highlands and Islands even more taxing
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He’ll be fine on Mull of Kintyre, you just follow a log lorry😁 Mind, it gets a chore pushing Highland cows off the road, and look out for low flying deer.......... 😂
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