Scotland tour, advise, roads etc..
Hi Guys and girls, Hope everyone had a fantastic Christmas and looking forward to a new year.
In Feb (25) we are looking to tour Scotland, leaving the sunny climate of Manchester. Has anyone got any "must see" locations and what roads are not advised for caravans. Im thinking, Loch Lomond, Glen Coe, Loch Ness and probably travelling to the Eat side and down to Alnwick.
Any experiences appreciated. Thanks Chris
Answers
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The A82 alongside Loch Lomond is best avoided with a caravan in my opinion. It’s quite narrow, twisty and with a rock cliff on the nearside heading north. Oncoming coaches and HGVs can travel at speed.
There are numerous other threads on the subject which you might find via the search facility.
February wouldn’t be my choice of month to visit😂😂😂. Make sure the sites are open.
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Hi Many thanks, I have searched but found no threads.
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If I may just butt in…
We’re visiting Scotland next year. Moffat is effectively our first site, followed by Oban. From Moffat, the A82 looks to be part of the most direct route. So, would you advise Glasgow>Stirling>Callander (A84) and picking up the A85 near Killin?
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@Chrisg1963 I agree with @Tinwheeler that the West side of Loch Lomond is best avoided and that late February is a bit early to visit the Highlands. If you do want to visit Loch L then I can recommend Gartfairn CL, Balmaha from which I would drive over eastwards to Callender and then head for Glen Coe. You might find that there are not many sites open in March either. I would also suggest you join the C&CC too as it will give you much more choice of site. I do like your thinking of heading down the East side as there are a bigger choice of CLs over that side. Btw how long ars you thinking for your trip? 10 weeks would let you really explore lots of places!😁
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Absolutely @Freddy55. We did the Moffat - North Ledaig trip many a time. The A84 and 85 are much better roads. Callender makes a handy stopover and the Woollen Mill on your right as you head west out of the town has a cafe and a huge car park.
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Excellent @Tinwheeler , just what I wanted to know. I can’t be doing with unwanted stress en-route. Thanks👍
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I’ve just done 2 searches. In the first I entered A82 and in the second I put Scotland. Both searches returned numerous results - far to many to link to here. Perhaps have another go?
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Enjoy. Be prepared for that Moffat-Oban leg to take longer than expected.
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We have had a re think and we are going later on in the year, but not in the mossie season.
A82 to be avoided, note taken. Thanks
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I would up that to five hours. The route after Stirling is single carriage way and delays are unpredictable. It is faster, simpler and safer than the A82 route though.
If you want to go back via Berwick take the M9 from Stirling tothe M8 and the A720 round Edinburgh, that bit onto the A720m is a bit complex, but follow the signs onto the M8. A good sat nav should work, but otherwise watch the signing carefully.
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I’ve just checked our tracker history @Freddy55 and In our Motorhome last May, Moffat C&CC site to Glencoe C&CC site a similar distance, and route most of the way, took 3 hours 45 minutes. I would have expected to add another 45 minutes for that journey when we were towing.
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We have a twin axle and have been to Oban, and back, twice in the past 2 years, from Glasgow, where we live. I would not take a caravan on the unimproved northern section up Loch Lomond, but the first section is fine. You can then turn off towards Arrochar and follow the route to Inverary and then to Oban. It is a scenic drive and a decent road. There is a nice site just outside Inverary, right on the lochside, should you wish to break up the journey more.
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Don’t overlook beautiful Dumfries and Galloway. It has fabulous beaches, great forest walks and cycling, lots of interesting historic sites and very nice towns and villages. It’s often a lot quieter than many other parts of Scotland, and you can get a ferry to Northern Ireland if you fancy.
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@KjellNN , you say to go from Inveraray to Oban, but it’s not clear (from the map) which would be a suitable route?
Are you suggesting the A819?
@Takethedogalong , unfortunately our itinerary has already been determined, as we are travelling with others. We did actually visit the town of Dumfries many years ago, whilst camping in The Lake District, it was shut 😁 That said, I think it was on a Sunday.
Thanks @SteveL 👍My apologies to the OP, I didn’t mean take over the thread, but hopefully he (?) is finding this info helpful.
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@Freddy55 I think Kj does mean the A83/A819. That might work for me if I was starting from Kj's home but wouldn’t be my choice from Moffat.
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Coming from Moffat , stay on the M74, think it is signed Glasgow south, and then M8 towards Glasgow Airport and Erskine Bridge, the M way on the south side of town is fairly quiet, much quieter than going north.
Go over the Erskine Bridge and follow signs for Dumbarton and Loch Lomond. Duck Bay makes a nice stop by the Loch, usually on road parking there if not a weekend or school holiday.
Take off left on to the A83 just before Tarbet and follow it as far as Inverary, then take the A819 to join the A85 towards Oban. The A819 is fine, some bends and a couple of steeper hills, but nothing scary! I prefer it, but you could always come back on the other suggested route if heading eastwards on your way home.
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@KjellNN the one problem we have found on that route is the surface condition of the roads, which were full of cracks and potholes when we have used them. However it is quite a few years since we took those roads and perhaps their surfaces have been improved.
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I have not tried this route with a caravan but it is workable and once near Loch Lomond is the more scenic. I would think it would take far longer though so might not be the best from Moffat. It can be very busy as well until you get clear of Dumbarton. Because we are East of Glasgow we find the route passed Stirling far easier. From the M8 it is all motorway to Stirling and a straightish road from there. The road from the motorway past Dumbarton has lots of traffic lights and roundabouts and knowing which lane to approach in can be confusing for those who do not know the route although there are far worse in other places.
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Thanks @KjellNN we might then consider using it again, especially if we stop at Gartfain again, and can get in to the C&CC's Oban site.
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