3 weeks in Scotland - but where would you choose?

[JohnI.Stephen]

Allowing 2/3 days travel each way from Kent, with 3 weeks of actual holiday / touring, where would you most recommend for people who adore peace, quiet and walking with no youngsters to entertain etc?

Your top 6 locations (sites too!) would be most appreciated.

Thanks

John

 

[RichardS1]

John, Two Caravan Club sites well worth a look at are Bunree & Maragowan. Stayed on them both if your into walking your spoilt for choice.

 

[Ken_5040834]

Hi John

you might want to have a look at this site - most of the sites are in Scotland. http://www.caravantouring.co.uk/

Depends what you want - we like Caravan Club sites and CLs. We haven't stayed at many in Scotland, but personal favorites are Dalchalm (Brora, North East Highlands), Morvich (over on the west near Skye) and Braemar (Central Highlands).

Hope this helps

Regards

Ken

 

[LadyMaureen]

Hi Richard,

If you go to the next page of this thread and look for the heading FAO Lord Brakewynde 23.4 06,you will be able to read the whole thread which should be helpful to you.

It really boils down to how far you wish to travel.Southern Scotland ie.Dumfries and Galloway is very uncommercialised,and the Borders around melrose and Peebles also is very pleasant with plenty of walking.BUT if you want the breathtaking scenery,then the North West it has to be.

Keep in mind that the midge season is from end of May to end of August,so choose your dates carefully.

 

[chelsea1]

We have been self catering in the Western Highlands for the past 4 years and would highly recommend it...(we havent been in our caravan yet - as only just bought our 1st one)..but for location wise you will not go wrong the the area from Fort William and onwards to the Isle of Skye...we stay in a small village called Inverinate (there is a CC Site there) and it is the most beautiful scenery you have ever seen...really quiet, mountains,..loads of walking, shingle loch beaches, sandy beaches, seals, otters...I could go on and on.

From Inverinate you could explore the Isle of Skye,..or go onwards up the coast towards Applecross and Torridon and Gairloch.

I wouldnt advise towing a caravan to Applecross (maybe have that as a day out) as it has the highest road in Britain with twisty hairpin bends, but feels like you are on top of the world when you get there.

I would perhaps get the map out and plan the route..starting with maybe Loch Lomond onto Glencoe....(CC site at Onich)...then on to Fort William and then up futher on the road to the Isle of Skye.

You'll love it ..I can think of anywhere nicer to holiday in the UK.

 

[chelsea1]

p.s

midges.

we usually go the last 2 weeks in September...hardly any tourists..all the kids are back to school and no midges.

 

[LadyMaureen]

Great idea Sarah.

We usually plan our holidays that way as well.

 

[LadyMaureen]

John,

I am sorry ....I addressed my note to Richard instead of you.If you need any more Info just let us know.

 

[JohnI.Stephen]

Thanks very much indeed to you all; I have noted the areas and sites and now have some useful starting points. Intersting about the midges; I would never have really considered it an issue! Thanks.

John

 

[TripHazard]

hello John

glad ur bringing ur much need sterling up here to keep us poor scots going

If the weather is good then there is no where better.

Richards advice of maragowan and the beutiful bunree are good choices we use them both regularly.as Ken says morvich is another stunning site how about comming over to Edinburgh the cc site in the capital leaves nothing to be desired and has easy access into the city which has lots to see and do. We also like blair drummond near stirling all sites mentioned have great access to the hills and local area scotland is full of physical and interesting things to do lots of history to experience and all our culinary delights scotch beef and lamb haggis and of course who could leave out deep fried chocolate bars lol

hope you have a good time (remember the insect repellent for the west coast)

Martin

 

[JohnI.Stephen]

hello John

glad ur bringing ur much need sterling up here to keep us poor scots going

If the weather is good then there is no where better.

Richards advice of maragowan and the beutiful bunree are good choices we use them both regularly.as Ken says morvich is another stunning site how about comming over to Edinburgh the cc site in the capital leaves nothing to be desired and has easy access into the city which has lots to see and do. We also like blair drummond near stirling all sites mentioned have great access to the hills and local area scotland is full of physical and interesting things to do lots of history to experience and all our culinary delights scotch beef and lamb haggis and of course who could leave out deep fried chocolate bars lol

hope you have a good time (remember the insect repellent for the west coast)

Martin

Martin; thanks but what about the BEST of all, your wonderful malt whisky !!! Now that is worth coming for

Thanks for the advice !

John

 

[mealsonwheels]

Hi Richard,

If you go to the next page of this thread and look for the heading FAO Lord Brakewynde 23.4 06,you will be able to read the whole thread which should be helpful to you.

It really boils down to how far you wish to travel.Southern Scotland ie.Dumfries and Galloway is very uncommercialised,and the Borders around melrose and Peebles also is very pleasant with plenty of walking.BUT if you want the breathtaking scenery,then the North West it has to be.

Keep in mind that the midge season is from end of May to end of August,so choose your dates carefully.

MIDGES!!..How can anything so small inflict so much discomfort? The answer apparently is Avon dry oil body spray, 'Woodland Fresh'. The forestry workers use it and apparently the SAS do too. We're definately taking some with us when we're caravanning in Scotland this summer. (www.avon.co.uk)

Pauline.

 

[mealsonwheels]

Martin; thanks but what about the BEST of all, your wonderful malt whisky !!! Now that is worth coming for

Thanks for the advice !

John

There is a 90 mile circular Whisky Trail around Speyside...for a first timer, the Glenfiddich Distillery isn't a bad one to start with. My favourite is the Tamdhu distillery.

Pauline

 

[Guest]

John,

As has been already mentioned the choices are endless and it is entirely up to you. The time of your visit, as has also been mentioned can make quite a difference. I have to admit that many 'locals' leave Edinburgh in July and August as the number of tourists can be considerable. However the city is blessed with 2 excellent sites,the CC site at Silverknowes is near the Forth Estuary and has all the facilities you could wish for. The other is located at Mortonhall on the south side of the city, close to the bypass, and to my mind more attractive. It is set in an estate of parkland, complete with Highland cattle, and has a pub next door with excellent meals. Both sites have regular bus services into the city, you do not wish to try parking too much. One warning tho' Rosslyn Chapel has become a tourist 'must do' for obvious reasons, and is now no longer the quiet chapel of reflection it used to be. The other thing is the Military Tattoo was fully booked out for 2006 last December so sorry, that is a 'no can do' unless you have already got tickets.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[RogerL]

If your budget will run to ferry fares as well, try the Shetland Isles. The wildlife are fantastic and the peace is just intoxicating.

Get away from the "honeypots", they're ok but overrun.

North-West Highlands, from above Skye to Cape Wrath, are our favourite regular areas. The CC site at Kinlochewe is a useful base and the small commercial site at Scourie is well worth a visit.

Beware of local descriptions of walks - a "flat walk" simply means without ropes, it can include 1500' ascents!

 

[Chris_5076168]

Some scottish sites you might like if you enjoy absolute peace and quiet as we do.

Achindarroch Campsite, Duror (beautiful, clean, small, forest walks, sandy beach 15mins away, pub 10 mins)

Applecross Campsite, Applecross, over highest road in scotland, so you would have to go the longer way round via Shieldaig (but do the high road without the caravan as its amazing) quiet site, nice pub 5 mins and sandy beach.

Camusdarach, Arisaig, beautiful white sandy beaches, lovely site, pitch 8 best.

Faichemard Campsite, Invergarry (not Faichem - next door) beautiful rugged site, Quiet - no children allowed

Badralloch Campsite, Nr Ullapool - you can't get more remote than this. Beautiful quiet site.

Hope this helps. We tour Scotland looking for these sort of sites (we also live in Scotland). We are currently looking for another remote site in scotland for tis Christmas, last year had Christmas at Badralloch, only ones there. Great

 

[LadyMaureen]

Chris,

We are off on holiday on Tues.and Faichemard is one of the places that we are booked into.Haven't been before,so tell us all about it.The brochure photos look just our cup of tea.

Visited Applecross last year over the Pass of the Cattle.Unfortunately the weather was poor so didn't see it at its best.had our lunch in the hotel.....what a selection of food on the board....unbelievable!What was the camp site like there?

Look forward to hearing from you.

 

[LadyMaureen]

Chris,

We are off on holiday on Tues.and Faichemard is one of the places that we are booked into.Haven't been before,so tell us all about it.The brochure photos look just our cup of tea.

Visited Applecross last year over the Pass of the Cattle.Unfortunately the weather was poor so didn't see it at its best.had our lunch in the hotel.....what a selection of food on the board....unbelievable!What was the camp site like there?

Look forward to hearing from you.

PS.

Where abouts in Scotland are you? We live north of Glasgow.

 

[RogerL]

Chris - a lot of tourist guides claim the Bealach-na-Ba (Pass of the Cattle), on Applecross as the highest road in Scotland but it isn't, it's only 2054'.

The Cairnwell, A93 Braemar to Spittal of Glenshee is the highest public road in the UK at 2199'

 

[Chris_5076168]

Hi. Faichemard is brilliant, its my favourite as its not 'military'. Its all over the place, no kids allowed, plenty of walks (especially behind the site if you have the right gear) theres a loch to walk round (about 6 miles in total) but can be swampy in places if its been wet. You can up the right side of it on good paths and back down the same side (its the other side that gets wet) Showers are 20p coin for 6 mins. We love it.

Applecross is a big quiet site, basic, with a small cafe/tearoom. Has a rocky walk down to the side of the pub. Nice beach

Achindarroch at Duror is a lovely site with central heated shower block, run by a young lad. We are back there next May bank holiday with a sandy beach 10-15mins away.

If you go to Skye we can recommend Kinloch campsite, Nr Dunveggan which is nice and quiet, pub 5 mins, chippy 5 mins, and its one the edge of the loch.

I live in Rosneath (opposite Helensburgh)slightly north west of the top of Glasgow on a Holiday Park. Its a big site with static and a touring park. Has a pub and shop. I live in the residential area which are Park homes (not quite caravans). Its a lovely place to live but lots of kids during school holidays which spoil it a bit. Stay in touch. We know some lovely sites and places to avoid if you want quiet.

Christine Hill (hill33@onetel.com)

 

[Chris_5076168]

Hi

Forgot to mention my husband comes from Kent and I come from Bournemouth. Its s good 10 hours from Kent to Glasgow area.

Chris Hill

 

[Dave_5040181]

We are going for 4 weeks this year stopping at CC sites Morvich.Kinlochewe,Altnaharra and Bunree. We too seem to have the same objectives as you do. We have decided that if we are taking an awning, which we are, then you you have to stay for a few nights to make the effort worthwhile. We have been to lots of campsites, both CC and Forestry Commission in Scotland and have never been disappointed yet. It is very much "horses for courses" though. Last time we went to Kinlochewe another couple had just arrived having driven all the way from the Midlands only for the wife to declare she wasn't prepared to stop even one night there. The warden was on the phone to Morvich arranging for them to transfer there ( it was already 5.00pm and its a fair drive back south to Morvich. The irony is that Morvich is pretty similar to Kinlochewe in it's setting. What the lady was expecting from an Highland site I don't know, but by and large what you get is fantastic scenery and not much else ! Bliss !

I think one point that is most valid though is that if you look at the map, Scotland is a big country.Although the roads in the north are by and large a pleasure to drive on as they are traffic free don't bite off more than you can chew. If you haven't been to Scotland before you'll soon find that the scenery begins not too far north of Glasgow. Maybe first time don't try going too far north, there is no need.

 

[LadyMaureen]

Hi. Faichemard is brilliant, its my favourite as its not 'military'. Its all over the place, no kids allowed, plenty of walks (especially behind the site if you have the right gear) theres a loch to walk round (about 6 miles in total) but can be swampy in places if its been wet. You can up the right side of it on good paths and back down the same side (its the other side that gets wet) Showers are 20p coin for 6 mins. We love it.

Applecross is a big quiet site, basic, with a small cafe/tearoom. Has a rocky walk down to the side of the pub. Nice beach

Achindarroch at Duror is a lovely site with central heated shower block, run by a young lad. We are back there next May bank holiday with a sandy beach 10-15mins away.

If you go to Skye we can recommend Kinloch campsite, Nr Dunveggan which is nice and quiet, pub 5 mins, chippy 5 mins, and its one the edge of the loch.

I live in Rosneath (opposite Helensburgh)slightly north west of the top of Glasgow on a Holiday Park. Its a big site with static and a touring park. Has a pub and shop. I live in the residential area which are Park homes (not quite caravans). Its a lovely place to live but lots of kids during school holidays which spoil it a bit. Stay in touch. We know some lovely sites and places to avoid if you want quiet.

Christine Hill (hill33@onetel.com)

We're in Milngavie,so not too far from you.

Just getting the last few bits and pieces put into the van and then we're off tomorrow......hurray.!

 

[LadyMaureen]

Dave,

Kinlochewe was the only Club site which we were disappointed with .....really felt that the toilet facilities were not up to their usual high standards.Wrote a letter to the Club about it and also spoke to the Scottish Sites Manager this year at the caravan exhibition in feb.Apparently a new toilet block is now on the cards....but when???? We have also lost sites this year in Scotland,so are not doing too well.

Hopefully we will get new sites in the future.

Enjoy your trip when it comes.....we're off tomorrow.

 

[Guest]

Jst one addition to all the good comments already made. Scotland became an official 'no smoking' country earlier this year and it now means that all pubs, clubs restaurants, railweay stations etc and in fact all public places are now no smoking. Even bus shelters are not exempt. So if you like clean air you can now enjoy that even inside premises that just a short while ago would be lost in a fog.