Sands - Gairloch

[AlexC]

Hello,

Has anyone stayed on this site recently ? I would welocme all comments / opinions, good or bad.

We are considering a weeks stay next summer, then off up to Ardmair Point in Ullapool.

I've read all of the reviews on UK Campsite and they are very encouraging.

Thanks in advance,

Alex.

 

[James_374408700]

Hi Alex,

I have been staying at Sands for several years now except for this year.

Also have stayed at Ardmair point.

So I am very biased!

What in particular did you want to know?

Jim

 

[Dustydog]

Hi Alex

You have picked two very good sites.

I last stayed at Gairloch 2 years ago. An excellent if , maybe slightly disorganised, site. Basically you can pitch wherever you want. That's not such a bad thing and maybe better than being regimented. Facilities ae first class. Be careful you don't twist an ankle down one of the many rabbit burrows.

Scenery is fantastic and Gairloch as a base has everything you need and easy access to beauties like the Torridons.

Can get windy but so what. Ardmair Point is windier imo.

Plenty of good eating places too.

Cheers

Dustydog

 

[AlexC]

Thanks for your replies and thanks for the offer of more detailed info.

How do the shower / toilet facilities compare to the Caravan Club? Also, how do they compare to Ardmair ? I know it's a personal opinion, but if you were to say that they were better than Ardmair, for cleanliness, modernity ( is that a word ? ) and space, I would be very happy.

As you say, it's a " pitch anywhere " kinda setup, so presumably hook ups are randomly scattered around together with fresh and waste water points ?

Are the vans separated from the tent areas ?

Do all of the pitches have views ? As we really like sites with a very open outlook.

Is is easy enough to find a flattish pitch or is it very bumpy and lumpy ? We tow with a low ground clearnce tug.

How's the playarea, well maintained, lots of variety ?

How are the roads from Garve and also coming from Ullapool ?

Any tips from your previous, best area to pitch ? etc etc.

Great to have access to experienced opinions and thanks for your help.

Cheers,

Alex.

 

[James_374408700]

Alex,

I understand from friends that went this year that a new toilet block had been erected.

Roads are fine from either way.

The tent area is located away from the vans. The pitches are on short grass although some are on a sideways slope but not a problem with levelling ramps.

There really is two pitching areas up top and down amongst the dunes. But as DD says you go anywhere, although if you require Television through an area don't go down the bottom. You will go up top if you want the views but as DD stated it can get very windy at times( we seem to get the first Autumn storms in late September).

The play area is fine including a cable slide.

We hardly ever use the toilets on any sites so cant really comment.

The shop on site is ideal for necessity's.

We always pitch straight ahead from the entrance. Water point is near and there is room for approx. 4/5 vans at this location.

Water points are equipped with 'MidgeEaters'.

Must see:

Flowerdale waterfall

Crashed aircraft at the Fairy lochs.(War Grave)

Keep an eye out for seals, otters, basking sharks, whales etc. and the occasional VERY low flying RAF chappies. Not to mention us if you are at that time of year LoL.

We always go in June and Sept. when the site is relatively quite.

The beach and sunsets are stunning

Enjoy,

Jim

 

[James_374408700]

Alex,

I understand from friends that went this year that a new toilet block had been erected.

Roads are fine from either way.

The tent area is located away from the vans. The pitches are on short grass although some are on a sideways slope but not a problem with levelling ramps.

There really is two pitching areas up top and down amongst the dunes. But as DD says you go anywhere, although if you require Television through an area don't go down the bottom. You will go up top if you want the views but as DD stated it can get very windy at times( we seem to get the first Autumn storms in late September).

The play area is fine including a cable slide.

We hardly ever use the toilets on any sites so cant really comment.

The shop on site is ideal for necessity's.

We always pitch straight ahead from the entrance. Water point is near and there is room for approx. 4/5 vans at this location.

Water points are equipped with 'MidgeEaters'.

Must see:

Flowerdale waterfall

Crashed aircraft at the Fairy lochs.(War Grave)

Keep an eye out for seals, otters, basking sharks, whales etc. and the occasional VERY low flying RAF chappies. Not to mention us if you are at that time of year LoL.

We always go in June and Sept. when the site is relatively quite.

The beach and sunsets are stunning

Enjoy,

Jim

Forgot to say that Ullapool is 50 miles from Gairloch and Ardmair a short distance further on. You might consider a different site a litle further away? Jim

 

[AlexC]

Nice one Jim.

Roads - tick

New toilet block - tick

Playarea - tick

Braw !

Sounds like we'll go up top, for the views.

We wouldn't let the kids on the beach without us and it's obviously only a wee stroll from anywhere on the site.

Do you put an anwning up Jim ? It was so windy at Ardmair this summer we tried to take ours down and it ripped.

Thanks again for your help.

Alex.

 

[AlexC]

Forgot to say that Ullapool is 50 miles from Gairloch and Ardmair a short distance further on. You might consider a different site a litle further away? Jim

I know what you're saying and I have been doing my research, but struggling to find something suitable.

Like the idea of Achmelvich, but been to the beach a couple of time and visited the site facilites. They are not entirely to our liking. Also a bit scared of the access road ! LOL !

Looked at Scourie, but not convinced by that either, although the reviews were good.

 

[James_374408700]

Alex,

No we don't take an awning but plenty of people do put one up.

It is a very relaxed site.

Jim

 

[AlexC]

Thanks Jim,

You've been very helpful and I reckon we'll be there next July for 4 or 5 days.

We live in Dundee and with 2 kids, don't really like driving more than 3 or 4 hours max, between sites.

So just need to work out our route to and from Sands and Ardmair.

Maybe Grantown on Spey.

Thanks again Jim,

Alex.