sussex to scotland and back

[jamesp]

Hi, we are off on a tour of scotland next week, journey is east sussex to low park wood cc site in kendal, easy been there before. One night there. Then to Bunree, avoiding Glasgow and going M74, M73, A80 M80 M9 M90 round stirling A85 to A82 Onich / Bunree Five nights in Bunree.

Then up to Thurso, Dunnett Bay CC site, via A82 to inverness A9 to Thurso. 5 nights at Dunnett Bay.

Then back down to the M6 and off to Hawes, Brown Moor CC site, via junction 38 a685 to kirkby stephen then b6259 to garsdale then a684 to hawes, for 2 nights.

Then back to east sussex via A1/M

Has anyone done any of the scottish leg of this tour, if so any advice or things to look out for?

Likewise has anyone done the route to Hawes from the M6 coming from the north, as the site advise not to use the map route of Junction 37 as it is really narrow.

Any advice on any aspect of this trip would be great, outfit is bailey ranger 500/5 with 2005 honda CRV 2.2 diesel, been towing for about three years now so fairly confident and able,

We do have a few tubs of the Avon skin stuff for the midges!!!

 

[Jennifer2]

Nice trip, we have been round the top of Scotland 3 times and still find new things to see.

Nothing to worry about. Stock up on food and fuel in the larger towns, it is expensive in the wee places. And fuel stations are further apart, so don't let the tank go too low.

Roads are fine, maybe not so wide in places, but MUCH quieter than you will be used to.

 

[LadyMo]

Hi James,

While you are at Bunree:-

There is a Morrison's supermarket in Fort William and they also have a garage (but not next to the supermarket.)

In Inverness..... take the A96 signposted Nairn.Literally 2mins.along the road on the right hand side is Tesco Extra.We have parked there on the outer part of the car park with the caravan.Left hubby guarding it while I did the shopping.There is also the usual garage there as well and then you will be well stocked up for travelling north.Thurso has a small Tesco supermarket/Coop supermarket and Lidl's.

John O'Groats is an extremely disappointing place to go,but Dunnet Head is in my view much better....good views over to the Orkney Isles on a good day.

When we travelled down to Hawes from Glasgow we did the M6 to Junction 40 ( Penrith ) and then took the A66 to Brough and then on to the A685 to Kirkby Stephen and then the B6259 to Garsdale Head.Had no problem with that route at all towing the 'van.We heard of someone going through Sedbergh and apparently the buildings on either side of the road almost touch.....and that's why you are advised NOT to go that way!

All the Club sites have good information with what you can do locally,but if I can help with any other questions feel free.(We live just north of Glasgow )

 

[myra1]

just letting you know there may be delays on the M9 just where you can see stirling castle[craigforth junction] there was a mile queque last saturday .roadworks they seem to do them at busy times of the year.

my van is seasonal just down the road from stirling services and the back road into the city goes over the motorway and the cars were all backed up.

myra

 

[LadyMo]

James,

A bit more info for you.All I've done is suggest that you Google the following:

For Bunree area.

Corran Ferry....minutes from the site.

Inchree forest walks (cross the main road from the site )

Neptunes Staircase & Glenfinnan Monument (on A830 )

also the Commando Memorial (A82 Spean Bridge )

 

[jamesp]

Hi Maureen,

Thats great information, thank you very much indeed. We really wanted someone who had gone from the north to Hawes and looking on the map that route you use looks good, even better to know someone who has travelled it with no probs.

Have googled neptunes staircase, wow..... we add that to the list of things to see, so much to do up there!!

Good info on the tesco, thanks.

Elizabeth Myra, thanks for the heads up on the traffic, it will be mid morning on monday 27th when we get to that part, so lets hope they finish by then.

Thanks to both of you and the forum for being there....

 

[Dustydog]

Hi James

Dunnett Bay CC was refurbished when the Club took it over a few years ago.

When I was there in 2007 the resident Wardens were lovely and even collected the daily newspapers!

The late Queen Mother's private home, Castle of Mey is well worth a visit.

Enjoy.

Cheers

Dustydog

 

[Graham1955]

We travel from Scotland to Hawes regularly. I have found the best route from the M6 is to travel to junction after Killington Lake services. Not sure of the number but may be 37. We then go past Kirby Lonsdale to Ingleton. Turn left at Ingleton (signposted) for Hawes. Short steep hill out of Ingleton but after that no problems a nice run passed Ribblehead Viaduct into Hawes.

Graham

 

[Gumbo]

Agree with Graham's route to Hawes, we did it 4 weeks ago with a TA. Watch out for the Motorbikes on the weekends never seen so many as in Hawes on a Sunday !!!!

 

[jamesp]

Thanks all for the information, especially about getting to Hawes.

All we can do now is hope for a bit less rain in the next two weeks..........

Cheers,

James P.

 

[JanB]

Hi James

You may find the A82 rather busy - it is not a dual carriageway and very windy road (lovely journey), lots to see along the way, Urquhart Castle is worth a look but may be too busy at this time of year to get the van parked (if in a medium sized motorhome you may be better off). Be warned it is a good days drive - make sure you leave Onich in good time.

Best trip to take from Dunnet Bay is the day trip to Orkney from john O'Groats - you catch a small passenger ferry and a coach picks you up to take you on a day's tour of the main places, really is a day not to be missed, you can even take your dog if you have one - we have a lab and were able to take him. Even were able to take him into Scara Brae.

When at Onich don't forget to go to the Glen Coe visitor centre - very good presentation on the tragedy.

Do you have children and if so what are their ages - gives more idea of what to recommend.

 

[JanB]

Hi James

You may find the A82 rather busy - it is not a dual carriageway and very windy road (lovely journey), lots to see along the way, Urquhart Castle is worth a look but may be too busy at this time of year to get the van parked (if in a medium sized motorhome you may be better off). Be warned it is a good days drive - make sure you leave Onich in good time.

Best trip to take from Dunnet Bay is the day trip to Orkney from john O'Groats - you catch a small passenger ferry and a coach picks you up to take you on a day's tour of the main places, really is a day not to be missed, you can even take your dog if you have one - we have a lab and were able to take him. Even were able to take him into Scara Brae.

When at Onich don't forget to go to the Glen Coe visitor centre - very good presentation on the tragedy.

Do you have children and if so what are their ages - gives more idea of what to recommend.

 

[JanB]

Hi James

You may find the A82 rather busy - it is not a dual carriageway and very windy road (lovely journey), lots to see along the way, Urquhart Castle is worth a look but may be too busy at this time of year to get the van parked (if in a medium sized motorhome you may be better off). Be warned it is a good days drive - make sure you leave Onich in good time.

Best trip to take from Dunnet Bay is the day trip to Orkney from john O'Groats - you catch a small passenger ferry and a coach picks you up to take you on a day's tour of the main places, really is a day not to be missed, you can even take your dog if you have one - we have a lab and were able to take him. Even were able to take him into Scara Brae.

When at Onich don't forget to go to the Glen Coe visitor centre - very good presentation on the tragedy.

Do you have children and if so what are their ages - gives more idea of what to recommend.

 

[JanB]

Hi James

You may find the A82 rather busy - it is not a dual carriageway and very windy road (lovely journey), lots to see along the way, Urquhart Castle is worth a look but may be too busy at this time of year to get the van parked (if in a medium sized motorhome you may be better off). Be warned it is a good days drive - make sure you leave Onich in good time.

Best trip to take from Dunnet Bay is the day trip to Orkney from john O'Groats - you catch a small passenger ferry and a coach picks you up to take you on a day's tour of the main places, really is a day not to be missed, you can even take your dog if you have one - we have a lab and were able to take him. Even were able to take him into Scara Brae.

When at Onich don't forget to go to the Glen Coe visitor centre - very good presentation on the tragedy.

Do you have children and if so what are their ages - gives more idea of what to recommend.

 

[JanB]

Sorry seem to have repeated myself - problems with my internet this evening!!!

 

[jamesp]

Well we are back. 1916 miles in 12 days. No midges, reasonable weather.

All the site we stayed at were great, thanks for the recomend on castle of mey, just got in before they closed it for prince charles' visit.

A82 fantastic road trip, amazing road and views.

A great holiday, thanks to other posters for advice.

Now it's back to work and think about the next trip, maybe a weekend at the end of august close to home...