Scotland any advise

[Dr Dave]

We are thinking of touring Scotland next year and would like some advice please. We like sandy beaches and scenery but which is the best coastline east, west or north? Would like to try going around the coast perhaps up the west coast across the top and down the east. Are the roads as narrow as i imagine and are garages and shops few and far between? What about the midges are they a real problem and what are the dates best avoided. We fancy going to the Cape Wrath area has anyone been here or near to it with a M/H. All tips hints and advise would be welcome.We are not really looking for information that i can get off Google more the advice and experience from those who have been and done it.

Many thanks

Dave

[malc d]

Dr Dave - 2012-11-29 5:09 PM

 

We are thinking of touring Scotland next year and would like some advice please. We like sandy beaches and scenery but which is the best coastline east, west or north? Would like to try going around the coast perhaps up the west coast across the top and down the east. Are the roads as narrow as i imagine and are garages and shops few and far between? What about the midges are they a real problem and what are the dates best avoided. We fancy going to the Cape Wrath area has anyone been here or near to it with a M/H. All tips hints and advise would be welcome.We are not really looking for information that i can get off Google more the advice and experience from those who have been and done it.

Many thanks

Dave

 

Best beaches as far as I'm concerned are on the west coast - including the islands - although it's a bit chilly if you intend a dip.

 

A lot more two lane roads up there these days but in the far north west still mainly single track - no problems - plenty of passing places.

Good site at Durness ( Sango Sands ) which is about the nearest to Cape Wrath.

Not a lot of filling stations available, and fuel is expensive - best to keep topping up when you can.

I topped up each time I got down to half a tank.

 

We've nearly always gone in May / June time and never had much of a problem with midges - it's often been too windy for them.

 

A number of sites around, and also fairly easy to find places for off - site stops.

 

I'm sure you will enjoy it - just don't expect it to be hot ( although it has been known ).

 

 

;-)

[antony1969]

Scotland any advice ? Yes it's a beautiful place . Try Govan , Glasgow and visit the world famous Ibrox Stadium , home to probably the worlds greatest team , Rangers .

Other than that not a lot to see :-D

[rupert123]

We spent the whole of August their in 2008. went up the east coast, along the top and down the west coast, west coast is certainly the best. We also spent four days in Orkney, not enough but well worth a visit. Had midges on one day during the month, this was on the island of Hoy. Agree Sango Sands site is in a great spot, the site was pretty scruffy then with very poor facilities but would still go back. We used C.C sites where possible and all were their usual high standard. Site we used on Orkney was a municiple site at Stromness, again in a great spot but facilities so bad wife would not use them. We intend going back some time to visit Orkney again and the Outer Hebrides.

[maggyd]

A nice site on the west side is the CC at New England Bay its right on the beach on the way you will go past Gretna Green, also along the! I think A74 there is a good CCC site at Moffet going through Glasgow you can take in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park :-D just meander there are fabulous places to visit and if you go early enough you can avoid the midgies (hopefully) if they bother you move over to the East we didnt have any problem over at Dingwall and Elgin :-D and its lovely over there as well.

[Colin Leake]

We do a trip round Scotland every alternate year. Go in May and early June to avoid the dreaded midges. Only problem is that for this reason Scotland can get very heavily booked up in the more popular areas so book early. We have been to some areas where every site, B&B and hotel are booked solid.

[Guest 1footinthegrave]

Ah Scotland, probably one of the worst experiences of our lives, grim people, grim weather, grim midges that eat you alive, yes some great scenery on the rare occasions the mist / grey skies lift. Perhaps if you have weeks and weeks to spare you might get lucky on the weather front, but then if your in a midge area at the wrong time and it's humid and damp and calm you WILL get eaten alive. I tried to warn a friend off as well, did he listen, no, result in his words, a complete waste of time and money. :-(

[malc d]

If you want to visit Cape Wrath itself you have to park alongside the Kyle of Durness and cross in a ferry.

 

We went across some years ago when the ferry was a little rowing boat with an outboard motor - followed by a bumpy journey in a rather old mini-bus, but I think it's all a bit more 'updated' now as so many more people go there.

Sometimes access is a bit restricted in that area because it's a bombing/ shelling range.

 

The north coast is also quite an attractive area all the way across to John o'Groats.

 

Quite a nice little club site ( CC I think ) at Dunnet Head - worth a drive out onto Dunnet Head from where you can see the Orkneys ( on a clear day ).

 

 

 

 

[colin]

Was up at Cape Wrath in July, one of the last areas of UK coast we had not previously visited.

How long are you expecting to take? Doing the entire coast is a big job!

In two weeks we went straight to Kyle of Lochalsh then worked our way north to Cape Wrath then dropped back down to Lairg, Golspie(Dunrobin Castle) and then headed for home. Would have liked to have spent longer but time was an issue.

Narrow roads are not much of an issue due to lack of traffic, but then we have a PVC. There was one stretch, past either Inverkirkaig or Drumbeg (can't remember which) which has a length restriction of about 24ft, if you get easily flustered use the alternative route even if you are within this, had to reassure a driver of a MWB PVC that she would not have any worse roads on her onward journey.

Fuel and shops whilst not on every corner are not too bad, we made mistake of filling up in Ullapool, probably the most expensive fuel we've ever purchased, if you can fill up earlier and get round do that, with our long range tank could have easily made it around without that fill.

[Wooie]

Hi Dave,

 

Firstly " Midges " trust me when i say the little buggers are EVIL................LOL

 

Basically they get hungry ( for blood ) in late June and through till the end of August / early September.

 

" Avon Skin So Soft " is the best defence we`ve found so far and is much much cheaper if you buy it

before you go from your local Avon rep or on-line.

 

The roads are absolutely fine and many are a lot better condition than the roads down here. On the West and up the middle there are a lot of " Single Track " roads but they`ve plenty of passing places.

 

On another forum a member was amazed that they only passed " 8 cars in 55 miles " of single track

road on the West.

 

I told them it was " Their Own Fault " for doing the journey in rush hour .....................LOL

 

Personally we prefer to go up the East across the top and come back down the West as we think the

views are better that way but it`s down to personal choice and there is no wrong way as every way is

right for someone.

 

There are local shops ( Spar, Mace and The Co-op ) but not that many.

 

If you are going up the East ( A9 ) the last supermarket ( fuel and food ) is Morrisons at Alness .

 

There is a Tesco ( food ) up at Thurso but it does not have fuel.

 

On the West ( A835 ) the highest supermarket is Tesco ( food ) at Ullapool but does not have fuel.

 

The local fuel stations are quite a bit more expensive as you`ll find and diesel up at Durness can be

20p a litre more expensive.

 

The best beaches by far are right at the top and down the west, too numerous to mention just ask

a local and they`ll help.

 

If you get to Durness and Cape Wrath, you must do the trip out to the Lighthouse on Cape Wrath.

 

You get there by " Ferry and a Mini-Bus " and it`s a journey you``ll NEVER forget...................LOL.

 

There are only a few Campsites at the top but if you " Wild Camp " you`ll be in your element as there

are way too many places to start listing here.

 

Earlier in the year we did a 4 week tour of Scotland including a week on Orkney and we only spent

6 nights on Campsites.

 

The only " Bother " we had was 1 night near Fortrose on the Moray Firth with " Every Bloody Car "

that passed " Pipping its Horn " and that went on right through the night. We put it down to being

" Too Near Civilisation " and as soon as we headed further north everything was fine.

 

Anything else just ask.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Regards.

 

Graham.

 

 

[colin]

malc d - 2012-11-29 7:31 PM

We went across some years ago when the ferry was a little rowing boat with an outboard motor - followed by a bumpy journey in a rather old mini-bus, but I think it's all a bit more 'updated' now as so many more people go there.

 

The 'new' boat holds about 8 people and it's still an old Sherpa, although there is another van for busy days.

[Wooie]

malc d - 2012-11-29 7:31 PM

 

If you want to visit Cape Wrath itself you have to park alongside the Kyle of Durness and cross in a ferry.

 

We went across some years ago when the ferry was a little rowing boat with an outboard motor - followed by a bumpy journey in a rather old mini-bus, but I think it's all a bit more 'updated' now as so many more people go there.

Sometimes access is a bit restricted in that area because it's a bombing/ shelling range.

 

The north coast is also quite an attractive area all the way across to John o'Groats.

 

Quite a nice little club site ( CC I think ) at Dunnet Head - worth a drive out onto Dunnet Head from where you can see the Orkneys ( on a clear day ).

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hi Malc,

 

The Ferry and Mini-bus are still the same ! .....................................LOL

 

And it is a CC site but it`s at Dunnet Bay on the way to Dunnet Head.

 

There`s nowhere official to stay out at Dunnet Head but there are quite a few " Wild Spots " if you

don`t mind roughing it.

[p0930]

Re "Grim People" recent research has determined the happiest people in the UK are Highlanders,

"Grim Weather" no flooding up here,

Grim midges". Not if you are prepared"

 

Best sites in the West Big Sands Gairloch, Firemoor Gairloch,best beach you have ever seen. No facilities but honesty box at gate, Clachtoll Caraven Site, stunning. Definitely go to Orkney. On East coast Wick Caravan club Site, Brora Caravan Club Site, then go across Moray Coast, lots of sand and plenty sites if you stick to Coast road.

Fully agree that late May and June best time to go. Expect higher chance of rain on West side but last year was driest on record. Don't be put off by negative comment,some people are never happy.

[Bulletguy]

Dr Dave - 2012-11-29 5:09 PM

 

We are thinking of touring Scotland next year and would like some advice please. We like sandy beaches and scenery but which is the best coastline east, west or north?

 

We fancy going to the Cape Wrath area has anyone been here or near to it with a M/H.

 

Done the entire NW coast a few times now and it never fails to impress. The scenery is breathtaking. Cape Wrath is a very worthwhile visit though you cannot actually drive to it. You either walk (it's a very long walk!) or take the little Minibus which winds its way along a narrow track right up to the Lighthouse. What most people come to view here are the cliffs which are the highest in the UK and make an extremely dramatic photo opportunity. It is also the most North westerly point.

 

As has been mentioned there is a very good Campsite (Sango Sands) nearby at Durness. Also there is a very good museum just along the road from Durness heading east.

 

The east coast is entirely different to the N/W. Much flatter.

 

Driving in Scotland is an absolute joy.......not many cars on the roads! Even main roads are relatively quiet. Take a trip down the B871 near Bettyhill which is a single track road with passing places. I once drove down there and had never seen another car for ages so decided to park up and make a brew. Over an hour later I was still there and still no vehicle had gone by!

 

Enjoy your trip. :-D

[Cliffy]

 

We toured Scotland for our first ever major tour in our first van in September 2010 and it was fantastic, We travelled up the west coast by Loch Lomond Glen Coe Fort William, Isle of Skye and Wester Ross.

 

High Lights were:-

 

The lovely campsite at Glen Nevis.

This can be busy if there are a lot of charity walkers going up Ben Nevis as it is at the start of the assent. A walk well worth doing if you are fit enough and have the appropriate gear. (There was a snow field remaining part the way up and thick fog at the top when I did it one June).

 

The Skye Road Bridge.

We did not stay on Skye but apparently there are some lovely sites and stop over places.

 

Applecross in Wester Ross.

We went over the Applecross Pass which is single track road, equally scary if not more so, as then the French Alps. There are no caravans or large vehicles allowed over it so you would need to decide if you class your self as large we are a Fiat Ducato 2.0ltr engine 6 mtr long and just short of 3000kgm and managed quite easily even though we had to pull in to passing places twice and doing hill starts on a 1 in 4 hill. If you choose not to use the pass it is around 30 mile trip to get to Applecross instead of I think five miles over the pass. Either way it is worth doing and there are a number of wild camp spots by the waters edge as we were new to Motorhoming we stopped on the campsite at Applecross which was only OK but near Applecross village and great pub which sells good local food, We filled up with diesel at the community 24hr fuel petrol station, even though we didn't nee to, it was 3p per litre more that in towns and around 12p per litre more than in England

 

Big Sands

A massive sand dune campsite with unmarked pitches beautiful beach and scenery nothing much else but worth a couple of nights stay. (Never seen so many stars in the sky before of since). Gairloch is on the road to Big Sands and is a good place to stop and look around. The campsite there is good but expensive. We stopped at a few other places in this area one was on the road to Cove on Loch Ewe. There is a community run site on the beach half way along Loch Ewe. It is maintained by the local school and there is a honesty box to collect the suggested fee of £2 per night.

 

We were heading for the northern coast via the campsite at Inverlewe Gardens which came well recommended but the weather started to turn wet so decided to to head back south via Aviemore. Worth a couple of nights stay and plenty to do but very commercialised and Pitlochry a typical Scotish town with a good distilery tour available.

 

 

These are just the highlights, we stayed at a number of places that we really enjoyed, by the side of lochs and in remarkable scenery. We did not have any problems with the dreaded Midge and found the Scottish people very friendly and helpful. The road beyond Skye are mainly single track with passing places. It is expected that if you are a slow moving vehicle you pull in to passing places to let those behind overtake.

 

As said before take it slow keeping stopping to look around On the road to Applecross we saw an Elk/Dear? that looked like it was around 12ft tall, a magnificant animal and a sight I will always remember

 

If you get dry clear weather it is every bit as enjoyable as going to Europe. We will be going back.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[camocam1]

Lots of great advice and info so far, I live in the north of scotland but have never taken MH over west coast yet, Beaches are best on the west coast but also very good on the moray coast and the black Isle, must visit is Dornoch. Seen many MH's when Iv'e been over in the car so don't see any problem provided you take your time.

I would like to make a correction to an earlier post the A9 is not on the east but runs almost through the middle, the A90 runs up the east coast to Aberdeen.

Hope you make it up and I'm sure you will enjoy yourself, one thing to watch on the like of Skye and some of the west coast villages everything closes on a Sunday

[Dr Dave]

Many thanks for all the replies so far, What a comprehensive array of information it has really whetted our appetite, We look forward to reading any more information that may be posted that's the real advantage of these forums.

Dave

[RogerC]

Try Arisaig......this site is basic but you can park almost on the beach if you're lucky like we were.  It is a beautiful place for a couple of days to chill out....the owners are very welcoming.

 

http://www.invercaimbecaravansite.co.uk/

 

[Rayjsj]

We went to the Hebrides last year and the year before, always go May/June, as others have said, the midges don't seem to be 'awake' by then.

We stayed on the islands for a Month, until our 'Cal-Mac' hopscotch ticket was due to 'time-out', back via Ullapool, upto Cape-Wrath, Sango Sands, Dunnet Bay CC, (this is right on the beach!), then Thurso, Mey, then down to Wick, then down to Brora CC site, also right by the beach,across a golf course, (look out for the Arctic Tern colony, they don't like visitors,and will dive bomb you). A lovely beautiful place, and even better if you get good weather, plan for the worse, and hope for the best.

Agree with all the others about Cape Wrath, they didn't mention the cafe at the lighthouse, a lighthouse keeper still lives there with his missus, and she makes lovely home cooking. DON'T forget to take your camera. Good Luck Ray

[malc d]

Whoops - double post !

:$

[malc d]

I think the lighthouse is now remotely operated from Edinburgh and the people living in the old cottage are not lighthouse keepers, but run the cafe, which only opened about 3 or 4 years ago, and is said to be the most remote cafe in Britain.

 

 

As far as weather is concerned it's just a matter of luck !

 

We have toured Scotland many times over the last 40 years or so, often going to the far north.

 

A couple of times we have had dreadful weather, and quickly escaped back down to England - but, it has never stopped us going back.

( Mind you - that's happened in France as well ).

 

Enjoy !

 

 

[Mardee]

If you are heading up to Durness it is worth detouring along the road to Kinlochbervie and on to Oldshoremore, Sandwood bay and Sheigra. Lovely beaches at Sandwood bay, Oldshoremore and Sheigra. John Muir trust own Sandwood bay and it can only be reached on foot - well worth the walk. Last time we stayed overnight in the carpark for Sandwood bay - lovely spot toilets and a cold water tap.

Orkney is very interesting - if time is short the Maxi- day trip as a foot passenger from John O'Groats gives you a good taste visiting Maeshowe, Kirkwall, Italian chapel over Churchill barriers etc. If you enjoy traditional music the Orkney Folk Festival is well worth going to (usually last weekend in May.) There are some great musicians from Orkney and they also have acts from further away. If you were going to the festival you can get 30% discount on Northlink ferries by paying £20 to become a Patron of the festival. This applies fot a week either side of the festival.There are concerts and ceilidhs held all over the islands. If you google Orkney Folk Festival you can get more info and next years programme should be announced soon

Margaret and David

[crinklystarfish]

Wooie - 2012-11-29 7:45 PM... " Every Bloody Car "that passed " Pipping its Horn " and that went on right through the night. We put it down to being " Too Near Civilisation " and as soon as we headed further north everything was fine.Anything else just ask.Hope this helps.Regards.Graham.

They are reportedly fond of that trick but seemingly only in heavily touristed areas or where 'vans cluster up and form something of a 'community'. We've spent dozens of nights off formal sites and never had any grief, but we do tend towards the very remote. Speaking of which, we found that for the west and north particularly, literally any road off the main trunks is worth exploring. An 'off-coast' loop taking in Ben Hope, Dun Durnaigil broch, Rosal clearance village and Forsinard nature reserve is particularly rewarding - bit tricky in anything too big though - and watch for logging trucks.

Midges are bad in season and there's no respite, the best ploy is to pick a very breezy spot to overnight. Also bad, and of growing concern to tourism stakeholders, are ticks. They are now incredibly prolific in the north and hassle you / your dog at the slightest opportunity. Lyme disease as a result of a bite is not uncommon.

Oh, John O'Groats is officially my own personal biggest damp squib.

[arthur49]

Try Findocty - pronounced 'FinEchty! - on the Moray coast well east of Inverness. http://www.findochtycaravanpark.co.uk/. The photos do not do it justice. There are are statics but tourers are right on the grass/gravel above the shore.(and partially blocking the view of the statics!)

Watch the dolphins. We've only failed once to see them. Usually late afternoon, as they feed.

Walk along the coast towards Buckie - nice cafe less than 30 minutes. Old railway line now a cycle track behind the village........but its a steep climb out.......!

Pub at the entrance to site

Beautiful small harbour..............

Watch the local kids 'tombstone' from the large rock........

We love to spend say 3 days here every spring/summer

Arthur :-D

[Wooie]

crinklystarfish - 2012-11-30 9:29 AM

Wooie - 2012-11-29 7:45 PM... " Every Bloody Car "that passed " Pipping its Horn " and that went on right through the night. We put it down to being " Too Near Civilisation " and as soon as we headed further north everything was fine.Anything else just ask.Hope this helps.Regards.Graham.

They are reportedly fond of that trick but seemingly only in heavily touristed areas or where 'vans cluster up and form something of a 'community'. We've spent dozens of nights off formal sites and never had any grief, but we do tend towards the very remote. Speaking of which, we found that for the west and north particularly, literally any road off the main trunks is worth exploring. An 'off-coast' loop taking in Ben Hope, Dun Durnaigil broch, Rosal clearance village and Forsinard nature reserve is particularly rewarding - bit tricky in anything too big though - and watch for logging trucks.

Midges are bad in season and there's no respite, the best ploy is to pick a very breezy spot to overnight. Also bad, and of growing concern to tourism stakeholders, are ticks. They are now incredibly prolific in the north and hassle you / your dog at the slightest opportunity. Lyme disease as a result of a bite is not uncommon.

Oh, John O'Groats is officially my own personal biggest damp squib.

Hi there,It`s the only time we`ve ever been bothered and i put it down to being too near civilisation.It was getting late, we`d had a long day and so we thought why not ?On the A832 between the Tore roundabout and Fortrose overlooking Munlochy Bay there is a" Bird Hide " on a large hardstanding with what is left of the bases from some buildings.It`s set well back from the road and having passed it several times thought we`d try it.We wanted somewhere close because the following morning we was heading down toChanonry Point to try and catch sight of the Dolphins.We didn`t want either of the C&CC sites at Rosemarkie or Dingwall and settled on there.We tucked ourselves in the corner out of harms way so as not to bother anyone else whostill wanted to use the car park.At one stage a local farmer in his tractor came into the car park ( to use his mobile ) and spoke to us asking if everything was OK.We was the only one on the car park, a couple of cars came and went and that was that.Then as it drew dark " Every Bloody Car " that passed gave us either a Pip Pip Pip or a goodlong blast on their horns.We didn`t get bothered by " Boy racers " or the like and no-one as far as i know came intothe car park, it was just the damned car horns.Anyway you live and learn and that place is now a " Big No No ". The rest of the trip wasabsolutely fine.This included a trip over to Orkney for 7 days with every night a " Wild Camp " night and wereprobably some of the quietest and most peaceful nights we`ve ever had. Thanks to Charlie for the info.