Doing Scottish Islands tour next year!

[jayjay]

Oh WOW! This is a definate got to do for me next year, I'm thinking beginning of May sometime, before the midges get there.

The price might be a little higher for the ferries next year, this is a summer journey only! For my weenie van, the cost is presently £139.00, but that's for two passengers (dogs go free) and they do a discount if there's only a driver!

This island hopper is one-way only but you can start at either end, (Ardrossan is nearer to England!) and the ticket is valid for a whole month!... So I'd better take my guitar and get busking! ;D

Oooh imagine a whole month to explore those islands - and it will prob take a month to get home from Oban at average 40 miles an hour, but I'm going anyway!!! :-)

Anyone else fancy this one ?


www.calmac.co.uk/hopscotch_route17

[effiemac]

I'll meet you somewhere there Jayjay. Name your island and yes, May's a fab time to go.
Effie

[jayjay]

effiemac said:

I'll meet you somewhere there Jayjay. Name your island and yes, May's a fab time to go.
Effie

Last two weeks in May - off to Skye (and maybe beyond to the Hebredian Isles), but definately Skye for starters!

.... that's if I EVER get this van fixed!

[effiemac]

I had the happiest cycling holiday to Skye and Raasay when I was young. I'll plan for then. Maybe meet up in Glasgow and travel up together. Let's hope for a cold winter to keep the Midgies at bay for longer.
Cheers,
Effie
PS I see your link is for the Hopscotch Whisky trail.. you're on your own there!

[jayjay]

Hi Effie - sounds good to me! I have to pick up a friend 'on the way' well, he lives in Aviemore, so up there and then sort of down a bit and across a bit to Skye, where my friend wants to go for his birthday - he was born there and has friends and kin floating around.

Perhaps we could arrange a date to meet on Skye and take it from there! Can't wait for next May to come. Just hope this van finally gets mended, I've been waiting a week for the garage to call and fit me in. Very frustrating as I could have gone away this weekend if the van had been up to it, but I can't go with an overheating engine!

Hehe - I know its the whiskey trail and I'm not into malt whiskey either, just like the direction it's going!

I think this trek will be more suitable, now I definately know I'm going somewhere!

www.calmac.co.uk/hopscotch_route13

Anyone else coming??

[lizziehill]

Don't think I'll make it, but the Calmac island hopper ticket sounds like a great idea - despite living in Scotland all my life I have never made it to any of the islands, other than Arran & Skye!

Have a great trip!

[snobbyafghan]

Whisky!!! (not whiskey).

Doug

[jayjay]

I always get the spelling wrong!!! Maybe I should drink some and study the label!!! LOL!

Lizzie - can't believe you've never been to any of the islands!!! (apart from the two you've mentioned!) My absolute favourite (so far) is Islay. I could live there.... But more to explore yet, so I can't say Islay is my fave, when I haven't been to... um, most of them! Sorry you won't be able to join us, still perhaps something will come up - it's a long way away yet. A definate for me and hopefully Effie too! And Duncan-in-a-kilt, looking every bit the wild Highlander that he is!

Been to Arran, Gigha, Islay, Skye, Summer Isles (only on a day trip) and Anglesey (lol)

Definately going to Skye for starters - then on that ferry!

[viv]

I am going to watch this space as I would love to spend some time in Scotland. Can't be definite yet but we will see what the new year brings.

[jayjay]

Hi Viv - it would be great if you can come as well!

I see you live in London, ooh thats' a fair way to go...

However, as my little van only does av.40 mph, it will take me just as long to get there from here! I can only do around 100 miles in a day and have found that's quite enough to do in a day. And it takes most of the day at 40! ;D

[Dabs]

I feel a convoy coming on!

I willl along with 2 other Bongos be going to the Isle of Lewis next May.We will be having a stop off for the weekend at Fort William to attend the Scottish Bongo Club Bash and then carrying on up to Lewis to stay at a house that we have rented for the rest of the week.
Im looking forward to it!!
Dabs

[jayjay]

Hey Dabs! We'll keep an eye open for Bongo's when we're on Lewis, should be around the same time! ;D

Edited to add: oooh it's getting closer now! The new timtables are up on the Calmac site - they've gone up a bit! Still good value though. I shall get in touch with my co-driver and get some dates arranged! Watch this space! ;D

[Dabs]

JayJay there will be three of us,A Green one(very blinged) and Blue one (quite blinged) and my Grey one (a bit blinged).
I will keep an eye open for you too!

Im lookin forward to the trip
Dabs

[Dabs]

JayJay there will be three of us,A Green one(very blinged) and Blue one (quite blinged) and my Grey one (a bit blinged) and I nearly forgot a self converted Blue LDV van,he is the guy that lives on Lewis!!

I will keep an eye open for you too!

Im lookin forward to the trip
Dabs

OOps its posted twice I must be excited

[jamieww]

Well I don't know which route your taking, but the Island hopper is definitely better than paying individual prices.. I lived in Rothesay (Isle of Bute) for about 7yrs... nice scenery but only one place to park up and it has limited facilities, but then again thats the beauty of roma's..
There are a few places at the back of the island (Ettrick Bay) that u can park overnite,and you won't have to pay as the car park is free!!!!
Good thing about the island hopper is that you have two ferries on the island - so u can leave from Wemyss bay to Rothesay - then go from Rhubodach to Collntraive (not sure of the spellings lol)... Then you can go onto Dunnon or Oban as your in the right place!!
Don't believe what they say about the midges..... they are there all year around...

Hope you enjoy!!

Jamie

[jamieww]

Meant to mention... If your into Jazz festivals there's one on Bute Thur 1st - Mon 5th May!!!!!

Jamie

[jayjay]

Rightee-ho!

Here's the itineray for the Scottish tour... It's not written in stone just yet, but is more or less what I have planned. The only changes might be lingering a day longer in certain spots.

Bearing in mind that I can only do approx 100 mls a day (avoiding motorways), here's the route and approx dates:

17th May - to the Lakes from Cheshire, staying at the Armathwaite site Cs off the A6. Overnight stay here. www.siteseeker.co.uk/aspx/details.aspx?id=86002¤tPage=0
18th May: Onwards and upwards to Auchterader just at the beginning of the A9:
www.scottishcampingguide.com/link.php?n=282&c=11
19th -20th May - to Aviemore to pick up my friend and co-driver. 2 night stay before setting off for Ullapool.
21st May set off for Ullapool. Fancy a night on the beach (shore) site here:
www.ukparks.co.uk/broomfield/

22nd May: Set off for the great unknown islands of the Outer Hebredes (the western Isles) on CalMac Ferry on the hopscotch 13 route:
www.calmac.co.uk/hopscotch_route13

22nd - 26th: Arrive at Tarbert, Lewis, then drive to Shawbost and camp at this site for three nights...
www.eileanfraoich.co.uk/

A couple of nights in Harris, if I can find a campsite. Should mention at this point that there are several locations where wild camping is allowed:
www.leverburgh.co.uk/beaches.htm

Haven't managed to find a campsite here yet, although you can park on the car parks at most of the Youth Hostels and pay a minimum amount per night to use the facilities.

Then on to Skye! 26th - 31st May - ferry from Tarbert to Uig on Skye. Not sure which campsite here, several to choose from. My friend will want to seek out long-lost relatives so we may be staying wild on ppls' drives! LOL! Duncan's B'day on 28th May!

Someone suggest a place to meet up. Effie - you coming? We can go up to my friends in Aviemore together if you'd like to - and do the whole thing as a convoy!! (I don't go fast though, 40-45 most of the time.)

Then either ferry from Armadale on Skye to Mallaig, then back to Aviemore for a few days, or over the Skye Bridge and back that way. Seems a shame to pay for a ferry then use a bridge though! ;D

Then back to home, using same route back from Aviemore in reverse.

One question: am I an idiot for attempting all this in one go, or shall we just go to Skye for a couple of weeks? Been pondering this q. for a while and thinking, should go while I can - you never know what might happen if you leave it to another year.

It's possible after this holiday I may never want to set foot in my wee van again... ;D

Edited to add: I've put all this info and contact details, etc for campsites into a Word doc, so if you want a copy, email me! ;D

[Graham]

Hi JayJay

It sounds fantastic, definitely something we would like to attempt sometime when we've got time (roll on retirement).

I think you will love it as you say live for today. Hope you have a great time don't forget to come back and tell us all your adventures, should make interesting reading.

Graham

[lunnie]

Hi JayJay.

Would love to join you but I am sure I shall be in Turkey. I completed 6 weeks Scotland and the Outer Hebrides and 1 week on Skye 4th May - June 04 and I wild camped outer Hebrides. Camped on a hillock overlooking Taransay lady charged £3 pn with water, no loos nothing, but brilliant views about 3ft above the sea, which was turquoise and the sand was the colour of golden caster sugars. oh lovely, lovely memories.

Joan

[jayjay]

I can't believe I started this thread last year - and now it's just next month - approx 4 and a bit weeks away! Scary how time flies.

Dog is off to the vets tomorrow for a minor op so I hope she'll be ok after. It's the ££££'s it's going to cost!

Shame you'll be in Turkey, Joan, it would have been nice to have someone who knows the area to follow! Lol! I think Turkey will be warner tho - I've already been warned about taking warm clothes, etc...

Yes, the write up will make interesting reading - with lots of photo's, Graham! I'm just about to source/buy a bigger memory chip thingy for my camera! And some metal tent pegs I shall need on Skye apparantly !

[lunnie]

Buy Delta pegs from Rob Orr, link on ukcs and mention your ukcs u/name for your 10% discount.
Not cheap but best thing since sliced bread, you will be totally safe in a gale!!!
Deltagroundanchorpegs. you receive them the next day by Royal Mail. I would not leave home without them, held my tent in a 60mph storm.

Joan

[jayjay]

How many do you think I will need, Joan? I also thought of these but unsure if I need them just for the storm straps and main anchors or all round - and should I buy the metal or plastic ones?

[lunnie]

You need them for the main guys = 6 and if you really want to be safe your storm strap as well.

I have both, depends on the ground but the plastic ones are the usual ones, and which stood up to the storm.

Please remember that on a SUNDAY in Harris everything is SHUT including the loos!!!!! because you should be in Church and at home only, it is a SABBETH. We really needed the loo and my hubby didnt like to use the porta potty, but council loos including disable all locked up, I spotted a lady cleaning in a hotel and she took pity on us and open the hotel for us to use the faciility.

Beautiful island though.

[jayjay]

I'd read about this Sabbath thing in the Western Isles - glad you warned me about even the loos being shut - I didn't know that! I thought it was just that ppl went about quietly and didn't do any work! Don't they pee on Sundays?

Will get some of those Delta pegs - 8 of each (plastic and metal) when I have some money... M's operation at the vets cleared out my bank account - £420!

[lunnie]

Oh dear, but she is worth it. (They carry it HOME!!!) home to church and back. But that is in essence only half the island, because they did open the aiport up on a Sunday, but the newspaper only photographed the dour churchgoer's all in black, they did not show the other side of jubilent multi-coloured dressed people cheering!!!

I spoke to a chap who had been a long distance driver and he decided to retire to Lewis, but he had no money, but he had a male friend who lived on Lewis, so he moved in with him. Within 6 weeks the council had found him a house! unacceptable two men living in the same house alone. That gives you an insight to their thinking.

Buy 8 metal if you can only afford part of the pegs. better some than none.

[jayjay]

Hi again Joan!

I remember reading somewhere that there were very glum faces when they decided to have the ferry crossings allowed on a Sunday as well! About a year ago, in the local highlands paper I think...

Amazing about the two men! LOL! Have you ever watched 'Whiskey Galore?' that gives you a good idea of what the Sabbath means up there... In a way, I approve, you know. I remember when you didn't go shopping on Sunday b/c the shops were shut, and we went to Sunday School... happy days.

Just edited to add...so there are two single men in Harris/Lewis???

[lunnie]

Yes, 2 men!!!!!!


I agree, 6 days of shopping is enought, sunday should be for the family to enjoy and relax!!

[glenw]

your trip loooks great Jayjay, we are just starting to plan a trip to scotland in August, the midges will be terrible I know but its the only time we have. At the mo we are looking at driving up the east coast to dunnets head and back down the west coast, possibly to end up at Kendal for the summer meet. We only have 14 days and keep asking ourselves " is it too much?" We'd be driving on average 200miles or more a day. We'll keep thinking!!!

[jayjay]

Apr 18, 2008 9:02:19 GMT glenw said:

your trip loooks great Jayjay, we are just starting to plan a trip to scotland in August, the midges will be terrible I know but its the only time we have. At the mo we are looking at driving up the east coast to dunnets head and back down the west coast, possibly to end up at Kendal for the summer meet. We only have 14 days and keep asking ourselves " is it too much?" We'd be driving on average 200miles or more a day. We'll keep thinking!!!

Sounds very ambitious, Glen and Claire!!! The answer to that question your asking yourselves is yes - it's too much! My advice would be to stick to the east coast, Glen.. and stay as near to the coast as poss. The east has the winds that keep the midges away! Anywhere inland in Scotland in August is unbearable, you have to have been there and done it to believe just how bad it can get.

I've never known anything like it... and I don't usually have a reaction to midge bites. Don't go to inland loch sites or low hills - or even the inland bits of sea lochs - and don't do the west coast of the Highlands at all - unless right on the coast. Just the precipitious rainfall on the west coast makes those midges breed like..well. only scottish midges can.

Dunnet Head is a lovely place. From there I'd seriously think of coming back down the A9 (detour to Tongue and Durness on the A838 if you like).

If you want west coast, go and tour Kintyre - virtually midge free there in August. If I've got any dosh left by August, that's where I'll be heading! Then Island hop to Arran, then onto the mainland at Ardrossan.

www.calmac.co.uk/hopscotch_route17

www.totaltravel.co.uk/travel/scotland/strathclyde/kintyre/accommodation/caravan/muasdale-holiday-park-1


Oh - and take plenty of Citronella oil - put drops on all lightbulbs and turn them on just before dusk. Take garlic capsules for a month before you go, and take tea tree oil for the bites! Take Avon Skin-so-soft products for shampoos and bathing... You think I'm joking dont you? And buy some of these if your going walking!
www.catch22products.co.uk/images/Pop-up-head-net.jpg

It's an astonishing sight seeing a cloud of midges heading towards you in Scotland - at first you think it's a low black cloud of the rain-carrying variety! ;D Then they are crawling in your hair, down your ears, up your nose and in your food before you have time to say insect repellant! worst place I went was Loch Carron, near Plocton and that was in June. July and August is even worse.

Edited to add: That all sounds like doom and gloom, doesn't it? I just don't want your first trip to the highlands to be your last! LOL!

[glenw]

was hoping your reply would be " go for it, you'll love every minute etc etc etc" ;D

We think we can now stretch the break to 19 days in total, it would still be a big journey.

The problem we have is that there is so much of Scotland we want to see, both inland and by the coast and we don't have that much time off.

We want to do it this year because we are planning on getting married later in the year or early next year and also want to start a family in the not too distant future. The van will then become redundant to us.