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Hi

I know it's a big place but has anyone got suggestions for a good campsite in Western Scotland. We like walking/hills/coast and have 3 kids, 10,8 and 3. We want to go away last two weeks of August - am I right in thinking Scottish school holidays will be over then and no bank holiday?

The thing is there is so much choice and we don't know where to start. I was vaguely thinking of Argyll and possibly going on to Fort William area. We don't like very busy sites - but some space for the children to run round.

Any suggestions welcome.

Thanks - in anticipation

Diane

Diane, Invercoe site at Glencoe is an excellent site.Glen Nevis site at Fort William is also excellent but quite a large site but I have never found it noisy.There is also another site in Glencoe (Caravan and camping club site),probably a bit quieter.There are so many really good sites all around Scotland.Hope you find waht you are looking for..........regards

There are loads of nice sites up on the west coast. I can personally recommend Ardmair Point near Ullapool, the C&CC site at Inverewe Gardens (great hillwalking base and some great beaches at Gairloch), Scourie (fabulous views from the site including of the beach and close to Handa island which is well worth a visit), Sango Sands at Durness (great hills and beaches nearby) and Camusdarach near Mallaig (it's in the dunes behind the beach used in the film Local Hero and has great views out to the islands).

Further south then Lochgilphead Caravan Park has plenty to do nearby including a nice walk/cycle along the Crinan canal, Port Ban Caravan Park at Kilberry where you camp almost on the beach with lovely views to Islay and Jura, North Ledaig near Oban has great coastal views plus plenty to do nearby even if the weather is bad (e.g. swimming pool in Oban, rare breeds park, Sea Life centre) and Machrihanish Caravan and Camping Park is beside a fantastic beach plus it's good for wild-life spotting etc.

Further south again then I can recommend Hoddom Castle in the borders - it's probably one of the best sites in the UK and has great facilities for kids and adults, including a playable little 9-hole golf course.

We spent our summer holidays at home this year, with our 2 kids aged 7 and 3. Started off at Grantown on Spey, Caravan Club affiliated site. Excellent facilities and play area. Lots to do round about, Wildlife Centre, steam train, the Landmark Centre theme park etc etc.

Then headed up to Ardmair Point in Ullapool. Quite a remote site, excellent scenery, wee play area and decent facilites. Try to get a pitch right at the front, the view is amazing. As we don't hillwalk etc, we didn't think there was enough to keep us busy, but would certainly recommend the site to anyone.

Finished off in North Ledaig, Oban. This has the best shower facilities I've ever seen. Right on the beach and excellent views. Highly recommended.

Don't go to Nairn Lochloy, the toilet and shower facilities are barkitt !! ( that's Scottish for boggin' ! )

If you're heading up the West Coast, you could do alot worse than start down Dumfries and Galloway, a site called Brighouse Bay is excellent and will keep the kids busy with everything they have on site to do.

All the sites I've mentioned have websites. Hope this helps.

Oh, forgot to mention, our schools go back on 14/8/07, not sure if there are any bank holidays soon.

Thanks to everyone for all your suggestions. I think we are going to try Dumfries and Galloway as we can't face the drive further north at the moment and we don't know that area at all. .......Do they have a big midgie problem there like further north?

Diane

The midgie problem can be anywhere! Get some Avon "Skin So Soft" it is not an insect repellant but is  the only thing that actually works!   I have hust returned from Dumfries and galloway, there are hundereds of great sites there, but the sunniest part of Scotland is on the peninsula west of Stranraer, around the village of Portpatrick.   Pretty remote, but there are some great beaches, and I got a good tan!!

Hope this helps....

If you use the campsite search on this forum please look at Wigtownshire and Kirkcudbrightshire links so that you get wider idea of campsites in Dumfries and Galloway.A favourite of mine is in Glenluce village.its small and tidy with the main touring area set in a walled garden.A short drive to some very quiet clean beaches.Visit Portpatrick one of the most scenic villages in South west Scotland.I don't think the midges are as plentiful however inland and near lochs trees etc there are probably just as many.

Mick

We weren't bothered by midgees at all really. We had the candles, skin so soft, bug zapper and those bracelet things that contain some sort of chemical and never really used them. Just at the start of the holiday to keep them at bay, but as there weren't many around we stopped using everything.

How about Skye

There are 6 sites

My favourite is Staffin, nice site, flat stances and in good clean order.

Nice views

Hi

Have a look at Brighouse bay good site but can get very busy been there twice ourselves

mick

ps never had a midge problem there

Hi, you could try the Castle Cary site on the way from Dumfries to Port Patrick. Set in picturesque surroundings, it has a licensed a-le carte restaraunt built into the catle ruins, an indoor and outdoor swimming pool and kids games room. The camping area is quite large and you are given lots of space. We went the week leading up to August 2006 bank holiday and the space available for the kids to play football or whatever near the tents was great. They have their own website if you wish to view.

Regards

Paul

Thanks to everyone for all your suggestions. Castle Cary looks great but couldn't get their website to work properly. Have booked in to Brighouse Bay and we will just take it from there as we have two weeks off. Will take all your comments/suggestions with me!

Diane