Message Forums

Hello Debbie

First of all you will not tour all of Scotland leisurely in 2 1/2 weeks, you need to decide which parts/area you are going to do.

I see you are East Yorkshire based, (we are in Northumbria) so suggest straight up the A1 all the way to Edinburgh, a couple of nights at the Edinburgh CC site is well recommended, plenty to do and see in Edinburgh and you can catch the mini bus into town and leave the car at the site.

After that maybe 2 hrs north up the A9 and stop at the excellant Inver Mill Caravan site http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/sites/reviews.asp?revid=6037, go for a nice walk to the Hermatage next door are a short 10 minute walk from the park http://www.visitdunkeld.com/dunkeld-hermitage.htm.

Also go into the little town nearby Dunkeld and visit the Cathedral, another drive close by is the Loch of the Lowes wildlife centre http://www.swt.org.uk/visit/visitor-centres/loch-of-the-lowes-visitor-centre/

Above is at least a weeks easy touring to start with, have a good trip

Mike.

you're the man capt. i'm off to have a look at undiscovered on google.

cheers

corni

We've just returned from a week in N/W Scotland & the Isle of Skye - it's a really beautiful area and loads to see/ do.

We had no issues with midges whatsoever; however the cold, wind and rain probably saw to that!

I agree that two and a half weeks won't be nearly enough time for a "leisurely" tour of Scotland, you would be driving an awful lot and miss out on quality time in places. Driving distances are bigger than you think and the remote nature & winding, hilly roads means that travel is slower. We didn't fit everything in a week and we only visited a relitively small area.

We drove from Yorkshire up the M6 and on to Glasgow, through the Loch Lomond area and then Glencoe (what an amazing drive!) and on to Fort William. We spent a few nights at Camusdarach campsite, near Arisaig on the N/W coast - highly recommended - the site has direct access to gorgeous white sandy beaches & is very picturesque and well maintained. (It is however up for sale at the moment and the current owners are only taking bookings up until August. That may change if they don't get a sale soon, so worth checking.) The journey took 7 hours in total but it would be worth taking more time and stopping off on the way.

You can get a passenger ferry from nearby Mallaig to the Knoydart Peninsula and visit the most remote pub in mainland Britain (the Old Forge) where they serve awesome seafood platters. There is no road access so you either walk 17 miles or get the ferry.

Mallaig is also where you can get the ferry over to explore Skye (don't miss The Quirang, it is awesome!).

After spending 4 days on Skye we made our way back to the mainland via the bridge to the Kyle of Localash and Plockton (pretty fishing village) before returning home. Check out Eilean Donan castle on the way past.

We would have liked to have visited Loch Carron then up to Applecross and Ullapool too, further north, by we did not have enough time!

Whatever you decide have a great time planning your trip and exploring Scotland!

Totally agree - you'll never "tour" Scotland on any basis towing a van in 2.5 weeks, Debbie!

Donkers is quite right (and it's something so many visitors are surprised about) - distances are much greater than expected and, as most of the main roads are twin track for much of their length, they can be slow, as overtaking in car can be difficult, let alone with a van. Something also to remember (so worthwhile keeping an eye on the fuel gauge) in some of the remoter areas is that filling stations are not all that frequent and you always have to build in something like someone else's accident that closes the road and you may have long detours. (Something site owners are used to and often very helpful about - one site owner turned out at 11.30 at night and helped us pitch the tent!!)

On the plus side, both English and Scottish schools are back so it won't be as busy as July and August and if you're thinking of taking Calmac ferries anywhere they're still on summer timetable though some Sunday sailings are withdrawn.  Same applies with some local bus companies but that's easy to check when you're fixed up.

Do have a look on undiscovered Scotland and use Google Earth and tie that in with what your personal likes are. If you find an area or areas you fancy, then search for any local holiday groups' websites/attractions and post on here as there's a fair number of Scots residents and folks who have visited Scotland who may be able to help. 

Having a 2 centre holiday - in different areas - might help in offering diversity with more leisure.