Hi all
We are starting to plan next years holidays and we have always wanted to go to Scotland (the highlands) we normally go to farm sites in yourkshire and Devon where you pitch anywhere and size of tent does not matter to much so would like something similar around a loch would be ideal so if anyone knows of any and can recommend that would be good
must haves
good toilet /shower block
A quite site
Must be dog friendly
Lots of walks
Lots of views
Any help would be good thanks
S
------------- 2017
June honeymoon
August not sure. Yet
Sep long weekend Rome
October week. In Devon
2018
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Next year? My goodness, plenty of time!
But you'll have to tell us more - how long have you got? Dogs? children? Are you touring or wanting a base for the duration? There are plenty of sites by a loch, that won't be a problem - as you can tell if you use the Search tab. (We have fabulous beaches too, on E, N and W coasts). But what else do you want locally? Are you a keen bird watcher, for example, or into fishing or golfing or going round castles?
And do search this forum - there's been a recent very long thread helping someone plan a 10 day trip in the Highlands which might be helpful.
You're coming from Oxfordshire, you'll need to stop over en route. Moffat is the usual recommendation for that - if you're not in C&CC, it'll cost a bit more.
Holidays booked this year so thinking of next
One dog (working cocker)
2 kids 12and 6
Thinking 2weeks it's about 12 to 15 hours driving so split it with the Mrs so no stopping other than for the loo and fuel
Would be looking for a base for the trip
We enjoy walking
I play golf with my eldest but don't think the wife would let us take the clubs
watching birds but for for the table so wrong session
And the wife and I enjoy visiting castles
------------- 2017
June honeymoon
August not sure. Yet
Sep long weekend Rome
October week. In Devon
The Highlands covers a pretty large area! In addition to Undiscovered Scotland, you can check out info on the Visit Scotland website. VS isn't my favourite but it can be quite useful when you're gathering initial knowledge! Once you've decided on your base (or maybe two base sites), use local information websites for the location; a lot of these are very good.
------------- " When I die I don`t want my life to flash before me in an instant, I want it to be a 3 hour epic !"
Don't forget to leave a review of the campsites you have visited this year or last!
Quote: Originally posted by simonamyjakeuk on 27/5/2017
Would be looking for a base for the trip
We enjoy walking
And the wife and I enjoy visiting castles
Biggest concentration of castles (as you want to have one base) is in Aberdeenshire and along the coast east from Inverness - mostly National Trust for Scotland, which is cheaper to join than the English one if you're not member. It's more gentle scenery there though, if you're thinking of the Highlands being all mountainous.
I'm wondering if Alford (silent L) might work. Or Granton-on-Spey might make a good base - not stayed there, but I think it gets good reviews; it's central and a lot less touristy than Aviemore & Rothiemurchas (but they're still in reach, as the Cairngorms national park has great walking). It's also day-tripable to see the dolphins in the Moray Firth, and the east coast beaches. Plenty of forestry for the dog walk, if your Cocker is as energetic as ours.
Still think it's a long long trip to do in one go!
Grantown on Spey has an absolutely first class site. Great walking area and easy access to Aviemore and Inverness / Black Isle. Also restored steam railway.
Alford (pronounced Afford) is home to the Grampian transport museum which is worth a visit and has a number of theme weekends through the year. However, I'd stay on the nearby Dee valley, possibly Ballater which has a great re-furbished site. Problem is that you don't have easy access to the coast.
------------- Two drifters off to see the world.
I'm tired of reality, so I'm off to look for a good fantasy.
Thank you for all the great ideas everyone
Like the sound of granton on spey so will look up that site
Our cocker has tones of energy mum and dad are both working dogs with high drive in there breeding which is good as we are looking at having him out working for Christmas (he's only 15 weeks at the mo ) down side I've done my back in at the mo so struggle to take him out
------------- 2017
June honeymoon
August not sure. Yet
Sep long weekend Rome
October week. In Devon
Just showed the wife the site and she likes the look of it and only a 9 hour drive door to door so we should do it in 10 hours with a hour stop so nice and easy just st a shame it's on uk roads the last time we did a 10 + hour drive we where on French roads which are so much better
Just neeed go look at things to do in the area
------------- 2017
June honeymoon
August not sure. Yet
Sep long weekend Rome
October week. In Devon
2018
Don't forget to leave a review of the campsites you have visited this year or last!
You wouldn't be disappointed with Grantown, though during the school hols, it can be quite lively.
However, there is a lot of walking both from and near the site as it is on the Speyside way. Mrs L and I tend to walk it in sections by using the bus to take us to the start of our chosen walk.
By bus or car, Aviemore, Inverness and the Black Isle are easily reached. The Black Isle is famous for dolphin & whale spotting.
Another thing you might consider is a 'Land rover safari'
up into the more inaccessible parts of some estates.
------------- Two drifters off to see the world.
I'm tired of reality, so I'm off to look for a good fantasy.
Sorry, just remembered OP wanted to be by a loch.
Granton is not by a loch. The only site I can think of is the Glenmore site at the far end of Loch Morlich; mixed reviews, great scenery but it's a drive in & out to Aviemore before you can start to get anywhere. Loch Ness ditto - a long way to get anywhere else.
Be wary of Google telling you how long it will take - there are major road works dualling the A9, and just because other roads are A roads doesn't mean you'll be able to do 60mph on them. Add 5 hours minimum from Carlisle to Granton-on-Spey, I reckon.
Your dog will be chipped, but make sure your mobile number is on the tag.