Planning on touring a few places in Scotland with the caravan next summer. Planning to visit the isle of mull and wondering how the ferry is? Do you drive on and reverse off? How difficult it is had a caravan just over a year now but still not 100% confident with reversing under pressure!
Thanks for any help!
we went there a couple of years back.. its drive on drive off no reversing required..
but the local infrastructure is totally over loaded.. we spent four hours driving around the island and we could not find anywhere to park up and have a cup of tea.. they say its down to cheap ferry fares..
my advice would be to avoid the place i would not go again..
it may be okay off season i dont know..
trog
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Toon, all three ferries to Mull are drive on, drive off unless we have an issue on a particular boat with one of the vizors getting stuck (it's currently an issue on our relief boat!!!). However, even if the worst happens, the crew are very good about helping you manoeuvre - seen it happen many times! Have confidence and follow their instructions to the utmost - they've got me and the big 4x4 into places on the boat I was very dubious about.
Worth mentioning that we've only just over 13 miles of twin track road - the rest is single track with passing places of varying sizes. Having said that, knowing the rules and being alert to what's going on ahead and behind you, you shouldn't have an issue towing to your destination.
------------- " 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 !"
Very much depends on what you like doing; whether you want to tour or have a longer time in one place and so on. How much time you're planning to be away is also a factor - journey times aren't necessarily as quick as distances imply!! The west coast is very long and varied, too, so having an idea of your preferences always helps.
There's a lot of people with good advice and threads on here if you use the search function and I'm sure they and I'll do our best to offer advice.
------------- " 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 !"
Yes lots of information on here which is great! We have 15 nights and plan on staying 2-3 nights per place don't want to rush too much so planning on about 5 stops. We have a dog who will be coming everywhere with us so like nice walks, pubs/places to eat that are dog friendly and anything else interesting! So far we think loch Lomond, Oban, isle on mull then we have a couple of other places to decide on!
Quote: Originally posted by Toon4949 on 05/12/2020
Thanks that's really helps, out of interest is there anywhere in particular you'd recommend on the west coast of Scotland?
we tour the west coast every year.. its all nice.. travel time is touring time part of the holiday plenty of places to just stop whenever you feel like..
there really is no need to pre-plan a route.. just head for sango sands and enjoy the journey on the way.. he he
Toon, regarding Mull, plenty of walks of varying lengths and difficulties but not necessarily with a convenient pub! Given we have a lot of free-ranging livestock, the forestry walks are fine if you want to let your dog off lead.
As a head’s up regarding ferries, I’ve had sight of the proposed Oban – Craignure timetable and it’s not too bad but Calmac are still working on the likelihood that capacity will need to be kept down so booking will be essential (it’s recommended anyway). You may need to be able to confirm a site booking too (as now) but that’s less clear. No bookings on the other two ferries.
If you fancy a boat trip out to Staffa and the Treshnish Isles for puffin therapy (highly recommended) a number of the boat trips take dogs.
------------- " 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 !"
Quote: Originally posted by Toon949 on 05/12/2020
Thanks that's really helps, out of interest is there anywhere in particular you'd recommend on the west coast of Scotland?
Gosh. That’s a huge area! Galloway up through Ayrshire, over to Arran, off onto Mull of Kintyre peninsula, up the wonderful Argyllshire coast, then up into the Highlands to the far north west at Cape Wrath. It could take a fortnight to do - but some of it is NOT suitable for caravan towing. And I’d maybe steer clear of Skye and the North Coast 500 just now as they’re currently the victims of their own success.
Might be an idea to look at a map? And do let know what you’re interested in doing or seeing and we’ll try to help. No point going on about White Tailed Sea Eagles if you’re looking for pubs.
And don’t be put off your original idea of Mull - you could spend a week just there: ficklejade has put loads of info about what you could do onto the forum, so use the Search tab. Once your caravan is in place, you’re free to explore where your caravan cannot go.
Quote: Originally posted by trog100 on 05/12/2020
but the local infrastructure is totally over loaded.. we spent four hours driving around the island and we could not find anywhere to park up and have a cup of tea.. they say its down to cheap ferry fares..
trog
Same on Skye & no ferry needed. But you’re right, Road Equivalent Tariff RET has slashed fares to the islands. My fare to Arran is a third of what it was (c£80 is now c£25) and yes, every lay-by round the coast last summer was full - and mostly with MHs parked up overnight.
Quote: Originally posted by trog100 on 05/12/2020
but the local infrastructure is totally over loaded.. we spent four hours driving around the island and we could not find anywhere to park up and have a cup of tea.. they say its down to cheap ferry fares..
trog
Same on Skye & no ferry needed. But you’re right, Road Equivalent Tariff RET has slashed fares to the islands. My fare to Arran is a third of what it was (c£80 is now c£25) and yes, every lay-by round the coast last summer was full - and mostly with MHs parked up overnight.
RET has slashed fares but it's a double-edged sword. My return fare to Oban with a car has gone down by £40 but most of the summer season I cannot get a booking when I need it so have to go on a non-bookable route; adding a couple of hours and fuel to the journey. The fares apply to all but not to commercial vehicles which is what islanders would benefit from. What Fiona says about lay-bys and car parks filled with parked up M/Hs is also true.
------------- " 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 !"
Maybe about 20 or more years ago, I booked the Ardrossan/Brodick and Lochranza/Cloanaig ferries. About a day later they phoned back to say they'd have to charge me commercial rates due to the length of my caravan, a twin-axle. After much 'discussions' and pointing out that they had accepted and processed my credit card payment, they reluctantly agreed and accepted it.
I've often casually thought since of going out to the islands, still with a twin-axle, does anyone know if this outlandish attitude still persists? Is there a limit to the size of caravans accepted at normal, non freight, prices?
Re Arran, I’ve checked the free CalMac app for prices at the moment on winter timetable. A PDF would be easier but here goes (I’ve rounded up to the nearest £. Single fares.)
Car (any length) £16
Each adult £4
MH *up to* 6.0m £16 / 8m £24 / 10m (that’s a monster) £32. That includes bike racks or tail boxes.
Caravan, boat, trailer *up to* 2.5m £8 / 6m £16 / 8m £24.
I’d suggest a caravan longer than 8m plus the car isn’t suitable for many of Arran’s roads. The commercial rates aren’t on the app, but light goods vehicles exceeding 6m or 3.5 tonnes are charged at that rate.
Two boats shuttle in summer, an older open deck one and the usual one with mezzanine decks. A lorry or MH or caravan can’t go on the mezzanine.
Hope that helps.