A week in Scotland

Davidod

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A week in Scotland

· Posted: 11.01.2012 · #1

Hi Folks,

I'm planning a week long tour of Scotland in early April and I am looking for some advice.

It is my intention to head from Belfast or Larne and where to after that is completely open to suggestions.

Firstly I would appreciate advice on the ferry route and operator. Are there any particular deals or times or indeed days that give the best value?

After that suggestions on where to head and what to take in would be very welcome.

Many thanks for any help,

Ally

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Re: A week in Scotland

· Posted: 11.01.2012 · #2

I will have P&O and Stenaline adverts coming on the website soon, should be some good deals! on certain sailings you can get on the for the same price as a car.

If you are into wildcamping, I can't recommend Wildcamping.co.uk 's POI database enough, loads of WC spots in Scotland listed.

Davidod

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Re: A week in Scotland

· Posted: 11.01.2012 · #3

Thanks Ally I'll wait on those.

No problems with Aires, use them a great deal. Wildcamping; the other half is a little less happy. I'll certainly check out that site anyway.

I need to put together a route first mind you.

Ally

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Re: A week in Scotland

· Posted: 11.01.2012 · #4

Plan a Scotland trip myself this year, not looked into anything yet but it is on the cards. I remember reading a post by someone that went to John O Groats, he said don't bother there is damn all there, so maybe not so high up

Viktor

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Re: A week in Scotland

· Posted: 11.01.2012 · #5

You need to join Wildcamping.co.uk as a full paid member (£15) to obtain the database....but it's a worthwhile investment.

Bob

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Re: A week in Scotland

· Posted: 12.01.2012 · #6

i go regularly to the fortwilliam area,plenty of wildcamping spots

some great caravan club cl sites too.

raymondo

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Re: A week in Scotland

· Posted: 13.01.2012 · #7

I spent 2 months touring Scotland last summer and whilst there are some great wild camp spots there are also some great sites for about £10 (including electric) found a great one in the southern highlands £8 per night (inc electric) with showers 20p (20p for a "man shower" a "woman shower" was 40p - what takes them soooo long?) and was awoken in the mornings by grouse scrabbling around the outside of the van!

If you are planing to go to JohnOGroats do not say at the JoG campsite there is a great one in Huna (about 1 mile from JoG) which is half the price - your friend is correct though there is nothing at JoG but the drive up (A9) or across from the west coast is great

If you let me know where abouts you are considering I might be able to suggest a few sites.

Davidod

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Re: A week in Scotland

· Posted: 16.01.2012 · #8

Thanks folks for the help.

I need to spend a little more time at the plan as it is obvious that to do justice I would need a lot more than just a week, however that is all I have. It also needs to be a a circular route ultimately bringing me back to my starting point within that week. I really don't think that there will be any question of getting up near JoG. I think the best that I can expect to do on this tour anyway would be to dip a toe in to the Scottish Highlands.

JAG147

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Re: A week in Scotland

· Posted: 17.01.2012 · #9

Don't forget your midgy nets

eirebus

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Re: A week in Scotland

· Posted: 17.01.2012 · #10

look up the midge forcast for when and where you are going they can be a big problem

raymondo

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Re: A week in Scotland

· Posted: 17.01.2012 · #11

If you only have a week (should have noticed that bit!) you have no mission of getting anywhere near JOG.

We took the ferry to Troon (a great ferry cuts off that whole Stranraer nonsense!) drove up the west coast -including the totally pointless 100 mile drive to Machrihanish which boasts a lovely site but nothing else! on up to Skye for another circumnavigation and on up to the top corner all of which took 3 weeks.

With you limited time I would strongly recommend the Larne -Troon ferry it takes two hours but cuts out a lot of driving and from Troon you can be at Loch Lomond in a couple of hours (but avoid the C&CC site if you go there unless you have way too much money)

Viktor

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Re: A week in Scotland

· Posted: 17.01.2012 · #12

Quote by eirebus

look up the midge forcast for when and where you are going they can be a big problem

of course.....there's even an iPhone app for it....Smidge (also the name of the midge repellant which can be bought in Tiso Belfast).

Davidod

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Re: A week in Scotland

· Posted: 19.01.2012 · #13

Thanks for all that good advice folks. Didn't know about the midge problem.

I had already got a price from P & O for Larne to Stranraer (from the link on this site) and it quoted €286. Had a look at the price of Larne to Troon and it's quoting €315 (but not from the site link as I couldn't find it anymore).

However; it looks like the rout to start with Larne to Troon and then I start planning from there.
So far so good.

Does anybody know if parking at the ferry terminal causes any issues? I see that it's a 07.15 sailing and it would make a big difference if that was OK. We've done it before in other ferry terminals both here and away without any issues.

Ally

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Re: A week in Scotland

· Posted: 19.01.2012 · #14

Quote

(but not from the site link as I couldn't find it anymore).

However; it looks like the rout to start with Larne to Troon and then I start planning from there.
So far so good.

Does anybody know if parking at the ferry terminal causes any issues? I see that it's a 07.15 sailing and it would make a big difference if that was OK. We've done it before in other ferry terminals both here and away without any issues.

The P&O link is below every first post.

I have slept overnight at the ferry terminal with no problems, on both sides of the water.

Davidod

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Re: A week in Scotland

· Posted: 19.01.2012 · #15

Thanks for that Ally. Found a P & O link thanks. The price for Larne to Troon was the same anyway, Larne to Stranaer seems to be cheaper alright.

Making headway anyway.

raymondo

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Re: A week in Scotland

· Posted: 19.01.2012 · #16

If you are taking a dog rember that not only is Scotland midge central it is also crawling with ticks one walk through the heather resulted in 7 of the nasty beggers on my dog!

Viktor

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Re: A week in Scotland

· Posted: 19.01.2012 · #17

Must be brave lads those Scotsmen who supposedly wear nothing under their kilts lol.....roamin in the gloamin and all that!

...and on that point...the first time I saw Ally's midge crawling round the screen I almost went to squish it before I realised lol.

Ally

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Re: A week in Scotland

· Posted: 19.01.2012 · #18

Davidod

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Re: A week in Scotland

· Posted: 19.01.2012 · #19

Won't be bringing a dog or a kilt.

Brit_Stops

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Re: A week in Scotland

· Posted: 20.01.2012 · #20

Quote by Davidod

No problems with Aires, use them a great deal. Wildcamping; the other half is a little less happy.

If you'd rather not wild camp, the Brit Stops guide currently has 13 host sites where you can stay for free. They include farm shops, pubs, a smokehouse, a seafood cafe, a herb farm, an activity centre and a ski centre. As you can see from the attached map, most are in the East of the country, but we signed up two just yesterday, so there may well be more by the time the 2012 guide comes out in March.

Steve

Ally, I'll understand if you think this post is a bit spammy and decide to get rid of it!

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Davidod

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Re: A week in Scotland

· Posted: 20.01.2012 · #21

Many thanks for that - really good to know of that scheme.

Ally

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Re: A week in Scotland

· Posted: 20.01.2012 · #22

Quote by Brit_Stops

Ally, I'll understand if you think this post is a bit spammy and decide to get rid of it!

Absolutely not Steve, I think it's great and I will be joining soon. Anything that helps the members on Craic I am in full support. It's just a pity certain websites in GB were not so forthcoming with their help to Irish members. (present posters excluded:)

eirebus

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Re: A week in Scotland

· Posted: 21.01.2012 · #23

i have just priced larne/troon @401 and rosslare/cherbourg @365 euro for month of sept which should i choose

:bandit:

...

Subject:

Re: A week in Scotland

· Posted: 21.01.2012 · #24

...

Ally

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Re: A week in Scotland

· Posted: 05.02.2012 · #25

David, I added a stopover for Troon on the usermap.

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