Islay, via Arran. Beautiful. You should do it!

Discussion in 'Scotland' started by paulcalf, Jun 9, 2016.

  1. Day 1 Sheffield to Penrith (140 miles 17.19mpg)

    Smooth journey considering it was bank hol weekend & start of half term and; saw another Bay on the A1.

    Stayed at my partners parents’ house

    Ate too much
     
    Last edited: Jun 23, 2016
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  2. Day 2 Penrith to Lochranza on Isle of Arran (134 miles 20.78mpg)

    Massive brunch before departing.
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    Great weather, waved at Bay, offered assistance to Split Screen at side of rd.

    Ferry to Brodick saw a couple of dolphins!

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    Stayed at Lochranza campsite, could just see the sea from the site.
    Drank bubbly, ate veggie sausage sandwiches for tea
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    Last edited: Jun 23, 2016
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  3. Day 3 Ferry to mainland, 15 min drive across to Kennacraig. Ferry to Port Askaig. Drive to Kintra Farm

    Scorchio again.

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    Too early for Kennaciraig ferry so drove down the Coast, picnic lunch whilst watching seals!
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    Ferry to Islay
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    Stayed at Kintra Farm – wow what views.

    Homemade veggie Thai green curry & rice for tea, washed down with wine

    Amazing sunset

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    Last edited: Jun 9, 2016
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  4. Day 4 Walk from Kintra

    Scorichio.

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    Home made veggie Fajitas, more wine and rum
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    Last edited: Jun 9, 2016
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  5. Day 5 Lunch on our own private beach, followed by wildlife boat trip

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    Errrr they should have told us it was actually a fishing trip. Saw various birds, wild goat and shed loads of seals

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    I was driving so no Whisky, but Irn bru hit the spot in the pub

    Meal with family and friends at Islay Hotel, quite posh and expensive for meal out when camping. Lovely food, but not as nice as my partners homemade veggie delights!

    Another lovely sunset, accompanied with rum
     
    Last edited: Jun 9, 2016
  6. Day 6 Trip to Loch Gruinart RSPB reserve & walk

    Saw loads of amazing birds,wildlife and flowers. Amazing view of Isle of Colonsay, Mull & the papps of Jura
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    Homemade veggie chilli, wine, rum. Another delightful sunset
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    Last edited: Jun 9, 2016
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  7. Day 7 Walk around Oa peninsula. Beach walk

    Lunch at the Monument to two American ships that sunk in 1918.
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    Views to Ireland which is nearer than Scottish mainland from here



    Walk along Kintra beach followed by a swim, it was warmer than I thought!

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    Beach bbq, beers, rum….sunset of course
     
    Last edited: Jun 9, 2016
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  8. Day 8 Port Ellen to Kennacraig, drive 15 mins across mainland. Ferry Crainoaig to Lochranza.

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    Massive vegetarian Scottish Breakfast on the 1st ferry – v nice!

    Whale breaching off back of the ferry

    Nipped across the mainland. Couldn’t get on the ferry, so time for another swim whilst waiting for it to come back across.

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    Camper van safari the opposite way round Arran, finishing at Seal Shore Campsite

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    At Seal shore Campsite we met a lovely couple with a yellow late Bay, it was a Danbury conversion that his dad had bought new. Now he is living the dream in it.

    I got ‘removable cooker unit’ envy. I recommend the forum to them. They were heading to Mull so I pulled up my Mull trip report to give them details for campsites.

    Meant to get a proper photo of our Bays beside each other!

    Went on Otter watch, no Otters

    Bbq facing the beach, wine and rum. No bloody sunset, I want my money back




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    Last edited: Jun 9, 2016
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  9. Day 9 Brodick to Ardrossan to Penrith to Settle (Ardrossan to Penrith via Motorways and Glasgow 145 miles 17mpg!)

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    Leisurely start to the day, yellow Bay owners had departed before we got up. Still no Otters

    Coastal drive to Ferry, stopped at quality arty shop, where my partner bought a beautiful seal to go with the stones and drift wood she had been collecting all trip! 2 distant dolphins from ferry.

    Once back on the mainland I punched Penrith into the sat nav, it took us via Glasgow this time, which may have been quicker, but wasn’t anywhere near as nice or as relaxing a journey as on the way up. Plus it used about 10 litres more petrol this way. I’m a massive bell end!

    Dropped Islay made Whisky and Gin off at partners parents house. Quick cuppa before late evening meal in Settle. Stayed with family in Settle not in the van
     
    Last edited: Jun 23, 2016
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  10. Day 10 Settle to Sunny Sheffield (143.4miles 19.62mpg, from Penrith to Settle M6 then A roads, then to Sheffield A roads and Motorways)

    Good journey, but it was the End of our Holiday.


    Go to the Scottish Islands, they are amazing! We did luck on, with the weather but it would have been beautiful never the less. I have a quality tan!

    We did the hole trip with only a cool box. No driveaway awing, just a small pop up tent to leave a few things in occasionally.

    We are lucky having family on route, so didn’t ever drive for more than 2h30ish without stopping.

    The Beast drove like a dream, probably helped by be not tempting fate by posting on the forum whilst away!



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    Last edited: Jun 23, 2016
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  11. Kintra farm is an amazing place to camp, and the west coast of Scotland is an unbelievable place. Hoping for a couple of trips up that way this year.
     
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  12. Yes it is an amazing place!
    Your trip report was very useful and your tip to go via Arran was a great idea - thanks very much!
     
  13. Brilliant pics ,welldone looks a great trip :thumbsup:
     
    paulcalf likes this.
  14. Thats awesome,cheers for sharing :thumbsup: who's in next year ?

    Lord Congi

    not arsed if no more takers I'm gonna do it :thumbsup:
     
  15. Late May/Early June is the time to go.
    I've been to West Coast Islands twice at that time of year and been lucky with weather both times. Less midges as well
     
    Lord Congi likes this.
  16. nicktuft

    nicktuft Supporter

    I really enjoyed that, thanks for sharing.
    Really must make the the effort and go to Scotland soon.
     
    paulcalf likes this.
  17. No worries. We really enjoyed the trip, it was like being in the Med, I got sunburnt and everything
     
    nicktuft likes this.
  18. Without the floating turds :thumbsup:
     
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  19. nicktuft

    nicktuft Supporter

    It's just like Minestrone......
     


  20. Luckily all the campsites had toilets!
     
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