What an amazing three weeks exploring Scotland & despite the rain, we have seen some stunning scenery, met some lovely people and felt like we had been made welcome by the locals in places we stayed. We cant wait to go back in 2023. The route: From home we drove up to Boulmer where we stayed overnight at Coast and Castles Campsite, which is a nice place about 20 minutes walk from the beach. https://coastandcastles.com/ From here it was a nice long stretch up to Glencoe where we stayed at Invercoe Campsite with mountains one direction and Loch Leven in front of us. https://www.invercoe.co.uk/
Glencoe cntd, we loved it here! Next stop was around to Camusdarach going via Fort William. Camusdarach is a place Ive wanted to stay for a long while & hoped it was up to expectations.. http://www.camusdarach.co.uk/ It was a bit dull when we got there but we explored none the less..
It did live up to my expectations and walking through the sand dunes to the beach was memorable & the scenery..wow! We saw amazing sunsets.. This is on the list to re visit!!
Stop # 3 was over on the Isle of Skye, Portree. It was okay but the weather turned before we could explore some. That said, the journey over was nice, dropping down Glen Sheil was stunning. The campsite was https://www.portreecampsite.co.uk/ It was around 1 1.2 miles walk into Portree but the walk was nice so we didnt mind it too much! We did get to see The Old Man of Storr from afar Next time we would like to explore some of the lesser trodden paths on Skye. It was mystical!
Fantastic photos. We got as far as Camusdarach last May through Glencoe etc. Brilliant. Good time to go before the midge get too bad.
Back to the mainland to head around to Applecross via Bealach na Bas. I hated that pass, it was raining & thick with fog. Applecross Campsite was nice and quiet, would visit again! Douglas was amazed by the deer, he didnt know what to make of them!! We did enjoy a nice meal at The Applecross Inn & the steak was really nice and tender..the locally brewed beer good too! From here we followed the coast up to Gairloch via Sheildag and Torridon..guess what. It rained!! https://gairlochholidaypark.co.uk/ It was however an enjoyable stay and The Milly Bar served a nice leg of lamb for sunday tea. Time to move on.
We travelled up to Ardmair Point next, going via Loch Ewe and Gruinard Bay, the drive was again amazing.. https://www.ardmair.com/ Again this was overlooking the bay and also Loch Carnaird, we had a great view too.
From Ardmair we should have gone up to Talmine Bay and across to Thurso, however the forecast was heavy rain and strong winds ~ 45 knots. We headed across to Dornoch instead and had an enjoyable stay there, being made very welcome by the locals. We found a castle.. http://dornochcaravans.co.uk/
Great photos Mark! I did much the same route many many years ago (although staying in my tent and in hostels) starting down in Plymouth. I had my car broken into in Edinburgh as I was on the last part of my adventure, and my camera gear stolen (including the 'priceless' film I'd shot) so it's fab to see your photos as I never had any. I'd forgotten about The Old Man of Storr on Skye! I've been meaning to go back for ever. Perhaps you are inspiring me.....
Dornoch has a lovely small town vibe, a cathedral and a castle. The Coach House couldnt do enough to look after us, made really welcome by all! We hadnt planned on visiting Loch Ness but we decided to nip down instead of Thurso, we picniced by Loch Ness travelling down. https://www.borlum.co.uk/Camping/Campsite.html We had a walk down to Urqhuart Castle but they wouldnt allow dogs in. Douglas couldnt be left at the bus so sadly, we didnt go in.
Our next stop was Fortrose Bay, again a campsite on the sea shore, this time the Moray Firth & we had an amazing view! https://www.fortrosebaycampsite.co.uk/ Plenty of people went to the headland, Chanonry Point to watch the dolphins swim in and out on the tide. Sadly for us, none came
Our final stop was in Glenmore Forest in the Cairngormes & we enjoyed walking up the hills to An Lochan Uaine and back..stunning with snow up top too! https://www.campingintheforest.co.uk/scotland/aviemore/glenmore-campsite
And that ended an amazing three weeks, it just left us with a 226 mile run back to Alnwick for an overnight rest stop ahead of driving home. I would love to go again & explore more, this is one for 2023 we feel although Michelle would love to go tomorrow & settle up in Scotland, she found the beauty awe inspiring and wanted to live in those surroundings! The statistics from our Scottish road trip are: Total miles covered: 1418 Cost of fuel used: £376.53 (dont know the mpg as the cost varied from 163.9 to 188.9 per litre and I didnt record anything). Issues: Handbrake lost its effectiveness (the r/h rear star adjuster unwound itself as the locking tab was bent & I missed it back when I mot'd him). Now sorted. Wiper spindle seals need replacing as we have water coming in Cab doors let water past the door seals, the doors need adjusting to seal properly Fan belt slipped - the tensioner lock nut worked loose. Retightened and sorted! Oil consumption, none noticeable I have lots more photo's taken & in due coarse I will add these here and there (making sure they are not similar to the above)!
Thanks Go for it! Youd love it driving around in Clem If / when you do, you are more than welcome to stop off in Notts for a rest stop!
