@The Flying Scotsman will no doubt have a few suggestions
West is BestHi Guy's...
Thinking about taking my first journey in the bus to Scotland.
Any suggestions for a good spot, or site for a van with facilities; mountain, lake, dark skies views? I'm off grid, but new to the process and going alone.
Many Thanks.
As Salty has said the west coast of Scotland is the bonniest.
The coast is so fragmented with hundreds of small islands.
There’s loads of amazing campsites as well as off grid camping.
Depends on how far up you’re willing to travel.
Far north west of the mainland is fantastic.
If you got the time I would travel all the way up the west coast from Oban, jump over to Skye, spend a few days there driving around the island then back up the west coast of the mainland to Durness at far north west passing Achmelvich beach then along the north coast then cut down to Helmsdale on the east coast and back down the east of Scotland.
If you decide where abouts you are going I can recommend some cracking spots.
The coast is so fragmented with hundreds of small islands.
There’s loads of amazing campsites as well as off grid camping.
Depends on how far up you’re willing to travel.
Far north west of the mainland is fantastic.
If you got the time I would travel all the way up the west coast from Oban, jump over to Skye, spend a few days there driving around the island then back up the west coast of the mainland to Durness at far north west passing Achmelvich beach then along the north coast then cut down to Helmsdale on the east coast and back down the east of Scotland.
If you decide where abouts you are going I can recommend some cracking spots.
Scotland is, well... Big.
Autumn is actually one of the best times of year to go IMO, the midges have been killed off, the weather is generally fairly stable, and you get the stunning autumn colours.
A lot depends on where to go, like how long you have, how far you want to drive etc. the Highlands and the west coast is another days drive from the borders, for example.
Autumn is actually one of the best times of year to go IMO, the midges have been killed off, the weather is generally fairly stable, and you get the stunning autumn colours.
A lot depends on where to go, like how long you have, how far you want to drive etc. the Highlands and the west coast is another days drive from the borders, for example.
SPR75
Member
Many thanks t.F.S....sound advice,...and geatly appreciated.
SPR75
Member
Cheers TallPall!!!...I'll do a little more planning; I'll be in touch.
I've done some of Scotland, I tend to break it up into sections.
I've visited the borders (tweed valley), Arran, Perthshire (and a little bit of the Cairngorms), Torridon and Skye.
To be honest, as an introduction to Scotland you can't go wrong with the borders. It's not the full on mountains of the Highlands but it's very easy to get to and still has glorious scenery. You've also got Edinburgh just up the road which is great for a wander round for a day.
Last edited:
Also, don't underestimate the midges.
I believe this is a documentary about them.
I believe this is a documentary about them.
Also, don't underestimate the midges.
I believe this is a documentary about them.
very true. Never visit Scotland between end of May-End of August, you'll never get out alive.
I did forget to mention that as much as the west coast is the prettiest it’s also by far the worst place for the wee buggers.
They not nearly so bad on the east coast.
I got some lovely places up the east coast too.
And some good tips on venturing into midgie territory
They not nearly so bad on the east coast.
I got some lovely places up the east coast too.
And some good tips on venturing into midgie territory
I always used to enjoy Dumfries and Galloway in September as it's often missed by most. Though I think at the minute there's some roadworks on the A75 with a fairly horrific diversion looking at the BBC...
My personal favourite is the area around Loch Tay and Rannoch.
If you're touring some Forestry Commission car parks allow single overnight stays for not a lot you can pay for through the parking app:
forestryandland.gov.scot
I think some other carparks do as well, I certainly remember one in the Cairngorms, the catch is as off grid sites some require you to be self contained including toilet facilities, which general Transporters are not. I've no idea if packing a festival type loo for emergencies would be compliant.
In the Highlands there is a scheme that cost £40 a week for parking plus a couple of other benefits like access to showers, but again the parking stipulates "self contained" but doesn't specifically state about toilets as I saw in the Cairngorms:
www.highland.gov.uk
Be aware that as the Loch Lomond area is massively popular it has some additional regulations around camping, the good news is the off season starts in October so now is a good time:
www.lochlomond-trossachs.org
My personal favourite is the area around Loch Tay and Rannoch.
If you're touring some Forestry Commission car parks allow single overnight stays for not a lot you can pay for through the parking app:
Stay the Night | Forestry and Land Scotland
Everything you need to know about FLS' Stay the Night scheme where self-contained campervans can park overnight in some of our forest car parks.
forestryandland.gov.scot
I think some other carparks do as well, I certainly remember one in the Cairngorms, the catch is as off grid sites some require you to be self contained including toilet facilities, which general Transporters are not. I've no idea if packing a festival type loo for emergencies would be compliant.
In the Highlands there is a scheme that cost £40 a week for parking plus a couple of other benefits like access to showers, but again the parking stipulates "self contained" but doesn't specifically state about toilets as I saw in the Cairngorms:
Highland Campervan and Motorhome Scheme
Information on the Highland Campervan and Motorhome scheme
Be aware that as the Loch Lomond area is massively popular it has some additional regulations around camping, the good news is the off season starts in October so now is a good time:
Camping with a Permit in the National Park - Here. Now. All of us.
Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park is an iconic place with outstanding landscapes, habitats and communities. We work to ensure a sustainable future for this special place.
www.lochlomond-trossachs.org
SPR75
Member
RoadTripper...I always used to enjoy Dumfries and Galloway in September as it's often missed by most. Though I think at the minute there's some roadworks on the A75 with a fairly horrific diversion looking at the BBC...
My personal favourite is the area around Loch Tay and Rannoch.
If you're touring some Forestry Commission car parks allow single overnight stays for not a lot you can pay for through the parking app:
Stay the Night | Forestry and Land Scotland
Everything you need to know about FLS' Stay the Night scheme where self-contained campervans can park overnight in some of our forest car parks.
I think some other carparks do as well, I certainly remember one in the Cairngorms, the catch is as off grid sites some require you to be self contained including toilet facilities, which general Transporters are not. I've no idea if packing a festival type loo for emergencies would be compliant.
In the Highlands there is a scheme that cost £40 a week for parking plus a couple of other benefits like access to showers, but again the parking stipulates "self contained" but doesn't specifically state about toilets as I saw in the Cairngorms:
Highland Campervan and Motorhome Scheme
Information on the Highland Campervan and Motorhome scheme
Be aware that as the Loch Lomond area is massively popular it has some additional regulations around camping, the good news is the off season starts in October so now is a good time:
Camping with a Permit in the National Park - Here. Now. All of us.
Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park is an iconic place with outstanding landscapes, habitats and communities. We work to ensure a sustainable future for this special place.
Many thanks my friend; great advice all-round, greatly appreciated.
I've done a little research since TallPall, Salty, and the flyingscotsman made great suggestions too. Dumfries & Galloway also came up in that search. I've seen the forestry commissions overnight fee information, but wasn't aware of the 'contained' stipulation.
Out of curiosity, are the quite strict on the one night only rule? I've just seen the THETFORD portapotti this evening online; I could invest in one of those I guess, but would certainly hit places with facilities to begin with.
Cheers Mate; have a great weekend...and I'll update as I progress.
I've never tried the overnight, it's not so easy to camp in the Caravelle (I've done it solo "working from van" trips) so we tend to motel/apartment and then roadtrip in the area.
Even if they are the areas I've seen around Perthshire there are enough to try another nearby one the second night.
Even if they are the areas I've seen around Perthshire there are enough to try another nearby one the second night.
Couldn't help but notice, 'Gordon' above says, 'passing Achmelvich beach', whatever you do, don't pass Achmelvich beach! The most beautiful whitey sandy beach we saw on our travels up the west coast a few years ago. Wifey was gutted on last year's trip to Skye that the weather was truly awful, so we didn't 'pop' back to see it again. Stunning, truly stunning, an absolute must, especially on a good day!
nay midges you say? The wee b-st-rds are their right enough, their just hidin and in trainin to gobble you up when your not lookin. Do not you feel that itch, you know the one that you’ve been scaratchin on and off. Well tomorrow it will be your whole body in torment it will be hell I tell you, cant escape the highland midge there tougher than the SAS eat you alive. They just love the anglish their real tasty.
I'd be worried if there was midges with that much snow, if the bastids evolve to survive sub zero temps then it's game over man, game over!
I need to get up to Scotland in winter at some point, the snow on the hills just looks so much nicer than the grey wet SE.
I need to get up to Scotland in winter at some point, the snow on the hills just looks so much nicer than the grey wet SE.
Similar threads
