FRANCE V HARRIS/Lewis etc ?

The laird

The laird

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We had set our sights on heading back to france in first two weeks in july

now today we are sitting here thinking why not do lewis etc as we have never been
looking for your thoughts ,costs and experiances and advice greatly appreciated in advance
 
Difficult choice. I'd say almost certainly better weather in France, but set against that is the avoidance of LEZs, revolting farmers or fishermen, the cost and hassle of cross channel ferries. Not sure, but I think that the Lewis ferries are road equivalent priced these days.
Whichever you go for, the main thing is I'm sure you'll enjoy, and there's always next year for the other.
 
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As much as I like Scotland for me it would have to be France,as it is more motorhome friendly,also if one part of France has poor weather then we can move to a part with better weather as we did last year
 
It would be a simple choice for me as I can't get enough of Scotland.

Sadly, Julie cannot go on the ferry due to Meniere's disease, so the islands (apart from Skye) are a no go for us, but we do prefer Scotland to France. (Nothing against France, I just think that the west coast of Scotland can rival anywhere in the world).
 
Thanks for the early replies folks,Helen I know what you mean about shifting to get the weather we done exactly that last year we chased it and as a result we only had two wet days
 
We tend to do an extended trip to France (and other parts of Europe) every other year and “do” Scotland in the intervening years. We love the Outer Hebrides as well as Orkney, of course together with about everywhere else in Scotland. However nothing beats sitting out in the warm sun with a bottle of red wine, some smelly cheese and fresh baguette so for me if I had to make the choice it would be France.
Tony
 
It would be France for us.

We used to go over to Harris / Lewis regular to deal with the Harris Tweed Company for the wifes business and then spend a further 5 or 6 days touring round.

Uig to Tarbert was the best ferry for us because the Harris Tweed Company is the red roofed building on the left as you exit the ferry terminal at Tarbert.

Uig will also let you overnight on the car park if you are catching an early ( 05.30 ) ferry or arriving back on the late ( 22.45 ) one.

We always had a peaceful night there even if the ferry overnighted at Uig as you soon get used to the constant faint hmmmmm of the engines that are left running.

Years back the islands were great, peaceful, quiet and you could park ( overnight ) almost anywhere without any problems.

The last time we went ( 2 years back ) it was awful, over run with motorhomes ( mainly rental ones ) and they didn`t give a damn.

There`s only a couple of official cassette toilet emptying points so we found they`d been emptied all over the place.

The locals have also changed their attitude towards motorhomes and we had several unpleasant comments voiced in our direction.

We will not be going over anymore with the motorhome and if we need to visit them we`ll do it as foot passengers as leave the motorhome at Uig.
 
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Are you just heading off in the first two weeks of July for a long trip or do you just have two weeks? If the later its a hell of a trek to France for two weeks, if longer I would choose France. Depends how much you love the Islands I suppose. Ive been to most of them and whilst some are interesting there are few I would rush back to. I love the Isle of Arran though which is a stark contrast to the outer Hebrides but the pull of the Continent is just too strong for a longer trip for me.
 
The laird said:
We had set our sights on heading back to france in first two weeks in july

now today we are sitting here thinking why not do lewis etc as we have never been
looking for your thoughts ,costs and experiances and advice greatly appreciated in advance
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Will let you know Lairdy as that’s what we are doing after the Loch ore meet for me Scotland every time but pitch it against Germany mmm hard choice
 
In July I would go to Harris.Too hot in France in summer.We prefer France in Spring or Autumn
 
barryd said:
Are you just heading off in the first two weeks of July for a long trip or do you just have two weeks? If the later its a hell of a trek to France for two weeks, if longer I would choose France. Depends how much you love the Islands I suppose. Ive been to most of them and whilst some are interesting there are few I would rush back to. I love the Isle of Arran though which is a stark contrast to the outer Hebrides but the pull of the Continent is just too strong for a longer trip for me.
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Yeah just two weeks we normally do two weeks in France other than last year it was just under the month .
Distance don’t bother me as I drive a lot anyways but appreciate your input thank you v m
 
Cricket Rugby or Football ?

Which is best... No answer...
It is much the same..
France is great but particularly coming from Scotland it requires Time
I suggest 1 month at least and limit yourself to 1 or 2 regions
Scotland is great and we have had 2 great summers.
On the mainland (+ Skye) and short ferries to and from Mull.
We do not like long Ferries so Harris and Lewis would not suit as there are so many other lovely places

RobMac you could always take the Tunnel to France
Also the 2 Bridges to Scandinavia ..No boats BUT some short ferries in Norway which might cause Julie a problem (20 mjns)
But no Ferries in Sweden and Finland !

That is our preference although we have done 3 "medium ferries"
Hirtsals to Kristiansand (2 hrs Speed ferry)
Cairnryan to Larne (2 hrs)
Rosslare to Fishguard (3hrs)

Without wishing to "doommonger" Do the long trips now whilst you can !... The time will come.....

Regarding Cricket Rugby Or Football
I watch, follow and enjoy all 3 But Cricket is no 1

Finally no mention o Germany..excellent stellplatz
 
France or Germany for me every time but only because of the weather and the freedom to stay almost everywhere with all the services available, it makes it more relaxing, it isn't too hot in July if you don't go too far South
 
I've done the same trip as runnach - Oban - Barra - S/N Uist - Harris /Lewis - Stornoway - Ullapool. It's a really superb journey. Wild camped all along the way. Don't miss Callinish Stone Circle.
 
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Tezza33 said:
France or Germany for me every time but only because of the weather and the freedom to stay almost everywhere with all the services available, it makes it more relaxing, it isn't too hot in July if you don't go too far South
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I agree but even in the south your never far from the Massif Central, Alps or Pyrenees if it gets a bit warm. Im always in France in July and August and its rarely too hot. Late August last year on the Cote D'Azur for about two weeks was way too hot though but it was a bit freaky I think. Easy to find a cooler spot though. The Alps are just up the road.
 
campervanannie said:
Will let you know Lairdy as that’s what we are doing after the Loch ore meet for me Scotland every time but pitch it against Germany mmm hard choice
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Annie, are you not on a full time tour !!! Looks like that to me, and I'm sooooooo envious,
 
We have also booked two weeks from the 6th July to go to France but I have not booked the ferry yet as we have been thinking about staying in the UK and touring Wales and the South , but still keep thinking France is the place to go .I think I will have to stop thinking :hammer::lol-053:
 
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