touring around scotland advice sought

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mikeandhismotorhome

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Hi,
I have never been to Scotland but have decided to correct this next year and plan to take a week to tour around. I have been told that John O Groats is not worth visiting and that the west coast and the central bits are good.
Can anyone recommend a rough circular route and what is a must see?
Thanks in advance
Mike
 
mikeandhismotorhome said:
Hi,
I have never been to Scotland but have decided to correct this next year and plan to take a week to tour around. I have been told that John O Groats is not worth visiting and that the west coast and the central bits are good.
Can anyone recommend a rough circular route and what is a must see?
Thanks in advance
Mike
Click to expand...

Hi

I toured up all the west coast, accross to mull up to the top round and back down east coast, the west side is much better, in my opinion, although there are some lovely places on the east, I have to say Mike, every where is a must see, its so beautiful around every corner, the more northerly you go the more spectacular it is but smaller the roads, it depends on what you like, what MH you have, how many are travelling, how long are you going for, do you have another driver etc, you will not go far wrong with anywhere on the west coast, and yes its true John o groats is a bit of a let down, its still nice to visit, but thats all, for me it was a quick drive through, Balkaniel bay was one of my many favourites, but the coastline is open for exploring, the only advice I would give, is, go when the midges are gone, they are a real nightmare, just get on google earth and follow the coastline round, you will always find somewhere to stay.

hope this gives you a little taster of what delights you have to come
enjoy, erm, do you fancy taking a co pilot? i can direct you in the right places :rolleyes2:
 
Personal choice here but roughly:
Castle Douglas, Glen Trool, Hunter Quay ferry, Rest & be Thankful to Kintyre Peninsula & Tarbert. then Lochgilphead A816 to Oban (ferry to Mull option here). Fort William (options here for Skye either Mallaig - Armadale ferry or Glen Sheil & KOL)
From KOL, North to Sheildaig & Torridon (Applecross overated and too busy in my opinion). Gairloch/Poolewe & A832. From Ullapool just head NORTH. This is the best part.
From Tongue I like to head south through Altnaharra to Lairg then on to Dornoch (cracking chinese takeaway here). Quick shop in Inverness, then I head for Grantown on Spey & tomintoul/Lecht & Braemar before heading for Loch Tay & onto Loch Lomond.
Used to do this with car & tent so used a few more campsites. But getting old & will be doing something similar in MH for first time this year. Could easily wild camp all the way with a MH.
 
scotland

Hi,
We also did Scotland for 2 weeks in June/July 2009, We started on the West, Lochlomond, Oban, Glencoe, Fort Augustus, Loch Ness, Over to Culloden then up East coast to John O Groats (stopped on a site on a great beach in Dornoch), then Down the East side visiting Balmoral Castle, St Andrews, Falkirk for the Wheel and Peebles.
I know these areas are probably more touristy than some but we wanted to see them and we still have plenty of places we could visit for another 2 weeks in the future.

I hope you have a great time.
Lotty
:have fun:
 
Scotland



It depends when ?.....and a week is not enough to savour a minuscule of what delights Scotland really has to offer, however it will give you a very small insight....at a dash !!
 

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well this basically was my tour 5 weeks in total
Start at duns, jim clarke raliegh, Callender, fort william, fort agustus, lochness, inverness, at gorston took the A832 to A890 to locharron, followed A896 up to sheildiag, lovely little crofters field there, donation for stay, toilets and tap for fill up, on A832 all way round to A835 went North to Ullapool. then round up to loch assynt follow road all way round, fantastic car park at Drumbeg, back on A838 through scourie, badcall, kyle of tongue, stunning views all the way, loads of places to stay, going right accross top, stopping in thurso and Wick, helmsdale, back down A9 inverness then come round other side of lochness ( i think the best side) A82. back to fort william then corran ferry drove down to lochaline for ferry to mull, stayed on Mull couple of days, visited Rum Eigg and muck on a boat trip, all well worth the visit, saw dolphins and minky whales, ferry back to Oban, and thats about it, i have missed off loads of places but you get the general drift of our trip.
 
Scotland is quite a big place,better to do it in stages if you don't have unlimited time to travel around it.I wanted to go on the western isles a a week ago but had to cut my journey short and explore south west,i then decided to explore it in sections as i'm working full time,just work out how much time you have for travel and plan well,take into account weather,time and motor maintenance etc;
solarman
 
Hi Mike.
Like you we've never been to Scotland, so we have decided to rectify that this year. We leave on Wednesday working our way up from Norfolk to the North Yorkshire moors across to north of the Lakes and finally to southwest Scotland. Allowed ourselves around 5 weeks hoping to spend at least 3 of those north of the border. Well that's the plan.
Let you know how we get on.
Regards Nolly.
 
If you only have a week, I suggest that you miss out the east coast altogether, except the bit between Edinburgh and the border.

There is far too much to see of Scotland in a week and I would suggest that you confine yourself to one part. or a whistle stop tour say Loch Lomond, Glencoe, Fort William, Loch Ness, Inverness, Tomitoul (spelling?) Braemar, Spittal of Glenshee, and home from there. Quite a bit of travelling but it will give you a taste of what the potential is.
 
Tco said:
If you only have a week, I suggest that you miss out the east coast altogether, except the bit between Edinburgh and the border.

There is far too much to see of Scotland in a week and I would suggest that you confine yourself to one part. or a whistle stop tour say Loch Lomond, Glencoe, Fort William, Loch Ness, Inverness, Tomitoul (spelling?) Braemar, Spittal of Glenshee, and home from there. Quite a bit of travelling but it will give you a taste of what the potential is.
Click to expand...

I live in the northeast and I'm with toco we go there as much as we can
The people & views are as good as anywhere and visitors are welcome .
When you come take your time to look out your windows and speak to locals in the shops then you will know if it's worth going or not.


Dunk
 
Don't forget the beautiful Dumfries and Galloway area just over the border.
Forest camping like you've never seen before - wildlife all around you.
 
Scotland

As said,all of the west coast is fantastic. I recommend Red Point, two gorgeous beaches and lots of space to overnight....and Slaggan Bay you have to walk to it (3 miles) but well worth it because you're more than likely to have the whole place to youself. Good luck!
 
It obviously depends on your tastes and interests but I agree with all the good things that have been posted about the west coast and the islands (don't forget Orkney - a wilder's paradise) but would also put in a plug for the Aberdenshire coast if you have the time (some of the best beaches in the world but the problem is the cold sea!). Wherever you go in rural Scotland you will find it easy to find a beautiful spot to safely overnight in but if you want to visit the cities (especially Edinburgh and Glasgow) it might be worth staying a night or two in a caravan site for peace of mind. Happy travels.
 
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