Wilding on west coast of Scotland

[Gez Clark]

Hi, I've just signed up as a free member, will probably go on to full member later. My name is Gez Clark and my wife Jan and I are planning a 2 week wild camping trip to the west coast of Scotland this May in our Autotrail Grande Frontier. I've noted the testimonials about the yellow "no overnight stopping" signs in many places, we're probably going to split about 50/50 between real wilding and pubs. Anyone got anything to recommend from Dumfries up to Cape Wrath? I'll keep notes of where we go and any recommendations/no-go sites and post them when we return.
Safe travelling everyone, and above all. . . . . HAVE FUN!!!

 

[teemac]

hi...i,m new here myself but welcome.

i cant give too much advice as such but heres a nice site to have a browse on.
Undiscovered Scotland: Home Page
good luck.

 

[kimbowbill]

You will be spoilt for choice once you get past Ullapool, theres thousands of places, some with no OP signs but plenty without, lovley little plave called Old shore moor right on beach also on th eroad to mallaig, lovely beach side spot, nice little CL at Kinlochbervie, owner a little odd but very nice, had a large cat that gets up in your engine then attacks you, we saw basking sharks there, and theres a great fish market where you can buy fresh fish, oh i'm so jel, spent 5 weeks up there. lots to see and do,

 

[NicknClair]

Welcome to the Wildies

May I suggest Full Membership, that way you can download a fantastic database of POI's put on by the members, it's so worth the fee!!!!

Enjoy

 

[Randonneur]

We love the west coast of Scotland. Try to visit Applecross if you can, just outside the village you can park on the sea shore just opposite the heritage centre. When we were there, in the evening, a herd of deer came down off the moor and walked right through all the campers parked there to get to the sea shore. No fear of humans at all, could have reached out and touched them, they came that close!

Once you have been on the west coast of Scotland you will definitely be going back! Just don't forget to pack your Avon Skin-So-Soft to keep the midges at bay!!!

 

[Drew]

Hi, I've just signed up as a free member, will probably go on to full member later. My name is Gez Clark and my wife Jan and I are planning a 2 week wild camping trip to the west coast of Scotland this May in our Autotrail Grande Frontier. I've noted the testimonials about the yellow "no overnight stopping" signs in many places, we're probably going to split about 50/50 between real wilding and pubs. Anyone got anything to recommend from Dumfries up to Cape Wrath? I'll keep notes of where we go and any recommendations/no-go sites and post them when we return.
Safe travelling everyone, and above all. . . . . HAVE FUN!!!

Hello matey:cool1:

 

[Vanterrier]

As said already you will be spoilt for choice... but heres a couple of suggestions

Look for Glenelg - have a meal in the pub which is great then head south for a mile and lookout for a section of the old road (going up the hill) and you will have great views of Skye across the bay

Head for the Summer Isles - turn left (west) just north of Ullapool and head for Auchiltibue where there is a fantastic new site if you dont fancy wilding on the grass on the bay.

Lochinver has a quiet carpark between the pub and the petrol station (doesnt sound very nice but is OK)

Oldshoremore as said earlier... you can park in the carpark which has water and a toilet and is a great starting point for a walk out to Sandwood Bay if you are up for it (you will NEVER forget it) or continue as far as the road goes and camp on the machair (the grass next to the beach) but take care you dont get stuck if its wet as its steepish...

On Isle of Skye theres an old road which follows the coast for a few miles and is getting a bit broken up but should still be OK... I'll get you the co-ordinates if you are interested.

If you are going in May you might get away with not seeing any midges as the first swarm begins around then... you had better take Deet or you will not see Scotland at its best as you will have to stay indoors... they are mean little beggars...

Enjoy and good luck

K

 

[Deleted member 16175]

Here's a nice place near Fort William I found in 2007, don't know if it's still ok to wild camp.

Head for the Glen Nevis Youth Hostel. Pass it and keep going until the road ends, and you're there. There are some nice views, and also a nature trail up to a waterfall if you are interested. The walk may be a bit strenuous, but absolutely worth the while. That's as far as I went (this was at 8 pm in May, and NO midgets) but the trail goes on, for the more adventurous.

View from the parking lot

The waterfall. The brave can cross the "bridge" to the other side =)

The roughest part of the trail

 

[jimmyt]

west coast scotland

just home from wild camping in the west coats scotland plenty of places to stay with no problems nice layby near tongue ,quiet layby about 2 miles out of lochinver which is actually the old road .

 

[maccuddy]

glen etive

Glen Etive is off the A82 heading north up Glen Coe .Turn right and follow the single track road to the end where you will find an old peir and boat house .On the way you will see plenty of spots to park up. There is room at the boat house to turn around and if your lucky park for a few days .It is popular with hill walkers climbers and mountain rescue teams park here from time to time whilst training .The views are stunning and if you like sea fishing take a rod . You can also have an open fire on the beach . Midges carry macheties here so be sure to keep your windows closed at night . I hope this info is of use to you and happy camping .
Maccuddy
P.S check it out on Google Earth

 

[johnmac185]

sounds good, maccuddy, where exactly do you turn right to get to this location
John

 

[Channa]

For my money whilst we wax lyrical about France ( lived there three years) Scotland is something else, particularly the west coast.

Sittiing on a beach, perhaps in a fleece, waves crashing fresh from the Atlantic ocean, Comorants displaying their aerial skills....smoking as an excuse to deter the wee beasties ......Scotland is something special.

Seals showing their skills if you are really lucky a whale and infants passing through

Has much as I love France its culture people etc, Our lil old Scotland is a serious jewel.

If I werent an Englishman, I would be quite happy to be an adopted Scotsman.

The only place I ever saw an otter in the wild was Scotland , breaking ice and playing .......what a priviledge to witness...

I have seen Coypus in France and wild boars , but there is something magical north of the border ..

Channa

 

[Robmac]

Sittiing on a beach, perhaps in a fleece, waves crashing fresh from the Atlantic ocean, Comorants displaying their aerial skills....smoking as an excuse to deter the wee beasties ......Scotland is something special.
Channa

Couldn't agree more, but I've never seen Cormorants smoking.

 

[Canalsman]

Glen Etive is off the A82 heading north up Glen Coe .Turn right and follow the single track road to the end where you will find an old peir and boat house .On the way you will see plenty of spots to park up. There is room at the boat house to turn around and if your lucky park for a few days .It is popular with hill walkers climbers and mountain rescue teams park here from time to time whilst training .The views are stunning and if you like sea fishing take a rod . You can also have an open fire on the beach . Midges carry macheties here so be sure to keep your windows closed at night . I hope this info is of use to you and happy camping .
Maccuddy
P.S check it out on Google Earth

These spots are all included in the POI Downloads available to full members

 

[Lindylou]

Musical west coast

Hi. I am a newbie, and will become a full member soon. Such a friendly and informative bunch. I am tagging this onto this post as we will be going there in May also. We are musicians. (traditional fiddle and accordion) playing celtic music as well as music from all over Europe...gypsy, klezmer etc. Have toured in Europe over 25 years Of jaunts, in various old Merc conversions. Now awaiting delivery of 'new' old van. One of the joys of van travel is fetching up somewhere, wielding the instruments and seeing what happens, often generating a spontaneous party. I am unfamiliar with the musician's haunts on West Coast Scotland and the Islands. Although husband hitched around there years ago with a fiddle and a sleeping bag. (Really wild camping.) question: does anyone know of musician's haunts / bars with music sessions / local musicians who might fancy sharing a tune? We play in a band professionally, so we won't create a rubbish cacophany, fear not. So would like to hear of other musos, or likely habitats. Busman's holiday? Not really. Wildcamping in nature, freedom to come and go, and the joy of a tune or two as the sun sets, especially with a tolerable brew in hand, and a bellyfull of home cooking.....what else is there? Suggestions welcome.....to both questions.

 

[Robmac]

Hi. I am a newbie, and will become a full member soon. Such a friendly and informative bunch. I am tagging this onto this post as we will be going there in May also. We are musicians. (traditional fiddle and accordion) playing celtic music as well as music from all over Europe...gypsy, klezmer etc. Have toured in Europe over 25 years Of jaunts, in various old Merc conversions. Now awaiting delivery of 'new' old van. One of the joys of van travel is fetching up somewhere, wielding the instruments and seeing what happens, often generating a spontaneous party. I am unfamiliar with the musician's haunts on West Coast Scotland and the Islands. Although husband hitched around there years ago with a fiddle and a sleeping bag. (Really wild camping.) question: does anyone know of musician's haunts / bars with music sessions / local musicians who might fancy sharing a tune? We play in a band professionally, so we won't create a rubbish cacophany, fear not. So would like to hear of other musos, or likely habitats. Busman's holiday? Not really. Wildcamping in nature, freedom to come and go, and the joy of a tune or two as the sun sets, especially with a tolerable brew in hand, and a bellyfull of home cooking.....what else is there? Suggestions welcome.....to both questions.

Hi and welcome, have a look at the recent posts by DAFTHERMIT, I think that this will be right up your street.

 

[maingate]

Hi. I am a newbie, and will become a full member soon. Such a friendly and informative bunch. I am tagging this onto this post as we will be going there in May also. We are musicians. (traditional fiddle and accordion) playing celtic music as well as music from all over Europe...gypsy, klezmer etc. Have toured in Europe over 25 years Of jaunts, in various old Merc conversions. Now awaiting delivery of 'new' old van. One of the joys of van travel is fetching up somewhere, wielding the instruments and seeing what happens, often generating a spontaneous party. I am unfamiliar with the musician's haunts on West Coast Scotland and the Islands. Although husband hitched around there years ago with a fiddle and a sleeping bag. (Really wild camping.) question: does anyone know of musician's haunts / bars with music sessions / local musicians who might fancy sharing a tune? We play in a band professionally, so we won't create a rubbish cacophany, fear not. So would like to hear of other musos, or likely habitats. Busman's holiday? Not really. Wildcamping in nature, freedom to come and go, and the joy of a tune or two as the sun sets, especially with a tolerable brew in hand, and a bellyfull of home cooking.....what else is there? Suggestions welcome.....to both questions.

Hi and welcome. :welcome:


Your best bet would be to start a new thread specifically for the info you need. You should get lots of help.

 

[Gez Clark]

Thanks, have done!

Welcome to the Wildies

May I suggest Full Membership, that way you can download a fantastic database of POI's put on by the members, it's so worth the fee!!!!

Enjoy

Sure we'll enjoy this . . . . Just need to get my technophobic head around the gadget (or computer as some call it!). Heading to Dumfries and Galloway on 18th for a couple of days then further up. Will visit Applecross, want to see Cape Wrath, so lots of driving! And will be visiting an old school mate in Inverness at some point. Meeting Drew (my bro-in-law) about 26th for a few days before we head back on 31st. Need to spend longer really, but can't afford to take the time out and leave the business that long.

Cheers, Gez.