Camp sites on Isle of Skye

[Gillym]

Planning on a week on the Isle of Skye and would appreciate feedback on camp sites. Going to tour around and occasionally hook up.

 

[orridge]

Camping Skye in Broadford is great, large spacious pitches, good facilities and the staff are very friendly. On Saturday the community gardens next door let you pick vegetables, salad, fruit etc from their collections for a Donation.

 

[Robert Clark]

CWH

 

[CWH]

Thanks Robert Robert Clark
Ooh haven't actually stayed on any! but know their reputation.
Busy just now but will give some location info later if you like Gillym . When will you be visiting? What type of sites are you looking for? Do you have any specific ones in mind? Will you come over the bridge or one of the ferries?
(Not trying to be 'clever' but are you aware that it's about 630 miles from Swansea to the Skye bridge? and that the Highland roads will take about twice as long per mile as ordinary main roads?)

 

[CWH]

Carol you might be able to help?

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[bilM]

The only sites I use on Skye is the one at Staffin, Kinloch campsite Dunvegan and Skye caravan park all very good and no problems the rest of the time I park up in places I know.

 

[namwaldog]

We have stayed on this one just beside the Ferry Terminal at Uig.

There used to be a LPG pump just up the road at the filling station. Handy if you're heading over the water.
Details from Search4Sites.

 

[CWH]

There used to be a LPG pump just up the road at the filling station. Handy if you're heading over the water.

No LPG there now, only at Broadford Co-op

 

[Bex17]

Definitely recommend Broadford, walking distance to a good chippy and a well-stocked Co-op

 

[Itsmcb]

(Not trying to be 'clever' but are you aware that it's about 630 miles from Swansea to the Skye bridge? and that the Highland roads will take about twice as long per mile as ordinary main roads?)

Yes I've driven from Bridgend in South Wales to Waternish on Skye several times and even driving 'briskly' in a new works van it's a 15 hour journey. Today with the M6 closed its probably a 20 hour journey. I'd allow two days each way for a 'comfortable' trip

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[Gillym]

Thanks Robert Robert Clark
Ooh haven't actually stayed on any! but know their reputation.
Busy just now but will give some location info later if you like Gillym . When will you be visiting? What type of sites are you looking for? Do you have any specific ones in mind? Will you come over the bridge or one of the ferries?
(Not trying to be 'clever' but are you aware that it's about 630 miles from Swansea to the Skye bridge? and that the Highland roads will take about twice as long per mile as ordinary main roads?)

Yes I've driven to Skye several times and stayed many weeks but volunteering rather than campervaning. I know the island well but missed lots due to weather and my friend is keen to visit. We are now unsure about going as the weather forecast is poor. We'll decide Sunday as we leave. Lodged at Kyleakin so used the bridge.

 

[CWH]

Ok that's good that you're aware of what you're letting yourself in for!
As I said earlier I haven't actually stayed on any of the sites.
TBH none has a poor reputation. Some may not be open this year.

Going from the bridge anti-clockwise around the north end, you have the following campsites:
Auchtertyre Farm just a few miles before the bridge - it's an aire so no 'camping' but you can overnight and/or refresh the van. (Also Reraig campsite if you want the facilities.)
Ashaig is the first campsite on the island (assuming you turn right after the bridge!), small and quiet
CampingSkye at Broadford - good reputation, great views. Community owned, developed & run
Lochside campsite - closed for this year
Torvaig 10 minutes walk into Portree, our glorious capital
Glenhinisdal campsite also by Portree
Staffin - dinosaur country
Orasay
Uig Bay - pottery, distillery
Edinbane CC Club site - usual high standard of a franchised club site - lochside - walkable to Island at the Edge craft/ gift shop & just about to the village with Edinbane Inn (good pub food) and Edinbane Lodge (good posh food), pottery
Kinloch campsite - in Dunvegan - beautiful head of the loch location - village has a couple of small grocery stores, plenty eateries, silk shop, art gallery etc - fuel station - also just a couple of miles to the castle
Merkadale in Carbost, 5-van site, walkable to The Old Inn which sometimes has live music
Glenbrittle - practically on the beach and practically in the mountains! - on the road beyond the Fairy Pools - no booking for this one but a huge field so this time of year no probs getting on
Sligachan - unfortunately closed this season but spectacular location so keep in mind for the future!

'Stop-and-drop' for non-residents available at Auchtertyre, CampingSkye, Edinbane if a CCC member, Kinloch (limited fresh fill).
Also at the Storr carpark.

LPG pump at the Co-op in Broadford - nowhere else.
Fuel at Broadford Co-op, 2 in Portree (one on the Broadford road, one on the Uig road), Dunvegan, Uig, Sleat community shop, and Kyle of Lochalsh just off-island.
I'll not tempt fate by listing breakdown & recovery garages!

If you find yourself pining for some volunteering work, there are a few beach-cleans coming up

Hope that helps!

 

[Andacami]

Glad I found this, thanks to All and CWH .

We are planning a whistle-stop tour of Scotland in May; never been other than a flying visit to Edinburg and Glasgow for work.

Heading from North London up the East coast with a couple of overnights with friends and family, then Edinburg CAMC (2nts), Blair Castle (2nts), Loch Ness Shores CCC (3nts), Camping Skye (1nt) & Kinloch (2nts), Ben Nevis Holiday Park (3nts). Metal Bridge Inn stopover on way back down the west coast to more friends and family and home. An "epic" journey for us, we've only got as far as Whitby and North Wales in our Moho so far!

We will have pushbikes (hopefully Ribble electric if they turn up in time but not banking on it) and don't mind a long walk; we will not have a toad. Happy to use public transport and cabs if available.

I appreciate there is no wild camping at all in our itinerary, that's deliberate, not adverse to doing it, just not on this, our first "big" trip. We will be coming back to do justice to other areas of Scotland and to spend more time in specific locations as desired, as I say a whistle-stop tour.

Given the route, sites, and the number of nights, my questions then are:

• have we missed any significant areas sites that are a must?
• have I got the nights right to do justice to the area?
• CWH, are there beach cleans on Skye on 10th and 11th May, and have we done right by booking at Camping Skye and Kinloch, would we better off basing ourselves at just one (noting that we only have an 8m Moho, pushbikes and our feet), should we add another night?

Thanks in advance for your views.

 

[CWH]

That is whistle-stop as you say Andy Andacami but that's not necessarily a bad thing as you 'try out' a van and an area. Touring is what it's all about and reccy-ing gives you a feel for what you want to see more of.

have we missed any significant areas sites that are a must?

Well of course you have, otherwise you'd never move on! What is a 'must' for one person is a 'never' for another. For me, it's the personal exploration that's a 'must'.

have I got the nights right to do justice to the area?

Considering your aim for your journey, I'd say you're about right. You can only find out by trying.

are there beach cleans on Skye on 10th and 11th May

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It's lovely that you'd be interested in joining in, thank you!

have we done right by booking at Camping Skye and Kinloch, would we better off basing ourselves at just one (noting that we only have an 8m Moho, pushbikes and our feet), should we add another night?

Camping Skye is a good plan as you're only 15-20 minutes onto the island and it's an easy leg-stretch to the chippy or a pub or restaurant. Diesel & lpg (if you're refillable) at the co-op on your way in maybe so that you don't need to worry about it in the morning.
Kinloch (Dunvegan) campsite gets you nicely into the north of the island. The campsite is in a beautiful setting.
I think you've probably got it right. Have a wonderful trip!

 

[Andacami]

We set off on the 30th, itinerary done and at least one site rebooked (cos I got the dates wrong ) so all good to go. Moho is in fine working order, LPG full, and enough diesel to get most of the way I should think (hope!). Can't wait, feeling confident, and just wanted to say thanks for all the advice, hints, and tips.

I'm unlikely to provide much of an entertaining "blog" but I'll perhaps add a few photos here and the usual outside from the inside posts.

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[Jasz]

How far ahead are you likely to have to book in May? I generally don't like to book more than a few days ahead in case I want to change my timing/ itinerary.

 

[Andacami]

All our sites were booked during early Feb, there were a couple that we could not get as they were fully booked at that time.

I guess if you are a seasoned camper and not fussed about site type or location, then it's probably possible to book something last minute.

 

[poppycamper]

Been to Skye a few time and always get ferry from Mallaig because being an old traditionalist if you go over the bridge tae Skye you not really there.
Stayed at all sites mentioned but our favourite is Dunvegan.
Our least favourite (and I can already hear certain Funsters lining up to have a go) is the CCC site... NOT because it is a club site... and NOT Because I cannot get a pitch without leccy ( you know who you are) but because it is IMV a soleless site with no charm with nothing around within walking distance unless you want to walk along, for a limited distance, the shore.. yes great for spotting seals etc but that is about it.
SORRY.

 

[Andacami]

Ooo, that reminds me, we were wanting to get the ferry off Skye, I've not booked that yet and I don't believe you can just turn up. Better get that sorted next...

 

[CWH]

I don't believe you can just turn up

Correct!

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