Lake District and loch Lomond, May 2018 (1 Viewer)

[Shiny Paul.]

Morning all,
As the title suggests the good lady and I (and the 2 Dogglies) are planning a 2 week tour next May starting in the Lake Distict and ending up around Lock Lomond.
We are planning to wing it as we go and use some campsites, some wild camping and possibly the odd night in a hotel.
I have a few questions which I am sure somebody can help me with.

1. when does the midge season start?

2. When are the Schools half terms in that part of the world.

Also any suggestions of places to stop would be much appreciated.

Cheers Paul.

 

[Boringfrog]

1. 1st of May
2. Broken Link Removed

 

[Shiny Paul.]

1. 1st of May
2. Broken Link Removed

Thank you, i will google the Scottish ones now, and it looks like we may go in April now instead lol

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[ambulancekidd]

The midges really don't start pestering people til mid May. The male midges come out at the end of April but they cannot bite, they do not feed at all.
Plenty of places for wild camping in Cumbria, but Loch Lommond & the Trossachs have new very strict camping controls in place now.
Hope this helps?

Robert.

 

[lorger]

As Robert says plenty of wild places in the lakes, try emailing some pubs and you'll be surprised by the response if you just say you'll pop in for some beer.

If your going to LL you'll find it a littel harder but not impossible to wild camp, have a look at this link http://www.lochlomond-trossachs.org/things-to-do/camping/campingbyelaws/camping-motorhome-qas/

If you go up the west side you can still overnight at Duck bay and a few laybys,if you go to Tarbet you can overnight at the pub there cant remember the name just now.

If you decide to go post closer to the time with any questions and I'll do my best to help

 

[Jagtazman]

Thinking of overnighting in May at Duck Bay on our way up to Glencoe Mountain Resort and Fort William.
My only concern is I've read the road next to lake at Duck Bay used to have boy racers does anyone know if this is still the case?

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[irnbru]

The Loch Lomond permit zones were full of incompetence and wrongly applied, challenged and overturned .

The only 3 places left chargeable for a motorhome and a permit needed are Three Lochs Forest Drive, Inveruglas and Firkin Point.

 

[Shiny Paul.]

Ok so we have now booked the first 2 weeks of May off work for our expedition to Scotland, the plan has changed slightly as we have now decided to start at Skye and work our way back down, so we may not actually make the Lake District.

 

[irnbru]

Go and do the Western Isles. Much nicer than Skye.

You have picked a good month especially if it’s the latter half.

Remember midge spray as you might encounter them.

Have a great time.

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[Shiny Paul.]

Go and do the Western Isles. Much nicer than Skye.

Which islands do you suggest @irnbru ?

 

[irnbru]

You can do them all. Just island hop. We started with the longest crossing which is Oban to Barra, came off ferry and drove to Vatersay then wilded there, on up to Barra airport, wilded at the harbour, and continued up the islands then back down to Tarbert and ferry to Skye. The islands are stunning.

Pm me if you need more info.

PS The ferries are much cheaper than they used to be. Oban to Castlebay is longest and most expensive.

 

[Christoph]

Lovely places. Take your brolley and your midge repellant though! I think last year was bumper year for the midge due to the wet summer.

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[Chris Laing]

You should stopover at Ben More Lodge. Great little bar/restaurant that is extremely dog friendly

https://www.searchforsites.co.uk/marker.php?id=22654

 

[Shiny Paul.]

You should stopover at Ben More Lodge. Great little bar/restaurant that is extremely dog friendly

https://www.searchforsites.co.uk/marker.php?id=22654

Thanks @Chris Laing i recon we will add that to the list of places to stop for sure.

 

[Shiny Paul.]

Sadly it looks like we are going to have to postpone our trip till later in the year because "she who must be obeyed" has torn the ligaments in her knee, so would not be able to walk about much.
When do the midges die down after the summer ?

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[ambulancekidd]

By August the midges aren't nearly as ferocious, but it really depends on the weather. If its warm & damp they can go on into September or even October.
Ask around on here whenever your planning to go again & I can give you a bit of a heads up, we live in the Galloway Forest Park & we're no strangers to midges lol, so we know what's happening.
Hope your good lady recovers soon mate.

 

[CWH]

Not up and running yet for this year's season but you could do worse than keep an eye on here:
https://www.smidgeup.com/midge-forecast/

Smidge is my "go-to" repellant but other people swear by other stuff.

BritStops Broken Link Removed
Pub Stopovers http://wildcamping.moonfruit.com/pub-stopovers/4563550207
...can be useful overnighting places often close to motorways when you're travelling cross-country.

Hope the knee ligaments heal well.

 

[irnbru]

As stated, It all depends what the weather is doing, still damp conditions will be plagued by midges whereas bright sunshine or windy will keep thematic bay.

Just go prepared, the scenery alone makes it all worthwhile so long as you are sensible.

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