West Scotland

Nomad14

Nomad14

Joined
May 14, 2014
Posts
21
Likes collected
31
Location
Wakefield
Funster No
31,477
MH
Autotrail Comanche
Exp
since 2013
Has anyone got any "useful advice" about Dumfries & Galloway and Argyle & Bute?

Places to travel through?
Scenic roads to drive on?
Roads to avoid?
Places to stay?

And most importantly.....what are the midges like there.....? :mask:

Hoping to go onto Arran and the Mull after!

Thanks
 
Morning Nomad, if you give me an idea of things you like to do and see and if your looking for wild or sites I'll reply after work tonight.
 
We are heading to Dumfriesshire today and stopping off firstly at Glencaple.

At the moment the midgies are fine but that can change quickly.

Don’t let them put you off. But some Avon skin so soft greeny blue logo bottle and come on up. Roads are fine.
 
I usually don't have any problem with midges until late May

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Just got back from Arran. Took the A71 off the M74 to get to Ardrossan and the road was in a fair state of repair. On Arran there were patches when being off road would have been smoother. Brodick is fine but heading north after Brodick Castle the road gets bad. Closer to Lochranza it has been resurfaced. The campsite at Lochranza is good, has all the usual facilities for caravans and MHs, is a short walk to the beach or Arran Distillery! Plenty of places on Arran to stop overnight, especially on the west side to watch the sunset.
Coming back we headed south to Dumfries and a lot of the road is shocking. How we didn't lose a tyre once or twice is pure luck. Nice scenic drive though, if you can take your eyes off the potholes long enough.
 
Arran is well worth visiting, saw an otter on the west coast and an eagle in the north. The softer south of the island is a complete contrast with the north which is Highland. The north of Arran has midgies (when in season) but they seem to be absent in the south. One of the southern campsites claimed to be midgie free and when we visited it lived up to it’s reputation.
 
Used A75 last week from M6 to Stranraer and back again. What. A. Bluddy. Awful. Road. :devil: :devil:

It is the main trunk route to a significant ferry port and I kept expecting a police car to pull me over a do a breathalyser test. The erratic line I was driving could just as easily been down to booze as the potential tyre ripping craters I was trying to avoid. It made what should have been a relaxing drive very tiring.
 
Head Gardener said:
I kept expecting a police car to pull me over a do a breathalyser test.
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That is something else to remember about Scotland, the drink driving limit is much lower. I have heard that a number of people have been caught out the day after a drink, thinking that it will have been cleared from their system.

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First major hatch of midges in West Glasgow out a couple of days ago when the weather was great.:eek: Three bites on one leg having walked about 4-5 steps between garden gate and garage door!:mad:
 
Arran is stunning, its known as "Scotland in miniature". The Machrie standing stones are well worth a stroll. Check out the tourist information services to see what attractions or places suit you.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machrie_Moor_Stone_Circles & the ferries are dirt cheap (subsidised by Scottish government) & sail from Ardrossan, sadly Ardrossan is not worth visiting for any other reason.

Dumfries & Galloway is a seriously undiscovered corner of Scotland, once you get off the busy A75 you'll go back to life at a different speed & is devoid of parking charges. Try "The Raiders Road" for a beautiful scenic drive.
The Loch Doon to Stinchar falls forest drive is heavily potholed just now & I'll let everyone know when it is repaired, however the main road along the loch is in perfect condition & wild camping at the castle car park is peaceful & well worth a visit. There are many wild camping spots & by & large no-one bothers wild campers or ask you to move on. Castle Douglas is a lovely wee town, easy parking & a decent selection of shops, try some of the food shops, they pride themselves on their produce & rightly so.

Above all, enjoy yourselves, let us know how you get on & hopefully hurry back.

PS; This was my wild camping area at Loch Doon on Monday night.
 
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ambulancekidd said:
Dumfries & Galloway is a seriously undiscovered corner of Scotland, once you get off the busy A75 you'll go back to life at a different speed & is devoid of parking charges.
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I'll second that, it is a beautiful part of the world. I went over to the Logan Botanic Gardens and toured around the Mull of Galloway peninsula which I found deserted and gorgeous. Some of the roads are a bit narrow and to be honest I wouldn't have wanted to do it in anything bigger than my panel van conversion. Came back via the Galloway Forest Park and saw some lovely spots which might have been suitable for wild camping. It is not an area that would suit everyone - it is a little like going back in time but I absolutely loved it and already have a return trip booked!
 
We stayed at Garlieston Lodge a few weeks back. Idyllic well kept small site, nice pub 5 mins away & all dog friendly.

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Cheeses said:
We stayed at Garlieston Lodge a few weeks back. Idyllic well kept small site, nice pub 5 mins away & all dog friendly.
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Yep nice wee site(y). We stayed last year for three nights and took the bus to Wigtown and Isle of Whithorn. We had glorious sunshine , so was a really good trip.
John
 
kelpie said:
Yep nice wee site(y). We stayed last year for three nights and took the bus to Wigtown and Isle of Whithorn. We had glorious sunshine , so was a really good trip.
John
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You could have walked along the coastal path to IoW and it would have taken you passed Galloway House. Used to be owned by Glasgow Cooncil as a boarding school for the weans on trips away from the big smoke!
 
Mollance farm just outside Castle Douglas on the A75 is a beautiful CL. New toilet block & superb showers recently added on. The owners Sheena & Derrick are so laid back that this adds to the relaxation of the place, not expensive either.
 
I didn't stay there but had a look for future Travel ,Loch Ken looks a lovely

Loch Ken Holiday Park
Parton
Castle Douglas
Dumfries and Galloway (Browse area)
DG7 3NE See Map
Tel: 01644 470282

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Gellyneck said:
You could have walked along the coastal path to IoW and it would have taken you passed Galloway House. Used to be owned by Glasgow Cooncil as a boarding school for the weans on trips away from the big smoke!
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We walked past Galloway House on the coast path trying to find the castle ruins:). We turned back too soon so have yet to see them but my memory is of a very strong smell of wild garlic which grows beside the path. The good lady and I discussed which part of the plant you could cook, we didn't agree so just left it. Turns out you can cook it all , so next time I'm going to try it. Might end up on the toilet pan for a couple of hours though:D.
As you say Glasgow schools took the kids to Galloway House many years ago , still quite an impressive building.
John
 
kelpie said:
We walked past Galloway House on the coast path trying to find the castle ruins:). We turned back too soon so have yet to see them but my memory is of a very strong smell of wild garlic which grows beside the path. The good lady and I discussed which part of the plant you could cook, we didn't agree so just left it. Turns out you can cook it all , so next time I'm going to try it. Might end up on the toilet pan for a couple of hours though:D.
As you say Glasgow schools took the kids to Galloway House many years ago , still quite an impressive building.
John
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If you had a spare half a million kicking about three or four years ago you could have bought it!;)
Did you find the Mulberry Harbour yard ruins?
 
Gellyneck said:
If you had a spare half a million kicking about three or four years ago you could have bought it!;)
Did you find the Mulberry Harbour yard ruins?
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Only found out about them when we got back to Glasgow , we spent a fair bit of time in Wigtown at Readinglassies ,and at Isle of Whithorn. We plan to go down when the weather improves a wee bit:D.
I used to think you had to go Glencoe northwards for scenery , but D&G changed my mindset completely. The hills aren't as rugged or craggy , but still a very nice area to visit(y).
I'm probably going to Bargrennan, with a mate , to do the Merryck and the Loch Trool circuit. We drove down by car a few weeks ago to make sure the grub in the House O' Hill was ok , pleasantly surprised , so only need breakfast foods:D. Cracking campsite in Glentool , been there a couple of times. Cafe at Visitors centre good as well , huge scones etc. I'll lose a couple of pounds climbing the hills , but will put on half a stone in the two eateries.
John
 
Hi Lorger, I like walking, cycling, visiting historical and scenic places. Whilst searching for the motorhome memories(y)
 
Thanks all for the replies, ill get the maps out and pinpoint the places mentioned.

Picking up a new Motorhome at the weekend, so research may have to wait till next week.

thanks again

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Nomad14 said:
Thanks all for the replies, ill get the maps out and pinpoint the places mentioned.

Picking up a new Motorhome at the weekend, so research may have to wait till next week.

thanks again
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Most important thing, if wherever you stop , you are not sure of, put the key in the ignition ,turh it , and drive somewhere else. The freedom involved with a motorhome is almost endless, enjoy it when you get it.
One last bit of advice , too much planning can be detrimental to your enjoyment, go and enjoy.
John
 

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