We've binned France, we're going to Scotland!

[138go]

We will lose our ferry booking to France in April but we don't care. We're off instead to the West Coast of Scotland, with a ferry booked to Orkney. Our main reason for ditching France is the dog, as she's not in the best of health and that plus the palaver about the AHC, helped us make a decision. To be honest, I'm not a massive fan of France, it's okay as a country to get through to Spain but that's it for me.

We're really looking forward now to Scotland. Does anyone have any hints and tips?

 

[David and Sally]

Wise decision. We are thinking West Coast around Ayr for May so will be watching this thread.

 

[Otter Spotter]

We will lose our ferry booking to France in April but we don't care. We're off instead to the West Coast of Scotland, with a ferry booked to Orkney. Our main reason for ditching France is the dog, as she's not in the best of health and that plus the palaver about the AHC, helped us make a decision. To be honest, I'm not a massive fan of France, it's okay as a country to get through to Spain but that's it for me.

We're really looking forward now to Scotland. Does anyone have any hints and tips?

What are you interested in ? The West coast has so many lovely beaches, great wildlife and some fantastic boat trips. The scenery can be stunning, you can get 4 seasons in one day and from May onwards Midges will be a pain unless there is a breeze.
Orkney has fantastic scenery, wildlife, wonderful archeology/history and people. Food and drink was great up to Covid cannot say how the6 have coped since then.

 

[Revolvor]

We will lose our ferry booking to France in April but we don't care. We're off instead to the West Coast of Scotland, with a ferry booked to Orkney. Our main reason for ditching France is the dog, as she's not in the best of health and that plus the palaver about the AHC, helped us make a decision. To be honest, I'm not a massive fan of France, it's okay as a country to get through to Spain but that's it for me.

We're really looking forward now to Scotland. Does anyone have any hints and tips?

If you are at all interested in archeology, then you will love Orkney.

 

[Bounty Hunter]

Presume you are aware that Orkney is not on the west coast

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[138go]

We love scenery, wildlife, nice beaches, and sourcing local produce. We also like visiting Lifeboat Stations.

 

[pampam]

Oo its beautifull up there i love it

 

[138go]

Presume you are aware that Orkney is not on the west coast

Yes thanks. We've planned our route all the way up the west coast and then across the top to Dunnet, where we get the ferry.

 

[Terry242]

We did the SW300 in September and had an excellent trip. We included a couple of detours into the forest where they were trialling overnight stops for £6, keep your eye out for these.

En-route we overnighted at Metal Bridge pub, good value.

Terry

 

[PP Bear]

Wise decision. We are thinking West Coast around Ayr for May so will be watching this thread.

Should that read WINE decision . I’ll be watching this tread too, they’ll have a lot of fun

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[PP Bear]

We last went in August and equipped with the recommended mossy hat, but didn’t even see one, let alone wear it, but ya never know, so take spray and Avon oh so smelly cream as it’s meant to be the dogs dangly bits against the wee Jock McPlop buggers, oh and a phrase book, cos they talk funny up there

 

[WillH]

In April take suitable garments for all seasons. Enjoy your trip!

 

[Campingdood]

Check out Bunree and get the pitch without an awning.

 

[PaulyP]

France/Scotland either way you won’t understand the natives, take a phrase book.

 

[TinaLes]

Having done the NC500 in our 7,4mtr van I am so pleased we did it East to West as the scenery seems to unfold better running from north to south, and luckily we didnt meet that many MH's going the other way.
If we had done it the other way across the top toward the north east tip coming from The West it would have been a disappointment.

I would head up the East Coast Road, do the Orkneys then head towards the west coast, heading south down past the Summer Isles towards Ullapool, then on towards Skye, every twist & turn revealed an amazing view when we reached the top of a long climb.
Happy travels, we were blessed with fantastic dry weather no midges in April/May.
LES

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[138go]

Having done the NC500 in our 7,4mtr van I am so pleased we did it East to West as the scenery seems to unfold better running from north to south, and luckily we didnt meet that many MH's going the other way.
If we had done it the other way across the top toward the north east tip coming from The West it would have been a disappointment.

I would head up the East Coast Road, do the Orkneys then head towards the west coast, heading south down past the Summer Isles towards Ullapool, then on towards Skye, every twist & turn revealed an amazing view when we reached the top of a long climb.
Happy travels, we were blessed with fantastic dry weather no midges in April/May.
LES

We've already done the east coast. We want to do the west coast and scarper before the midges hatch.

 

[Trout bum]

Wise decision. We are thinking West Coast around Ayr for May so will be watching this thread.

Hi I live in Ayr next to beach the council have started an overnight area at south end of beach , afraid the town centre is crap but beach is very nice , there's also a caravan camping site at culzean castle if your into castles the site over looks the sea and views to arran .

 

[vzac]

We love scenery, wildlife, nice beaches, and sourcing local produce. We also like visiting Lifeboat Stations.

You then need to go to hoy when in the orkneys and visit longhope lifeboat Station museum. Lyness is interesting as it's a former navy base during the war. Great viewing of puffins on westray. Ferry from Scrabster to Stromness, for great views of the old man of hoy. Loads to look at on orkney mainland. Have a great time, we were on orkney and sheland last yr.

 

[Trout bum]

We will lose our ferry booking to France in April but we don't care. We're off instead to the West Coast of Scotland, with a ferry booked to Orkney. Our main reason for ditching France is the dog, as she's not in the best of health and that plus the palaver about the AHC, helped us make a decision. To be honest, I'm not a massive fan of France, it's okay as a country to get through to Spain but that's it for me.

We're really looking forward now to Scotland. Does anyone have any hints and tips?

Come up and enjoy and the midges will still be hibernating, some of the highland councils have opened up stop over areas I know there's one at falls of shin north of Inverness, and one at strathpeffer, the falls of shin one has a small community cafe , and you can walk down to the falls and watch the salmon leaping ,

 

[BillyKontiki]

We did the SW300 in September and had an excellent trip. We included a couple of detours into the forest where they were trialling overnight stops for £6, keep your eye out for these.

En-route we overnighted at Metal Bridge pub, good value.

Terry

Yes metal bridge is great value and a very convenient stop heading north or south just remember to book.

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[pelican]

France/Scotland either way you won’t understand the natives, take a phrase book.

We took a notepad to Scotland and asked people to write down the answer to our question.
Then couldn't understand the words written

 

[royandsharont]

The best thing we did when we toured all over some years ago was join the National Trust and visited as many properties as we could. Culzean Castle is a gem

 

[Rosemary1]

Wise decision. We are thinking West Coast around Ayr for May so will be watching this thread.

Beautiful area

 

[Catpirate]

I always visit Plockton, just past the Kyles of Lochalsh. Park in the carpark at the far end and visit the Plockton Inn. Dog friendly, tell them you are overnighting and it will be fine.

 

[Minxy]

We last went in August and equipped with the recommended mossy hat, but didn’t even see one, let alone wear it, but ya never know, so take spray and Avon oh so smelly cream as it’s meant to be the dogs dangly bits against the wee Jock McPlop buggers, oh and a phrase book, cos they talk funny up there

Avon stuff doesn't work, trust me I got the midge bites to prove it! The only thing that apparently works is Smidge (or the equivalent from another manufacturer) fortunately although I'd got some I didn't need to use it.

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[138go]

Avon Skin So Soft is useless for us too.

 

[scotzsue]

Avon Skin So Soft is useless for us too.

Doesn’t work for me either, found my uncle’s smelly pipe was the best deterrant

 

[PP Bear]

Doesn’t work for me either, found my uncle’s smelly pipe was the best deterrant

You probably need to let the pipe cool before rubbing it on

 

[TheAleMan]

We've already done the east coast. We want to do the west coast and scarper before the midges hatch.

We go up in early May most years. We really do not have that much of a problem with midges around that time of the month. Obviously there’s a few about but, nothing to worry about we have found.

 

[Gellyneck]

We love scenery, wildlife, nice beaches, and sourcing local produce. We also like visiting Lifeboat Stations.

Your starter for ten.

Kirkwall Lifeboat.

The beach at Scapa.

Are you going via Gills Bay - St Margaret's Hope?

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