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Pam W

Member Since: 25 Oct 2011
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 1169

Camping in Scotland late May

Intending to go to Scotland for 1 to 2 weeks in late May, once we have our roof tent. Bit of a trial run so to speak.

Probably sticking to the east to avoid the midges and working our way up from Yorkshire to Orkney and back. Looking to stay 1 night or at most 2 at each stop. Don't really want to book in advance but need some vague ideas of where we can stay on spec as we go along (it is out of school hols so hoping sites not busy and booked up)

Can anyone suggest some nice quiet small camping sites that would take in some lovely mountain scenery and/or coast?

Can be minimal facilities - a loo and maybe a shower, don't mind roughing it so wild camping suggestions also gratefully received. Whatever though it must NOT have pitches set out in neat rows with tarmac / gravel hardstandings. If we want to stay in what looks like a semi-rural housing estate with everyone in neat rows with shiny cars on their drives we can stay at home! I like nice soft grass for a carpet in my awning, not gravel !

Cheers in advance of sensible replies !

13th Mar 2012 10:27pm

BigMike

Member Since: 13 Jul 2010
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 2253

Midges are pretty unlikely in May

13th Mar 2012 11:17pm

twopoint6khz

Member Since: 18 Aug 2011
Location: North Lakes
Posts: 654

Glenn Brittle campsite on the Isle of Skye ticks all those boxes.... except it's not on the east coast

There are no midges there really at any time of year, although as above May is too early for midgies anyway really.

13th Mar 2012 11:43pm

Pam W

Member Since: 25 Oct 2011
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 1169

According to what I've read on t'internet, from scientific pages to tourist pages, forums and travel blogs, the midges start to come out in early May with a peak in late May/early June and another peak in late July/August. As we are going last 2 weeks of May that suggests midges could be a problem!

But thanks for the suggest twopoint - I'll add it to the list in case we do decide to go west !

Cheers,
Pam

14th Mar 2012 6:46am

markalpha

Member Since: 23 Apr 2008
Location: Downham Market
Posts: 690

2013 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Santorini Black

Midges end of May very real possibility. Avon skin so soft does the trick, just cover ALL exposed skin in it all of the time. Worse at Dawn and dusk. Find a windy campsite nr coast this can help avoid forest campsite.

If you get bitten a lot be careful of skin infections. My wife had a very bad time when we went a few years ago.

14th Mar 2012 2:55pm

BigRuss

Member Since: 15 May 2010
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 2785

2010 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Santorini Black

Midges are mainly found more towards the west coast Russell
2011MY 110 XS USW Black

14th Mar 2012 3:24pm

MartinK

Member Since: 02 Mar 2011
Location: Silverdale (Lancashire/Cumbria Border)
Posts: 2665

2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Orkney Grey

Hmmm - I'm not an authority, but I've lived, climbed, mountain-biked-and kayaked all over Scotland for 20 years.

Midges start as early as March/April, but are in relatively small numbers. They need still, damp conditions to thrive, and become a nuisance. As we have not really had a winter, I suggest they will start early this year.

But... all it needs is a gentle breeze, or a dry spell, and they become completely tolerable (or non-existant).

When they're at their worst (mild, still, damp days between June and edd-August) - they can be intolerable. Swarms get in your hair, up your nose, in your eyes. I have cooked fried bacon on a campsite, whioch has been blackened by dead midges (they are attracted by cooking). If you get in your tent at night, any remaining midges can be killed by lighting a candle or a gas lamp...they commit suicide onto the flame in a very satisfying way.

Please don't be put off heading West. It is the best bit for scenery. Applecross, Skye, Gairloch, Torridon, Arisaig, Plockton (and anywhere in Sutherland) etc are all stunning.

As midges live in grass/roots, and can't fly very well, all you need is a gentle westerly breeze, and stay near the coast, and it's not that bad at all.

The campsite at Glen Brittle is indeed nice (as twopoint says), Ullapool is also nice (if a bit regimented), Applecross is stunning.

See also this thread: http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic8690.html

Whatever you do - I hope the weather is kind, and you enjoy your trip! Defender "Puma" 2.4 110 County Utility (possibly the last of the 2.4's)

14th Mar 2012 3:48pm

twopoint6khz

Member Since: 18 Aug 2011
Location: North Lakes
Posts: 654

Yup, been on a few impromptu visits to Skye when the midgies inland became intolerable. Worst I've had was camping next to Loch Arkaig outside Ft William - our camping lanterns were just a black crawling mass of insects. As MartinK says, the coastal breeze is a good remedy for that.

Oh and I'd deffo agree that west is best for scenery. Although I'm sure there's some nice quiet spots on the east coast too, particularly north of Aberdeen.

14th Mar 2012 4:42pm

Pam W

Member Since: 25 Oct 2011
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 1169

Thanks for the tips chaps.

Main reason for sticking to a route up the east side is because I fancy going to Orkney for a visit to Skara Brae - I'm an archaeologist by trade - so a bit of a busman's holiday! Plus its our 25th anniversary

and I'd like to be somewhere special!

The midges being worse in the west is a plus point too though!

14th Mar 2012 5:48pm

Small Clanger

Member Since: 22 Jun 2011
Location: UK
Posts: 210

Have a look at www.lazyduck.co.uk campsite.
It's a few miles south of Grantown-on-Spey, easily do-able from Harrogate in a day, either up the A9 or via Braemar, Ballater and Tomintoul which takes you over some fantastic roads. I often go that way on the bike.
There's also a nice campsite at Scourie up in the north-west if you're planning coming back down on the west coast. If you decide to have a night in a B&B, try www.theceilidhplace.com in Ullapool. It's one of our favourite places, good music, great food, good beer and comfy beds.

1st Apr 2012 1:17pm

Merlin

Member Since: 30 Oct 2010
Location: Newmarket
Posts: 981

We stayed here:

Cairneach Milk Bar
Drymen
Drymen
Glasgow
Lanarkshire
G63 0AA

Not quite east coast, but quiet. In our caravan, that is.

Merlin

1st Apr 2012 4:50pm

bm52

Member Since: 04 Apr 2010
Location: Kent
Posts: 2189

2014 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Havana

I have heard that lavender essence is excellent for repelling mossies BM52

1st Apr 2012 5:17pm

Paul_1978

Member Since: 08 Nov 2009
Location: South Yorkshire
Posts: 384

Campsite in Roy Bridge near Spean Bridge/ Fort William is a nice spot, at the foot of the gray corries and ben nevis.

Two pubs close by too.

http://www.bunroycamping.co.uk/

1st Apr 2012 7:05pm

Pam W

Member Since: 25 Oct 2011
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 1169

Thanks for the further suggestions.

Looks like we won't be going as planned in May due to a delay with kit, but will hopefully will get there eventually!

1st Apr 2012 9:49pm

bpman

Member Since: 21 May 2008
Location: Oslo
Posts: 8069

2008 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 SVX Station Wagon Santorini Black

there's been a land slide around the area of the Sky bridge, so some local info will be required if you are planning on visiting Sky.

Good to meet you on Saturday Pam W (& MrPamW)

2nd Apr 2012 12:15pm

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