Welcome guest, Login
Planning trip to Scotland
rgu 
| 27 Jun 14:20 |
|---|---|
|
Joined: 27 Jun 2010 Posts: 11 Bike: My Profile | Hello I'm planning a trip to Scotland next summer (2011). I have two main questions: 1. Is that possible to plan a 20-25 day trip in Scotland including Orkney islands, Hebrid islands (inner islands), Skye island and Islay island. I can do 60-90 miles a day, no problem. 2. I don't have an idea how to organize night stops in Scotland and UK at all. I'm from Russia and I've never been in such a trip outside Russia. I can get a tent, gas and all that stuff for autonomous stop, but not sure it is acceptable (allowed) in Scotland. Campings? What way people usually choose? Many thanks in advance. Roman. |
|
Outrunner
| 28 Jun 03:46 |
|---|---|
|
Joined: 26 May 2010 Posts: 57 Bike: My Profile | Roman, For the Hebridean islands, the best way to get between them is via ferry http://www.calmac.co.uk/ for Orkney and the Shetlands you will need http://www.northlinkferries.co.uk/northlink-ports.html Most towns will have a campsite, but to give you an idea on price, take a look at http://www.visitscotland.com/guide/where-to-stay/camping-caravanning/ |
|
dudley
| 28 Jun 04:59 |
|---|---|
|
Joined: 16 Jan 2009 Posts: 498 Bike: My Profile | I nthe islands and highlands, it is OK / relatively easy to camp where you want - by a stream, etc. Nearer the towns and cities, you'd be better to get accommodation, or stay in a formal campsite. Make no mess and respect the farmers, and you'll be fine. If you do 60 miles a day for 20 days, you will be able to see alot of Scotland. I would concentrate on the West Coast and Islands before heading across to Orkney Shetland. It may be worthwhile planning your journey as a one-way trip. starting in Glasgow or Edinburgh, and finishing up North and using a train to get back to where you started. Or...use the train first, and then finish at the airport / ferry terminal or whatever. It is great that you are taking time to see Scotland. It is hard to see in a week! It is a lot bigger than people think. Calmac ferries do an island hopper ticket, which allows you to use the ferry lots of times with a bike relatively cheaply. You will need lots of ferry journeys through the islands. |
| My Latest Route: Nov 2009 Forth Estuary Circular | |
|
oscar one
| 28 Jun 11:09 |
|---|---|
|
Joined: 28 Sep 2009 Posts: 26 Bike: My Profile | Make sure you get a tent with a midge net... |
|
dudley
| 28 Jun 11:39 |
|---|---|
|
Joined: 16 Jan 2009 Posts: 498 Bike: My Profile | midges. yes, a perrenial problem. that said, early May and mid September can be beautiful months in Scotland, and are less prone to midges. when in summer are you doing this? |
| My Latest Route: Nov 2009 Forth Estuary Circular | |
|
rgu
| 28 Jun 12:11 |
|---|---|
|
Joined: 27 Jun 2010 Posts: 11 Bike: My Profile | I think, July&August. If there is some period of time when midges level is low - tell me :) |
|
dudley
| 28 Jun 14:08 |
|---|---|
|
Joined: 16 Jan 2009 Posts: 498 Bike: My Profile | JUly and August are pretty bad for midges. you'll be fine during the day, when you are moving, and you'll be fine in the evenings if it is windy, or you are high up. if it's still, a bit damp and shady, you'll get eaten up! some people dont seem to get affected. get lots of midge repellent, wear long sleeves and trousers in the evening, and this helps. |
| My Latest Route: Nov 2009 Forth Estuary Circular | |
|
oscar one
| 28 Jun 15:34 |
|---|---|
|
Joined: 28 Sep 2009 Posts: 26 Bike: My Profile | Well midges are only supposed to fly at about two miles per hour,so if you can run around your tent faster than that you should be ok...Unless you meet some coming the other way :-) Yes they can be a problem but at least you will have something to talk about when you get home.. Go for it..I would also ride the west coast first,and ride north which should give you the weather on your back... Sounds great..I might try it myself nxt year Good luck... |
|
dudley
| 29 Jun 02:54 |
|---|---|
|
Joined: 16 Jan 2009 Posts: 498 Bike: My Profile | thinking about it...if you are planning to do the whole string of islands, i'd do the islands in one direction, and the west coast in the other direction. both are unmissable. |
| My Latest Route: Nov 2009 Forth Estuary Circular | |
|
oscar one
| 29 Jun 05:24 |
|---|---|
|
Joined: 28 Sep 2009 Posts: 26 Bike: My Profile | Yes i agree,Its what i meant...Ride the west coast first, incorparating the islands and mainland. Using the cal/mac ferries..I think that there are also a couple of independant ones...Half the funs in the planning...I guess that there will be others on this site that will know a lot more than me about the region and will have done similar trips... |
|
rgu
| 29 Jun 06:38 |
|---|---|
|
Joined: 27 Jun 2010 Posts: 11 Bike: My Profile | Regarding the route... I planned the route as the following: Edinburgh - Speyside way - Inverness - Thurso - Orkneys - (some north routes, don't know) - Skye Island- Fort William - Jura Island - Islay Island - (may be Belfast, I have a friend there) - Glasgo - Edinburgh Frankly, I want to decide what is better - highlands (speyside) or Islay (Skye) whisky. :) So I would like to visit more distilleries in the highlands, before visiting Orkneys.. Most people recommending west coast - what places/routes, exactly? Roman. |
|
oscar one
| 29 Jun 07:23 |
|---|---|
|
Joined: 28 Sep 2009 Posts: 26 Bike: My Profile | Its really just personal choices..I'll have a look at my maps and dig into my memory.. then get back to you... |
|
annieslandmissile
| 15 Jul 12:48 |
|---|---|
|
Joined: 13 Jul 2010 Posts: 85 Bike: My Profile | I m thinking of doing a similar trip around Scotland and mainly the West Coast & Islands. I live in Glasgow, but am looking to do the cycle trip with someone! Yeah Caledonian MacBraide is the main ferry operator and goes almost everywhere. If you go to their website or google Calmac Ferry, you ll find out the routes they go to. You can buy an Island Hopper ticket for about £70 for 15 days unlimited travel for single passenger and bikes go free!! so ideal! As for camping you could locate and pre book some formal campsites around the Islands, Mainland or I sure you could just set up your tent free in some quiet remote parts. Campsites are fairly cheap on the whole i would imagine £7-10 max per night (guessing). I m just back from cycling around Arran, an Island and its was great. Thinking of going back to Arran, then to Lochranza to Clonaig to Kennycraig to Islay to Colonsay to Oban to Tiree & Coll then up to Barra, South Uist, then over to Skye then to Mallaig then train back to Glasgow! (Just a rough idea, but would be fantastic!!) Anyway good luck on the trip!! (anniesland missile) |
Cycle Forum
Announcement
Find the latest cycle gear and who sells them within the UK. Share the experience you have with a product with others to help them make an informed choice.