Help needed from Scotsnet

[grannycake]

My DH and I are planning a 2 week trip to Scotland in September. We want to revisit some favourite locations from our past. We know we want to go to Glencoe (as we spent our honeymoon there 39 yrs ago in a folding caravan in February!), Largs as I visited as part of a sports event and the Cairngorms as I have never been there but my DH was a keen climber and has been many times. We would also like to see something of Skye

We have a motorhome and a small dog. We are fit and like the outdoors.

Can you reommend any must sees in this general area - DH has no qualms about driving and as an ex lorry driver he can reverse large vehicles if necessary

Thanks from a Welsh couple

After Largs if you come up that way, i'd head up through Glencoe and carry on up to Skye, after Skye i'd head north through Torridon and maybe up to Achmelvich beach, there is a campsite there, and then pass through the Cairngorms on your way back. I'd personally prioritise skye and the North west highlands, but check out the suitability of the roads for your motorhome in advance. I remember an awful lot of narrow single track roads but that was in a car and DH likes going off-piste so there might be better roads. Those might not feature the best of the views though :) You have some small roads in Wales as well though (DH again!) Hopefully be a bit quieter in September since all the schools will be back.

Thanks that's really helpful. I'm hoping September will be a liittle quieter. I'm retiring from an education job at the end of this month so I'm looking forward to not having to go away in the school hols. Used to single track as we live on the Gower peninsula and it's littered with them. We will also be taking bikes but I'm more of a cycle path cyclist while my DH likes Alpine passes

My Dh is a hillwalker so has been up there more than me, but the scenery is stunning (hopefully not too much low cloud).

You honestly can't go wrong with anything up there, i'd do at least a couple of days on Skye, there is lots to see. Nice boat trips from Elgol out to see Loch Cosuisk. I'd make sure you stock up on shopping and fuel when you can just in case you end up staying longer than expected somewhere remotish.

Be sure to stock up on food in (say) Inverness or Fort William before you go to Skye. My SIL lives there and they are really struggling for basic food supplies in the local co-op - made worse by the tourists coming in and clearing what little there is off the shelves

Book your stops ASAP. Especially on Skye, but every where else too!

Message received re food - I usually keep a well stocked cupboard and will stop in TBay on the way up for some goodies

I've seen a few things recently about alternatives to the NC500 which might be of interest:

www.robinmckelvie.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/mmmnotnc550pdf.pdf

www.scotland.org/features/six-of-scotlands-best-road-trips

There might be some good tips on the NC500 blogs etc too as you could be using some of that regardless if not the whole route.

The Highlands are overwhelmed with motor homes at the moment. Traffic jams, nowhere to park, litter, dumping of grey waste etc. It's unlikely September will be any better given the demographic of most motorhome owners. There's a massive fedupness from local residents. Sorry to be so negative, it's the sheer volume along with some very selfish behaviour from some (not all) that's made it so difficult. Please please book onto campsites for your trip.

welliesontheschoolrun.com/2021/08/12/poo-potholes-and-park-ups-why-highlanders-are-tired-of-scotlands-north-coast-500-route/

This sums it up, and it's across the Highlands not just NC500. Calmac have just stopped motorhomes from standby ferry tickets. Locals have been unable to get on and off islands for hospital appointments etc. It's a very difficult time.

I appreciate that the NC500 is a bit of a nightmare and we weren't planning to follow that route. I live in Gower which is also rammed with holidaymakers so I would hope that we are thoughtful travellers but I would very much like to revisit Scotland. Our last UK trip pre COVID was Northumberland and some of the East Coast at Easter in 2018 - didn't manage to go further than mid Wales last year so don't want to change the location if possible

Check when the local holidays are. Most Scottish schools go back this week and our half term is sometime in the middle of September.
Even outwith times of covid the wilder parts of Scotland are very popular with Scots over this holiday weekend. Travelling from Largs to Skye will take you through 3 or 4 local authorities and the holidays are not the same across the whole country. If you can plan to avoid that time it might be quieter. Otherwise be sure to book into proper campsites or just take the car and B&B it.

Will definitely check the dates of the hols. We're off 4th September for 2 weeks. B&B isn't an option as we'll have the dog with us plus we've always camped. We are intending to use campsites

Dornoch, Ballater/Braemar worth a visit in the Cairngorms area. Loch Muick is a good circular walk.
The coast along Lossiemouth/Findhorn/Nairn is beautiful.

If you're already going to Skye, the isle of Barra is a must visit. You'll never see more beautiful beaches

@thedevilinablackdress Thanks I wouldn't have thought of any of them. I need to get the maps out again this weekend and investigate campsites

@CallMeNutribullet That's another really good call

You really need to get planning now re campsites. I have a friend with a VW Camper van and he's struggled to get pitches and had to adjust holiday plans.

@prettybird Thanks Have booked sites for week 1

Ballater is lovely! Gorgeous scenery as a back drop. It was busy when we were there last weekend. But. Gorgeous cafes. Very dog friendly place too!

You can get a ferry from Skye to Harris which is stunning. Don’t think you can get to Barra from Skye, only from Oban I think.

Plockton near the Skye bridge is beautiful.

Thank you everyone. We're all booked up and I'm sure we're going to have a fab holiday. So looking forward to getting back to Scotland. If any of you want help in South or West Wales give me a shout and I'll be happy to help

Fab, hope you have a lovely holiday and the weather is kind.