Camping in Scotland

[rupert the dog]

Thinking of going up for a week, maybe two, leaving end of this week. Ideally, a beach site for camping, with the possibility of dolphin-spotting. Has anyone been, and can offer some recommendations? Many thanks.

[Gizmoish]

Melvich Inn.
Clachtoll Beach.
Spend a couple of days on Lewis and visit Ardroil.

[Andrew[MG]]

Stayed at one of the camp sites outside of Arisaig last year and it was the most beautiful place I have ever camped. The facilities were very basic but it was lovely. I'll try and find it...

[Andrew[MG]]

Stayed at one of the camp sites outside of Arisaig last year and it was the most beautiful place I have ever camped. The facilities were very basic but it was lovely. I'll try and find it...

[TvrJohn]

Sandyhills south of Dumfries, fantastic sandy beach, camping small shop with cafe, no dolphins however

[northwest monkey]

Gizmoish said:

Clachtoll Beach.

I can vouch for Clachtoll. We saw dolphins when we were there & the guy that runs (or did a few years ago) the campsite has pictures of a killer whale that was in the bay. One of my favourite places.

Durness is also excellent & has a campsite - is about 2 hours north of Clachtoll.

[Gareth79]

I stayed at the Durness one (Sango Sands) back in June for a night while driving the Ullapool > Durness > Thurso route and it was decent enough - the toilets were clean and tidy, showers nice and hot, the grass nicely trimmed, decent restaurant alongside.

[Laplace]

There's a camp site in Ullapool on the shore of Loch Broom and we saw Dolphins/Porpoise several times.

Other bonuses of going there is taking the Applecross road and driving through Torridon country.

[loughran]

I've often thought I'd like to pack off in the car and discover a bit of Scotland, the draw becomes stronger as time goes by.

I'm put off though, by reports of being eaten alive by the local mosquito population... no fun in that.

Are mosquitos a problem when you've been camping ?

[rupert the dog]

Andrew[MG] said:

Stayed at one of the camp sites outside of Arisaig last year and it was the most beautiful place I have ever camped. The facilities were very basic but it was lovely. I'll try and find it...

Any luck?

[y2blade]

Camped at Fort William years back, Don't forget your mosi spray!

[Gizmoish]

loughran said:

I've often thought I'd like to pack off in the car and discover a bit of Scotland, the draw becomes stronger as time goes by.

I'm put off though, by reports of being eaten alive by the local mosquito population... no fun in that.

Are mosquitos a problem when you've been camping ?

Midges are the problem really, not mosquitoes. Depends on the time of year and the location. I've been twice in early-mid June and hardly seen one of either. They're worse later in the summer, and if you sit near still/stagnant water, even slow-flowing streams, you deserve every bite you get (the larvae hatch from the surface of water in the evening).

But... They hate smoke. So every evening, have a barbecue, and surround your camp with burning incense cones. They also don't like people with lots of vitamin B6 (iirc) in their skin. So for the couple of weeks before you go, drink lots of ale (not lager), and eat lots of Marmite ginger and garlic.

You should also look out for clegs/horseflies. About a centimetre long and if you're bitten by one you'll know about it.

Finally - Avon Skin So Soft spray-on oil is the secret to how the locals don't get bitten. Far more effective than any insect spray. I've actually seen a mosquito land on my arm, think about it, and take off again

But go. It's a stunning part of the world.

[Andrew[MG]]

rupert the dog said:

Andrew[MG] said:

Stayed at one of the camp sites outside of Arisaig last year and it was the most beautiful place I have ever camped. The facilities were very basic but it was lovely. I'll try and find it...

Any luck?

http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/sites/reviews.asp?revid=5162

You can't even book a pitch, you just turn up and grab a space. We ended up going there because I forgot to book a pitch for another place when it was at the Queens Jubilee last year - everywhere else was full so I went up a day early and secured space here for everyone.

[GetCarter]

loughran said:

I've often thought I'd like to pack off in the car and discover a bit of Scotland, the draw becomes stronger as time goes by.

I'm put off though, by reports of being eaten alive by the local mosquito population... no fun in that.

Are mosquitos a problem when you've been camping ?

FYI My wife's page on midges - all you ever wanted to know: http://ionalister.com/midge.htm

As mentioned July / August are the worst months. If it's hot, sunny or windy, you'll not see them. If it's still, overcast and humid and you are stuck outside, they are your worst nightmare. If you are camping make SURE your tent is properly midge proof (not mosquito - they are about 50 times the size, midges can fly straight through mosquito nets).

[tenohfive]

Gizmoish said:

Finally - Avon Skin So Soft spray-on oil is the secret to how the locals don't get bitten. Far more effective than any insect spray. I've actually seen a mosquito land on my arm, think about it, and take off again

Skin So Soft used to have Citronella in it - the active ingredient in a lot of insect repellants (at least the ones that don't use DEET.)
It doesn't any more.

[GetCarter]

tenohfive said:

Skin So Soft used to have Citronella in it - the active ingredient in a lot of insect repellants (at least the ones that don't use DEET.)
It doesn't any more.

But it still works if you use a lot of it, as it's so 'slippy', the midges can't get purchase. I used it today and was surrounded by them, and got away unscathed. The best repellent by far is Smidge. Though it's expensive.