Novice Camping in Outer hebrides

Novice Camping in Outer hebrides

Author
Discussion

Craigie

Original Poster:

1,223 posts

178 months

Monday 6th April 2015
quotequote all
The kids are of an age that me and the missus can go away on holiday together without them. I have always wanted to tour the Outer Hebrides and a chance conversation with a pal put the idea of camping in my head.

OH is obviously an area of great beauty, picturesque etc so there is something within me saying doing this in a tent would enhance the experience of "getting away from it all" for a week.

Anyone done this, any thoughts , suggestions, recommendations etc?

sherman

13,071 posts

214 months

Monday 6th April 2015
quotequote all
As long as you are planning doing it in summer. There is no reason it would not be amazing. Just make sure you have midge repellant.

BurblingBrownOne

300 posts

214 months

Monday 6th April 2015
quotequote all
We camped (with Kids) at Horgabost on Isle of Harris last year, weather gods smiled favorably on us and it was a great week, can thoroughly recommend it.
Have also had great trips to Fidden Farm campsite on Isle of Mull, both offer basic "on the beach" camping with access to half decent showers (Fidden posher than Horgabost) but remote and quiet / picturesque enough to feel like you are getting back to basics.
Personally for me enjoyment of camping relates to how good a nights sleep you can get,if your camping out of a car and don't need to lug kit too far then inflatable mattress or a folding camp bed are luxuries worth having.
Scottish weather being what it is, do some research and have wet weather day excursion / events planned as fall backs.
Nothing like sitting round a fire in the evening with a glass of something cold watching the sun go down, but ensure you have plenty of warm clothing, can never have too much fleece!

Shambler

1,184 posts

143 months

Monday 6th April 2015
quotequote all
If it rains say goodby to your marriage. In seriousness ithe weather can be extremely changeable so bear that in mind.

Craigie

Original Poster:

1,223 posts

178 months

Monday 6th April 2015
quotequote all
Looking at possibly the last week in May - in my experience we always seem to get better weather in May that we do June / July and are the midges not supposed to be less the earlier in the year?

The missus is actually really up for it, she used to do camping when she was younger.

Agree re the risk of weather but that's Scotland for you!

Craigie

Original Poster:

1,223 posts

178 months

Monday 6th April 2015
quotequote all
[quote=BurblingBrownOne]We camped (with Kids) at Horgabost on Isle of Harris last year/quote]

Just had a look online at Horgabost - looks exactly the sort of place I had in my head, very picturesque setting, tranquil, and if you get the weather then it would be ideal!

sjabrown

1,910 posts

159 months

Monday 6th April 2015
quotequote all
Being near a beach helps avoid the worst of the midges. As does keeping a fire going.

Be sure to have some things planned for rainy weather, but I'd agree that May historically seems to have better weather than June/July.

clunkbox

237 posts

139 months

Tuesday 7th April 2015
quotequote all
This may seem obvious, but some people really are this dense so it bears mentioning. If you are using say, a disposable BBQ to cook, don't bring it's still warm carcass inside the tent for some extra warmth. You'll die of carbon monoxide poisoning.

douglasgdmw

488 posts

218 months

Tuesday 7th April 2015
quotequote all
sjabrown said:
Being near a beach helps avoid the worst of the midges. As does keeping a fire going.
.
Pop into your local Tiso's and grab some of Avons Skin's So Soft. The midges hate that lotion and should stop you being bitten from head to toe.

Not camped myself as much prefer a decent shower in the morning and various mod cons but have you thought of grabbing a campervan to make the experience a little bit more pleasant? You can hire VW Campervans or Land Rover Defender Overlanders in Scotland to make it a bit more special?
http://scotlandoverland.com/
http://www.classic-camper-holidays.co.uk/

(may be more companies out their but just grabbed these from a quick google search)

George

Craigie

Original Poster:

1,223 posts

178 months

Tuesday 7th April 2015
quotequote all
Yeah had thought about the camper hire - there are also companies on the islands that do this.
But the more we talk about it, the more the missus is actually really keen to do the camping and to do the holiday on a "budget". A sort of challenge!

SteellFJ

793 posts

166 months

Tuesday 7th April 2015
quotequote all
I've been toying with is for a while and plan on it when the tornado child is a bit older, only two at the moment, thinking next year Will be good enough.

Plenty pictures if you do :-)

Who me ?

7,455 posts

211 months

Tuesday 7th April 2015
quotequote all
sjabrown said:
Being near a beach helps avoid the worst of the midges. As does keeping a fire going.

Be sure to have some things planned for rainy weather, but I'd agree that May historically seems to have better weather than June/July.
AND, possibly a lot less chance of the little devils. I've had some breaks up there in the past few fears ( n the mainland ) in late may/ early June and it's been insect free. Mid you, SWIMBO is not midge bothered, and these years, they don't really like the drugs in my blood. OR is it that SWIMBO is immune and after all my years away from SJA's neck of the woods , they don't like my blood.

SrMoreno

546 posts

145 months

Wednesday 8th April 2015
quotequote all
douglasgdmw said:
Pop into your local Tiso's and grab some of Avons Skin's So Soft. The midges hate that lotion and should stop you being bitten from head to toe.
I find Smidge works better for me.

stevie_a

186 posts

196 months

Wednesday 8th April 2015
quotequote all
As said midge repellent, also can i add something, more of a safety point

If you are using a heater please, please, please, use one that can be vented outside the tent, not

just sat inside, the gases are lethal and can kill.

stay warm stay safe.

GetCarter

29,358 posts

278 months

Thursday 9th April 2015
quotequote all
I'd avoid summer. It's not just the midges, it's the tourists and the weather. Up here we get nice springs and Autumns. The summer is often wet. Also the ferries and hotels are booked, so you can't 'up and go' like you can between Easter and Summer (with the exception of Whitsun week, which is busy).

We are only a couple of hours away here, so spend a fair amount of time out there. In spring! I appreciate it's tricky with kids, but if you can... etc.

Pics

http://www.stevecarter.com/harris-2007/hebrides.ht...

Who me ?

7,455 posts

211 months

Thursday 9th April 2015
quotequote all
stevie_a said:
As said midge repellent, also can i add something, more of a safety point

If you are using a heater please, please, please, use one that can be vented outside the tent, not

just sat inside, the gases are lethal and can kill.

stay warm stay safe.
And from a news item on TV today, similar for BBQ.

Humper

946 posts

161 months

Thursday 9th April 2015
quotequote all
Nowt to do with camping, but if planning on using the Berneray-Leverburgh ferry check it's running. It gets cancelled a lot due to tides, can bugger up your planned itinery.

sjabrown

1,910 posts

159 months

Thursday 9th April 2015
quotequote all
First midge bite today when out in the forest up the back. I'm hoping for a late frost to cull the buggers.

Who me ?

7,455 posts

211 months

Thursday 9th April 2015
quotequote all
Don't hold yer breath. Might be something for a thesis for a PH'D - my late dad was B+ as am I. Mum was o+, as is my wife. Both DAD & I were/are midge magnets. Mum & wife were/is not attacked. Personally I'd start visiting the local curry houses and ask for extra garlic. Might not be socially pleasant, but I spent a few years in Africa and Mozzies /elephant fly etc backed off at garlic smell .

craigbunyan

102 posts

199 months

Monday 13th April 2015
quotequote all
I can also recommend Fidden beach on Mull : https://twitter.com/craigbunyan/status/58752458622... This was last September - warm enough to swim in the sea, and no midgies!

We had an awful experience on Lewis a few years ago in July (nothing to do with the place or the people!). It rained horizontally from the moment we drove off the ferry - so windy it ripped three guy ropes clean off the tent.

C