Tour of Scotland first week in October - Tips and advice?

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byattnb

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Hi Guys

Next week off work, and the forecast doesn't look too bad, so heading up to do a tour of Scotland. First time up here and really looking forward to it. Looking for some advice on.....

Camping - Suicidal in October? or should it still be warm enough (I know it's weather dependant, just wondering if anyone has done it before??). Also, anyone know any good web sites which list Scottish campsites?, or recommend any campsites / hostels / B & B's etc? I'm a pit p****d coz just upgraded my Garmin Europe to V9 and still doesn't have campsites on it (or does it and I'm missing it???).

Heading all round the Coast, but any suggestions of great places to visit, places to avoid (invitations for cups of tea or beer!) would be most welcome.

Probably gonna head off Sunday morning from Stockton on Tees, with a view to taking 6 days to do the tour, then post the pics / write up on here.

Any info / tips / advice more than welcome

Thanks guys

Neil

:beerjug:
 
Camping in October? :blast

The temperature overnight will probably be sub-zero on 4 out of 7 nights and some sites have little protection from the wind.

Sites to recommend?

Ullapool (but quite exposed at the side of the loch) Site here

Reraig campsite, between Dornie and Kyle of Lochalsh (best site I've been to) Site here

Sligachan Campsite on skye Site here

Poolewe - nice wee site that is quite sheltered from the elements

Dunnet Sands - very exposed, being at the back of the sand dunes (not sure if open in October)

But.......... there is a thread on this site that has the Garmin locations of recommended sites that you can download onto Mapsource and then select ones to transfer to your GPS.

As long as you have a decent tent, 3 season sleeping bag, thermals (or some warm sleepwear) you could enjoy it :thumb2

Al :D
 
Wear GORETEX !

If I could offer you only one tip for the future, GORETEX would be
it. The long term benefits of GORETEX have been proved by
scientists whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable
than my own meandering
experience…
I will dispense this advice now : Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth; oh nevermind; you will not
understand the power and beauty of your youth until they have faded.
But trust me, in 20 years you’ll look back at photos of yourself and
recall in a way you can’t grasp now how much possibility lay before
you and how fabulous you really looked….You’re not as fat as you
imagine. Don’t worry about the future; or worry, but know that worrying is as
effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing
bubblegum. The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that
never crossed your worried mind; the kind that blindside you at 4pm
on some idle Tuesday. Do one thing everyday that scares you Sing Don’t be reckless with other people’s hearts, don’t put up with
people who are reckless with yours. Floss Don’t waste your time on jealousy; sometimes you’re ahead, sometimes
you’re behind…the race is long, and in the end, it’s only with
yourself. Remember the compliments you receive, forget the insults; if you
succeed in doing this, tell me how. Keep your old love letters, throw away your old bank statements. Stretch Don’t feel guilty if you don’t know what you want to do with your
life…the most interesting people I know didn’t know at 22 what they
wanted to do with their lives, some of the most interesting 40 year
olds I know still don’t. Get plenty of calcium. Be kind to your knees, you’ll miss them when they’re gone. Maybe you’ll marry, maybe you won’t, maybe you’ll have children,maybe
you won’t, maybe you’ll divorce at 40, maybe you’ll dance the funky
chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary…what ever you do, don’t
congratulate yourself too much or berate yourself either – your
choices are half chance, so are everybody else’s. Enjoy your body,
use it every way you can…don’t be afraid of it, or what other people
think of it, it’s the greatest instrument you’ll ever
own.. Dance…even if you have nowhere to do it but in your own living room. Read the directions, even if you don’t follow them. Do NOT read beauty magazines, they will only make you feel ugly. Get to know your parents, you never know when they’ll be gone for
good. Be nice to your siblings; they are the best link to your past and the
people most likely to stick with you in the future. Understand that friends come and go,but for the precious few you
should hold on. Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and
lifestyle because the older you get, the more you need the people you
knew when you were young. Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard; live
in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft. Travel. Accept certain inalienable truths, prices will rise, politicians will
philander, you too will get old, and when you do you’ll fantasize
that when you were young prices were reasonable, politicians were
noble and children respected their elders. Respect your elders. Don’t expect anyone else to support you. Maybe you have a trust fund,
maybe you have a wealthy spouse; but you never know when either one
might run out. Don’t mess too much with your hair, or by the time you're 40, it will
look 85. Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who
supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of
fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the
ugly parts and recycling it for more than
it’s worth.
But trust me on the GORETEX…
 
When you stop in at the Green Welly Stop pick up the Visit Scotland Caravan and Camping Parks 2007 map.

It's got most of the main sites listed.

October can be warm and still or wet and windy- probably all on the same day. It's likely to be warm and still next week as we're off out to Tiree for some windsurfing:mmmm
 
Don't let your fuel run much lower than half full. It can sometimes be a long way between petrol stations and as the old saying goes "you're better looking at it than looking for it".

Enjoy the run. :thumb2
 
Hi, went there myself in June on my 1150 for the 1st time, (see http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=110704 ) and agree about the petrol comment, make sure you fill up at every opportunity. Applecross is excellent and has a good campsite. You might need to have a back up plan if the weather is crap as it really can ruin everything. I have just returned from a short trip to Fort William which was totally ruined by the rain, couldnt see anything. Luckily i was in a car this time.
Take plenty of warm waterproof clothing.
I intend returning asap on my bike as i loved it.

Have a great time.

Alan :thumb2
 
wully said:
When you stop in at the Green Welly Stop pick up the Visit Scotland Caravan and Camping Parks 2007 map.

It's got most of the main sites listed.

October can be warm and still or wet and windy- probably all on the same day. It's likely to be warm and still next week as we're off out to Tiree for some windsurfing:mmmm
Click to expand...

Warm it is not! First frost of the year last night and Loch Etive is steaming! Lovely sunny day though, but wear your thermals!

Andy
 
Same here Andy.
Had a run through to Glasgow yesterday and the first dusting of snow was evident on the higher peaks. Didn’t get home till after 8 and was glad that I had put the lining back in my jacket and troos.
Nice views though.
200772747-M.jpg
 
Invest in excellent thermals, heated kit and goretex (like the man says).

Good luck. If the weather is OK then it'll be great as there'll be few tourists, caravans and cars etc.

But it will (probably) be cold.

Kai
 
Andy Davies said:
Warm it is not! First frost of the year last night and Loch Etive is steaming! Lovely sunny day though, but wear your thermals!

Andy
Click to expand...

Last October on Tiree,late on in the afternoon, we were de rigging after a sail in shorts.
I've been going out there for years and have often had days like that in late October.

Mind you- as soon as the sun went down it was effin freezin.....
 
wully said:
Last October on Tiree,late on in the afternoon, we were de rigging after a sail in shorts.
I've been going out there for years and have often had days like that in late October.

Mind you- as soon as the sun went down it was effin freezin.....
Click to expand...

Flat calm here Wully. A good night for a drift round the bay!

Andy
 
weather wimps

What a bunch of whinging wimps, I live in the north of scotland and ride daily all year round, rain hail or snow. If you were to worry about getting cold and wet in scotland you would never ride a bike at all. Just do it, it's no worse than the rest of the uk at this time of the year.:rob
 
Watch out for the heavy traffic you will encounter. The strange food, and language.

Then there are those midges things .. don't take off your helmet or open your visor!

Otherwise I am sure you will have fun.
 
fatbaldbob said:
What a bunch of whinging wimps, I live in the north of scotland and ride daily all year round, rain hail or snow. If you were to worry about getting cold and wet in scotland you would never ride a bike at all. Just do it, it's no worse than the rest of the uk at this time of the year.:rob
Click to expand...

Good for you :thumb2............ and no doubt, at the end of your daily ride.......... you return home to a nice warm house and bed.

The original poster is planning a holiday, not a commute and is overnighting in a tent :nenau

Al :thumb2
 
Just do it! I went last year in November and enjoyed it thoroughly, although I did wear a heated vest and socks! Stayed in hostels and would recommend the Lazy Duck Hostel in Nethy Bridge, google it and have a look at thier website. It's a great wee place and go back there whenever I'm in the area.
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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