Night 1
From Four Seasons Campers head west towards Balloch and take the A82 north on the West side of Loch Lomond towards Fort William, taking in the spectacular scenery of Rannoch Moor and Glencoe on route. There are lots of photography opportunities throughout the journey.
Things to see and do
- Stop at the pretty village of Luss on Loch Lomond
- Get last minute suppliers at Green Welly Stop at Tyndrum
- Enjoy ‘healthy’ fish and chips from The Real Food Café in Tyndrum
- Stop at Loch Leven Seafood café
- Stretch your legs along part of the West Highland Way at Bridge of Orchy and enjoy some great pub food at The Bridge of Orchy Hotel
- Neptune’s staircase offers a series of canal locks that link the Caledonian Canal to the open sea and is well worth a visit. At this time of year you should spot some beautiful Scandinavian yachts coming through the canal on their way to the beautiful West Coast and Inner Hebrides.
Camping
Glen Nevis Caravan and Camping Club site
Time to Travel
Four Seasons Campers to Glen Nevis 2hrs 15mins
Night 2
Continue past Neptunes Staircase on the A830 towards Arisaig and Mallaig. The road runs parallel to the Jacobite Steam train railway line made famous in Harry Potter as the route the Hogwarts Express took. Turn off the A830 at Arisaig where there are an abundance of campsites and beautiful beaches that look towards the Inner Hebridean Islands of Eigg and Rhum. The beach past Traigh was made famous in the movie “Local Hero.”
Things to see and do
- Glenfinnan Monument sits at the head of Loch Sheil and was built as a monument to the final uprising by Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Jacobites rising.
- Glenfinnan viaduct for incredible Scottish engineering.
- Jacobite Steam Train also known as The Howarts Express from Harry Potter movies
- Beautiful white beaches with shallow clear water to paddle or swim in if brave enough!
Camping
Arisaig Sunnyside Camp Site
Time to Travel
Glen Nevis to Arisaig 50 mins
Night 3
From Arisaig continue onto the fishing port of Mallaig where you can get the ferry to Skye. The ferry to Skye takes you to Armadale.
Things to see and do
- Visit Talisker Whisky Distillery
- Walk to the Fairy Pools Pools which are located along the road from Merkadale to Glenbrittle is recommended. The walk starts at the Forestry Commision carpark signposted ‘Blumagan Na Sithichean.’ which are located along the road from Merkadale to Glenbrittle is recommended. The walk starts at the Forestry Commision carpark signposted ‘Blumagan Na Sithichean.’
- Visit Dunvegan Castle in the north of Skye– lovely walks and gardens
- Eat at the Edinbane Inn for great food and music on some nights in the summer
Camping
Glenbrittle campsite in the west of Skye
Loch Greshornish Camping and Caravan Club site
Time to Travel
Arisaig to Glenbrittle 2hrs 12 mins
Arisaig to Loch Greshornish 2hrs 16 mins
Night 4
From Skye drive back to the mainland over the Skye bridge through Kyle of Lochalsh. You can either take the A890 towards Wester Ross or take a slight detour north after the bridge round to Plockton which is a really pretty seaside village with palm trees and some great pubs. Continue round the coast to Applecross going over the Bealach na ba if you’re brave enough! It’s a windy mountain road but is absolutely fine for VW Campervans, a bit more hairy in a larger motorhome!
Things to see and do
- Visit the colourful town of Portree on Skye
- Eilean Donnan Castle
- Coral Beach – 50 minute walk from car park and well worth it!
- Supper at Applecross Inn….not to be missed…amazing seafood and atmosphere!
Camping
Applecross Campsite
Time to Travel
Skye to Applecross 2hrs 13 mins
Night 5
Continue north to Shieldaig and onto Torridon then head east to Kinlochewe and north up the A832 along Loch Maree and onto Gairloch where there are some great beaches to stop at. Then continue round the coast to Dundonnell and onto the A835 to Ullapool for some lively music, great pubs and fantastic fish and chips! From Ullapool head up the north on the A835 to north, past Ardvreck Castle at Loch Assynt and continue to Achmelvich.
Things to see and do:
- Visit Inverewe Gardens – a lush, sub-tropical style garden perched on a peninsula at Loch Ewe
- Stop for a walk near Garve between Inverness and Ullapool
- Visit the Ceildidh Place for music and food or enjoy Ullapool’s award winning fish and chips.
- Stop at Knockan Crag National Nature reserve between Ullapool and Achmelvich to view the rock formations – this is part of the North West Geopark rock route showing the story of how Scotland was formed
- Stop at Ardvreck Castle on shores of Loch Assynt and wander around the ruins
- You have to try the Lochinver pies from the range of over 30 pies at Lochinver Larder
- Visit Lochinver Pottery either at Lochinver or Ullapool (the Ullapool shop is slightly larger)
Camping
Shore Caravan site, Achmelvich
Ullapool campsite or Ardmair campsite
Time to Travel
Applecross to Ullapool 2hrs 51 mins
Ullapool to Achmelvich 55 mins
Night 6
From Achmelvich or Kylesku, continue north to Durness.
Things to see and do
- Climb Ben Hope – most northerly Munro (mountain over 3000 feet) for views across the
- Visit the Smoo Caves in Durness
- Visit Handa Island nature reserve
Camping
Sango Sands at Durness
Bay View at Talmine near to Tongue
Time to Travel
Ullapool to Durness 1hr 33 mins
Achmelvich to Durness 1hr 20 mins
Night 7
Continue east and then south around the North Coast 500 towards Tain and Rosemarkie near Fortrose on the Black Isle.
Things to see and do
- Visit Dunrobin Castle near Golspie just off the A9
- Glenmorangie Distillery – north of Tain on A9
Camping
Rosemarkie Camping and Caravan Club site – right on beach and good chance of seeing Dolphins
Time to Travel
Durness to Rosemarkie (along NC500) 4hr 9 mins
Night 8
Continue south to Inverness and then take the A82 south past Loch Ness and through Fort Augustus then continue down through Fort William to Glencoe
Things to see and do
- Take a detour round Inverness to the east and visit the National Trust exhibition showing the Culloden Battlefield and walk across the atmospheric battlefield
- At Fort Augustus you can enjoy the yachts sailing through the locks that make up the Caledonian Canal
- Enjoy the Nessie Experience at Drumnadrochit or visit Urquhart Castle on the banks of Loch Ness
- Walk
- Eat at the Clachaig Inn by the Red Squirrel Campsite
Camping
Red Squirrel Campsite at Glencoe
Time to Travel
Rosemarkie to Glencoe 2hrs 25 mins
Night 9
Continue south towards Loch Lomond and either drive down the A82 on the west side or turn onto the A85 at Crianlarich. Head round to the east side of the Loch, through Drymen to Balmaha.
Camping
Milarrochy Bay
Cashel Campsites
Time to Travel
Glencoe to Balmaha 1hr 51 mins
Day 10
Return to Four Seasons Campers
Time to Travel
Balmaha to Four Seasons Campers 25 mins