Four Seasons Campers
Campervan Hire Edinburgh and Glasgow
Located off the west coast of Scotland, Islay is approximately 25 miles long and 15 miles wide, making it one of the larger islands in the Hebrides.
The island has a mild maritime climate with wet winters and cool, windy summers, influenced heavily by the surrounding Atlantic Ocean.
As well as 8 distilleries, a variety of golf courses and sandy beaches, Islay is a great place to see standing stones and has been inhabited since prehistoric times, with evidence of Mesolithic and Neolithic settlements.
Day 1
Take the A82 north to Tarbet on Loch Lomond then the A83 west along Loch Fyne and over to Lochgilphead. Head to Cairnbaan and park up for cycle along Crinan Canal to Crinan and back. After cycle head south down the B8025 to Tayvallich to camp for night.
Things to see and do:
• Stop at pretty village of Luss on Loch Lomond
• Visit the Loch Fyne Oyster Bar
• Visit Inverary Castle
• Lunch at The George Hotel, Inverary
• Visit Crinan and watch the yachts come through the Crinan Canal
• Lunch option at Crinan Hotel overlooking Corryvrekan whirlpool
• Dinner at Tayvallich Inn – great seafood overlooking Loch Sween
• Visit Kiels Chapel and look for the otters!
Campsite:
Day 2
Travel down to Kennacraig and take ferry over to Port Ascaig in Islay
Things to see and do:
• Several good places to eat in Port Charlottte including Port Charlotte Hotel. Also book in advance for seafood from Lochindaal Hotel restaurant
• A good place to walk is at the RSPB reserve at Loch Gruinart
• Bowmore Distillery is between Port Charlotte and Port Ellen and is recommended but there are also lots of other distilleries so if you know your whisky then you can choose your favourite to visit!
• Cycle between 3 distilleries from Port Ellen to Laphroiag, Lagavulin to Ardbeg, Bike hire in Port Charlotte opposite Port Charlotte Hotel 01496 850 488 and in Port Ellen from Jim Lutomski 07760 196592
• Eat at Ardbeg Distillery
Campsite:
Port Mor near Port Charlotte – Good facilities toilets, showers, laundry and bistro. Free wireless network. Ten electrical hook ups. 01496 850441
Kintra Farm – 3 miles from Port Ellen. Basic camping and caravanning site beside the sea. Converted farm steading houses toilets, wash hand basins and showers and unisex disabled toilet. No electrical hook up points
01496 302051
Mobile Service Point and Hook up at Port Ellen Filling Station- community owned facility for campervans to empty chemical waste, electric hook up and fill up with fuel plus water supply, wi-fi access, jet wash and air compressor. 2, 4 and 1 night stops – Public toilets opposite. In town for access to restaurants and bars with view out to sea. Call 01496 302443
Day 3
Get the ferry back to main land and drive north on A816 through Kilmartin Glen and through Oban and across Connel Bridge to Port Appin . Then head back south onto A85 and drive east past Loch Awe and back to Crianlarich and east Lochearnhead then south down the A84 to Strathyre
Things to see and do:
• Visit standing stones at Kilmartin
• Stop at Sutherland Grove and either cycle or walk through forest (great for wild mushrooms here!)
• Get a small ferry to the island of Lismore and cycle here. There is a little Visitor centre and café on the island.
• Lunch at The Pier House , Port Appin
• Visit Cruachan Power Station one of Scotlands most amazing engineering achievements – known as The Hollow Mountain.
• Cycle around Loch Lubnaig from Strathyre
• Dinner Mhor 84 at Strathyre
Campsite: Immervoulin Caravan and Camping Park
Day 4
Drive to Four Seasons Campers (Loch Lomond Base) 1 hour