Day Campervan Tour – Hillwalking and History tour of the West and North Coast of Scotland
Places Visited include: Glencoe; Fort William; Loch Ness; Ullapool; Lochinver; Durness;
Day 1
From Four Seasons Campers head north on A82 towards Glencoe and wild camp at Glen Etive which is located just after Glencoe Ski Centre turnoff. Camp alongside the River Etive – lots of places to pull over along the single track road. Kids can paddle or if brave enough enjoy a swim! Great for having fires (suggest you stop on way to get firewood or drive to end of glen to get it as not many trees along the river Etive).
Things to see and do
• Stop at 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
• 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
Camping Wild camp – Glen Etive
Campsite – Red Squirrel Glencoe
Driving Time 1 hour 15 mins from Gallangad Lodge and Four Seasons Campers
Day 2
From Glencoe drive north on the A82 through Fort William and up to Fort Augustus then continue to Drumnadrochit then continue past Ullapool and onto Achmelvic by Lochinver where there is a small campsite beside the most beautiful white beaches which are lovely and shallow for paddling or swimming in – it’s stunning! Enjoy two beaches and scramble over the rocks to the Hermits Cave. The campsite does Fish and Chips or you can visit Lochinver for the most amazing Lochinver Pies – choice of over 30!
Things to see and do
• 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
• Stop for a walk near Garve between Inverness and Ullapool https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/lochness/Silverbridge.shtml
• Stop at Knockan Crag National Nature reserve between Ullapool and Achmelvic to view the rock formations (this is part of the North West Geopark rock route showing the story of how Scotland was formed – even if the kids aren’t into Geology – it’s really interesting!) (free)
• Stop at Ardvreck Castle on shores of Loch Assynt and wander around the ruins (free)
Camping Shore Caravan site, Achmelvic – opens 1 April for season
Driving Time 4 hours 45 mins
Day 3
Drive north through Scourie and Kinlochbervie and then on to Oldshore Beg and to Blairmore Car Park. Then walk to the beautiful and remote Sandwood Bay. https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/sutherland/sandwood-bay.shtml It really is worth the long walk into it…the kids won’t be disappointed! Then continue on to Durness or return to Kylesku depending on what you are looking to do the following day.
Things to see and do
• Sandwood Bay walk
• Kylesku Hotel for good food
Camping Campsite: Sango Sands, Durness
Driving Time Achmelvic to Oldshoremore 1 hour and 25 mins
Oldshoremore to Durness 35min
Day 4
If in Durness, walk up Ben Hope – its steep but not too long – so a good one for kids. If at Kylesku head south, and just past Elphin at Drumrunie, head west towards Achiltibuie. You can either walk up Stac Pollaidh which is a great small mountain with stunning views over the lochans of Assynt or continue to Achnahaird Beach. Then either wild camp or camp at the new campsite at Port a bhaigh campsite overlooking the summer isles or continue onto Ullapool.
Things to see and do
• Ben Hope – most northernly Munro
• Smoo Caves in Durness
• Summer Isles Hotel for excellent food
• Boat Trip to Summer Isles
• Walk along beach at Ullapool and climb on old shipwreck
• Visit Rhue Lighthouse by Ullapool near Ardmair
Campsite: Ullapool or Port a bhaigh
Driving Time Durness to Ullapool 1 hour 45 mins
Day 5
Take the ferry from Ullapool to Stornaway on Lewis then traverse to west coast to Uig Bay on Isle of Lewis then down to Tarbert on Harris and get the ferry to Skye.
Campsite: Loch Greshornish Skye
Driving Time Ferry time Ullapool to Stornaway on Lewis 2 hours 45 mins
Driving Stornaway to Tarbert 1 hour
Ferry Tarbert on Harris to Uig in Skye 1 hour 40 mins
Day 6
Visit Dunvegan Castle and head east towards the pretty town of Portree on Skye then south towards the Skye Bridge. Drive over to Plockton then head back south towards Eilean Donan Castle. Alternatively head south west to Armadale to get the short ferry to Mallaig and head south to camp at Arisaig. You could take in Plockton then drive back over the bridge and take this second route. If you prefer to stay on the mainland, then from Eilean Donan Castle take the A827 east towards Invergarry and head south towards Fort William.
Things to see and do
• Visit Dunvegan Castle – lovely walks and gardens
• Eilean Donan Castle on mainland
• Plockton – great seafood at Plockton Inn
• Visit the colourful town of Portree on Skye
Camping Wild camp: Arisaig by beach or near Gairlochy overlooking Ben Nevis and Caledonian Canal
Campsite: Sunnyside Campsite Arisaig or Nevis Campsite Fort William
Driving Time Dunvegan Skye to Armadale Skye 1 hour 15 mins
Ferry Armadale to Mallaig 1 hour
Dunvegan Skye to Glengarry 2 hours 30 mins
Day 7
Whether camping by Fort William or at Arisaig, head towards Fort William then south along the A82 towards Loch Lomond and continue round the south end of Loch Lomond to the Stirling Road then head north up the east side of Loch Lomond to Balmaha and campsites beyond. Alternatively take the A832 at Ballachulish bridge and head south west down to Connel bridge and then south east towards the town of Inverary and the beautiful Castle here and famous Inverary Jail.
Things to see and do
• Get the West Highland Jacobite steam train between Mallaig and Fort William (or vise versa) (made famous by the Hogwarts Express in Harry Potter)
• View the Glenfinnan viaduct and monument at the head of Loch Sheil
• Visit Camusdarach Beach made famous in Scottish film ‘Local Hero.’
• Visit Neptunes Staircase at Fort William where the Caledonian Canal meets the sea loch
• Stop at Loch Leven Seafood café for amazing Scottish Seafood at Ballachulish bridge
• Climb Conic Hill by Balmaha – 30 minute climb for great views
• Eat at the Oaktree Inn Balamaha
• Eat at The George Hotel Inverary for lunch
• Visit the pretty village of Port Appin and walk round the headland then eat at The Pierhouse Restaurant for lunch
Camping Campsites: Milarrochy Bay or Cashel Campsites
Driving Time From Fort William to Loch Lomond Balmaha 2 hours 15 mins
Day 8
Driving Time 30 minutes from Four Seasons Campers