4th September 2011
That's it, this trip is over and we are heading home today.
Phil
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Glenfinnan
3rd September 2011
Today we spent most of the day at Glenfinnan. We parked at the visitors centre and climbed up the Bonnie Prince Charlie Monument. If you climb the little hill behind the centre there is both a good view of Loch Shiel, with the monument in the foreground, and a view in the opposite direction of the Glenfinnan Viaduct. This viaduct has been used as a location in a number of the Harry Potter films.
Following our picnic in the van, raining again, we head for a short walk down Loch Shiel.
Back at the site we were treated to a great sun set.
Phil
Today we spent most of the day at Glenfinnan. We parked at the visitors centre and climbed up the Bonnie Prince Charlie Monument. If you climb the little hill behind the centre there is both a good view of Loch Shiel, with the monument in the foreground, and a view in the opposite direction of the Glenfinnan Viaduct. This viaduct has been used as a location in a number of the Harry Potter films.
Following our picnic in the van, raining again, we head for a short walk down Loch Shiel.
Back at the site we were treated to a great sun set.
Phil
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Fort William
2nd September 2011
Today we left Skye behind and head down to Fort William for a few days. We are stopping at the Caravan Club site at Bunree, south west of Fort William. What a great site on the shore of Loch Linnhe.
Phil
Today we left Skye behind and head down to Fort William for a few days. We are stopping at the Caravan Club site at Bunree, south west of Fort William. What a great site on the shore of Loch Linnhe.
Phil
Friday, September 2, 2011
Sgurr Alasdair
1st September 2011
Today I was flying solo. While Tina took Bonnie a walk around Corie Lagan and then the beach, I headed for the highest peak in the Cuillin, Sgurr Alasdair.The great thing about the campsite is you walk out of your tent or camper van and straight on to the path.
I left around 10:00am and headed up to the loch at Corie Lagan, after the loch I had a short rest, took on a little fuel and then girded my loins ready for the Great Stone Chute. The Chute lived up to its reputation in the guide book, as a corner of purgatory. The climb up the Chute gains about four hundred metres in height, it starts with a walk on fist size stones, moves into a gully of boulders where the route has been worn clear in places. Having set off in bright sun light, the best weather so far on this trip, and being able to see what I think is the summit, the cloud arrives and drops down to my level for about the last 100 metres of the gully. Having reached the top of the Chute it is a short scramble to the summit over a narrow ridge. I could not see how exposed the ridge was due to the low cloud, may be that was a good thing. I dropped back down to the top of the chute for lunch and then headed back in to the gully and back to the camp site. On the way back the clouds cleared off the summit, isn't that just typical.
Today I was flying solo. While Tina took Bonnie a walk around Corie Lagan and then the beach, I headed for the highest peak in the Cuillin, Sgurr Alasdair.The great thing about the campsite is you walk out of your tent or camper van and straight on to the path.
I left around 10:00am and headed up to the loch at Corie Lagan, after the loch I had a short rest, took on a little fuel and then girded my loins ready for the Great Stone Chute. The Chute lived up to its reputation in the guide book, as a corner of purgatory. The climb up the Chute gains about four hundred metres in height, it starts with a walk on fist size stones, moves into a gully of boulders where the route has been worn clear in places. Having set off in bright sun light, the best weather so far on this trip, and being able to see what I think is the summit, the cloud arrives and drops down to my level for about the last 100 metres of the gully. Having reached the top of the Chute it is a short scramble to the summit over a narrow ridge. I could not see how exposed the ridge was due to the low cloud, may be that was a good thing. I dropped back down to the top of the chute for lunch and then headed back in to the gully and back to the camp site. On the way back the clouds cleared off the summit, isn't that just typical.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
On the Move Again
31st August 2011
Today we moved campsites to Glenbrittle.
We took the Staffin to Uig road and parked on the top of the ridge and walked to the Quiraing. This walk is really outstanding for such a short walk. We returned to the van for another van picnic, we had to keep the doors shut since the midges where massing.
We then drove through Uig and Portree, stocking up with provisions at the latter. We then took the B885 to pick up the A863 and eventually arriving at Glenbrittle campsite.
This campsite, recently reported to be one of the best campsites in the country by one national newspaper, is one for the outdoor enthusiast with the Black Cuillin behind it.
We had a very enjoyable evening walk on the beach with Bonnie playing frisbee.
Phil
Today we moved campsites to Glenbrittle.
We took the Staffin to Uig road and parked on the top of the ridge and walked to the Quiraing. This walk is really outstanding for such a short walk. We returned to the van for another van picnic, we had to keep the doors shut since the midges where massing.
We then drove through Uig and Portree, stocking up with provisions at the latter. We then took the B885 to pick up the A863 and eventually arriving at Glenbrittle campsite.
This campsite, recently reported to be one of the best campsites in the country by one national newspaper, is one for the outdoor enthusiast with the Black Cuillin behind it.
We had a very enjoyable evening walk on the beach with Bonnie playing frisbee.
Phil
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Staffin
30th August 2011
Today we moved campsite to the Camping and Caravan site at Staffin. This site is a little more conventional compared to the last site, standard type of toilet block, but more expensive site to stop at.
On the drive up we past the car park area for the Old Man of Storr, very busy, will need to get there early if we ever intend to walk to the Old Man
This afternoon we walked from the campsite to Breun Phort via Cadha Riach. The waves were crashing in so I tried to get some dramatic photos, but I got concerned about getting cut off by the tide so packed it in. There was an Oyster Catcher perched on a rock with the waves crashing behind it, would have made a great photo but either needed a bigger lens or needed to get closer, but as I said I was concerned about the tide.
Played on the beach at An Corran with Bonnie and then went for a look at the Stenscholl river. This river is supposed to be another good places to see otters, nothing doing.
Back at the site, despite the man on reception saying he expected a rush of campers it was very quite.
Phil
Today we moved campsite to the Camping and Caravan site at Staffin. This site is a little more conventional compared to the last site, standard type of toilet block, but more expensive site to stop at.
On the drive up we past the car park area for the Old Man of Storr, very busy, will need to get there early if we ever intend to walk to the Old Man
This afternoon we walked from the campsite to Breun Phort via Cadha Riach. The waves were crashing in so I tried to get some dramatic photos, but I got concerned about getting cut off by the tide so packed it in. There was an Oyster Catcher perched on a rock with the waves crashing behind it, would have made a great photo but either needed a bigger lens or needed to get closer, but as I said I was concerned about the tide.
Played on the beach at An Corran with Bonnie and then went for a look at the Stenscholl river. This river is supposed to be another good places to see otters, nothing doing.
Back at the site, despite the man on reception saying he expected a rush of campers it was very quite.
Phil
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Otter Haven
29th Aug 2011
Today we took the Glen Arroch single track road over Bealach Udal and on to Kylerhea. Here there is a small ferry crossing to the main land and a nicely situated car park above the slipway giving a nice view out over the channel. We parked the van and walked the 1K trail to the Otter Haven. A short distance down the trail there is a small toilet block and at regular intervals along the track the trees have been cleared giving a view down to the channel. At these clearings there is an information board giving information on various local wild creatures.
At the Otter Haven there is a nicely kept hide complete with information boards. The hide looks out over Kylerhea narrows. Unfortunately we we did not see any otters from the hide but we did see a number of seals in the water and on the beach. There is a log book in the hide where you are encouraged to log what you see. The previous days activity showed that an otter had been seen, it also stated that someone had been there for 30 mins and saw nothing! I think your visit to the hide should probably be for longer than 30 mins if you want to spot anything interesting. Inside the hide there are a number of sets of binoculars, if like me you forget to take yours on holiday. Find out more about the hide here.
On return to the van we had a picnic lunch overlooking the channel. That's one of the great things with a camper van, when you go out for the day you have all your things with you (apart for binoculars of course!)
Phil
Today we took the Glen Arroch single track road over Bealach Udal and on to Kylerhea. Here there is a small ferry crossing to the main land and a nicely situated car park above the slipway giving a nice view out over the channel. We parked the van and walked the 1K trail to the Otter Haven. A short distance down the trail there is a small toilet block and at regular intervals along the track the trees have been cleared giving a view down to the channel. At these clearings there is an information board giving information on various local wild creatures.
At the Otter Haven there is a nicely kept hide complete with information boards. The hide looks out over Kylerhea narrows. Unfortunately we we did not see any otters from the hide but we did see a number of seals in the water and on the beach. There is a log book in the hide where you are encouraged to log what you see. The previous days activity showed that an otter had been seen, it also stated that someone had been there for 30 mins and saw nothing! I think your visit to the hide should probably be for longer than 30 mins if you want to spot anything interesting. Inside the hide there are a number of sets of binoculars, if like me you forget to take yours on holiday. Find out more about the hide here.
On return to the van we had a picnic lunch overlooking the channel. That's one of the great things with a camper van, when you go out for the day you have all your things with you (apart for binoculars of course!)
Phil
Monday, August 29, 2011
Rubha Ardnish
28th Aug 2011
Woke this morning to what sounded like an Arctic storm raging outside. We decided to have a slow start to the day, a little bit of reading and then a early lunch with a walk to follow.
The walk was just a short one, through Lower Breakish and out onto Rubha Ardnish along the shore line and black.
The walk may have been short, just a couple of hours, but it blew the cobwebs away.
Phil
Woke this morning to what sounded like an Arctic storm raging outside. We decided to have a slow start to the day, a little bit of reading and then a early lunch with a walk to follow.
The walk was just a short one, through Lower Breakish and out onto Rubha Ardnish along the shore line and black.
The walk may have been short, just a couple of hours, but it blew the cobwebs away.
Phil
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Off to Skye
27th Aug 2011
Today we are taking the camper van from South Cumbria (home) to the Isle of Skye.
When we travel the west side of Scotland we have three main stopping places, either great spots for us or the dog. The first of these is the Annandale Water services on the M74. This is a perfect spot if you are travelling with a dog. At the far end of the car park is a great dog walking area complete with a lake. The second place is at Inveruglas on the banks of Loch Lomond, this is both a great spot to stop for both the dog and ourselves. The facilities are good, nice ice-cream , great views of the Loch and surrounding mountains, including Ben Lomond. Today we stopped there for lunch. The third stop is Fort William, it's usual for us to fill up with diesel at Morrison's. When heading north of Fort William you need to fill up on cheaper super market fuel, we won't find it cheap north of here.
The journey from Cumbria to Skye was enjoyable with not a great deal of traffic. It started in heavy rain but the sky cleared a little so that we had great views on the way of Loch Lomond, Glen Coe and The Seven Sisters.
On arrival at the campsite we go into our routine of Tina taking Bonnie for a walk while I set up the little house - turn on the gas, hook up the electric, fill the water container, connect up the water pump, turn the passenger seat around and pop up the roof, hay presto It's ready.
We are stopping at Ashaig Camping and Caravan site for three nights. The site is very simple with a small number of facilities, this is not a problem as along as the numbers allowed on the site are kept low. We had a very warm welcome by the owner and it is a reasonable price.
From the site there is a good view of The Red Cuillin, from here they hide their more sort after cousins, The Black Cuillins.
Phil
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