How many sites/nights would you recommend for Isle of Skye please?
It is a long drive to go up to Scotland, so it is likely to be a longer trip than just 5-6 nights.
I shall probably have a one-nighter going up and on the way back to break up the journey.
Thanks in advance.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
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'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
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When are you going? It’s an awfy busy place in summer, but I think most sites are fine. I’d look at getting a central one to radiate out from - the island is bigger than it looks. If you go to a coastal one, great views but you’ll be driving the same road back to it every day.
I’ve usually self catered for a week near Sligachan (central & very famous hotel) because some roads are too narrow for comfortable driving in our MH, but you’ll be fine in yours.
Include a day on Raasay - go over on foot & if you like poetry, read “Hallaig” by Sorley MacLean before you go: a lament for the Clearances, with birch trees likened to the girls in the township of Hallaig now gone.
Maybe take a boat from Elgol over to Loch Coruisk (not for walking unless you’re experienced, as “the bad step” is well named) & come back the same way. (There’s a brilliant YouTube of the Scottish cyclist taking his bike over & cycling up to the top, with excellent music. Can’t remember names, might post later.)
Great place for geology but that might not be your interest - Red Cuillins glow red at sunset, Black Cuillins go coal black, but they look the same during the day (jaggy, very unlike Mull).
You could also make an interesting loop of it, make more of the trip, by taking the ferry over from Mallaig & coming back on the bridge. I’m not sure the tiny private ferry at Glenelg is still operating. (Drovers used to swim the herds of Highland cattle over that route, heading to the trysting fair at Falkirk).
Sorry for all that. Hopefully some is useful to you, DK.
However, I just checked the school holidays calendar for Scotland as I remembered they are different to England and Wales, good job too as mid July = school holidays!!!
So, I shall plan for mid June 2024 to avoid the school holidays, or in August 2024 after the schools have re-opened.
Not sure if I would feel comfortable driving in very narrow single track roads with my van though.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Don't forget to leave a review of the campsites you have visited this year or last!
Have a look at OS maps. You’ll be fine on A & B roads, just check how bendy the yellow C roads are (& if there’s a dead end to turn around in), stay off the white roads as they’ll have awful surfaces.
Look up photos & you’ll see monster MHs parked on verges by the honeypot sites, so you’ll be able to go most places albeit with patience on the single track ones. (Look up posts by the much missed Ficklejade - she wrote excellent advice re single track roads on Mull).
Finally, book into Mortonhall at Edinburgh (reviews on UKCS) if you’re passing in August - that’s the Edinburgh Festival time; it’s great for dog walks & an excellent farm shop at the entrance. Catch the bus into town & enjoy the buzz around Princes Street even if you don’t go to the Tattoo (fireworks every night, visible from the Braid Hills - a short walk up from Mortonhall).
Quote: Originally posted by Fiona W on 16/3/2023
VisitScotland has the most comprehensive information:
https://www.visitscotland.com/places-to-go/islands/isle-skye
Got it, thanks!
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Don't forget to leave a review of the campsites you have visited this year or last!
Add to the list The Quiraing; the area has sensational scenery, it's well worth a visit. At midsummer in Skye you might need a sleeping mask. Night is a very fleeting thing up there in summer. It's 20 years since I visited Skye, found it fascinating and photogenic. I tented just outside Portree and at Staffin; it was windy!
------------- Always edited for sloppy typing - when I spot it!
Quote: Originally posted by Hedgehugger on 16/3/2023
Add to the list The Quiraing; the area has sensational scenery, it's well worth a visit. At midsummer in Skye you might need a sleeping mask. Night is a very fleeting thing up there in summer. It's 20 years since I visited Skye, found it fascinating and photogenic. I tented just outside Portree and at Staffin; it was windy!
I'll be in my van with black-out curtains and blinds, so no worries on that front.
Thanks for the advice!
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Quote: Originally posted by Hedgehugger on 16/3/2023
Ah, you're sorted then! I doubt I'll make it that far north again, barring miracles - enjoy!
I am hoping to take my van up to the Arctic Circle when I fully retired as one of my bucket list trip, as I would need to take a whole month off!
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Don't forget to leave a review of the campsites you have visited this year or last!
Hmmm, looks like Skye will have to wait as I am likely to visit my family in Canada next year, with a trip to Mexico with my brother while I am out there, and the flights from Vancouver to Cancun are not cheap!
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Isle of Skye
via mobile 16/3/2023 at 10:09am
