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Old 12 November 2014, 16:45   #1
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Winter Camping/Ribbing in Scotland

Evening Guys, I tentatively ask this question as I've only recently joined the forum but lurked for a good while now. I've been searching for a little while but struggling to find what i'm looking for, some may thing we're mad! I'm looking for Winter Ribbing/Camping locations, but specifically some knowledge from people who know the area.
My friend and I regularly winter camp, so the prospect of cold and wet weather is something that doesn't bother us, but if anything presents an exciting challenge that we wait all year for.

In years past i've done some winter camping whilst canoeing and have experienced the change in conditions, we've also done a fair few camps over the summer in my Rib, and the last a couple of weeks ago on the Solway Coast, but found on our last visit the Weather a little too torrid for my SR4.

In essence i'm looking for some new locations that people have had experience with over winter before. We're looking at putting in another 1 week camp at somepoint in december, and We love the isolation that the Rib provides, however i'm really not sure where to go.

Weather is always something that cant be relied upon, but I know some areas are more sheltered on others.

Can anyone give any ideas of locations we could look into for our December camp? We're from Sheffield so really a 5-6hr drive would be about the Limit.... anything we need we take with us (and also comes home) so amenities aren't an issue, if there are some opportunities for exploration that would be brilliant, but not essential. We fill the week with bushcraft and photography, with some boat trips in-between to aid the trip usually.

Thanks in advance for any Advice, (PS both inland lochs and sea lochs are an option, conditions and safety are more the priority for the trip)

Thanks

Tom
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Old 12 November 2014, 18:25   #2
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Not as daft as it sounds, we used to have a diving week on a liveaboard out of Oban every February. Due to the gulf stream, the water was a pretty constant 10-12 deg even in the depths of winter. This keeps the frosts off the west coast (hence the palm trees in Oban) I'd look for something around Oban/Easdale that has a semblance of civilisation (read "warm pub") & easy access to the water. There's Oban Caravan & camping site just south of Oban next to Puffin Divers (good launch & showers & toilets) The campsite is closed during the winter, but there is a semi "wild camping" field on your right just before the campsite entrance right by the waters edge, I doubt if anyone would complain if you pitched there for a couple of days, they prolly wouldn't know you were there.
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Old 12 November 2014, 18:46   #3
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As Dave says Oban & surrounding area like loch Etive see an earlier thread or even Loch Lomond good for wild camp etc
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Old 12 November 2014, 19:04   #4
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I far prefer loch lomond in winter to summer as nobody else is around.
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Old 12 November 2014, 19:08   #5
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..... as nobody else is around.
Aye, 'cos it's bloody freezing
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Old 12 November 2014, 19:12   #6
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One time we took sib to Loch Lomond we boated in the morning and skiing in the aft
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Old 12 November 2014, 19:46   #7
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Ullapool and Loch Broom should be on your list. If it's blowing a westerly or northerly on the Minch then don't even get out of your sleeping bag.
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Old 12 November 2014, 19:58   #8
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Quote:
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Not as daft as it sounds, we used to have a diving week on a liveaboard out of Oban every February. Due to the gulf stream, the water was a pretty constant 10-12 deg even in the depths of winter. This keeps the frosts off the west coast (hence the palm trees in Oban) I'd look for something around Oban/Easdale that has a semblance of civilisation (read "warm pub") & easy access to the water. There's Oban Caravan & camping site just south of Oban next to Puffin Divers (good launch & showers & toilets) The campsite is closed during the winter, but there is a semi "wild camping" field on your right just before the campsite entrance right by the waters edge, I doubt if anyone would complain if you pitched there for a couple of days, they prolly wouldn't know you were there.
X2 it's a good choice...and if you get fed up with roughing it...Oban's close and has decent Creature comforts!
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Old 12 November 2014, 20:26   #9
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Cheers guys I'll get googling these locations
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Old 12 November 2014, 20:32   #10
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Just did AA route map for Ullapool. 9hrs 13 minutes. Maybe leave it until summer.
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Old 12 November 2014, 20:37   #11
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Around Oban could be looking like a good option, Ullapool is probably going to be too much of a stretch for a winter drive/camp unfortunately. 8.5hrs without a trailer, so an eternity with the Rib on the back!
Like the idea of a winter Dive though, might have a look into that if they do some guided stuff. Got my Padi and Dry suit and not dont it in the UK for a while now.
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Old 12 November 2014, 21:09   #12
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It's easy from Sheffield as long as rest & be thankful is open out of Arrochar otherwise I would go sterling way as top end of Loch Lomond has bad RD works
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Old 12 November 2014, 21:34   #13
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It's easy from Sheffield as long as rest & be thankful is open out of Arrochar otherwise I would go sterling way as top end of Loch Lomond has bad RD works

Rest is never shut now with the opening if the old military road. LL roadworks not too bad really both better than going via Stirling.


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Old 12 November 2014, 21:37   #14
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Winter Camping/Ribbing in Scotland

I can remember using the old Rd when I was a kid single track with passing places
Makes a good rally stage now.
http://youtu.be/lbtOLP4WUo4
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Old 12 November 2014, 21:47   #15
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Rest is never shut now with the opening if the old military road. LL roadworks not too bad really both better than going via Stirling.


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The Stirling route is a lllloooonnnnngggg old drag
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Old 12 November 2014, 21:52   #16
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The Stirling route is a lllloooonnnnngggg old drag

Bit like Jambo then


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Old 12 November 2014, 21:53   #17
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Bit like Jambo then


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Who woke you up Dracula!!?


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Old 12 November 2014, 22:44   #18
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Rest is never shut now with the opening if the old military road. LL roadworks not too bad really both better than going via Stirling.


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Doh, what did you say that for - guaranteed to be closed now! Last big landslip did close it for a day as it wasn't on a section avoided by the old road - but it is a vast improvement on before. Of course its not impossible that Glencoe is closed with snow depending when in winter you go (if you are heading further up)!
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Old 13 November 2014, 06:23   #19
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Doh, what did you say that for - guaranteed to be closed now! Last big landslip did close it for a day as it wasn't on a section avoided by the old road - but it is a vast improvement on before. Of course its not impossible that Glencoe is closed with snow depending when in winter you go (if you are heading further up)!

Wasn't the rest it was near Cairndow as I was on it the next day


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Old 13 November 2014, 07:41   #20
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apple cross did it last year, long way from retford went for two weeks, plenty of scope to keep away from weather.apple cross inn food brilliant. stayed at holy's house bob gave us plenty of info, camp site at the back of the inn
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