Where's best to go in Scotland?

[humberrib1]

Hi Guy's,

Can I once again ask for your invaluable advice? My wife & I are considering a holiday on the west coast of Scotland either May or July next year. Having never been before, can anyone suggest a picturesque area in the countryside with good opportunities for SIB-ing please? Any recommendations for good quality (not necessarily 5 star) Self Catering Accommodation or even Campsites would be very much appreciated. I own a Honwave 3.8ie on a trailer with a 20HP. Many thanks in anticipation.

Jon.

[Poly]

Well you could do a lot worse than just look through The Gurnard's old posts.

July is peak midge season. I'm not saying that should put you off, but I would think carefully if considering camping for a whole week with your wife and neither of you have ever experienced them.

Everyone is different so your ideal picturesque spot might be the relative hustle and bustle of Oban, the busy village of Tighnabruich, the traffic free isolation of Easdale Island, the backdrop of the Cullins on Skye etc...

But some of those will be a lot more driving to get there than others. How far do you want to go?

Do you want to SIB all week (what if the weather is bad)? What else do you do? Do you want to stay in one spot or travel around? How long is a typical SIB trip for you (50 miles a day is possible in some places)? Worth considering where you will get fuel if you do long trips every day.

[jeffstevens763@g]

Base your self round Oban it's got all you will need there's lots of places to launch but a good one is ardoran marine who also have cottages a good slip and pontoon.
Walk highlands is a very good site for accommodation.
Seal isle & easedale also great accommodation tramway cottages for one 15 miles south of Oban.
Tayvalic good slip cottages around nice pub & cafe to eat in on loch sween jambo on here has a cottage I believe.
But IMO if it's your first time base aroun Oban that way you can ease yourself into it and get to know what's on offer and there are loads it a great place the west coast and if the weather blows up there's always some where you can get the boat in.
As poly says the midges are a pain if like me a magnet for them so cottage for me especially with her in doors last thing you want is the missus with bites all over.only the females bit now there's a surprise
Cheers

[paddlers]

We go to Carradale Bay Caravan site every year in August. Easy launch off the beach and the owner's a star.
Lots of sibs usually there and a very safe bay.

[Fenlander]

>>>the midges are a pain if like me a magnet for them so cottage for me

We take a cottage near a slipway and return from trips like an SAS raiding party as when you keep moving at speed they won''t get you.

On the plane back down the loch... respect the harbour speed limit but that's still above midge speed. Mrs with cottage keys in hand at the bow jumps off at the slip and runs to cottage for transom wheels. Boat up the slip double quick and into secure storage at cottage. Grab the floatation bags with our kit in and run inside where you're safe.

Pour drink... prepare steak, new potatos and salad.

... sorted!

But fumble for a minute fitting the transom wheels or finding the cottage door key and they've got you.

[GuyC]

They are attracted by carbon dioxide, amongst other things, so if you can avoid breathing out you should be alright.

Deet seems to work OK until you get it in your eyes.

[Maximus]

Originally Posted by GuyC

They are attracted by carbon dioxide, amongst other things, so if you can avoid breathing out you should be alright.

Deet seems to work OK until you get it in your eyes.

Avon SSS for me!
IME Most Deet products just doesn't cut it
Plenty of threads and Vids on here of the Oban area...they don't call it the "Gateway to the Isles for nothing"
Always somewhere to go and do in most conditions.

[kevinsc]

Loch lomond is a good place to go,good slips around the loch,there is plenty of accommodation(campsites and lodges) and scenery is great loads to do.

[kaman]

With regards go the the dreaded Scottish midgies I spent a full Saturday evening a few weekends ago on the patio having dinner and a few beers until darkness descended.
I'm out in the countryside next to a river and the midgies are hell.
This particular Saturday had perfect midgies conditions, however I was burning 2 mosquito coils.
They stink a bit but the patio was midge free.
There was literally a 5 metre radius with not a midge to be seen.
Unfortunately I got bitten x3 when I walked around the side of the house to put my empty beer cans in the bin😠.
I've bought 4 boxes of the things now and have them stashed in the Sib / car / motorbike / caravan etc ready for deployment

[jwalker]

Originally Posted by kaman

With regards go the the dreaded Scottish midgies I spent a full Saturday evening a few weekends ago on the patio having dinner and a few beers until darkness descended.
........however I was burning 2 mosquito coils.

Well, all I can say is those wuz woosey midgies.

[Perroboy]

Best product by far is Smidge. Doesn`t smell too bad either alternatively strap a couple of 30 inch industrial fans on yer roof rack. You might need to wear ear plugs for the noise but hey presto! no midgies.

[humberrib1]

Dear All,

Due to work commitments etc. this is the first time in a while that I've had chance to revisit the forum. However, may I say a big thank you to: -

Poly
jeffstevens
Paddlers
Fenlander
GuyC
Maximus
KevinSC
Kaman
jwalker
Perroboy

for your time and for the fantastic suggestions that you have posted in reply to my thread. You have all given me loads to think about and I'm quite sure that my wife and I will soon be looking forward to our first holiday in Scotland.

Thanks again Guy's, I really appreciate your help.

Jon.

[Maximus]

On the subject of Midges.....anyone on here have experience of the Co2 generating Traps??
....I've seen a couple on my travels,but never in use.
Cheers

[Xk59D]

yes i have in my other hobby of model flying.

do they work?, the short answer is yes but you need to have a lot of them if you have a lot of area to cover, also they need to really be left on all the time for many weeks/months before you notice any difference.

if you want specific info PM me as the model flying clubs around here have a few.

[Poly]

I know someone who was involved in building them. At best they claim a 30m working radius. Only the females bite, and they can lay one set of eggs without feeding on blood, so it's really the second season of continuous running you start to notice the improvement, but you can never completely eliminate them.

[A1an]

There is hardly a household around these parts that doesn't have a midgie machine and theyve had them for years, the truth is ....... they make fugg all difference.

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by A1an

There is hardly a household around these parts that doesn't have a midgie machine and theyve had them for years, the truth is ....... they make fugg all difference.

And you would know👍


Sh1t happens

[A1an]

Maybe they would work if the midge level wasn't as high.

[jambo]

Aye Alan they are certainly swarming this year!! It's the worst for a long time. Cheers


Sent from my iPhone using RIB Net

[Maximus]

Originally Posted by A1an

There is hardly a household around these parts that doesn't have a midgie machine and theyve had them for years, the truth is ....... they make fugg all difference.

Its the outdoor Propane Co2 type unit I was asking about....is that what you're referring to Al?