Scotland.....where and how best to do it?

We are thinking of travelling to Scotland in a month or so how long yet to be decided or is it off to France? we have seen the 500 route mentioned by many as well as visiting the islands. So we thought would it be a good idea for a Scotland do and don't do, a how and how not to, a must visit and places to avoid. This would help all members who may at some point be thinking the same!
So what are your thoughts?
I know Polly has even dared to go on her own what is the advice for another single traveller?
Jan and Steve

We have toured Scotland many times over the 2 weeks easter (school) hols. Before the 500 was thought up by some Tourist Office marketing person the route was very quiet at this time of year - though we didn't follow the published route exactly. Last time we went (2 years ago) we noticed many more motorhomes touring the area, which can be interesting when you meet one on the single track roads. We have seen snow down at low levels in april but they seem to clear the roads better than down south. The midges do not usually appear until june, so May might be a better month for weather. The North West above Fort William is our favorite coastline as well North coast for scenery and abundance of beautiful Wild camping spots. Top North East corner not that attractive.
We have toured Mull and Skye many times, again seem to be more popular with motorhomes nowadays. Not done outer Hebrides but I think Polly or Ken could advise. 
Durness worth a visit and a trip out to Cape Wrath on the mini bus.
Applecross used to be our favorite but again its got very busy recently. There are so many little villages on the coast up north worth seeing and not forgetting the many inland lochs to see . Lochinver, Loch Maree and Poolewe area worth seeing. Too many to list really - depends what your interests are.

To tour the 500 route would need 2 weeks to appreciate it all, and add on the time taken to get up to Inverness from Yorkshire and back. Cant go up this year  - Kim having an Op. on her foot so not mobile at easter. Let me know if you want any more details Jan and Steve.

Steve and Kim

Thanks Steve is there anywhere you would advise to avoid considering our size and Lhd? Applecross ive seen and they say go anti clockwise if large

Hia

I did Hebredes Harris etc with Rob but we had awful weather and came back early.

I did the east side as up to Inverness and then carried on up to meet ken and adele for Orkney. Coming back I came down east side to Inverness then did barmoral area and down to meet up at Lurches near St Andrews foe mx meet.
You can overnight at Baloral carpark there are bays on the coach car park.
Last year I went up the middle then straight up for Orkney and Shetland

Now this year I am planning on Sept to go up tosweetheart abbey then up to Oban for ferry to Mull, then back over to go up to Inverness and up into the highlands. Then depending might venture over to Orkney. Then back own the east side

But early days
Planning in progress.
My van is only 6 mt long so fits into spaces

The Harbour carpark are bit small for w/c for you I think
Stonehaven and Aberdeen prom on the road w/c
Banff Harbour w/c
Near Inverness Rogue Falls car park w/c
Helmsdale Harbour w/c
? Harbour ( will find its name) w/c
Castle Sinclair up near wick BIG car park and small ruin castle to look around with/c
Will get my blog book out .
But as you may have gathered mine is mostly East side

Hia
Steve are you on Scottish motorhome wildcampers on Facebook
They helped me a lot

Hia

Also the Kelpies overnight first carparkfree. If you go on the main carpark you might get the boy racers in the evening but there no trouble, so the overspill car ok. Also Falkirk wheel but think it is £15 p/n now it you have elsan and showers and the key to the shower unlocks the main gate so you could stay there and later on go to the Kelpies to see them lit up then go back to the wheel letting yourself back in , but check that out

Hi Polly yes we are members and see a lot of posts but some exaggerate and others don’t realise the size as it is width as well. Thanks for the info and anything else you add as said it’s better from someone you know

The only problem I foresee going down the Bealach na Ba ( anticlockwise) is your brakes overheating befOre you reac sea level. New van with plenty PoWer I would gO up.

madeinyorkshire wrote:

The only problem I foresee going down the Bealach na Ba ( anticlockwise) is your brakes overheating befOre you reac sea level. New van with plenty PoWer I would gO up.

Cheers Steve sadly my engine is only 2300 not much power for such a big beast I will have a look cheers Steve

Just copied this from Wikipedia lol

The Bealach, as it is known for short, is unsuitable for learner drivers, large vehicles and motorhomes. Please use caution while travelling up and down the Bealach. The route is often impassible in winter.


Now I know Motorhomes use it but is their signs advising not to I wonder? If so how would your insurance react to a claim? I had a small section like that in the Peak District 2weeks ago lol

We have seen bigger `vans than our up there and once met the Brewery lorry on its way back from restocking the pub in Applecross. Have a look on Google Earth and decide. Don't be put off by the single track roads way up north . The "A" and "B" roads have very frequent passing places, and if you meet cars between they tend to give way to bigger vans and reverse so you dont need to. So with a van of your size I would  avoid unclassified roads especially those ending at the coast ( usually at a beautiful white sandy beach) !!

madeinyorkshire wrote:

We have seen bigger `vans than our up there and once met the Brewery lorry on its way back from restocking the pub in Applecross. Have a look on Google Earth and decide. Don't be put off by the single track roads way up north . The "A" and "B" roads have very frequent passing places, and if you meet cars between they tend to give way to bigger vans and reverse so you dont need to. So with a van of your size I would  avoid unclassified roads especially those ending at the coast ( usually at a beautiful white sandy beach) !!

Passing place are fine Steve it's the unknown roads with a dead end and unable to turn around and steep as to lack of power. As long as I can chec out on google then all fine

Have you decided Scotland or France yet Steve + Jan ?

Steve (and Jan)
I did Scotland twice with the Hymer (once with Polly and again going over to the Orkneys. Left hooker and most probably same width as yours although mine was 5.99 long. I found it a hairy drive on both occasions (got my offside mirror demolished on Skye with a mini-coach) .On the Orkney run i went up via the East coast which was a good run stopping at Kelpies,Fortrose,Helmsedale but on the return i came down the A82 via Fort William and did not enjoy that route (too many bends). I think no matter how careful you drive it avoiding the other idiots (white van ,coaches ,lorries to name a few) is the main problem and the so called 500 route is hammered with the forum hoards (using wildcamping poi's) and rented vans .Also if you  do it don't get caught out on the little bridges over streams where the road narrows . For me it would be France and after watching the celeb's go Barging in France think a trip down the Lot could be on for me this year.

madeinyorkshire wrote:

Have you decided Scotland or France yet Steve + Jan ?

Not yet Steve
The daughter is expecting and due in 2 weeks so obviously waiting for the birth, then obviously Jan (and me lol) would want to be around for a while. At the moment it is 50/50 with France and the rest as we have only ever been able to do 2 week stints in the past.

rebbyvid wrote:

Steve (and Jan)
I did Scotland twice with the Hymer (once with Polly and again going over to the Orkneys. Left hooker and most probably same width as yours although mine was 5.99 long. I found it a hairy drive on both occasions (got my offside mirror demolished on Skye with a mini-coach) .On the Orkney run i went up via the East coast which was a good run stopping at Kelpies,Fortrose,Helmsedale but on the return i came down the A82 via Fort William and did not enjoy that route (too many bends). I think no matter how careful you drive it avoiding the other idiots (white van ,coaches ,lorries to name a few) is the main problem and the so called 500 route is hammered with the forum hoards (using wildcamping poi's) and rented vans .Also if you  do it don't get caught out on the little bridges over streams where the road narrows . For me it would be France and after watching the celeb's go Barging in France think a trip down the Lot could be on for me this year.

Always mindfull of the idiots that drive too fast for the roads, the Lhd has never bothered me before my concerns are i get vertigo now and again and dubious of whether it will crop up. Been to Fort william in the Hymer B544 which was slightly slimmer. We always rushed when we went to France due to only having 2 weeks and enjoyed the last time as we never travelled far and took our time at each spot. Decisions, decisions lol