Canary Islander is clueless with Scottish Isles – Help!

[Canary Bird]

We will spend spring break on a neighboring Island in El Hierro. Island hopping in the Canaries is second nature, but doing in Scotland is proving to be an art & mathematical science … a fun one, but an overwhelming one.


First, we would gladly offer any help needed for any forum friends who need help in hopping around the Canaries.


Second, We have followed different travel threads on the forum and it has been very helpful – thank you!


Third, Help!!!! We would greatly appreciate any thoughts, information or suggestions to help us!

~ We have 13 - 15 days for this Scotland Island hopping trip, but possibly could dedicate more days if needed to this segment of our trip.

~ We need to research … campsites to stay at, timetables of ferries, if not enough days … how many days should need? Or Islands from outer/inner Hebrides to drop from trip, other details that we should consider, etc.

Here is our beginning travel preparations.

Arran > Islay > Mull > Iona > Skye (Inner Hebrides) > ??Barra > Harris > Lewis (Outer Hebrides) > Mainland Orkney (Orkney) > Fair Isle (Shetland)

Arran (Inner Hebrides)

Depart from: Androssan

Travel with: take ferry with VW

https://www.calmac.co.uk/destinations/arran

Tourist days: ??

Stay at: ??

Return to: Androssan

Islay (Inner Hebrides)

Depart from: Kennacraig

https://www.calmac.co.uk/kennacraig-portellen-portaskaig-islay-ferry-summer-timetable

Travel with: take ferry with VW

Tourist ?? days:

Stay at: ??

Return to: Kennacraig


Mull (Inner Hebrides)

Depart from: Oban
https://www.calmac.co.uk/destinations/mull

Travel: take ferry with VW

Tourist days: 3 …1 day in Mull, 1 day In Iona, 1 day in Mull

Stay at: Fidden Farm Campsite

Return to: Oban


Iona (Inner Hebrides)

Depart from: Mull

https://www.calmac.co.uk/destination/iona

Travel: on foot

Tourist day(s): 1

Stay at: day trip

Return to: Mull


Skye (Inner Hebrides)

Depart from: Mallaig

https://www.calmac.co.uk/destinations/skye

Travel with: take ferry with VW

Tourist days: ??

Stay at: campground?
Return to: Mallaig


Barra (Outer Hebrides)

>> not sure how or if we could incorporate this Island??

Depart from:

https://www.calmac.co.uk/destinations/barra

Travel with: ??

Tourist days: ??

Stay at: campground?

Return to:


Harris (Outer Hebrides)

Depart from: Uig/Skye to Tarbert/Harris

https://www.calmac.co.uk/destinations/skye

Travel with: take ferry with VW

Tourist days: ??

Stay at: campground?

Return to: Uig/Skye from Tarbert/Harris


Lewis (Outer Hebrides)
Depart from: Harris and drive north to Lewis

https://www.calmac.co.uk/destinations/lewis

Travel with: VW

Tourist days: ??

Stay at: campground?

Return to: Ullapool/Mainland


Mainland Orkney (Orkney)

Depart from: ??

Travel with: NorthLink Ferries, Pentland Ferries OR John O'Groats Ferries in order to bring VW ??

Tourist days: ??

Stay at: campground?

Return to: ??


Fair Isle (Shetland)

Depart from: Kirkwall??/Aberdeen?? to Lerwick/Fair

http://www.northlinkferries.co.uk

Travel with: North Link Ferries ??

Tourist days: ??

Stay at: campground?

Return to: ??

 

[Velma's Dad]

A couple of suggestions to get you started:

Skye: Glenbrittle campsite. Right by the beach (pebbles), under the Cuillin hills. Good basic facilities.

Lewis: Cnip campsite. Stunning location next to a huge sandy beach.

Harris: Try wild camping at the end of the road at Hushinish. No facilities but a gorgeous overnight spot. Or for a proper campsite, Lickisto Blackhouse campsite is in a lovely spot, although they only have a couple of campervan spots, at the entrance of the site.

Generally, in the Outer Hebrides you're going to find loads of great places to wild camp, so don't worry too much about pre-booking campsites. But depending on when you;re going to be travelling, the Inner Hebrides can be busier, especially Skye.

 

[BillyCasper]

I stayed at this one close to Mallaig. It was nice.

http://www.sunnysidetouringsite.co.uk/

Ardroil on Lewis is amazing. £2 campsite in the honesty box. £1 for a shower.

http://www.welcometoscotland.com/things-to-do/attractions/beaches/western-isles/uig-sands




Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[andyinluton]

Too many ferries in too short a time! you will spend the whole holiday either at the ports or on the ferry. Get on the Calmac website & see their hopscotch tickets, all your proposed routes look like you go back the way you came, whereas if you took Arran as a start you can go from mainland to Androsson on Arran & then leave Arran by its other port Lochranza as a short hop to the Kintyre Peninsular that gets you in the right area to get over to Islay.

You should be able to sort out a more circular route starting with that that halves the number of ferries.

I would also either concentrate on either the western isles or the shetlands do not under estimate the amount of time it takes to get across scotland due to the distances & the single track roads. When looking at a map of Britain Glasgow is actually only half way from London to Scrabster & the motorway stops at Glasgow!

 

[Stuart]

I would leave Orkney and Shetland for a separate trip.

We've been travelling to the Scottish Islands for the last 15 years and still haven't made it to Shetland! But we usually just pick a single island and go for a week.

 

[B J G]

Too many ferries in too short a time! you will spend the whole holiday either at the ports or on the ferry. Get on the Calmac website & see their hopscotch tickets, all your proposed routes look like you go back the way you came, whereas if you took Arran as a start you can go from mainland to Androsson on Arran & then leave Arran by its other port Lochranza as a short hop to the Kintyre Peninsular that gets you in the right area to get over to Islay.

You should be able to sort out a more circular route starting with that that halves the number of ferries.

I would also either concentrate on either the western isles or the shetlands do not under estimate the amount of time it takes to get across scotland due to the distances & the single track roads. When looking at a map of Britain Glasgow is actually only half way from London to Scrabster & the motorway stops at Glasgow!

totally agree with all that.
Scotland West Coast needs travel to be calculated by number of hours between points rather than miles. Too easy to be spending endless time on the road and not taking in the atmosphere.

 

[motacyclist]

As Andy says, your itinerary is slightly ambitious. My preference would be to concentrate on the Outer Hebrides, starting at Barra (don't miss this one) and working your way north and see how far you get. We did an Island Hopscotch when we went, and booked all the ferries in advance, but we found this wasn't necessary as you can just turn up and this gives more flexibility.

Make sure you take wind proof clothing. Mind you, you will be used to the wind living in the Canaries (bit cooler in Scotland though)

 

[525107]

Very, very ambitious itinerary! We don't have any dual carriageways in Scotland northwest of Dumbarton! In the north northwest much of the Tarmac is singletrack with passing places. Your trip could easily be achieved if you were to divide it into 3 sections allowing 2 weeks for each (you'll miss too much if you try to do all this over 2 weeks). Suggest: 1. West Coast mainland, there's an awful lot of beautiful scenery without doing the Western Isles. 2. Western Isles island hopping trip. 3. Northern Isles and Inverness. Try and share the driving, if not the driver won't be able to take much in as a bit more concentration is required on our wee narrow roads. Have great trip regardless what you decide.
Wullie


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Canary Bird]

THANK YOU all for your ideas & experience!!!

- I forgot to say … we are traveling in July ... I assume allow for more time and reserve more in certain places.

- If I understand correctly, I should reserve ferries for Inner Hebrides and not for Outer, Orkney & Shetland.

- Allow for slow/delayed driving with single lane roads.

- We will try to double our time in Scotland & cut out things in England & Wales ... we have 4-5 weeks total ... but kids still want Legoland and my wife wants "Poldark Cornwall!"

- We are trying to do a trip that you only could really experience by VW campervan as we can fly relatively cheaply to a major city in UK from the Canaries … driving & seeing the outback & Islands from Cali.

- Excited about single lane roads as I don’t have to remember what side to drive on ! We do them in the mountains here … gets exciting with a high steep cliff edge.

- I should do the Islands in rings and avoid back & forth.

- I want to write more, but must wait & run to work … to pay for the trip!

- Again, thank you so much for your help!!!

 

[Seaview]

Weather may also influence your itinerary. In July last year we were on the North West coast and one day it was lazing on the beach/swimming weather the next couple of days a really really big storm blew through, the change from one day to the next was unbelievable. After riding the worst of the storm out we decided to skip going to the islands and headed to Pitlochry and surrounding area.

It's a stunning area you are planning to go to but I agree with what others have said with regard to perhaps a less ambitious itinerary and book hop on hop off tickets to have most flexibility.

 

[snowy55]

Don't underestimate the Scottish midges at that time of the year!
Take plenty of products with you to combat the little blighters.

 

[Velma's Dad]

I hate to raise this, but someone has to... if you are planning to be in the west of Scotland in July, do bear in mind that it's peak season for midges.

You may find you are not particularly bothered by them, but it is a fact that some people have found the midges in summer have ruined their holiday, and plenty of people have cut camping trips in Scotland short because of them. The main tourist websites tend to downplay this... obviously!

I don't want to put you off, and some folks on the forum may say it's never been a problem for them. But I think you should be aware of this if you're planning a July trip. It does mean you might stay flexible in terms of camping spots and itineraries generally, as some places are always worse than others for midges but it's impossible to predict until you get there (eg if it's windy they won't be a problem).

 

[snowy55]

I hate to raise this, but someone has to... if you are planning to be in the west of Scotland in July, do bear in mind that it's peak season for midges.

You may find you are not particularly bothered by them, but it is a fact that some people have found the midges in summer have ruined their holiday, and plenty of people have cut camping trips in Scotland short because of them. The main tourist websites tend to downplay this... obviously!

I don't want to put you off, and some folks on the forum may say it's never been a problem for them. But I think you should be aware of this if you're planning a July trip. It does mean you might stay flexible in terms of camping spots and itineraries generally, as some places are always worse than others for midges but it's impossible to predict until you get there (eg if it's windy they won't be a problem).

That's the reason we go in May or Late September / October

 

[Teejay]

We will spend spring break on a neighboring Island in El Hierro. Island hopping in the Canaries is second nature, but doing in Scotland is proving to be an art & mathematical science … a fun one, but an overwhelming one.


First, we would gladly offer any help needed for any forum friends who need help in hopping around the Canaries.


Second, We have followed different travel threads on the forum and it has been very helpful – thank you!


Third, Help!!!! We would greatly appreciate any thoughts, information or suggestions to help us!

~ We have 13 - 15 days for this Scotland Island hopping trip, but possibly could dedicate more days if needed to this segment of our trip.

~ We need to research … campsites to stay at, timetables of ferries, if not enough days … how many days should need? Or Islands from outer/inner Hebrides to drop from trip, other details that we should consider, etc.

Here is our beginning travel preparations.

Arran > Islay > Mull > Iona > Skye (Inner Hebrides) > ??Barra > Harris > Lewis (Outer Hebrides) > Mainland Orkney (Orkney) > Fair Isle (Shetland)

Arran (Inner Hebrides)

Depart from: Androssan

Travel with: take ferry with VW

https://www.calmac.co.uk/destinations/arran

Tourist days: ??

Stay at: ??

Return to: Androssan

Islay (Inner Hebrides)

Depart from: Kennacraig

https://www.calmac.co.uk/kennacraig-portellen-portaskaig-islay-ferry-summer-timetable

Travel with: take ferry with VW

Tourist ?? days:

Stay at: ??

Return to: Kennacraig


Mull (Inner Hebrides)

Depart from: Oban
https://www.calmac.co.uk/destinations/mull

Travel: take ferry with VW

Tourist days: 3 …1 day in Mull, 1 day In Iona, 1 day in Mull

Stay at: Fidden Farm Campsite

Return to: Oban


Iona (Inner Hebrides)

Depart from: Mull

https://www.calmac.co.uk/destination/iona

Travel: on foot

Tourist day(s): 1

Stay at: day trip

Return to: Mull


Skye (Inner Hebrides)

Depart from: Mallaig

https://www.calmac.co.uk/destinations/skye

Travel with: take ferry with VW

Tourist days: ??

Stay at: campground?
Return to: Mallaig


Barra (Outer Hebrides)

>> not sure how or if we could incorporate this Island??

Depart from:

https://www.calmac.co.uk/destinations/barra

Travel with: ??

Tourist days: ??

Stay at: campground?

Return to:


Harris (Outer Hebrides)

Depart from: Uig/Skye to Tarbert/Harris

https://www.calmac.co.uk/destinations/skye

Travel with: take ferry with VW

Tourist days: ??

Stay at: campground?

Return to: Uig/Skye from Tarbert/Harris


Lewis (Outer Hebrides)
Depart from: Harris and drive north to Lewis

https://www.calmac.co.uk/destinations/lewis

Travel with: VW

Tourist days: ??

Stay at: campground?

Return to: Ullapool/Mainland


Mainland Orkney (Orkney)

Depart from: ??

Travel with: NorthLink Ferries, Pentland Ferries OR John O'Groats Ferries in order to bring VW ??

Tourist days: ??

Stay at: campground?

Return to: ??


Fair Isle (Shetland)

Depart from: Kirkwall??/Aberdeen?? to Lerwick/Fair

http://www.northlinkferries.co.uk

Travel with: North Link Ferries ??

Tourist days: ??

Stay at: campground?

Return to: ??

View attachment 19972

Your post is very aptly timed, we are planning 11 night trip but only going to Islay and Skye.
So the answers given by some will be interesting to us both

Our plan is:
1 night after work pm home to Moffat CMC site

Moffat to Kennacraig ferries at 13:00 or 15:30 (need to be there 30 mins before to board ferry)
4 nights on Islay staying at Port Mor site

Port Ellen to Kennacraig Ferry 09:45 drive to Skye stop at Fort William on the way.

4/5 nights on Skye not sure where to stay yet.

1 night on the way home somewhere.

Any midges we have Avon "O So Soft" we may have to find some midge netting for the windows and gaps.

..me..

 

[JohnnyP]

We will spend spring break on a neighboring Island in El Hierro. Island hopping in the Canaries is second nature, but doing in Scotland is proving to be an art & mathematical science … a fun one, but an overwhelming one.


First, we would gladly offer any help needed for any forum friends who need help in hopping around the Canaries.


Second, We have followed different travel threads on the forum and it has been very helpful – thank you!


Third, Help!!!! We would greatly appreciate any thoughts, information or suggestions to help us!

~ We have 13 - 15 days for this Scotland Island hopping trip, but possibly could dedicate more days if needed to this segment of our trip.

~ We need to research … campsites to stay at, timetables of ferries, if not enough days … how many days should need? Or Islands from outer/inner Hebrides to drop from trip, other details that we should consider, etc.

Here is our beginning travel preparations.

Arran > Islay > Mull > Iona > Skye (Inner Hebrides) > ??Barra > Harris > Lewis (Outer Hebrides) > Mainland Orkney (Orkney) > Fair Isle (Shetland)

Arran (Inner Hebrides)

Depart from: Androssan

Travel with: take ferry with VW

https://www.calmac.co.uk/destinations/arran

Tourist days: ??

Stay at: ??

Return to: Androssan

Islay (Inner Hebrides)

Depart from: Kennacraig

https://www.calmac.co.uk/kennacraig-portellen-portaskaig-islay-ferry-summer-timetable

Travel with: take ferry with VW

Tourist ?? days:

Stay at: ??

Return to: Kennacraig


Mull (Inner Hebrides)

Depart from: Oban
https://www.calmac.co.uk/destinations/mull

Travel: take ferry with VW

Tourist days: 3 …1 day in Mull, 1 day In Iona, 1 day in Mull

Stay at: Fidden Farm Campsite

Return to: Oban


Iona (Inner Hebrides)

Depart from: Mull

https://www.calmac.co.uk/destination/iona

Travel: on foot

Tourist day(s): 1

Stay at: day trip

Return to: Mull


Skye (Inner Hebrides)

Depart from: Mallaig

https://www.calmac.co.uk/destinations/skye

Travel with: take ferry with VW

Tourist days: ??

Stay at: campground?
Return to: Mallaig


Barra (Outer Hebrides)

>> not sure how or if we could incorporate this Island??

Depart from:

https://www.calmac.co.uk/destinations/barra

Travel with: ??

Tourist days: ??

Stay at: campground?

Return to:


Harris (Outer Hebrides)

Depart from: Uig/Skye to Tarbert/Harris

https://www.calmac.co.uk/destinations/skye

Travel with: take ferry with VW

Tourist days: ??

Stay at: campground?

Return to: Uig/Skye from Tarbert/Harris


Lewis (Outer Hebrides)
Depart from: Harris and drive north to Lewis

https://www.calmac.co.uk/destinations/lewis

Travel with: VW

Tourist days: ??

Stay at: campground?

Return to: Ullapool/Mainland


Mainland Orkney (Orkney)

Depart from: ??

Travel with: NorthLink Ferries, Pentland Ferries OR John O'Groats Ferries in order to bring VW ??

Tourist days: ??

Stay at: campground?

Return to: ??


Fair Isle (Shetland)

Depart from: Kirkwall??/Aberdeen?? to Lerwick/Fair

http://www.northlinkferries.co.uk

Travel with: North Link Ferries ??

Tourist days: ??

Stay at: campground?

Return to: ??

View attachment 19972

For your Arran section I would recommend the following:
Stay at Lochranza campsite (in the North of the Island)
The length of stay could be anything from 2 days to 2 weeks depending on what activities you like. For example you can drive around the coast of the island in a day easily. There are beaches and castles, a distillery with tours. Arran Outdoors have lots of organised activities aswell as mountain bike hire. Goatfell is the highest peak on the island (874m) with stunning views from the top. Lots of other good walks and cycle routes around the island. There are Seafari trips and day trips (by boat) to the nearby Holy Isle.

A 30min ferry in the north of the Island (Lochranza to Claonaig - Kintyre Peninsula) will save some driving time to the Islay ferry and also the ferry to Mull and Skye.

 

[Velma's Dad]

Any midges we have Avon "O So Soft" we may have to find some midge netting for the windows and gaps.

Just make sure you use proper midge-proof netting. They will pass through standard mozzie/insect netting like a prawn though a shark net.

 

[Teejay]

Just make sure you use proper midge-proof netting. They will pass through standard mozzie/insect netting like a prawn though a shark net.

Thanks, my wife has some bookmarked from a website that I believe states clearly that they will resist the smaller midge found in Scotland.

..me..

 

[Canary Bird]

Thank you for all these great cautions & suggestions!! I really appreciate it.
~ I will plan to add days.
~ I will reserve Mull/Iona travel & camping in Mull.
~ We will subtract Islands ... we would really like to "survey" Island groups ... outer, inner, orkney & shetland.
~ We will try to midge proof ... Avon skin so soft, Smidge headnet, Smidge repellent, Streme "screen-ize" VW, ... citronella candles, bracelet, etc.

 

[Canary Bird]

North Link Ferries to Orkneys & Shetlands said that tickets can be changed & cancelled if bought through their website.

My Plan B currently is ...


Oban > Mull Isle > Iona Isle > Mull Isle > Oban


Mallaig > Skye Isle > Harris Isle > Lewis Isle > Ullapool


Scrabster > Stromness/Mainland Orkney Isle (Orkney)

> Lerwick/Fair Isle (Shetland) > Aberdeen

 

[Bramco]

Canary bird.

Just a thought but if you could find someone willing to Cali-swap with you, you could use the really cheap flights to the UK and use someone elses Cali while they use yours.

Obvious issues around insurance etc. But it could give you a lot more time to fit everything in.

I'd love to have a Cali in the Canaries, sadly not this year in July but there are a few thousand members on this forum, maybe one could be interested.

maybe worth asking?

 

[andyinluton]

North Link Ferries to Orkneys & Shetlands said that tickets can be changed & cancelled if bought through their website.

My Plan B currently is ...


Oban > Mull Isle > Iona Isle > Mull Isle > Oban


Mallaig > Skye Isle > Harris Isle > Lewis Isle > Ullapool


Scrabster > Stromness/Mainland Orkney Isle (Orkney)

> Lerwick/Fair Isle (Shetland) > Aberdeen

Still too many ferries! with that itinerary its still 11 in 15 days & isn't shetland to Aberdeen the best part of a days travel on its own. Theres also got be getting on for 6-700miles of driving on top so call that 50 miles a day average so call that 2 hours. You will only have time to find somewhere to sleep then be up & off to catch the next ferry. If you are travelling at that speed you will find that once you've seen one island they all look pretty much the same & you will be rating them on the basis of the facilities, if any at the port.

Also have you added up the cost of all those ferries?

I would do just a 15 day tour of the 5 islands that you chose of the inner Hebrides at a slightly more relaxed pace & save the next batch for your next trip.

 

[525107]

Thank you for all these great cautions & suggestions!! I really appreciate it.
~ I will plan to add days.
~ I will reserve Mull/Iona travel & camping in Mull.
~ We will subtract Islands ... we would really like to "survey" Island groups ... outer, inner, orkney & shetland.
~ We will try to midge proof ... Avon skin so soft, Smidge headnet, Smidge repellent, Streme "screen-ize" VW, ... citronella candles, bracelet, etc.

Maybe just me but I've found the latest Skin so Soft that I bought around 18 months ago wasn't as effective as it was in years past

 

[Velma's Dad]

Still too many ferries! with that itinerary its still 11 in 15 days & isn't shetland to Aberdeen the best part of a days travel on its own. Theres also got be getting on for 6-700miles of driving on top so call that 50 miles a day average so call that 2 hours. You will only have time to find somewhere to sleep then be up & off to catch the next ferry. If you are travelling at that speed you will find that once you've seen one island they all look pretty much the same & you will be rating them on the basis of the facilities, if any at the port.

Also have you added up the cost of all those ferries?

I would do just a 15 day tour of the 5 islands that you chose of the inner Hebrides at a slightly more relaxed pace & save the next batch for your next trip.

I do think it depends on how you like to travel. We actually tend to cover quite a lot of ground on road trips and 2 hours a day on the road would be a very light itinerary (although on a two week trip we probably would make one or two whole-day stays).

I agree though that Canary's planned ferry itinerary is pretty heavy given that even for a short crossing you have to aim to get to the terminal with plenty of time to spare and if you miss a booked crossing at that time of year you may not get across on the next one (or the one after that).

That actually is one of the problems with the Scottish islands in high season - ideally you want to be able to make it up as you go along, eg stay a day at a lovely beach if the weather is good, but keep trucking on if it's sideways rain. But having to work to fixed ferry bookings scuppers that a bit.

 

[Canary Bird]

Bramco, I totally understand what you are saying!! .... I love the idea of trying out a right hand drive too ... but my Cali is my baby and to let someone drive him - tough one for me - and it is like taking a member of the family with us on the trip. Dumb yes, but it is part of the Cali experience of taking that same vehicle with you to many places & many memories together. Logistically we are also a family of 5 and trying to move us with our stuff ... well, the Cali is also a closet & storage unit on wheels. ... but I do love the idea/concept of Cali swaps (especially in cases like this with lots of water in between) and maybe one I'd consider in the future when it is just my wife & I.

 

[marchugo]

~ We will try to midge proof ... Avon skin so soft, Smidge headnet, Smidge repellent, Streme "screen-ize" VW, ...

We bought midge screen for our Cali that really stopped them from coming through the vents (see link below).

But: if you only open the side door for one milli second, you' ll have about a million uninvited biting friends inside. It's not really possible to protect the side door.

Very important to keep the opening screen to your upstairs sleeping room closed.

https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/hi-from-the-highlands.14485/#post-154073

Bite free regards from Amsterdam,

Marc.