Where Have You Been In Your Van Today?

[Richard T6.1]

No, just one awning but we can use it on both sides of the van. Usually it's on the side where the kitchen unit swings out (as in the pic). We've switched it over to the other side a few times for shade during the hottest hours of the day in the south of Italy (blistering heat). Took about 5 mins so the flexibility is nice.

 

[ginkster]

Not today, but the last couple of weeks, we have been touring NW Scotland and the Outer Hebrides. 2000 miles, half camping in the van and the other half in pods, hotels, B&Bs etc. We did the NC500 anti-clockwise over 8 nights, 2 nights in Portree on Skye, 4 nights on Uist, Harris and Lewis and a night in Aviemore on the way home. A fantastic trip revisiting some old haunts and seeing plenty of new places too. First time on the ground in the outer isles and they were absolutely stunning. We will definitely be heading back to do them properly in the not too distant.

The locals were brilliant and very welcoming everywhere we went. It’s the small minority of d!cks that hack them off - parking/camping in crap places, not letting people pass, leaving a mess or not spending in the area.

Our itinerary was: Fortrose campsite, Dornoch campsite, hotel in JOG, camping at Sango Sands, Scourie and Clachtoll, hotel in Ullapool, camp at Kinlochewe, 2 nights Airbnb in Portree, camp in North Uist, pod in South Harris, camp in Kneep (South Lewis), fab B&B just north of Stornoway and a hotel in Aviemore to break the homeward trip. We saw hundreds of other Dubs and kept bumping into the same people at varying places around the route (particularly the NC500 obviously!). A few pics of the hundreds we took:







Spot the van:




Breakfast at the Old Butchers in Lochcarron:

 

[CAB]

Not today, but the last couple of weeks, we have been touring NW Scotland and the Outer Hebrides. 2000 miles, half camping in the van and the other half in pods, hotels, B&Bs etc. We did the NC500 anti-clockwise over 8 nights, 2 nights in Portree on Skye, 4 nights on Uist, Harris and Lewis and a night in Aviemore on the way home. A fantastic trip revisiting some old haunts and seeing plenty of new places too. First time on the ground in the outer isles and they were absolutely stunning. We will definitely be heading back to do them properly in the not too distant.

The locals were brilliant and very welcoming everywhere we went. It’s the small minority of d!cks that hack them off - parking/camping in crap places, not letting people pass, leaving a mess or not spending in the area.

Our itinerary was: Fortrose campsite, Dornoch campsite, hotel in JOG, camping at Sango Sands, Scourie and Clachtoll, hotel in Ullapool, camp at Kinlochewe, 2 nights Airbnb in Portree, camp in North Uist, pod in South Harris, camp in Kneep (South Lewis), fab B&B just north of Stornoway and a hotel in Aviemore to break the homeward trip. We saw hundreds of other Dubs and kept bumping into the same people at varying places around the route (particularly the NC500 obviously!). A few pics of the hundreds we took:

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Spot the van:
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Breakfast at the Old Butchers in Lochcarron:

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The Outer Hebrides are definitely worth a few (as in, several) weeks on their own.

 

[ginkster]

The Outer Hebrides are definitely worth a few (as in, several) weeks on their own.

Absolutely. On orders from SWMBO we have to go back as we didn’t see an otter!!

 

[MorkC68]

The Outer Hebrides are definitely worth a few (as in, several) weeks on their own.

Uist looks lovely, SWMBO has decided we need to do it in 2026, any campsites you wouldn't mind recommending please?

 

[Kind of Blue]

We also would like to visit the outer Hebrides usually Sky and Mull and the highlands. I guess much of my interest in Sky was from my climbing days. Tourism was quiet then.

 

[ginkster]

Uist looks lovely, SWMBO has decided we need to do it in 2026, any campsites you wouldn't mind recommending please?

There are only a few formal campsites on Uist. We stayed at Moorcroft on North Uist which was good and centrally located. You can arrive pretty late too.

Next time we will avoid the sites as there are hundreds of great pitch ups all over the place. Clearly you need to be off-grid capable for those including a loo.

Our pitch at Moorcroft:



An example of the off-grid park-ups:

 

[MorkC68]

There are only a few formal campsites on Uist. We stayed at Moorcroft on North Uist which was good and centrally located. You can arrive pretty late too.

Next time we will avoid the sites as there are hundreds of great pitch ups all over the place. Clearly you need to be off-grid capable for those including a loo.

Our pitch at Moorcroft:

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An example of the off-grid park-ups:

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That looks lovely, thanks for the info, I'll look it up!

 

[Bigsidavies]

Spontaneous trip up the East of Scotland to look for Orca. Decided yesterday evening and set off. Got up here at half past midnight.
Currently at Kingsbarns Beach near St Andrews.
Windy but sunny.

 

[twotone2]

Camping la ferme des Hauts Frenes, south of Troyes France, very rural and very peaceful site in a small hamlet, only down side is they don’t supply un baguette - 2k walk or get the van packed and fetch one

 

[The Flying Scotsman]

Spontaneous trip up the East of Scotland to look for Orca. Decided yesterday evening and set off. Got up here at half past midnight.
Currently at Kingsbarns Beach near St Andrews.
Windy but sunny.View attachment 290058View attachment 290088

How far up the east coast are you Going Si?
I’m about 40 minutes away from you in Broughty Ferry.
I can recommend some cracking free pitches up this way.

 

[CAB]

Uist looks lovely, SWMBO has decided we need to do it in 2026, any campsites you wouldn't mind recommending please?

Barra
Despite its size, there are several on Barra; take your pick!

South Uist
Only one, Kilbride, on the south edge. Gets booked up so if going anytime from mid-May, book it.

Benbecula
Again, only one, Otter's Edge, again book in season.

North Uist
There's a few here. We stayed at Balranald, great RSPB reserve on the top corner. Fantastic black pudding baps from the food shack.

 

[nigelcro]

ok, here goes...

Left home, south coast UK, on Monday morning.

Now in the middle of Portugal, just above Lisbon.

Day 1, overnight stop in Niort, western France. Day 2, 12 hours driving finish the rest of France, a couple of hours through Spain then about 3 hours into Portugal. About 23 hours driving in all, counting getting to the Eurotunnel. Van performed perfectly, never missed a beat.

Same trip in reverse in a couple of weeks time.

 

[MorkC68]

Barra
Despite its size, there are several on Barra; take your pick!

South Uist
Only one, Kilbride, on the south edge. Gets booked up so if going anytime from mid-May, book it.

Benbecula
Again, only one, Otter's Edge, again book in season.

North Uist
There's a few here. We stayed at Balranald, great RSPB reserve on the top corner. Fantastic black pudding baps from the food shack.

Thanks for those suggestions, more to investigate!

We're very familiar with the west coast of Scotland, dabbled with the east, yet to venture further north than Ardmair Point or Dornoch but will now we have the T6 so any suggestions are welcome!

 

[Sasquatch]

Popped out to collect my item that can't be mentioned due to forum rules from a shop in Stony Strafford that can't be mentioned where it had been having new items fitted. Managed to park within sight of the door, which was good.

 

[Bigsidavies]

How far up the east coast are you Going Si?
I’m about 40 minutes away from you in Broughty Ferry.
I can recommend some cracking free pitches up this way.

Ooo. Passed Broughty Ferry earlier.
We had the morning at Morton Lochs and Tentsmuir Nature Reserve.
Then drove up to Fraserburgh and Rosehearty.
Just in Elgin then probs on to Wick tomorrow.
Orca seem to be heading North about half a day in front of us.
Trying to get ahead of them at the moment as they seem to be heading North.
It’s all guesswork though really.

 

[drinfinity]

Racing round Wythenshawe Park. Ran out of lungs before running out of laps, but fun in the end.

 

[ginkster]

Thanks for those suggestions, more to investigate!

We're very familiar with the west coast of Scotland, dabbled with the east, yet to venture further north than Ardmair Point or Dornoch but will now we have the T6 so any suggestions are welcome!

Just do it! West is more rugged but east has some interesting places too. Assynt and north to Durness is fabulous. Sango Sands, Scourie and Clachtoll are all great campsites. Clachtoll is arguably one of the best anywhere in my opinion. If Carlsberg did camping…..

East coast is lovely up to Duncasby. JOG is just a bit naff and the leg west along the north coast to Dounreay is a bit meh. It gets better and better as you go west. Loch Eriboll is gorgeous.

If time is limited cut the corner from Helmsdale to Melvich and focus on tne far NW.

Then sail from Ullapool to Stornoway and work your way south through the OH. Allow about 6 months…..

 

[MorkC68]

Just do it! West is more rugged but east has some interesting places too. Assynt and north to Durness is fabulous. Sango Sands, Scourie and Clachtoll are all great campsites. Clachtoll is arguably one of the best anywhere in my opinion. If Carlsberg did camping…..

East coast is lovely up to Duncasby. JOG is just a bit naff and the leg west along the north coast to Dounreay is a bit meh. It gets better and better as you go west. Loch Eriboll is gorgeous.

If time is limited cut the corner from Helmsdale to Melvich and focus on tne far NW.

Then sail from Ullapool to Stornoway and work your way south through the OH. Allow about 6 months…..

We love Arisaig & Camusdarach that area is superb, Clachtoll looks amazing, we have yet to go there but will!

Again, thanks for the suggestions, much appreciated!

 

[Badjamin]

weekend away, Lowdown transporter meet Saturday at The Motorist nr Leeds, then overnight in Rotherham with the Gang


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Gutted I didn't know about this. I'd have been well up for that! Hope it was a good one!