Yet another trip north, and north again.

Ricko · 2018-04-12 12:45:46

Having returned home, fed the kids, done an oil change and done some carpeting of the seat box that the futon sits on, I decided to have another trip up north!
Day 1
Headed up the M6 and across Dumfries and Galloway towards the ferry to Dunoon, kipped in a layby en route.
Day 2
Crossed to Dunoon with Western Ferries £17.60, drove round to Inverarry and had a mid morning snooze in a lovely picnic area. Carried on towards Oban where I stopped and heated up the obligatory tin of soup for lunch.

Carried on to Ft. William and beyond. Spent the evening on the beach at Sandaig (where Maxwell wrote Ring of Bright Water). Kipped in a pull in high on the Mam Ratagan pass.

Day 3
I drove on to Kyle and then onto Plockton where I walked round the harbour and lusted after a boat.

Drove across to meet the A82 going south but hit the delays due to the Laggan bridge being jammed open. Not wanting to sit still I head back to Ft. Augustus and across the tops to the A9. Finally came back round to Glencoe and across Rannoch Moor. Kipped by Loch Lomond outside the 'No Camping' zone.
Day 4
Woke early due to traffic noise, crossed Erskine Bridge before any rush hour etc and pulled in at a services to carry on sleeping for a bit. Headed home via Annan.

I know this seems like a long run but I'm just testing it out, making a list of everything I need to do/alter to the van, before planning a more sedate journey in future. Also I'm not very good at sitting still!
A lot of litter around the highways and byways not all can be blamed on tourists when you see a cooker dumped in a layby!

kenbw2 · 2018-04-13 00:11:36

Love that part of the country. Everything just seems so remote, and the roads are pretty fun to drive around.

The beauty of sleeping in your van is that you can afford to drive around and see a lot of places. It's the ultimate freedom.

Glad to see you had fun.

Casper · 2018-04-15 12:07:31

Eilean Donan. You could have kipped in the campsite up the road that i was on about in your other post and gave me a review big_smile

Ricko · 2018-04-15 16:09:14

Casper wrote:

Eilean Donan. You could have kipped in the campsite up the road that i was on about in your other post and gave me a review

Is it the one that's just off a quiet lane that runs down to the lake??
I think I've used it in the past!
No sites for me on this trip, solo, so just deodorant and wet wipes!

vaz2121 · 2018-04-17 00:35:32

Ricko:- Out of curiosity......... I noticed from your Dunoon ferry photo you have the same spot light bar/mount that I have .............. What method did You use to mount the bracket to bumper and did You manage to screw number plate back on or use double sided tape?.......................

Ricko · 2018-04-18 19:00:15

vaz2121 wrote:

Ricko:- Out of curiosity......... I noticed from your Dunoon ferry photo you have the same spot light bar/mount that I have .............. What method did You use to mount the bracket to bumper and did You manage to screw number plate back on or use double sided tape?.......................

Ahh yes, my boy racer spotlights that I found in the workshop!
Bargain mount from eBay about £11

I used some M6 roofing bolts straight through the bumper, I took the grille off to get the nuts on. I also put some Loctite on the threads. I put some blobs of mastic on the number plate to fix it back on and also used the original screws.

My son says it's slightly off centre!!!

Casper · 2018-04-18 23:49:47

Ricko wrote:

Is it the one that's just off a quiet lane that runs down to the lake??
I think I've used it in the past!
No sites for me on this trip, solo, so just deodorant and wet wipes!

Dono mate just know its slightly further north of the castle.

See that ferry to Dunoon. Did you notice if the measure your van? £17.50 one way but up to 5m. I am 5.5.

vaz2121 · 2018-04-21 12:19:39

Casper wrote:

Dono mate just know its slightly further north of the castle.
See that ferry to Dunoon. Did you notice if the measure your van? £17.50 one way but up to 5m. I am 5.5.

Casper:- Don't know if you've already checked out or this is of any use

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@57.28360 … !1e3?hl=en

Stopped in the big lay-by many a time for a cuppa on bike but can't say I've ever really paid attention to camp site
(Half mile before turning for Applecross....... worth a look and pitch up on grass shore front or has decent campsite)

As for the Ferry only used it with bike and car but I'm sure there is signs with the fares/timetables etc posted about the place
Never seen them measure anything .... But you pay when on board.

Ricko:- Photo eventually ...........

just a relay and linked to main beam.........
Quite bright but don't through light as far as I thought it might

Casper · 2018-04-21 15:50:23

Aye same place Vaz and not bad price also http://www.reraig.com/prices.html

I was half hearted trying but failed to find it on streetview so handy to know i can get a pint and a meal in the evening without having to drive. Looks quite clean also cheers.

vaz2121 · 2018-04-21 17:30:52

BTW Ricko:- (Day 3
I drove on to Kyle and then onto Plockton where I walked round the harbour and lusted after a boat.)

Don't know if you ever watched it back in mid-late 90's or even heard of it ..... Plockton and area is where they Filmed the Hamish Macbeth Series

Casper · 2018-04-21 21:34:19

Hamish Macbeth was the main reason i went to Plockton. Cracking looking place when the water is still on a summers evening. Never seen Lachie Jr though sad

Ricko · 2018-04-21 22:18:27

vaz2121 wrote:

BTW Ricko:- (Day 3
I drove on to Kyle and then onto Plockton where I walked round the harbour and lusted after a boat.)
Don't know if you ever watched it back in mid-late 90's or even heard of it ..... Plockton and area is where they Filmed the Hamish Macbeth Series

Aye, they also filmed part of the original Wickerman there! It's when Edward Woodward walks across a simple causeway to the harbour.

"You can't land here, this island belongs to Lord Summerisle"

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#1 2018-04-12 12:45:46

Yet another trip north, and north again.

#2 2018-04-13 00:11:36

Re: Yet another trip north, and north again.

#3 2018-04-15 12:07:31

Re: Yet another trip north, and north again.

#4 2018-04-15 16:09:14

Re: Yet another trip north, and north again.

#5 2018-04-17 00:35:32

Re: Yet another trip north, and north again.

#6 2018-04-18 19:00:15

Re: Yet another trip north, and north again.

#7 2018-04-18 23:49:47

Re: Yet another trip north, and north again.

#8 2018-04-21 12:19:39

Re: Yet another trip north, and north again.

#9 2018-04-21 15:50:23

Re: Yet another trip north, and north again.

#10 2018-04-21 17:30:52

Re: Yet another trip north, and north again.

#11 2018-04-21 21:34:19

Re: Yet another trip north, and north again.

#12 2018-04-21 22:18:27

Re: Yet another trip north, and north again.

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