Camping & Walking in Scotland

For those "in the know" im looking for some ideas

Im looking to go away with my girlfriend just the 2 of us camping next month around about the 20th May for about 4-5 days in Scotland.

Ive done a lot of the area but much of it when I was younger and its probably 10 years since I was beyond Edinburgh.

We're looking for somewhere we can use as a base for those days, with basic but clean amenities, somewhere we can access from Middlesbrough without travelling all day. That would mean a cap of say Pitlochry over to Glencoe (No higher)

I like a good walk and I want to get a taste of Scotland as its been a while since I was there last so I want some fairly high terrain so I can differentiate from the Lake District.

Going up in the car as we usually take quite a bit of stuff with us. Hopefully the Midges shouldnt be too bad in May!!

Can anyone recommend any campsites/walks? Theres a few sites on the web but obviously if someone can recommend somewhere in particular then its always helpful

[TEC]

Originally Posted by robchester

Hopefully the Midges shouldnt be too bad in May!!

Campsites More sense than that

the hidden valley @glencoe is a good one ,not too hard and the scenery is awesome ,tbh anywhere arond there (glencoe that is )is something else ,or go to fort william and do the whole tourist thing @ben nevis ,,or if ure a serious walker/climber/mountain goat ,,aanoch mor not far from fort william ,fort augustus is very nice as a base ,pubs ,loch gates and generally a busier place than some highland places i could go on and on ,just head up the a82 and youl not go far wrong

Jim thats excellent, its been a fair while since i was up there so couldnt remember where we stayed when i was a kid.

Im pretty keen on walking and like a challenge to the point of say a grade 1 scramble however my better half prefers things not quite so adventurous although she is a bit like a mountain goat when she gets going. Ill definitely check out some places in Fort Augustus where we could use as a base to check out Glencoe, Glenfinnan etc.

I've stuck on SV ecosse for you as well to see if any of them can think of somewhere for you

I'm with Jim on Glencoe, done a bit of walking/climbing up there over the last few years.

The Kingshouse Hotel, just down from the Glencoe Ski Centreis usually fairly okay for letting you pitch a tent just behind the climbers bar. Nice bar and food. Also the Clachaig is just down the road if you fancy some entertainment with your food of a Friday/ Saturday.

Down the road from Kingshouse, Glen Etive, one of my favourites, loads of places to pitch a tent, again a climbers hot spot.

Cheers

Originally Posted by Cam_73

I'm with Jim on Glencoe, done a bit of walking/climbing up there over the last few years.

The Kingshouse Hotel, just down from the Glencoe Ski Centreis usually fairly okay for letting you pitch a tent just behind the climbers bar. Nice bar and food. Also the Clachaig is just down the road if you fancy some entertainment with your food of a Friday/ Saturday.

Down the road from Kingshouse, Glen Etive, one of my favourites, loads of places to pitch a tent, again a climbers hot spot.

Cheers

HI mate totally agree with the above suggestions, I stayed in N Ballachulish a couple of years on a solo trip, nice place but a bit quiet. Fort Augustus is ok , Fort Bill is more of outdoor centre though. Have you thought about Ben lomond nr loch lomond, never done it but its meant to a decent walk.
stew

I notice the Scotsman are doing a 'best of' thing just now. Doesn't include campsites but does mention best drive, best munro to bag etc...

Here's the link, its in the features section right at the bottom of the page - you may need to register to view? I'm not sure but it may be worth a look?

http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/articleindex.cfm

If a shorter drive appeals and you like the suggestion of Loch Lomond, there is a campsite at Inverarnan (Beinglas Campsite) about 1/4 mile north of the Drovers Inn pub (good pub, live music O/S 231640,718600)

Camp in the upper walled in section if you will go to the pub late and come back ****ed when it closes, making a noise as you go along with everybody else. This section has a midge eating machine that kills kilograms of the wee beggars at a time.

If you want quieter camping though, go right through a gate opposite the facilities block and into the field with all the other big tents and cars. More midges though.

For walking there is good stuff locally, Arrochar alps are pretty high and scenic, and of course there's Ben Lomond. See www.walkscotland.com. Crianlarich is 5 minutes drive north and you hit one of the main arteries with easy access to east (Perthshire) or west (Glen Coe and Great Glen).

To get there follow the M74, then M8 and cross the Irskine Bridge (no toll anymore). If you know how long it will take you to get to Glasgow you need only add on another 30-40 minutes to get to Inverarnan.

Just thinking, I have a stack of trail mags with routes, destined for the bin, if you want I could send a few up to you when you know what area you are heading for.No worries if you dont need them
Stew