For all of you guys that want to go up the north west of Scotland book b&b or hotel well ahead of time , the popularity of the NC500 route has made it virtually impossible to stop on impulse. Do it now ! Your a long time dead !!

Thank Bob and Purplemadboy! About the midgets, are they bad in July-August or September?

Get a stuff from Avon called skin so soft .. it's the best stuff in the world to stop midges . They don't advertise is as it hasn't been tested on midges but everyone up here knows about it. Do it now ! Your a long time dead !!

Local on the Isle of Skye told me to spray yourself with anything strawberry flavoured, don't know if it's true or not as we don't go back in the summer anymore. Common sense isn't very common.
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2007 Land Rover Freelander2 I6 hse Auto

dunkley201 wrote:

Never saw any midgets at all up the west coast last May. We did encounter a few midges on walks on the hillsides however.

Bob

I clocked this one
 No Longer the owner of a 2013MY Fuji White GS

"Fiat Lux" a philosophy not a car

I have just booked 4 nights at Gairloch in mid July. It was quite difficult to book around Applecross on those dates (some sunshine) as most were fully booked so were Torridon. Would appreciate advice about the places to see around this area. Would there be midgets?

I am in the process of planning a trip up North. My intention is to go in early November, and wild camp close to the locations that i really wish to visit. My plans are...

Night
1 - Glencoe, then head to Mallaig via Fort William and take the ferry to Skye
2 - Fairy Pools - Skye
3 - Quiraing Skye via Portree and the Mealt Falls. Following day, take the ferry from Uig to Tarbert, South Harris
4 - Losgaintir Beach - South Harris. Following day head up to Lewis and take the ferry from Stornoway back to Ullapool
5 - Recoup in Ullapool for the day (and night)
6 - Applecross via Plockton if time permits
7 - Faskally or Tay Forest in Perthshire for my last night

I have been advised to expect the worst that Scottish weather can throw at me. Anything better is a bonus.

I had been toying with the idea of having a tarp made which would act as a 3-sided enclosure, for when the tailgate is up to at least allow me to cook standing up (my tent is a solo - 1 man)

If anybody else has done something similar, I would welcome any advice on kit to take (inverter / cool box), as some items would not doubt impact on battery usage

cheers

Thoughts:-

Looks like a nice itinerary. Just check where you will be staying ahead of time, if you are camping at campsites (so you are near the car) expect lots of them to be closed in November.

It will be cold overnight so take a warm sleeping bag and some warm jim-jams/socks...

I bought a waterproof JBL Charge 3 speaker, which doubles as a 6000mAH charger for phone etc. Charged speaker from FL2 during the day run.

Enjoy your midge free camping!

LandyNovice If you going as far as Mallaig take a short time out to visit Loch Arkaig,beautiful views and a cracking wee drive all the way up side of the loch, on tarmac (roughly speaking) If it wasn't so bad it'd be funny.

🐑
Freelander 2 HSE auto 2014 ( Florrie ) ..... Try again.
Freelander 2 GS 2012...... Gone.

Cheers for the advice guys....

Lack_of_pies - I intend wild camping, not using any campsites at all. Once i reach each destination, i will just be looking for somewhere reasonably close-by to pitch up for the night.
With regards to the cold: I have upgraded to a new sleeping bag which apparently is comfortable down to -12, or -17 at the extreme. Lets hope i don't need to test it's limitations! I also have some hand-warmers, to thrown in the bag if needed.
I do have a speaker, though it doesn't charge at the same time. I should be okay, I have downloaded season 1 of Breaking Bad, and have a book. If i really get bored..i will find a pub



JuleK - a pal of mine also recommended the route that you mentioned along Loch Arkaig. All being well (driving and ferry times etc) i will look to take that in......cheers

If you are in Mallaig, CalMac run day cruises visiting some of the islands which might make an interesting day out.

We use Smidge, works really well and even smells good ( doesn't taste good tho)..

https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/?ie=UTF8&ke...4zo3dbjo_b

Landy, if you visit the fairy pools go early, we got there at 7 am, first there, by 9 the place was packed. It's a great place but not so good when there are 100s of people there.

I am taking the Calmac to Skye and Harris, then driving to Lewis

The Fairy Pools is one of my camp locations...or very close by, hopefully by going in mid November will keep both the crowds and midges at bay, though i do have Jungle Formula just in case

Landy Novice,in additio if you do go up Arkaig, about 1/2 way along there is a forestry road that goes off to the RIGHT which takes you up to the Osprey viewing hut and the views along the Loch from up there are something to see, you might have to drive around some BIG hairy roundabouts though ( bloody stubborn highland coos)

just read that back to myself and you can't really go off to the LEFT as even a Freelander can't wade that deep  If it wasn't so bad it'd be funny.

🐑
Freelander 2 HSE auto 2014 ( Florrie ) ..... Try again.
Freelander 2 GS 2012...... Gone.