Millie goes to Arran and Islay

Discussion in 'Scotland' started by Disco_kegs, Aug 19, 2015.

  1. After being inspired by @The Bruce i booked our ferries and headed off on an island hopping adventure. First stop was Ardrossan to catch a ferry to Arran. It's 200 miles from where i live and took just under 4 hours. I allowed extra time and made it for the ferry before the one we had booked.

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    Once on Arran we drove north and stayed at the campsite at Lochranza which is just down the road from the Whiskey distillery they have there that's only been going 20 years.
    The campsite was spot on plenty of toilets and showers with hot water and hook up too.

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    Set up and popped into the village for a bite to eat and introduced the other half to Haggis.

    Next day we had another look around the village and at the old castle before heading to the distillery for a tour round and a taste.

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    Theres a memorial to the navy's shortest serving submarine who went down only days after being put into service during WW2

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    Saw a few signs about deer and sheep which are allowed to wander round where they want on Arran and seemed to like the greens at the golf course

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    Last edited: Aug 20, 2015
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  2. Next day after picking up some supplies from the local butchers we headed off to catch our next ferry from Arran to Kintyre. Twas only a little thing but the weather was great and the crossing very smooth.

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  3. It was only 6 miles across the width of Kintyre and then on to our third ferry which was a lot larger and surprisingly plush on board.

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    We docked on Islay at Port Askaig which was the other side of the island to where we planned to stay at Kintra Farm. Had a nice drive across along the straightest piece of road i've come across which takes you from Bowmore in the middle of the island to Port Ellen in the south.
     
  4. Kintra farm site has easily the best view I've had when camping. The place is stunning. There are no pitches as such you turn up pay then go and find somewhere amongst the dunes. Luckily we got quite a big pitch as lot of people had left in the morning and were left to ourselves for the whole time there. the campsite was quite empty with between 8 and 15 units there at any time.

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    Beach stretches for about 3 miles all o which you can walk along although a few streams cut across it into the stream so shoes and socks have to come off.

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    It was my birthday the following day so we celebrated by doing nothing and lazed round in the sunshine and flew a kite.

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    Last edited: Aug 19, 2015
  5. Love that area - i first went in 1972 with scouts to Arran and returned several times since , last time being about 10 years ago :oops:
    Loch Ranza had JUST opened as a campsite and awoke to deer sniffing around the tent at stupid o`clock - magical ...
    Enjoy the rest of the adventure :D

    :hattip:
     
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  6. The day after we should have been leaving but the ferry broke down so we stayed an extra day which wasn't a problem as the weather was still great and we had food left.
    First time i've attempted a fry up on the two burners we have. Even smuggled in some of that old favourite.
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  7. Need to return to Arran. Went when I was 18. Loved it, but not been back since...
     
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  8. Managed to catch a ferry the next day but not before we cooked tea over a campfire and enjoyed another sunset. Living on the east coast i rarely see a proper one.

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    Made the same route home catching the ferry back to Arran and then back to mainland scotland. Met a character on the ferry back to Arran who had spent 4 weeks in the Outer Hebrides in his Defender with detachable back bit.

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    Great trip overall and would again urge those of you who haven't visited the west coast of Scotland to make the trip. The scenery is unreal.

    Covered 530 miles in 7 nights and the van never missed a beat only saw one other bay, a 2 year old Brazilian, quite a few t25's and the usual amount of builders vans. Ferries cost a total of £165 for 2 adults and the van using Calmacs island hopper ticket and a couple of single tickets too. Must say apart from the cancelled ferry which gave us a little grief their ferry service is excellent and highly recommended.
     
    volkswombat, paulcalf, Coco and 11 others like this.
  9. Great write up, love to hear people making the effort to drive up to the Highlands and Islands. We do the Isles every year in September. Last year was Arran. We managed to cover the whole island staying for 6 nights .lochranza is a cool wee place.
    And it has great whisky :burp:

    Still planning this years September trip but this has inspired me. Nice job.

    Well done on the hills getting over to Lochranza :thumbsup:
     
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  10. I'd read your trip and picked the campsite from it. I'd hoped to go to the other campsite seal sands too but our ferry cancelation scuppered those plans.
     
  11. Nice one! I'll post another thread after our September trip.
     
  12. I will be going next July, cheers for the pictures and write up ,looks wonderful :thumbsup:
     
    66Paul, paulcalf, Coco and 1 other person like this.
  13. Great post thanks - I'm glad i've come across it as we are hoping to go at the end of May 2016.

    Not sure if we will go straight to Islay, where some family will be, or if we should go via Arran like you did.

    When we went to Mull in 2014 we didn't see another bay window the entire trip.
     
  14. sANDYbAY

    sANDYbAY On benefits-won't sponsor!

    The West coast of Scotland is absolutely beautiful. Your pictures make me wish I still lived up there.
     
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  15. Pudelwagen

    Pudelwagen Supporter

    Islay is fabulous, if only for the distilleries! Yes that bit of road is the longest straight stretch in Britain (but it does go up and down a bit!).
     
    paulcalf likes this.
  16. Skyelectrix

    Skyelectrix Supporter

    Lovely write up..looks great up there!
     
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  17. It cuts a big section of driving going via Arran rather than driving around. Plus it's another night of holiday :thumbsup:
     
  18. My partner is a teacher so we have a set maximum amount of time away! I like being on ferries though and saving drive time and seeing another Island also sound good.

    Thanks
     
  19. Just booked our ferries to Arran and Islay for end of May 2016!

    Just need to get an mot, and sort various water leaks out now!
     
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  20. MorkC68

    MorkC68 Administrator

    that's what its all about :thumbsup:
     
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