AustinW wrote:Going on this little trip so far is:
Me
Ian Biggar
Raymo
Bimbler (XRV member)
Only a couple of places left for the bothy.
I am now back from from my long trip around southern africa and need to start the planning of this trip. I will be reconfirming that we can still stay at the bothy on Jura - not that I think there's a problem, just that it is months since I spoke to the owner and I did say I would be be in touch from time to time.
I think I can also add XT6 (Andrew) from the XRV.org forum who is probably coming on this little jolly but not travelling onto Ullapool.
In the meantime I would be grateful if you could each confirm:
A. Attendance.
B. Any preferences for the overnights on Islay and back on the mainland.
Options are:
Islay:
(1) campsite at
Kintra . The campsite would seem to do B&B too. Drawback is it will be dark when we get there and there is no pub (or anything really) in walking distance. On the upside it is a stunning location and relatively cheap.
(2) Scottish Youth Hostel Association in Port Charlotte.
http://www.syha.org.uk/hostels-in-scotl ... islay.aspx Advantages: in a small town so pubs and stuff on hand, cheap(ish) - about £18 pppn, warm and dry, communal space for the evening; disadvantages: probably in dorm rooms (beware the snorer amongst us); probably need to book and pay in advance.
(3) Any one of a number of B&Bs or Hotels on Islay. Th problem here is likely to be finding a reasonably priced B&B or hotel that can take us all.
Mainland:
(4) Campsite at
Machrihanish This campsite also has wooden "wigwams" that I suspect will be vacant if the weather is, umm, scottish.
(5)Inveraray Youth Hostel.
(6) Any one of a number of B&Bs or Hotels on the Mull of Kintyre. The problem here is likely to be finding a reasonably priced B&B or hotel that can take us all.
My preference is for the Youth Hostels or camping.
C. Which way you would prefer to travel from the mainland (probably wont apply to Raymo). Options are CalMac Island Hopscotch 16 taking in Arran (briefly); or Cowal Peninsular (Gourock to Dunoon and Portavadie to Tarbet). Cost wise the Cowal route is cheaper in ferry fee but both involve 2 ferries although the Cowal one's are more frequent and are turn up and pay, but for those coming from the South the Cowal route adds significantly to the mileage (but has some excellent roads). Whichever we need to cross from Kennacraig to Islay with Cal Mac (the boat should go to Port Ellen although it was diverted to Port Askaig for a while). (FWIW my preference is for the Arran route).
Umm, I think that's all for now. I am really looking forward to this and there is room for a few more still.