Hello from the UK!

[Jackrobbo]

Love the bays, Thought id pop up and say Hi, we are only down the road in Newark notts. Great to see the van getting some use. We have a 78 Berlin

[MorkC68]

[MorkC68]

thelatebay.com guys & gals held Techenders again this past weekend and there was a great gathering of buses. Weather was great too

_________________
Major; 1977 Westfalia Campmobile
- Subaru EJ20
- Koni Classic adjustable dampers & Empi Heavy Duty Anti Roll Bar
- 180W Solar System

My blog: https://twolatebays.wordpress.com/

[MorkC68]

_________________
Major; 1977 Westfalia Campmobile
- Subaru EJ20
- Koni Classic adjustable dampers & Empi Heavy Duty Anti Roll Bar
- 180W Solar System

My blog: https://twolatebays.wordpress.com/

[MorkC68]

What an amazing three weeks exploring Scotland & despite the rain, we have seen some stunning scenery, met some lovely people and felt like we had been made welcome by the locals in places we stayed.

We cant wait to go back in 2023.

The route:

From home we drove up to Boulmer where we stayed overnight at Coast and Castles Campsite, which is a nice place about 20 minutes walk from the beach.

https://coastandcastles.com/

From here it was a nice long stretch up to Glencoe where we stayed at Invercoe Campsite with mountains one direction and Loch Leven in front of us.

https://www.invercoe.co.uk/

_________________
Major; 1977 Westfalia Campmobile
- Subaru EJ20
- Koni Classic adjustable dampers & Empi Heavy Duty Anti Roll Bar
- 180W Solar System

My blog: https://twolatebays.wordpress.com/

[MorkC68]

Glencoe cntd, we loved it here!

Next stop was around to Camusdarach going via Fort William. Camusdarach is a place Ive wanted to stay for a long while & hoped it was up to expectations..

http://www.camusdarach.co.uk/

It was a bit dull when we got there but we explored none the less..

_________________
Major; 1977 Westfalia Campmobile
- Subaru EJ20
- Koni Classic adjustable dampers & Empi Heavy Duty Anti Roll Bar
- 180W Solar System

My blog: https://twolatebays.wordpress.com/

[MorkC68]

It did live up to my expectations and walking through the sand dunes to the beach was memorable & the scenery..wow!

We saw amazing sunsets..

This is on the list to re visit!!
_________________
Major; 1977 Westfalia Campmobile
- Subaru EJ20
- Koni Classic adjustable dampers & Empi Heavy Duty Anti Roll Bar
- 180W Solar System

My blog: https://twolatebays.wordpress.com/

[MorkC68]

Stop # 3 was over on the Isle of Skye, Portree. It was okay but the weather turned before we could explore some. That said, the journey over was nice, dropping down Glen Sheil was stunning.

The campsite was https://www.portreecampsite.co.uk/

It was around 1 1.2 miles walk into Portree but the walk was nice so we didnt mind it too much!

We did get to see The Old Man of Storr from afar

Next time we would like to explore some of the lesser trodden paths on Skye. It was mystical!
_________________
Major; 1977 Westfalia Campmobile
- Subaru EJ20
- Koni Classic adjustable dampers & Empi Heavy Duty Anti Roll Bar
- 180W Solar System

My blog: https://twolatebays.wordpress.com/

[MorkC68]

Back to the mainland to head around to Applecross via Bealach na Bas. I hated that pass, it was raining & thick with fog.

Applecross Campsite was nice and quiet, would visit again!

Douglas was amazed by the deer, he didnt know what to make of them!!

We did enjoy a nice meal at The Applecross Inn & the steak was really nice and tender..the locally brewed beer good too!

From here we followed the coast up to Gairloch via Sheildag and Torridon..guess what. It rained!!

https://gairlochholidaypark.co.uk/

It was however an enjoyable stay and The Milly Bar served a nice leg of lamb for sunday tea.

Time to move on.
_________________
Major; 1977 Westfalia Campmobile
- Subaru EJ20
- Koni Classic adjustable dampers & Empi Heavy Duty Anti Roll Bar
- 180W Solar System

My blog: https://twolatebays.wordpress.com/

[MorkC68]

We travelled up to Ardmair Point next, going via Loch Ewe and Gruinard Bay, the drive was again amazing..

https://www.ardmair.com/

Again this was overlooking the bay and also Loch Carnaird, we had a great view too.

_________________
Major; 1977 Westfalia Campmobile
- Subaru EJ20
- Koni Classic adjustable dampers & Empi Heavy Duty Anti Roll Bar
- 180W Solar System

My blog: https://twolatebays.wordpress.com/

[MorkC68]

From Ardmair we should have gone up to Talmine Bay and across to Thurso, however the forecast was heavy rain and strong winds ~ 45 knots. We headed across to Dornoch instead and had an enjoyable stay there, being made very welcome by the locals.

We found a castle..

http://dornochcaravans.co.uk/

_________________
Major; 1977 Westfalia Campmobile
- Subaru EJ20
- Koni Classic adjustable dampers & Empi Heavy Duty Anti Roll Bar
- 180W Solar System

My blog: https://twolatebays.wordpress.com/

[MorkC68]

Dornoch has a lovely small town vibe, a cathedral and a castle.

The Coach House couldnt do enough to look after us, made really welcome by all!

We hadnt planned on visiting Loch Ness but we decided to nip down instead of Thurso, we picniced by Loch Ness travelling down.

https://www.borlum.co.uk/Camping/Campsite.html

We had a walk down to Urqhuart Castle but they wouldnt allow dogs in. Douglas couldnt be left at the bus so sadly, we didnt go in.

_________________
Major; 1977 Westfalia Campmobile
- Subaru EJ20
- Koni Classic adjustable dampers & Empi Heavy Duty Anti Roll Bar
- 180W Solar System

My blog: https://twolatebays.wordpress.com/

[creative native]

It was good to read through this story, which would not have been the same without the accompanying photos. I am grateful that you have shared this.

When I see those beautiful highlands, I always wonder what conditions would urge one to leave such beautiful land. I am Native American and where I am from (the state of North Carolina), there is one of the thickest Scottish enclaves in the southeastern U.S. There were so many Highlanders who immigrated here that there are still full blooded Scottish people here today (my best friend in high school was one); their ancestors having first arrived in my people's territory in the 1740's. They were all very poor people and we called them Utéhweh, meaning "buckskin," because they were so poor that they could only afford to wear britches made of the deerskins that their hunting would yield, unlike the English, who could afford cloth britches. Like my people, the Highlanders did not speak English, but we had to learn to survive in a changing land. Until sometime in the early 1800's, the Highlanders' churches were conducted in Scottish Gaelic. The Buckskins were our allies and some even married into my nation.
_________________
"The holy land is everywhere." ~ Black Elk
1979 Westfalia P27, California FI emissions spec. 100% VW fleet: '79 Westfalia, 2013 Touareg Lux (Toffee Brown/Cornsilk Beige), 2005 Passat GLX.

[MorkC68]

Our next stop was Fortrose Bay, again a campsite on the sea shore, this time the Moray Firth & we had an amazing view!

https://www.fortrosebaycampsite.co.uk/

Plenty of people went to the headland, Chanonry Point to watch the dolphins swim in and out on the tide. Sadly for us, none came
_________________
Major; 1977 Westfalia Campmobile
- Subaru EJ20
- Koni Classic adjustable dampers & Empi Heavy Duty Anti Roll Bar
- 180W Solar System

My blog: https://twolatebays.wordpress.com/

[MorkC68]

Our final stop was in Glenmore Forest in the Cairngormes & we enjoyed walking up the hills to An Lochan Uaine and back..stunning with snow up top too!

https://www.campingintheforest.co.uk/scotland/aviemore/glenmore-campsite

_________________
Major; 1977 Westfalia Campmobile
- Subaru EJ20
- Koni Classic adjustable dampers & Empi Heavy Duty Anti Roll Bar
- 180W Solar System

My blog: https://twolatebays.wordpress.com/

[MorkC68]

And that ended an amazing three weeks, it just left us with a 226 mile run back to Alnwick for an overnight rest stop ahead of driving home.

I would love to go again & explore more, this is one for 2023 we feel although Michelle would love to go tomorrow & settle up in Scotland, she found the beauty awe inspiring and wanted to live in those surroundings!

The statistics from our Scottish road trip are:

Total miles covered: 1418

Cost of fuel used: £376.53 (dont know the mpg as the cost varied from 163.9 to 188.9 per litre and I didnt record anything).

Issues:
Handbrake lost its effectiveness (the r/h rear star adjuster unwound itself as the locking tab was bent & I missed it back when I mot'd him). Now sorted.
Wiper spindle seals need replacing as we have water coming in
Cab doors let water past the door seals, the doors need adjusting to seal properly
Fan belt slipped - the tensioner lock nut worked loose. Retightened and sorted!
Oil consumption, none noticeable
_________________
Major; 1977 Westfalia Campmobile
- Subaru EJ20
- Koni Classic adjustable dampers & Empi Heavy Duty Anti Roll Bar
- 180W Solar System

My blog: https://twolatebays.wordpress.com/

[mcdonaldneal]

Wow, incredible!
You really made the most of your time up in Scotland, the photos are great and it’s familiar territory. It’s a small shame if the weather wasn’t kind to you but so much of it is dramatic scenery in any weather! I hope the midge season hadn’t got going too badly yet?
The Highlands and tourist spots have definitely got busier over the last few years but it’s such a vast wilderness that it rarely feels crowded. I’ve really enjoyed trips North out of season in the Spring and Autumn but you’re playing Russian roulette with the weather even more then!
Take care and look forward to more adventures! Phil
_________________
1978 marino yellow Bay Dormobile camper
1969 signal orange Karmann Ghia convertible
1976 martini olive Bay Dormobile camper

Stop dead photo links! Post photos to The Samba Gallery!

[MorkC68]

[MorkC68]

[orwell84]

I’ve actually been to Alnwick , pronounced Annik, so you know I’ve really been there. Looks like a great trip. Good to see you enjoying your bus.