Couple of nights camping from our 3.1m Yamaha..Any thoughts?

[Flamair]

Hi all...

The missus and I aren't great campers. We have both camped and do have all the basics however.

Looking for suggestions for fun places to go. For example maybe camping by Ullswater or maybe a Scottish loch - on an island perhaps? Only a couple of nights at most.

I've heard Loch Awe is pretty sound. Any ideas folks?

Ian

[Poly]

Why Loch Awe? Whilst it’s nice enough you’ll probably have passed various options on the way there. Rather than pick one destination Id have two or three in mind for different conditions and pick at the time. Have a look at The Gurnards posts on YouTube (or here) for possible inspiration. Just keep in mind he’s a salty old sea dog who has learned from plenty of mistakes as well as a lifetime around the sea and close connections to sea kayakers so has a better than average understanding of the effect of tide, wind etc.

[spartacus]

Ardmair Point north of Ullapool has a good campsite. There is a tight slipway too that they use for going across to Isle Martin, but if you have a SIB you can build and launch from the beach. Depending on your experience, if you're a fair weather boater then you can explore inner Loch Broom and the area around Ullapool which can be sheltered, but if you're experienced, then you're at the gateway to the Summer Isles and arguably some of the best boating on the west coast, short of hopping over to Lewis and Harris courtesy of Caledonian Macbrayne, but not for 2 days.

Ardmair Point also has chalets you can rent for the week. Everything will be booked up now until October, but something for next year maybe. We've seen otters there too on a summer evening.

[jeffstevens763@g]

Tayvalich has a camp site. There’s a free slipway with pontoons near the cafe into a sheltered bay in loch sween you can go inland best at high water which is interesting then down the loch about 10 miles into the sound of Jura google earth it to see options from there depending on experience. There is another slip taking the road opposite the cafe but not as good. The beauty of it you will get some boating done no matter what the weather.

[Poly]

Originally Posted by jeffstevens763@g

Tayvalich has a camp site. There’s a free slipway with pontoons near the cafe into a sheltered bay in loch sween you can go inland best at high water which is interesting then down the loch about 10 miles into the sound of Jura google earth it to see options from there depending on experience. There is another slip taking the road opposite the cafe but not as good. The beauty of it you will get some boating done no matter what the weather.

I’m fairly sure on a recent visit the wording has changed and you are expected to pay for the slip even if not using the pontoon. The “other” slipway at Carsaig (direct into sound of jura) should be fine for a 3.1m boat - the question would be if the boat/engine is suited to whatever the sound is doing that day.

[Poly]

Spartacus - might be a bit far from Huddersfield for a couple of nights camping though? Must be 8hrs each way?

[spartacus]

Originally Posted by Poly

Spartacus - might be a bit far from Huddersfield for a couple of nights camping though? Must be 8hrs each way?

Indeed, but what a weekend! The OP would be better hiring one of their chalets next year, that way they have a base to explore the area. We camped, but we're used to fighting midges, launch and retrieve and living out of the boot of a car for a few days.

These are from a few years ago, but you get the idea. Our trusty petrol-Coleman cooked up a feast, and you can see the slipway is as tight as a gnat's chuff. If I was launching here again, I'd use ropes to lower the trailer!

[Flamair]

Originally Posted by Poly

Spartacus - might be a bit far from Huddersfield for a couple of nights camping though? Must be 8hrs each way?

Yeh a bit far that chaps. Not bad for a week, but a couple of nights needs to be a lot nearer really. Thanks for the info though, some good ideas there for future reference. [emoji106][emoji106][emoji106]

[Poly]

Originally Posted by Flamair

Yeh a bit far that chaps. Not bad for a week, but a couple of nights needs to be a lot nearer really. Thanks for the info though, some good ideas there for future reference. [emoji106][emoji106][emoji106]

Whilst its a bit of a cliche and I'd generally say its a bit over-rated - I would suggest for simplicity and coming from "down south", Loch Lomond will provide you with what you want relatively simply if you want "fresh water". You will need to register, and there are restrictions on where you can camp etc - but its kind of a bit of a ready made 'theme park' for exactly the sort of trip you describe!

If you are considering the sea then you have other options around the various arms of the Firth of Clyde if your boat/engine are suitable for the conditions (beware assuming L. Lomond is benign - I've experienced waves there that sent us running for shelter on a day when friends 30 miles a way in the clyde were waterskiing on a flat calm).

[Poly]

Originally Posted by spartacus

and you can see the slipway is as tight as a gnat's chuff. If I was launching here again, I'd use ropes to lower the trailer!

Holy moly, that would be an interesting call to the insurance company!

[jeffstevens763@g]

I do Oban for a couple of nights bit further than Huddersfield for me takes me about seven hours worth it to me.
Last time I was there bit before covid the slip was free but the pontoons £5/night at tayvalich must have changed as it did at Ganavan sands.

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by jeffstevens763@g

I do Oban for a couple of nights bit further than Huddersfield for me takes me about seven hours worth it to me.
Last time I was there bit before covid the slip was free but the pontoons £5/night at tayvalich must have changed as it did at Ganavan sands.

Back in the day, we used to do Oban for a weekend, knackering but worth it. I’m older & wiser now[emoji849]

[jeffstevens763@g]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

Back in the day, we used to do Oban for a weekend, knackering but worth it. I’m older & wiser now[emoji849]

Aye you young ones give up too quick

[69cmw]

Spartacus

Could you not launch down the stones rather than use the slip?