Winter Camping/Ribbing in Scotland

[tom_20000]

Evening Guys, I tentatively ask this question as I've only recently joined the forum but lurked for a good while now. I've been searching for a little while but struggling to find what i'm looking for, some may thing we're mad! I'm looking for Winter Ribbing/Camping locations, but specifically some knowledge from people who know the area.
My friend and I regularly winter camp, so the prospect of cold and wet weather is something that doesn't bother us, but if anything presents an exciting challenge that we wait all year for.

In years past i've done some winter camping whilst canoeing and have experienced the change in conditions, we've also done a fair few camps over the summer in my Rib, and the last a couple of weeks ago on the Solway Coast, but found on our last visit the Weather a little too torrid for my SR4.

In essence i'm looking for some new locations that people have had experience with over winter before. We're looking at putting in another 1 week camp at somepoint in december, and We love the isolation that the Rib provides, however i'm really not sure where to go.

Weather is always something that cant be relied upon, but I know some areas are more sheltered on others.

Can anyone give any ideas of locations we could look into for our December camp? We're from Sheffield so really a 5-6hr drive would be about the Limit.... anything we need we take with us (and also comes home) so amenities aren't an issue, if there are some opportunities for exploration that would be brilliant, but not essential. We fill the week with bushcraft and photography, with some boat trips in-between to aid the trip usually.

Thanks in advance for any Advice, (PS both inland lochs and sea lochs are an option, conditions and safety are more the priority for the trip)

Thanks

Tom

[Pikey Dave]

Not as daft as it sounds, we used to have a diving week on a liveaboard out of Oban every February. Due to the gulf stream, the water was a pretty constant 10-12 deg even in the depths of winter. This keeps the frosts off the west coast (hence the palm trees in Oban) I'd look for something around Oban/Easdale that has a semblance of civilisation (read "warm pub") & easy access to the water. There's Oban Caravan & camping site just south of Oban next to Puffin Divers (good launch & showers & toilets) The campsite is closed during the winter, but there is a semi "wild camping" field on your right just before the campsite entrance right by the waters edge, I doubt if anyone would complain if you pitched there for a couple of days, they prolly wouldn't know you were there.

[mick]

As Dave says Oban & surrounding area like loch Etive see an earlier thread or even Loch Lomond good for wild camp etc

[Poly]

I far prefer loch lomond in winter to summer as nobody else is around.

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by Poly

..... as nobody else is around.

Aye, 'cos it's bloody freezing

[mick]

One time we took sib to Loch Lomond we boated in the morning and skiing in the aft

[spartacus]

Ullapool and Loch Broom should be on your list. If it's blowing a westerly or northerly on the Minch then don't even get out of your sleeping bag.

[Maximus]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

Not as daft as it sounds, we used to have a diving week on a liveaboard out of Oban every February. Due to the gulf stream, the water was a pretty constant 10-12 deg even in the depths of winter. This keeps the frosts off the west coast (hence the palm trees in Oban) I'd look for something around Oban/Easdale that has a semblance of civilisation (read "warm pub") & easy access to the water. There's Oban Caravan & camping site just south of Oban next to Puffin Divers (good launch & showers & toilets) The campsite is closed during the winter, but there is a semi "wild camping" field on your right just before the campsite entrance right by the waters edge, I doubt if anyone would complain if you pitched there for a couple of days, they prolly wouldn't know you were there.

X2 it's a good choice...and if you get fed up with roughing it...Oban's close and has decent Creature comforts!

[tom_20000]

Cheers guys I'll get googling these locations

[spartacus]

Just did AA route map for Ullapool. 9hrs 13 minutes. Maybe leave it until summer.

[tom_20000]

Around Oban could be looking like a good option, Ullapool is probably going to be too much of a stretch for a winter drive/camp unfortunately. 8.5hrs without a trailer, so an eternity with the Rib on the back!
Like the idea of a winter Dive though, might have a look into that if they do some guided stuff. Got my Padi and Dry suit and not dont it in the UK for a while now.

[mick]

It's easy from Sheffield as long as rest & be thankful is open out of Arrochar otherwise I would go sterling way as top end of Loch Lomond has bad RD works

[jambo]

Originally Posted by mick

It's easy from Sheffield as long as rest & be thankful is open out of Arrochar otherwise I would go sterling way as top end of Loch Lomond has bad RD works

Rest is never shut now with the opening if the old military road. LL roadworks not too bad really both better than going via Stirling.


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[mick]

I can remember using the old Rd when I was a kid single track with passing places
Makes a good rally stage now.
http://youtu.be/lbtOLP4WUo4

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by jambo

Rest is never shut now with the opening if the old military road. LL roadworks not too bad really both better than going via Stirling.


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The Stirling route is a lllloooonnnnngggg old drag

[tony t]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

The Stirling route is a lllloooonnnnngggg old drag

Bit like Jambo then


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[jambo]

Originally Posted by tony t

Bit like Jambo then


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Who woke you up Dracula!!?


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[Poly]

Originally Posted by jambo

Rest is never shut now with the opening if the old military road. LL roadworks not too bad really both better than going via Stirling.


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Doh, what did you say that for - guaranteed to be closed now! Last big landslip did close it for a day as it wasn't on a section avoided by the old road - but it is a vast improvement on before. Of course its not impossible that Glencoe is closed with snow depending when in winter you go (if you are heading further up)!

[jambo]

Originally Posted by Poly

Doh, what did you say that for - guaranteed to be closed now! Last big landslip did close it for a day as it wasn't on a section avoided by the old road - but it is a vast improvement on before. Of course its not impossible that Glencoe is closed with snow depending when in winter you go (if you are heading further up)!

Wasn't the rest it was near Cairndow as I was on it the next day


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[jeffstevens763@g]

apple cross did it last year, long way from retford went for two weeks, plenty of scope to keep away from weather.apple cross inn food brilliant. stayed at holy's house bob gave us plenty of info, camp site at the back of the inn