Hi all. Just a quick review of a recent trip to Scotland. I’d been to Aviemore several times before and can recommend it for a taste of Scottish mountain walking combined with great campsite facilities – and loads of gear shops in the town for the gear geeks!
Travel: For more than one person, a shared car works out best. In the off season the ferry companies have regular offers, e.g. £100 returns. Even if you have to buy two and only use half the journeys, it’s still pretty good value.
I was on my tod, so a cheap flight to Glasgow and bus was the best value option. Don’t forget to budget for the bag. About £130 return in my case, and around £50 for the bus to and from Aviemore. I flew Flybe, then took bus 500 to Buchanan Street bus station (£4.50 each way). From there either direct or one -change bus services to Aviemore.
I arrived late on a Sunday, so had to pay a £14 taxi fare (ouch) for the 5 mile journey to Glenmore Campsite. During the day it’s £1.80 on the bus. (every half hour).
The campsite is on the shores of Loch Morlich, great modern facilities. It was just £5 a night for me and the wee tent. With a car and another person it’s around £18. You can hit the trails straight from the site, or get the bus up to the ski car park to save the legs. (£1.20) There is a cafe/ski hire/shop just beside the campsite, they do a great fried breakfast (and sell booze). For the thirsty, there is a fair sized Tesco in Aviemore as well as an offy.
If you don’t fancy cooking (I didn’t have any weight allowance left for cooking gear) Glenmore Lodge is 1/2 a mile from the site, they serve a limited but good range of evening meals – about £10 a pop. There is also a bar!
It all worked pretty well for me: breakfast and got the flask filled at the cafe, bus to the ski car park, days in the hill followed by a pint at the ski cafe while I waited for the bus down and a meal and rehydration in Glenmore at night.
My photos of the trip are on-line at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/zeaphod/sets/72157626200935576/
campsite website: http://camping.forestholidays.co.uk/camping_and_caravanning/our_sites__locations/scotland/glenmore.aspx
Hope this helps anyone thinking of a trip to Scotland, gear reviews in due course.
3 Responses to Scottish winter camp and walk