Cycling UK Forum

I have looked in vain for a small site near Loch Ness. The only ones are Camping and Caravan Club certified sites which require club membership. Their two large sites are extortionate unless you are a member. I am not inclined to pay £50 to join and I don't like large sites anyway. Other sites are now glamping sites.

The C and C Club appear to have things somewhat stitched up. I am happy normally to wild camp but was looking for some modest facilities for one night.

Any knowledge out there? I am cycling from Inverness to Kyle, on the south side of the loch.

Wild camp near Fort Augustus and try to use the Canal facilities at the locks?

https://www.scottishcanals.co.uk/destin ... -augustus/

There is a YH on the north-west side above Drumnadrochit.

https://abriachan-cafe-campsite-wester- ... ness.site/ Away from the loch but in a quiet location.

There isn't much on the south-east side of the loch other than a string of hamlets but it the nicer route for cycling.

Navrig wrote:Wild camp near Fort Augustus and try to use the Canal facilities at the locks?

https://www.scottishcanals.co.uk/destin ... -augustus/

There is a YH on the north-west side above Drumnadrochit.

https://abriachan-cafe-campsite-wester- ... ness.site/ Away from the loch but in a quiet location.

Thanks. Will look into this. I want to avoid the road on north side or the trail: the former as it is too busy and the latter because I'm not up to the off-road stuff.

You could try the few pubs on the south east side. They may let you camp in their garden if you eat there?

https://www.whitebridgehotel.co.uk/

http://www.foyershouse-lochness.com/

Wild camping in that area is very easy.

Navrig wrote:You could try the few pubs on the south east side. They may let you camp in their garden if you eat there?

https://www.whitebridgehotel.co.uk/

http://www.foyershouse-lochness.com/

Wild camping in that area is very easy.

Yes, that had occurred to me. The main issue is that I need to charge the battery on my bike. I will phone them up. Last year I phoned ahead to various pubs and had no problems.

Many thanks.

There is an outdoor activity centre South of Fort Augustus. Try there.

https://www.activehighs.co.uk/


http://www.greatglenwaterpark.co.uk/

or a hostel

http://saddlemountainhostel.co.uk/

I'm a trendy consumer. Just look at my SM-G930F using hovercraft full of eels.

I came across these, so thanks

http://www.foyersstoresandwaterfallcafe.co.uk/page2.php

and

http://lochnesscottage.com/Camerons-Tea-Room-and-Farm-Shop.php

just watch out for the Wee beastie from the Loch

I thought the Camping and Caravan Club had a special rate for "backpackers" that also applied to touring cyclists? I'm sure I've used that on the site at Poolewe a couple of years ago. Thought it was good value and they had great facilities for washing clothes etc.(Though you may not need any of them!) They are big sites though, but the one I stayed at was very quiet.

Faichemard Farm campsite is nice, adults only so no kids running around.
About 2 miles west of Invergarry, not sure if that is suitable for your route though.
http://www.faichemard-caravancamping.co ... e-campsite

gloomyandy wrote:I thought the Camping and Caravan Club had a special rate for "backpackers" that also applied to touring cyclists? I'm sure I've used that on the site at Poolewe a couple of years ago. Thought it was good value and they had great facilities for washing clothes etc.(Though you may not need any of them!) They are big sites though, but the one I stayed at was very quiet.

They do, but they require membership:

https://www.campingandcaravanningclub.c ... ckpackers/

Oldjohnw wrote:

gloomyandy wrote:I thought the Camping and Caravan Club had a special rate for "backpackers" that also applied to touring cyclists? I'm sure I've used that on the site at Poolewe a couple of years ago. Thought it was good value and they had great facilities for washing clothes etc.(Though you may not need any of them!) They are big sites though, but the one I stayed at was very quiet.

They do, but they require membership:

https://www.campingandcaravanningclub.c ... ckpackers/

£46 for paper membership, £40 for digital is hardly going to break the bank. Their back packer rates are quite generous so after only a few nights you have made membership worthwhile. As much as I hate caravans, joining the C&CC seems a lot better value than YHA for cycle tourists providing there are suitable sites on your route. There are far more C&CC sites than YHAs. Just my 2ps worth.

C&CC rates are better than most campsites and quality is universally high. Quieter than the average site imo. Their policy is to never turn a backpacker or cyclist away.

climo wrote:C&CC rates are better than most campsites and quality is universally high. Quieter than the average site imo. Their policy is to never turn a backpacker or cyclist away.

Should have said club sites

Navrig wrote:You could try the few pubs on the south east side. They may let you camp in their garden if you eat there?

https://www.whitebridgehotel.co.uk/

http://www.foyershouse-lochness.com/

Wild camping in that area is very easy.

Yep.
We used to do it at Foyers many years ago when we lived in W Scotland when the girls were young. 1982-85.

We wild camped, and walked to the pub.