Our First Trip To Scotland

If traveling on a Friday I would be tempted to have the first night somewhere short of Tayside probably an overnight at Strathclyde Park. Bunree is then perfectly feasible from there if need be although Killin if that is where you are looking at for a few days is easily reached from Glasgow.

I have never done the Midlands to Killin but frankly I think seven hours including stops is possibly optimistic. From Birmingham it is about 350 miles and after Stirling you are on single carriageway roads where you will average far less than the motorway.

I did Chester Fairoaks to Strathclyde Park last year on a quiet October day and that took just over five hours. If it is busy I would allow eight to Killin, although a lot might depend on where in the West Midlands you are starting from. Certainly from Chapel Lane to Strathclyde Park I would be looking at seven hours.

Things should be easier getting in and out of Strathclyde Park now as the underpass on the roundabout at junction 5 of the M74 has now opened and traffic should be far easier there.

We were at Bunree in 1998. Remember you are not allowed to erect an awning on the lochside pitches so those behind can still enjoy the view. It was the view I remember well. When we got there we were lucky enough to get a lakeside pitch the day was fine and sunny. We felt very luck being at the front to have an uninterupted view. Next day and for the rest of the week all we saw was rain and cloud cascading down the mountain side opposite. Oh well, that is Scotland. 

We have done this road many times as we live in Tayside, just off the A9.

When going South we go from Perth heading over to Glasgow area then down to Carlisle motorway/dual carriage way, towing takes about 3 to 3.5 hours at a steady pace.  Once North of Perth it is much slower going as the road continually goes from single to dual carriageway (be careful) going through Glen Coe again be careful and watch your caravan mirrors, its a place where people often get their mirrors hit (us included) 

Bunree is a lovely site (although we prefer Oban's North Ledaig) much less midges there compared to Bunree, so be prepared and bring some midge repellent, if you forget don't worry the wardens usually have plenty. 

I wish you well and have a good time in Scotland, as others have said travelling time is slower but that just gives you a better view of the countryside so enjoy.

I think a site in Tayside, if setting off from the Midlands late afternoon, is too far, it will be very late before you reach the site.

Indeed,  as  KjellNN  says,  although'  the  miles  can 

be  covered  it  has  to  be  remembered  you  are 

on  HOLIDAY,  not  competing  against  Mad  Clarkson  !!

Thinking about it Englethwaite Hall might be a better stop over on the first night if you are setting off late afternoon. It has the advantage of no gate if you arrive late, so you can get a pitch whatever time you arrive, and it is cheaper than any other on the route.

I wonder what time the OP will be leaving and whether it will be too late to arrive at a site further north if it entails a six or seven hour drive?

hi folks thank you all for your feedback, I have to say I made a slight error in my information. we're stopping off at TEBAY services on the M6 not Tayside as previously quoted. I guess this is going to throw some of the info you've offered.

That sounds better! Hope it all goes well. Thanks for replying.

Englethwaite Hall is just a bit further North - than Teabay - which might help you but it is a site with no Toilet Block - I use it quite regularly when heading North its a great site and dog friendly