Hello all
4 of us are planning a 5/6 day bike packing trip starting in Inverness. Either up further into the highlands or more likely the Loch Ness 360 with an extension onto the end of the Great glen way if we have time
My question is about first night logistics. we arrive very late in the evening to Inverness airport, 10.30pm and we see our options as
book an airbnb that can accommodate our late arrival
ride or taxi into Inverness to the campsite there
wild camp somewhere near the airport then sort out our bikes in the morning
I am already in contact with a couple of people who can store our bags for us, but only from the next morning onwards.
so, has anyone wild camped on the South bank of the Moray Firth? it looks like easy access from the airport with good access to the inverness road in the morning, or are we better to just get ourselves into the campsite in inverness?
cheers
Premier Inn?
2 to a room and bikes in with you?
FWIW the road from the airport to Inverness really is shit for cycling. Better to head up to Smithton/Culloden and head in from there (you can pick up NCN1/7) to Inverness
Wild camp would certainly be possible along that coast. Just don't get too close to Fort George.
Premier Inn would be my choice too. That would mean a taxi to the hotel and another in from there though (as you will have bagged bikes)?
Going straight to campsite gets you to Inverness in one trip and it's a short walk to Bellfield Park if that's where you are storing your bags
Use the Sleeper train?
we're arriving from Amsterdam, Brussels and Croatia (an international group....), so unfortunately the train is not practical this time
Premier inn looks like an option, actually it looks like they have family rooms
Bellfield park is indeed one of our storage options, they recommended the campsite (and I've contacted them as they state a 7pm checkin curfew)
thanks all
There's a couple of campsites on the Culloden road, maybe easier to get to from the airport.
You don't say when you are coming. 2230 could be proper dark or still broad daylight depending on the month and that would make a difference to what would seem reasonable.
It will probably be more money than you want to pay but the Courtyard by Marriot hotel at the airport is meant to be opening this month (still looked like a long way to go when I went through there a few weeks back mind). An easy stroll with your bike bag away from the doors of the airport.
If not that, premier inn and another taxi to wherever is taking your bags would seem sensible.
The family that run Macleod Organics might do a line is storing your bags in a barn - up in Ardersier, the nearest village to the airport. They do a sideline in random acts of kindness or small payment extras to pay their bills. You could then stop in a B&B in Ardersier.
Trips like this always seem to be less chaotic if started with a civilised brew whilst you put your bikes together in a sensible location.
Premier Inn on Huntly Street (River Ness) is a short walk to Bellfield Park.
Or a couple of cheap hostels nearby.
Sounds like your on one of the final flights of the day into Inverness. Its a nice wee airport & you should be clear of it pretty quickly. So as said above depending when this is you could still be arriving in broad daylight.
Whatever you do don't be tempted to ride the A96 from the airport into Inverness in the dark. It wont end well.
When is your trip? We live close to inverness airport, and could poss help out with logistics - eg taking/storing your bike bags when you arrive if that helps. Can either point you in right direction for camping close to the airport, or have a suitable field at our house. Feel free to message me
Fair question from several of you. we are coming in early May... for the May 8 BH as it happens (although it's not a BH where we all live, it just happens to be when we're all available so there it is)