Scottish folk

I’ve kind of realised this weekend is my ‘birthday’ weekend, so I might as well do something and I fancy having a wander about in some of the snow that’s heading your way and taking in some sights (I’ve never been to Scotland apart from a work-stint at the Glasgow office).

I was thinking Loch Lomond, but only because that’s all I know to think of, but are there any suggestions on the more south side, that will be snowy tomorrow and worthy of a road-trip up?

I won’t be taking a bike – just me, a camera, some lunch and plenty of fuel in the car.

I’d hop on the ferry to Aaran.

I’d be driving from Leeds, just to clarify 🙂

(..and thanks, but I’d be grateful for a bit more info than that – bit of a spur of the moment thing, just in case it wasn’t obvious!)

Celtic connections is on. See if you can grab tickets to some gigs?

Really depends on where the snow lies. Lomond gives you the Arrochar Alps or Ben Lomond. You can also had up to Crianlarich if the roads are OK. However heading for Perthshire would give a bit more scope and you’ve an option of Glenshee or Aviemore too.

Loch Lomond is a good shout, I’d continue up as far as Glencoe if time permits.

Oops, didn’t really read op. A gig might be a good a shout after sone walking/photography ops?

Just a thought of you’re at a loose end, Rich?
http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/getting-out-of-paying-for-a-hotel-room

I’d hop on the ferry to Aaran.

Most of the ferries were cancelled today, and may be cancelled again tomorrow. So probably not the best weekend to go to an island.

Gig would be a nice idea, but not really financed-up for hotels at the moment – and Russ, piss off, again 🙂

Currently googling the suggestions above thank you.

EDIT: Ben Lomond looks fantastic; maybe I’ll just stick with heading in that direction.

The heelands will be full of midges. Unless it’s windy. Which it looks like it will be, so don’t worry about packing the Skin-So-Soft.

You realise its chuffing windy up here? Check the forecast before you make your plans, snow is great but 60mph winds at sea level means you’ll be flying home out in the hills.

Plus, it’ll be bloody cold.

Thanks Rickon and I hear you – but half the reason for wanting to get away is that I already live 650ft up and I’m just sat here listening to the wind howling and watching water piss into the house until the windows are fitted and pointing is done next week.

I just fancy a day of escape. I’ll mop up when I get back.

Loch Lomond sounds good if you know your way there and only have a weekend. The Scottish Airforce (midges) are grounded at this time of year. I’d take some warm and waterproof gear and go for it. Don’t forget to visit the Drovers Inn for a pint 😀

Err, best avoid that last bit.

Bit less of a drive, head up to Glen trool, bit of lunch or dinner at the house o’ hill, and a stomp up the Benyellary and the Merrick, aka ‘The range of the awful hand’. Some beer at the sulwath brewery in castle Douglas to take home.

Happy days.

It’s been unseasonably warm, but midges in January is a new one…

If you want to go for a walk, I’d second the suggestion of the Arrochar Alps or hills north of Callander. Easy to get to and a short drive from Glasgow if you want to look round the city.
If you decide to go east instead, you’ve got Edinburgh and some nice lower level walks in the Pentlands, right outside the city.
Lots of stuff to do either side without spending your weekend driving north.

Doesn’t feel much like snow at the moment, just wet and wild.

Theres plenty of nice bits of Galloway and the borders, but although closer to Leeds as the crow flies theres maybe a bit too much A / B road driving time getting to them for a short trip so maybe ‘sort of round Glasgow’ is easier to plan for – gets you into the scenery without too much time on minor routes that might be disrupted by the snow tonight/tomorrow. Loch Lomond is an obvious choice really. But similarly quick to get to is ‘around Dunoon’ where you can get a nice mix views across sea to mountains.

So that would be scooting through and beyond Glasgow on the M8 – tiny ferry across the clyde from Greenock to Dunoon and a travel around that peninsula between the clyde and Loch Fyne – maybe a bite to eat here, accom in Tighnabruaich is normally pretty affordable – island hop back via Bute maybe.

I’m about Glasgow on Sunday if you fancy coffee and cake

Its going to be a bit of wild day tomorrow possibly so maybe keep your plans flexible

G

I’d head to the east side of Loch Lomond/Trossachs or Three lochs Way. Oak tree inn is good. Drovers Inn can be disappointing. Dunno why people love it. Snow will still be quite high up. Assume you will be stuck on the mountain overnight if you climb. Conic Hill will be fine, Ben lomond could be interesting. Ferries are a stupid idea right now.

http://www.balmillig.co.uk for accomodation if they have space.

Really grateful for all the suggestions, thank you. I’m still googling them and I’ll make a decision quickly as I’ll need to be setting off early. 🙂

Assuming you’re heading up the M74, stop somewhere south of Glasgow and check what’s happening with snow levels, then make your mind up. You can get an idea of local conditions via the Traffic Scotland traffic cameras.

http://trafficscotland.org/livetrafficcameras/

Yup, will be up the M74/M8 – I’ll do that thank you, and thanks for everything above from everyone. Kind of wished I’d put more planning into it, but hopefully the spur of the moment thing will still bring dividends.

Most of the ferries were cancelled today, and may be cancelled again tomorrow. So probably not the best weekend to go to an island.

Ah… Yes. That makes sense.

It’s going to be wild, especally Saturday (and Monday if you stay that long). Really, not the best time for a visit. One of the things about Scotland is knowing when to just bin it and stay at home.

Aye, give us a bit of notice next time, we could get a wee STW Arran ride sorted.

Oak Tree in Balmaha (E Side of Loch Lomond) is a very good shout, but will be fairly busy tomorrow as there’s a gathering of runners for a training weekend on the West Highland Way.

Looking at the weather forecast for tomorrow, I’d cancel any plans to go up anything high (90 mph gusts forecast).

^ agree re Arran being a great place for a visit, at a better time of year!

Cant see lomond as too wet but it had snow earlier so should be great but i would stay in the car as its baltic/mega windy/pissing it down

Nb Second the oak tree. Burgers are massive.

http://www.snow-forecast.com/maps/dynamic/scotland?hr=12

Looks like Lomond won’t be far enough north

Surely you should be patronising a certain cycle boutique in Glasgow? 😀

It’s going to be wild, especally Saturday (and Monday if you stay that long). Really, not the best time for a visit. One of the things about Scotland is knowing when to just bin it and stay at home.

This.

Winds of 50mph+ are forecast around Loch Lomond/Arrochar for all day tomorrow. That’s not even a hill forecast, so if you are up walking in the hills it wont be pleasant. A82, A83 and many other roads were closed for parts of today due to fallen trees and land slips. M74, M8 and M9 motorways have had closures as well due to lorries blown over. It’s not a journey I’d make from Leeds for a weekend like this.

It’s lashing down in the Borders right now. With 40mph winds and heavy snow forecast for tomorrow.

Hermitage castle then a bacon roll in Newcastleton would be enough excitement for one day.

Well that’s a bugger then as I’m up now .

That said, no point in being a pratt and getting caught up in something – plus it does sound a bit grim – I’ll heed your warnings.

Argh, shame.

Cheers though.

(..& thanks G 🙂 – I’ll plan better for another time and hopefully we can sort something).

For sure. Shame as its snowing here too.

Aww.. arses!

If its any consolation its super windy… todays task is to find half my greenhouse that is not in my garden anymore

A9 this morning:)