Accommodation for North of Scotland trip?

[Jo Lipp]

Hi can anyone advise about accommodation up the north west and north of Scotland. I'm planning a trip in late August and was wondering if there are frequent B&B places or should we need to take a tent (don't really want to) Thanks Jo

 

[Brandane]

Hi can anyone advise about accommodation up the north west and north of Scotland. I'm planning a trip in late August and was wondering if there are frequent B&B places or should we need to take a tent (don't really want to) Thanks Jo

Off the top of my head, from previous motorbike trips (not yet brave enough to cycle in that area), there is a distinct lack of accommodation once you get north of Ullapool. You would be well advised to book ahead if you are going that far north/northwest. Or take that tent (and midge repellent).

 

[JPLL]

North of Ullapool I would say that there is a reasonably amount of accommodation at reasonable intervals. However, the issue you have is that you are planning to travel at a peak time when I would be tempted to book..............being of the mindset that if I haven't got a tent with me, I'll never find somewhere to stay.

If you are booking think of staying at the Crask Inn - south of Altnaharra - quirky but a really friendly experience.

 

[Maverick Goose]

There are a couple of lovely [but remote!] youth hostels at Achininver and Achmelvich-the one at Achmelvich is only yards from the beach but it's a fantastic location.

 

[Spinney]

+1 for the Achmelvich hostel.

It all depends on your budget - there are hotels as well as B&Bs, although thinly spread, as mentioned above!

There is also a bus that takes bikes, as far as Durness, anyway. Never used it, but came across it a few years ago when thinking about a trip.

http://www.inverness-durness-highland-bike-bus.co.uk/

 

[mcshroom]

Tongue SYHA is good as well

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

We were up there last September and there were plenty of B&B signs still out. Some of the independent hostels were closed for us, but at the end of August you should be OK (that one was just south of Ullapool).

Campsites are great except for the one at Bettyhill - bad facilities made worse by no breeze in very humid conditions, long grass and millions upon millions of midge.

 

[steveindenmark]

Ask Tony and Gill. They are cycling up there at the moment.

http://gillandtony.co.uk/

Steve

 

[snorri]

I would recommend booking accommodation in advance for travel in late August. Although the peak period may be over by then, good weather can have more tourists lingering longer in the area.
These websites should give you some ideas.....
http://www.visithighlands.com/
http://www.hostel-scotland.co.uk/
http://www.syha.org.uk/

A tent would certainly give you greater flexibility as you can camp (almost) anywhere if accommodation is full up.
There are several websites for official camp sites.
http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/sites/results.asp?county=Highlands

 

[toekneep]

There is quite a lot of accommodation but I would say book ahead. Both Achmelvic and Tongue hostels were both full this week and we couldn't get a bed at the first one we tried on Orkney. If it's like that at the end of May you could struggle later in the summer. The campsites have been fine though and there are plenty of options to wild camp at places like this:

Take a tent and buy a midge headnet.

 

[stephenjubb]

We were up there last September and there were plenty of B&B signs still out. Some of the independent hostels were closed for us, but at the end of August you should be OK (that one was just south of Ullapool).

Campsites are great except for the one at Bettyhill - bad facilities made worse by no breeze in very humid conditions, long grass and millions upon millions of midge.

Too true, however I was there the year before and talk to someone who could talk about fishing for hours!! who being going for 30 years and it seems the campsites owners husband is no longer fit and the kids are not interested in taking it over, hence the state of disrepair.