Scotland : Glasgow & Clyde Valley Advice on Western Isles tour, anyone?

[swee'pea99]

I've been thinking about going up and tootling around (a bit of) the Western Isles, and have discovered that the Isle of Islay Jazz Festival is on at about the right time, which gives me a sort of focal point to start organising myself around.

I have come up with a very tentative route/schedule, and wondered if anyone had any thoughts on it, preferably someone who's travelled that part of the world before. I've kept the mileages pretty low - sort of 50-ish a day - because I expect quite a lot of hillery, and I also want to have a little time to do stuff other than ride - I might toddle into a distillery or three, eg.

My tentative schedule looks like this:

Tue 8 Sep Home (train) -> Glasgow -> Rowardennan

Wed 9 Sep Rowardennan -> Inverary

Thurs 10 Sep Inverary - > Oban

Fri 11 Sep Oban - > Port Charlotte, Isle of Islay

Sat 12 Sep Port Charlotte, Isle of Islay

Sun 13 Sep Port Charlotte, Isle of Islay

Mon 14 Sep - Port Charlotte, Isle of Islay - > Lochranza

Tue 15 Sep Lochranza - > Glasgow -> home

I would really welcome any thoughts, suggestions, advice. I haven't done anything like this in years, and haven't been to that part of the world in 40, since I went there as a Scout. I remember stunning natural beauty, but not a lot else. (Not even midges, curiously.)

One specific: does anyone have any idea whether I'd be able to just rock up to a hostel at that time of year and get a dorm bed? It's out of school holidays, which should help. On the one hand, I don't want to find myself soaked & homeless - or having to shell out £100 for a 'luxury b&b' - but on the other, if I could gain the flexibility of not having to be any particular place on any particular day, it would be an advantage. (I could stay somewhere for a day if it was going to tip down all day, eg.)

Many thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

I've answered on your other thread, go have a look until the rest of the posse wakes up

 

[saoirse50]

Port Charlotte SYHA is lovely and I have just rocked up there once or twice with no problems in September, but if there's a festival going on on the island, I'd book. If you want to be really flexible, I'd camp. There are some lonely beaches on the west side where you can tuck a small tent away and if you want facilities there is a campsite with plenty at Port Mor just down the road from Port Charlotte. I have done all three options. All good.

 

[swee'pea99]

Thanks - very kind. I ended up duplicate-posting here, and got lots of helpful advice. Things have moved on, and I'm booked in to Port Charlotte SYHA for the duration!