Bunree, Barcaldine, and Killin, May 23

 

This entry is about my latest trip in my caravan. It was mainly in the West of Scotland taking in Bunree near Glencoe, the Oban area and finally near Killin. It was a trip lasting 7 days from the 26th of May 2023.

I had put together this trip around providing support for my brother who was running the annual West Highland Way Challenge Race, a 95mile route following the WHW starting in Fort William and ending in Milngavie on the outskirts of Glasgow. It is a gruelling non stop ultra marathon.

I opted for my base (providing support) to be the Bunree C&MC Site on the shores of Loch Linnhe, just at the entrance to Glencoe. A nice site which proved to be a good choice as it was accessible from many of the official checkpoint.

The runners had to register at a hall in Fort William in preparation for the morning start.

A pre race briefing at the start point, just at the road to Glen Nevis.

And at 1000, the race was off with a field of around 70 runners.

The race continued and I navigated around the roads to meet my brother at various checkpoints along the route where I supplied hot food, drinks, and any shoe or clothing changes.

Coming off the hill track into Kinlochleven.

The checkpoint and re-supply at the Ski Centre in Glencoe.

My brother arriving in Glencoe.

Further along the route, arriving in Bridge of Orchy.

We parted our way at Tyndrum around 8pm, I headed back to Bunree and my brother continued his running, arriving at Milngavie the next morning at 1130am, 26.5hrs after starting!

I continued my stay at Bunree for a second night. The weather was dry, sometimes drizzly, and a bit overcast at times.

On the morning I was leaving a cruise ship passed the site.

I have never, ever, seen a vessel of this size on Loch Linnhe. It was massive.

I left Bunree and took the short 40 min drive south to the Oban C&CC Site at Barcaldine. I was a little early, so parked up and took the dogs a walk in the forest next door, 2 mins from the site.

I was pitched in a nice corner site which was very large with a good space for the van, a canopy, and the car.

This site has excellent access to some great walking in the forest next door.

It was very warm, and the dogs enjoyed regular dooks in the burn.

The weather in this area was stunning. Blue skies, wall to wall sunshine, and very warm. This was during a walk up Beinn Lora in Benderloch.

The only issue I had was that the pitch I was on was a bit shaded in the mornings, and the midges were out in force. It was near impossible to leave the van before 1000!

We managed a few good local walks including along to Clach Toull near Port Appin.

The weather remained beautiful.

Cregan Marine on Lech Creran during one of our evening strolls from the site.

We spent 3 nights at Oban, and instead of going home, I booked a couple of nights at Clachan C&MC Site near Killin.

It was lovely and peaceful. A great setting in a terraced forest.

Got a fantastic pitch. This site has no facilities block which puts people off, but I certainly prefer the peace and quiet which results.

This van is fast becoming a home from home!

An aerial shot showing my pitch. It was very quiet and many of the pitches are seasonal, and even those were vacant.

Pitch No3, where I was.

Took a drive into Killin for a nice walk starting near the Falls of Dochart.

And led up along parts of the Rob Roy Way long distance walk.

On the return, I got a picture of the Maragowan C&MC Site in Killin, only minutes from where I was.

On out last day, we drove into Kenmore for a lovely long walk on Drummond Hill, the forest providing some welcome shade.

Overall, this was a fantastic trip. From where I live, it was almost circular. We were blessed with incredibly good weather and some fine places to stay. I will certainly be back!