You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
I'm driving up from Bristol to Edinburgh for a friend's birthday at the end of this month and will spend 3 days there.
As I'm up that way it would seem silly not to explore and enjoy some of the Highlands for 4 or 5 days. Recommendations for a campsite to base myself in from where I could walk up a couple of munros would be welcome. Also it would be good if the site was near some town or village as will be on my own and might want to visit a couple of the local hostelries, cafes etc.
Many thanks!
There's camping next to the Kingshouse hotel in Glencoe - and pretty much everywhere else in Glencoe of course 😉
Aviemore: Rothiemurchus campsite is on the path to the Lairig Ghru (and therefore some 4,000 footers) and still still only a shortish walk from Aviemore for pubs and food. Glenmore campsite is even nearer the mountains but evening entertainment is limited to the Pine Marten bar and Glenmore Lodge.
Glencoe: Red Squirrel campsite is at the foot of the Aonach Eagach and a short walk from The Clachaig. Other spectacular Munros are but a short drive away.
Either way, take/buy Smidge.
Rothiemurchus campsite is phenomenally expensive. Dalraddy is more reasonable but not near any hostelries.
[quote=wwpaddler ]Rothiemurchus campsite is phenomenally expensive. £11 per night?
http://www.campandcaravan.com/Pages/Camping.html
That's £4 more than Dalraddy (nice site btw) but hardly "phenomenally expensive" and I'd say worth it for proximity to food and drink options.
Ok - phenomenal may be a bit of an exaggeration but I'm not convinced Rothiemurchus is 60% better than Dalraddy but you are. Everybody's different. Those £4's do start to add up if there's more than 1 of you or you're staying more than a couple of nights.
FWIW, when we used to camp in the area it was normally at Dalraddy so I do think it's a better campsite. No pubs etc nearby though and no Munros in comfortable walking distance.
Rothiemurchus has 3 midge munches. Well worth the extra £4 a night.
I think those guys ^ have the bases covered but it would be worth mentioning Glen Nevis Campsite, it's quite family oriented but that means nice facilities and quiet at night, the nearest pub is decent but there's also the Ben Nevis Inn which I would say is a bit better.
You would have the Mamores, Ben Nevis and the Grey Corries on your doorstep, so in pure 'Munro' terms probably even better than Glen Coe or Aviemore. Also gives you access to the walk at the end of Glen Nevis (short but spectacular) and even a couple of bothies in the vicinity if you fancied an overnighter away from the campsite.
(could you tell I just had an awesome weekend in Glen Nevis? 8) )
Random - kind of Cairngorms - option might be Blair Atholl / Pitlochry as well -- if only to stop off on way up or down, then you can get in to some Munros from the southern edge.
Red Squirrel campsite Glencoe not stayed, but always think if I camp up here that would be a lovely location.
Can't offer direct advice on campsites, however my vote would be the Glencoe area rather than Cairngorms.
The Cairngorms are nice in their own way for bleak tundra type mountains. The West Coast is more Alpine in feel and IMO more dramatic scenery.
The walk up Buachaille Etive Mor gives amazing views
[img] 
[/img]
Stayed behind the Kings House a couple of times last week in the way up to and back from Harris. Lovely spot, climber's bar in the hotel fitters good food, and they do breakfast in the hotel from half seven of your went to do that.
No showers or bogs, obvs (apart from the loos in the hotel)