The Machrie, Machrahanish and Machrahanish Dunes Early Autumn 2020

[Liverbirdie]

All booked

Means we will be booking in at Machrahanish circa 9pm....

How much - is the return about £68? or are there all "extras" on top?

 

[Deleted member 16999]

Well it may not be as long as Liverpool-Portsmouth-Tours-Lourdes-Madrid-Bilbao and involve bringing back "Ol' big ears", but me and the missus are considering the following:-

Friday night - drive to Oban,stay in Oban

Saturday - early ferry to Craignure (Mull), go to Iona for the day, stay in Tobermory.

Sunday - stay in Tobermory.

Monday - early ferry back to Oban, go to Glencoe (missed it last time we were in Fort William), drive down to Kennacraig for late afternoon/evening ferry to Islay. Monday night on Islay.

Get a cottage on Islay (stay Monday to Thursday) for 3 nights, go onto Jura for a day also and loads of nice walks with the missus, distillery or 3.

Rest of the trip as the golf

Return home on the Sunday night.

Local knowledge/tips welcome, including days out/walks and restaurants.

Islay is absolutely stunning Pete, stayed there for a month a few years back doing what the Military call MACC (Military Aid to the Civil Community) tasks, refurbishing school rooms, fixing paths to national monuments for disabled access etc, also has something like 8 Distilleries to visit

Loads to see and do, the American Monument at the Mull of OA Peninsula is worth a visit and a nice trek, worth googling prior to your visit, it’s all based around a WW1 shipping disaster, really moving and heroic stories around it.

Beaches that are beautiful and go for miles and miles,

Loads of walks, Jura just off the coast, another distillery and a decent trek up either of the Paps.
Bowmore is the main town, not very big, but a nice little selection of restaurants, especially the seafood ones.

Also worth a drive out to Portnahaven if wanting to see the seal colony.

Plenty of archaeological sites, if that floats your boat etc.

Absolutely love the place, people friendly, nice pace of life and 3-4 days you’ll fill very easily.

 

[Deleted member 16999]

One other bit of info, if there is anyone considering going early to Islay and using a campervan or the like, there’s a good campsite at Port Mor near Port Charlotte, has all the extras there, ie, Cafe, Shower Block, Washing Machines etc.

 

[2blue]

Well it may not be as long as Liverpool-Portsmouth-Tours-Lourdes-Madrid-Bilbao and involve bringing back "Ol' big ears", but me and the missus are considering the following:-

Friday night - drive to Oban,stay in Oban

Saturday - early ferry to Craignure (Mull), go to Iona for the day, stay in Tobermory.

Sunday - stay in Tobermory.

Monday - early ferry back to Oban, go to Glencoe (missed it last time we were in Fort William), drive down to Kennacraig for late afternoon/evening ferry to Islay. Monday night on Islay.

Get a cottage on Islay (stay Monday to Thursday) for 3 nights, go onto Jura for a day also and loads of nice walks with the missus, distillery or 3.

Rest of the trip as the golf

Return home on the Sunday night.

Local knowledge/tips welcome, including days out/walks and restaurants.

Oh yes, you're getting to have a good look at some very special places in the Western Isles. I have books & maps you can borrow that will enhance an even, brief trip..... will get them to you some how or other.
Just one or two mentions for now.
Iona is stunning & holds this man's grave that they had to tastefully 'partition off' as it has so many visitors. Also I suggest the short walk through to Iona's western shell-beaches.... gleaming white on a nice day, which you may have, even in Oct.

Enjoy your day on Iona & don't be tempted to drive up the western side of Mull as you head up to the very special, Tobermoray (OK but not worth a full following day there) as you'll sample some of those tedious, winding, single-track roads the following day as I'd suggest you head down that western side to Ulva Ferry for a boat trip out to Fingel's Cave on Staffa..... book early with Turus Mara if the weather permits..... especially in Oct. WARM CLOTHES if you do!!
If weather no good then there's an interesting walk on the Isle of Ulva itself (birthplace of Dr David Livingston's Grandfather) or another, longer 6 mile, walk, along raised beaches with brilliant views to the west & then heads on to see Crackaig a 'Clearance village' & a Whisky cave (if you can find it) ... https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/mull/treshnish.shtml ...... this goes past the Treshnish Cottages that our family have stayed at many, many times.
Leaving Mull I'd suggest taking the shorter & cheaper, ferry from Fishnish to Lochaline which gives an interesting & natural drive via Fort William to Glencoe. Google for local walks as otherwise its serious mountain tops.. hahaha.
As Paul says, lots to do on Islay & Jura is defo worth a visit. I did one of the Paps many years back walking from the ferry but remember it being fairly demanding.
One of the world's biggest maelstroms, Corryvreckan, is just to the north but probs not worth a visit unless you happen on Spring tides, when you may hear it from a distance anyway.
The Islay distilleries are special but can worth out a little pricey, though some of the Whiskies can only be obtained there or by post.
Anyway loads of info on-line & these books if I can get them to you.
Great that you've decided to make a full trip of it..... hope it goes well.

 

[Fish]

How much - is the return about £68? or are there all "extras" on top?

The Ferry was £70 for the van/car return then it's £14 per adult, so £98.00 (2 adults + 1 vehicle).

 

[Liverbirdie]

The Ferry was £70 for the van/car return then it's £14 per adult, so £98.00 (2 adults + 1 vehicle).

I though that sounded weird, whereby its a price for a car, and then says driver and passenger on top - well how else can you get a car on without a bloody driver!!!

If I take a baby-draw 3 wood instead, will it just be £84.00?

Will reply to Dave and Paul later.

 

[IanM]

Will sort our stuff out this weekend. Few days on the peninsular somewhere, few days on Islay before the mob arrive! What time ferry needs booking after round 2?

 

[IanM]

Get a cottage on Islay (stay Monday to Thursday) for 3 nights, go onto Jura for a day also and loads of nice walks with the missus, distillery or 3.

Might see you for dinner on Islay as we have similar plans!

 

[Liverbirdie]

Might see you for dinner on Islay as we have similar plans!

Findus crispy pancakes, and smash, washed down with blue nun, tizer chaser (optional).

High rollers us you know.

 

[IanM]

Do they still do those? ....any of those?

 

[Deleted member 17920]

Provisional list so far.

I have had quite a few deposits in so far and thats amazing so thanks for that.

1 Glyn
2 Cameron
3 Liverbirdie
4 Jobr1850
5 Scouser
6 Scouser Nic
7 Boxman
8 CK03 PUT
9 JamesR
10 The Diablo
11 Jimaroid
12 Jocko
13 Gregbwfc
14 Gary Y
15 Chellie
16 Chellie Simon
17 GG26
18 papas1982 ?
19 Fraz
20 Stevie D
21 Arthur
22 Tuggles
23 Fish
24 Matt V
25 terry M
26 Dan Mc
27 Tim J
28 Lee G
29 Paperboy
30 Chellie Guest
31 Chellie Guest Non Golfer
32 Ian M
33 Ian M Donna
34 Blue In Munich
35 Philthefragger
36 Badger

 

[chellie]

Provisional list so far.

Where is it?

 

[Deleted member 17920]

Where is it?

See above, the attachment wasn't playing ball.

I can only type so fast

 

[IanM]

I didn't know you wanted deposits!

 

[Cake]

1 Glyn
2 Cameron
3 Liverbirdie
4 Jobr1850
5 Scouser
6 Scouser Nic
7 Boxman
8 CK03 PUT
9 JamesR
10 The Diablo
11 Jimaroid
12 Jocko
13 Gregbwfc
14 Gary Y
15 Chellie
16 Chellie Simon
17 GG26
18 papas1982 ?
19 Fraz
20 Stevie D
21 Arthur
22 Tuggles
23 Fish
24 Matt V
25 terry M
26 Dan Mc
27 Tim J
28 Lee G
29 Paperboy
30 Chellie Guest
31 Chellie Guest Non Golfer
32 Ian M
33 Ian M Donna
34 Blue In Munich
35 Philthefragger
36 Badger
37 Cake

I’m definitely in for this.

I have had quite a few deposits in so far and thats amazing so thanks for that.

Sorry Glyn,

I must have missed the post regarding deposit - what do I need to send your way?


Cake.

 

[Deleted member 17920]

Will stick some Payment details up in the next few days.

For those that have been on previous trips you should know I want a deposit ?

 

[chellie]

See above, the attachment wasn't playing ball.

I can only type so fast

Oops lol

 

[Liverbirdie]

£162 per person (based on 4 nights), so £40 per night

https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/1780..._impression_id=p3_1579265927_LyUgbcjcEg+MR19+

Just saying.......

Loads of other good options for 8 people (4 bedroom ones, approx £200.00 per couple or £100.00 per person, as well) based on Monday check in, Friday check out, although would have to liaise with Glyn so it doesnt knacker up his accom stuff.

https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/2436..._impression_id=p3_1579266169_rUhJzscq9S3Hv2pD

approx £200.00 per couple, £100.00 per person (£25.00 per night), bargain with luxury!!!!!

Any other couples interested, maybe get a list going.

1. Liverbirdie and missus
2.

 

[Fish]

£162 per person (based on 4 nights), so £40 per night

https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/17802842?adults=6&check_in=2020-09-28&check_out=2020-10-02&poi_place_id=2212997&source_impression_id=p3_1579265927_LyUgbcjcEg+MR19+

Just saying.......

Loads of other good options for 8 people (4 bedroom ones, approx £200.00 per couple or £100.00 per person, as well) based on Monday check in, Friday check out, although would have to liaise with Glyn so it doesnt knacker up his accom stuff.

https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/2436..._impression_id=p3_1579266169_rUhJzscq9S3Hv2pD

approx £200.00 per couple, £100.00 per person (£25.00 per night), bargain with luxury!!!!!

Any other couples interested, maybe get a list going.

1. Liverbirdie and missus
2.

Car keys in the fruit bowl as always ?

?

 

[Fish]

If your around tomorrow morning I’ll give you some cash, if not, I’ll put in an envelope and give to Dan.