2018 – Wildcamping at Skipness / Claonaig
2018 – Wildcamping at Skipness / Claonaig
…is a great spot in its own right for a few days break or as a stopover before taking the short ferry crossing to Arran, or, after coming off the ferry, especially the later crossings. However you get here, this spot is worth the effort for the fantastic views across to Arran as you will see in the video below.
Where you park the foreshore is either rocky or pebble beach. There are good sandy beaches at the other side of the CALMAC Claonaig ferry terminal, at Skipness village and at Skipness Castle.
The views over the water to the island are impressive and the mountains on Arran change colour as the light fades in the evening.
SKIPNESS CASTLE was begun in the early 1200s, probably by the MacSween family. It was acquired by the Stewart earls of Mentieth in 1262. It passed into the hands of the MacDonalds in 1325 and eventually on to the Campbell earls of Argyll.
Once you are set up take a walk into Skipness and have some fantastic local seafood at the SEAFOOD CABIN (summer only/closed Saturday) and Skipness Castle.It is also a convenient spot if you are heading over to Arran as it is only a few yards from the Claonaig to Lochranza terminal where the Calmac ferry operates from the end of March to the end of September (ish). I say terminal, but in essence it is a ramp into the water and a bus shelter! Tickets for the 30 minute crossing are bought on board. In the winter the ferry runs from Tarbert to Lochranza.
DIRECTIONS – Heading down the A83 towards Campbeltown, after you pass through Tarbert (worth a stop) in 5 miles, just past the Calmac Kennacraig Ferry Terminal (to Islay) turn left at the signpost for Arran Ferry/Skipness. From that junction it is 5.7 miles/10 minutes to the widldcamping spot. Take the signpost for Skipness then just after the Ferry ramp there are wild camping spots on the right hand site, virtually on the water’s edge.
Check out the blog post on taking your motorhome to Arran on the Calmac ferry from Claonaig to Lochranza HERE.
Video of the approach to, and wildcamping location at Skipness.
