Galloway Forest Park

[Austin]

Don't start counting chickens yet. I haven't heard back from the forstry people yet. I have also just realised a couple of the routes I planned include a lot of way marked mountian bike trail.

Midges..... I have camped in keilder, the trossachs and grizedale and if there are midges about it is hell. Even if they don't bite coz of SsS or deet they irritate like mad getting up your nose, in your eyes , in your food everybloodywhere!!!! Best if the campsite has a midge eater or 10 to keep the blighters down, or camp somewhere exposed so the wind keeps them down. Some on the coast would be ok too. I think the SYHA is the best option - if we can get enough of us to make it cheap.

I am in the area now and will have look round tomorrow for campsites and stuff.

[Frad]

Application form, risk assessment, maps of possible routes, and a grovelling letter all sent off today. Let's see what happens. If you are interested keep the weekend of 14/15th august free coz that's when I have said we will do it. There may be a fee to pay too.

Thats not good Austin Catherine and I off to The Alps that weekend

[Austin]

Thats not good Austin Catherine and I off to The Alps that weekend

sorry but I am pretty sure I can't please all the people all the time. Anyway if this comes off and goes well in the eyes of the FC I am sure we will be able to do it again next year.

[Lutin]

Just had a gander on the Scottish Youth Hostel Association (SYHA) website and they have two hostels in the area.

1) Newton Stewart, which is out of the Forest Park itself (just to the south, in fact) and appears to be available for that weekend.

2) Kendoon, which is to the East of the Forest Park itself and is listed as being part of the RentaHostel scheme - ie you rent the place exclusively.

Stopped in two SYHA hostels on our recent trip round Scotland, and was well impressed.

[Austin]

Just had a gander on the Scottish Youth Hostel Association (SYHA) website and they have two hostels in the area.

1) Newton Stewart, which is out of the Forest Park itself (just to the south, in fact) and appears to be available for that weekend.

2) Kendoon, which is to the East of the Forest Park itself and is listed as being part of the RentaHostel scheme - ie you rent the place exclusively.

Stopped in two SYHA hostels on our recent trip round Scotland, and was well impressed.

it was the kendoon one I was looking at. £275 a night and it's available for the planned weekend.

[Frad]

sorry but I am pretty sure I can't please all the people all the time. Anyway if this comes off and goes well in the eyes of the FC I am sure we will be able to do it again next year.

I know matey best of luck with it if its owt like Piel you will be in XRV stardom

[tendays]

I've stayed at the Kendoon YH before - myself & some mates booked it for Hogmanay 3 years ago. Seem to remember it was a bit windy - one of my mates took his dog for a walk and it was like flying a kite! Its not exactly lush compared to say the Pembroke spot but it's OK. Might be a bit on the small side. I think parking is not on site, we had to stick the car 200yds down the road in a layby.

[IanS]

May and September are the best months to avoid the midgies, maybe this could become 'Haggis run 4' next year and would give a little more time for planning.

Also I'm away most of August.
Been on the tarmac exit road to the north, were loads of wild campers.

IanS

[Austin]

I heard back from the forestry people tonight - they have said yes to "99%" of my proposal. I will be speaking to them tomorrow (well today now looking at the time) to find out exactly what they have agreed to.

I will start a new thread with all the details and put something in the calendar.

Question: I think wild camping in the forest on Saturday night would make this a really memorable event. Midges though might make it memorable for all the wrong reasons. I spotted an excellent spot for camping near the Big Water of Fleet viaduct - some shorter grass, a bit of hard standing for bikes and a fire/BBQ, stream for water. Close enough to civilisation that a trip for supplies is possible, also at the end of one of the proposed routes through the forest. There was even a couple of picnic tables that could be dragged over from a view point. The alternative would be camping at Loch Ken Activity Centre. 10 days ago their massive Tipi and 4 log cabins were free on 14/15th and worked at about £12pp/night if 20 of us went. There was a BBQ area, and the usual facilities. What do you want to do?
1. Camp Friday night at a campsite and wild camp saturday
2. Camp both nights at a campsite.
3. Something else

This is going to be brill.

[beddowsm]

Wild camp, but will fit in with whatever you decide