public transport from Glasgow (aka I'm fed up asking for lifts)

[elhig]

So far I've been able to get out a good few times already this year (quite happy as I only decided to get into this in January) but I've been dependant on either borrowing the in laws car or talking people into giving me a lift to Loch Ard.

I really fancy the idea of just getting away on my own, but Public Transport to the spot I know is either a two hour wait in Balfron for a bus change or one direct bus which only runs on sundays.

Anyone got any suggestions of places that's accessible from Glasgow via public transport??

Ta much

Hig

PS I know loch lomond is just down the road, but it's huge and I don't know the area that well, so a more detailed suggestion with train/bus stop recommendations will really be appreciated

 

[locum76]

there's a city link bus which goes all the way to Skye. Via Loch Lomond, Glen Coe, Fort William, etc etc.

 

[elhig]

oooooo, now skye sounds nice

 

[Toddy]

My husband's free bus pass came through the door the same post that delivered my driving licence I told him he planned it 'cos he hates driving.

Anyway, he says that from Buchanan Street Bus Station you can get a bus to the Campsie Glen about every 20 minutes, and it's a nice set of walks and lots of quiet wee glens for camping.

He also suggested the Fort William bus that goes past Loch Lomond and up through Glencoe and past Tyndrum.

The Oban bus goes Loch Lomand to Arrochar, Inverary, Loch Awe, it passes the Rest and be Thankful and there's lots of places round there to camp.

He said that it's much much better to book in advance and actually buy your ticket beforehand; that the bus drivers will pick you up and set you down where ever it is safe to do so, but if you don't have your ticket you can't guarantee a seat on the bus for the Grannies out for the day.

I think the Campbeltown bus also does the Invarary and Carradale stops.

The train from Central goes down to Ardrossan and meets the ferry across to Arran too.

cheers,
Toddy

 

[Marttiini Girl]

Hiya, the Gourock train goes from Central straight to the ferry terminal, hop on the ferry over to Dunoon, and from there the world can be the mollusc of your choice There's some great spots round Loch Fyne, good fishing too.

 

[elhig]

Toddy,

not heard about Glen Campsie before. I do like the idea of Loch Lomond as well. Google maps will be in use shortly :-D

Marttiini Girl,

I grew up in Gourock and never even thought about Dunoon. Might even take the bike :-D

Last Exam is on Monday and SHMBO has given me a free pass to try out my new hammock on Wednesday. Got a lot to chose from now :-D

 

[andy_e]

I think the Campbeltown bus also does the Invarary and Carradale stops.

It does, I used to take that bus up to Tayinloan, there's a caravan/camp-site just a mile before the village that all the family have been going to for many years.

If you jump off the bus at Tarbert you've got the Kintyre Way all the way down to Campbeltown and then a bus from there back to Glasgow.

 

[tiger stacker]

If you book online with national express/citylink you may get a really cheap deal for tickets.
Dont forget to look at the hills near to the west highland line railway. The train serve is actually great if you fancy a good walkabout.
Clachan of Campsie is the terminus for the local bus choose a X85 X86 and 88
great wee coffee shop with a nice bimble to the crow road car par,k with a well used route that leads you up into the campsies.

 

[Mikey P]

Yeah - Clachan a Campsie gets you into the Campsie Fells or you could get the 88 to Harestanes and walk over to the Kilsyth Hills. Train to Croy and bus/walk to foot of Kilsyth Hills too?

Don't know if there's anything out to Carron Valley? Could be a goer.

 

[elhig]

Well I'm back and I lived. Ended up following a mates advice and getting the train to Balloch then heading up to Balmaha.

Walked North out of the village following the loch, then cam across a fork in the road. One way headed away from the loch and the other followed it bu was marked as a private road. Not wanting to peeve off a land owner I followed the road figuring I could cut back towards the water sooner or later.

Sure enough a little while later I see a cut through a bluebell filled forest and followed it down to a little beach. I walked along the beach for 15 min or so and found a nice spot to set up the hammock. All is well with the world...
within the next 30 min I'd been passed by 4 groups of people??
walk up to where they were and find a gravel path...
go back to the camp and dig out the map. have a look and discover I've camped next to the west highland way

Still after about 8 pm I had a lovely spot all to myself and woke looking out over the loch after my 1st night in a hammock. All in a good wee trip.

Thanks again to all who gave advice :-D

 

[elhig]

oh nd here's a piccy

 

[gsfgaz]

sounds like u had a wee adventure mate ,, glad u had a good trip ... any photo's

 

[elhig]

tried posting some piccys but can't find an upload option and linking to them on facebook don't seem to work:-(

 

[shogun]

sounds like a good night out Elhig...be good to see pics atb shogun

 

[Toddy]

Elhig that sounds like a classic case of Sod's Law
Glad it worked out for you though

cheers,
Toddy