Scotland?

[David Paterson]

Dave, just a slight aside, but it could be relevant for me in connection with this trip, what are the rules around wild camping in Scotland?

Simone

There are no "rules" as such, but common-sense says you don't climb fences and you don't camp in front of someone's house-windows. So any unfenced ground, away from houses, is fair game.

Recently, however, a new ethic is spreading -  that if you can just carry your tent etc a few yards from your car to your chosen camp-ground, you're not wild-camping and you should be on an organised campsite.

Myself, I wouldn't worry too much about the latter.
Best,
Dave

[HCS]

I've just now updated my vote for sharing a room, that's no problem for me. The timing mid May may be, as expressed earlier in this thread. The cost isn't that much of a concern, as long as we're not running in the old NG safari realm 

I'm curious which exact dates are being checked now, i'm on internet diet right now, and i've not been able to find that in this thread.

[Bjørn Rørslett]

As soon as Dave locates the accommodation facilities I'm sure the dates will be finalised.

[David Paterson]

I'm curious which exact dates are being checked now, i'm on internet diet right now, and i've not been able to find that in this thread.

First I have to find out when - in May ideally - they can accommodate a group of 20 single people. I plan to do that face-to-face, not online, tomorrow.

[Frank Fremerey]

I do not mind to share a room also with 5 or 6 as long as the loo is clean and not too far away.

[stenrasmussen]

Unless something more serious surfaces I'm in!

[David Paterson]

My meeting with the lodges manager is set for tomorrow (Thurs 13th - lucky it's not a Friday); she can't make it today.

[simato73]

Dave, just a slight aside, but it could be relevant for me in connection with this trip, what are the rules around wild camping in Scotland?

Simone

There are no "rules" as such, but common-sense says you don't climb fences and you don't camp in front of someone's house-windows. So any unfenced ground, away from houses, is fair game.

Recently, however, a new ethic is spreading -  that if you can just carry your tent etc a few yards from your car to your chosen camp-ground, you're not wild-camping and you should be on an organised campsite.

Myself, I wouldn't worry too much about the latter.
Best,
Dave

Thanks for that, I forgot to do it earlier.
Looking forward to the news from your meeting with the lodge manager.

[Frank Fremerey]

As long as I can find a place to crash and dry my clothes. Loading camera batteries?

[David Paterson]

As long as I can find a place to crash and dry my clothes. Loading camera batteries?

Don't worry, Frank, these are quality accommodations; and there will be no need to share 3 or more to a room. But it will help if some people are willing to share with one other person.

[Erik Lund]

OK, I changed my vote to share with others

[David Paterson]

Well, things have moved on a little but not a lot. I had a good look at the whole site and a meeting with the manager. There are two sensible options we could go for, and she is going to put together a discount package for each option, for a week in mid-May (7th-14th or 14th-21st). The owner has asked to be kept in on this and will make the final decision on price. Unfortunately he is in Croatia at the moment; back at the weekend sometime.

Option 1 - Loch Tay House plus 2 4-bedroom lodges. Sleeps 14 in total if no-one shares, or 26 if everyone shares. We can manage something in the middle.
Option 2 - 8 Woodland Lodges (all together in one spot). Realistically, this sleeps 16 if no-one shares, or 24 if everyone does. Again, we can work this.

*BUT* I have to say, the owner gave me a sample price over the phone two weeks ago which was *considerably* less than the prices on their website. I hope he will remember that and will stick by what he said, but I'm a little afraid he didn't have his brain fully engaged and simply made a mistake. I will drive as hard a bargain as I can.

Assuming we get a price that we can accept, comparing the two options -

Option 1 is the more expensive but includes the large Loch Tay House, ideal for get-togethers in the evening, keeps lots of people together under one roof - up to 10 in L T House, and up to 8 in each of the other lodges. The lodges are quite near but not directly beside L T House.

Option 2 is the cheaper of the two, and keeps everyone together - within 30m or so - but divided up 2 or 3 to a cabin. There isn't one big space where everyone could meet easily. The cabins are in their own quite secluded area.

I have no opinion as to which we should go for - let's wait for the prices to come in.

http://www.lochtay-vacations.co.uk

From time to time I'll post a few images showing what the Killin area has to offer. The first two were earlier today (forests) and yesterday (meadows). Future posts will have their titles beginning KILLIN 2016.

[Erik Lund]

Option 1 seems to outstandingly good! I think we can spend a little extra to be together, the other workshops has been best when we stay close to each other

Tanks for the effort!

[Anthony]

7-14 is good for me, 14-21 is more of a problem.

[David Paterson]

7-14 is good for me, 14-21 is more of a problem.

There are two public holidays in May 2016, 2nd and 30th, and they already have numerous bookings for those weeks; what's left is the two middle weeks. I think we may possibly get a better deal for the week beginning 7th.