Road Trip Scotland

I'd bin the tent, extra weight and hassle (especially if you have to pack it up wet). There's more than enough b&b's and hostels to sort you out.

As for a tip, I have a good one - get some insect repellent. It's the beginning of the midge season and the b*stards can be really persistent as this dog will now demonstrate: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOLvhaqYBOs

Smart money is on Avon skin so soft, or failing that jungle formula.

#1 might bin the tent, but that's his taste and budget, not necessarily coincident with yours. I've done a lot of camping in Scotland in May and I've only been bothered by midges late in the month, and then only in some notorious spots up to about the latitude of Fort William. Though I'm told that after a particularly mild early spring they can be nuisance that early. It's really June that they take off properly.

Does anyone have good tips for our itinerary? We would like to see as much as possible and also do some nice hikes.

My tip for your itinerary would be to forget the bit about seeing as much as possible. There's far too much of Scotland, far too many islands and ferries to take, for a comprehensive survey of the country in a fortnight. Choose some particular areas you'd really like to concentrate on, and spend enough time in them to get a proper flavour of those areas. Orkney is really special, clearly within reach, and worth spending a few days there.

Yep, unless you're unlucky, you should miss most of the midge season.Red Squirrel camp site near Glen Coe is a great spot. There is also a great youth hostel in Glen Affric (although the latter tends to get filled up). Rothiemurchus campsite near Aviemore is another good option.

http://www.rothiemurchus.net/

http://www.tripadvisor.com.sg/Hotel_Review-g1478744-d1073938-Reviews-Red_Squirrel_Campsite_Glencoe-Glencoe_Scottish_Highlands_Scotland.html

http://www.tripadvisor.com.sg/Hotel_Review-g186535-d2194768-Reviews-Glen_Affric_Youth_Hostel-Scottish_Highlands_Scotland.html

There is also a great youth hostel in Glen Affric

Just in case it isn't clear from the link, this hostel is not located on a road, you have to walk several hours to get there. But it is a great area for hiking, which is why it is so popular.

Thanks for the tips!
It will be our first time trip to Scotland. I have looked up quite some information and indeed, there is too much to see in 2 weeks.

• the tent: we would like to take it to use in cases we don't find any hostels/b&b's... we are planning to book nothing in advance; is this smart?
• itinerary: we will start in Newcastle, we arrive by boat. So we can start or end in Edinburgh. The rest is open. I definitely want to do Skye. Also the Orkneys are high on my priority list. Any tips for in between? Nice castles or whiskey distillerees?

Thanks!

we are planning to book nothing in advance

If you have a tent and a vehicle, you have no problem, you'll always be able to sort yourself out with that. The weekend you arrive is the end weekend of a school holiday in Britain, so accommodation will be very busy that weekend. After that you'll find things fairly quiet, as it is not holiday season. So most days you will find B&Bs and hostels if you want them.

I definitely want to do Skye. Also the Orkneys are high on my priority list. Any tips for in between

Skye has a very high profile for tourists, but actually many other less famous parts of Scotland are just as wonderful, with the benefit of lower tourist pressure. Though if you are into difficult walking along exposed jagged ridges, then the Skye Cuillin is unique.

Actually there is a very special part of Scotland part way between the ports for Orkney and for Skye. You will find the NW coast of Scotland to the north of of Kyle of Lochalsh very special, especially Torridon and the region around Lochinver. Castles and distilleries, your guidebook will advise.

Orkney has castles and a distillery (Highland Park near Kirkwall), some excellent campsites, great walking and bucket loads of "rough nature." (Seals, Killer Whales, hundreds of birds, stunning beaches ... etc etc.) Midgies are rarely a problem because it's too windy. (Make sure your tent is very sturdy and bring a warm hat!) You could, if you want to, spend all of your two weeks there, bearing in mind that to see all the best bits you will need to plan your inter- island ferry crossings quite carefully.