A day trip was planned with the Scottish Green Road Club. We were warned that the majority of the group had Landrovers. With Tilley a Toyota there was bound to be a bit of good hearted ribbing. We can give as good as we get, so that didn’t put us off! We planned to camp the evening before nearby.
An eventful journey for me on the way south from Aberdeenshire, with a puncture on the A90. I thought the noise was a low flying helicopter! Not the best of starts but I was rescued by some very young policeman who coned me off while I waited to be rescued – yes I’m a wimp!
2 hours late I arrived at Vince’s and we immediately transferred my gear + food + gin + whisky into Tilley and off we headed to our camp spot for the night. Not having identified a suitable wild camping spot we had settled for a woodland site on the edge of the Loch Ard Forest, in Cobeland which was actually quite nice.
Usual quick set up, BBQ on and in no time gin was poured, nibbles out and the rib eye were on the BBQ. A lovely evening, with only a few midges about. We did discover though that we need to make some midge nets to let us keep the windows open, to let some fresh air inside.
The following morning we were up and away quickly to meet the others nearby at Aberfoyle. We soon spotted other vehicles that were part of the group so moved to be closer to them. Everyone was really friendly and really interested in Tilley. It feels slightly wrong to have a vehicle displaying various country stickers (from the previous owners), when we haven’t so far been abroad in her! (They have now been removed).
We set off following the other vehicles heading west driving along the side of Loch Ard and soon found ourselves turning on onto a forest track. The arrangement the group had was that they could access private land, in return for carrying materials and making repairs to sections of the damaged track. This benefits everyone: the landowner and the residents of isolated properties and owners of off road vehicles who are able to access land they otherwise wouldn’t be able to.
The route took us up through a forest track in a southerly direction, before heading northwesterly. On our left was Ben Lomond, the higehest peak in this area of 974.
The lead vehicle with the trailer stopped to offload the materials for the track repair so a short stop ensued whilst repairs were carried out. It really was an isolated spot and you can easily understand why any help offered for track repairs is gratefully received. The overhead electricity lines obviously need to be maintained, and it seemed like there was a helicopter landing spot for bringing the equipment in.
Once repairs were completed we headed off in a more northerly direction onto a rockier track.In reality, none of the driving was difficult. We then started to drop height descending down towards Cailness, on the easterly bank of Loch Lomond. At one point the group split as the track was quite narrow and the descent steep. We would need to reverse at one point along the bottom to enable everyone to turn round and go back up, so splitting the group was a good idea. The weather wasn’t great – overcast, cloudy and with intermittent rain, which was a real shame.
As ever Tilley behaved impeccably. No real problems and even the tight corners were fine.
At the lunch stop we realised one of the disadvantages of removing the rear awning that had been on Tilley when we bought her, which we replaced with a 270 degree Foxwing. It was raining and with the back doors open and heating up the soup we had bought with us, there is no shelter. In Olli the overhead opening doors always gave a bit of shelter in the rain. A discussion followed as to how we can add something to give the shelter we need.
After the trip ended we headed off and did a few more tracks. In the end we had to turn back as there was no way to cross the bridge that was on the map – turns out it was a footbridge!
A quick stop at the local pub in Aberfoyle for a cup of coffee before heading back home.
Just a short trip but a good overnighter and another chance to put Tilley to the test.
Life of Tilley 
Looked and sounded like a great trip.
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