I don't know if Dan set up the forum to be considerate of the members' time when he renewed the forum several years ago, or whether he chose software for being human-friendly, but either way he gets the credit.

Especially, I must say, compared to Facebook, which every time I want to log in to my group for other writers, Indie Authors International, sends me on a runaround which can consume anything from twenty minutes to twenty hours of my time, and does it several times a day. You'd really think that Meta, with all its billions and umpteen thousands programmers, would do better than a single volunteer, but you'd be wrong. Signing in to the Thorn Forum by contrast to Facebook is a two-click operation and then you're in.

Hurrah for simplicity! Thanks, Dan.

There’s a chain store called Halfords. It’s an odd combination (to me, at least) of auto parts and bicycles. Their website shows the 4 pack of Campingaz cans. Maybe there’s one near your hostel.

Good idea; Halfords. I should have flagged that up for you. Yes, a little odd perhaps since much of their gear is for the motorist but certainly most branches have cycle items and I have seen gas canisters. and camping items.

Ph, thanks.

I wrote all of the text below before I saw your post.  Islands, Arran is a strong maybe but I have not planned on any others at this time.  And probably will not add any more to my plans.  If I really like this trip, I might have to come back.

***

RonS and Matt2matt2002, thanks.

In one of my google searches, Ember popped up.  I looked at their website for enough time (about 5 minutes) to realize that I should put their info into my records that I take with me on my phone as a contingency.  Was unaware of City Link, thanks for that.  I added City Link website to my notes.  I am putting  a text file of my notes on info that I might want to have with me later on my phone, the two bus lines are added to that. 

Nice to know that a full campsite might not be really full.  A few times in my travels, I have discovered that full really meant full.

For the hostels that I have not already made a reservation at, I am now thinking I should make a reservation 24 hours in advance, if not more. 

And, if all else fails, I do not need to panic:
https://www.visitscotland.com/accommodation/caravan-camping/wild-camping
https://www.wildernessscotland.com/blog/wild-camping-scotland-best-practice/

I will bring a Steripen in case I need to treat water.  I bought it for my Iceland trip, never needed it.

I wasted two hours yesterday.  As a double check I looked at the Decathlon store website again.  For the butane I was going to buy it said not available for pickup at store, not available for ship to home.  Searched a bunch of other store websites, found a store where I could buy butane four miles from the London hostel.  Then took one last look at the Decathlon website again, clicked in a different spot and it said it was in stock at that store.  So, that was two hours wasted on the internet that I will never get back.  I plan to get a four pack of the long skinny type Campingaz CP250 fuel canisters, that would be 880 grams.  My Iceland trip, I used 35 grams per day.  Thus, 880 grams gives me roughly 25 days of fuel.  That should be pretty close to what I need, assuming I use no fuel when at a hostel.  If it starts to look like I am running low, I can look for a canister in Fort William, there are camping gear stores there.  And I can scrimp on fuel use if I have to, when backpacking I average about 28 grams per day, even though I plan for 35 grams per day.

Sometimes my preplanning can be a bit too thorough.  But my tour two years ago where I assumed campgrounds and motels on my map were accurate, in one day I found two campgrounds that were gone, one motel had been torn down two years earlier, and the other motel had a closed sign.  All in one day that became a 14 hour ride.  Later on that trip I arrived at a campground, it had closed years earlier and been replaced by a hoard or rental cottages.  So, this trip I am being a bit more thorough in looking at the websites for campgrounds, etc., to make sure that they exist.  One campsite I plan to stay at on this trip, their website said copyright 2018, so I was about to cancel that one from my plans, but then I saw they had posted their 2026 prices.  Thus, they had not closed in 2018.

Now, I need to focus more on getting in shape.  This past Wednesday, rode my Nomad Mk II on a route that is mostly gravel trail with some hills for 54 miles, I really need to focus more on longer distances in my remaining weeks.

As answered elsewhere, I use a professional cleaning service, Alpkit the last time, and although expensive I've always considered it worth it.   I use lightweight PJ's rather than a liner, but then I'm using a quilt rather than a bag.  I used to get twisted up in a bag and a liner just made it worse. The PJ's are probably 95% as efficient at keeping the quilt clean, and have the added use as an emergency additional baselayer.

When I was in the Highlands in September '24, several of the campsites had "full" signs, but that was for the RVs and caravans (trailers). They all had room for a cycle tourist.

If you are enjoying Scotland so much that you want to keep riding, or if you need to return quickly to Edinburgh, keep in mind that City Link and Ember busses take one or two bikes, depending  on the route. City Link supply a stretchy bag to cover the bike, and it and the panniers go in the baggage hold. Don't know the procedure with Ember as I didn't use them.