We've binned France, we're going to Scotland!

[MisterB]

138go

is your ferry booking transferable? if so, perhaps it might be worth offering it up on the forum to save you losing all your booking cost? I am looking for 2 more tunnel crossings if anyone is happy to share their wallet and doesnt share already, but would consider a ferry crossing at a 'fair to both sides' price?

 

[Terry242]

Portpatrick

 

[tjay]

Snap, we are doing the same , the costs to take our 3 Yorkies is a disgrace ! so our ferries are booked up to Skye, over too Lewis, back to Ullapool , up the north west, ferry to the Orkney then fun rally on way home.
All for less than the cost of taking our dogs to France, their loss !

 

[Grianan]

View attachment 580066Portpatrick

Love Portpatrick but not Motorhome friendly unless you stay in campsite.

 

[Otter Spotter]

Avon stuff doesn't work, trust me I got the midge bites to prove it! The only thing that apparently works is Smidge (or the equivalent from another manufacturer) fortunately although I'd got some I didn't need to use it.

They changed the formula a few years ago so it doesn’t work for most people now.

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[Minxy]

We did SW Scotland in June and August last year and thoroughly enjoyed it, just don't stay at the Ayr 'aire' on the front car park as it is NOISY and you get the boy racers going by tooting their horns, we stayed in a lovely street just back form the large 'green' between the beach and the houses and had lovely quiet nights.

 

[Wabs]

I am actually planning our tour ofthe uk and Scotland as we speak,

 

[The general]

View attachment 580066Portpatrick

There’s something about these small harbours that are magical , i remember seeing the comer lifeboat returning from a shout , and attempting to get back up into the station but the seas were too rough , and had to be relocated to Lowestoft . The power of those engines when he took off was impressive

 

[Paddleboarder]

Enjoy we love Scotland..

 

[aleclitchfiel]

We will lose our ferry booking to France in April but we don't care. We're off instead to the West Coast of Scotland, with a ferry booked to Orkney. Our main reason for ditching France is the dog, as she's not in the best of health and that plus the palaver about the AHC, helped us make a decision. To be honest, I'm not a massive fan of France, it's okay as a country to get through to Spain but that's it for me.

We're really looking forward now to Scotland. Does anyone have any hints and tips?

Well doing the West Coast of Scotland in May can't wait to see all the natural beauty enjoy your trip

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[Skyway]

Good decision mate Scotland much better than France it well over rated and Scotland more welcoming
At least that half like us ha
Unlike the French

 

[Catpirate]

 

[WillH]

There is also a Council run Aire in Girvan, quiet, overlooking the beach. Good fish and chips handy.

 

[Terry242]

There is also a Council run Aire in Girvan, quiet, overlooking the beach. Good fish and chips handy.

We used this CP for an overnighter, good toilets.

As you say, the fish supper is not to be missed.

Terry

 

[Wee Bold Davy]

We took a notepad to Scotland and asked people to write down the answer to our question.
Then couldn't understand the words written

I did the same in Bradford

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[Wee Bold Davy]

We will lose our ferry booking to France in April but we don't care. We're off instead to the West Coast of Scotland, with a ferry booked to Orkney. Our main reason for ditching France is the dog, as she's not in the best of health and that plus the palaver about the AHC, helped us make a decision. To be honest, I'm not a massive fan of France, it's okay as a country to get through to Spain but that's it for me.

We're really looking forward now to Scotland. Does anyone have any hints and tips?

Scotland is where I call home having been in Wales for 19 years.
Some folk say avoid the A82 Loch Lomond road above Tarbet because of a 6 mile stretch which is narrow and twisty. It is a wee bit tight in places if you meet a tour coach, but with care it's not a problem. I drove lorries up and down there weekly for years without issue. Being April it will be less of an issue than mid summer. It's simply stunning and gets better as you go up the west coast. We never fail to stop at The Drovers Inn at Inverarnan for a coffee or snack, just past the top of Loch Lomond. You'll never find a pub with more atmosphere anywhere. We often sit near the door to hear the reaction of first timers (especially Yanks!) OMG....Wow!
Parking shouldn't be a problem for your van.

If you do decide to give the top of Loch Lomond a miss and turn off the A82 at Tarbet onto the A83 it takes you over the hill to Arrochar on Loch Long, up over the Rest and be Thankful and around Loch Fyne past Inverary Castle to Inverary where a visit to Inverary Jail is worthwhile, where you can witness an 18th century court case is a nice way to spend a couple of hours!

Then leave Inverary via the A819 up to Loch Awe (mind the deer!) At the top of Loch Awe you will meet the A85. If you turn right it takes you to the A82 at Tyndrum where you turn left heading for Glencoe which is stunning in any weather.

If you turn left off the A819 onto the A85 it takes you around Loch Awe towards Oban which is lovely. Then double back on yourself heading north over the Connel bridge onto the A828, just past Portnacroish keep an eye open for Castle Stalker on an island with a beautiful backdrop. Then up to Fort William which has dedicated motorhome parking by the shore as you reach the town. You'll also find a Morrisons there with a petrol station. Then the West Highlands is your oyster, without upsetting too many Yorkshire folks, you're in Gods Country. Hopefully no snow and ........ no midges! Enjoy.
We're heading there in June, not been in two years and can't wait.

 

[Ginster]

I'm heading up to Scotland at the end of Feb to get to Moffat by 15th April via The Malverns, Birmingham, Liverpool, Blackpool, Cumbria and so on, then touring Scotland till early June making my way back down the East Coast. Never been to Scotland so really looking forward to it and I've got the netted hat!

 

[NUTSABOUTDOGS]

We will lose our ferry booking to France in April but we don't care. We're off instead to the West Coast of Scotland, with a ferry booked to Orkney. Our main reason for ditching France is the dog, as she's not in the best of health and that plus the palaver about the AHC, helped us make a decision. To be honest, I'm not a massive fan of France, it's okay as a country to get through to Spain but that's it for me.

We're really looking forward now to Scotland. Does anyone have any hints and tips?

Is it possible to transfer ferry tickets? I got to go to EU in April... Scotland will be beautiful in the spring. Good call!

 

[Canucks]

Avon stuff doesn't work, trust me I got the midge bites to prove it! The only thing that apparently works is Smidge (or the equivalent from another manufacturer) fortunately although I'd got some I didn't need to use it.

I think the Avon stuff has had a recipe change, a 2nd vote for Smidge.

 

[Rozzer]

We loved the NC500 last year. Last week of May, 1st week June. Went anti-clockwise. Amazing scenery, truly breathtaking and we had such luck with the weather, 28c at Dunnets Head would you believe. Surprised the locals weren’t hospitalised. Last few days though loads of traffic, loads of rented MH’s one of which took out my O/S mirror expensively. Need to spread out on the single track roads, MH’s bunched together often couldn’t all get in the passing places causing havoc. No midges at all but watching the NC500 blog there was videos of horrendous swarms blocking out windows of parked MH. Be warned! As others said best stick to April/May and take the right clothes. We’re defo going again but not this year, too much traffic. Now France is open, off to Europe!

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[The Lobster]

My only advice is to note that Scotland is somewhat bigger than it appears on most maps you see, which use a projection that emphasises the south of England. It can take a long time to get to places - more opportunity to admire the scenery

 

[ronecc1]

We last went in August and equipped with the recommended mossy hat, but didn’t even see one, let alone wear it, but ya never know, so take spray and Avon oh so smelly cream as it’s meant to be the dogs dangly bits against the wee Jock McPlop buggers, oh and a phrase book, cos they talk funny up there

Mossy hats are a waste of time, there are none in Scotland. The midges though, are something else. They will get through all the window meshes, because manufacturers have not cottoned on yet to the size of the little sods. Avon Skin so Soft works for our Special Forces, so be sure to take some.

 

[IanFraser]

Hi I live in Ayr next to beach the council have started an overnight area at south end of beach , afraid the town centre is crap but beach is very nice , there's also a caravan camping site at culzean castle if your into castles the site over looks the sea and views to arran .

Have stayed at the site, great walks through castle grounds in the evening though we may have had more light to do that of an evening than these guys would get in April.

 

[Wee Bold Davy]

My only advice is to note that Scotland is somewhat bigger than it appears on most maps you see, which use a projection that emphasises the south of England. It can take a long time to get to places - more opportunity to admire the scenery

Wales is so much smaller but takes twice as long as getting anywhere in Scotland

 

[IanFraser]

Love Portpatrick but not Motorhome friendly unless you stay in campsite.

We overnighted in the car park beside harbour area, was quiet and area round there was great for beer, food & watching the world go by. We also had a walk up the cliff to see a house that was on grand designs, great views from up there too. Can't say we found it to be not motorhome friendly but having said that can't remember if there were no overnight parking signs in carpark? There were only around 4-5 cars, no moho's so we weren't taking the P and we headed off quite early the next day. Agree it's well worth a visit

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[Grianan]

We overnighted in the car park beside harbour area, was quiet and area round there was great for beer, food & watching the world go by. We also had a walk up the cliff to see a house that was on grand designs, great views from up there too. Can't say we found it to be not motorhome friendly but having said that can't remember if there were no overnight parking signs in carpark? There were only around 4-5 cars, no moho's so we weren't taking the P and we headed off quite early the next day. Agree it's well worth a visit

Yup, all the car parks have no overnight signs.

 

[Wee Bold Davy]

One of my favourite areas to visit is down the often forgotten SE coast of Scotland from Edinburgh taking in Musselburgh, Nth Berwick, Dunbar, Eyemouth then across the border to Berwick-upon-Tweed, Bamburgh to Seahouses and beyond

 

[68c]

My only advice is to note that Scotland is somewhat bigger than it appears on most maps you see, which use a projection that emphasises the south of England. It can take a long time to get to places - more opportunity to admire the scenery

I thought the

My only advice is to note that Scotland is somewhat bigger than it appears on most maps you see, which use a projection that emphasises the south of England. It can take a long time to get to places - more opportunity to admire the scenery

I thought the common Mercator Projection made the far northern and southern countries look larger than they are Canada, Greenland and Russia looking much larger and probably contributes to many peoples fear of Russia. Scotland is displayed as larger than it should be, equatorial countries smaller.

 

[IanFraser]

Yup, all the car parks have no overnight signs.

I thought from memory it might have, cheers.

 

[Rumour and Innuendo]

It is such a shame that our Government decided not to continue with the previous arrangement for taking pets into the EU. It was so easy and cheap, but they wanted a clean break! So don't blame the French, blame Johnson and his cronies! And if you find the French unfriendly, I would look to yourself for the reason. We have never had any problems and have been welcomed everywhere we have been. A bit of Pidgeon French goes a long way.

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