Campervans in Scotland 2022 Update
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- Опубліковано 22 сер 2024
- An update on the legal situation in Scotland, where you can and can't park up for the night and a look at how things have improved greatly in the past three years,
Forestry & Land Scotland Stay the Night scheme
www..forestryandland.gov.scot
Campaign for Real Aires
www.campra.org.uk
Scottish Outdoor Access Code
www.outdooraccess-scotland.scot
"Over promoted NC 500", spot on Cameron. A PR exercise thought up without any forward planning and insufficient infrastructure. It gars me greet !
Thanks as always Cameron. One thing to think about when considering overnight parking in a lay-by. Please consider the HGV driver with his vehicle who is governed by driver hours and needs to stop as a legal requirement in a lay-by. These drivers and cargo tend to be destined for local shops.
Very well presented Cameron. I worked offshore for over 30 years and before every helicopter trip we were obliged to watch a short safety video. I suggest as a start every motorhome rental company are asked to show this video, or a shorter video with the same information to all renters before they set off on their adventures. Educate early and you tend never to forget the basics. Possibly include a litter-picker in every rental van to encourage the activity. Thanks again.
Well said Col,I remember those safety briefings well.
I like the idea of a litter-picker in every rental!
@@briankerrison5233 Hi Brian. Nice to hear from you. I hope you are well?
Good video Cameron . The first one I've watched I'm afraid.
One small point I would like to raise though if I may ?
Not all campers with the curtains drawn after a during daytime hours have been parked overnight .
There are myriad reasons why the curtains could be closed .
Take us for instance . We like to walk our dogs regularly and draw our curtains whenever we leave our camper unattended . In the vain hope that it may somehow prevent the prying eyes of the opportunistic thief from seeing what valuables there may be to plunder . Often times we may be gone for some time . We usually head out quite early too .
Occasionally we have sought out a camping spot with the sole intention of parking overnight for a walk we have researched and are interested in doing the next day . Sometimes we may even return too late or too exhausted to move on the same day . Having said that we have never stayed in one place more than 2 days and nights . We do then like to move on just after sun up on those occasions , as you suggested . Would you say this is wrong ?
More often than not though we are gone the next day after a single nights stay .
I can appreciate to the a casual passer-by all this may look like we have set up camp for the week and have yet to move on .Sadly this is an altogether far too common assumption about campervans . Does it mean we and other campers are doing a disservice to the culture ? Just because of someone's incorrect assumption .
Admittedly we use the curtains for privacy too . When showering or dressing for instance . Or even when out boosting the local economy by sampling their goods , wares and produce . Did someone say whisky ?
There are myriad reasons why the curtains could be closed .
Whilst I do think the arrive late leave early idea is a good one in principle . In practice this isn't always possible .
Although we do try to practice this ourselves too .
It does seem to illicit feelings of embarrassment to even be parked up . Or feelings of guilt for not moving on the second we open our eyes .
Almost as if we're doing something wrong or even illegal by not doing so . Obviously that's not to say or imply it's either , far from it . Just a feeling .
I don't profess to know the answer to change some peoples attitudes towards camper van owners . Certainly educating those newcomers starting out in the camper van community as to what the "Golden Rules" are is a good start .
I'm looking forward to perusing your back catalogue now though .
Keep up the good work .
ATB
Safe travels.
P.S. We have always tried to leave a site cleaner than when we arrived . We have always done "A litter pick" when we arrive . And one before we leave of anything we may have missed . This used to be with a gloved hand . But more often than not with a dedicated litter picker these days . The back's not what it once was don't you know .
Fattrucker
Think this should be shown on national television every few weeks for a year or two to get the message home. Great advice combined with a common sense approach. :-)
I agree with official camp sites pricing themselves out of contention - I have experienced this with a common haunt for my wife and I with our campervan - this year we are paying £30 per night for seven nights, and next year it is £45 per night. While I have booked my usual week, I have been honest and said beyond 2023 I will not be back.
My recent exploits have had me explore Northumberland, who are experimenting with a form of aires, based on three carparks via Northumberland council - I must confess I used one in a wonderful location and found it amazing. I will confess, I mixed and matched my nights in official spaces and the newly formed carparks. It was an a wonderful experience. However it was at the expense of me doing the NC500 - why? Purely because of the negative perspective of those of us in campervans and their response in Scotland.
I will be honest, I enjoyed the NL250, and meeting local people and talking about what i was doing - I had no negative experience (other than a slow puncture) and can only recommend the NL250 to campervan folks who plan carefully, and leave no sign.
I hope the NC500 and the locals on it are in a better position in the coming years.
i go to scotland when ever i can in my van iv seen the mess some people leave its disgusting they need to be held accountable thanks for info cameron
Nice to see this video thumbnail is from the Port William community camp site, ‘The Kings Green’ Hope you enjoyed your stay there.
Loved it Michael. Have stopped there a few times. An excellent campsite at a very reasonable price.
I will be swimming against the tide on this one but the absolute last thing we want to do when we park up at night is to sit in the van, keep our fingers crossed and hope that we are being 'tolerated'. We did the NC500 in our 8 meter Kontiki in 2020, we planned the trip and booked up campsites and CL's for the route and had a fantastic time. Parked legally as opposed to 'lets hope we get away with it' meant we could enjoy the full features of our motorhome whilst never having to worry about getting moved on, where to dump the toilet, where to get water etc. Parking in lay-bys and not setting up an encampment may be legal but parking anywhere else without the landowners permission isn't which is why we don't do it. IMHO people conflate 'getting away with it' with 'tolerance'.
Same here, always use campsites. We considered ' wild camping ' but quickly dismissed it purely out of safety. Putting £50k plus of equipment at risk of damage or a mugging in the middle of the night by thieves or thugs is a proposition you need not be in. It is penny wise and pound foolish in my opinion, never mind the personal danger you could be putting your family in.
Great video! Sadly most of those who watch it are not likely to be those who should!
Thanks Cameron, great news about Forestry opening the car parks again. Here’s hoping everyone takes notice of your big “NO-NO’s”!
Totally agree with your comments regarding time spent in supermarkets, in a van we're in shops much more then we are at home. These people who think vanners load up on the mainland to save money on their trips have no comprehension of how much space is in a van.
From CaMPA.
Most un-metalled roads, unfenced land and beaches are private property, and you don’t have a right to park unless it’s authorised by the landowner by verbal agreement or signage. The Road Traffic Act 1988 states that you can drive a vehicle up to 15 yards off a public road for the purpose of parking, but this does not confer any right to park the vehicle. You still need the landowners permission.
Thanks June but I've been discussing parking in layby's on public roads. Parking on private land is a whole different ball game. That's why I went on at some length about the public's rights under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act. BTW is CaMPA the same as CAMpRA?
@@CameronMcNeishOutdoors CaMPA are Campervan and Motorhome Professional Association so not the same as CAMpRA.
You made a video a couple of years ago with CaMPA.
@@junehall2177 Thanks June. Guessed that may be the case but folk tend to become confused by both of them. Hope you’re not getting too much NC500 hassle. I just wish they’d stop promoting it for a bit.
@@CameronMcNeishOutdoors Yes, so do I ! Reasonably quiet here, suspect calm before the storm.
Great informative video Cameron. I was directed to your video by Pedro ELGordo after ranting about lack of facilities in the UK.
The , Take nothing but photographs & leave nothing but footprints has been my mantra with young people for years!
I now add try to take back more than you brought (rubbish won't move itself!)
Liked & subscribed
Best content for anyone considering Scotland in a van.
Thanks for the info 👍👍
Thank you for your reason, your considered tone and eloquence. I am about to embark upon full-time VanLife in England. I wish we had a better approach to this lifestyle south of the border. I will hopefully be contributing to the local economy north of the border. I can only offer those communities the promise that I will treat your country with respect and courtesy. The well-used trope of ‘take only photos and leave only footprints’ will be my daily maxim wherever I am. Good luck
Best of luck on your forthcoming adventure Nick. If I were thirty years younger I think I'd be doing exactly the same. Happy travels.
Sensible advice which sadly probably won’t reach irresponsible campervan drivers. I note the comment suggesting this video should be shown to those renting a campervan before they drive off. This is an excellent idea. Apart from the litter louting minority I think the size of some motorhomes has created problems. Many car parks in villages and scenic spots are small and 1 or 2 huge motorhomes take all the space,denying parking to local shoppers and walkers. I do think some driving large motorhomes need to be more considerate and perhaps the difficulties should be explained to those renting a large unit before they set off. One final point, I’m not sure how many people are aware of that driving vehicles onto machair risks damaging a very precious environment.
Well said Cameron, growing up I was always taught to leave a place tidier than you found it, thank you.
Another informative video thanks Cameron. Brought back memories of a drive up to Mallaig from York some years back. Late start resulted in us pulling the car into a lay-by at 2am. It did say no overnight parking but we were shattered. At 3am we were moved on by the police. I took over the driving for the next stretch and somewhere along the A830 was woken by shouts and my mate grabbing the wheel as I nearly drove off the road just pass the the Princes Cairn. The lay-by we had been in was no where near houses etc. I wonder how the officer who had moved us on would have felt if he'd been watching us dragged out of Loch Nan Uamh
‘Chataratti’ had our kids and I in stitches😆😆, thank you Sir, wise words as ever!
also spelled 'chatterati'
@@alanhat5252 👍
Excellent and very informative video. Think your video should be made required watching by everyone buying or renting a Motorhome or camper van before they are allowed on the road!
So glad to hear Scotland are leading the way in Campervan/Motorhome facilities and attitude. Just returned from a 2 week trip round Wales in our van and I was sorely disappointed at the (lack of) facilities and general attitude. Such a shame, I certainly won't be back.
Some really useful information. Thanks for sharing. Your video just popped up in my suggested channels so the UA-cam algorithm seems to be successfully locating viewers with an interest in campervans and Scotland 😁 hopefully your subscriber numbers will increase!
Good video Cameron. I've had a panel van based camper for 15 years now, same size as yours. Spend upwards of 80 night away in it per year. I don't like expensive regimented campsites with facilities I have to pay for but will never use. I wild park well away from dwellings, but also use Aires, informal paid parking, and C&MC Certified Locations. Most of my wild parking is the night before, set up ready for a day on the hill the following day. Like the vast,vast majority, I have NEVER dumped the loo or waste when wild parking. I do wish the hire companies would manage expectations when hiring to folks - a family of 4 will need campsite facilities every 24 hours for a loo empty - but they are not told this. One thing you did not mention is DO NOT EMPTY YOUR TOILET IN A PUBLIC LOO! This really wilds up the natives, the facilities just can't cope with the volume of waste, and certain folks leave the place a midden afterwards as well. Take a 'black' jerry can in which to empty the loo, or find an official emptying point. Hopefully, the tourism to Magaluf open this summer. Maybe this, combined with the high price of fuel, means that things calm right down in the highlands again.
Informative as always Cameron - most of which is common sense, a thing somewhat in short supply these days - one thing I’d like to add from a truckers point of view - when parking on for example a lay-by on the A9, please don’t position your van smack in the middle as this prevents a truck from stopping to take which are legally required breaks - I have politely asked car drivers who do the same and been told to ………. Well I’ll leave that up to your imagination the answer accompanied with I pay my tax I’ll sit in the middle if I like! I’d like to stress most are happy to move, but not all.
I spent 4 months traveling around the Swc300 and up the west coast as far as Fort William spending quite a while around Greenock and Dunoon area and met lots of fabulous locals, total strangers would come and ask how I was and did I need anything. People even brought me food. I have been traveling full time for 35 years and never felt as welcomed as I do in Scotland, so I am heading back up there for 6 months and will visit Arran this time.
Fantastic to hear that David. Many thanks.
Sensible, practical and legally correct advice. Thanks
Well said and well received. Thanks for the update, its welcome and well presented. One point occurs to me though and that is that about closed curtains and blinds during the day in parked vehicles. It shouldn't be assumed that anyone is asleep or otherwise engaged within the vehicle. Many people close the blinds to dissuade thieves while the owners are away walking etc. or to keep the van cool on warmer days, and though I do get your point about folk not rising with the larks and being all bright and bushy tailed for public inspection, some people do rise later on holiday, they deserve the pleasure and the rest and that's fine by most folk as it should be. Take care and I hope your foot is well on the mend now. 👋
Thanks very much for your post. Interesting and informative . Your points are well made, valid and eruditely stated. Again, thankyou
What a fantastic video Cameron well presented and factual. It’s great to see that Scotland are looking at the positives.
Thanks for the GREAT content.
Like you, I don't need hot tubs, music bands, beer on tap and electricity that commands 40 to 50 quid a night.
I'm SURE many of the "glamping" owners don't even appreciate the clients that do like and demand all these gimmicks. A great percentage of them aren't doing ot to attract these kind of clients. They are doing it solely because if they do have all the gizmos, and even if only a small percentage appreciate them, they can now charge 40 to 50 quid a night.
Such is the sad reality.
Thanks for all the excellent tips.
Cheers.
Thank you Cameron for this very interesting and informative video. Thanks to people like you, associations and some municipalities, some arrangements have been made for campers. No witch hunts like in some communes or cities in France, or even in Portugal. The pandemic and the restrictions made that many people bought or rented motorhomes thinking to be able to act as they wanted, where they wanted. This has hurt respectful campers. We are coming to your beautiful country for a two month road trip in the spring and we are looking forward to taking advantage of the facilities available to us.
Leave no trace is our motto.
Best regards
Very helpful, and I totally agree. Thank you for this video!
The voice of reason and Common sense - well done
About to head up this weekend for 10 days and this has eased some concerns and clarified some issues Thanks
Thanks for that Cameron, we have been campervanig for many years also and for last few years have been dispirited by all the attitudes and talk ☹️ this vid has lifted my spirits and I’m now looking forward to getting out and about soon 😁
Great video and well-informed advice. Excellent that more designated areas for campervans are being provided. It is important that when charges are made they are reasonable/affordable. Even £10 per night is actually quite high (£300/month) - For some of us on a state pension, that exceeds our monthly income. Free areas are essential too with minimal facilities as many just want somewhere to park overnight safely. Campsites have become ridiculously expensive, such that they can only be used occasionally (for that reason) in order to have a shower and access services etc. Some cost for one night, a whole month's food budget. It's interesting that in France few of the problems cited with campervans/RVs in the UK seem to exist. Almost all areas provided are clean and well cared for with little evidence that people are creating a mess or causing any disturbance. For many people who cannot afford to buy or rent property, their campervan is their home and their only security
Like you Have had a van nigh on forty years ,spent most of my time in the wild areas of britain & always felt safe until the pandemic.! started to feel very nervous about stopping in laybys , people driving through laybys & sounding car horns , vigilante groups in the border towns shouting abuse , bed sheets tied to railings with messages telling motorhomers to f off home . things have changed not all for the better & i live up here !!!!
Hi Cameron, hope you are well. Another super video as usual, lots of detail to mull over. Thanks for sharing.
clear and concise , have since subscribed. glad i clicked on it. thanks
Thanks Alan.
Great wee video Cameron. Glad you mentioned Passing Places. A real problem on Skye especially on the Elgol Road. In fairness many vehicles use them to park not just Campervans.
Hopefully meet you on our travels.
Thanks for the information Cameron. Very interesting.
Sound advice and guidance as always Cameron. I echo your message leave no trace, take home waste and shop local! Acting responsibly we can change the mindset that has been directed at campervaners over the past few years.
Thanks so much Cameron. Very informative as usual. It's just a shame that the irresponsible campervaners will most likely not hear your words of wisdom and continue to blacken all our names with their disgusting behaviour. We are planning our trip to South East Scotland very soon and will ensure we pack a litter picker. Just hope there will be bins available not too far away to dispose of it correctly. We don't have much room in our wee converted berlingo to carry it far. Thanks again and enjoy your adventures too in 2022. 👍😊🚙
Thank you for your insight into campervanning in Scotland. I am hoping to do a tour this summer and before you said it at the end I had made my mind up to leave park-ups and places, where possible, tidier and cleaner I found them. Litter is inevitable I guess but it doesn't require much effort to pick it up and bin even when it isn't ours. We'll be using both campsites and park ups making sure all our waste can be disposed of responsibly. We will bear in mind all you have said. Your video is an inspiration.
Another great informative video Cameron. Let’s hope all the numpties who let our side down with their irresponsible actions take heid of your advice. 👍
Well said.
Great update Cameron. Things are improving thanks to people like yourself who are asking the questions and challenging the no noers
Thank you for the informative video. The people who spoil it are those who throw a mattress in the back of a white van and go on holiday with no toilet and a load of disposable BBQ's which they scorch the grass with! That's my observation down here in Cornwall. We have a motorhome and enjoy spending our weekends away around the county and beyond. Due to COVID STAYCATIONS site prices have rocketed to ridiculously high prices down here. Also sites want to charge up to £5 a night to keep your dog in your van! We need European style aires, as van life is getting so popular.
Anyway, looking forward to the NC500 someday soon.
There are many car parks that are virtually empty and yet have council prohibition notices banning motorhomes. These are quite common, particularly in Argyll. where it seems tourists are not welcome.
Aw lovely, the voice of reason , I’ve visited all my life to Scotland camping , caravanning and now as a new motor homer, I was having second thoughts about coming , with all the hate towards motor homes, I’ve recently left a well known face book page as it was so toxic and hateful, so this vlog has been a breath of fresh air 💙🏴
Great advice Cameron
Do unto others as you would have others do unto you 👍
Excellent video and presentation Cameron well done.
This is without a doubt the best video on the subject of campervaning in Scotland I have seen so far. Thanks for doing this.
Well said Cameron, Thanks for you're valuable update.i look forward in the near future to visiting Fabulous Scotland!
Thanks as always Cameron, as always its the peak times where things tend to get out of hand. I take my litter picker and bags always and try to make a better impression,alas in peak season I stay at home as its far too busy. Good sound advise as always. Thanks
Thanks Cameron. Fantastic info as usual. Chuffed to bits the Stay The Night Initiative is starting up again. See you out there. G
Another fantastic update Cameron. Solid advice. Hopefully, I'll get to buy you a real ale in a remote pub in Scotland one day! Best, Kenny Telfer.
Well said Cameron. It's mainly common sense and common courtesy but sadly these days not common enough. Oh, and glad to see you're able to get back walking the hills again.
Thanks for taking the time to clarify so many issues. After two years I’ve just about finished converting my van and will be ready to travel. The toilet issue is a bit of a crusade for me. As soon as the liquids and solids are mixed it becomes sewage requiring chemicals or other methods to contain the smell and needing dedicated disposal points. I’ve decided on the urine diverting type as it is much easier to dispose of the contents.
What a fantastic educational video’ we love the highlands, we only go to the highlands and we would hate it to be taking away, we do all we can to abide by the code and hate it when we see people who are what we call “ Benidorm bandits” ( people who used to go to the likes of Benidorm but have now bought campers due to covid etc ) its shameful to see but we feel good knowing we’re not guilty, I only wish there was a badge system to wear on your camper (after a test )to show you are genuine, clean, tidy, caring people :-) thanks again and I’m happy to be a new subscriber 👍
All excellent information and advice.
Great article Cameron I agree 100% well done.
Thank you Cameron for updating travel information for Scotland...I am planning a trip in May.... My first in my campervan although had many motorcycle trips in my younger years...I hope people take note of your advice as in most things in life it just takes one to spoil it for many...Happy travels...
Kind regards,
Ray...
Hey didn’t know you had a Chanel Cameron, oh that’s my evening viewing sorted for tonight with a pint. We’ve had our motorhome for a year and what a game changer it is, been all over Scotland and wales yet we’ve only just scraped the surface there’s so many places to visit!!!! E bikes are really helping cover the miles! Great stuff look forward to watching all your uploads !!!
Great informative common sense video Cameron, could be a future book in this, "Off Grid in Scotland " I would buy it , 😀 👍
Thanks Cameron, a colleague of mine used to say common sense isn't that common - Stay safe
Many years ago you'd never see a Campervan on a Campsite as they are made to park up and then move on to the next stop. I personally have a strong dislike for Campsite that have a multiple charging system to as I see it rip off a Campers. I prefer to use small CL sites. I am just hoping that were we stay in Scotland don't become ruined by the new person running the site, as there has been mention of Toilets being put in and and that will take away the magic of the place and no doubt push up the price to the ridiculous.
I also can't wait for the new Motorhomers and Campervanners going back to their beach holidays aboard as leaving those of us that prefer our breaks in the UK to have it back. We tried to book our first CLS for the year it was fully booked and is for the entire year. We can normally get in a few times a year to take advantage of their location in the Norfolk Boards.
Wise words Cameron, thanks for spreading the message.x
Wise words Cameron. 👍🏻
Common sense and camper-van logic. Well said Cameron 👍🏽
Thanks for making this video, very useful information. I am hoping to visit Scotland this year, will be looking at the websites you mention.
I note your reference in this video and the previous one to “Giant Motorhomes”, used with some derision. If we are attempting to break down stereotyping and discrimination against us van users, I would appeal to you not to create divisions within our own community. Whether we own a self converted panel van or a large Motorhome, we share the same ideals.
Yes we do Jim but there is no doubt that vehicles of a certain size are simply unsuitable for many highland roads, including some of the roads on the NC500. I've seen some very large motorhomes on routes like the Bealach na Ba which is simply irresponsible. There are some roads where the council has erected signs saying not suitable for caravans. I would like them to erect similar signs on roads that are unsuitable for very large motorhomes. Many of these vans were built for the autobahns of the continent, not single-track highland roads.
Cameron, I have driven the NC500 including Bealach na Ba in a 7.35m Motorhome. It was entirely suitable and caused no issues whatsoever. The road is a good width and in good condition, with good visibility and passing places are large and frequent. Any issues presented by motorhomes on this route would simply be down to the attitude or ability of the driver and frankly that would apply across all vehicle sizes and descriptions.
Excellent advice Cameron.
Thank you Cameron. Great advice too. As always you give sound advice. Like you. I am fed-up with a small number of campervaners misusing the hospitality in Scotland, although to be fair I've never experienced this myself. I have heard tho , that some disgruntled people in communities deliberately sabotaged areas by dumping rubbish etc giving the impression it was campervaners who did it, simply to undermine them. Not sure how accurate that is, it maybe just gossip. Anyway the message you are getting across is very clear. Thanks for the links too, I will be getting my van ready for a trip very soon.
Agree its good to arrive late and leave early in considering others ... I wonder what your comment is when arriving at a location where you plan to walk all day, say bagging a Munro, where the vehicle will stay put all day and probably a second night. Thanks for your helpful videos and information!
I don't see any problemI Mick. It's all about common sense and thinking of others. Many car parks/laybys are used by local people walking dogs, taking leisure walks, etc so it's good to be considerate and not take up space needlessly. Obviously iof you are off climbing a hill then you can't help but leave your vehicle in place.
I love this guy! And great information!
having been using my camper for years in Scotland my tip is don't allow a queue of cars behind you, pull in and let them pass saves the danger of people taking risks to pass you
I believe there's a law that says you have to pull over when you've collected 12 or 14 in your queue, in England at least
Thank you so much for this information.
Brilliant video, all your comments taken on board
Some of the best and simplest stop offs are Caravan Club CLs, while not a CC fan the CL network in Scotland is brilliant, simple and generally cheap.
It is not always the campervanner at fault. A couple of months ago I was on Skye and visited Neist Point, which was very beautiful. The single track road to Neist point nearing the end of the road has very few passing places. I got caught in a line of 8 vehicles going up being blocked by 4 vehicles coming down. We had to get out and negotiate with the 4 vehicles coming down, to back up a few hundred yards to the next passing place back, because they had the fewest number of vehicles in the line, which seemed like a logical step to me. The fundamental cause though of this blockage was a local resident, who could have parked her car on her land but instead chose to park her car in a very important passing place in that particular location. I think that she was doing it out of spite because she objected to tourism in her area ?
The word nimby comes to mind
Thank you Cameron for noting that there are people who just want a parking space for the night and don't want to pay 40 pounds or so to do it. We don't mind paying say 5 or 10 pounds to park somewhere safe and legal as we go on our way from one place to another. Are there places say out of the way pubs or the like where the owner might be willing to let a campervan park overnight? Of course we would eat and drink at the establishment and leave no trace. We look forward to the aire website map being up and running for our April trip.
Yes, check out www.britstops.com They have a book full of such places throughout the UK and Ireland. Well worth buying. It's revised every year.
@@CameronMcNeishOutdoors Thanks so much for this link! It looks like just what we are interested in.
Thank you.
You make some great points Cameron and this video is a definite improvement on your 2019 video. However, parking anywhere within 15m of a public road isn't lawful. I'm sure you'd be the first to complain if I parked up in your drive within 15m of the public highway.
Yes, I agree with you Mork. I didn't explain the 15 yards/metre issue very well so I've removed it.Cheers.
Great video Cameron. Subscribed. @Motor Roaming Around
Thank you for such a fantastic video, I have shared it and will encourage as many people as possible to watch it. Col Rennie's idea of showing it to people before hiring or buying a van is great one.
It makes me very sad to say that of the 19 countries in Europe that we have visited, our own beloved Scotland has been the least friendly to us in our motorhome, nowhere else have we been approached in the negative way. Thankfully like the bad campervanners, it's just a small number of negative people who spoil it for others. Most people love the van or to see the dogs in the van and are interested enough to ask about the van or our travels.
Having dogs we do close the blinds or even put the Silverscreen on in hot weather to keep the van cool for the dogs and it may look like we are in the van but hopefully over time people will understand things such as this and be less likely to jump to conclusions. We use our van everyday as it is our only vehicle, again hopefully people will become aware that this is quite a common thing and be more accepting of vans in places maybe they don't expect them to be. Thank you again.
We spend a fortune when we go away , it really annoys me when critics say campervaners don’t spend money !
Very helpful, thank you!
Thanks
A very informative video. Hopefully things will be more balanced this year with many folks who were forced to staycation heading further afield. After two years of staying in Scotland we intend to take our van to Europe where there are Aires, campsites are more reasonably priced with significantly better facilities and you are not made to feel like some sort of social outcast.
We took our 6.4m motorhome from Moray to Mull in early February, we found only one campsite open, and only one other place where we could empty our loo. Searchforsites info on Aires was not up to date and led us to believe there was a number of places for emptying, but on arrival were shut. There were many signs saying no overnight camping. We spoke to the owner of Tobermory campsite who was closed, and he said he had missed a hospital appointment due to the ferry being booked solid. Mull council needs to work out how to manage tourists, but this should be seen as an opportunity to increase ferry’s and generate more income, not as a problem. Many ferry toilets are now displaying signs not to empty chemical toilet waste, so perhaps the Scottish Government could demand the use of a toilet chemical that is suitable for septic tanks and make all other chemicals illegal for Scotland.
We climbed Stac Pollaidh yesterday, 4 vans stayed in the car park, Port a Bhaigh campsite had about 10 vans in, the car park at Achnahaird Bay, where we stayed last night also has 4 vans in it. It’s as busy now as it was 15 yrs ago in the summer. We will stay in Aberdeenshire and Moray in the summer holidays to avoid the crowds.
We still feel that the French and Europeans can provide sire facilities for free for the good of the community whereas here people are only motivated by making money. We spent a month in France for a total cost of £20 in Aire fees. We are heading there next week.
Great videos, you are a voice of reason likely to be listened to by the powers that be. How’s the foot?
The foot is improving well. Many thanks for asking. I think part of the problem on the islands is created by Caledonian MacBrayne and their ageing vessels. We had problems getting to Arran last year because ferries were cancelled and I believe this is an issue the Scottish Government is working on. Whether it will be resolved anytime soon is anyone's guess.
A very well presented video giving well informed information.
As ever informative but above a reasonable view - thanks as ever to this knowledge
Wise words.
thank you!
Yet another Great Video with all the facts and help people require. I agree re some Facebook Pages which we have reported for false information and using Hate language.....one Appears to have gone.....! Video shared to help others with your brilliant Informative videos that many will find of great interest
Thanks for the update ps bought a ridge monkey and you were right - great piece of really useful kit - cheers
Once again, some great point made and a great job of clarifying the legalities. Unfortunately however, i think you are preaching to the converted. Where 95% of campervan users are respectful and welcomed, i very much doubt the selfish 5% will change their ways even when presented with such excellent advice.
I did most of the NC500 a couple of weeks ago whilst it was quiet. One really positive find was the harbour master's office at Gairloch who provide waste and water services for a small donation via an honesty box, there are also toilets. Such a pleasant surprise, found it via the CAMPRA website. More locations could provide such a service and I've often wondered why councils couldn't do this at their recycling centres that handle all types of waste on a daily basis. My main issue is grey water and urine waste, I've contacted a couple of councils asking for advice on where I can responsibly dispose of this outwith official campsites and sadly there aren't many options. I'd consider myself someone who tries to leave no trace wherever I go but there are times where I need to dispose of this waste in standard street drains as I tour full-time in my van and simply can't afford to pay for campsites each time, nor do I necessarily want to stay there.