Club 80-90 Forums

Was wondering where would be reccomended - we were thinking of heading up to cape wrath, just because...well, just because But any recomendations for places to go, things to see, in Scotland at this time of year would be gratefully recieved...

Wild, and wild camping is the preference!

Cheers in advance!

Look at this, http://www.freewebs.com/ababyonboard2008/

jed

Hmmm, nice!

Except for 80mph winds and HGVs blowing over - thats more ...interesting...

Lots to think about there...cairngorms for sure

By the way, has anyone got experience of what happens to westy water tanks in sub-zero temps? Not that I'm expecting it to be that bad this soon, but you never know, and I'd hate to bugger up the pipework or something...

shetland isles are north of scotland?

When you going and for how long? how much mileage a day
mike

Not really sure where - the plan is just to head north and see what happens - have got about 10 days, but can be flexible, and I'm happy to cover ground if needed...though the last big trip I went on did perhaps have a few too many 8 hour drives.

Just wondering what the collective wisdom would reccomend really...

Hi if you are going up the north you will have to wild camp at this time of year as the campsites are seasonal.There are plenty of places to wild camp where no one will bother you.Once you are there go to Smoo Cave in Durness really nice there is also Scourie a nice we village there are plenty of nice beaches up there if thats your thing.If on your way back and you are comming down the a9 to inverness Dunrobin castle is a must if it is open.At the cairngorms there is the glenmore campsite (open all year) it is right on the banks of loch morlich.

donnieg wrote:At the cairngorms there is the glenmore campsite (open all year) it is right on the banks of loch morlich.

And a shower block to die for

jed

carlosdelondres wrote:
By the way, has anyone got experience of what happens to westy water tanks in sub-zero temps?

The fresh water tank is inside the van so no problems, just leave the waist water tap open so there isnt any water to freeze up and block it.

jed

Ive just had a long trip round the west and north of scotland (wild always) and have spent 15 minutes trying to find the link, searched my own posts and cant find it, was in the september this year though
mike

jed the spread wrote:

carlosdelondres wrote:
By the way, has anyone got experience of what happens to westy water tanks in sub-zero temps?

The fresh water tank is inside the van so no problems, just leave the waist water tap open so there isnt any water to freeze up and block it.

jed

As Jed said, the fresh water is fine. We spent almost 2 weeks touring Germany in December and it didn't get above freezing the whole time. I had to empty the waste tank twice as it was a solid block of ice. Combination of hot water at the top and a metal pipe at the bottom to mash up the ice.

Compared to some of the 'winterised' modern modern motorhomes we shared some Stellplatz with we had a lot less problems with the sub zero temperatures. We usually wild camp over New Year every year in the north of Scotland and apart from switching to winter tyres and keeping the batteries topped up it's great fun..

Matt

Its ok here if you want hook up.
Lots of snow on the way this weekend so forget it!!

Good base for walking, fishing loch leven, conger, thornback rays. Also indoor climbing with ice wall if you fancy that just down the road.

http://www.invercoe.co.uk/index.htm

And a great Pub with live music! I want to go now!!!!

http://www.clachaig.com/

Hope it helps

john

Couple of points -
Be aware - very few (if any) of the campsites in the remoter areas will be open. This includes Inverness so Wilding will be you ronly option in ost places.

If you NEED facilities then your choice will be limited (make a few calls first then plan a route).
Use the Forestry picnic areas if you can get into them (no-one else about at the moment)

We in many parts of the Highlands haven't had anything like the snow you have had in Engerland - and nothing like that in the Central Belt of Sctoland - although there are spots (Lairg, Tain) where I understand there is loads.
What we have had is very low temps (-11 in out garden near Inverness) although the thaw is on its' way this weekend.

Be self sufficient - fill up when you can -with water, LPG, Petrol - whisky - whatever your poison....

Keep an eye on the weather forecast (Radio Scotland - Highland edition at 06:50 and 07:50 has a highland weather slot) and keep up to date - the forecast does vary by the hour......and it is rarely right. Ignore all the generalities - snow for scotland means nowt up here.

The West coast has almost been left completely alone by all this white stuff - was over at the inlaws near Ballachulish this weekend where they had their first snow yesterday - Oban and other areas still green!

Give me a wave as I I often think I am the Oonly T25 on the road up here from October to March - certainly haven't seen another for a few weeks now.

Any other questions or for an up to date weather forecase - give us a shout

Thanks very much for all the advice - ended up taking care of snowed in 92 year old grandma down near Macclesfield for the week, so no camping and no Scotland this time - some decent days hiking in sub zero temperatures made me feel sufficiently hardy though...

Have to get up there in the new year...

Now to get the fckbakjdhkading salt off the van...

carlosdelondres wrote:Hmmm, nice!

Except for 80mph winds and HGVs blowing over - thats more ...interesting...

Lots to think about there...cairngorms for sure

By the way, has anyone got experience of what happens to westy water tanks in sub-zero temps? Not that I'm expecting it to be that bad this soon, but you never know, and I'd hate to bugger up the pipework or something...

I had mine freeze up the pump wouldnot work and there was a large icicle in the tap its Ok now as its a bit warmer
so guess the best way is to empty the tank and pipes and put in only what you need or carry bottled water
steve