Our Scotland Trip

Well here goes, having never written a blog before, I don't know just how good this one will be, but the boss ( Ally ) asked me to do this, so we can blame him if it's no good We left the campsite in Keswick this morning at 09.55 after deciding we were going to Eyemouth on the east coast of Scotland, just across the border from Berwick-Upon-Tweed. We went along the A66 towards Penrith to join the M6 for 22 miles, The scenery was absolutely stunning, breathtaking to say the least, Came off the motorway at Carlisle and got onto the A7, which is the main scenic route towards Edinburgh, and by god it did not disappoint. The more we travelled the more we in awe at the scenery. Exquisite towns and villages along the way, Langholm, Arkleton, Linhope and Hawick. We pulled into a car park in the centre of Hawick, with spaces reserved for motorhomes, had a cup of coffee and stoocked up on supplies. Like a typical tourist, I wondered what time the shops opened at on a Sunday, thinking I was back home in good ol Norn Iron and there wouldn't be any shops open until 1 o'clock. Wrong!. The shops, lidl, Iceland etc open at 8 am until 7 pm on a Sunday, happy days.. got talking to a lovely scottish lady ( MH owner) who had admired my MHC sticker on the back bumper and enquired what it was. Was it a club etc, she was pleasantly surprised when I explained all about MHC, gave her the website address for when she visits Ireland next year..,
We hit the road again, getting back onto the A7 to continue our trip to Eyemouth, All I can say is that I am in awe of the scenery in Scotland, if like myself you have never been here before, go. you will not be disappointed. We arrived in Eyemouth about 3.30 pm and parked up at the harbour. Eyemouth is a typical tourist town, very narrow streets, loads of pedestrians and very friendly people. When I was reversing into a space at the harbour wall (meant for a car) but with plenty of overhang so at the rear, so I wouldn't be protruding out onto the narrow street, one man walking by, got down on his knees to direct me back as far as possible without hitting the grey water tank off the anchorage points for the fishing boats. Dee went to get some money and ice creams, it was a lovely warm day, and an elderly man got out of his campervan and came over to talk to me, and I asked him about where to park up in Eyemouth, Being from Edinburgh he knew all the spots,down the west coast is brilliant for wild camping, but the east coast wasn't really set up for wild camping, including Eyemouth. We chatted for a while then decided we would drive onto Edinburgh this evening so we can have a full day day of touristy things tomorrow. Arrived at the Edinburgh Caravan Club site at 5.50 pm after driving 192 miles today and put the kettle on straight away. One has to have ones coffee.

Just a wee scenic pic
Just out for a dander

I'll update tomorrow evening after our touristy day

Didn't do too much today, Dee is feeling poorly. New sickness it's called woman-flu. . We went to do a wee bit of sightseeing to Edinburgh Castle. Most of the online searches I did recommended not to take a MH into the city centre, but I thought hey ho, I'm gonna chance it. Having a blue badge does have its advantages. This is our MH parked up in Johnston St. A 5 minute walk from the Castle. Took a few pics and had a wee dander up into the castle. the views over the city are quite good. (I prefer the beauty of nature)

Trying to put the pics up but the editor isn't uploading them at the minute. I'll try again later.
On a side note, the caravan club site we're staying on tonight is lovely, the only downside is we're right under the approach path for Edinburgh airport, so any MH'ers who like watching planes this is the place to be.

This is the view we had driving to Braemar after leaving Edinburgh on Monday. A 1.5 hour drive lasted 4 hours because we kept stopping just to soak up the view.



This was the start of the drive over the forth bridge heading out off Edinburgh to wards Braemar. As you can see Fergus had a lovely view. They're building another suspension bridge just beside it, a feat of Engineering if I say so myself.


No internet reception in Braemar so had to slum it with ordinary free satellite last night, but hey the views more than made up for it. We took a wee dander into the village to treat ourselves to a meal out and boy were we not disappointed.
Teas ready, so I will report on todays adventures after I've been fed.

Seen this sign in Braemar Village, and thought, why would I buy it when I can try and caych some haggis myself. Never seen any, I think my camouflage was wrong, so I left empty handed. We then thought as Balmoral Castle was only up the road we'd drop in on Elizabeth and Phillip. they weren't in, apparantly they had gone to Tescos for the groceries, we told the gatekeeper to let them know we'd called and we'd be back next year for a cuppa. The castle only opens in April for tourists, but personal callers and friends of the family can call anytime. As long as they're in!!



We left Balmoral and headed for Aberdeen, now there's a city I'm glad we only passed through. We headed onto towards Fraserburgh to take Fergus to the seaside, and while we were there we met a friend of the family from home at Fraserburgh Golf Club. The Club captain came over and asked if we were staying the night, he was a motorhomer too, he's trying to get MHer's to come to the golf club and for a round of golf/a meal, you can park up overnight for free and have a hot shower. Gerry Chalmers is the name. We then left Fraserburgh and I am presently parked up in a campsite in Culloden, where another MHer from NI is working there. Arrived after the office had closed, but He and his wife opened up for us, and after a chat at normal spped we were given whichever pitch we wanted.. Total miles since yesterday morning 313. 203 of them today. Feeling the pinch now after the driving so am away to lie down and watch angels and Demons on sky movies. So it's ta ta for now.

Oh and one more thing while its in my head. 6 kg propane tanks are dearer in Scotland than at home. We can pay £16-£17.50 at home, here everywhere sells it at £22 plus.

Well its official, I have man flu, I feel like I have gone 12 rounds with Dee and lost. But I will battle on and give todays update. We left Culloden this morning and made our way to John O'Groats. Took the A9 the whole way to Wick then the A99 to John O'Groats. 2 things I have noticed about scottish roads, make sure you have cheched your shocks, suspension and tyres, theres plenty of potholes. And most of the towns and villages have 3,2,1 markers warning you of a slower speed limit, so you don't come round a corner into a 20 mph limit.

It was bloody freezing at John O'Groats, and given the choice I wouldn't go back back, but I don't need to I've been there now.
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As I'm feeling very very very poorly, We came back along the the A9 to a wee place called Brora.Gonna stay here tonight and see how I am in the morning, If I still feel bad gonna stay another night if I feel better we gonna head back towards Inverness to start our drive down Loch Ness towards Glencoe.

PS glad people are enjoying my attempt at a blog

Oh and a total mileage today of 173. She really is a hard taskmaster. And there's me sick..

We left Brora this morning before 9 to head towards Fort William, down the side of Loch Ness, No monster in the Loch today, I had one sitting beside me in the MH though (making me drive and me sick) :whistle: 126 miles and 4 and half hours driving we arrived in Fortwilliam at 3.30 pm. Had a few breaks on the way down. look at the pics and you'll see why.


An imposing silhouette at 9.30 in the morning.
The Castle was called Dunrobin. Didn't stay too long, Wanted to get out with my pocket money intact.

Pulled in at this castle, Urquhart Castle. Although it should have been called Dunrobin Castle. £8.50 admission per adult I think not. took a few sneaky pics over the wall. I'm gonna put up a few more pics in the next couple of posts. No Commentary is necessary except they were taken on the road to Fortwilliam from Invergarry

Well thats it for tonight folks. Gonna sit down now and have look at the forecast for tomorrow. Wanna go to Glencoe and Oban tomorrow.

We've just got on the ferry in Cairnryan to head home. Decided to cut it short to the bad weather. Will finish off the blog tomorrow with the pic's and a final thought.