If you go by car and carry the stove etc...why pay more money for a camping cook set...go to your nearest ASDA or the like, buy their smart price pots and pans, 4 plastic plates for 70p etc...No need for special camping stuff at all....
I've found that between simplyhike (with 8% quidco cashback), outdooraction and outdoormegastore they have definitely got the best prices for most of the gear...and cheaper than ebay....
We went through all this 2 or 3 years ago, and are based in Edinburgh. We ended up buying the tent itself via the internet -no problems at all -we went on a trip to Camping Ecosse, but bought something which we had not seen, but which appeared to meet our needs and which was repeatedly recommended on this site. We also made one big order to Towsure for bits and pieces of specialist stuff (some of which we never have used yet!) We bought sleeping backs over internet after having sussed them out at Blacks or Millets (so much cheeper when buying 3 reasonable quality ones.) We also bought things like camping chairs at Asda and The Big W aka Woolworths - the thing to watch with them is that there are great deals, but very seasonal - buy them when you see them. We actually take one or two 'real' small saucepans and a frying pan from the kitchen for cooking, as I couldn't see the point of paying so much for something I basically already had. We ended up setting up a 'camping box' i.e. a plastic crate containing things like a set of IKEAs most basic cutlery, can opener, bottle opener, box of matches, plastic plates and mugs, torches from IKEA, spare batteries, midge repellent, small set of first aid stuff - which basically never gets unpacked when we get home (straight to the loft) so that therefore we don't need to rush round the house looking for these many small scattered objects.
Had a laugh when I saw your username as i thought it was a friend of mine who's nicknamed Nona discovering I'd posted here and popping on to say hello!
I've got a couple of those fold down crate things that I intend to use as a "camping box" and definitely plan on getting pots.
Well the tent is ordered, sorry if I'm repeating myself here from other posts, a gelert cadiz 4+2 from Leisure shack, picked up a couple of Wynnster sleeping bags from TkMaxx today, and have ordered the coleman comfort beds and camping stove from Simply Hike via Quidco. Soooooooooooo all in all I think I'm getting there!
No doubt I'll be on here with a million more questions though :-D
Thanks
Catherine xxx
------------- Please forgive me if I ask too many questions - I'm learning :-D
We're westies as well but had to go east to get our stuff. Surprised nobody's mentioned Outriggers at Dunfermline, where they usually have a few tents up.
Good prices, will deal, especially if you're buying quite a lot. Great cafe. And if you're really lucky you'll see Jim actually doing some work.
Personally, I found them more helpful than Camping Ecosse.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.