Just spent over 3 weeks touring Scotland as I did not wish to spend nearly another 1k GBP to go over to France and Germany this year (planned for next year).
Reviews for all the sites have been submitted.
Itinerary, covering nearly 1.5k miles:
- Poolsbrook CAMC - 1 night
- Dustan Hill C&CC in Northumberland - 4 nights
- Dunbar C&CC near Edinburgh - 2 nights (to visit a friend)
- Rosemarkie C&CC near Inverness - 4 nights
- Inverewe Gardens C&CC - 4 nights
- Kinloch Campsite in Isle of Skye - 4 nights
- Oban C&CC - 3 nights
- Englethwaite Hall CAMC near Carlisle - 1 night
I was fortunate to have mostly good weather during my trip.
I have learnt a few things about touring, most notably the need to stay at least 5 nights if a long drive is involved!
With 4 nights, the first day/night is a washout if a long drive over 2h is involved. By the time I was sufficiently relaxed it was time to pack up and move to another site.
This is what I shall do in future, to plan to stay at least 5 nights at one site, except for overnighters to break up a very long drive.
I am glad I did not do much of the NC500 and stayed mainly on A roads. Narrow roads with passing places were not my cup of tea for certain!
I enjoyed the drive and scenery for certain. I kept thinking why spend the money to fly to Canada for the Canadian Rockies when we have the Highlands in this country? I need to return to the Highlands and the Lake District for certain.
Long drives were tough especially if the roads were twisty and windy; good job for slowish lorries and campers in front!
I pulled over many a times to let the vehicles behind me to overtake which were mostly appreciated except for drivers of a certain marque of vehicles, no prize in guessing which one!
Definitely need to allow at least 1h for every 2h driving time when planning using Google Map, more if grocery shopping is required.
The stretch from Oban to Englethwaite Hall was 4h according to Google Map. I left Oban at 10:00 and did not arrive at Englethwaite Hall until shortly before 19:00 with 3 pit stops.
The motorway services in England between Carlisle to home in Wiltshire on Saturday were rammed, being the first Saturday of school holidays. Need to bear that in mind in future.
I have learnt I do not have to wash and dry every crockery or cutlery when moving from one site to the next, just put a few items used for a light breakfast in the morning in the washing up bowl and place it securely in the shower tray will do nicely.
I have not been too keen to venture out and about in the van once I have arrived at a campsite. A nice view and a nice dog walk would be great.
Privacy is important and I did not like my pitch at Rosemarkie where there was a well-used public footpath right in front of the van. The view made up for the lack of privacy.
Insect repellents helped deterring midges - Skin So Soft worked, as did the Pestects bracelet and anklet that I wore. The electronic fly squatter was put to good use at night!
Needed a fan for times when it was not hot enough to turn on the air con in the van, yet muggy and warm enough to need some additional air movement inside the van when I had to close the main sliding door for work and meetings (I tried to be discreet about carrying a laptop in the van).
I have already started to plan for a 3-week+ trip for next year in June 2026 in France and Germany, and shall be staying longer at 3 campsites with overnighters at the start and the end of the trip, remembering the worm treatment for the dog must be administered at least 24h before the return Channel crossing via the Tunnel.
Prior to starting this trip, I bit the bullet and took out data-only contracts with Vodafone and Giffgaff (O2) to supplement EE and Smarty (Three) that I already have, to safeguard my need to be able to access the internet for work while I was travelling. That worked well and I did not have to use any site Wi-Fi once! I would still need to perform due diligence in mobile phone signal coverage though, as there are still black holes where there is no mobile phone signal at all!
Lastly, there is no place like home! Much as I love my van, having designed her myself for my needs and wants as a home from home, I was glad to be back at home with my cat and dog by my side.
Thanks for reading.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Quote: Originally posted by Mrs. Bonce on 28/7/2025
Excellent review DK, which I am sure will be useful to many.
Thanks Mrs. B!
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
"I kept thinking why spend the money to fly to Canada for the Canadian Rockies when we have the Highlands in this country?"
Many years ago some friends visited New Zealand for a month. When they came home their first comment was 'it was a long way to go to see Scotland and Norway'!
Quote: Originally posted by daveyjp on 28/7/2025
"I kept thinking why spend the money to fly to Canada for the Canadian Rockies when we have the Highlands in this country?"
Many years ago some friends visited New Zealand for a month. When they came home their first comment was 'it was a long way to go to see Scotland and Norway'!
That made me laugh - glad I am not the only one to think the Scottish Highlands are beautiful!
Planning my next tour in the UK, looking at just over 3 weeks again in 2028, 5 nights each at 4 sites, no need for overnighters.
Hayfield C&CC in the Peak District
Dunbar C&CC near Edinburgh
Glencoe C&CC in the Highlands
Derwentwater C&CC in the Lake District
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Quote: Originally posted by Mrs. Bonce on 28/7/2025
No active volcanoes in Scotland or Norway.
Norway is still on my bucket list of 'To Do's' in my van.
However, the trip will be at least 4 weeks and I am not certain if I could be out of the country for that long, unless I can be 100% certain to be contactable and be able to work via good internet connections while I am on the road.
I am comfortable in touring France, Germany and the Netherlands. However, Norway is unknown to me except for a short business trip driving along the coast visiting two factories back in 2009.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Glad you had a good time, and put the van through the paces it was built for!
We're hoping for "a little more touring" in Sept, with 3-6 sites earmarked for a fortnight in/around Brittany & Vendee. That'll include overnighters and 3 to 4 day stays.
Nothing booked, as it will very much depend on a late weather check.
If we need to head further south (or East!), then so we shall.
As for venturing out from site (be that for shopping or a day trip), we've yet to try it, as thus far, we've managed to do that on our bikes.
It'll likely be a rare ocurrance, if indeed we ever need to consider it!
We are, however, familiar with taking "Lightly soiled" crockery/cutlery with us, either moving site to site, or heading home, to sort out when we get there!
Got to say, you've done a cracking job of getting your first van so well equipped/spec'd for your own personal usage/requirements, and I'm chuffed to bits it's still working so well for you. Take a moment to pat yourself on the back for a job very well done!
On an admittedly lesser scale, and indeed for our "off the shelf" version, ours too seems to suit our needs thus far... touch wood!... and as if proof were needed, my signature below appears to show we are well on our way to smashing our record of 50 nights in one calendar year! Hoorah!
Just hope we don't have to start slowing down, now a certain someone hit the big 6-0 as you were typing out your trip report on Sunday!
Hopefully we'll get the opportunity to meet up again sometime soon, but in the meantime, keep on planning, and keep on vanning!
Thanks Mucker for the kind words and encouragement!
Mrs. B - yup, Norway is very expensive, especially alcohol! When I went for my business trip and met up with one of my colleagues, my gift to him was a bottle of vodka and he was very pleased with it as it would have cost a fortune to buy there!
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Quote: Originally posted by daveyjp on 29/7/2025
Norway doesn't have to be expensive. The benefits of being in a van is you can take all your own food and drink.
It takes planning to arrange meals for the length of stay, but it can be done and then you get away with just buying occasionally.
Or do as hardy motorcyclists do and just pack dehydrated camping meals!
Indeed plenty of planning to be done.
For European trips to date, I brought minimal fresh items and planned a grocery shop soon after getting out of Calais, and topped up along the way.
I only needed to top up twice during my Scottish trip that was over 3 weeks.
With a 70L fridge and 7.5L freezer spaces, plus a 28L thermo-electric cool box, I can carry quite a bit of perishable food and still have some room for drinks.
Not sure if I would like dehydrated meals. I like to carry a can or two of Spam as it is very versatile and love it - a normal size tin would probably be enough for 3 meals.
I like to eat well even when I am camping, and like to cook as much as I can.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Forgot to mention that OH hates ferry trips, after the never to be forgotten exodus from Eire to UK when he was 10. He also hates tunnels. Never occurred to me to try spam, would you mind sharing a couple of recipes DK?
Quote: Originally posted by Mrs. Bonce on 30/7/2025
Forgot to mention that OH hates ferry trips, after the never to be forgotten exodus from Eire to UK when he was 10. He also hates tunnels. Never occurred to me to try spam, would you mind sharing a couple of recipes DK?
I would not use the sea route again after a very choppy trip over 20 years ago, and it was only for a short crossing between Dover and Calais!
People were throwing up all around us as it was that choppy, never again!
Only used the Tunnel since then.
As for recipe for Spam, one of my favourite comfort food is thinly sliced Spam pan-fried until crispy, then dunk in garlic chilli mayo (mayo mixed with a bit of oriental chilli oil with shrimps, toasted sesame seeds and oil).
Spam fried rice - just use diced Spam, pan-fried first so that they are slightly crispy, instead of the likes of roast Chinese pork or chicken; with prawns, egg, peas, chopped spring onions, toasted sesame oil and seeds, etc...
Not tried it yet, however, thinly sliced strips of Spam should be great as a stir-fry with vegetables such as sugar snap peas or pak choi or green beans, served with rice or noodles.
Also not tried it yet, however, gnocchi gratin with diced Spam (again pan-fried first) with a creamy sauce and vegetables instead of diced chorizo or lardons.
As far as I am concerned, Spam is cooked sausage in a tin, and would use it as an alternative to other types of meats, always pan-fried first though.
Here is a pic of my Spam fried rice I made earlier at home.
I have yet to make fried rice in the van as it involves storing cooked rice before using. However, pan-fried strips of Spam with sugar snap peas, spring onions, toasted sesame seeds and oil, would be great with freshly cooked rice or noodles on a cold day!
Great thing about Spam - no need to marinade first unlike strips of beef which is my stir-fry meat of choice!
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Quote: Originally posted by Mrs. Bonce on 30/7/2025
It all sounds lovely. Thanks.
It's Spam, what's not to like?
OK, possibly not for non-meat eaters!
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: 2025 Trip to Scotland
via mobile 28/7/2025 at 5:49am
