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Scotland with a caravan, travelling from the South East...

8 replies

GeorgianMumto5 · 03/03/2013 16:46

...is this wise?

Dh suggested it today, along with the magic words, 'I'll tow the caravan, you and the kids go up by train...' (Trust me, it's better that way!)

The dc will be 10 and 7 by then and easily entertained, but not fans of long journeys. (We dragged them across the American MidWest a couple of years back, in a camper van. They still hold it against us.)

If we do go, where should we visit? I fancy Highlands, but it would take us eons to get there from Edinburgh, with a caravan, wouldn't it? Dh says we can see the Northern Lights, but since we'd be going in August, I think I'd better disabuse him of this notion. It's a very kind notion, because dd and I really want to see them, but I've just googled and theyre not really visible in the summer, on account of it not really getting all that dark.

I'd like a beach to explore, views to ooh and aahh over, birds to watch (not in a serious way - just in a, 'Ooh look - birds!' way) and space to contemplate and the dc to charge about in. I'd also like a nice tea shop. That's my holiday sorted.

Actually, I'd really like a narrowboat holiday, but I don't think we can afford that this year.

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Doyouthinktheysaurus · 03/03/2013 16:56

It's a long way to tow, particularly alone! We drove from the south coast to Northumberland several years ago and I wouldn't have coped without sharing the driving.

My parents tow a caravan, my dad does all the towing and they are away weekends all year round but I don't think even they have towed as far as Scotland!

Plus once you get to Scotland, it's a whole long journey again to get to the Highlands! We hve decided we will go for 3 weeks when we eventually get round to doing Northern Scotland, stopping overnight both ways somewhere to break the journey.

Northumberland is truly beautiful and not quite as far! We are going back this year. Wales is wonderful too. Northumbland has the Farne islands, bird spotting paradise I think. And beautiful, but empty beaches.

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OldLadyKnowsNothing · 03/03/2013 17:03

Please don't travel to the Highlands with your caravan. Thanks

Dumfries and Galloway is a beautiful part of the country, with fantastic scenery and forest parks, where you can birdwatch by day, and stargaze at night (even in August.) Beaches too!

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GeorgianMumto5 · 04/03/2013 10:04

Thanks, both of you. Dh is completely unfazed by driving long distances, in fact he relishes the prospect. (Strange man.) He has unfulfilled urges re. being a lorry driver, I think.

Northumberland sounds nice, as does Dumfries and Galloway. I've told him you can't see the Northern Lights in summer, so he may reconsider. I quite fancy the Peak District.

We are going to Wales at Easter. I love it there.

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MortifiedAdams · 04/03/2013 10:08

The Highlands are amazing and really.not far from Edinburgh (2,3hr drive), Newtonmore and Aviemore are beautiful. Lots to do.

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serin · 08/03/2013 23:49

We go overnight, the DC's sleep then Wink

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idiot55 · 23/03/2013 22:38

Northumberland and up to Dumfries and Galloway. Both quiet even in peak season, really nice.

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lotsofcheese · 23/03/2013 22:48

You could have a think about the East Neuk of Fife - only an hour's drive north of Edinburgh - or East Lothian to the south - both have lovely beaches & plenty to explore/do.

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BlueChampagne · 27/03/2013 15:21

My parents have towed in the Highlands and outer Hebrides - but usually out of season. You need to be confident on single-track roads!

I second Northumberland (great castles, Lindisfarne, lovely beaches) and the Borders. Boat trip to Bass Rock for birds? Good star gazing in Kielder Forest.

Also, and I can't stress this enough - NO MIDGES!

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