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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think friend is being daft to think this will work

82 replies

lastqueenofscotland · 21/08/2020 09:30

A very good friend of mine and their partner are planning a holiday in Scotland soon for 10 days. All fine, however it’s a cycling trip where they will need to find somewhere else to stay every night. They do this every year and often book on the day and it’s usually fine. However obviously everything is different this year!
Currently they have only found one campsite as so many are full/closed/at minimal capacity.
My friend is getting increasingly panicked while her partner is very much happy to wing it and hope for the best.
I have tried to gently tell them I think this idea is foolhardy, but I’m actually a bit worried for them. AIBU to maybe stress how daft of an idea this actually is, and suggest they pick one base and explore from there?

OP posts:
Invisimamma · 21/08/2020 09:36

We had trouble getting a short break in Scotland a few weeks ago, everything was booked up or not opening this year. Also with track and trace places are not really taking walk-up bookings, even meals out need to be booked in advance.

Now schools are back in Scotland things might have eased up a bit.

CaptainMyCaptain · 21/08/2020 09:36

Assuming they are fully functioning adults I'd leave them to work it out for themselves.

Strugglingtodomybest · 21/08/2020 09:37

Why on earth are you stressing about someone else's holiday? I mean that in the nicest way, but honestly, it's their holiday, let them sort it out. I know she's your friend but it really isn't any of your business.

RiteAid · 21/08/2020 09:38

Wild camping is allowed in most parts of Scotland so as long as they have camping equipment and aren’t too fussy about showers, they will be ok. If they want any level of comfort or security though, they’re being foolhardy!

AriettyHomily · 21/08/2020 09:39

They're old enough to figure it out for themselves!

Original poster
lastqueenofscotland · 21/08/2020 09:39

I’m not stressing, my friend has been texting me about it a bit panicked that they can’t seem to find anywhere to stay, they leave at the end of next week and her other half is adamant it’ll be fine. I was wondering if instead of saying things along the line of “you’re braver than me” to say “look I think it’s daft, just book a room somewhere” was appropriate. But if not I’ll let them figure it out!

OP posts:
Justmuddlingalong · 21/08/2020 09:40

Leave them to it. It's their holiday. You seem very over invested, unless you're actually "the friend".

Starbuggy · 21/08/2020 09:41

They’re adults, they’re capable of making their own decisions.

Being worried about them is a silly waste of energy

YellowandGreenToBeSeen · 21/08/2020 09:41

They can take a tent and wild camp. Also, there are many many many small bunk houses all over the Highlands that don’t need booking in advance (I’m talking about the very remote ones).

Beamur · 21/08/2020 09:41

Most camp sites seem only to be open to pre-booked pitches.

Beamur · 21/08/2020 09:42

In the area we've been in anyway!

nokidshere · 21/08/2020 09:43

Well quite apart from the fact that they are adults and can make their own arrangements its none of your business really.

And how come everyone 'gently' tells their very close friends things? if my close friends were thinking of doing something i thought was bonkers I'd just them them they were bloody bonkers

madcatladyforever · 21/08/2020 09:46

They are going to be rough camping because they will not be able to find places to stay.
Never fails to amaze me how people want to carry on as normal during a pandemic and are then surprised when it all goes wrong.
I expect you can get away with rough camping in Scotland as long as it's not obviously in a farmers field.

Galaxxy · 21/08/2020 09:54

It's Scotland. You can legally wild camp!

Alwaysinpain · 21/08/2020 09:56

@YellowandGreenToBeSeen

They can take a tent and wild camp. Also, there are many many many small bunk houses all over the Highlands that don’t need booking in advance (I’m talking about the very remote ones).
Maybe they didn't need prebooking prior to Covid but I bet they do now!
Original poster
lastqueenofscotland · 21/08/2020 10:00

I’m from the highlands and my mother reliably informs me all the bothys (those bunkhouses) are shut this year. I can’t speak for the area further west where they are going but in the east highlands their are none.

I’m aware they can wild camp, but maybe with 2 x £4K road bikes it’s a daft idea.

I just don’t know if she’s looking for reassurance it’ll be fine or validation on putting her foot down about changing plans.

OP posts:
Original poster
lastqueenofscotland · 21/08/2020 10:01

Apologies if I seem over invested, but aforementioned friend has been texting/voice noting me solidly for about 24 hours in a panic about it and I’m trying to work out if it’s appropriate to tell them to just book a hotel and explore from one or two points.

OP posts:
StatementKnickers · 21/08/2020 10:07

Tell your friend to take a tent and some basic camping stuff.

GabsAlot · 21/08/2020 10:08

i dont even go out to eat without booking let alone a holiday but you know the mens are always right arent they

Nonotthisagain · 21/08/2020 10:10

I've had two lots of friends try to book into a campsite anywhere in South Wales recently and couldn't find a single thing

Polnm · 21/08/2020 10:11

They can wild camp in Scotland so shouldn’t be an issue

AgentProvocateur · 21/08/2020 10:12

They can wild camp or go to bothies (which are not the same as bunkhouses, and won’t be shut).

IAmFourEels · 21/08/2020 10:14

Yes, I think you should say it's ridiculous and that they should book a room somewhere. Sounds to me like she's looking for confirmation that she's not being paranoid, and actually does have valid reason to panic. And, as previous posters have said, sometimes it's ok to tell close friends if they're being bonkers!

Ihaventgottimeforthis · 21/08/2020 10:15

She's clearly not up for the idea of winging it, and is looking to you to validate her.
You wouldn't be up for the idea anyway, so tell her that.
'Hi friend, I wouldn't be up for doing that either, I don't blame you. Hope you and OH sort it out!'