To think friend is being daft to think this will work

[lastqueenofscotland]

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?

They are adults and able to make their own choices. Don’t interfere.

I wouldn't risk it but I'm also a bit bemused as to why you're so invested in someone else's holiday....

Campervans are fine if parked on pre-booked sites with proper waste-disposal facilities. But it's probably that all sites that are open will be full.

Campervans are NOT fine if parked dangerously on narrow roads, on fragile moorland or machair or beaches, or in the gateways to farmers' fields or people's houses. (This happens so often where I live that people have had to put 'no campervan' notices on their front gates.) Nor are they fine if their drivers hold up essential traffic - such as district nurses or school buses or post office vans - or if drivers empty on-board loos into public toilets (local septic tank drains in many remote areas cannot handle the powerful chemicals) or if they light barbecues or camp fires.....

'probable' not 'probably' - sorry.

I'm more bemused by people thinking it's worth their time coming on here to say (oh the irony) that the OP is over-invested!

The OP can be concerned about a friend (that's what friends do) and she's idling away some time discussing it on MN. What's the big deal? I'm sure some of us our now over-invested wondering how it's going to pan out for a couple that we've never even met. But that's one of the delights of MN.

*are not our

Stayed in a B&B in the highlands last week, lovely; clean, comfortable and great breakfast. Owner really struggling because of lack of bookings, if you want to go to Scotland why not spend some money there?

Campervans can park in forestry car parks overnight but there are no facilities.

Longs as they're not idiots and have done some research, planning and booking ahead they should be capable of working this out.

I would tell her straight that they'll probably struggle.

Also the weather may not be great, maybe OK if you’re a seasoned wild camper, but if not could be pretty miserable being wet the whole time and having to cycle.

@RiteAid

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!

Wild camping is 'allowed' right now, but I have to say it's really not going down well with people living in Scotland. Lots of anger at people camping irresponsibly. I would strongly advise booking ahead.

www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-what-you-can-and-cannot-do/pages/sport-culture-and-leisure/

Lots of small, isolated communities are very, very cautious about visitors, for fairly obvious reasons.

Her and her husband should just invest in a nice tent and whack it on the back of their bikes, to pitch up when they cant find a hotel. You're a good friend worrying about them but they are adults ......you worry about the bigger problems in life like the starving kids in Yemen or your own things going on.

Beamur Campervans are only allowed in some Forestry Commission carparks overnight, as a trial.

The Forestry Commission's website says this: "Not all of our car parks are taking part in this trial, so please check before travelling."
forestryandland.gov.scot/staythenight

There are also rules - distancing from others, one night only, no fires or barbecues, no tents, no parked cars, toilet waste to be disposed of at official chemical sites... etc
Places can't be booked, either.

They can just drive back to England if anything goes wrong no?

Yes to the above! You need to check.
We're just back from a trip to Scotland and my impression is that the Scots are taking this seriously and being pretty cautious. Lots of places are still closed. But those that are open are very Covid aware.

Louise they are getting the train and doing a point to point route i believe. So giving up and driving home may not be easy.
I’ve advised that I think they’ll struggle and she should put her foot down with her other half if she doesn’t want to go.

Beamur Hope that you had a very good time! Scotland welcomes responsible tourists (as you clearly are, so are most others). I'm sorry if I've sounded negative, but the irresponsible few have caused so much damage this summer, and the environment is so special and fragile.

@BlusteryShowers

The "why do you care?" posts are annoying. It's not about her being over invested, it's just interesting to see others' views.

Personally, if I were your friend I wouldn't be following their plan. Especially cycling, I'd be worried about being stuck with nowhere to stay and I think the worry would ruin any enjoyment. Exploring from one base seems more sensible. Others might have more of a sense of adventure and risk but I think her DH is unreasonable to press on if she isn't comfortable.

I wish you could like a post

You're a good friend to try and help and I agree it seems a problematic idea

@florascotia2

Campervans are fine if parked on pre-booked sites with proper waste-disposal facilities. But it's probably that all sites that are open will be full.

Campervans are NOT fine if parked dangerously on narrow roads, on fragile moorland or machair or beaches, or in the gateways to farmers' fields or people's houses. (This happens so often where I live that people have had to put 'no campervan' notices on their front gates.) Nor are they fine if their drivers hold up essential traffic - such as district nurses or school buses or post office vans - or if drivers empty on-board loos into public toilets (local septic tank drains in many remote areas cannot handle the powerful chemicals) or if they light barbecues or camp fires.....

A couple of weeks ago, one camped outside our neighbours house and refused to move because they were using the wifi! Neighbour has a proper password now!

Small campervans cause almost no problems here, but the huge ones are a menace. We have mostly single track roads and shops have tiny car parks- large campervans are just not suitable for the conditions here. In the summer every year you can't park because there will be a bunch of bastard campervans taking up four spaces each.

I'm pleased to see that campervan drivers travelling to the Western Isles will now not be allowed on the ferry unless they have proof of booking at a proper site. That will help a lot.

@Galaxxy

It's Scotland. You can legally wild camp!

Only on UNENCLOSED land, and restrictions are in place in National parks because of "Over-use" (ie, abuse by the inconsiderate).

Hotels were a plenty at short notice 2 weeks ago when I booked (same day), all depends where they are. Legal to wild camp so that's an option too. Kids are back in school now so will be getting quieter

i am going on sunday to spend 10 days driving the NC500 and going to the Orkney... we had to book and it was hard finiding accomodation as a few places didn't want kids, are closed or only wanted longer bookngs - which makes sense

in the end we will stay in a fort william travelodge as i was paniking i wasn't going to find anything we wanted

To everyone saying 'wild camping is legal in Scotland'...

1. It is is SOME places, but by no means everywhere www.campsites.co.uk/guides/wild-camping/wild-camping-in-scotland

1. It isn't what a lot of people think it is. Most importantly, "Wild camping under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 is only allowed when camping on foot, bike or some other non-motorised form of transport."

1. To repeat myself, it's only acceptable if the Code of Conduct is followed: www.campsites.co.uk/guides/wild-camping/wild-camping-code-of-conduct

Not your problem