France or Scottish Borders??

[coffeeandbiscuittime]

So what would you do ;
Caravan 5 people kids 16,15 and 11, travel to alps to go walking , mountain biking, canoeing or Scottish Borders to do the same.both have beautiful scenery. Things to do.
Pros for France- good weather, could live outside the confines of the caravan.
Cons - maybe the french don't want us!
Pros for Scotland - it's Scotland
Cons - it might rain ( might be challenging in the caravan!) midges, and the Scots might not want us.
We will be self contained more than we are at present ( both parents working throughout lockdown in NHS) just need a break as kids have been at home managing ( thankfully).

Depends on how you are getting there. I’m from Scotland - and love holidays here. But France will definitely have better weather.
There’s no way I would get on a plane atm, but if you are driving that’s different. Wouldn’t go anywhere crowded though.
Don’t think Scots will mind if you are sensible. I will holiday in another part of Scotland from where I live but will take my own food, sociall6 distance and will drive home if I feel unwell.
That’s the other consideration. I’d anyone feels unwell while you ate away - where would you rather be stuck / where could you get home from most easily

Thanks for the reply, we will be travelling by car with caravan so if France then ferry definitely not air.
We do usually go away for weekends s lot so will spend time in Uk for weekends all year round,
I am a health care worker and even though I think I have had covid I am aware that we are not sure about immunity so I won't be stupid about social distancing.

We are having exactly the same discussion today - and probably have exactly the same pros and cons! Been on many holidays to both but France (Alps /Alsace Lorraine hopefully) just edges it for weather/ things to do and hopefully lack of midges. Fingers crossed if the Covid-19 situation remains stable (and they want us to come) we are planning to drive over via Eurotunnel so no need to get out of the car. We have a flexiplus booking so fully refundable/moveable should the situation change.

I don’t think the Scottish Borders are pretty. Everything is grey and a bit bleak. Especially near the sea. And miles apart. And is will definitely rain.
France is prettier, sunnier and has better food.

I don’t agree @Leflic.
Yes France is sunnier and will have better food. But the area we visit in the borders seems to have better weather than further North and is often sunny. And there are some very pretty areas .

I live in the borders and midges aren't bad here to be honest, weather has been crap the last week but set to get better from next week. I think you'd be welcome here 😊

Srictlybakeoff but France isn’t north of the Borders.

The Borders May have better weather than further north is Scotland but it’s not saying much.
And everything is miles apart. Sone bits of France are too but at least their roads are better. I mean the main road all the commercial lorries travelling to Ireland have to use, is the same one all the tourists must use and the agricultural traffic. It’s nuts. You come off the nice fast M6 and then have to go 40 miles an hour for long stretches behind a line of seriously slow traffic on an A road.

So don’t go to the borders @Leflic.
Eh - I know France isn’t north of the Borders .
I meant the weather on the slowly coast can be better than in Northwest Scotland .
You don’t think it’s pretty - I do - in places. It’s a matter of opinion.
I hate the M6. The A75 isn’t great , but I’m only ever on it for a short distance for the places I visit and still infinitely prefer it to the big motorways down south.
Everyone likes different things. Doesn’t mean 1 opinion is right and 1 is wrong . I love Scottish holidays , but I am used to the weather and don’t like it too hot.
France is lovely too. I thought this was a discussion about what’s best given the current circumstances.

The Op wanted advice on a caravan holiday and clearly stated rain was an issue. Which is definitely something the Solway coast has even if milder ( and it’s way colder than down south let alone France)

And because they are driving I’m just pointing out the roads are also tedious ( although caravan will appreciate slow traffic on A75 they still have miles to travel between places).

You and I may disagree on how pretty the borders are. Of course neither is right it wrong. It’s useful for the Op to hear both sides though.

Not sure why posters are on about the Solway coast, A75, none of which are part of the Scottish Borders?

To go back to the OPs question: one of my reasons for holidaying in the UK this summer is the potential for travel disruption. What if infections abroad flair up again and your destination decides to impose a local lockdown, the UK decides to keep/reintroduce its quarantine or ferry/tunnel services are cut. None of these things might happen, but it's not impossible. Would you be willing to put up with the hassle and inconvenience of possibly having your return trip delayed and/or having to go in lockdown locally? At least when you're within the UK you know you're just a fairly straightforward drive away from home.

The solway coast is part of Dumfries and Galloway, but as it on the border with England - some people do see the 2 areas as “the borders”.
I would definitely agree that you are taking much more of a risk travelling abroad and risk getting stuck / having to go into quarantine

Thanks for all the replies, I know both Scotland and France really well and love both countries, I have to say I don't actually find the borders miserable and often go in May. ( excellent mountain biking).
Just was feeling undecided about the risks going to France versus Scotland but after the last few months really want a break where I can relax and not worry about patients.
Thanks again , may just toss a coin!

Thanks for all the replies, I know both Scotland and France really well and love both countries, I have to say I don't actually find the borders miserable and often go in May. ( excellent mountain biking).
Just was feeling undecided about the risks going to France versus Scotland but after the last few months really want a break where I can relax and not worry about patients.
Thanks again , may just toss a coin!

Ok so we went to France, spent a lovely few days relaxing, now in the Alps and it is raining!

Oh I hope it picks up soon op!