This channel is about using a VW campervan to access the great outdoors where I love to go walking, hiking or ride my e-bike. I'm based in the Scottish Highlands and probably have an unrivalled knowledge of the highlands and islands due to my long career (fifty years) in writing, as a magazine editor and author of 23 books, and making television programmes for the BBC about the area.
I've been running a longstanding campaign in Scotland to improve infrastructure for campervanners, particularly those, like myself, who simply want a low cost off-grid stopover for a night or two to go off hiking or biking. I use campsites but have little need of those expensive facilities that many campsites deem necessary today.
I hope this channel may be helpful to those who come to Scotland in their campervan. The number of Scottish aires is growing but there is still much work to be done before we can compete with France, Spain etc. Hope you find the channel useful.
A great Ambassador for Scotland Cameron McNeish. Walked the Scottish National Trail which Cameron devised its a spectacular long distance walk and it also goes through Glen Feshie which is in the video. Would recommend it to anyone.
@@borisvondoofenschmirtz3488 It’s a voluntary scheme. Why would you police it? The overnight stops in question, car parks, will come under the normal parking regulations. The scheme allows you to stay in designated car parks between hours of 10pm and 8 am. Outside those hours normal parking charges apply.
An excellent idea which could help bring down some of the prices charged by some of the big boys who don't seem to understand the concept of touring in a motorhome / camper. We don’t necessarily want to stay in the same place for a week or a fortnight.
Hi cameron, great video and super informative. I have enjoyed the lower forest walk a few times but felt a little intimidated about the mountain section, which id really like to attempt as the views look spectacular. Can i ask if this route is doable for novices? Are map reading and compass skills required would you say
Another great vlog, I think we said "yes Cameron" throughout it! The scheme is a good idea and we always look for sites under £15 and have found some great places, including one recently you reviewed - the Grampian aire. Keep the reviews coming 🚐
Hia Cameron, a newbie here. Just watched this video, one of yours for the first time and safe to say it won't be the last. I'm counting down the next couple of years till my retirement and getting back into campervaning.
Good idea but should not be voluntary. Torveen sute must have cost the council meaning us a fortune We as resudents are giing to gain nothing, probably higher taxes to accimudate passing through motor homes. Its a but naive to depend on honesty
Seems like a good common sense approach Yes it does seem that the those that own campsites are the ones who complain and a no frills area on their sites seems a cracking idea I for one would pay the £40
Lovely video Cameron and added those two stops to the list. I agree with the 40 quid proposal and very common across Europe. We are wardens on a very small campsite in Dumfries and Galloway so see many tourists going up and coming back down from up North. It seems the honeypots of Skye and NC500 are always on the agenda!
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We agree wholeheartedly. We recently visited Tomintoul for the HIghland games. On our journey North we stayed at Hawick in the designated free motorhome stopover with water and CDP. We spent money in the local shops, cafes etc and visited the local parks. Then a stay at Dalwhinnie at 'The Apiary Cafe', again free if you buy a coffee and cake ( which was delicious, and highly recommend). Motorhomers must use their common sense, use the facilities that are being offered, and contribute to the local economy. Keep up the good work Cameron!!
Great idea on this initiative and your campsite message - campsite owners need to realise they are not losing trade as those using the scheme would not stay on a site anyway They must keep the price down 5-10 max - even 10 is too high if you are simply parking 10-8
@@CameronMcNeishOutdoors I’m going up to the Outer Hebrides for the winter in my van so I may stop there on my way up after I’ve been to New England Bay of course, which is supposed to be nice…
Went to gigha a couple of Christmas's ago . It was very quiet . Wonderful . The shop up the hill was open . John I recollect . It's also a chippy on certain nights and a post office !
Great video and good to see Mrs M on screen! Never been to Gigha before, so that is one for the list. We were also dubious about the Highland Council scheme, but you have explained it well and I think we will probably use that on our next trip. Safe travels and all the best.
Great idea to help the community with costs of repairs to roads and clear ups from inconsiderate campers and motorhomers. Cannot understand why nobody has put a toll on the Applecross peninsula road that is almost exclusively used by tourists to the area. Locals obviously don’t pay. The larger the motorhome the more expensive to help with the road and roadside maintenance. That was a beautifully filmed, calming video Cameron 👌Perfect for a hot summer afternoon in the garden in Northamptonshire dreaming of escaping to the Highlands and Islands again in the next few weeks. Thank you 🙏
I stayed at the wee site in Tayinloan for three nights a month ago. There was a fresh water tap - no chemical waste through. I had direct access to the beautiful beach. I went over to Gigha with my bike and had a wee look around - the twin beaches were idyllic. The campsite I thought was a bit pricey. I'm not sure about the £40 scheme - nice start I suppose - lets see how it goes.
I agree with your sentiments Cameron. We have a campervan and are fairly self sufficient but we choose to use campsites and 5 van CLs as it puts money into the local economy. There are now too many campervan owners who don't want to pay anything and park anywhere causing annoyance to locals. Lowcost aires would help the problem.
I cycle around Scotland regularly and having to pay £22 per night to pitch my 1 man tent on some sites is quite painful when in the same field is a large campervan with family paying the same as me. It certainly isn't cheap at times.
Agree that we live in rip-off Britain, not just Scotland but £40 a week which includes overnight car parking fees should you choose to use them and free entry to a large number of swimming pools, sports facilities etc is, in my mind, pretty good value and the money is earmarked for improving infrastructure. And whatever the future may hold it is currently a voluntary scheme. Would you rather the Highland Council simply banned campervans and motorhomes, as other councils are trying to do? Try and see the benefits rather than making up negatives that don't exist.
@@CameronMcNeishOutdoors I find it quite shocking that some councils are trying to ban campervans, and 40 quid per week is a great price for what you get. I'd pay that gladly to use with my pedal bike and tent! 🙂 I myself am thinking about replacing my car with a small campervan next year and as it would predominantly be for Scotland trips I'm keen to see what progress is being made regarding them.
Eh ! £40 a week for all that and you don't think it's a bargain.For goodness sake, it's probably the best you'll get anywhere, not just in Scotland or the UK, but in Europe. All I can say is that you sound like a tight-fisted scrooge who wants it all for free (aka, for someone else to pay for it)
Thanks for an insight into Gigha. In the two years that I worked in Campbeltown and following five years that I visited on a regular basis to visit family and friends in the village next to the ferry terminal I never did make it across to Gigha which now I look back was a shame. I do appreciate your content that gives me an insight into these places I have yet to visit or reacquaint myself with places been. Thanks.
hi Cameron, HC stopovers, I think it is good too, but, and there is always a but. Like the forestry ones most only allow 5 five campers and unfortunately there are a lot of visitors that can't read as I have seen up to 12 campers/motorhomes staying in them all packed in like sardines. I love my wee camper but I also like a wee bit of space. Thanks for sharing. ATB
Well said Cameron re campsites offering aire facilities, We stayed at the Cullen and Findhorn aires earlier this month. I was very happy to pay £15 and £17 to stay in beautiful spots with water and grey and black waste facilities. Booked online and ANPR to let us in. I think the main clubs need to also provide these facilities.
Have been following the Council V Static Holiday Park operators shenanigans. The most prominent whingers ( Dornoch) have at least 25 statics on their park so I wouldn't call them a campsite. Had the same thought as you said about a cheap stopover. We have stayed on the same thing in France and Germany - no bells and whistles - quite often free but you pay for water. Granted they will not make as much money, but better than nothing. Keep making these videos, you are doing a great job.
Best video to date. Love Scotland, you just make it better. Totally agree that campsite owners need to move with the times. It's in their own interests, campervans are on the increase and they are not going to go away!
I don't see the problem with a local tax .European countries have done it for years .Just back from a holiday in Crete and paid 97 euros in local tax . What is annoying is the amount of camper van owners who spend sod all in the Highlands get there fuel and shopping at Tesco in Inverness ,clog up single track roads ,park in lay byes and in front of farmers gates ,drive at 25 mph on the A82/A9 and P**S off locals residents trying to get to work.
@@davidmathie9512 I live on the A9 and I’ve never experienced anyone driving at 25mph on it. And would you rather campervanners stocked up at Ullapool’s or Thurso’s Tesco, cos there ain’t a lot of options in the highlands. You obviously never used a campervan because it’s difficult to carry more than a couple of day’s provisions in the tiny fridge. Majority of campervanners spend a lot of money in petrol stations, coffee shops and local restaurants and what shops there are like the super campsite shop at Sands in Gairloch. I don’t have a problem with a tourist tax either but I do have an issue with campsite owners charging upwards of £35 a night for a simple stopover.
Hello from Maine USA. Have just found your video and subscribed right away. I want to hire a campervan in 2025 and your video has opened my eyes to a great adventure. Thanks.
Great video as usual, visited Easdale last October in " The Bothy " and was parked up in the same spot but most places were shut for the winter including the Museum and Oyster bar but the short ferry trip to Easdale made up for it. wish we had visited Giha but gives me an excuse to go back to the area
Wonderful video Cameron and fully take on board your comments about using Aires if we are to keep them. On a different 'note' the music you've chosen to use is lovely - what is it?
Agree Cameron, sick of trying to book campsites who only take 2-3 night bookings. Like you I have no need for anything but a quiet flat area of land with maybe a waste/water fill every 2-3 days.
Sudden & large increase in camper van numbers is bound to drive change. Probably needed are: better infrastructure (sewage disposal, park up places, etc) & appropriate regulation (park up bye-laws, limitation of numbers by permit, conduct codes, etc)??? Essential to bring this business to the Highlands but it will likely require these & other changes to be successful.
Isn't it odd that here in Britain, we can get to stay in a field for a tenner, yet people visiting Spain can get modern Aires with free water, toilets and showers and in some, free electricity and no charge for the stay?
As always Cameron, your words are inspirational. Your editorial role at TGO made that publication a kind of bible to me, and you actually published a few words of mine. Yes, as you say, get out and enjoy the outdoors. I'm actually on the cusp of a two-month thruhike in the Alps, sitting here typing this but not in the best state physically or emotionally, but I know, as you know, that a few days into my hike I will experience the blessings and healing that nature gives us.
What a lovely reply. Thank you. Yes, indeed as you say Cameron, let the outdoors wash & refresh us. On a thruhike of the Pyrenees several years ago, I got stuck in a rut health wise & mentally, with doubts as to if I could continue. I phoned home, and my dear late mum said to me "Can you see the hills?", I said yes, and she said "You're there, and now is your opportunity. Do it." I did, fell in love with a French woman and had the best time. I also made it to the Mediterranean Sea and paddled a bit.
