Anderzander Posted August 14, 2021 Author Share Posted August 14, 2021 1 minute ago, Eightpot said: We started to struggle to find pitches as well recently as I'd booked nothing and had no idea where I was heading next, but everywhere booked up, seemed to get worse the further north we went. We did find a really, really nice spot a little further north than where you are - Gruinard Bay camping just past Aultbee which for some reason wasn't full and right on a stunning beach with ace rockpools, seals bobbing about and stunning moutains across the bay. That’s exactly our situation - nothing planned for coming down either. I guess worst case scenario is side of the road or travelodge at Inverness ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eightpot Posted August 14, 2021 Share Posted August 14, 2021 I headed for inverness after Aultbee but wish I'd stayed on the coast a little longer as much nicer. Inverness just looked like any other big town with lots of industrial estates & retail parks so kept going. Loch ness also a little disappointing as expected some nice rural camps on the loch but don't think they exist - but did some very nice hikes on marked trails up into the hills with amazing views and some good wildlife . If you head back down past loch lomond, I found the Beinglas campsite on the north tip of the loch was very nice, though probably needs a booking before you get there, we got lucky though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anderzander Posted August 15, 2021 Author Share Posted August 15, 2021 I think a change of plan ….. the forecast is wet, humid, and no wind up the north west coast for the next few days …. And the midges are out in force. So I think we are going to head across to the Cairngorms … none of us feel like being eaten ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peaklander Posted August 15, 2021 Share Posted August 15, 2021 They really can be unbearable. I have shudders thinking about Kinlochewe years ago. The only way to avoid them is to go uphill or find a breeze - or both! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badger110 Posted August 16, 2021 Share Posted August 16, 2021 On 8/15/2021 at 8:15 AM, Anderzander said: I think a change of plan ….. the forecast is wet, humid, and no wind up the north west coast for the next few days …. And the midges are out in force. So I think we are going to head across to the Cairngorms … none of us feel like being eaten ! Sensible option! If you went north to the tip, Durness has a good campsite and the local shop sells everything you need including the stuff you thought you never needed. The hot chocolate shop down the road is worth a visit as well as Cape Wrath. Enjoy the Cairngorms Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anderzander Posted August 16, 2021 Author Share Posted August 16, 2021 Oops - double post. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anderzander Posted August 16, 2021 Author Share Posted August 16, 2021 Well the trip has become exciting - my Alternator appears to have failed near Aberdeen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davie Posted August 16, 2021 Share Posted August 16, 2021 has this been sorted? know 3 if not 4 good garages not far from aberdeen and i am not far away in banchory with all tools needed - sure a local garage will have one in stock or able to get one asap try caldwell and dempster banchory north east four by four near stonehaven mann automotive near laurencekirk - although north east four by four does get parts from there too greenbank four by four outside aberdeen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anderzander Posted August 17, 2021 Author Share Posted August 17, 2021 Thank you Davie, that’s really kind and helpful - I’m only 11 miles from Green Bank 4x4, going to ring them when they open this morning. Ideally the B&B let’s us stay on - and the garage have a courtesy car ! Or at least a push bike so I can get back to it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anderzander Posted August 18, 2021 Author Share Posted August 18, 2021 It’s been fabulous, but the Land Rover is testing us ! 3 electrical failures so far. 4 if you count a previous fault recurring. I fixed all of them on the road - but the most recent one had me need some help though - my Alternator failed coming out of the Cairngorms towards the East Coast. I didn’t have all the tools I’d need for that - nor could I get one here quickly. Help on another thread I made on here has been immense and I’ve gone with a recommended local Land Rover Specialist - who we’ve got it in with now. Alternator should be arriving with them this morning. We’ve stayed in Stonehaven last night - difficult to plan the next step. If he gets it fitted today then we can travel further down - if not then we need to find somewhere reasonably local again. Bernie (the dog) is with us and narrows our options - but online booking tools have saved the day. I did think the next step might be to take the Land Rover into Northumberland - I believe there are some great lanes there and some great places to visit - not sure I’ll have time to do some research though. It’s an Adventure - though I did find the Alternator failing quite stressful. No signal, no where to stay, and no way to fix it was a worry ! We are doing ok though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peaklander Posted August 18, 2021 Share Posted August 18, 2021 Before you cross back to England (over Carter Bar maybe), try North Berwick, St Abbs and Coldingham which are all on the coast. Or inland a little there's Melrose and Jedburgh. We discovered these places a few weeks ago after similarly driving to find better weather! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anderzander Posted August 18, 2021 Author Share Posted August 18, 2021 To share a few photos .. We drove up through Torridon over to the East Coast and into the Cairngorms. This is on the Coast Road out of Applecross. The weather was getting humid and the wind still and the midges were coming out in force. Had a hot chocolate outside the Queens place at Balmoral. Beautplace. Drove a lot of the Cairngorms - with the old military road past Glenshee a highlight - no photos to hand - then skirting the edge of the park up on the right hand side was staggeringly beautiful. Stonehaven has been a good refuge - strange mix of old and new - nice and run down. A common theme to many Scottish Towns It appears. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stellaghost Posted August 18, 2021 Share Posted August 18, 2021 3 minutes ago, Peaklander said: Before you cross back to England (over Carter Bar maybe), try North Berwick, St Abbs and Coldingham which are all on the coast. Or inland a little there's Melrose and Jedburgh. We discovered these places a few weeks ago after similarly driving to find better weather! You could also nip over to Holy Island but check the tide crossing times first, Alnwick is also very nice and if you like books Barter books is the largest second hand bookshop in Europe . Going down the 68 will bring you close to Hexam, Haltwhistle and various places with Roman Wall remains and history pleased you're getting sorted Almost forgot St Andrews is well worth a visit easy to reach via Dundee and the Tay bridge across the water regards Stephen 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paime Posted August 18, 2021 Share Posted August 18, 2021 +1 for St Andrews, it's a properly nice little town with some great places to eat. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anderzander Posted August 18, 2021 Author Share Posted August 18, 2021 Thank you both, just waiting to hear back on the car now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anderzander Posted August 19, 2021 Author Share Posted August 19, 2021 He’s so proud to be a dog 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badger110 Posted August 19, 2021 Share Posted August 19, 2021 On 8/18/2021 at 8:54 AM, Stellaghost said: Alnwick is also very nice and if you like books Barter books is the largest second hand bookshop in Europe Definitely a visit from me when we're up that neck of the woods 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Sparkes Posted August 19, 2021 Share Posted August 19, 2021 On 8/18/2021 at 8:54 AM, Stellaghost said: ... Alnwick is also very nice and if you like books Barter books is the largest second hand bookshop in Europe . .... The Barter Books car park can be a little tight if driving a larger vehicle, or one with restricted manoeuvrability. Having driven in, you may have to reverse all the way out again!! Just saying 🙂 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stellaghost Posted August 19, 2021 Share Posted August 19, 2021 (edited) 2 minutes ago, David Sparkes said: The Barter Books car park can be a little tight if driving a larger vehicle, or one with restricted manoeuvrability. Having driven in, you may have to reverse all the way out again!! Just saying 🙂 Correct not trailer friendly at all regards Stephen Edited August 19, 2021 by Stellaghost Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffR Posted August 20, 2021 Share Posted August 20, 2021 If your passing my way. pop in I'll put the kettle on Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anderzander Posted August 20, 2021 Author Share Posted August 20, 2021 4 hours ago, JeffR said: If your passing my way. pop in I'll put the kettle on Ahh that’s kind !! Next time though - we’ve just passed. On the M6 services now just after Carlisle. I did think of turning off the A69 at Haltwhistle and going up through Alston … but I’m tired now. Northumberland is huge ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anderzander Posted August 21, 2021 Author Share Posted August 21, 2021 Back home now. Few pics from in the Trossachs: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anderzander Posted August 21, 2021 Author Share Posted August 21, 2021 Not the ‘Highlands’ - but I think we drove England’s most Northerly BOAT on the way back. Not very demanding, but very dramatic. Wonderful coastline. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Sparkes Posted August 22, 2021 Share Posted August 22, 2021 3 hours ago, Anderzander said: Not the ‘Highlands’ - but I think we drove England’s most Northerly BOAT on the way back. Not very demanding, but very dramatic. Wonderful coastline. Sorry, I couln't resist .... Looks like Trailwise ID NU0249-01, roughly between Bear's House and Sea House, south of Berwick-Upon-Tweed. I note in passing that TW2 now allows photos to be added to their Comments reporting use. The Northumberland Definitive Map doesn't use plain English terms such as BOAT, calling it '203/006' instead. Well Done for taking the trouble to find, and drive it. Regards. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anderzander Posted August 22, 2021 Author Share Posted August 22, 2021 I’ve popped them on Trailwise 😊 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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