18th June 2025
Welcome to the ScotCampers fortnightly blog.
This fortnight can be summarised by Socials, bookings gap and mountains.
Socials first. I’m very new to the world of social media but get that’s where a lot of my customers operate. Guess proof to that point is on the back of a mini campaign, following website launch, I received three enquiries via FB and one confirmed booking for October. Therefore it’s full steam ahead around a mix of posts and stories – some paid for, some not. It’s a far cry from adverts in magazines and papers!
So, booking gap. ScotCampers is full on August and towards the end of the season and weirdly, quiet in July. I need to get my head around that but one theory is that maybe peak bookings are arranged way in advance. If I was planning something for say, continental Europe for 2026 summer, I’d probably be looking to book now.
The van is going really well. It served Aaron well for the wedding a couple of weekends ago and since then, I’ve been using as a daily and it’s been used! Braemar last weekend, Glencoe, Oban and Crianlarich last week!
With a bit of downtime, I’ve turned my attention to probably, my favourite pastimes – hillwalking. In the last week, I’ve summitted 5 Munros and am getting towards the halfway point (that will be 141). Last Sunday saw me with my old employer’s hillwalking club walking Jock’s Road from Glen Doll to (2 miles south of) Braemar. This is a historic route that I’ve only mountain biked a bit of in the past. To give you a sense of scale, here’s some stats: It took me and my fellow 7 walkers 1hr 40 in a taxi to drive from the Braemar end to Glen Doll for the start; although it’s ‘only a road’ the highest point is 2900ft (which can be treacherous in the winter). There’s a really sad story here from new year’s day 1959 where 5 really experienced mountaineers from Braemar perished in a winter storm on the high plateau. One of the rescuers, Davey Glen was so affected by the tragedy, he built a bothy at the highest point in 1966 and it’s still going strong (used it to change into my waterproofs when we stopped for second lunch – yep, we sound like a bunch of Hobbits!).
Later that week, I took advantage of a weather window and headed to my old stomping ground – Glencoe. My last two Munros there were on the on the agenda as well as a stay at the Red Squirrel campsite. Oh, and maybe a cheeky pint and dram at the Clachaig Inn! The 2 last Munros were stunning – above Ballachulish and great views down Loch Leven towards Fort William. I was keen to stay at the Red Squirrel as have recommended to a bunch of guests but actually haven’t stayed there in the van. It was as good as I remembered. There’s now an online booking tool which is straightforward. £15 for the night is a pretty good rate and keeps you on the right side of the numerous inconsiderate ‘van users I passed on the way up there.
Good sleep at the campsite and then a dawn raid on Oban for supplies and 2 more Munros next to the Cruachan Power station on Loch Awe. Cracking views again into Glen Etive (James Bond – Skyfall location) and the majestic Kilchurn castle.
I still have availability in July so please get in touch to discuss requirements.
Catch you next time and remember, not all those who wander are lost.
