9th December 2025
Welcome to the ScotCampers fortnightly blog.
This period can be summarised as; upgrades/ready for ’26, Roadtrip
So, as I’ve mentioned before, I was never happy with the interior of van 2 (Stormcrow). I’ve had the benefit of 100% 5/5 reviews this year and much of that has been down to my attention to detail and frankly, ex-FTSE 100 bosses being all over me in my previous life (thanks Scott!). That said, it’s served me well and saw me investing in a brand new made to measure kitchen for me Type 5 camper. That included the most up to date fridge and hob/sink unit. All good. Popped down to see Steve at Liverpool Campervan Conversions to collect the kit. Was an opportunity to touch base again with Kinghorn Campers too – encyclopaedic knowledge of the sector I find myself in. Don’t actually know what I did before they appeared! Here’s a couple of pics of the work on the van so far:
As well as upgrades it’s been some of the boring service jobs – all new tyres on Bilbo, new brakes on Stormcrow.
So, great news that Cairngorm mountain open to skiing as early as November! Fab news and delighted. I’ve skied there since around 1985 and I remember a few sad chapters as I started my early career in bank branches in Edinburgh in the 80’s. We used to get daily (hard copies!) of businesses that were going down. I think I saw Aviemore/Cairngorm mountain (as in skiing), featuring I think, three times. Really sad and not really a reflection on management, more down to fickle snow conditions. Therefore delighted to grab a window last Sunday to take my boys up. We got some great kit hire in Aviemore itself and great to just get out there! Great day and two exhausted boys when I got home! Campervan hire is maybe an option for skiing and I’d probably pitch up off-grid in the car park of the Bridge Inn, Aviemore. Good guys and great food and drink. Here’s the gang!
Finally this fortnight; road-trip: I read the Scots Magazine each month to both grow my knowledge of Scotland and keep an eye on what’s on, to help hirers plan better routes. The other month, I read about the Oban Winter Festival which has been on the go a few years. So, last Tuesday I decided to take a look. Took the long route up through Lochgilphead and then the A816 north. This was an opportunity for me to take the 5 minute ferry crossing to where my grannie was born – the island of Luing. Glad to say right choice of motor as I wouldn’t fancy taking anything much larger along the single track roads! To get to Luing you need to go across Seil Island – no ferry crossing for this one as you literally, go across a bridge over the Atlantic! Great bar I wanted visit on Seil (closed, unfortunately) where the highlanders used to change out of their (outlawed!) tartan, leave it there, ahead of venturing onto the mainland and maybe encountering a troop of Redcoats!
Luing itself a lovely spot if you want to go proper remote! Home to around 200 residents and so peaceful. Views onto Jura and proper fresh air.
Found where my grannie was brought up (she was a Cameron). Certainly made me think around the life these people must have had. Hard in the winters. Her first language was gaelic and she Scottish country danced competitively in her day. Here’s a pic of my grannie’s childhood home in the village of Toberonochy – one on the right with the blue door:
Why not rent a van and go and have an explore. DM me to discuss a 2026 discounted hire rate and until next time, remember, not all those who wander are lost.
