13th August 2025
Welcome to the ScotCampers fortnightly blog.
A busy couple of weeks! Summarised by, hirers, big purchase, roadtrips.
So, Wing Mee, her partner and their lovely daughter from Holland rented out last weekend. Bit of drama as the hire date coincided with storm Floris so we agreed to push the hire back by a day – right decision as I ended up being late to meeting with them due to a tree over the road! So, they were off to stay first night at Tarland and then picking their way up through Angus to Orkney, via the Pentland Firth. I got a picture from Fortrose and that’s the last I heard!
Biggest news over the last week is a new van. A T5 VW Transporter kitted out as a 2 berth. I caught the train to Alnmouth to have a look at it and drove it back up the road. Behaved impeccably but the interior isn’t up to the standard so that’s the focus. It’s solar powered so a proper off grid adventurer.
It’s been a busy period as keen to get the new van hired out this season. Lots of purchases – self inflating mattress, lighting, gas equipment and crockery. The most challenging bit was naming it! As a big Tolkein fan it was always going to have a Middle Earth theme! Before I saw it, was destined to be Frodo but the colour and posture didn’t work! Over to my friend Robert in the states who immediately said it needs to be a Gandalf themed one (colour). So, meet Stormcrow.
So, jobs over the weekend were new worktops, new LED lighting and gas kit (compliant with renting) and over to my mate Barry at Camper Solutions in Alloa to sort the gas element. With a following wind, should be available for hire. Ahead of that, photo shoot in a good location (possibly one of the best parts of my job!).
Above is the new kitchen top cut, ready to have the sink/hob unit installed. I’m loving learning about how campers are put together and already thinking of internal refreshes every couple of years.
On the subject of refreshes/keeping the standard up, was delighted ro receive yet another 5 star review from Catherine: Thank you Alan! The van was comfortable and well maintained. The explanations were clear. Alan was very attentive to our needs.
As if I’m not busy enough, managed to take the boys on a roadtrip to Millport (7 minute ferry crossing from Largs, on the Clyde) last week as well. Largs was really busy but managed to catch the 3rd British Lions test in a pub, ahead of heading onto the ferry. Bike hires, fishing and exploring were the weekend ingredients. Campsite could have been better (facilities poor) but positive from my perspective, as I know something now that I didn’t ahead of the trip.
Also planned to knock off a couple of Munros near Tyndrum last week but weather gods were against me so I turned right off the A85 towards the Lawers range as I could see one top! Ended up doing Meall Tarmachan again – well, not quite. This was going to be my fourth ascent but I stopped, would you believe, 37 metres off the summit due to winds near the cliffs (gusting up to 80mph). There’s a wise saying in mountaineering along lines that summitting is optional and returning mandatory – this was one of those occasions.
I have some availability in September so please get in touch to discuss requirements. Also, if you fancy a knarly 2 berth, it’s available (unless I take it away myself!)
Until next time and remember, not all those who wander are lost.
