Finally Decided Scotland not France

[Robmac]

Even the midgies?!

That's why we always go up to Scotland in Winter Marie.

 

[Fisherman]

That's why we always go up to Scotland in Winter Marie.

Rob, the wee buggers don’t normally come out to play until second half of May.
But reach their peak June, July, and august. By mid September they tend to die off. So Scotland is basically midge free 8 months of the year.
But the east is almost Midge free. It’s thought that the milder weather due to the Gulf Stream and the massive peat bogs in the west attract them.

 

[Robmac]

Rob, the wee buggers don’t normally come out to play until second half of May.
But reach their peak June, July, and august. By mid September they tend to die off. So Scotland is basically midge free 8 months of the year.
But the east is almost Midge free. It’s thought that the milder weather due to the Gulf Stream and the massive peat bogs in the west attract them.

Yes I'm sure the Gulf Stream comes into play Bill. Even in the Winter I have known some very mild days at Applecross where you can get by in shorts and a T-shirt.

I do love the mountains in the Winter though.

 

[Fazerloz]

You can get some awful food in France, in some of the dodgier cafes, i'm sure I've found not just a toe, but a whole camel hoof in the Cassoulet.

Some will pay good money to eat camel toe.

 

[barge1914]

5 trips to Scotland over the last two years, they must be sick of the sight of us! Off to annoy the Italians instead.

 

[mikeg40]

Fit like loon ?

not on the west coast although weegie is a little hard to understand

 

[Wooie1958]

I am doing the same early April; do I need to book a ferry in advance? I thought of booking a ferry when I am up there, as I am no sailor, and I could try and choose a calmer day, the same on return, being I have not been before which is the better crossing to use, I am searching on here for itinerary if anyone has one.

Yes you do need to book.

The larger Northlink ferry from Scrabster is more stable and will handle the rougher weather also being a Ro-Ro it is easier to embark then disembark at Stromness.

The smaller Pentland ferry from Gills Bay is not as stable so will be a lumpier crossing and being much smaller you have to be able to perform a reverse embarkation down the ramp so as you are in the centre open section of the vehicle deck then you can drive off at St. Margaret`s Hope.

Obviously the return journey from St. Margaret`s Hope to Scrabster will be the same, reverse embarkation on and drive off.

Good luck

 

[Deleted member 235]

Fit like loon ?

Chavin awa,fit like yersel ?

 

[CliveW]

Aye min.

 

[number14]

Well, back on topic and further to my post #12, after much dithering we have made the same decision as the OP, Qfour, for much the same reasons and have cancelled our ferry to France. Over the years we have worked and played in many west European countries, albeit not as motorhomers, but have never visited Orkney at all or even the east of Scotland in any depth.

I'm actually quite excited and our dog will love the beaches!

 

[caledonia]

Well, back on topic and further to my post #12, after much dithering we have made the same decision as the OP, Qfour, for much the same reasons and have cancelled our ferry to France. Over the years we have worked and played in many west European countries, albeit not as motorhomers, but have never visited Orkney at all or even the east of Scotland in any depth.

I'm actually quite excited and our dog will love the beaches!

You have ever right to be excited. In fact be prepared to have yours and your dogs flabber well and truly gasted when you see some of our beaches. We even have lovely beaches high in the mountains.

 

[number14]

You have ever right to be excited. In fact be prepared to have yours and your dogs flabber well and truly gasted when you see some of our beaches. We even have lovely beaches high in the mountains.

In that case I'll make sure our flabbers are in fine fettle before we leave. I wonder if there's a special diet we should follow, possibly involving a certain fine spirit.

We have toured the Inner and Outer Isles on previous occasions (pre-covid) so have a good idea of what to expect.

 

[electricscott]

We have been trying to decide what to do in April. We have moved the ferry booking to France a number of times and they won't let us move it again. So we sat down and pondered whether we really wanted to go. We need holiday / medical insurance, dog needs AHC, return ferry needs booking, visit to vet to get back, everytime you read the news something has changed so we have decided on Scotland before the midges and head for Orkney. Booked a CL for a week and will have a wander up the West Coast. Should be good fun and we don't have to worry about speaking French

Is your ticket to France transferrable? We are planning to to go around 20 April and have not booked yet.

 

[peter palance]

We have been trying to decide what to do in April. We have moved the ferry booking to France a number of times and they won't let us move it again. So we sat down and pondered whether we really wanted to go. We need holiday / medical insurance, dog needs AHC, return ferry needs booking, visit to vet to get back, everytime you read the news something has changed so we have decided on Scotland before the midges and head for Orkney. Booked a CL for a week and will have a wander up the West Coast. Should be good fun and we don't have to worry about speaking French

hor hor wee. or take it easy, lifes to long and the short. may be next time, ok,pj.

 

[Annsman]

If you are planning a tour to include RNLI station you could join Shoreline, their membership org. £66.00 per year for a couple. They have info regarding open days at the stations.

 

[QFour]

Is your ticket to France transferrable? We are planning to to go around 20 April and have not booked yet.

This was a ticket from way back before Covid. I managed to change it twice but then ran into a 20 month limit so booked for April and paid the difference. Because the guy issued a new ticket and did not just amend the old one the clock started again so now got it rebooted for September. I had a look at Irish Ferries which seem reasonable and their App works so may book the return with them.