Forestry and Land Scotland - Stay the Night

[mariesnowgoose]

Apologies if this has already been posted on WC, but this just published recently on their Facebook page:-

"Hands up, who used one of our Stay the Night facilities last winter?

Following a successful winter trial last year, we're pleased to announce that the off-season option is now part of our popular initiative.
Stay the Night is a first-come-first-serve scheme for those travelling with self-contained motorhomes and campervans.

It allows visitors to park for one night at iconic forests across the country such as Bridge of Orchy, Achnabreac, Torrieston and Dalbeattie.

Find the full list of available locations and guidance on our website."

Here's the link to the website: Forestry and Land Scotland - Stay the Night

 

[mariesnowgoose]

@Pudsey Bear - Kev, you probably knew this already, but all their sites are free for anyone registered disabled

 

[Nabsim]

@Pudsey Bear - Kev, you probably knew this already, but all their sites are free for anyone registered disabled

Is that anyone or any vehicle registered disabled Marie, don't think you have had the register for disabled thing since 70's or 80's. I had a green card somewhere but its that long ago it may have been parchment

 

[mariesnowgoose]

Is that anyone or any vehicle registered disabled Marie, don't think you have had the register for disabled thing since 70's or 80's. I had a green card somewhere but its that long ago it may have been parchment

"Blue Badge holders can Stay the Night for free with a valid badge displayed."

 

[TJBi]

Apologies if this has already been posted on WC, but this just published recently on their Facebook page:-

"Hands up, who used one of our Stay the Night facilities last winter?

Following a successful winter trial last year, we're pleased to announce that the off-season option is now part of our popular initiative.
Stay the Night is a first-come-first-serve scheme for those travelling with self-contained motorhomes and campervans.

It allows visitors to park for one night at iconic forests across the country such as Bridge of Orchy, Achnabreac, Torrieston and Dalbeattie.

Find the full list of available locations and guidance on our website."

Here's the link to the website: Forestry and Land Scotland - Stay the Night

They have increased the number of locations available in winter, but this is still a (now major) subset of those available from spring to autumn. It is only possible to see the respective locations during the period that they are available, so advance planning during the other period of the year is a bit unreliable.
What I find really annoying is that they provide only postcodes for those using satnavs - hardly helpful in the wilds of Scotland where even they admit that the nearest postcode may be several miles from the location.

 

[mariesnowgoose]

They have increased the number of locations available in winter, but this is still a (now major) subset of those available from spring to autumn. It is only possible to see the respective locations during the period that they are available, so advance planning during the other period of the year is a bit unreliable.
What I find really annoying is that they provide only postcodes for those using satnavs - hardly helpful in the wilds of Scotland where even they admit that the nearest postcode may be several miles from the location.

Yes, you would think folk providing the info (Forestry and Land Scotland) would cover more bases and supply alternative references such as what 3 words, for example.

I guess it requires more time, manpower and skills (therefore money!) to do this though, and therein lies the rub

 

[TJBi]

Yes, you would think folk providing the info (Forestry and Land Scotland) would cover more bases and supply alternative references such as what 3 words, for example.

I guess it requires more time, manpower and skills (therefore money!) to do this though, and therein lies the rub

Just required a bit of thought when they first set up info for those using satnavs; yes, now it would require updating of numerous web pages. They do/did have issues with incorrect data on their website, including showing the wrong Black Loch (there are at least two in Scotland) as being part of Stay the Night! When researching these locations, I've had to advise them of numerous errors.

 

[barryd]

Just required a bit of thought when they first set up info for those using satnavs; yes, now it would require updating of numerous web pages. They do/did have issues with incorrect data on their website, including showing the wrong Black Loch (there are at least two in Scotland) as being part of Stay the Night! When researching these locations, I've had to advise them of numerous errors.

Has anyone looked to see if these places are on Search for sites or the other online resources. They often post GPS on those which of course is whats needed.

 

[TJBi]

Has anyone looked to see if these places are on Search for sites or the other online resources. They often post GPS on those which of course is whats needed.

I believe that some are on S4S. I do know that they're on CCI.

 

[barryd]

I believe that some are on S4S. I do know that they're on CCI.

Best thing might be for people to make a note of them when they visit and send them to the Forestry bods. Postcodes are pretty pointless.

 

[TJBi]

Best thing might be for people to make a note of them when they visit and send them to the Forestry bods. Postcodes are pretty pointless.

I've been attempting to educate them, but it would require a policy decision to incorporate GPS coordinates or any other system. To date, I've received very little in the way of positive response from those with whom I have been in contact.

 

[barryd]

I've been attempting to educate them, but it would require a policy decision to incorporate GPS coordinates or any other system. To date, I've received very little in the way of positive response from those with whom I have been in contact.

Oh for goodness sake! "A policy decision"? How many do they have? A couple of dozen? It would take someone half an hour to update them once they had the details. Stick em into Google maps, yep thats our car park, edit the page, done.

 

[TJBi]

Oh for goodness sake! "A policy decision"? How many do they have? A couple of dozen? It would take someone half an hour to update them once they had the details. Stick em into Google maps, yep thats our car park, edit the page, done.

But it's not just the Stay the Night locations, it's all their forest car parks.

 

[barryd]

But it's not just the Stay the Night locations, it's all their forest car parks.

So is there more than on this map? You could do it without even visiting them quite easily to be honest just using google maps if you know where they are. Still not a massive job.

 

[TJBi]

So is there more than on this map? You could do it without even visiting them quite easily to be honest just using google maps if you know where they are. Still not a massive job.

I assume that that map is the one at https://forestryandland.gov.scot/stay-the-night
That is a very small sub-set of the F&LS forest car parks. It's easier to find some than others on Google Maps - it does help if the location has been added to Maps, but even then it's only as good as the person who added it.

 

[mariesnowgoose]

Oh for goodness sake! "A policy decision"? How many do they have? A couple of dozen? It would take someone half an hour to update them once they had the details. Stick em into Google maps, yep thats our car park, edit the page, done.

But it's not just the Stay the Night locations, it's all their forest car parks.

So is there more than on this map? You could do it without even visiting them quite easily to be honest just using google maps if you know where they are. Still not a massive job.

I assume that that map is the one at https://forestryandland.gov.scot/stay-the-night
That is a very small sub-set of the F&LS forest car parks. It's easier to find some than others on Google Maps - it does help if the location has been added to Maps, but even then it's only as good as the person who added it.

"it's only as good as the person who added it" - exactamundo!

My very brief (quite interesting) spell working for a (quasi) government service tells me that maybe you're expecting quite a lot from this (or any other public/governmental-type) sector.

It was an eye-opening experience that left me wondering how it was possible that many "public" services in the UK actually managed to function.
Dark Ages stuff!

The fact that most "managers" I came across were 99% white males with fragile egos, closed minds and an overinflated sense of self-importance doesn't really help towards any system improvements. This was 25 years ago. I'll wager not too much has really changed in all that time, tbh.

You're looking at outdated (and underfunded) infrastructure with generally low rates of pay (nowhere near private sector levels) and they are very often light years behind any access to real kind of cutting-edge information technology. Most staff would turn up on the stroke of 9am and similarly knocked off on the stroke of 5pm - or whatever their working hours were supposed to be - regardless of any deadlines.

But the money that could be spent on all kinds of senseless projects and "management ego tripping"? No holds barred... !

 

[Tim120]

The fact that most "managers" I came across were 99% white males with fragile egos, closed minds and an overinflated sense of self-importance doesn't really help towards any system improvements. This was 25 years ago. I'll wager not too much has really changed in all that time, tbh.

Lipstick and makeup

 

[Fisherman]

We have stayed the night at forestry car parks all over Scotland at various times of the year, with and outwith this arrangement. On two occasions we had a visit from a warden from the commission, not to move us on but simply to make sure that we had full facilities and we were ok. We even had the first warden in our van watching a Scotland rugby match and fed him biscuits and tea.
If you are sensible, and don’t cause any bother I doubt if you would ever have issues in a forestry car park up here. This overnight thing, simply formalises what’s the norm in Scotland.

 

[TJBi]

<snip> This overnight thing, simply formalises what’s the norm in Scotland.

At a price and in a very limited subset of F&LS forest car parks.

 

[Boris7]

Came across this van today.

Don’t know if it’s anyone on here, but if so message me and I’ll show you somewhere much better to park up nearby.