Northern Scotland: Services open in winter

[barge1914]

Thinking of renewing our acquaintance with the far north and west for this years annual pilgrimage next January. Has anyone put to get her a list or map of places with services (water and waste) that are actually functional in midwinter?
Reasonably easy to find out where is open, but not if they have working services.
I’ve noticed in France in the Alps and areas that expect winter visitors they have water protected in buildings, heated cupboards or use insulated Flow-Bleu columns…not so over here.

 

[Nabsim]

It will depend on how cold it is at the time. This January I had to leave Scotland as I couldn't get water, everywhere was frozen. Few sites open in winter there but there are places you can normally get water

 

[trevskoda]

It will depend on how cold it is at the time. This January I had to leave Scotland as I couldn't get water, everywhere was frozen. Few sites open in winter there but there are places you can normally get water

Supermarkets sell it, failing that garages.

 

[caledonia]

It will depend on how cold it is at the time. This January I had to leave Scotland as I couldn't get water, everywhere was frozen. Few sites open in winter there but there are places you can normally get water

Water flows off the hills all year round up here and we don’t leave the country when it’s frosty

 

[Nabsim]

Supermarkets sell it, failing that garages.

good luck finding supermarkets in the Highlands lol

 

[Nabsim]

Water flows off the hills all year round up here and we don’t leave the country when it’s frosty

In houses you are fine lol, every tap I came across was frozen solid last week or so of January

 

[barge1914]

It will depend on how cold it is at the time. This January I had to leave Scotland as I couldn't get water, everywhere was frozen. Few sites open in winter there but there are places you can normally get water

Yes, we had that pleasure too, luckily we found some in a brief thaw after 5 days. But that was in the borders. Pure luck, half an hour later found us in a blizzard on M74.

 

[Nesting Zombie]

Hey Guys,
Yep, Have to say come the Frosts Some Fresh water tap outlets tend to be turned off as a preventative measure against them freezing.
So taking the opportunity to fill up with ‘SMALL’ amounts via a Bottle at Cafes, Marinas, Selected Toilets & alike can be beneficial to make your tanked water supply last longer.
On bigger fill ups Phone Campsites & Marinas & ask if they do a Service Visit (Black, Grey, Recyclable & General Waste disposal & Water Top up for a fee of between £5-£8 is often available).
I’ve not had any problems to date.

 

[Nabsim]

This January is the first time I have ever had a problem, couldn't find any open campsites but I didn't try them all. Never thought of marinas though. I had been travelling between cold places though enjoying the first and snow.

 

[Robmac]

In houses you are fine lol, every tap I came across was frozen solid last week or so of January

I've had one of these for years Neil;

https://www.amazon.co.uk/SAWYER-PRODUCTS-Water-Filtration-System/dp/B00TOX6UM6?th=1

Only suitable for emergencies really though so you could get enough for a cuppa but painfully slow. But they make potable water available anywhere, even a muddy puddle! Best suited for hiking though.

There are of course larger systems available such as;

Amazon.co.uk

 

[caledonia]

I never had a problem knocking on a farmhouse or Croft door and asking if ok to park up. Normally people are pretty hospitable and there’s not a farm in the highlands without an outside tap.