I
did choose the DFDS IJmuiden - Newcastle ferry this year to visit
Scotland and Northern England.
Sunday
22nd of June, Heerenveen - IJmuiden
I
did leave Heerenveen this Sunday the 22nd of June. It was the
first time that I did go by DFDS Seaways to Scotland. IJmuiden is just
150 km. away from my hometown, but due the road works and the
always-busy Alkmaar ring road it did take 2½ hours to get there. I had
still two hours to go before boarding the “Prince of Scandinavia”.
Monday
23rd of June, Newcastle - Edinburgh
Morton
hall Caravan park
Frogston
Road East
Edinburgh
EH16 6TJ
Scotland
T
0131 664 1533
F
0131 664 5387
The
campsite is at the Southside of Edinburgh and is sign posted on the ring
road A720. The Edinburgh city centre is in easy reach by the city busses.
Bus stop at the campsite entrance.
Edinburgh Morton Hall Campsite
From Newcastle to Edinburgh is just a three hours drive along the coast.
As soon as I entered Scotland the weather is much better than the last
few weeks. The Scottish Tourists Office could consider inviting me every
year, good weather guaranteed. The campsite isn’t busy yet. But you
find always some German and Dutch holidaymakers. The Ale sold in the pub
on the campsite grounds isn’t my taste. The third one I try is
“Best” it’s the best too.
Tuesday 24th of June, Edinburgh
The weather is real nice. The city is just as I left it a few years ago
and the coffee at the Waverley shopping centre still is of a good
quality. The Waverley shopping centre is just at the end or beginning of
Princess Street. The gardens along the Princess Street are well kept as
always. It’s really nice to take a walk in the gardens.
Edinburgh Waverley Station
Princess Street still has the same big shops and after a morning of
shopping it’s a joy to go to the “Kenilworth” (a pub founded 17..
at Rose Street). Rose Street is a narrow street just behind Princess
Street with a lot of old cosy pubs. Velvet Ale taste a lot better than
the ale at the campsite, it’s real smooth. As always there are some
Dutchman in the pub, so I had a little talk with some boys from
Groningen, The Netherlands. They really had a bad weather and had to
endure a lot of attacks by midgets too. The midgets are small but very
nasty flies, you find them from about Gretna and higher at the Scottish
west coast. If you want to get rich, you have to find a definitive
solution to eliminate these nasty guys.
Edinburgh Castle and Gardens
The Kenilworth serves good food too. I had a nice rib steak, but the
Haggis is of good quality too. But no Haggis today. Haggis is a
traditional Scottish dish made from; leftovers of a butchered sheep,
leftovers like head meat mixed with oatmeal all cooked in a sheep’s
stomach with of course a choice of spices. It really taste good.
After looking around in some bargain shops I did call it a day. Tomorrow
I will visit the “Old Town”.
Wednesday 25th of June, Edinburgh
The weather is beautiful and after the morning coffee I did walk the
“Royal Mile”. The Royal Mile is around one mile long and goes from
The Castle to Hollyroad Palace. In early days the Royalty often did take
this street that’s why it’s called Royal Mile. There are a lot of
interesting small shops and pubs to visit walking this street. Hollyroad
Palace was closed for the public this means there is someone of the
Royal Family staying at the castle. The new parliament building is
almost ready looking from the outside. It’s from an extraordinary
architecture; there are a lot of natural elements at the facades and
balconies. It looks a little bit too much to me, but after removing the
scaffolding maybe it looks more relaxed. When I visit Edinburgh again I
will have a look again.
Edinburgh, the new Parliament
At the old parliament near the castle it was very busy, a lot of people
and police stood there waiting for someone. After asking, a policeman
told me President Poutin of Russia did visit Edinburgh. I did wait just
as anyone to take a picture. He arrived in a black limousine did just
wave once towards us and went into the building. It was actually to
remote to take a good picture with my small Canon. But he is the
President of Russia and I saw him. After this wait I was thirsty and
hungry. I did find a table at a not crowded pub. Seeing the menu and the
pricelist it was easy to understand why this pub wasn’t crowded.
Caffrey’s is good ale but 2.60 GBP for a pint is costly. However the
Sirloin steak and the ale did taste very good.
Thursday 26th of June, Edinburgh - Dingwall
Camping and Caravanning Club
site
Jubilee Park Road
Dingwall
Highlands IV15 9QZ
T 0044 1349 862236
Today I did take the A9 towards the North. The A9 is nice drive; enough
places to take a rest or a meal and you can drive on. From Inverness I
did take the A862 to Dingwall. The Dingwall campsite is near the railway
station and sporting grounds. It was a warm day.
The world famous (Whisky)
Forth Road Bridge
Dingwall is a nice town with all the shops and supermarkets you need. To
the town centre it’s just a few minutes walk from the campsite. Next
to the railway station is a nice pub, but there are a lot more.
Compared to Edinburgh there is a great difference in the price you have
to pay for a night stance at the campsite. Edinburgh three nights 42.00
GBP, Dingwall 27.25 GBP for five nights.
Friday 27th of June, Dingwall
The weather was again beautiful. It’s too warm to drive a long distance
so I did visit Inverness. A charity shop had a Tina Turner video I
didn’t have. For just 1.50 GBP it’s a bargain. No guarantees the
shopkeeper said.
Dingwall Camping and
Caravanning Club site
I did get my morning coffee at Littlewoods. Lunch was a Kentucky Fried
Chicken one. Fast, Fat and Filling. On my way back I did take a tourist
route along Beauly. Diana Gabaldon wrote in her book “Outlander”
about this village. According Diana Gabaldon Beauly is just a few hours
away from France. In the middle ages this was at least a few days. This
American writer didn’t do her homework well because there is a Beauly
at the England’s south coast that’s indeed a night’s sail to
France. The story is however about Scotland and it’s a good story too.
Dingwall is very central situated to make nice trips to the north, the
west and the Loch Ness area. This afternoon I had for the first time
some rain. Time to do some reading.
Cambrai Dingwall War Monument
Saturday 28th of June, Dingwall
It rained all night, but this morning it’s dry and beautiful. I planned
to make a trip to Wick and Thurso. I did want to see Duncansby Head
again. It’s just before John O’Groats, which attracts more tourists
than Duncansby Head. I like Duncansby Head more. But seeing the sign
“Wick 78 miles” made me turn of my route, it was to warm to drive so
much today. I did visit the small village Bonar Bridge. Bought some
postcards and stamps in the local post office. The shop did provide me
with all ingredients to make a tasty lunch. I had lunch with a nice view
sitting on a bench just beneath the war monument. What do you need more?
Bonar Bridge
Bonar Bridge War Monument
My European television set doesn’t work in the UK. I did buy another
one at Dingwall’s Woolworth for the amount of 19.99 GBP. There was a
problem when I tried to plug in the adaptor, because I have European
sockets in the caravan. I’m an electrician so I did solve the problem
with some wires. The build in antenna isn’t marvellous and the extra
antenna I bought at the Poundstretcher shop isn’t working well too.
Next Monday I will buy another antenna in Inverness. It keeps you busy.
Sunday 29th of June, Dingwall
Sunday is a nice day for visiting Inverewe Gardens at the west coast. A
single-track road towards Inverewe is under construction. The EU is
subsidising the widening of this road. It stays a scenic road, nice
views and rest giving forests. The gardens are beautiful as always with
all kinds of sub tropic plants.
Between Dingwall and the West
coast
Kinlochewe is a small village. I had a nice morning coffee in a real
family run café. Father behind the cash desk, mother working in the
kitchen, three daughters serving the customers and a son just looking
important.
Inverewe gardens, Poolewe
Scotland has outdoor growing sub tropic plants. The warm Gulf stream
coming up from the south of England touches the coast here and will
stream up further to the Norwegian south coast.
Monday 30th of June, Dingwall
It is unbelievable but the sun keeps on shining. Today I made a roundtrip
along, Inverness, Carrbridge, Grantown on Spey, Inverness and back to
Dingwall. If you wish you can visit a lot of whisky distilleries. But I
did see different distilleries already, there is always the possibility
to taste a drop of Whisky, but just as I do in The Netherlands the right
percentage alcohol when driving is 0%.
A guided tour tells you a lot about the art of making whisky. For
instance why Irish whiskey is darker of colour than the Scottish whisky.
I did learn this at a guided tour in a Northern Ireland distillery.
Whisky has to mature in a wooden cask. These casks are first used to
mature cherry; The Irish do use these casks twice and the Scots three
times, that’s the difference.
Loch Ness in between Inverness
and Fort Augustus
On my way back I bought a new television antenna at an Inverness shop.
For a cheap parking ticket you better park your car at Tesco’s. It’s
right in the town centre, afterwards you buy your groceries at Tesco and
your parking ticket will be made free by the check out. Sometimes I’m
a real Dutchman.
The television reception is now better with the new antenna and I even
did see a small piece of Wimbledon tennis.
Tuesday 01st of July, Dingwall - Fort William
Glen Nevis Caravan and Camping
Park
Glen Nevis
Fort William
Inverness-shire PH33 6SX
T 0044 1397 702191
F 0044 1397 703904
camping@glen-nevis.co.uk
At the roundabout (Edinburgh Woollen Mill) the campsite is sign posted.
Tonight it did rain a little, this morning it’s dry again. Following
the A82 the drive from Dingwall to Fort William is an easy drive. Along
Loch Ness it’s every year a little busier than the years before. A lot
of tourists go for Loch Ness. Fort Augustus is also a nice spot to visit,
you have to see the Caledonian Canal sluices.
Fort William campsite Glen
Nevis
Being as early as half past one at the campsite, gives you the
opportunity to do some shopping in Fort William. The campsite is about
three miles from the town centre. Near the campsite is the Glen Nevis
bar and restaurant. They want to maintain high standards. Not really to
my likes, but it’s close by.
Take a walk is real joy, just past the youth hostel; you can see highland
cattle and more. These animals look very wild, but they are tame as a
little lamb. You also see many walkers coming down or going up Ben Nevis
the highest mountain of Scotland. The information centre is a few
minutes away from the campsite. The walkers coming down are most of the
time tiered and sweaty.
Walking to the top of Ben
Nevis, special nice if you like flies or self-chastisements.
Wednesday 02nd of July, Fort William
This morning I did take a three miles walk to Fort William. There is a
bus service from the campsite to the town, but it’s very unreliable.
The Edinburgh Woollen Mill is just at the end of the road and serves
good coffee and sandwiches or cake. At the railway station I decided to
take a return ticket to Mallaig. This is a scenic railway journey. You
only have to look out of the window to see the deepest Scottish loch,
nice views and magnificent build bridges. One of these bridges has
twenty-one arches; it was the first build concrete bridge. Around the
whole UK you have a lot of these constructions; All build at the start
of the industrial era. They had full confidence in new techniques than.
Jacobite Steamtrain running
from Fort William to Mallaig
Mallaig is a former fisherman town. Nowadays it’s more tourists you
find here. From here sails the Caledonian MacBrayne Skye Ferry. The town
isn’t very large, but you can buy a pint and good food too.
Back in Fort William the first thing to do was buying a pint and a Mixed
Grill. After such a meal it’s quite a walk to the campsite, but it
helps you to loose some gained weight too.
Thursday 03rd of July, Fort William - Luss
Camping and Caravanning Club
Site
Luss
Loch Lomond
Nr Glasgow Alexandria
Scotland G83 8NT
T 0044 1436 860658
Take the right turn driving on the A82 towards Luss nearby the Bagpipe
and Kilt makers’ workshop (Lodge of Loch Lomond).
Luss Campsite adjacent to Loch
Lomond and the village
As always this campsite is very busy. But I had a nice stance near the
lake, because I’m a member. The Camping Card issued by the ANWB is
worth all the money I paid for it. You get a discount at The Camping and
Caravanning Club Sites plus an extra discount if you are 55+.
Luss looks the same as a few years ago. Here live and work a lot of
artists. Even Paul McCartney seems to visit this village for a break on
his way to Kintyre. I bought a few years ago at a local shop a Scottish
looking tin filled with Petticoat Tails Shortbread. This tin is now
empty, so I did buy the same shortbread, but this time without a tin.
The pub and restaurant is just a few minutes walk away from the campsite.
Friday 04th of July, Luss
Inveraray is my go today. It’s not so easy to find a parking place in
this town. It’s crowded with tourists and a large queue was waiting to
see the famous Inveraray jail. To long for me. I will be back another
year. I had planned to drive to Helensburgh also, but it’s to warm in
the car. Back to maybe a cooler Loch Lomond.
Inveraray
It was a nice afternoon to read, having a pint, enjoying the view and
activities on Loch Lomond. The good weather stayed the whole day, a blue
sky and 25°Celsius.
It’s a little bit to warm for me but the midgets, stay away that’s
really nice too.
Saturday 05th of July, Luss
Today I did my shopping in Helensburgh. In Helensburgh there is still a
genuine General Store. Everything you want they are selling in this shop
even pink or egg yellow paint for the front of your house. This Saturday
afternoon was a copy of yesterday’s afternoon.
Taking a walk through Luss
The local pub isn’t the same anymore as it used to be. To much
adaptations to our modern times. Artificial flowers and an artificial
fire place too. It used to be an authentic pub and restaurant. The staff
is still the same, but a little bit older.
Sunday 06th of July, Luss - Moffat
Camping and Caravanning Club
Site
Hammerland's Farm
Moffat
Borders DG10 9QL
T 0044 1683 220436
Take the Moffat exit coming from the A74. After about one mile turn right
at the Bank of Scotland. Right again after 200 yards. The campsite is
sign posted.
I didn’t see the sign. So before knowing I had made a mistake I was
driving with my car and caravan on a steep and narrow road. But as
always I did find a solution and back to Moffat. The campsite is
adjacent to the Weaver’s Mill and is just a few minutes walking from
town.
It was a little bit cloudy this morning so when attaching the caravan to
the car I had a real fight against the midgets. These midgets are
everywhere. Your face feels hot. They are so small just as flees.
My mobile telephone didn’t work last night. I polished the chip a
little and did knock here and there, now he is working fine again and I
could call the people I left behind. That electronics not always are in
working order I experienced at the Royal Bank of Scotland cash machine.
No money today.
This afternoon was the Formula 1 of France; I did see the race in a pub
having a few nice pints of ale. Diner tonight will be a kind of English
Style Macaroni, including a Gammon steak.
Bagpipes at Moffat
Moffat is a nice town with a lot of hotels and restaurants for such a
small town. Tonight a pipe band was playing for a good course I did
donate some money. The band had very old but also very young members
playing. I like the sound of bagpipes.
Dumfries is my go tomorrow. I have been here many times before. It stays
a nice city to go to.
Monday 07th of July, Moffat
Until today it only rained two nights. This morning it’s raining or
actually it’s drizzling. But it’s windy too, so it’s not a
pleasant weather at all.
Dumfries Shopping
Soon after parking my car in Dumfries the weather became dry. It was a
nice day for walking through the town. Dumfries is a real town for
shopping. The closer you get to England the more charity shops you see.
Always looking for football -, Beatles – and Tina Turner books, CD’s
or videos.
This afternoon I did buy some pints in the Black Bull in Moffat. And did
find a football book for my brother in law. No books about Tina Turner.
Tuesday 08th of July, Moffat
The scenic Moffat – Edinburgh route is beautiful. Grey Mary’s Tail is
about 20 miles from Moffat and is worth a visit. I didn’t go any
further than Selkirk. Selkirk is a small town, just as many. I did some
shopping, had my morning coffee and did buy at the Red Cross charity
shop a LP released by FIAT because of the appearance of Tina Turner on
it. The same road back to Moffat.
The Theakston Ale is very good. Served cool and friendly in the Moffat
Railway Bar.
Wednesday 09th of July, Moffat - Hexham
Caravan Club Site
Racecourse Hexham
A Dutch couple that had a stance on the Dingwall campsite too told me
that the Hexham campsite near the racecourse was a good place to stay.
At first I had planned to stay at the Haltwhistle campsite. It was still
before twelve o’clock when I arrived in Haltwhistle. The town did look
a little quiet to me and with the recommendation of the Dutchman in mind
I did move on to Hexham.
The Hexham campsite isn’t easy to find. He said don’t look for
campsite signs but follow the racecourse ones. That’s nice, but out of
the racing season the signs are removed. Therefore I drove three times
with car and caravan through a very busy Hexham. Been on the wrong (residents
only) site. Did have to turn on a narrow and steep road. But as always I
did find it.
Hexham isn’t at a walking distance and out of the racing season the
campsite is very quiet. The washrooms and toilets do not stand today’s
standards. Hexham and surroundings you easily can do from this site, but
no next time for me on this campsite. Next time I try Haltwhistle for
visiting Hadrian’s Wall.
Hexham Campsite
Hexham has an Outlet Store and lot of other shops. There are enough
Parking spaces next to the city centre even on a busy Saturday.
Thursday 10th of July, Hexham
This morning I had morning coffee and a toasted teacake for the first
time this year at a Little Chef. And I did a Hadrian’s Wall tour.
Hadrian Wall build by the
Roman, Hadrianus, to stop the (in his eyes) barbarian northerly
inhabitants.
Hadrian Wall is build by the Roman, Hadrianus to keep out the northerly
inhabitants out of the Roman Empire. He did give without knowing the
Northern England tourists industry a nice support this way. You see many
walkers doing the whole or a part of the wall. In a temple (see below) I
did offer some coins. You never know were it’s good for and you have a
less heavier purse too.
A Roman Temple
In the afternoon I did some shopping and Hexham sightseeing. For the
second time these holidays it did rain for a short period. Safeway is
convenient close to the parking places so I did my daily shopping there.
Caffreys Ale was 7.00 GBP, for eight cans.
Ale isn’t widely available in the Dutch shops and it’s expensive too.
Therefore I always take a few packages home. Twenty-four cans are now
stored in my caravan and maybe on my way back there is an opportunity to
buy some onboard. Sometimes they have an offer you can’t refuse.
Friday 11th of July, Hexham
Today I did spend shopping and looking around Hexham. The Outlet Store
offers all kind of goods. I did buy some nice smelling perfume for my
mother and a double English style socket to mount in the caravan. Hexham
has a lot of second-hand bookstores and charity shops. I wish we had the
same kind of charity shops in The Netherlands; you find often something
you want or like and it's for a good course too. Charity shops you see
the most in England.
This evening I will make a list of things to take back home, such as
Chutney’s of different tastes, Colman’s Mustard, Salt & Vinegar
and Cheesed & Union Crisps. Sunday I will sail back home and than I
want to have enough of all these goods with me, you can’t buy them
easy in The Netherlands. A lot of relatives and I like these goods, so I
have my souvenirs to give away also.
Saturday 12th of July, Hexham
Nice weather again on my last full day in England. I had my list, so
Safeway had a good day and my budget was almost gone. I did even find
some books in a second-hand store I missed yesterday. On a sunny
Saturday it's very relaxing to sit on a bench and watch people going by
or to listen to real live music.
Nice shopping at Hexham
After a long day at Hexham I had a nice meal on the campsite. I made
Chile Con Carne combined with bacon. It tasted really nice. It was a
lovely evening to drink some bottles of Newcastle Brown (what's in me,
isn’t spoiled) and reading a book.
Tomorrow morning I will have enough time to pack the caravan and car
properly. The ferry sails around five o’clock in the afternoon and
it's just a short drive to Newcastle.
Sunday 13th of July, Hexham - Newcastle
Around twelve o’clock I did leave the campsite knowing that I had a
beautiful holiday and that soon duty will call. It wasn’t busy on the
roads; except for the A1 and A19 these roads are always busy. Finding
the ferry terminal was a piece of cake. The road signs to the terminal
are excellent.
I change my last British pounds into euros. On board both currencies can
be used, but all prices are standard in euros.
Around five o’clock I was on board. Checking in goes at this side of
the North Sea a lot slower than in The Netherlands. The British customs
are always more precisely than their Dutch colleagues. The vessel is
this time the "Duke of Scandinavia”.
DFDS Seaways departs from
Newcastle
Had tonight diner on board. My former neighbour Oene Dijkstra was on
board too. He made a tour through Scotland by coach. We had a nice talk
about Scotland and more.
Monday 14th of July, IJmuiden - Heerenveen
After a goodnights sleep, I did leave IJmuiden at half past ten. I did
avoid the Alkmaar traffic jam by taking the Zaandam route. At twelve
o’clock I was at home.
Eeltje
