Scotland in winter
We are looking to go to the highlands for the New Year with the caravan to the Oban area, which we know well.
We are worried about weather conditions we are travelling up from Derbyshire, a trip we have done many times, but not towing a caravan at this time of year.
What is everyone’s thoughts, have you been at this time of year?
Thank you
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Some of us live here all year round
To be honest it depends on the year, some are good some not. Have you found a site that will be open at that time.
The bad time to travel is the 31st December and the 1st Jan, as you can appreciate as very few will be working.
Check the weather conditions frequently as it can change very quickly at that time.
Many folk come north for Hogmany, many to the hills around Aviemore and live to tell the tale.
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Hi
We have found a nice CL site & know the area very well, we have been in winter many times in cottages but are new to caravanning.
We are thinking of travelling on 27th Dec maybe stop half way & arrive the next day 😊
the CL owner has been kind enough to let us cancel if it gets bad.
Thanks
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There's no way of knowing what kind of weather you'll get - it could be blizzard conditions or mild and sunny and anything in between. As you've been before you'll know the daylight hours are very short so planning to stop over half-way or maybe further is probably a good idea. There's a good all-year-round site at Moffat with the other club, just a mile off the motorway, and Moffat's a nice little town within easy walking distance.
Unless there's another "beast from the East" the roads are usually cleared of snow pretty quickly, and the west tends to be milder than the centre where the A9 can be difficult at times; so give it a go and as others have said listen to the weather forecast and login to the Traffic Scotland website. https://trafficscotland.org
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A cottage with a woodburner and a store of dry logs sounds an attractive proposition at that time of year.
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We have been to Scotland many times in Winter, had very variable weather, wind, snow, rain, sunshine. Have to say much prefer a cottage in the Winter, but even then we keep a wary eye on the weather reports.
Prepping your vehicle and van for extremes will be essential, even if you are lucky. Good snow tyres, carry a shovel, extra clothing, hot flask, charged mobile, have a back up route.
Most CL owners are generously flexible in Winter (as are some cottage owners) we have had dates change a few times, and not just for Scotland.
Weather reports usually give good hourly updates, and reasonable mid term predictions. But......they’re not 100% perfect. Enjoy whatever you choose to do.😁
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There is always the possibility of snow blocking the road but it is very rare once you reach Glasgow. Use the motorway up to Stirling and across from there via Callander.I would avoid the Loch Lomond route which is narrow and twisting.
Possibly the points you have to watch are Shap in the Lake District which is very exposed and Beattock on the M74.
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lived in a place called Fyvie between Aberdeen and Turiff for 14 years, regularly made a winter trek with caravan in tow over to what was the club site at Braemar to do some winter walking in the area around Glen Shee, yes got some snow but also lots of winter sun, although the days are very short, only once got snowed in at Braemar but the LC's and farmers very good at keeping roads clear, not checked the snow reports for 2018/2019 but my friend said the skiing was very poor.
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I'd agree about Shap Fell and Beattock Summit Wildwood, it's really a case of watching the weather forecasts, travelling in daylight and making contingency plans (other places to stay) if bad weather sets in. Other than that your journey might be trouble free and I hope you have a good time MollieP.
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Yes, last winter was pretty mild, ski-ing very poor.
My best friend at university, his family were from Fyvie, nice wee place. He took me to visit relatives there and I had a big problem understanding what they were saying!
OH is from Aberdeen, so I am now much better with the dialect up there!
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Another couple that fancies touring Scotland in a camper-van in Winter, probably early December for a week or so. Fancy remote coastal scenery hopefully with a chance of seeing Northern Lights any suggestions of places to go and where to stay.
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Graham, I would suggest looking up the best time and places to see the Northern Lights (possibly January-March?) so you may be disappointed in choosing early December. Friends on Orkney see them, check out if any camp sites are open, although there are other possible places . I hope your camper van is well insulated and heated as it can get pretty cold the further north you go although winters vary year on year. On average you will get less light pollution and longer nights further north too. Good luck with your plans, check out low temperature camping and what to do when it freezes etc.
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