Visit to Dundee
Right chaps, as I have never visited this part of the country, I need advice from any seasoned Scottish explorers or knowledgeable locals.
next June, assuming things are a bit more normal, I would like to visit my cousin for his 70th birthday as we have not seen each other for a few years. He lives just outside Dundee. I’ve had an idea to turn this into a bit of a tour, roughly three weeks, but can be flexible.
im looking for suggestions as to where to go, where to stay, what to see, what not to miss etc
my initial ideas, and I may be completely wrong, are that I’d like to visit Edinburgh and spend a few days there, Rosslyn chapel would be nice to see, are the Scottish Borders a place to spend time? Do I need to go north of Dundee?
I’ve been to Northumberland, Alnwick, Holy Island, area a few years ago. Enjoyed it and would return. I’m sorry to say that our only other visit to Scotland was to the west coast as far as Mallaig via Dumfries.
for info we are experienced caravanners, retired, with a twin axle van and we enjoy CLs usually just needing hook up.
thanks in advance for your help, suggestions and guidance
Comments
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The Scottish Borders are fabulous. So much to see and do. North Berwick is a lovely place, and is actually a good base if you just fancy the odd day in Edinburgh City Centre, as there is a very scenic rail route that takes you right onto Princes Street at Waverley Station.
Roslyn Chapel is very interesting. There is a small campsite next door called Slatebarns. Another nice CL is East Fortune Farm, not far from Museum of Flight.
Scotland is a big place, full of some glorious scenery, wonderful wildlife and so many great things to see. I would get a map out, plan your route, then decide what you want to see and look for a CL or a small site not far away. We often go up via the East Coast, but then swing round and come home inland, or vice versa. Drive along and over the Forth is always interesting.
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We live 26 miles from Dundee and yes you should look at spending some time around this area.
The site Forfar Lochs is well placed as is the Balbirnie site, Edinburgh has many things to see and do and the time of year you are thinking about is probably one of the best times to visit Edinburgh site is good and transport into Edinburgh is good.
After the Dundee area you could go up to Stonehaven one of our go to sites, easy access into Aberdeen on the bus or take the car parking is usually no problem.
The Borders are a nice area also and the site at Melrose is a good base to explore.
Hope this has given you some ideas, I appreciate everyone is different and what is good for me might not be for others but you won't know until you try.
I would advise on not trying to squeeze to many stops into the trip, just break it into bite size pieces.
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The Border area is lovely. The market towns of Moffat, Melrose, Jedburgh and the like are well worth a visit and full of history. St Mary’s Loch and the Grey Mare's tale on the road between Moffat and Selkirk are scenic (but don’t tow on that road!). Perth is a City worth seeing and don't forget Scone Palace just across the Tay.
Do some research online and discover the delights on offer.
If you’re a member of C&CC, they have good sites at Moffat and Scone racecourse.
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Did the site next to the chapel a club affiliated site? I remember staying there one night before going north.
Melrose must be our second most visited site, and you can now walk from it to the new railway station, or there is free parking there too.
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There are a couple of CLs in the Dundee area, Fernlea at Errol, which we've used in the past, and a new one, Greeacres at Birknhill.
If you have time I suggest that you spend a little time exploring the Fife coastal villages.
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Oh yes explore Dundee, great city not been since new V&A opened, it's on the list!
Edinburgh's great, club site was good for public transport, again not stayed for years so can't be sure it still is. So much to see and do castle, royal mile, St Giles cathedral, royal yacht, museums, gardens shopping etc etc.
Rosslyn chapel absolutely amazing. As the the coastal villages and towns mention by others.
3 weeks won't be nearly enough 😉
No idea where you'll be travelling from, loads of choice in borders and Dumfries and Galloway on the west side too. You'll be spoilt for choice 🤣
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Thanks for the suggestions. Now I know that there is plenty to do in the vicinity I’ll do more research. Plenty of time while it’s wet and windy! Please keep them coming.
I vaguely remember someone on here previously saying the west coast was better/more interesting than the east, which is why I was nervous of arranging a tour.
thanks for the site and cl recommendations as we will need to be near Dundee for a couple of days.
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I vaguely remember someone on here previously saying the west coast was better/more interesting than the east, which is why I was nervous of arranging a tour.
East coast is often overlooked for the west coast but its got a lot going for it, less midges on the East side
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I so agree with Tammygirl's response.
Theres a lot of beauty in the middle too.
But the midges in the west can be a right pain, pun intended, if you're susceptible. I remember being at Bunree and seeing the wardens in their midge net hats. We have friends who live in East Ayrshire and the bites I get there are not pleasant. Only time I long for wind, met-office type, or rain when I visit.
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In three weeks you're planning an extensive area to visit, Edinburgh could take up quite a bit of your time, city centre, castle, botanic gardens and museums, there is a lot to see there. The Borders cover a big area too so by the time you get to Dundee you might be wanting a slower pace but don't miss Discovery Point and the much improved water front area.
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Hi dunton10, a walk / drive up the Law hill, is quick and easy. Great view and photo opportunity. Nicoll's Rosebank Bakery is at the foot of the hill, great pies!
Broughty Ferry just north, but still connected to Dundee is a nice place with a cracking beach, walks, harbour, lots of nice shops, bars, cafes and restaurants. It even has a castle.
The 2 sites at Monifieth, again slightly further out but still connected to Dundee are really well positioned, right on the seafront. Only 10 minutes drive to central Dundee. Nice walk along the seafront and beach.
Verdant Works and the transport museum are other attractions that get good press too. If you cycle, there's a path that goes from Dundee to Monfieth along the coast. I think it goes further but I haven't been.
Cheers, Alex.
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TW, why so cautious about the A708 between Moffat & Selkirk? I've not driven it but looking on GoogleEarth it doesn't look hazardous. Not overly wide and would doubtless frustrate anyone following but otherwise seems OK. Looks an interesting route plus a C&CC site at Moffat. Have to remember that
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Steep drops, bends on hills, narrow, crumbling verges etc etc. You'd get through with barely a scratch but the OP has a TA caravan.
Have you never stayed at the Moffat site? You shock me. It's a lovely little town.
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Well there you are Dunton10 you've been given loads and buckets full of advice & guidance aplenty so I'll throw in my twopennyworth.
Give those maps a good going over !! Scotland is a lovely place for caravanning BUT it is very large, you can head from A to W and have to travel via A again and again a dozen times 'cos That's the Way the roads Go !!
So don't spend too much time travelling, cut the area into 'holiday sized ' blocks { don't think Nicola S will worry
} and go see what each area has to offer ~~ I don't think it should take you much more than, say, twenty or so years in total . 0 -
Thanks for all the ideas, I’m sure I’ll be able to put a plan together.
Alex, monifieth sounds ideal. Seems like we could base ourselves there for a week, visit Dundee by bike or train and also visit a few coastal places further north. We are keen cyclists and like to leave the car behind whenever possible. Uk campsites has a few sites listed, woodlands and river view seem nice on a quick check, but I can research further. Plenty of time. Then we could come back down to somewhere convenient to travel into Edinburgh for a few days, then work our way further down through the borders.
anyone any recommendations for nice CLs convenient to Edinburgh? And also nice places to see/stop in the borders.
ABM if I’m still touring in 20 years I’ll be very happy. Not to sure about NS she looks scary on my TV .lol
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If you want to visit the Borders and meed a few ideas, I'd suggest Kelso and Floors Castle, Traqhair House south of Peebles, Sir Walter Scott's old abode at Abbotsford and nearby Melrose itself with the Abbey, SNT gardens and walks by the Tweed. You can even travel into Edinburgh from Melrose (Tweedbank station) for a day out. Some of the local towns are fading a bit but Melrose has had a revival.
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Steep drops, bends on hills, narrow, crumbling verges etc etc. You'd get through with barely a scratch but the OP has a TA caravan.
CY we did the drive recently in our MH, its worth doing it as very scenic.
The site at Moffat is one of our regular stops, as TW says its a nice small town with decent pubs/hotels and eateries.
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Hi dunton10, just a wee " heads up ", the Woodlands site that you mention is in Carnoustie, a bit further away from Dundee again, past Monifieth.
The 2 sites at Monifieth are Riverview, as you've mentioned and Tayview. They are about 100 metres apart right on the beach front. Tayview has uninterrupted views of the beach and river, especially if you get a front pitch. But we found that Riverview, although still in a great position, didn't have the same uninterrupted views, due a big hedge at the front. More private though.
Cheers, Alex.
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A bit of a local footballing joke, but if visiting Dundee you need to take your own soap😂 As has been said you would need nearer to 3 years than 3 weeks to do Scotland justice and the East coast has tons to offer.
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Ok chaps it’s now 7 months since my initial post and all the great ideas and advice I received are much appreciated and have been noted.
subject to Nicola S and the Indian variant we are starting our Scottish east coast 3 week tour on 3rd June.
we’ve booked the following:-
C L close to Moffat (to break the journey up) - 3 nights
Stonehaven CC site - 5 nights
CL close to Dundee - 5 nights.
Cl close to Melrose- 7 nights
need to break the journey Melrose to Sutton Coldfield, perhaps somewhere around Kendal area would be about half way.
So, does anyone have anything to add to the previous ideas on what to see, what not to miss and what to avoid. We are fit 64 year olds, we like walking, coastal villages and cycling.
anyone any recommendations for a CL to break the journey around junction 35/36 on the M6? Only one night so only must is that it should be convenient to the motorway.
thanks for all your help
steve
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The nearest CL that I can think of would be Kaker Mill Fm, No.239 in Site Directory, coming off M6 coming off at Jnct 36. You could come off at 38 onto the A6, come over Shap and there's Mosergh Fm before Kendal, or Spital Caravans, a small site with no toilet block, near Morrisons in Kendal. You would then rejoin M6 at junct. 36.
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A bit further north but Moss Thorn CL at Penrith makes a good overnight stop. It's just a mile or two off J40.
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There's Slapestones Villa at the same junction, and even closer to the M6, if you can get a pitch as it is very popular.
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Thanks for letting us know, dunton.
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When we visit Dundee, we stay at Forfar loch and take the bus into the city. First let me say that while Dundee has some great attractions, DO NOT waste your time with the V&A. It is a huge empty space with less exhibits than most peoples' lofts. However, right next door is RSS Discovery and you can get a combined ticket (valid for a year) for it and the Verdant Jute museum, both of these make the trip worthwhile.
I also recommend the free McManus art gallery / museum.
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