Scottish Winter road trip and beyond to Europe! (Title edit Feb 24)

[mcdonaldneal.]

The pictures are more dramatic than it actually was. Light snow and good grip. I was going to turn around but the cloud cleared and the passing places and car parks made for impressive looking photos.

 

[mcdonaldneal.]

Well, not only did we survive the night but dare I say we were pretty comfortable?
I decided to do everything I could against the cold (I measured -11.6deg outside at one point)! Roof was down, thermal windscreen cover and the fabric covers for the front windows, a picnic rug and a blanket under the bed sheet, two duvets, pyjamas, tee shirt and thermal top (with a hat, socks and a hot water bottle in reserve!)
The heater was on ‘3’ all night and instead of cycling on and off it just kept going at a low level. Perfect!
I was warm in bed with Medo on my chest and I woke at one point and looked out of the window. Clear as a bell and the ice crystals were glittering in the moonlight (terrible photo doesn’t do it justice!) I actually went out in my jammies for a pee and I can confirm it was very cold indeed.
Well done to the cat and the Cali: a successful trial!

 

[mcdonaldneal.]

Right. Let’s get back on track!
So, yesterdays drive continued, down the very pretty Glen Lyon, avoiding all the usual hazards: red squirrels, sheep in the road, ice and the (apparently) 5000 year old Fortingall Yew. Supposedly one of the oldest trees in Britain. It’s in the churchyard behind the van in the pic with the Celtic cross.

 

[JollyGoodShow]

Right. Let’s get back on track!
So, yesterdays drive continued, down the very pretty Glen Lyon, avoiding all the usual hazards: red squirrels, sheep in the road, ice and the (apparently) 5000 year old Fortingall Yew. Supposedly one of the oldest trees in Britain. It’s in the churchyard behind the van in the pic with the Celtic cross.

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I’m loving your posts. I thought your adventure would be miserable but you are totally selling it. From thinking you’re mad to being green with envy. Please keep the photos coming!

 

[myvanrodney]

Here here!

Loving this, …getting inspired…


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[mcdonaldneal.]

I’m loving your posts. I thought your adventure would be miserable but you are totally selling it. From thinking you’re mad to being green with envy. Please keep the photos coming!

Thanks, that’s kind of you to say. I’m a bit short of time (and internet reception!) but after I’ve eaten my lunch I’ll try another post.

 

[AscotGreyCali]

Really enjoying your write ups, and like the VW+Geographical location plate, we have gone for a similar style with our new van with VW+ ALP

 

[mcdonaldneal.]

Ok. Where was I?
Driving out of Glen Lyon I turned up towards Schiehallion, which is an isolated (and IMHO slightly boring) Munro. You can see it with a wisp of cloud. I was already way behind a very loose schedule, so I didn’t drive past the car park but dropped down to Tummel Bridge and then to Queen’s (Victoria’s) view, which was very atmospheric. On the way, some splendid civil engineering-a hydro-electric station.

 

[mcdonaldneal.]

Too many pictures on the last post! Here’s Queen’s View and the cat predictably unimpressed!

 

[mcdonaldneal.]

Really enjoying your write ups, and like the VW+Geographical location plate, we have gone for a similar style with our new van with VW+ ALP

Mmmm, nice!

 

[Azteccamper]

Great blog this. What this forum can do so well - inspire trips.

 

[AndrewCook680]

Looks lovely. Camped up there in our Grand Cali near the lawers dam in June.

 

[mcdonaldneal.]

I can never tell what the cat is thinking. Something like: why would I go outside in the cold snow, when I have everything here I need: food, water, a litter tray and a warm bed. I know how she feels!

 

[mcdonaldneal.]

I’m definitely not taking the most direct route. Next I cut across Perthshire from Pitlochry to Glenshee, up to the ski centre at the pass. Stopped for some glamour shots of Moana. Medo did, in fact do a little exploring in the snow!

 

[AndrewCook680]

are you heading further north ? I nipped over to Lecht (A939) yesterday for some backcountry skiing in my Hilux and there is a lot more snow there, (maybe 10” in carpark)than glenshee.
I once skiied the corrie above your van in photo 5. Off Glas Maol Munro peak, the line is called “hesitation“ becuase rather a lot of that happens at the top when looking down

 

[mcdonaldneal.]

The sun came out for the descent to Braemar and Ballater. Got a couple of pics at the castle at Braemar and I stopped for a coffee about 3:30pm. I had been driving since 8:30 and as there was at least 90min driving left to Fraserburgh, I was tired and it was almost dark I decided to stop for the night. That was when I realised how cold it was going to be, but despite my thermometer saying -11.6deg in the middle of the night, I still went out for a pee and made it through the night!

 

[mcdonaldneal.]

are you heading further north ? I nipped over to Lecht (A939) yesterday for some backcountry skiing in my Hilux and there is a lot more snow there, (maybe 10” in carpark)than glenshee.
I once skiied the corrie above your van in photo 5. Off Glas Maol Munro peak, the line is called “hesitation“ becuase rather a lot of that happens at the top when looking down

That sounds amazing skiing! You’re right the snow cover is weirdly patchy, hardly any from Pitlochry and not heavy at Glenshee at all. I don’t think the chairlifts were operating. I have been over the Lecht road many times (my parents lived in Grantown) but this time I’m headed for the Aberdeenshire coast, which I barely know and then Inverness and the far North.

 

[Skylark2.0]

That sounds amazing skiing! you’re right the snow cover is weirdly patchy, hardly any from Pitlochry and not heavy at Glenshee at all. I don’t think the chairlifts were operating. I have been over the Lecht road many times (my parents lived in Grantown) but this time I’m headed for the Aberdeenshire coast, which I barely know and then Inverness and the far North.

The North Aberdeenshire coast is incredible. Well, in the summer at least. Interested to know what it's like in the winter?

 

[Azteccamper]

Just a bit of boring input @mcdonaldneal. The Dryrobe seat covers are not advised on Cali’s as they are not airbag compatible. I’d love a set for the winter myself!
Loving the write-up

 

[wildslammer22]

The sun came out for the descent to Braemar and Ballater. Got a couple of pics at the castle at Braemar and I stopped for a coffee about 3:30pm. I had been driving since 8:30 and as there was at least 90min driving left to Fraserburgh, I was tired and it was almost dark I decided to stop for the night. That was when I realised how cold it was going to be, but despite my thermometer saying -11.6deg in the middle of the night, I still went out for a pee and made it through the night!

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Great blog. BTW I recommend getting yourself a pee bottle!

 

[mcdonaldneal.]

The North Aberdeenshire coast is incredible. Well, in the summer at least. Interested to know what it's like in the winter?

Stunning. Sadly, I spent too long getting to the coast and daylight is short but it is renowned for good weather and there are so many really beautiful places to stop! Very quiet in December too!!

 

[mcdonaldneal.]

Just a bit of boring input @mcdonaldneal. The Dryrobe seat covers are not advised on Cali’s as they are not airbag compatible. I’d love a set for the winter myself!
Loving the write-up

Thanks. These seat covers are actually Aldi specials that we brought back from Australia last year. They are airbag compatible and the sheepskin is cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Perfect, and only $56 Australian each-bargain!

 

[mcdonaldneal.]

Great blog. BTW I recommend getting yourself a pee bottle!

Ha! Good point, although I don’t usually get up in the night and we have the portaloo if we’re sleeping upstairs. Not enough room with the downstairs bed because of Medo’s food and cat litter (now there’s an idea!)

 

[mcdonaldneal.]

The next morning I set off about 8:30 again, but stopped soon at Huntly. Saw a couple of ruined churches on the way, one from the 13thC. Huntly is a pretty little Highland town with free parking and a famous castle-more of which shortly!

 

[mcdonaldneal.]

I walked from where I had parked, up to Huntly castle. The good news was that my Historic Scotland membership got me in for free and it was well worth it!!
Pics for interest: