Touring Scotland, do we have to book?

Truckers are allowed to do it, others are not by law. Not my rules but there it is.

When we lived in  northern Germany we would drive down to Italy or Spain for the summer holidays.

Towing a caravan us and the 2 boys. We thought nothing of stopping in one of those off road laybys for the night in southern Germany, then again in France if going to Spain.

We were not alone, there was always another one or two vans. In France where we stopped there could be a dozen vans a number of them like us British forces Germany (BFG)  it was safe and allowed at that time, not sure we would do it now though. 

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In the UK I would always book... even if it means booking on the day, or the day before.  In Europe, thee is a good chance you can get away without booking.  However, in the main season and busy holiday places, I would still book.  Even in France, in the middle of the main season, in certain areas (Province etc), we have been turned away from sites (even as far back as 15 years ago - although the exception). .  You will probably always find a pitch, but after travelling all day, the last thing you really want to do is to 'site-hop' at your destination in search of a pitch.

These days I always book in the UK and in Europe, in order to take away that uncertainty.  When going to Europe, I also plan my routes in detail too.  I produce a file with all the maps, directions and booking details all in order for Carol, so she can give me the correct directions.... and the booking confirmation details are there ready in the file at the end on each leg of the journey.....  but then, I am a little OCD about these things..... 🤣🤣🤣

David

 

 

 

I struggle to see how Police can move folk from sleeping overnight in lay-bys🤷🏻‍♂️, how can they tell the difference from-‘too tired to drive’ & ‘greedy folk’, there are a multitude of ‘Tiredness kills-take a break’ hoardings around👍🏻

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Twenty-five years ago,  we always used to just turn up, even in 'holiday places' in the main season.  (We've always tended to have to go during the main/ buisiedt times.)  We got caught out a couple of times, and since, we decided we would book.  We then found out that if we booked, we could often book a specific pitch, or at least, type of pitch.... hardstanding, serviced pitch etc...  I'm happy with that! 😃😃

David

Long time ago now, but we once got checked out by Police while we were sleeping in a layby, somewhere in mid Wales. We were in our old Land Rover, with a small trailer on the back full of our camping gear. We had set off late after work, realised that we were too tired to do the full journey, so found a layby, and got our heads down. Knock on window around 3am, torch in face, local police doing a check. Once we had shut our Rotty up, they said we had done the right thing, told us to have a good kip, and even radioed in so that we wouldn’t get bothered again. 

Chances of a policeman even stopping nowadays are virtually nil. Simply not enough Police around. We have used the occasional big, safe layby in the past. But far more trucks on the road now, slim chance of finding anywhere, and most laybys are absolutely foul nowadays. Having said that, we came across an elderly couple in one on our way to Norfolk. Car unhitched, bird feeder out, table and chairs out, meanwhile trucks, cars, MHs, buses, all sorts all driving past. Not my idea of a peaceful stay. We speculated of course on water and waste, as you do🤔

Ok I know it’s not your time scale of Aug/Sept but we recently booked a CL in the Highlands of Scotland for next May.  Early we thought - but there were only 2 spare pitches for our dates!!!  In which case I would suggest booking may be much safer. 

This year simply isn’t normal for UK. We usually have no problem heading off for a tour, and stopping off somewhere either on a whim, or enquiring as we are on the road. But camping and caravanning has exploded this year, even on the very basic Sites, and if you want specific dates and places, I would say book ahead.

Hopefully🤞🤞🤞, if things start to get back to some normality, and overseas holidays resume, then there might just be a bit more chance of a return to what we are more used to, but until then, if you can, I would say, get your Sites sited early. 

I would definitely book if you can. I happened to be playing golf in Saltburn-by-the Sea (I know it's not Scotland!) last week and on arriving early, decided to wander down to the promenade to take in the sea air. I was surprised to see a caravan "pitched up" across 6 parking bays, along with 4 other motorhomes, each occupying at least 3 bays. I wondered if maybe the parking fines are less than CAMC site fees?  Maybe the occupants moved on before the parking restrictions came into force? Whatever, you can fully understand the frustrations of the locals at having this wild camping on their doorstep.