Perfect UK Staycation in Breathtaking Scotland….and Scottish Tourer- Amazing

Perfect UK Staycation in Breathtaking Scotland….and Scottish Tourer- Amazing

2020 promised to be a year of fantastic far flung sunny holidays, until COVID-19 arrived and scuppered our plans…Therefore the Bucket list holiday that was annually discussed and then super trumped by the need for sunshine was suddenly a reality…A self drive tour of the Highlands of Scotland …in October….And WOW! What a holiday.   

Simply the most stunning scenery we have ever seen, at what turns out to be an amazing time of year to explore.  But coupled with this unforgettable trip was the fantastic MotorHOME  AND Customer service from Scottish Tourers.

We hired their Islay motorhome for 1 week and being new to Motor homes, we apprehensively arrived in Perth to collect.  All our fears were eased with a very friendly, smooth , and COVID secure handover.  We d already received comprehensive videos and links pre arrival to show how all the functions worked.  So this handover was just a reaffirmation.  We then headed North up the A9, which proved a perfect road to get to know the drive and the size of the Islay.  Where headed to first stop Aviemore, where we explored in more detail the Islay that was to be home for the next week.  

Anyone nervous about driving shouldn’t be. Everything you could possibly need is catered for; everything that can make driving easier is there. It was incredibly easy to drive and incredibly comfortable to call a home. For the next week we headed to Ullapool, along the Highland Coast road to Gairloch and Loch Maree, before heading to Skye, and a ferry to Mallaig, Fort William and back to Perth via Glencoe and Loch Tay and Blair Atholl.  We had 5 nights on campsites ( all pre booked: facilities are reduced but the Islay provided us with everything we needed) and 2 nights Wild Parking.  

The experience was unforgettable; the driving a pleasure not a chore and Scotland won us over.

Things to love: 

• Scotland itself and its people/hospitality!
• The freedom that the Islay provided-We were keen to support communities so opted for more campsites than planned (ranging in price from £15 to £27/night), but this van could have easily supported us all week
• The seafood (Ullapool Seashack; Skye Oysterman and the Glen Nevis restaurant at ben Nevis to name just a few)
• The Weather (we of course had rain but we had some glorious sunshine, and I defy you not to be amazed at the changing colours and as clouds sprint across the mountains and the sun lights them up then envelopes them again) – There really is no such thing as the wrong weather, just the wrong clothes – be prepared its Scotland! 
• The beaches (wow! Take a walk along Gruinard Bay, Gairloch Beach or Cove – deserted sandy havens)
• The Memories – We will never forget being sat outside by the Loch in Skye, with a Skye Beer, watching the sunset as the seals swam by…just incredible…and early October! …or the incredible colours of the scenery on the drive through Glencoe…or the….we could go on….
• Things to not love: 
• You run out of time – there is so much to see…and 1 week means you have to at least focus on what you want to see.
• …and errr… that is it tbh! 

Scottish Tourers:  

These folks were amazing from the Pre booking to the payment back of the deposit (within 24 hours of vehicle return).   Nothing was too much trouble for them ; The van is very reasonable priced, with no hidden costs ( look at others and be surprised when they start adding for chairs, tables, electric cables, BBQs, Sat Navs and any number of supposed “non-essentials”).  With Scottish Tourers everything is included in your price and you get the added access to their massive knowledge of every corner of Scotland.  The pre booking info was brilliant, the post booking advice around routes and even actuals points to head for was amazing ( many of which we followed and so glad we did) and finally the family feel they radiate out.  They want you to have a great time and in the case of our Holiday we did.   Thank you Scotland…we will be back and thank you Scottish Tourer we will be back for sure.  
If you are Umming and Arring about trying this holiday, just do it- you won’t regret your decision…driving a +6.5M vehicle through the Highlands may seem daunting, but within 24 hours the only question you’ll be deciding when driving is whether you are a “waver” or not!