Scottish Caravans & Motorhomes

Live-intest 

New Adria 

Adora 

Budget touring 

with bags of space 

Parkreview 

Loch Ness 

Shores 

Monster-spotting 

all year round 

Firstlook 

Leisuredrive 

Occasion 

Great value Transitbased 

campervan 

Towcar 

Volvo V90 

Cross Country 

An estate car with a 

difference – and more 

A chAt WIth 

Lorraine 

Kelly 

‘Everyone should 

go caravanning. 

It’s magic!’ 

Get 

set 

for2018 

Where to go and 

what to see in Scotland 

and be ond 

INSIDE 

Arran 

Explore ‘Scotland 

in miniature’ 

Touring sites 

More caravan parks 

visited and rated 

Winter 2017 

It’s all 

ewe 

need 

YouressentialguidetotouringinScotland 

New 

models 

Latest caravans, 

motorhomes and 

tow cars on test 

UK off-sale date 31-Jan-18 £3.95 

04 

9772399741000 

1

Contents 

58 

The Grand Tour 

Part 2 of our complete guide 

to Scotland’s magnificent 

North Coast 500 route 

Regulars 

30 Pre-owned caravans 

A 2010 Bailey Ranger 

that’s a real bargain 

46 Pre-owned 

motorhomes 

Andy Jenkinson finds an 

ideal Bessacarr E435 

49 Gear to go 

A touring TV and a 

top-quality vehicle wax 

50 Show news 

The latest vans from 

Lawns plus a preview of 

February’s Scottish show 

62 Test drive: Tow car 

We try out Skoda’s first 

large SUV, the Kodiaq 

Caravans 

12 Adria Adora 

Live-in van test of one of 

2018’s ‘big beasts’ 

24 Auto-Sleepers 

Warwick Duo 

Our live-in test of a 

popular panel van for two 

On the road 

64 Loch Tay Lodges 

Sally Hampton enjoys 

some wigwam glam 

66 Holgates Caravan Park 

The popular Silverdale 

site celebrates 60 years 

70 Towcar of the Year 

Caravan & Motorhome 

Club winners revealed 

73 Your stories 

Readers’ experiences 

and a super competition 

22 Lunar Lexon 660 

Our first glance at the 

new twin-axle tourer 

28 Bailey Unicorn Seville 

A new layout for 

Bailey’s top-selling van 

Motorhomes 

16 Hymer ML-T 570 

Mercedes base marks 

Hymer’s 60th anniversary 

20 Leisuredrive Occasion 

Great value Transit base 

SCOTTISH 

MAGAZINE 

AWARDS 

SHORTLIST 

© D C Thomson & Co Ltd, 2017 

While every reasonable care will be taken, neither D C Thomson & 

Co Ltd, nor its agents accept liability for loss or damage to colour 

transparencies or any other material submitted to this publication. 

8 Lorraine Kelly 

The TV favourite has a 

passion for caravanning 

32 Perthshire Caravans 

Inside the UK’s biggest 

van showroom 

36 Spotlight on… 

Arran 

The island where local 

produce is world-class 

42 Loch Ness Shores 

Bob Mather finds a warm 

welcome at a fine park 

52 Westfield Caravans 

Blackpool dealership goes 

from strength to strength 

Issue 4 

Winter 

2017 

68 Catching the breeze 

Garry Fraser has a go at 

yachting… on land! 

76 Mains of Taymouth 

Luxury living in some 

fabulous lodges 

82 Wild at Lochcarron 

Robert Wight explores 

remote hills under canvas 

84 Places to go 

North Wales 

Rab Mather finds a 

welcome in the hillsides 

88 Invercoe 

Highland Holidays 

Bob Mather’s Glencoe idyll 

Published in Great Britain by D C Thomson & 

Co Ltd, 185 Fleet Street, London EC4A 2HS. 

We are committed to journalism of the highest 

standards and abide by the Editors’ Code of 

Practice which is enforced by the Independent 

Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). If you 

have a complaint, you can email us at readerseditor@dcthomson. 

co.uk or write to the Readers’ Editor at Scottish Caravans & Motorhomes, 

DC Thomson Ltd, 80 Kingsway East, Dundee DD4 8SL. 

80 Test drive: City car 

The VW Up: small but 

perfectly formed? 

90 Me and my VW 

Paul Egan explains his 

love of campervans 

92 Opinion 

Cameron McNeish on a 

misguided call for levies 

95 Out and about 

Winter events listings 

98 Andy’s classic corner 

Step back in time with 

more old favourites 

44 SC&M 

Awards 2018 

We unveil our shortlist 

of the best caravans and 

motorhomes of the year 

+55 

Cover photo 

David Chapman/Alamy: Motorhome 

and sheep at Achnahaird, Wester Ross 

winter 2017 Scottish Caravans & Motorhomes 3

Fromtheeditor 

All set for a 

cracking Christmas! 

THE CLOCKS HAVE gone back, the nights 

are fair drawing in and Christmas is just 

around the corner. 

It’d be easy to give in to temptation, 

get the slippers on, turn up the heating 

and hibernate in a cosy cocoon with hot 

chocolate and box-sets until spring. 

But where’s the fun in that? 

Here at Scottish Caravans & Motorhomes, 

we’re determined that touring 

can be a year-round pursuit. There’s 

certainly no reason why it shouldn’t 

be. More caravan and holiday parks are 

open in winter than ever before. Modern 

vans and motorhomes are superbly insulated 

and have fantastic heating systems. 

And even if camping is your bag, the 

latest materials mean gear is lighter 

and cosier than ever before – although 

admittedly, you do need to be that wee 

bit hardier to sleep under canvas at this 

time of year! 

As you’d expect, we at Scottish 

Caravans & Motorhomes walk the walk… 

or should that be drive the drive? 

Anyway, we’ve been busy out and about 

reviewing the best holiday parks and 

campsites around Scotland and the 

north of England, as well as testing loads 

of 2018-model vans and motorhomes 

SAVE OVER 20%! 

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Guide, despatched winter 2018. Offer ends 31 January, 2018. 

from all the top manufacturers. It’s our 

mission to inspire you to get out there 

and explore. 

But it’s not all hard work. This 

issue I was lucky enough to review a 

luxury holiday property at the Mains of 

Taymouth estate. It came complete with 

a spa bathroom, including its very own 

sauna, as well as a beautiful four-poster 

and a roaring log burner. Perfect for 

those cosy nights I mention above. You’ll 

find out just how much I enjoyed myself 

on page 76. 

They say you can have too much 

of a good thing, so I paid for all that 

comfort with a night wild camping deep 

in the mountains in our far north west. 

Obviously it was incredibly beautiful. 

But it was also incredibly cold – it even 

snowed during the night. Still, it was great 

fun. Find out all about it on page 82! 

Robert Wight 

Editor 

Keep in touch This is your magazine and we want to hear from you! Email me your 

stories and comments at editor@scottishcaravansandmotorhomes.co.uk. Follow us on 

Twitter @ScotsCaravanMag. Find us on Facebook: search for ScotsCaravanMag. 

We’d love to hear your stories – and see your pictures – from your camping, caravanning 

and motorhome adventures. And do tell us what you think of this second issue of Scottish 

Caravans & Motorhomes! Email editor@scottishcaravansandmotorhomes.co.uk or 

write to us at Scottish Caravans & Motorhomes, 2 Albert Square, Dundee DD1 9QJ. 

Advertise in Scottish 

Caravans & Motorhomes 

Advertising Manager 

Bryn Piper 020 7400 1050 

bpiper@dcthomson.co.uk 

Advertising Sales 

Bob Mather 

07715 991315 

bmather@dcthomson.co.uk 

Risha Shah 020 7400 1043 

rshah@dcthomson.co.uk 

Contributors 

Andy Jenkinson 

Andy has followed the 

caravan industry for 

more than 45 years, 

having caravanned 

since the mid-1960s. 

The UK’s historian for 

all things caravans, motorhomes and 

holiday homes, he has authored eight 

books on the subject, with three more 

to be published in 2017. Testing cars, 

caravans and motorhomes since 1992, 

Andy also consults on his subjects and 

has appeared on TV and radio. 

Bob Mather 

Bob has been a caravanner 

for 45 years. While 

operating one of the 

busiest touring parks in 

Scotland in Forfar, he 

and his family launched 

the Scottish Caravanner magazine and 

guides. Well respected by manufacturers, 

dealers and the park industry, Bob 

was instrumental in persuading DC 

Thomson to launch Scottish Caravans 

& Motorhomes. He is thrilled to be 

retained as a consultant and hopes 

the touring fraternity will give the new 

magazine the support he enjoyed. 

Candy Evans 

Candy bought her first 

and only caravan in 2001 

as a way to take her 

then-small daughter on 

adventures. She sold it 

a few years later when a 

new-found career in journalism meant 

she had the privilege of being paid to 

test new caravans and motorhomes 

on a regular basis. Candy’s been busy 

reviewing lots of new caravans and 

motorhome models for us – you can 

read her fantastic in-depth live-in test 

of the Adria Adora on page 12. 

Designed by Adam Banks at Vast Landscape 

info@vastlandscape.com 

Set in Freight and Cardea using Adobe InDesign 


Interview 

Lorraine 

Kelly: still 

caravanning 

Daytime TV presenter Lorraine Kelly 

chats to Katrina Patrick about the magic 

and freedom of caravan holidays 

She haS her own national ITV morning show 

and regularly holidays in Singapore to visit her 

daughter, but Lorraine Kelly will always have a 

soft spot for caravanning in Scotland. 

‘It goes away back to when I was a child 

and we used to go to the “huts” in Port Seton,’ 

remembers Lorraine. ‘Even in the bad weather 

there was something so good about listening to 

the rain beating down on the roof, and being so 

cosy inside playing cards and Monopoly. In the 

sunshine it wasajoy. There were always other 

kids to play with, and there’sareal camaraderie 

with fellow caravanners.’ 

Born in Glasgow, Lorraine’s first taste of 

caravanning was on a trip with her school, 

Strathclyde Primary in Bridgeton, to stay at 

Faskally Caravan Park, near Pitlochry. Waking 

up in the Perthshire countryside wasanew 

experience for the young Lorraine, and this, 

coupled with subsequent family holidays to 

the parks in Kenmore and Stranraer, forged a 

life-long love of caravan holidays. 

‘There’s something very magical about 

caravanning, and having the freedom to go 

where you want to go.’ 

London weekend 

Lorraine now lives a dual life: during the 

week she stays in London to film her weekday 

morning shows for ITV, and on Fridays she 

flies back for the weekend in her adopted home 

town of Dundee. 

Time at home with her husband, Steve, 

is precious, which might be why local caravan 

trips appeal to the former newspaper journalist, 

who recently celebrated 30 years on 

our screens. For Lorraine, the drive through 

Scotland’s scenery is as big a part of the allure 

as the parks themselves. 

‘You don’t need to travel too far to find 

beautiful places to visit in Scotland, and from 

where I live in Dundee we have Perthshire on 

our doorstep. Some of my favourite journeys, 

though, have been on Orkney or Harris. The 

scenery is spectacular, and they’re such incredible 

places to visit. You keep having to get out of 

the car to take photos, especially of the glorious 

beaches in Harris.’ 

Lorraine is no stranger to camping pitches 

either – although, as she admits, these experiences 

have been a little hit-or-miss. One of her 

fondest memories is a camping trip to Blackpool 

in 1976, which saw the hottest summer average 

temperature in the UK since records began. 

pictures Lorraine KeLLy (right), itV Daytime (beLow Left), rex features (beLow right) 

Above: Seen here with an 

Airstream van, Lorraine 

has enjoyed camping and 

caravanning holidays since 

she was a small child 

Below left: Lorraine’s life 

as a daytime TV star may 

be pretty glamorous, but 

the appeal of the Scottish 

countryside hasn’t left her 

8 

Scottish Caravans & Motorhomes winter 2017 

www.scottishcaravansandmotorhomes.co.uk

‘I was 15, and my brother Graham was 

nine. It was just brilliant, one of the best family 

holidays we ever had. The tent was tiny, but we 

slept outside because it was so warm and went 

to the beach all day.’ 

As everyone who spends much time in 

a tent knows well, however, the sun doesn’t 

Lorraine’sshowisoneveryweekdayat8:30am 

always shine on the campsite. ‘The next year 

we went camping in Oban. It was a disaster. It 

never stopped pouring with rain, and we had to 

come home early. Graham and I fought like cat 

and dog and it was not a happy time!’ 

This experience did nothing to dampen 

Lorraine’s adventurous camping spirit, though, 

and in 2011 she took part in the Red Nose Day 

Desert Trek across Kenya to raise funds for Comic 

Relief projects in the area. ‘It was tough going, 

but I loved my little tent and slept like a log 

after walking for miles in the searing desert sun.’ 

Tune in 

Lorraine still enjoys her camping and caravanning 

breaks away from the rush of London, and 

encourages everyone to try it. ‘Give it a go and 

enjoy the whole experience. There’s a fantastic 

community who’ll give you support and advice. 

Static caravans are a good option too, especially 

if you’re just starting out. If you’re on the road, 

there’sareal sense of freedom, and caravan 

parks now are really good. Enjoy!’ 

“There’s something so 

good about listening 

to the rain on the roof 

and being so cosy” 


Live-intest 

More 8ft-wide caravans are on the 

market than ever. Candy Evans 

took one on a 250-mile round trip 

Adria 

Adora 613 

We tested the Adora 613 DT Isonzo straight 

from Adria’s 2018 launch event – managing 

to remove the trade price sticker before too 

many people spotted it! At 2.45m wide and 

8.25m long, it’s a big beast but felt stable on 

the motorway, helped by a long draw bar. 

And it was remarkably unscary to manoeuvre 

along the lanes of England’s south west. 

pictures Candy Evans 

Exterior This is one smart caravan. It attracted 

★★★★ plenty of attention on site with its 

silver sides, sleek graphics and graphite grey 

mouldings around the front panel. For our test, 

were fortunate to match it with a silver Audi Q7, 

which reflected the curves of the Adora. 

Lounge The large panoramic window is a great 

★★★ feature here. It floods the area with 

light, and the fact that it opens is a bonus. It means 

there are fewer eye-level cupboards than in some 

similar caravans, but the benefits certainly 

At 27ft long and 8ft 

wide, the Adora 613 DT 

Isonzo, from Slovenian 

manufacturer Adria, 

is an imposingly large 

van, but looks sleek and 

streamlined with its silver 

sides and grey mouldings 

outweigh the disadvantages and there’s plenty of 

storage space elsewhere. U-shaped seating allows 

plenty of space for four to relax in comfort, with a 

small lift-up table top at the front if you need it. 

One little niggle here: there’s a cushion at the end 

of the sofa by the door that’s expected to balance 

in place with nothing to lean against. It doesn’t. 

Kitchen You get a very well specified kitchen, 

★★★★ with a Thetford grill and oven complementing 

the three-burner hob and microwave. The 

backlit splashback is particularly neat. The three 

12 

Scottish Caravans & Motorhomes wintEr 2017 


Clockwise from above: We 

kept the Adora running 

for a week off the grid 

with this solar panel; the 

transverse double bed is 

fixed in place, yet you can 

still walk around it thanks 

to the van’s extra width; 

the fridge is almost homesized, 

with a decent freezer 

compartment 

soft-close drawers are large and useful, placed 

below the now-traditional Adria L-shaped sink and 

hob unit, along with a pull-out cupboard that has a 

metal rack for spices, tins and the like. There’s also 

a tall fridge freezer. We like the work surface 

arrangement, as it gives a useful space in front of 

the hob so you can prepare food or get ready to 

serve up while the hob is 

in use. There’s a sensibly 

positioned 230V electric 

socket here, though 

some of the other outlets 

aren’t quite so practically 

situated. One is low down 

near the bathroom, and 

another by the dividing 

door, with no shelf 

nearby. There aren’t any 

by the bed head. 

Beds and seating 

★★★★★ One of the big features of 

this big caravan is the fixed transverse double bed. 

The extra few inches of width mean you can get 

around the foot of this day and night. The comfy 

mattress is split four ways, so you can lift either 

side to access the storage space below or lift the 

head section to let each occupant prop his or her 

head up. You’ll both get a reading light – along with 

LED downlighters and other lighting – and your 

own bedside cabinet for storage, with space on top 

for that all-important early morning cup of tea. 

Storage If anything, I’d be a little concerned 

★★★★★ about ever using all the storage 

space in this Adora, with the payload being limited 

to 195kg. The space under that bed is, as you might 

expect, significant, and it’s accessible from outside 

too. There’s a big wardrobe with a hanging rail J 

Price 

£22,495 

Length 8.25m 

Width 2.45m 

MIRO 

1,555kg 

MTPLM 

1,750kg 

Berths 

4 

We 

like 

Spacious 

feel, smart 

backlit kitchen 

splashback, 

comfort- 

able bed 

We dislike 

Slightly narrow 

washroom, location 

of the 230V electrical 

sockets, annoying 

end cushion that 

drops off the sofa! 


J 

on one side and a good-sized shelving unit on the 

other. The door design helps with the spacious feel 

of this extra-wide caravan, because its handles are 

recessed, giving flat fronts to the cabinetry. The 

freestanding table gets its own small cupboard 

beneath a ledge that’s set up for a flat-screen TV. 

Washroom If I’d just walked into this washroom 

★★★ and out again, I think it would have 

been a five-star winner. There’s a full-size shower 

cubicle with its own mirror, and this also has an Alde 

radiator and a hanging rail, so it could form a great 

drying space in colder weather. The vanity unit 

Above: The opening 

panoramic roof window 

lets loads of light into the 

comfortable living area, 

which adjoins a very wellequipped 

kitchen 

Right: The shower cubicle 

has a radiator in it, a 

rather cosy arrangement; 

the transparent basin 

looks very stylish, but is 

impossible to keep looking 

pristine once you use it 

around the swish transparent basin is smart and 

practical, with another mirror behind it. There’s 

space for toilet rolls in the cupboard beneath and 

plenty of shelves for bottles, hidden behind the 

side cupboard doors. The room even comes with 

its own toilet brush. What’s not to like? 

Living inside for a week, however, highlighted 

a few limitations. There is space to walk past the 

basin, for example, but I found there wasn’t quite 

enough room to take off a wet coat easily. A few 

more inches could have made all the difference. 

And that lovely basin may look great when it’s dry, 

but it shows every drip if you try to use it. 

Overall impression 

★★★★ 

This is a great, 

practical caravan 

for two, and should 

also work with four 

on board. The 2.45m 

width makes it 

especially spacious 

inside, but there’s 

a decent-length 

drawbar, making it 

remarkably easy to 

handle on the road 

for its size. Just be 

aware that you may 

need extra-long 

towing mirrors. 

More information 

www.adria.co.uk 

14 



Brieftest 

Hymer ML-T 

570 60th Edn 

The Erwin Hymer Group acquired UK van maker 

Elddis this year. Candy Evans tests one of its 

diamond-anniversary own-brand coachbuilts 

Hymer is a name that’s stood the test 

of time in motorhomes, and during 

2017 it’s released a series of 60th 

anniversary specials to celebrate. This 

ML-T 570 has a host of extra features, 

from the metallic graphite-grey cab to 

interior furnishings with a gold fleck. 

The base vehicle is a Mercedes Sprinter 

316 CDI with a maximum authorised 

mass of 3,500kg, although you can opt 

for 4,200kg if your driving licence can 

take it. And the automatic gearbox has 

no fewer than seven gears. 

The cab seats swivel to create a comfortable front lounge area 

Exterior There’s no denying the 60th Edition 

★★★★ exterior of this motorhome is striking. 

The cab is in metallic graphite grey, while the body is 

crystal silver metallic. You’ll definitely spot it on the 

campsite. It also boasts 16-inch alloy wheels and is 

topped off with a dark roof. 

Price £80,960 

Length 6.74m 

Width 2.22m 

MIRO 3,140kg 

MTPLM 3,500kg 

Berths 3 

We like 

Pretty much 

everything! 

We dislike 

Basic kitchen; to be 

picky, the dark furnishings 

wouldn’t be 

my personal choice 

Right: the 570’s interior is 

beautifully built, reflecting 

60 years of listening to 

customers and designing 

accordingly. The kitchen 

has limited facilities, but an 

extending worktop manages 

to give you a little bit of space 

for food preparation 

A 32-inch television comes as standard, along with 

an Oyster satellite receiver system to ensure you can 

watch broadcast channels pretty much wherever you 

choose to pitch. 

Kitchen The kitchen is the one and only area of 

★★★ this special-edition motorhome that 

feels a little basic. There’s a hob and a stainless 

steel sink, but no work surface to speak of, except 

for a small pull-out section; you’ll need to cover the 

hob or use the table for any food preparation. The 

UK specification can include a grill and oven, but 

this reduces the storage space. 

pictures Candy Evans 

Lounge The front living area is in a compact 

★★★★★ classic dinette formation, with the cab 

seats swivelling to allow all occupants to sit together 

around the table. It seems more comfortable than in 

many similar layouts, as the rear seats are L-shaped, 

allowing a little extra space for lounging during the 

day. The colour scheme uses a Milano fabric unique to 

these anniversary specials. It’s fairly dark, but the gold 

highlights woven into the material and the four goldcoloured 

cushions lift things remarkably well. 

Even from a distance there’s no mistaking that this is a special edition, with its classy dark colours 

16 



Worktop flap folds away 

Dividedmattresseslifteasilyforstorageaccess 

Nevertheless, you get a tall fridge-freezer with 

a smart glossy finish, and we’re told the table and 

counter surfaces have ‘anti-fingerprint coating’, 

which sounds promising for preserving their 

appearance in the long term. 

Beds and seating The rear sleeping area has 

★★★★★ two single fixed beds with 

great mattresses, and the option to fill in the area 

between to form an enormous double. This is a 

very stylish area, with a mirror between the beds 

and gleaming cabinet fronts. The third berth is 

formed from the L-shaped passenger seating area. 

Storage The rear garage is the largest storage 

★★★★★ space in the ML-T 570, and it’s easily 

accessible through good-sized exterior doors. The 

most room inside is under the foot of the fixed beds, 

but there are plenty of eye-level cupboards throughout 

– five in the rear bedroom area alone. The cab is 

also well served with cubby-holes. . 

Washroom Hymer has made the washroom in 

★★★★★ this layout rectangular, and it 

somehow feels more domestic as a result. There’s 

a Thetford bench-style toilet and a selection of 

cupboards and shelves. The smart vanity unit with 

basin has a tile-effect splashback. 

This seems a perfectly adequate setup. 

However, there’s more. What seems to be the rear 

wall is, in fact, an opening door. Once opened, it 

screens the toilet and a full-size shower cubicle 

appears. Pull out the tap, which also serves the 

basin, and the shower is ready to use. It’s a superbly 

practical bathroom to find in such a limited space. 

The washroom is an ablutional Tardis, squeezing in all you need 


★★★★★ 

This is a very impressive 

motorhome 

indeed, with all 

mod cons, yet it still 

measures less than 

seven metres. With 

the Mercedes base 

and high-quality 

construction in the 

habitation area it’s 

built to last, though 

the price tag certainly 

reflects this. 

And that washroom 

almost has to be 

seen to be believed… 

As sharp-eyed 

readers may have 

guessed, we saw the 

ML-T 570 in Hymer’s 

native Germany, so 

it was a left-handdrive 

model; UK 

versions will have 

the steering wheel 

on the right side. 


www.hymer.com 

According to Hymer’s 

German PR department, 

motorhomes similar in 

design to this are available 

in Scotland and the 

north of England from 

Knowepark (www.kpcm. 

co.uk), Tyne Valley (www. 

tynevalleymotorhomes. 

com) and Kimberley (www. 

kimberleycaravans.co.uk) 


Firstlooks Brieftest 

Leisuredrive 

Occasion 

Andy Jenkinson tests a new model 

with the ever-popular Vivante layout 

pictures Andy Jenkinson 

Twin doors at the rear offer easy access to the accommodation 

Leisuredrive are no strangers to building 

on all sorts of vehicles, including 

Transits. Fans will be glad to hear that 

Ford’s new version, one of the best yet, 

is the company’s choice of base for the 

brand new Occasion. 

Exterior The Occasion will be built on new 

★★★★ Transits at a price of around £44,000 

for a well-equipped campervan, which we think 

seems like great value. But they can also build a 

new Occasion unit on a pre-owned van, and that’s 

what we had for testing. This Transit was finished in 

frost white and in excellent condition. With its 

smart graphics applied, the Occasion gives a good 

impression even though alloy wheels aren’t fitted. 

Interior The Occasion is based on Leisuredrive’s 

popular Vivante layout – a wise 

★★★★ 

choice, because this is a well-designed campervan. 

The sliding entrance door on the nearside 

welcomes you straight into the lounge area, which 

will seat two with ease. Side windows allow a 

decent amount of natural light in, although they’re 

tinted for privacy. A swivel table is placed in the 

centre for meal times, and LED lighting ensures 

you’re never in the dark. The lounge seating makes 

into a double bed or twin singles. 

This new sky view roof light allows in floods of illumination 

Price £29,990* 

Engine 2.2 diesel 

Power 130 bhp 

Berths 2 


leisuredrive.co.uk 

*For our example based on 

a used Transit; new vehicle 

£44,000 

The ample lounge seating for two makes into one or two beds 

The spacious interior includes a kitchen with oven and fridge 

A manual flush cassette loo is hidden away on the van’s offside 

Facilities The kitchen is at the rear on the 

★★★★ nearside, and comes with a stainless 

steel sink and two-burner hob which also has a grill/ 

oven combination. This area also features a three-way 

60-litre fridge and is well lit by LEDs. It’s a good size 

and offers excellent storage. Glass tops are used to 

add to the work surface, and overall it’s well designed 

and practical to use. 

No washroom is fitted as such, but the 

Occasion does have a discreetly stowed manual 

flush cassette loo. This is ideal for emergencies, 

with the emptying point found inside at the rear of 

the van inside. It’s nicely hidden away and yet ready 

to use in seconds. 

The Occasion is a brand new high-top Ford Transit conversion that looks like being a strong seller 

Overall It’s not VW, but the Ford is cheaper than 

★★★★ the T6 and still a joy to drive. The 

Occasion will appeal to buyers who want a new base 

vehicle with Leisuredrive’s quality. It’s a bargain at 

£44,000 and may steal some sales from the Vivante. 

2 



Firstlooks Brieftest 

This twin-axled tourer is featurepacked. 

Andy Jenkinson takes a look 

Lunar 

Lexon 660 


Approaching 50 years of manufacture 

in 2019, Lunar are masters at creating 

space and pleasant interiors. The new 

Lexon 660 is spawned from last year’s 

Quasar twin-axled 674, so does it 

create appeal for caravanners wanting 

a better spec while staying lightweight? 

Exterior The Lexon has lost the black front cap 

★★★★ above the windows and gone back to 

white, while keeping its sunroof. A large front 

locker is a must-have for many caravanners, and 

this model delivers. The Al-Ko chassis has ATC 

fitted, and the standard spec includes a BBQ point, 

external mains plug and Status TV aerial, while the 

new side graphics look less fussy. Add the new 

silver handles and it’s a good-looking tourer. 

Interior Four can sit in comfort in the large 

★★★★★ front lounge, where the seating is 

excellent. The kitchen offers great equipment, with a 

fridge and separate freezer, plus a microwave above, 

opposite the main work area. There’s stacks of 

cupboard storage and a great worktop, plus a 

Price £24,999 

Length 6.34m 

Width 2.33m 

MIRO 1,438kg 

MTPLM 1,625kg 

Berths 4 


lunarcaravans.com 

Clockwise from top left: 

The Lexon loses its black 

roof top but gains a large 

front locker and silver grab 

handles; the 660’s large 

front lounge mixes modern 

decor with a traditional 

feel; the bed slides a few 

inches for daytime access; 

the slim end washroom 

has a good shower cubicle; 

a folding flap extends the 

kitchen worktop; overhead 

locker doors get a new 

charcoal-grey finish 

worktop extension for when you need more space. 

The rear bedroom has a transverse fixed bed, which 

can adjust to slide back a few inches for daytime use. 

Twin wardrobes and a corner unit are fitted, and a 

large pelmet over the side window also acts as a shelf. 

Facilities The Lexon isn’t short on specification, 

★★★★ but if you’re an Alde heating fan you 

may feel disappointed that it doesn’t stretch to this 

particular luxury. The Truma 4kW isotherm heating 

should keep it warm, however, while other mod cons 

include a CD/radio. The rear end washroom is rather 

slim, with a sliding entrance door, but the showerisa 

decent size, and a small cabinet with hand basin and 

cupboard is fitted with a light-up surround mirror. 

Overall The Lexon is a big, spacious tourer. We’d 

★★★★ have liked to see Alde heating as standard, 

but overall you get a lot of caravan for your cash. The 

excellent night lighting is all LED, and up to the usual 

Lunar standards. The Lexon 660 could prove a great 

seller for Lunar this season with its excellent living 

space. It’s another model to look out for at the shows 

or your local Lunar dealership. 

22 



Live-intest 

Andy Jenkinson spends a short break with this popular 

panel van for two – and an assistant reviewer 

Auto-Sleepers 

Warwick Duo 

The idea was to take a few days in one of my favourite 

parts of the UK, Herefordshire. Then my daughter fancied 

a few days away too, and before I knew it her bags were 

in the Duo as well as mine! We arrived at Marquis Preston 

to find the team had the van all ready to roll (thanks, 

guys) and I quickly realised I was going to enjoy this trip. 

But Georgina, no stranger to road testing, always has an 

opinion of her own. How would she take to the Duo? 


weather we had them open, letting the sun come in 

as we had our breakfasts. The Peugeot Boxer base 

vehicle looked good in its Auto-Sleeper livery. 

Lounge What a lot of folk particularly like 

★★★★★ about the Duo is the rear lounge area. 

It’s great that you can pop up a small table here, ideal 

for a brew in the morning. You have classy-looking 

side privacy windows, too, which allow a view out 

while nobody can see in. The Duo also has a Heki roof 

vent, letting in more daylight. Seating for two is ample; 

in fact, we reckoned six could easily use the lounge 

area. Overhead roof lockers offer good storage, but 

under-seat storage, especially on the offside, is filled 

up by the Truma heater and boiler, leaving little space 

to store anything. LED spotlights are provided as well 

as ceiling lights and power points. For us, the lounge 

scored well, proving great to relax in after a long drive. 

Exterior On the way back home from Preston 

★★★★★ to get the rest of our belongings for 

the trip, we stopped off for some food. After five 

minutes, a chap came across to comment on the 

Warwick Duo. ‘Lovely,’ he said. He’d spotted the van 

a mile off and loved the bronze paint job. 

It was the first of several reactions from 

random people to the Duo, which is undoubtedly 

an attractive panel van with-great looking graphics. 

Alloys complete the impression, and features like 

the BBQ point and side awning add to the spec. 

Rear doors allow access, and since we had good 

Clockwise from above: 

Pitched at the old station 

in Moorhampton, we had 

the rear doors open for 

breakfast; Dinmore Forest 

made a scenic stopover; 

the interior feels spacious, 

with the Heki roof vent 

letting in plenty of light; 

the wardrobe (left) is a tad 

tight for two on anything 

more than a weekend trip; 

the rear lounge is super, 

but the cushions were too 

small and awkward to use 

24 



Kitchen The side kitchen in the Duo is placed 

★★★★★ on the offside of the van. It comes 

with a good worktop, which we found useful for 

cereal packets and as a general place to put plates 

before washing up. The cooker is an oven/grill, and 

the three-burner hob was fine for our needs, but 

the Duo also has a microwave, slotted in neatly 

above the sink area, which was just the right height 

for us. Both the hob and the sink have glass tops, 

adding to the work surface when closed down, and 

we also liked the mains socket with USB points. 

The kitchen excels in storage, too, with a large 

cupboard and drawers which proved very handy 

for bulky packets and pans. Only one overhead 

locker is fitted in the kitchen area itself, to hold 

your crockery, but close to the microwave is another 

overhead locker complete with glasses, serving 

as the drinks cabinet. The kitchen was ample for 

two to use, and impressed visitors with its size and 

facilities for a motorhome of the Duo’s dimensions. 

Beds and seating The rear lounge is a great 

★★★★★ place to sit and relax. The 

seating was comfortable, though Georgina 

reckoned it was a tad hard to sit on, but as a single 

bed quite comfy. The only annoying thing was that 

the scatter and bolster cushions were a little small 

to be of much use. On twisty roads we found they 

moved around and fell onto the floor. 

Generally, the seating around the van was 

very supportive and should withstand many years 

of use. We used the two settees as single beds, 

leaving that handy small swivel table in position 

for an early morning cuppa to be placed on. We 

also looked at the double bed option, which is J 

Price from £49,995 

Length 5.99m 

Width 2.26m 

MIRO 2,857kg 

MTPLM 3,500kg 

Payload 643kg 

Berths 2 


Power 150 bhp 

Gearbox 6 manual 

We like 

Great storage in 

overhead lockers, 

good kitchen area, 

high spec, excellent 

lighting, quality 

build, ideal for two 

We dislike 

Little under-seat 

storage, scatter 

cushions not very 

comfortable, small 

washroom 


The washroom is inevitably 

small, with a basic shower, 

flush loo and tip-up basin 

J 

The Duo looked good on our grass pitch at Moorhampton, one of our favourite sites, and passers-by weren’t slow to let us know it! 

set up by pulling out the two seat base frames to 

create the bed base – all easy to do, and completed 

in less than a minute. 

Storage If we had a storage complaint, the 

★★★★ wardrobe would be it. Even for one, 

there isn’t much room, especially for more than a 

weekend away. Four days’ worth of clothes for two 

was a tight fit. We used the rear seat bases as storage 

for bedding. The offside base, with the Truma and so 

on stashed in it, had no space for anything else. The 

seat base opposite was more accommodating, and 

the Duo has plenty of overhead roof locker storage, 

where I could fit my laptop case along with some 

camera equipment. Overall, the storage is adequate, 

but that wardrobe does make it feel cramped. 

Washroom The side washroom is as you go in 

★★★ by the main sliding entry door. It’s 

understandably small. You can shower in it, but we 

used site facilities instead. It has a fixed electric flush 

cassette loo below a small moulded vanity unit with a 

tip-up sink. The LED light is bright, and although no 

window is fitted, a roof vent allows in natural light and 

adds to the air flow. The washroom is not fully lined, 

so it isn’t as easy to wipe down as a fully lined unit. 

The hob has an oven/grill; the nearside seat base offers storage 


★★★★ 

We got used to the 

Duo pretty quickly. 

It’s compact and 

easier to park than 

a coachbuilt, so the 

narrow Herefordshire 

back lanes 

weren’t too much 

of a problem to negotiate, 

even when 

meeting large tractors. 

We managed 

37mpg on a new 

engine, which meant 

fuel stops were kept 

to a minimum. 

The trip was 

enhanced by the site 

we stopped on at 

Moorhampton, an 

old railway station 

that was bought by 

the Caravan Club in 

the early 70s. We 

pitched just by the 

old station platform 

on a super grass plot. 

Our conclusion? 

The Warwick Duo is 

a well-built, compact 

yet spacious panel 

van. It’s cosy and has 

everything you need 

for a pleasant few 

days away. 


auto-sleepers.com 

Our thanks to the Marquis 

Preston team (www. 

marquisleisure.co.uk) for the 

loan of the Duo and to the 

wardens at Moorhampton 

Caravan and Motorhome 

Club site, near Hereford 

26 



Brieftest 

Bailey 

Unicorn 

Seville 

The 2018 Unicorn’s new layout is a 

real step up, discovers Andy Jenkinson 

pictures AndY Jenkinson 

It’s official: the Unicorn range is Bailey 

of Bristol’s top seller. Keeping that up 

takes careful planning, so the fourth 

generation of Unicorns had to keep 

sales moving and tempt folk away from 

rivals like Swift, Elddis and Lunar. Just 

after the company’s 2o18 launch, we 

tried out the new Seville, which has a 

revised layout similar to Lunar’s Stella. 

Using the end as an L-shaped kitchen 

and keeping the washroom on the 

offside increases the Seville’s appeal. 

Elddis and Compass have also latched 

on to this layout – the start of a trend? 

Exterior No doubt about it, the Bailey profile has 

★★★★ been sharpened up. The new-style side 

windows are good, but the bland back panel lacks any 

at all – although we do like the full-width rear grab 

handle. The split front window also acts as a sunroof. 

Lounge 

★★★★ 

For two, there’s more than enough 

room in the lounge area, with extra 

Price £22,399 

Length 4.66m 

Width 2.28m 

MIRO 1,203kg 

MTPLM 1,326kg 

Berths 2 

We like 

Fresh exterior, lighting, 

front overhead 

lockers, solar panel, 

fridge/freezer, wired 

up for mover, DAB 

We dislike 

No kitchen window, 

no washroom window, 

battery in floor, 

no seat base access 

flaps, restricted exterior 

locker storage 


The 2018 Unicorn exterior 

stays faithful to the 

original profile, but gets 

more modern mouldings 

and controversially loses 

the rear window; the rear 

L-shaped kitchen offers 

plenty of storage as well 

as a tall fridge-freezer, 

microwave, oven and hob 

space provided by the 

redesigned bulkhead. A 

central chest of drawers 

comes with a slide-out 

coffee table that neatly 

pops back away out of 

sight. The seating has 

individual back rests and 

feels comfortable 

enough. Bailey has adopted Lunar’s trick of making 

use of the overhead front corners by turning them 

into storage lockers, with the speakers placed on 

the front of them. The nearside locker houses the 

CD/radio, which is a DAB digital radio unit – most 

makers don’t fit these. LED lighting is provided 

above the roof lockers and in ceiling and corner 

spotlights. Strangely, no seat base access lockers 

are incorporated, so all bed locker access means 

taking the seat cushions off. 

The bigger lounge gets soft furnishing options; our test model had the standard Brompton design 

Kitchen Rear-end L-shaped kitchens in 

★★★★ two-berth caravans disappeared back 

in the early noughties, but ABI and Lunar stuck with 

the idea. Now Bailey has come back to it for 2018, 

and it works well. The Seville’s kitchen has gained 

plentiful storage, especially with the deep roof 

lockers and corner shelves. Beside a very practical 

worktop, you get a full oven with duel-fuel hob and 

a stainless steel sink with a clip-on drainer. The 

fridge and separate freezer are placed next to the 

wardrobe, with the microwave opposite built into 

the side dresser. Excellent night lighting is built in. 

28 



Clip-on table in lounge area 

The absence of a back window, however, means 

the Seville’s kitchen falls short of five stars. 

Beds and seating The lounge comes with 

★★★★ 

good soft seating and 

separate back cushions. Bolster and scatter 

cushions are provided, adding to the comfort, and 

Front styling is tweaked, but the gas locker remains at the side 

four can sit here with ample room. A free-standing 

table is available for main meal times, should you 

need it, with the seating providing good support. 

Making the beds up? Well, two single beds are 

easily set up, and to make the double bed, slats are 

used to bridge the gap. It’s all pretty conventional 

and works well. 

Storage The deep overhead roof lockers are 

★★★★ helped out by a good-sized wardrobe. 

Under-seat storage isn’t bad, but with no front gas 

locker (it’s on the offside), a side storage locker 

eats into the nearside front seat storage. The 

dresser offers more storage, with a large cupboard 

and overhead locker plus a worktop. Storage in the 

washroom is also much improved. 

Washroom The side washroom is very good 

★★★★ for this size of van, but with no 

window, a roof vent has to suffice. The corner 

shower cubicle is a decent size, and a standalone 

basin adds to the more upmarket feel. There’s an 

Alde radiator and Thetford electric cassette loo. 


★★★★ 

The Seville in its 

new guise is a better 

layout. Fans of 

rear-end washrooms 

may feel miffed, but 

to be honest it’s no 

hardship. The new 

interior has a more 

contemporary look, 

and with the new 

low-level lighting it 

gives the Unicorn an 

upmarket feel. It’s 

a great tourer for 

two and comes with 

a decent spec at a 

competitive price. 

The new Unicorn 

looks set to keep 

up the accolade of 

Bailey’s bestselling 

range, we reckon. 


baileyofbristol.co.uk 

Our thanks to Bailey for 

their time and the loan of the 

Seville for testing 


Pre-owned Brieftest 

Bailey Ranger 

GT60460/2 

Bailey’s Ranger tourers have long been a 

favourite on the used forecourts. Andy Jenkinson 

checks out the Ranger GT60 460/2 

Bailey’s Ranger was launched in 1996, 

and by 2009 it was in Series 6 mode 

with a special GT version boasting 

extra kit and triple front windows. 

The GT range was still light in weight 

and offered a good range of layouts, 

the 460/2 being a particular favourite 

with older couples. We spotted one at 

Knowepark Caravans & Motorhomes in 

Livingston complete with a mover, so 

was it a good buy? 

Exterior The Ranger’s exterior had been well 

★★★★ looked after and was in good order, 

although the front panel GT decals had peeled off. 

Price £8,995 

Year 2010 

Length 4.45m 

Width 2.18m 

MIRO 1,002kg 

MTPLM 1,177kg 

Berths 2 

Seen at 

Knowepark, Livingston 

01506 411827 


www.kpcm.co.uk 

Clockwise from right: 

Spacious for two, the interior 

has lots of locker room and 

was in great condition; the 

washroom has a good-sized 

shower as well as a vanity 

unit with storage; the rear 

has a full-height ABS panel; 

with alloy wheels and an AKS 

hitch as standard, the 460/2 

is an impressive-looking van 

The van’s alloy wheels and AKS hitch were the 

original standard fit, while a mover had been left on 

by the last owner, a very handy accessory that 

makes maneouvreing much easier. There were no 

nasty dents or damaged trim. 

Lounge The lounge hasn’t dated too badly at all. 

★★★★ A chest of drawers sports a fold-out top 

table and a mains socket, while a blown air outlet is 

situated here too. A CD/radio is fitted, as is a Heki 

roof vent and a Status 530 TV aerial. Night lighting 

is in the form of spotlights plus the more typical 

ceiling lights. A standalone table can be used for 

main meals, while overhead roof locker storage is 

very good. 


The side kitchen has a good level of equipment and incorporates an excellent amount of storage 

Kitchen The 460/2 has a side kitchen, which 

★★★★ comes with a microwave, Thetford 

fridge/freezer and a full oven. With a good worktop 

and four-burner hob fitted too, it covers all the 

essentials. Ample storage comes in the form of a 

large cupboard and three overhead roof lockers. 

Opposite, there’s a large side dresser, which offers 

somewhere to put a TV. More storage can be 

found in the dresser. This is also where the Truma 

duel-fuel heater is fitted; it’s only 2kW, but that 

30 



should be enough to keep a 

van the size of the Ranger nice and 

warm. 

Beds and seating The twin single settees 

★★★★ 

can be made up as single 

beds or, using slats, a large double. The seating in 

this van was still supportive and had bolster and 

scatter cushions. As twin single beds, the seats 

need the back rests taken off to make more width, 

but the double bed provides plenty of space for 

two, and the slats seemed to run out smoothly. 

Washroom 

★★★★★ 

The rear-end washroom in the 

Ranger GT60 460/2 offers a 

generous amount of floor 

area and a good-sized 

shower cubicle. A Thetford 

electric flush cassette loo 

is fitted, along with a small 

hand basin. The wardrobe 

in this model is also placed 

within the washroom, 

offering decent storage for 

two. Good night lighting and 

a roof vent add to the 

washroom’s appeal. 

Our used buying tips 

Set a budget 

Buy from a dealership for peace of mind 

Make sure the layout suits your needs 

Check for service records 

Check the seat belts are up to standard 

Check condition, damp, damaged 

panels, interior wear 

Look for any extras fitted 

Don’t be afraid to ask questions 


★★★★ 

The Ranger GT60 

460/2 offers excellent 

value. Overall 

condition was very 

good; we checked 

the ABS panels for 

cracking, but all 

was OK. The fitted 

mover adds to saleability, 

along with 

a good front locker 

and spare wheel. 

Light and easy to 

tow, yet with all the 

spec you need, this 

would make an ideal 

first tourer fora 

couple. It’s a great 

van that should fly 

off Knowepark’s 

forecourt. 


Dealerprofile 

Future looks good at 

Perthshire Caravans 

More than 80 years ago, 

Dundee fruit shop owner 

Peter McCormack bought 

a small plot of land between 

Dundee and Perth where, 

instead of growing produce, 

he sold caravans. 

‘Perthshire Caravans started small, but we’re 

now the UK’s largest caravan and motorhome 

showroom,’ reveals Ian McCormack, grandson 

of Peter and today one of the directors of 

Perthshire Caravans. 

The company remains on the site at Errol 

that was bought in 1936, but it’s unlikely Ian’s 

grandfather would recognise it. Where once 

there were a few caravans in a field, then a 

small showroom that opened in the 1960s, 

today there’s a 4,750 square metre state-ofthe-art 

showroom with over 200 new and 

used caravans and motorhomes on display at 

any one time. ‘We built this showroom after 


the huge showroom offers 

over 200 new and used 

caravans and motorhomes 

to choose from; the 

company’s experience is 

reflected in its customdesigned 

motorhome, 

the Elddis Platinum; Ian 

and Claire McCormack, 

grandchildren of founder 

Peter, keep the business in 

the family; a large on-site 

shop offers a wide range of 

touring accessories 

pictures Andy Thompson phoTogrAphy 

a catastrophic fire in 2009,’ explains Ian. ‘We 

had a very challenging year after the fire, but 

our new showroom opened in 2010 and offers 

everything a motorhome or caravan owner 

requires, from buying a caravan, motorhome or 

accessories to servicing and repairs. 

‘We’re the official Scottish agent for all 

the main brands of caravans and motorhomes, 

including Swift, Bailey, Elddis, Auto-Sleepers, 

Auto-Trail, Burstner and Rapido, and few 

dealers can offer the back-up we provide. ‘As 

a result, we have a very loyal customer base, 

32 

Scottish Caravans & Motorhomes winTer 2017 


with people coming here from all over Scotland, 

including Orkney and Shetland – and we also 

have customers over the border.’ 

For Ian, one of the early highlights of 2018 

has been the launch of the second edition of 

Perthshire Caravans’ very own motorhome, the 

Elddis Platinum. ‘We’re very excited about the 

revamped Elddis Platinum,’ says Ian. ‘We know 

what our customers are looking for, so it has 

lots of extras included as standard, such as a 

reversing camera, awning and solar panel.’ 

The long haul 

As well as selling motorhomes and caravans, 

including static caravans and holiday homes, 

Perthshire Caravans has its own body shop and 

mechanical workshop, which is about to be expanded 

to 24 bays, doubling the workshop space. 

‘If someone comes to us looking for a 

caravan or motorhome, we look after them from 

start to finish, not just for the sale,’ stresses Ian. 

‘It’s for the life of the caravan or motorhome, 

and covers any servicing, warranty or after-sales 

issues that they may encounter. 

‘Customer service is very important to us, 

which is highlighted by the fact that we have six 

sales people and a team of five in the after-sales 

department.’ That’s run by Ian’s sister, Claire. 

Perthshire Caravans is very much a family 

business. ‘When my grandfather died in 1977, 

my father’ – also called Ian – ‘took over the 

business. I’ve been at the helm for a few years 

now, but my dad still pops in from time to time.’ 

As well as the showroom and workshops 

at Errol, Perthshire Caravans also owns two 

Perthshire 


Dundee Road, Errol, 

Perth PH2 7SR 

Telephone 

01821 670212 

Website 

www.perthshirecaravans.com 

holiday parks: Loch Earn Leisure Park at St 

Fillans and Red Lion Holiday Park in Arbroath. 

‘Both of our holiday parks, which have static 

caravans and touring pitches, are very busy,’ 

reports Ian. ‘Their touring pitches are often 

booked up months in advance. 

‘Touring in caravans and motorhomes is 

incredibly popular at the moment, and caravans 

and motorhomes are selling very well. 2016 was 

really busy, and although I initially thought this 

was a one-off, the sales rise continued in 2017 – 

and 2018 is already looking equally promising. 

‘In fact, my top tip to anyone thinking 

about buying a caravan or motorhome is don’t 

delay! The manufacturers are already working 

at capacity, and when we say, “Once they’re 

gone, they’re gone,” it’s not a sales technique. 

It’s a fact.’ 

Time for touring 

Ian has some theories about why demand may 

be so high. ‘With all the uncertainty and hassle 

that often surrounds flying, many people, 

especially families, are discovering caravans and 

motorhomes. We still have our customers who 

have been buying from us for years and come 

back regularly for a “refresh,” but we’re also 

getting lots of first-timers and families,’ he says. 

‘More and more people are investing in a 

caravan or motorhome, and they no longer sit 

on the driveway to be used once or twice a year. 

People use their caravans and motorhomes all 

the time, regardless of the season.’ All in all, 

‘the future’s looking very good for caravans and 

motorhomes – and for Perthshire Caravans.’ 


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Spotlighton… 

The 

Isleof 

Arran 

Garry Fraser experiences 

the spectacular sights 

and magnificent flavours 

of ‘Scotland in miniature’ 

It’s hard to know where to start with the 

charms of Arran, the ‘sleeping warrior’ becalmed 

in the Firth of Clyde between Ayr and Kintyre. 

But food and drink is always a good choice. 

With producers throughout Scotland facing 

stiff competition nationally and internationally, 

many are finding it 

makes sense to collaborate 

to spread the cost 

of sales, marketing and 

distribution. For almost 

15 years, A Taste of 

Arran has flown the flag 

for the island, with great 

success. It means local 

produce can be found in 

restaurants and retailers 

across the country. While 

the brand itself wins 

awards, ards, most importantly 

it attracts success to the 

individual producers among its ranks. 

The driving force behind the whole 

enterprise is Alastair Dobson of Arran Dairies, 

who looks after producers that now range from 

a smokehouse to a distillery, with makers of 

cheese, oatcakes and chocolate adding diversity 

to the operation. 

TheTasteofArranbrandpromoteslocalquality 

Collaboration on this scale doesn’t happen 

overnight. At the beginning, ‘it was a case of 

getting everyone round a table and discussing 

the pros and cons of a food and drink cooperative,’ 

recalls Alistair. ‘While there were many 

pros, there were also a few cons to overcome. 

‘For instance, 

we had three inde- 

pendent local cheese 

manufacturers who 

always believed that 

they were competitive, 

not complementary, 

and we had to persuade 

them of a common 

need. Now we can 

market their cheeses 

as part of the Taste 

of Arran brand, so all 

three benefit. 

‘There’s a strong 

community feel on the island, which did help 

bring folk together. It was hard work, but well 

worth the effort! 

‘We’re also contributing to the tourist 

scene – we sell Arran first, and then the food 

and drink. We can work off the passion that 

our members show for their produce, and the 

pictures Garry Fraser (riGht); courtesy oF the producers 

Clockwise from above: No 

prizes for guessing how 

the Old Man of Tarsuinn – 

found near the summit of 

Beinn Tarsuinn, a Corbett 

in the north of the island – 

got its name; James of 

Arran’s Chocolate Factory 

shop, in Brodick, makes 

its delicious chocolates on 

site; producers also include 

brewers and distillers 

36 



success of this is reflected in the steady buildup 

of business that we have enjoyed since we 

were formed in 2001.’ 

In creating A Taste of Arran, Alastair made 

use of the business acumen gained through 

running Arran Dairies, his family firm. It was 

the experience of producing and selling on 

the island – in his case, ice cream – instead of 

bringing it over from the mainland that gave 

him the impetus to start promoting Arran’s 

local wares. 

Any natural reticence producers had, or 

reluctance to share their talents, soon disappeared 

as the idea took off. Now, with Alastair 

having the drive and ability to do the donkey 

work of spreading the gospel, Arran’s producers 

can concentrate on what they do best: delivering 

the very best quality of food and drink. 

Local heroes 

That’s also important for tourism. ‘Arran has 

lots of great restaurants and cafés, and it’s 

important that they use local produce,’ explains 

Alastair. ‘We don’t want visitors coming to the 

island and eating any old lamb or standard 

cheese! Food and drink are important parts of 

a tourist’s enjoyment. A Taste of Arran ensures 

they get the island’s best.’ 

Direct sales of Taste of Arran products 

have now reached more than £750,000, with 

participating companies’ total sales accounting 

for £10-12 million. It’s no wonder the venture 

is attracting interest from far and wide. ‘We’ve 

worked with individuals and groups across 

Scotland and the EU to promote the benefits 

of business collaboration,’ says Alastair. ‘As far 

as we know, the level of mutual cooperation 

shown by Taste of Arran does not exist anywhere 

else.’ 

This successful model of local business 

collaboration has now inspired many other 

regions and groups in Scotland – and also in 

England, Ireland, Denmark, Sweden, Germany, 

the USA and the Middle East. Meanwhile, the 

products under the Taste of Arran brand label 

are also reaching far afield, with ice cream and 

cheese proving particularly popular in Dubai 

and the Gulf. 

Arran is sometimes referred to as ‘Scotland 

in miniature’ – a tribute to an island that gives 

visitors a taste of the country’s varied landscapes, 

from tranquil to dramatic. But there’s 

clearly nothing small about the ambitions of 

Alastair and his fellow islanders. With each bite 

offering a flavour of local life, you could sum it 

up as big tastes from a small island. J 



Around the coast in 65 miles 

picture Garry Fraser 

The Arran Coastal Way: 105km (65 

miles), 12 villages, one journey. Oh, and 

not forgetting one Corbett. You might 

wonder why a mountain is included in a 

coastal way, but then, why not? 

From the top of Goat Fell, you can see most 

of the island’s coast, the reward for the 874- 

metre (28,67ft) climb. Just make sure you give 

yourself time to get up it without jeopardising 

your itinerary. My friend Brian and I were 

caught out and had to hurry down to Sannox 

before darkness fell. 

Getting it backwards 

Of all the long-distance walks I’ve undertaken, 

either official Ways or cobbled-together routes, 

the Arran coast is up there with the best. 

There’s plenty of accommodation en route, so 

you can split the walk into smaller stages. We 

decided on a three-night, four-day expedition – 

24km (15 miles) a day is no problem. 

I don’t know why, but we did it anti-clockwise. 

Maybe it was to get the hard part, Goat 

Fell, over quickly. However, one drawback 

walking in this direction is that you pass the 

Arran Brewery as you source the path up the 

hill. Luckily for us it was closed, so there was no 

temptation to linger. We presumed there would 

Top: Sannox Bay, on the 

north east coast, is just one 

of Arran’s unspoilt beauty 

spots. The Arran Coastal 

Way is recognised as one 

of Scotland’s ‘Great Trails’ 

be plenty of opportunities to sample this island 

beverage later in the hike – and we would be 

proved right. 

Trudging up a hill with a full pack isn’t 

easy, but we got there, and were rewarded by a 

panoramic view that’s hard to match. 

Once you descend to Sannox, the next 

part of the Way is probably the bonniest. It’s 

an undulating beach walk around the Cock of 

Arran to Lochranza. Booking into our B&B, a 

stone’s throw from the Kintyre ferry terminal, 

was followed by tea in the hotel, a couple of 

beers and then almost instant sleep. 

OK, it was only 27km (17 miles), but if you 

include Goat Fell… 

Over the hill 

The following morning broke bright and sunny, 

and over a full Scottish we pondered our 

next day’s trek. The path goes over the hill to 

Catacol, once favoured by the postie and named 

so in recognition. Maybe in our early-morning 

enthusiasm we missed a turning, because it 

became thick, almost impassable, vegetation at 

one point, causing us to descend a fair gradient 

to reach the road. 

Undaunted, we were forced on the road, 

reaching Kildonan by way of the Lagg. J 

38 




J 

Since the time I walked the Way, the path 

has changed and now snakes inland south of 

Lamlash to take in the spectacular Glenashdale 

Falls. You can still keep strictly to the coast if 

you prefer, however, going via Kingscross Point 

and Cordon. 

A trip across to the Holy Isle when you’re 

in Lamlash is a must: once the residence of 

Saint Molaise, and now home to a community 

led by Tibetan Buddhists, it’s accessible only 

by boat from here. And if you feel energetic 

enough for it while you’re over, the 314-metre 

(1,030ft) Mullach Mor is well worth the climb: 

the views across to the mainland or over Arran 

are spectacular. 

Thence, it’s a routine walk round Clauchlands 

Point to Brodick and some well-earned 

refreshment. That’s the Arran Coastal Way – 

walk it or cycle it and find out for yourself just 

how good it is. 

For more information on the Arran Coastal Way, 

see www.coastalway.co.uk. 

picture Mike Peel www.MikePeel.net CC BY-SA 4.0 

An authentic aroma of Arran 

Just over 25 years ago, 

the kitchen of an Arran 

cottage began generating 

aromas that were not of 

a culinary kind. 

Janet and Keith Russell were 

starting an experiment that 

would develop into one of the 

best-loved brands in Scotland. 

Their bottled fragrances and, 

inspired by the landscape and 

scents of Arran, are now sought 

after not only by thousands 

of discerning customers but 

boutique hotels around Scotland 

and far beyond. 

The Malmaison chain was 

the first to come to the island in 

search of a tailor-made aroma, 

and since then many other 

leading hoteliers have turned 

to Arran Aromatics to create 

bespoke scents. 

‘To still be trading after 25 

years, in a difficult economic 

climate, is a great feeling,’ says 

Janet. ‘Our commitment to 

consistent development, quality 

and a loyal and committed 

workforce has kept us growing.’ 

Now branded as Arran Sense 

of Scotland, the company’s signature 

scent is After the Rain. 

‘It was inspired by a walk in my 

garden,’ remembers Janet, ‘in 

sunshine after a shower, and me 

thinking,“I wish we could capture 

that fresh scent.”’ As luck would 

have it, ‘our perfumer was on 

hand to complete the process!’ 

After the Rain has earthy notes 

topped with fresh, leafy and floral 

notes of roses and lavender. 

Top: Glenashdale Falls is 

well worth the detour 

Left: Arran Aromatics 

have been creating scented 

products since 1989 

40 



Parkreview 

Loch Ness Shores 

SC&M’s Bob Mather spends a very pleasant couple of days at 

a well-appointed site in one of Scotland’s most iconic locations 

On the last day in August, I hitched up our 

test van and headed up the A9 to Inverness, 

then took the road down the south side of Loch 

Ness. To reach the aptly named Loch Ness 

Shores, you travel some 17 miles down this 

picturesque road – part of which is one-track 

with passing places – to the village of Foyers and 

follow the signs for the site. You’re asked not to 

approach until 2pm to give departing visitors 

chance to leave without congestion. 

On arrivalIwas warmly welcomed by 

Donald and Lyn Forbes, owners of the site. 

Loch Ness Shores is one of the many franchised 

sites operated by the Camping and Caravanning 

Club, and has a well-deserved five-star rating 

from Visit Scotland. Before pitching up I had 

a good catch-up with Donald and Lyn over an 

excellent coffee and sandwich in the tea-room, 

which is incorporated into the reception area. 

I first visited this site four years ago, about 

three months after it first opened. This time 

Donald gave me an update on what had changed 

since those early days.Iwas then shown to 

an excellent hard standing pitch which had a 

bird’s-eye view of the loch. 

After setting up and a small snack, I had 

time to wander around the park and take a few 

photographs. The park has certainly settled 

down since my last visit, and the grass areas are 

very well cut and maintained. One noticeable 

addition is the addition of a ‘Wigaloo’ in the 


Small boats and kayaks are 

available to hire; Donald 

and Lyn Forbes run the 

site, seen here with their 

chef at the Airstream Food 

Bar; there are 56 hard 

standing and 44 grass 

pitches to choose from, 

as well as wigwams for 

those not bringing their 

own accommodation 

Below: Loch Ness Shores 

has continued to develop 

since it opened four years 

ago, with many excellent 

facilities incorporated 

within its unique and 

picturesque setting 

camping area of the park. This looks like a 

standard glamping wigwam, but contains a 

gents’ toilet at one end and a ladies’ toilet at the 

other, an addition which I’m sure is welcome. 

In the evening I dined in the local hotel, on 

the hill behind the site, with panoramic views 

up and down the loch. I took my coffee out into 

the hotel garden and sat and enjoyed the view. 

On the Friday morning I met up with 

Donald and he gave me the full run-down 

on the site. It has two major structures, one 

containing the reception, shop and café. 

The other, an amenity block, has excellent 

eco-friendly systems to heat and light the topnotch 

facilities, with under-floor heating and 

home-from-home shower rooms, laundry and 

dishwashing areas. 

Take your pitch 

The site has 100 pitches in total, of which 56 are 

hard standing and 44 grass, plus around 20 grass 

tent pitches and eight ‘wigwams’, heated timber 

structures with microwave and barbecue area. 

Wifi is available in the reception and café areas 

only. This is one of the few places around Loch 

Ness where shoreline access makes it possible to 

42 



pictures RobeRt MatheR 

launch small boats. These are available to hire, 

along with canoes and kayaks, and fishing permits 

can be obtained. Activities include archery, den 

building and wildlife walks, and electric bikes 

are also for hire. The site is open all year, with 

entertainment at Christmas and New Year. 

Loch Ness 

Shores 

Monument Park, 

Lower Foyers, 

Inverness IV26YH 

Telephone 

01456 486333 

Website 

lochnessshores.com 

Visitors are asked not to 

approach the site until 

2pm. Avoid using satnav for 

driving directions 

Above: With direct access 

to the loch, the site certainly 

lives up to its name 

Left: The eco-designed 

amenity block provides 

excellent facilities 

On the Friday afternoon I drove round the 

bottom of the loch to Fort Augustus, the entry 

to the Caledonian Canal. I spent some time at 

the locks, which transfer boats from the loch 

onto the canal – a sight worth seeing. From 

here you can explore local attractions like the 

magnificent Urquhart Castle and the charming 

towns of Cannich and Drumnadrochit. 

Meals on wheels 

I returned to the site in the early evening to 

sample the food on offer at its other focal point, 

the Airstream Food Bar, which serves breakfasts 

from 8–11am and dinners from 5–8pm. It was 

very busy when I went around 7pm, and after 

sampling an excellent lamb dinner, I had to 

award it my five-star rating! 

I walked along many of the trails beside 

the loch, a wonderful experience with the 

sun going down behind the mountains. I slept 

soundly that night, and after taking a few more 

photographs in the morning, and enjoying a 

bacon and egg roll from the Airstream Food 

Bar, I hitched up again and went and said my 

farewells to Donald and Lynn and their team, 

thanking them for another wonderful stay. 

winteR 2017 Scottish Caravans & Motorhomes 43

SC&M Awards 

Bailey 

Coachman VIP 

Sprite 

Alaria 

ScottishCaravans& 

Tourer 

Best 

Awards 

2018 

Motorhomes Awards 2018 

Over the last couple of months, our 

team have been busy at manufacturers’ 

shows and trade exhibitions 

assessing the 2018 caravans and motorhomes. 

We’ve drawn up a shortlist 

of four from each category: tourers are 

below, and motorhomes on page 55. 

As we write, our winners are about 

to be announced at the Motorhome & 

Caravan Show at Birmingham’s NEC. 

See our Facebook page (www.facebook. 

com/scotscaravanmag) for news on 

the winners, and look out for the full 

results in our next issue. 

Sprite 

2018 marks 70 years of the 

Sprite brand, and for this 

special year Swift has given the 

line-up a major facelift inside 

and out. Its well-equipped 

range looks very smart, with a 

contemporary interior. 

Alaria 

Super luxury from Lunar. 

This range has been further 

enhanced for 2018 with its 

eight-foot-wide wide shell, 

making this a tourer that’s got 

more space and spec than you 

can shake a stick at! 

Coachman VIP 

Revised for 2018, the new VIP 

looks as good out as it does in. 

It has superb spec and a range 

that takes in the most popular 

layouts too. A twin front gas 

locker allows more room in the 

lounge area. 

Bailey Unicorn 

Now on its fourth generation, 

the Unicorn range has been 

improved for 2018 with revised 

exterior mouldings front and 

back. Interiors have been given 

a more contemporary feel, 

while some great new layouts 

have been added. 

44 



Pre-owned Brieftest 

Bessacarr 

E435 (2010) 

Out and about in this pre-owned E435, 

Andy Jenkinson finds Bessacarr motorhomes 

offer a quality unit with decent kit levels 


With five berths and a great spec, this 

motorhome arrived in late 2000 for 

2001 and soon won attention from 

family buyers and retired folk wanting 

a vehicle they could also use with the 

grandchildren. We tracked down our 

used E435 at Marquis Preston, where it 

had just arrived and was still to have its 

‘for sale’ sticker put in the front window. 

We were keen to check it to see if 

it made a good buy at seven years old. 

Exterior Based on a Fiat Ducato 2.2 TDI diesel, 

★★★★ the Bessacarr is a typical coachbuilt 

with overhead cab housing a double bed. Checking 

the body panels, we noted that no damage had 

occurred over the years. The windows were also 

damage-free and had few scratches. This model 

doesn’t have alloys fitted, but it doesn’t detract 

from the Bessacarr’s looks. The rear bike rack is a 

nice added feature, as is the satellite roof dome. A 

Price from £30,995 

Mileage 40,800 

Base Fiat Ducato 


Power 100 bhp 

Length 6.5m 

Width 2.2m 

MIRO 3,050kg 

MTPLM 3,500kg 

Berths 5 

Seen at 

Marquis Lancashire, 

Riversway Leisure 

Village, Preston PR2 

2PD, 01772 731313 


marquisleisure.co.uk 

Right: The E435, based on 

a Fiat Ducato cab, still feels 

like a modern motorhome, 

and this unit is looking 

good for its age 

Below left: fitted features 

include a side awning, 

satellite dome for TV 

reception, bike rack and 

reversing camera, making 

this a very practical 

motorhome as well as a 

manageable choice for 

first-time owners 

useful reversing camera, which is particularly handy 

for newcomers to motorhomes, is fitted. The last 

owners had also added a tow bar. 

Lounge The lounge area is at the front of the 

★★★★ E435, with a long side settee complete 

with a double side dinette. Overhead roof lockers 

add to storage, with more available under the seats. 

A mains socket and LED corner spotlights are fitted 

in the lounge area. We found the seating comfortable, 

with decent support in the cushions. 

Kitchen The Bessacarr comes with a super 

★★★★★ rear-end kitchen incorporating a full 

oven with duel-fuel hob. The side dresser unit 

holds a quality stainless steel microwave and a 

fridge/freezer below, along with worktop space. 

Storage is excellent. There’s also an extractor fan as 

well as a roof vent and a mains socket. The hob and 

sink were in great condition. 

Washroom The rear side washroom is quite 

★★★★ spacious, offering a shower and 

storage. With no window fitted here, you’re relying on 

light and ventilation from the roof vent. The moulded 

46 




★★★★ 

The Bessacarr had 

only just rolled in 

and hadn’t yet had 

a pre-clean, but it 

was obvious that 

the previous owners 

had cared for it. 

Both the interior 

and exterior were 

well maintained. 

The design still 

looks modern, and 

the bike rack is a 

bonus. The side 

pull-out awning is 

standard fit, and the 

satellite roof dome 

is welcome, as is the 

removable tow bar 

fitted on this example. 

Blown heating 

will keep the E435 

toasty in off-season 

touring, while overall 

the layout would 

be ideal for couples 

who might want to 

take the grandkids 

away. We liked the 

Bessacarr, and for 

a first-time family 

motorhome owner 

it could fit the bill 

perfectly. 

ABS hand basin is finished 

in a silver colour, and again 

its condition couldn’t be 

faulted. A fixed Thetford 

electric flush loo is also 

included, while just either 

side of the loo are shower 

folding doors. The 

washroom is fine, but most 

users of the Bessacarr will 

no doubt use site facilities 

when they can. 

Clockwise from above 

right: The kitchen, 

featuring a dual-fuel hob 

and plenty of storage, 

was in great condition; 

the washroom isn’t too 

cramped, squeezing in a 

shower, basin and loo; this 

unit, with both bike rack 

and tow bar, would be well 

suited to those who like to 

travel fully equipped 


Usertests 

Gear to go 

Andy Jenkinson reports on his recent tests of two products 

relevant to any caravanner 

Vision Plus 

21.5in 

★★★★ 

Price £279 

Weight 2.8kg 

Power 12 V 2.5 A 

Warranty 3 years 

Features 

USB record and 

playback, Full HD 

terrestrial and satellite 

tuners, one-touch 

tune, CD/DVD player, 

2x 3W speakers, 

headphone socket 


www.visionplus. 

co.uk, 0115 986 7151 

Tested with Status 530 and 

570 aerials 

It’s surprising how many caravanners 

and motorhome users put up with a 

low-priced portable telly that isn’t 

designed for use in a motorhome or 

tourer, with the associated jolting 

about and the need to receive broadcasts 

in a variety of situations. There 

are a fair few dedicated models on 

the market, however, of which this is a 

good example. 

Since July last year, we’ve been testing the 

21.5in screen from Vision Plus, makers of the familiar 

Status TV aerials. They have a range of three 

sizes, the others being 18.5 and 23.5in – smaller than 

a typical living room TV, for obvious reasons. It’s 

easy to store, and comes with a removable carrying 

handle and combined stand. The small transformer 

has 12-volt and mains leads, while the aerial socket 

is easy to locate. An easy-to-operate DVD player 

is built in, and can also be used to play CDs. The 

backlit LED picture gives a very sharp image, 

supporting up to Full HD (1080p) resolution. 

Setup is simple and the auto tune function 

seeks out stations speedily. The TV has two HDMI 

inputs, and as well as built-in speakers there’s a 

headphone socket. We haven’t yet tried the recording 

system, 

which records only 

from Freeview channels to a USB stick and has a 

seven-day timer. 

The Vision Plus 

has worked well, 

and compared to an 

off-the-peg portable set 

the picture and sound 

quality is superior. We’ve 

used the TV both in and 

out of vans and it gets 

plenty of handling. So 

far this TV has been 

brilliant, and excellent 

value for money. 

Picture Andy Jenkinson 

Winners 

Wax 

★★★★★ 

Liquid 500ml 

£8.94 

Detailer (spray) 

500ml 

£6.95 


www.killerbrands. 

co.uk, 0208 445 6811 

I’m always on the lookout for new 

polishes that provide great protection 

and cleaning power, not to mention 

easy application. I found Winners at the 

Classic Car Show in Birmingham last 

November, and company owner Colin 

let me have the products mentioned 

here to try out for myself. 

Their liquid wax is easy to apply. Used sparingly, 

and allowed to dry for a few minutes, it’s easy 

to wipe off to a great shine. It offers a smooth 

finish and, with a cutting agent, takes any blemishes 

away. We tried it on a rather grubby 2008 Lunar 

Delta. A tough job, but Winners took the grime 

away and added a gloss shine that beads well after 

rain and washing. It’s great on dark colours, as well 

as metallic, and brings a shine to washed tourer/ 

motorhome windows. 

The spray version is for a quick go-over after 

a wash and dry, and tops up the liquid protection. 

Having used the wax over winter on caravans and 

car, it’s a polish wax worthy of five stars. 


Showreport 

Lawns gives a 

peek into 2018 

It may not be the biggest show, but 

Lawns keeps the crowds coming in 

as new caravans and motorhomes 

get their first full airing to the 

public, as Andy Jenkinson discovered 

in Yorkshire’s East Riding 

I’ve covered this show 

non-stop since 1984, and 

although there may be fewer 

manufacturers represented 

than at the bigger national 

shows, this year’s event, at 

Cottingham, near Hull, once 

again gave the public and 

trade alike a first glimpse of 

the new season’s offerings 

from the likes of Swift, 

Elddis, Compass, Lunar and 

Coachman ahead of the big 

show at the NEC in October. 

Surprisingly, the 

much-publicised Swift/Airstream 

tie-up wasn’t shown 

to the public but did appear 

at the trade show. Prices are 

predictably high, but Swift 

are hoping to sell this niche 

American tourer, with its 

distinctive aura of days gone 

by, through selected dealers 

around the UK. 

On the podium 

In other news, the 2018 

Coachman VIP sold well over 

the public weekend, while 

Lunar’s Clubmans and Deltas 

also performed well. 

Elddis had a good reaction 

to their new end kitchen 

layouts, while the Compass 

range saw sales strengthen 

over the public weekend. 

Although tourers may 

have been relatively thin on 

the ground this time, the 

holiday home side wasina 

state of rapture, with plenty 

of new models for those 

wanting to try this side of the 

leisure industry. There were 

new models and ranges from 

Willerby, ABI, Swift, Carnaby, 

Regal and Atlas. 

For those wanting a 

lodge, Tingdene, Pathfinder, 

Wessex, and Prestige had 

some fantastic new models 

on show. If you were after a 

park home, Red Rose, a new 

manufacturer, had three new 

units on display. 

Overall, the Lawns 

proved yet again that touring, 

holiday homes and lodges are 

very much in demand. 

Clockwise from top left: The supercool 

Go-Pods got a lot of attention 

at the NEC; the Manchester show 

opened the year with good crowds; 

Lunar’s tie-up with clothing company 

Joules offered something different; 

tenters enjoyed their own section 

of the Glasgow show; motorhomes 

were well represented in Manchester; 

many campervans and motorhomes 

appeared in Scotland; SC&M’s 

Kirsty and Tom were swamped with 

enquiries at our Glasgow launch 

50 




The Scottish Caravan, 

Motorhome & Holiday 

Home Show – where 

the adventure begins! 

The Scottish Caravan, 

Motorhome & Holiday 

Home Show has been welcoming 

visitors through 

its doors for over 30 years 

and is set to delight again 

as it makes a return to 

Glasgow’s SEC from 8 to 11 

February 2018. 

For Scotland’s outdoor enthusiasts, 

the show is the perfect place 

to compare models, layouts and 

specifications in one destination. 

Taking over Glasgow’s entire 

Scottish Event Campus (SEC), it 

invites visitors to explore the latest 

models and the widest selection 

of caravans and motorhomes 

from the UK and Europe’s leading 

manufacturers and dealers. 

Under one roof 

With brands including Airstream, 

Autocruise, Auto-Sleepers, 

Auto-Trail, Bailey, Coachman, 

Compass, Elddis, Hymer, Lunar, 

Rapido, Roller Team and Swift, the 

extensive range of exhibitors will 

have vehicles to suit all tastes and 

budgets on display, from entrylevel 

to premium. 

Group Show Director Jamie 

Taylor told Scottish Caravans & 

Motorhomes: ‘The 2018 models 

are the best I’ve seen in years 

in terms of innovation, and I’m 

excited about the diverse range of 

vehicles that we’ll have on show 

for our visitors.’ 

Showgoers can also step 

inside their dream holiday escape, 

with a fantastic selection of 

holiday homes on show, from 

luxury lodges to quirky eco pods. 

Following the success 

of camping equipment and 

accessories at the previous show 

earlier this year, there’ll be an even 

bigger Camping Village next time, 

featuring a range of the latest and 

best-selling family tents. 

With many show-only offers 

and discounts, free entry for children 

aged 16 and under, and free 

caravan towing or motor caravan 

maneouvreing sessions from the 

Caravan & Motorhome Club, the 

show is the perfect destination for 

all enthusiasts and those thinking 

about touring for the first time. 

Entry prices for the show will 

remain the same as in 2017, with 

advance tickets priced at £10 for 

adults and £9 for seniors (plus 

booking fee). Visit www.caravan 

showscotland.com for all the 

latest news and to book. Tickets 

can also be purchased on the 

door, priced at £12 for adults and 

£10.50 for seniors. Children aged 

16 and under always go free. 

Meanwhile, look out for 

a special Scottish Caravans & 

Motorhomes show entry offer in 

the next edition of the magazine, 

on sale in the New Year. 


Dealerprofile 

Westfield Caravans: 

a business on the up 

Operating since 1981, this 

family-owned business 

has lately expanded from 

holiday homes to tourers 

and campervans, as Andy 

Jenkinson finds out. 

Back in 1981, the UK was in deep recession and 

the caravan industry was hit hard. Many established 

makers went to the wall, but one family 

had a touch of faith that things would get better. 

As a lad, Mark Molyneaux cleaned caravans and 

helped sell where he could. Eventually, things 

did get better, and the company took on new 

franchises, including Willerby Holiday Homes. 

Today, his parents having retired, Mark is the 

managing director of Westfield Caravans. 

Starting on a small plot, the company 

expanded and by 1994 had moved to its 

present locations. In recent years, significant 

Westfield 


60-111 Chorley 

Road, Blackpool, 

Lancashire FY3 7XQ 

Telephone 

01253 301505 

Website 

www.westfield 

caravans.co.uk 

Top: Compass tourers are 

selling well at Westfield, 

just one of several major 

caravan brands that have 

entrusted the company 

with official dealerships 

investment has created new workshops, an 

on-site shop, storage, and in the last few years, 

space for tourers. Their big deal is the Compass 

dealership, the largest in the North West. The 

company also operates from a depot outside 

Kendal, off the famous Shap road, which was 

the main route into Scotland before the M6. 

Westfield is now one of the leading dealers 

on Lancashire’s Fylde Coast, with a strong team 

including John Cross, a senior sales executive 

who’s been with the company more years 

than he cares to remember, and more recent 

appointees, Steve Mashiter and Allun Stephens, 

who are also highly experienced. 

This team has brought forward the tourer 

sales operation in a very short time, starting 

with just a few used tourers. When it became 

clear that a new dealership for Adria was needed 

in the north west, Westfield fitted the bill. Soon 

after, the Venus value-for-money range from 

Lunar was also added to the growing fleets of 

new tourers. 

52 



But the biggie as far as Steve Mashiter was 

concerned was getting the Compass dealership. 

Impressed with the value and build quality 

of the Compass line-up, he was more than 

delighted to take on the brand. Knaus is another 

range Westfield took on for 2017. 

It’s not just about new tourers: Steve also 

makes sure plenty of used buys are on the 

well-presented forecourt, offering various 

budgets and layouts for Westfield’s customers. 

With all this happening, a new workshop and 

accessory shop was needed, so the past year has 

seen this all take off too. The holiday home side 

of the business also boasts top names, and again 

the homes are well laid out for easy viewing. 

pictures courtesy of Westfield caravans (right); andy Jenkinson 

Top to bottom: Holiday 

homes are on show 

from the UK’s biggest 

manufacturers; servicing 

and repairs are carried 

out on site; the shop is a 

recent addition; Westfield’s 

Mark Molyneaux (right) 

shakes on the company’s 

deal with David Brentani 

Elliot of motorhome maker 

Wellhouse Leisure; the 

shop stocks a wide range 

of caravanning essentials 

Lunar landing 

The latest news is that Westfield has Lunar’s 

flagship range, Alaria, arriving for 2018. Campervans 

are now stocked too, with Wellhouse Leisure 

choosing Westfield for its long-established place 

in the industry. The latest conversions, available 

at both the Blackpool and Kendal sites, will 

be the Hyundai i800, the Ford Terrier and the 

soon-to-be-released VW. 

The company has developed more of its 

land to offer a storage compound for customers’ 

tourers. In the future, it’s also looking at 

expanding further into coachbuilt motorhomes. 

With a growing awning display also available, 

you could say the Westfield team has things 

well covered. It seems there’s no stopping this 

friendly, well-established family business. 

Winter 2017 Scottish Caravans & Motorhomes 53

SC&M Awards 

Elddis 

Bailey 

Adria 

Bessacarr 

ScottishCaravans& 

Awards 

2018 

Motorhomes Awards 2018 

On page 44 you can see the nominees 

for our caravans of the year. Below are 

our motorhome picks. Check out our 

Facebook page (www.facebook.com/ 

scotscaravanmag) for announcements 

of the winners, also in our next issue. 

Bailey 

The Autograph 79-4T offers 

good value for money and has 

twin single rear beds plus a 

cracking kitchen area. We like 

the front lounge and the large 

overhead lockers. With great 

storage too, the Bailey is a firm 

favourite in our line-up. 

Bessacarr 

Revamped for 2018, the new 

Bessacarrs look the business. 

We like the 596, which has 

masses of interior living space 

and also comes well equipped, 

sleeping up to six. It offers good 

value from this premium-badged 

motorhome brand. 

Adria 

The new Matrix 670SC Plus is 

an excellent motorhome, with 

its rear fixed island bed and new 

white-finish lockers. The fourberth 

offers comfort with Alde 

heating as standard. The 670 

also has a decent rear garage 

where bikes can be stored. 

Elddis 

The compact-built Accordo 105 

is new for 2018 and designed 

for a couple. It grabbed our 

judges’ attention by maintaining 

a spacious interior despite its 

smaller dimensions, with a rear 

washroom and good-sized front 

lounge area. 


Touringguide 

The 

Grand 

Tour 

NorthCoast500 

In part two of our four-part guide 

to Scotland’s famous scenic route, 

Keith Fergus makes the journey 

from Kinlochewe to Ullapool 

PICTURES Keith Fergus/www.scottishhorizons.co.uK 

58 

Scottish Caravans & Motorhomes autumn 2017


From Kinlochewe, a small village 50 miles west of Inverness, 

the North Coast 500 continues its spectacular passage for 

another 75 miles to bring us to the bustling village of Ullapool. 

Wild moorland, gorgeous lochs, colossal 

mountains and rugged coastline are all on show, 

perfectly illustrating our wonderful country. 

The early stages of the route run alongside 

the steely blue waters of Loch Maree, itself 

framed by magnificent and shapely mountain 

of Slioch, rising to 981 metres above sea level. 

It’s thought that the word Slioch may originate 

from the Gaelic sleagh, meaning a spear. 

Beyond the attractive settlements of 

Charlestown and Gairloch, with its beautiful 

arc of golden sand, the North Coast 500 tapers 

its way around a wonderfully rugged coastline, 

in the shadow of An Teallach and Sail Mhor, 

passing the First and Second Coast and the 

incredible Gruinard Bay. It then continues high 

above Little Loch Broom. Here the spectacular 

views extend towards the Summer Isles. 

The final miles head north along the shores 

of Loch Broom, all the way to Ullapool, one of 

the major settlements along the North Coast 

500 and a great place to stop and relish some of 

the finest seafood in the world. 

Join us next issue for part 3 of the journey! 

Clockwise from top: The 

mountains of Coigach 

from between the First 

and Second Coasts; taking 

a break above Little Loch 

Broom; dusk settles over 

Ullapool; gorgeous north 

coast light over Gruinard; 

the A832 runs beside the 

stunning coastline under 

mountains including Sail 

Mhor and An Teallach 

Previous page, clockwise: 

Evening light over Loch 

Broom; fishing trawlers 

moored at Charlestown; 

the spectacular Munro of 

Slioch above Loch Maree 

60 



PICTURES Keith Fergus/www.scottishhorizons.co.uK 

Fact file 

Loch Maree is named after Saint 

Maelrubha, who established an 

abbey near Applecross 

The name Gairloch simply means 

‘the short loch’ 

Ullapool was built in 1788 by the 

British Fisheries Society to exploit 

the herring boom of the time. 

Today the village is the main ferry 

terminus for Stornoway, the main 

town of the Isle of Lewis 

Inverewe Gardens, a little 

north of Poolewe, was created by 

aristocratic landowner Osgood 

Mackenzie in 1862. It’s home to 

exotic plants from across the world 

Sitting out in Gruinard Bay, 

Gruinard Island became infamous 

as the site of a biological warfare 

test in the 1940s by British military 

scientists. The island remained out 

of bounds for nearly 50 years until 

it was decontaminated 

Where to pitch 

Kinlochewe Caravan Cub Site 

01445 760239 

Gairloch Caravan Park 

Mihol Road, Gairloch, 01445 712373. 

Sands Caravan & Camping Park 

Gairloch, 01445 712152. 

Gruinard Bay Caravan Park 

Sand Laide, Achnasheen, 01445 731225 

Inverewe Gardens Camping and 

Caravan Club Site 

Poolewe, Achnasheen, 01445 781249 

Shore Caravan Site 

Achmelvich, Lochinver, 01571 844393 

Port a Bhaigh Campsite 

Altandhu, Achiltibuie, 01854 622339 

Broomfield Holiday Park 

West Lane, Ullapool, 01854 612020 


Brieftests 

Skoda Kodiaq 

Jack McKeown is impressed by the 

Czech marque’s first large SUV 

Skoda has a new flagship vehicle in the 

Kodiaq, a large SUV that aims to knock 

spots off rivals such as the Ford Edge 

and Kia Sorento. It’s so good it may 

even tempt buyers away from premium 

vehicles like the Audi Q5 and Land 

Rover Discovery Sport. 

Styling Skoda’s only previous SUV was the Yeti, 

★★★★ which – while a very capable car – is 

something of an ugly duckling. The company has 

now put effort into creating a car that’s as visually 

appealing as it is practical and capable. A chunky 

stance, sharp front end and nice details such as the 

side creases make it stand out from the opposition. 

Build quality Owned by Volkswagen these 

★★★★ days, Skoda uses the same 

interior switchgear as VW models. Highlights 

include a clear, easy-to-use touchscreen. Doors 

shut with a satisfying clunk, and our SE L model 

came with a handy powered tailgate. Everything 

feels solid and built to last. It’s still a vehicle 

designed to a budget, of course, but as long as you 

don’t expect Audi or BMW levels of luxury you 

won’t be at all disappointed. 

Ride and handling I didn’t expect the big 

★★★★ 

Kodiaq (named after the 

Alaskan bear) to be anything other than wallowy 

and stodgy, but on some of Angus and Aberdeenshire’s 

country lanes it surprised me. Nobody’s 

going to mistake it for a Mazda MX-5, but handling 


Price £30,465 

VED Band H 


Weight 1,495kg 

Tow limit 2,500kg 

0-62mph 10.3 secs 

Top speed 123mph 

Gearbox 7 DSG 

Power 150 bhp 

Combined 56.5 mpg 

Model on test 

Skoda Kodiaq SE L 

2.0 TDI 150PS DSG 


skoda.co.uk 

Within a crisply styled exterior, the Kodiak has plenty of space for seven adults and their luggage 

Pictures Courtesy of sKoda 

Somehow a decent boot is incorporated even with seven seats 

The diesel Kodiaq delivered a surprisingly good drive and ride 

is sharp, the body doesn’t lean in corners, and it 

acquits itself better than many large SUVs when 

pushed hard into a bend. Ride quality also passed 

muster, with all but the deepest pothole and most 

adverse camber soaked up with aplomb. Only a bit 

too much tyre noise in the cabin blots an otherwise 

excellent copybook. 

Interior space Anyone who’s tried Skoda’s 

★★★★★ other recent products – from 

the Yeti to the Fabia, Octavia and Superb – will 

know they’re masters of maximising internal space. 

So it proves with the Kodiaq. There’s what feels like 

acres of room. Go for cheaper five-seat models 

and you get a cavernous 720-litre boot, rising to 

2,005 litres if you fold the seats down. The 

seven-seat version that we drove loses a small 

amount of capacity but still offers up to 630 litres. 

Even with all seven seats in use, there’s a 270-litre 

boot space left – more than a Ford Fiesta. The 

rearmost seats are good enough for adults, too. 

Overall impression You can get a 

★★★★★ 

petrol-powered Kodiaq 

– there’s a 1.4 litre turbo unit – but it’s far too 

weedy for serious towing. The 2.0 litre diesel unit 

may have a modest 150bhp on paper, but it has 

tonnes of torque and will pull all but the biggest 

loads. Pricing is remarkably competitive: you can 

have a five-seat Kodiaq for around £22,000 or a 

seven-seater for £24,000, and evenawellequipped 

four-wheel-drive diesel seven-seater will 

still give you plenty of change from £30,000. 

It’s more engaging to drive than a Ford Edge, 

Kia Sorento or Hyundai Santa Fe, its nearest rivals, 

and frankly good enough to make you wonder 

why anyone would pay twice as much for a Land 

Rover Discovery. 

62 



Parkreview 

Wigwam 

glam 

With breathtaking views, quirky accommodation 

and friendly local wildlife, Loch Tay Highland 

Lodges is a glamper’s dream, writes Sally Hampton 

Pictures Courtesy of LoCh tay vaCations (right, top and bottom); saLLy hampton 

Scotland waS enjoying ‘weather for ducks’ 

when I visited Loch Tay Highland Lodges 

to try their glamping facilities. The friendly 

local ducks certainly seemed very happy 

with it as they waddled past my front door at 

regular intervals. They gather in numbers at 

breakfast-time, obviously confident that spare 

breadcrumbs will be coming their way. I was 

also thrilled to spot several red squirrels darting 

between the trees. 

The Loch Tay Highland Lodges estate, 

owned and run by Largo Leisure Parks, is 

situated on a beautiful spot at the west end of 

Loch Tay, near Killin. Visitors can enjoy the 

best of both worlds: hills and water. 

The park’s own three-mile circular hill 

track, near the main entrance, is suitable for 

walking and mountain-biking. From here you 

can enjoy amazing views of loch and mountains. 

More adventurous walkers can also access the 

paths network on the Ben Lawers national 

Trust area from the track. 

At the lower end of the park, on the shores 

of Loch Tay, you can rent a pebble boat for 

fishing or watching the swans and ducks at 

closer quarters. Prices, from £40, include 

fishing permit, fuel and lifejackets, with fishing 

Nearby 

attractions 

The park is situated 

in a beautiful part of 

the country, with the 

stunning Falls of Dochart 

and Killin on the 

doorstep plus Doune, 

Stirling, Callander and 

the Trossachs National 

Park within easy reach. 

Nae Limits outdoor 

activity centre offers 

land and water thrills. 

Auchingarrich Wildlife 

Centre and Highland 

Safaris get you close 

to the animals. On 

a rainy day, head to 

Deanston Distillery 

or the beautifully restored 

Castle Menzies. 

Clockwise from above: Interiors are 

comfortable; my wigwam had cooking 

facilities, but the Tay Bistro was too 

tempting; the park runs down to the 

loch; wigwams include outdoor space 

rods for hire separately. Other activities include 

a putting green, disc golf, children’s play area 

and boat trips. Also nestling by the water’s edge 

is the Loch Tay Bistro, serving delicious Italian-themed 

meals. You can relax in the comfy 

bar area or pick up logs for your fire pit here. 

There’s a touching story behind the bistro’s 

current management: the family in charge ran 

an independent restaurant in Callander until it 

suffered extensive water damage as a result of a 

fire in the flat above. While their own premises 

are being renovated, they’ve been invited to run 

the bistro at Loch Tay. 

With just four units available, Ready Camp doesn’t feel crowded and the site facilities are nearby 

Visions of nature 

I caught up with Largo Leisure Group’s Marketing 

Manager, Jon Morley, who explained that, 

while traditional lodges are still very popular, 

glamping is a big growth area for the business. 

‘Of course, the views are a great attraction,’ 

says Jon. ‘You’d never get permission to build 

a huge hotel in such a scenic spot, but come 

glamping and you can look out on one of the 

64 



most magnificent vistas in the whole world 

from your own front door.’ And, even on a damp 

September day, I have to confess the view from 

my Premium Wigwam was simply breathtaking. 

What makes it premium? I had my own 

compact shower room, so I didn’t have to run 

for the facilities block to go to the loo in the 

middle of the night! There’s also a compact but 

very comfortable double bed, plus a bed settee 

that can be made up into additional sleeping 

accommodation for two more. It would be very 

cosy for four adults, but perfect for a family. 

All the properties at Loch Tay have 

their own fire pit with outdoor seating, and 

holidaymakers sit around the fire long into the 

evening, enjoying a barbecue and watching the 

sun set over the loch. 

Prices for the premium wigwams start at 

£80 a night. Or you could trade up to one of 

Loch Tay 

Highland Lodges 

Milton Morenish 

Estate, by Killin, 

Loch Tay, Perthshire 

FK21 8TY 

Telephone 

01567 820323 

Website 

www.lochtayvacations.co.uk 

Open all year round. Check-in 

from 4pm, check-out 10am 

three that also boasts a hot tub for £110 per 

night. My wigwam didn’t have the hot tub, but 

it did boast a microwave, cooker hob, fridge, TV 

and convector heater, plus rudimentary wifi. 

No better place 

Who needs to be connected to the outside 

world, though, when you can relax on the 

doorstep of your own wigwam, enjoying the 

stunning views over loch and mountain? Only 

bird noises and the rustling of trees break the 

silence. One night here left me feeling wonderfully 

restored and relaxed. 

It’s not surprising, then, that Loch Tay 

Highland Lodges won Best Scottish Glamping 

Site in the 2016 Scottish Outdoor and Leisure 

Awards, or that they were shortlisted again in 

this category and two more (Best Scottish Self 

Catering Site and Best Scottish Family Holiday 

Park) in 2017. 

As well as standard and premium wigwams, 

Loch Tay Highland Lodges offers glamping 

domes and the Stable Bothy bunkhouse. One 

step up (or down, depending on your perspective) 

are the more traditional Scandinavian 

Lodges, Woodland Cabins, Houses and Cottages. 


Parkreview 

Happy days 

at Holgates 

Holgates Group celebrated 60 years of running 

caravan parks in 2016 and, as Andy Jenkinson 

finds, the family-run business is still going strong 

Holgate is a name that’s well known in caravanning 

circles. Over the years, the business has 

grown from one park to six. Catering for tents, 

holiday homes, motorhomes and tourers, the 

group’s main park is the one that established 

the brand over 60 years ago at Cove Road, 

Silverdale, amid the Arnside & Silverdale Area 

of Outstanding Natural Beauty on the Lancashire 

coast. 

The Holgates were caravan manufacturers 

just before the Second World War. After the 

conflict, Billy Holgate found a field on a hillside 

overlooking Morecambe Bay. With his wife 

Pictures Andy Jenkinson 

Right: Silverdale has 

developed beyond 

recognition since the 1950s 

Clockwise from top left: 

Our Swift Chamonix lodge 

wasareal home from 

home; holiday homes have 

spacious plots and views; 

facilities blocks are kept 

immaculate by the staff 

66 


Miriam, the couple 

began to develop 

the hillside into 

a caravan park. 

In the late 1960s, caravan production had 

stopped and the park was established, and by 

the late 80s other parks were purchased and the 

portfolio extended. 

Pitches and putts 

The flagship park is still run by the Holgate 

family, with a very hands-on approach. We 

stopped for a weekend in one of the holiday 

homes for hire, a Swift Chamonix lodge. 

The Swift was clean and the park itself had 

everything you could need for a fantastic break. 

A bowling alley had recently opened, while 


available five minutes from the park entrance. 

Or you can venture out to nearby Silverdale or 

to the Victorian seaside village of Arnside. 

Picture Courtesy of Holgates 

other facilities include a gym, sauna, kids’ play 

area, restaurant, an excellent swimming pool 

and a pitch-and-putt green. The park has also 

recently invested in planting hedging around 

each of the touring pitches, all of which come 

with their own tap. 

The Silverdale park is on different gradients, 

and that means some pitches, including 

the tents, have exceptional views across the 

bay over to the lakes. The park is well run, and 

a team work all week to keep it that way. For 

those who want to explore the area, plenty of 

walks along the shore and into woodland are 

Holgates 

Holiday Parks 

Various locations 

to the west of the 

Lake District 

Telephone 

01524 701508 

Website 

holgates.co.uk 

All in the family 

Michael Holgate runs all six parks, but could 

easily be mistaken for an employee: he’s often 

seen doing various jobs and never afraid of 

getting his hands dirty. The Holgate family are 

spread around the other parks, which are each 

unique to their location. Silverdale is well run 

and full of folk who’ve used it for many years. 

It’s hard to believe that, from a shed with a 

caravan, the park is now a five-star setup. This 

has only happened with the dedication of the 

staff, who are a friendly bunch. Meals and real 

ales are sold in the park’s restaurant, and if you 

want a pub in Silverdale village, Holgates own 

one too! You can walk to it from the park if you 

like a good stroll. 

This is a park we’ve used for testing tourers 

and motorhomes for 20 years, and one that we 

simply love going back to. With the Yorkshire 

Dales and the lakes, plus Blackpool, all an hour’s 

drive away, plus the M6 about eight miles away, 

it’s situated ideally in a part of the country that 

can’t fail to impress. 


Activityguide 

Catching 

the breeze 

Garry Fraser discovers the hair-raising joy of sailing on land 

Picture Marieke McBean/Blown away 

I’VE oftEn walkEd along St Andrews’ West 

Sands, immortalised in the film Chariots of 

Fire, but I’d never sailed across them until I 

met up with Guy and Jamie McKenzie. The 

twins run Blown Away, whose key activity is 

land yachting – or ‘Blokarting’, to aficionados of 

this particular brand of machine, designed in 

New Zealand. I was there to experience hurtling 

along the sands in a blue-sailed Blokart. It 

looked really easy – but doesn’t everything until 

you try it out? 

There are photographs of land yachting 

on the West Sands from the early 1900s, but 

as far as Guy and Jamie know, they’re the first 

commercial operator in Scotland this century. 

I arrived at the sands to be greeted by Guy and 

almost still conditions. There’d be no yachting 

that day unless the wind picked up to at least 

eight knots. 

Having experienced gale-force winds on 

these very sands more than once, the stillness 

was almost surreal, so I silently mouthed a 

prayer to the Great Gusto, God of Wind, for him 

to do something positive. He quickly obliged, 

and within a half an hour or so the flags on the 

nearby Old Course started to flap. We were in 

business. The sea was way, way out, the sun was 


More Van Morrison than 

Vangelis, but I got under 

way eventually; the feeling 

in motion is exhilarating; 

Blown Away is happy to 

host novice riders 

Below: Twins Guy and 

Jamie MacKenzie – don’t 

ask me which is which 

shining, the sand was flat and beckoning – and 

I was raring to go. Guy and Jamie positioned 

two bollards about 90 metres apart. The idea 

was to maneouvre round them in a figure of 

eight, ensuring that at every turn the sail was in 

position to pick up the wind for the return leg. 

As I mentioned: easier said than done. 

Second wind 

With a moderate breeze at my back, I whizzed 

along, turned at the correct moment then came 

to a sudden halt. I hadn’t mastered the art of 

tacking into the wind, which is one of the basics 

of yachting, on land or sea. However, with Guy 

and Jamie giving a helping push, I was soon on 

my way again. 

In fact, both were the essence of patience as 

I becalmed myself on more than one occasion. 

To be fair, I did manage some turns without 

help – but not too often, I have to confess. 

Once you get going, it’s quite an exhilarating 

experience. There’s some danger of 

tipping over if you take a corner too quickly 

68 



or too sharply, but you’re safely belted in, and 

a crash helmet is supplied that would avoid 

too heavy a dunt on the sand if you were to go 

head-over-heels. 

‘We’re careful to only operate in what we 

consider are safe conditions,’ explains Jamie. 

‘Safe not only for the participants but also for 

every other beach user! This means that we 

are continuously assessing all risk elements 

throughout our activities to prevent any 

potential danger.’ 

All very sensible. But it’s clear to see that 

Guy and Jamie get just as much fun out of the 

activity as their clients. ‘We have a quiet wry 

smile when people ask where they can put their 

handbag on the land yacht,’ admits Jamie (they 

can’t). ‘We also smile when some of our customers 

turn up with full protective-weather [sea] 

yachting gear, particularly when we’re in shorts 

and flip-flops.’ Then again, ‘it’s worth mentioning 

that we get a great buzz out of some of our 

customers’ achievements. Like the 88-year-old 

who had land yachting on his bucket list, and 

the special needs kids’ reaction and thrill when 

they get a land yacht going. 

‘These type of things are the icing on the 

cake to the fun of creating great memories for 

visitors from home and abroad to the beach.’ 

‘It’s a great place to land yacht,’ adds Guy. 

In fact, St Andrews has created a ‘Wind Zone’ at 

the far end of the beach where wind sports are 

Yacht facts 

Land yachting was first 

recorded as early as the fifth 

century in China 

Belgian André Dumont is 

credited with the invention of 

the modern land yacht in 1898 

Louis Blériot, the aviation 

pioneer, took up land yachting 

with an adapted version of 

Dumont’s machine when it 

became too dangerous for 

him to fly 

The current world speed 

record is held by British 

engineer Richard Jenkins, who 

reached a top speed of 202.9 

kph (126.1 mph) in March, 

2009. Rather him than me! 

A land yacht race of over 

2,730 km (1,700 miles) took 

place in the Sahara in 1967 

Zephyr, a land-yachting 

rover, was used for scientific 

research on the planet Venus 

A different variation on 

land yachting is the Whike, 

which has pedals for use when 

there’s no wind available 

Picture Marieke McBean/Blown away 

encouraged. Add the ease of access and plentiful 

free parking, and there are few other places 

quite as conducive. 

The twins chose land yachting because it 

was something that previously wasn’t available. 

‘While we were still at college, we decided we’d 

look at the possibilities of working for ourselves 

in outdoor activities. After researching the 

industry, we looked for an activity that wasn’t 

currently offered in 

Scotland and was 

exciting enough to 

create an adrenalin 

buzz.’ Land yachting 

fitted the bill, and 

they reckon it’s now 

added a third ‘G’ to St 

Andrews’ image: ‘Golf, 

Gown and Great fun.’ 

Or Garry stalling a 

Blokart, depending on 

your point of view. 

Blown Away also offer stand-up paddling, 

kayaking, and Zap Cats – powerful inflatable 

catamarans. I’m something of a land-lubber, so 

land yachting is as close as I need to get, thanks! 

Packages are available for individuals, corporate 

groups, families, hen/stag parties and school 

groups. For details, phone 07784 121125 or go to 

www.blownaway.co.uk. 


Towcarawards 

Pulling power: 2018’s 

Towcars of theYear 

The experience of caravanning 

depends not just on the caravan but 

the car towing it. So each year the 

Caravan and Motorhome Club puts 

a variety of towcars to the test, and 

the results for 2018 are now in. 

Which cars are best suited 

to towing? To find out, 

everything from acceleration 

to braking, reversing, 

traction and gearbox suitability 

is analysed by a team 

of experts, and for a fair 

comparison the cars are 

tested within price brackets. 

This is the 35th year the 

contest has been held, and 

the final judgement is made 

by a panel of experts including 

caravan and motoring 

journalists and Club members. 

For the 2018 Towcar of 

the Year, there’s one overall 

winner plus individual 

winners in each category. 

Skoda’s Kodiaq SE L 2.0 

(a more powerful version of 

the model we test on page 62) 

came out on top of the pile 

overall. Its 2.0 litre 190bhp 

turbo-diesel engine makes 

for a quick standing start 

with comfortable easing-in 

to fast-moving traffic, found 

the judges, with seven gears 

(automatic) and 30-60 mph 

acceleration in 11.1 seconds. 

That’s with the test caravan 

attached, of course. Included 

in the £33,000 to £38,000 

Words Garry Fraser pictures Courtesy oF Caravan and MotorhoMe Club 

From top: Best pickup, the Volkswagen 

Amarok Highline; Towcar of the Year 

2018, the Skoda Kodiaq; the test van 

hitched using a fitted Brink towbar; the 

not inexpensive Volvo XC90 T8 

category – this model comes 

in at £34,210 – the Kodiaq 

ticked every box for the 

judges, showing that relaxing, 

stable, dependable and 

comfortable towing makes a 

caravan trip more enjoyable. 

Winners in other categories 

included Vauxhall’s 

Insignia Grand Sport SRi 

(£24-26k), Skoda again with 

the Octavia Estate Scout 2.0 

TDI (£26-30k), the VW Golf 

Estate Alltrack (£30-33k), 

Volvo’s XC60 D4 Inscription 

(£38-50k) and, for those with 

over £50,000 to spend, the 

Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine 

Momentum. The Pickup 

category was won by the 

Volkswagen Amarok Highline 

3.0 V6 TDI 4MOTION. 

For full details of the 

winning cars, see www. 

caravanclub.co.uk/whats-on/ 

awards/towcar-of-the-year/. 

70 



Yourstories 

picture AlAmy AlAmy 

The ecstasy 

of an outdoor 

breakfast 

I’ve been caravannIng ever since I was 

a kid, and our excursions often brought 

about an air of excitement on the days 

leading up to the long drive down to the 

south west of Scotland. 

Out of everything, I’d have to say my 

favourite thing was eating breakfast out 

on the decking with a beautiful view of 

the Loch Sween between trees and a white 

sand beach. 

Then we’d go fishing at night, hoping to 

catch pollock and mackerel, maybe even 

salmon and pike if the season was right. 

We could go on long walks down to the 

surrounding villages, or up the hills, or 

down to our secret beach, where we often 

pitched a tent and stayed the night. 

Best of all, when we got back we felt 

motivated, energetic, ecstatic even, looking 

forward to the next time. 

Casey Simmonds, Edinburgh 

Above: Loch Sween, 

Argyll and Bute 

Better than 

a hotel 

Many frIends ask me 

why my wife and I prefer 

a holiday in our caravan 

to flying off to a hotel on 

the Continent. Well, it 

depends on what you like 

to get out of a holiday. 

How many of these 

creature comforts can 

you take on a flight: your 

bicycle and golf clubs, 

your wine selection, the 

collection of favourite 

magazines you’ve still to 

read… and many more? 

You know what your 

accommodation will be 

like before you set off – 

and if the site isn’t up 

to expectations, you can 

move on. 

Ken Peebles, Dundee 

WinaVision Plus 

18.5in portable 

HD TV set with 

DVD and antenna 

Fancy putting your feet up 

and watching your favourite 

shows on a brand new TV 

system that adds a finishing 

touch to your caravan or 

camper? Thanks to Vision 

Plus (www.visionplus.co.uk) 

we have one of these super 

packages to give away. 

The TV, sold at £269, 

incorporates a carry handle 

and stand. The LED-backlit 

screen offers wide viewing 

angles, and DVB-T2 terrestrial 

and satellite tuners are 

included as well as a DVD/ 

CD player and speakers. 

The Status 570 antenna 

(£145.95) supports digital 

TV, DAB 

and FM 

and has a 

state-of-theart 

system to tune 

your TV in seconds. 

All you have to do for 

a chance of winning this 

fantastic prize is answer the 

following question: 

On which channel will you 

find the TV series Strictly 

Come Dancing? 

a) BBC 1 

b) Channel 4 

c) ITV 

cOrrectiON: In our Summer Touring Special (issue 3) we carried a review of the Signature Lodges at Deeside Holiday Park. 

The park is run by Wood Leisure, which was incorrectly printed as ‘Woodside Leisure’ in the review. Deeside Holiday Park is 

one of five picturesque parks Wood Leisure run, and you can find more information on them all at www.woodleisure.co.uk. 

Keep in touch We’d love to see your stories and pictures from your camping, caravanning 

and motorhome adventures. Email editor@scottishcaravansandmotorhomes.co.uk or write (keeping 

copies of photos) to Scottish Caravans & Motorhomes, 2 Albert Square, Dundee DD1 9QJ. 

Send your answer (a, b or c) 

to TV Competition, Scottish 

Caravans & Motorhomes, DC 

Thomson & Co Ltd, Albert 

Square, Dundee DD1 1DD. The 

closing date is 15 January 2018. 

For full terms and conditions, 

see bit.ly/2zc7PbV. 


Brieftests 

Volvo V90 

Cross Country 

Jack McKeown drives a jacked-up 

4×4 version of Volvo’s luxury estate 

pictures Courtesy of VolVo 

Still obviously a Volvo estate, which these days is a compliment 

Few companies have managed to transform 

their image so comprehensively 

as Volvo. Once known for safe-but-dull 

boxy get-arounds, they still make the 

safest cars on Earth, but now wrapped 

in beautifully styled bodies. The V90 

Cross Country takes that beauty and 

adapts it into a bit of a beast. 

Styling Perhaps only Jaguar’s XF Sportbrake 

★★★★★ is as elegantly proportioned an 

estate car as the V90. This Cross Country version, 

designed for light off-roading, sits 6cm higher and 

has a protective plastic bodykit that gives its 

appearance a rugged, outdoorsy edge. 

Build quality Volvo were once famous for 

★★★★ building cars that could rack up 

half a million miles or more before they bit the 

dust. It’s too early to tell if the V90 Cross Country’s 

inherited that kind of durability, but the signs are 

positive. Doors have a satisfying heft and close with 

a good thunk, while switchgear is tactile and 

everything feels made to last. 

Ride and handling That extra height does 

★★★★ 

the V90’s ride no harm. 

It’s beautifully composed across almost any 

surface, and a delight to cover long journeys in. 


Price £53,180 

VED Band E 

Top speed 130 mph 


Gearbox 8 auto 

Power 187 bhp 

Combined 54.3 mpg 

Model on test 

Volvo V90 Cross 

Country 2.0 D4 AWD 

Automatic 


volvocars.com/uk 

Inside is lots of leather and a fashionably large control screen 

Not every car lets you swap the fifth passenger for a snack bar 

There’s a choice of two diesel engines, with 187 or 

232 bhp, and a 315 bhp T6 petrol that’s likely to be 

of niche interest. Either diesel will easily haul a fully 

laden caravan, and all models have automatic 

gearboxes. The extra ride height impinges slightly 

on handling, but this is still a car built for cruising 

comfort, not backroad thrashing, and few will care 

it can’t keep up with a sports car on a country lane. 

Interior space With chrome switchgear, soft 

★★★★ leather and a large iPad-style 

touchscreen, the interior has more than just a hint 

of luxury. Front and rear passengers sit in comfort, 

with favourite-armchair levels of cushioning. 

There’s loads of legroom for four large adults, 

although very tall passengers might find their heads 

a tad close to the gently tapering roofline in the 

back. At 565 litres, the boot is big enough for a 

family holiday – although the BMW 5 Series Touring 

and Mercedes E Class both offer slightly more. 

With a higher stance and added bodykit, the Cross Country is a little lairier than the standard V90 

Overall impression With prices starting at 

★★★★ 

over £40,000 – and our 

test car running well north of £50,000 – the V90 

Cross Country isn’t a budget option. It’s spacious 

enough for most families, however, as comfortable 

and well equipped as a luxury saloon, and besides 

great looks offers the peace of mind that comes with 

Volvo’s incredible record for safety. There’s enough 

off-road capability for most people’s needs, and it’ll 

tow 2.4 tonnes. If you can stretch to the price, you’ll 

have all the car you’ll ever need. 

74 



Parkreview 

Luxuryliving in the 

heart of the Highlands 

With top-class facilities and breathtaking countryside, 

Mains of Taymouth offers a rural escape you’ll never forget 

RURAL PeRthshiRe is gorgeous at any time 

of year, but it was especially stunning when 

I travelled there in early autumn to sample 

high-end living in one of Mains of Taymouth’s 

luxury lodges. 

Mains of Taymouth Country Estate and 

Golf Course is situated at the head of Loch Tay, 

at the tiny village of Kenmore, near Aberfeldy. 

I journeyed there from Stirling, heading north 

through the Trossachs and then along the 

beautiful banks of Loch Tay. Perthshire is, of 

course, Scotland’s ‘Big Tree Country,’ and, with 

the leaves turning from green to gold and red,I 

was able to experience it in its full glory. 

The good feeling continued with a warm 

welcome from general manager Pauline 

McLaren. With obvious pride, Pauline gave me 

a whistle-stop tour of the estate’s impressive 

facilities. Mains of Taymouth offer an incredible 

selection of luxury self-catering properties, 

all in the most tranquil country setting – yet the 

hustle and bustle of the Central Belt is barely an 

hour and a half’s drive away. 

Ideal home show 

Self-catering properties on the estate include 

several traditional stone cottages that sleep 

from two to nine; an amazing detached 

farmhouse that sleeps 12; mews houses for 

six to eight people; three family houses that 

sleep from eight to 10; spacious two-bedroom 

Nearby 

attractions 

The estate’s grounds 

make for fantastic 

walking, and there’s 

the golf course, riding 

school and fishing 

in the river (permits 

required). Within easy 

walking distance is the 

fascinating Scottish 

Crannog Centre, a 

‘living’ reconstruction 

of an ancient round 

house on stilts above 

Loch Tay. It’s based 

on archaeological digs 

at a nearby structure 

that dates from 

500BC. Wildlife lovers 

will have a super time 

at Highland Safaris, 

which offers 4×4 trips 

to local mountain tops 

as well as Loch Tay 

Safaris and cruises. 

apartments, and one- and two-bedroom villas. 

The properties, traditional and modern alike, 

are all constructed sympathetically with their 

environment and blend in perfectly. 

The estate is also home to Mains of 

Taymouth Village, an exclusive luxury lodge 

development. The stunning structures are 

custom-designed and built to owners’ specifications. 

Pauline told me there are a number 

of plots available for 2018. The estate is set to 

introduce a ‘buy-to-holiday-let’ package, so 

owners gain income when not staying. 

There’s also a wonderful nine-hole golf 

course, designed and built by estate owner 

Robin Menzies and his dad. The family has 

lived here for generations. 

Other on-site attractions include a riding 

centre, a shop and a super delicatessen, and the 

Courtyard Bar and Restaurant, which serves 

pub-style meals and – as I experienced – one of 

Perthshire’s best cooked breakfasts! 

Pauline was particularly keen to show off 

the estate’s latest development: Balloch Park. 

Currently being built in a beautiful glade in 

a secluded corner of the estate, this is a new 

collection of luxury lodges built to the highest 

standard. They’re designed for holiday, leisure 

and permanent residential living. 

It’s a small, private community in a 

heavenly slice of Perthshire. If I ever win the 

lotto, I thought wistfully… 

But no need for that: as Pauline handed me 

the keys to the Bell Tower cottage, my home 

76 



Words and pictures RobeRt Wight 

for the night, I discoveredIwouldn’t exactly 

be roughing it. Situated in a small terraced 

courtyard, the cottage is perfect for a couple 

and has bags of space over three floors. 

Outside, it has its own patio and barbecue. 

Inside, the ground floor is a lovely open-plan 

living area – a well-appointed kitchen and dining 

room with all the conveniences, including 

dishwasher, microwave, hob, oven and granite 

work surfaces. The adjoining lounge has a 

massive comfy leather sofa plus chairs and solid 

oak furnishings. Best of all is the wood-burning 

stove in the centre of the room, complete with 

kindling and basket of logs. I must be getting 

old, but with the fire lit, a large glass of red and 

a good book, it felt like the perfect cosy night in. 

We didn’t even bother with the 40-inch TV. 

Mains of 

Taymouth 

Country Estate 

and Golf Course 

Kenmore, near 

Aberfeldy, Perthshire 

PH15 2HN 

Telephone 

01887 830226 

Email 

info@taymouth.co.uk 

Website 

www.taymouth.co.uk 

Clockwise from main 

picture: the Bell Tower 

cottage exemplifies Mains 

of Taymouth’s mix of 

heritage and comfort; a 

four-poster adds a special 

touch; the main living 

area is spacious yet cosy 

thanks to the central 

wood burner; a stone-built 

arch welcomes visitors 

Lots of Mains of Taymouth’s properties 

have hot tubs. Our cottage didn’t, but on the 

first floor was an even better treat: a massive 

spa bathroom, complete with sauna as well as 

a stylish free-standing roll-top bath, enormous 

walk-in power shower and under-floor heating. 

From the landing, a quirky twisting staircase 

takes you to the bedroom, complete with 

four-poster. My other half pointed out that, if 

this was the Bell Tower, she must be Esmerelda, 

which made me… quite unamused. 

Bed, bath and brae 

The four-poster was very comfortable, with 

excellent quality linen. Slippers, sumptuous 

robes and plenty of bath-sheets and towels are 

provided. All you have to do is turn up, enjoy 

the tremendous facilities and relax. 

The area is surrounded by mountain, loch, 

river and forest. After a bracing walk in the 

blustery autumn weather, it was marvellous 

to get back to the Bell Tower, enjoy a nice long 

soak in that huge tub, then sweat it out in the 

sauna, followed by a cool blast in the shower. 

It’s a tough old life. 

For more information about Mains of Taymouth, 

including a full list of their luxury properties, 

availability and prices, visit the website at www. 

taymouth.co.uk. For more about the new Balloch 

Park development, see www.ballochpark.co.uk. 

WinteR 2017 Scottish Caravans & Motorhomes 77

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Brieftests 

VW Up 

This small car thinks big, 

writes Andy Jenkinson 


The Up may be VW’s smallest car, but 

that doesn’t mean it’s set its sights any 

lower. We tested the High Up, which 

adds a good bit of kit compared to the 

lower models in the range. This would 

be an ideal car for motorhome owners 

or those just wanting a second runabout 

that’s cheap to drive and insure. 

Styling The Up’s plain styling suits its place 

★★★★★ in this market sector. We love the 

cheeky rear and that with five doors (our choice) it 

looks bigger than it really is. It really is a cracking 

looking small car. 

Build quality This is a solid and well-made car 

★★★★★ outside and in. We’d bet it’ll still 

be going when many of its rivals have given up the 

ghost. The quality of the seating and plastics puts 

many smaller cars in this sector to shame. 

Price £12,760 

VED Band A 

Top speed 106 mph 

Engine 1.0 petrol 

Gearbox 5 manual 

Power 82 bhp 

Combined 66 mpg 

Model on test 

VW High Up 

(with extras) 


volkswagen.co.uk 

Thanks to the VW Press team 

Ride and handling The Up offers a good 

★★★★ 

ride that’s surprisingly 

able to soak up bumps in the road. Passenger 

comfort is very good in town and even on the 

motorway, where cruising at 70 was a breeze. Fuel 

came out on the right side of 50 mpg on our 500 

mile test week. Noise from the three-cylinder 

engine isn’t obtrusive, and cabin sound is minimal 

for a car of this stature. 

Interior 

★★★★ 

The Up’s interior styling won’t disappoint 

those who like to make a fashion 


From top: The boldest design is saved for the back end; the 

interior is well put together, with stylish touches, reflecting 

the quality of its bigger VW stablemates; the boot is a good 

size for such a tiny car; the back isn’t too cramped for adults 

statement. You get a smartly finished-off cabin all 

round; the instruments are easy to read and the 

seats are comfortable. The rear seat passengers 

have good leg room, and those seats can be folded 

flat for extra carrying space, although there’s a 

worthwhile amount of room in the boot too. 

The Up is a cracking little car, offering excellent quality and style at prices from just over £9,000 

Overall impression The Up deserves five 

★★★★★ 

stars. It’s easy to drive, 

feels like more car than it actually is, and of course 

is cheap to run. It’s better than anything else in its 

class at the moment. We drove the Up (or ‘up!’ as 

Volkswagen insists on writing it) on motorways and 

back roads and it handled all the conditions with 

grace and dexterity. 

80 



Wildcamping 

Going wild at Lochcarron 

The tent’s your best bet for exploring these remote mountains, 

reckons Robert Wight – after tackling seven at once 

I DON’T kNOw about you, but I find a 

seven-mountain marathon trip, over 40km, 

with several thousand metres of ascent and an 

overnight camp, makes for a perfect weekend! 

It’s certainly one you don’t forget in a hurry. 

The group of hills east of Glen Carron is 

incredibly remote. It contains five Munros – 

Scotland’s hills of 3,000ft and higher – and 

several Corbetts, hills between 2,500 and 

2,599ft. This route includes two of them, pretty 

much because you have to climb them to get to 

the Munros. 

All are a test of pronunciation as well as 

stamina. The Corbetts are Sgurr na Feartaig and 

Beinn Tharsuinn. The Munros, Bidein a’ Choire 

Sheasgaich (most opt for ‘the Cheesecake’), Lurg 

Mhor, Sgurr Choinnich, Sgurr a’ Chaorachain 

and lonely Maoile Lunndaidh. 

Few will bag all seven hills in one outing, 

and you can easily split this route into ones 

and twos. But bear in mind, with mountains so 

remote, each trip will require a bothy or camp. 

I reckon if you’re going to all that effort anyway, 

you may as well camp high in the hills and do as 

much as you can in one go. 

Off to a good start 

Start at Craig on the A890. You want to be off 

early, so best head up the night before. You 

can pitch at the Wee Campsite at Lochcarron, 

a 15-minute drive from Craig, or try Gerry’s 

Hostel, a hillwalking institution at the start of 

the route. 

The best place for the wild camp is the 

Bealach Bhearnais. Leave the main track 500m 

after the forest ends for a wire bridge over the 

Allt a’ Chonnais – it’s easy to miss, so keep an 

eye out. This takes you on a superb stalker’s 

path over Sgurr na Feartaig before dropping 

steeply south-east to the bealach. Allow 3½ 

hours. It’s a climb, but far better than sticking 

pictures RobeRt Wight 

No beaten 

track 

Even with a caravan 

or motorhome, 

there are some parts 

of Scotland that 

remain inaccessible, 

and that’s where the 

trusty tent comes in. 

Wild camping can be 

defined as pitching 

a tent anywhere off 

an ‘official’ campsite. 

With the right kit, 

you can camp safely 

and comfortably 

year round. The 

tent I mostly use is a 

Vango Banshee 200, 

a 2.25kg two-person 

tent, but really one 

person plus kit, unless 

you like it cosy! 

Top and left: Conquering 

Sgurr Choinnic; fuelling up 

at the Bealach Bhearnais 

to the main track, which eventually involves a 

river crossing and a hike up a very boggy path. 

Top tip: set up camp as soon as you get 

here. You’ll be glad you did later. Then head for 

Munros Bidean a’ Choire Sheasgaich and Lurg 

Mhor by following the easy ridge over Beinn 

Tharsuinn. The way up the Cheesecake from 

this approach looks intimidating; close in, the 

route’s obvious and a fine scramble. A tricky bit 

comes between the two rock bands – head left 

for the next scramble. 

The next Munro looms quickly, then 

retrace your steps a bit and drop north, before 

a long trudge up the glen to the campsite. It’s 

roughly a 10-hour day. The good news: next 

day you’ll be on top of Sgurr Choinnich in 30 

minutes! With a rocky descent and a steep 

climb, number two comes in another hour. 

Here you have a choice: go back to the coll between 

the two and descend north for the track 

out, or head down Sron na Frianich, then east 

for Maoile Lunndaidh – it’ll get you another 

peak, but add six hours to your day. Not an easy 

prospect carrying all your kit. 

From this summit, head down the broad 

north-east ridge to a ruin on the track near 

Glenuaig Lodge. If you’re really lucky, you 

might bump into a kind estate worker who’ll 

give you a lift. If not, it’s a 9km trudge back. 

Wild camping is perfectly legal in most parts of 

Scotland, but follow the Outdoor Access Code – see 

www.outdooraccess-scotland.com for guidance. 

82 

Scottish Caravans & Motorhomes WinteR 2017 


Placestogo 

A welcome in 

the hillsides 

Rab Mather fulfils a long-held ambition to explore 

North Wales – and he’s not disappointed 

pictures Rab MatheR 

North Wales is a place I’ve always wanted to 

visit, so my pal Danny and I made plans for a 

camping get-together in the land of dragons. 

We hadn’t decided exactly where to camp, 

but after closer inspection of the map we agreed 

on Bangor because of its proximity to Anglesey, 

in the Snowdonia National Park. Transport 

links to this area are good. 

We headed for the caravan and campsite at 

Treborth Hall Farm, which is in a lovely area 

just off the main road, a 20-minute walk from 

Bangor. A 10-minute walk away is the Antelope 

Inn, which has a great food menu and drink at 

reasonable prices. 

The campsite fees were £10 a night, and 

there was plenty of space here to find a quiet 

corner away from everyone, with good toilet 

and washroom facilities close by. 

The next day we enjoyed a cracking walk 

into Bangor and took a bus to Caernarfon to 

check out this famous royal town. It’s a picturesque 

little place, with a fantastic castle, built 

on the eastern shore of the Menai Strait. The 

Treborth 

Holiday & Golf 

The Old Barn, 

Treborth Hall Farm, 

Bangor, Gwynedd 

LL57 2RX 

Telephone 

01248 364399 

Website 

treborthleisure.co.uk 

Below: Portmeirion, the 

Italianate resort built by 

Sir Clough Williams-Ellis 

and featured in the TV 

series The Prisoner,isa 

memorable place to visit 

RabandDannyarrivingatBangor’strainstation 

OurtentspitchedupforthedurationatTreborth 

views from 

here are breathtaking. 

After a cup of tea and a freshly made 

sandwich bought at the café across from the 

bus station, we hopped on the bus to our next 

destination, the postcard-perfect village of 

Portmeirion. With loads to see in such a small 

area, we took in the ornamental gardens and 

a wonderful collection of trees and shrubs 

from around the world. Back at the Antelope, 

we enjoyed a good meal to get us ready for our 

adventure the next day – climbing Snowdon. 

Rain on Snowdon 

The weather forecast wasn’t great, but we were 

well prepared, so off we went to the foot of the 

mountain. We decided on doing the miners’ 

track – it isn’t the easiest way up but it certainly 

isn’t the hardest. The rain was lashing down 

and they’d suspended the train that takes 

tourists to the top, so at least it would be quiet 

up there if we made it. 

84 

Scottish Caravans & Motorhomes winteR 2017 


TheviewsfromSnowdonaresuperb…sowe’retold 

The views on the 

way up are stunning, 

with lakes and waterfalls. 

We managed 

to lose the track a 

few times due to the 

weather but eventually 

got ourselves to 

the summit. We couldn’t see a foot 

in front of us, but it was one of the best days’ 

walking I’ve experienced. 

Next up was Anglesey. We arrived in 

Newborough and at the lovely Red Squirrel 

Café met the wonderful owner, who gave us all 

the history of the area and told us about what’s 

called the Island Of The Blessed at the end of 

the beach. We walked through a pine forest and 

onto a sand path onto the dunes. An island cut 

off by the tide and with a fascinating history – 

and two lighthouses – this is a splendid part of 

the region. 

CrazyweatheratGlaslyn 

Above: Danny admires 

Thomas 

Telford’s Menai 

Suspension Bridge 

ThehistoriclighthouseatSouthStack,offAnglesey 

We made our way back to Malltraeth and 

stopped at the Riverside Arts and Crafts Café, 

where they do a wonderful cream tea. 

The next day we were up early and caught 

our wee bus to head all the way up to Holyhead. 

The island of Anglesey has an island called 

Holyhead, and Holyhead has an island called 

South Stack Island with the lighthouse on it. 

We walked around Holyhead and found a 

nice Roman fort, but decided to walk up to the 

lighthouse. The island is reached by crossing an 

1828 iron suspension bridge – but first you have 

to navigate the 390 steps down. 

The cliffs are part of the RSPB reserve, and 

wildlife is in abundance 

here, with peregrine 

falcons, kestrels, grey 

seal and bottlenose 

dolphin, to name but 

a few. We managed 

to get a tour of the 

lighthouse and went to 

the top. The isolation 

wasareminder of how 

people lived here in 

the past. 

Our trip to North 

Wales was one I’ll 

never forget, with friendly 

people, stunning 

beaches, castles, wildlife and great amenities. If 

you’ve never been to North Wales, give itago– 

I’m sure, like me, you’ll want to return. 


Parkreview 

Idyllic 

Invercoe 

Stunning scenery surrounds a favourite 

caravan and camping park in the 

heart of Glencoe, writes Bob Mather 

Pictures BoB Mather 

I hooked up the test van and headed for 

Glencoe to explore this beautiful part of 

Scotland. As I drove by Stirling and Callendar 

the rain was quite persistent, but as I entered 

the Trossachs area the skies began to clear and 

by the time I reached Tyndrum it had turned 

into a lovely day. With the sun cascading over 

the mountain tops, the drive through Glencoe 

couldn’t have been better. 

Arriving in Glencoe Village, I turned along 

beside Loch Leven and into Invercoe Highland 

Holidays’ caravan and camping park. As the 

owner and his wife were taking a short break after 

a busy summer season, it was his son Lorne 

who welcomed me to the park. He wasted no 

time in guiding me to a super pitch right on the 

waterfront of the loch. With the sun high in the 

sky, the view up the loch was at its very best, 

Invercoe Highland 

Holidays 

Glencoe, Argyll 

PH49 4HP 

Telephone 

01855 811210 

Website 

invercoe.co.uk 

Open all year round. Booking 

advised during peak periods 

Pictures Wendy Glass 

with the water shimmering and the shadows 

of the mountains highlighting the magnificent 

view. After a little refreshment, I couldn’t miss 

the opportunity to get the camera out and set 

off round the park. 

The main area of the Invercoe park consists 

of both hard standing and grass pitches for 

caravans and motorhomes. The loch-front area 

is all hard-standing pitches, which each have 

electrics, water and drainage. 

There are plenty of grass areas for tents, 

and a super camping kitchen structure gives the 

campers all the catering they need. Toilet block 

facilities are of an excellent standard, with 

laundry and disabled areas included. 

With just four units available, Ready Camp doesn’t feel crowded and the site facilities are nearby 

There and back 

Having photographed most areas of the park, 

I returned to the van for a quick cuppa before 

heading out northwards with the car, taking 

in the wonderful view every time I turned a 

corner. I arrived in Fort William with the sun 

still high in the sky – one of the few times I have 

been in Fort William when the sun was shining! 

After a couple of hours seeing the sights and 

doing a little bit of shopping, I decided to have 

a meal before returning to the park. I found a 

88 

Scottish Caravans & Motorhomes Winter 2017 


super café and they served me up a delicious 

meal that set me up for the journey back, which 

was if anything even more spectacular than the 

journey in. The shadows were lengthening and 

creating such patterns on the hillside, it wasa 

truly memorable journey. Arriving back at the 

park, the views were just as spectacular as the 

sunset between the mountains cast a red glow 

over the loch. I just sat outside the van with a 

cuppa and enjoyed every minute. 

The following morning, I was up early for 

a walk into the village of Glencoe and up to 

the local shop to pick up rolls and a paper. On 

my return to the van I could see the clouds 

gathering in the west, which was a pity after 

such a marvellous day before. After enjoying 

a quick breakfast, I managed to catch up with 

Lorne for a chat. He reminded me that they 

trade under the name of Invercoe Highland 

This page: Loch Leven 

and Glencoe provide the 

dramatic backdrop for this 

picturesque site 

Opposite, from top: 

Invercoe offers a range of 

accommodation options 

as well as touring pitches; 

campers are well catered 

for with kitchen and toilet 

blocks; hard-standing 

pitches have electrics, 

water and drainage 

Holidays, reflecting the many types of accommodation 

available on site beyond just caravan 

and camping pitches. 

Over and above the 60 touring pitches, 

there are now two glamping pods, three 

Maclain holiday cottages (built to a traditional 

specification but with all mod cons), timber 

lodges and comfortable holiday homes. There’s 

something to suit every taste, and all situated in 

probably the most well-known and picturesque 

glens in Scotland. They certainly have a mighty 

sound package to offer here. 

Sun and rain 

By the time we’d finished talking, the rain had 

come on, and I decided to head for home. The 

drive back up through the glen was entirely 

different from the sunlit skies of the day before, 

but had a different beauty, with the mist and 

rain sweeping down the mountains. Passing 

the Glenshee Ski Centre, I was reminded that 

it wouldn’t be long before the year turned to 

winter sports. 

The rest of my journey home was uneventful 

but one of contentment, having visited one 

of my favourite parks in Scotland. 


Brieftest Yourtouringstories 

Me and my VWcamper 

Paul Egan from Fife recalls how a family holiday 

led to an enduring love for the mighty Volkswagen 

I’m relatIvely new to the caravanning 

scene, and came into it following a move from 

motorbikes to classic cars and finally, a couple 

of years ago, to VW campers. 

It all started when my then seven-year-old 

son Rhys fell in love with VW camper vans 

while on a holiday visiting family in Devon, 

where every second vehicle on the roads seems 

to be a VW surfer bus! 

Rather than counting yellow cars and the 

likes on the long drive back north, he started 

counting VW campers. He stopped counting 

after 150 and has loved them ever since. 

I decided to sell my pretty-looking, very 

shiny, but rarely used 1967 Triumph Herald 

Convertible, which sat in my garage 362 days 

of the year, and with the proceeds I bought a 

camper to spend weekends in with my lad. 

Travelling companions 

I’m now on my second van. The first wasa 

17-year-old VW T4 2.5TDI LWB, which was 

fairly basic, with a single ‘rock and roll’ bed and 

a gas camping stove in a box. While not as shiny 

as the Triumph – and slightly weather-beaten, 

having done 225,000 miles – it was still going 

strong and proved a big hit with my son, and 

many happy trips around the Scottish hills 

pictures Paul Egan 

Top to bottom: The new 

Transporter T5 conversion 

in all its resprayed glory; 

Rhys anticipates a burger 

from the camping stove; 

the old T4 may have done a 

lot of miles, but it showed 

us the potential of campers 

Want to be featured here? 

Email your stories and photos 

to editor@scottishcaravans 

andmotorhomes.co.uk or 

post (keeping safe copies of 

photos) to Scottish Caravans & 

Motorhomes, 2 Albert Square, 

Dundee DD1 9QJ. Tell us 

about your favourite caravan, 

motorhome or tent plus your 

best and worst trips ever 

ensued. The simple joys of warm summer 

evenings, doors wide open and watching him 

tending the sausages sizzling on a disposable 

barbecue shouldn’t be underestimated. Quality 

time with the kids indeed. 

Eventually we literally outgrew this vehicle, 

so last year I managed to find a fully converted 

2004 VW Transporter T5 1.9 TDI with a ‘pop 

top’ bed. Following a full respray, it’s now 

ready for next year’s summer season, and we’re 

looking forward to the luxury of two separate 

beds and interior plumbing. Even my wife is 

threatening to give it a go, despite the fact that 

there isn’t a toilet! 

Paul adds: Keep up the good work with the mag. 

I especially like your features and reviews on 

the different parks across Scotland and the rest 

of the UK, and I look forward to your guide 

to the North Coast 500 – I plan to head to the 

north west of Scotland this year. It’s also good to 

see healthy coverage given to modern VW-based 

campers like the Leisuredrive Crusader Trekker 

featured in issue 2. There’s a massive custom 

scene for VW campers, and it would be great to 

see some more readers’ vehicles featured! 

90 



Opinion 

This is a 

levy too far 

Cameron McNeish is critical of a new call 

in the Scottish parliament to charge 

campervanners travelling to the Western Isles 

pictures CAmeron mCneish 

AN MSP hAS asked the Scottish government 

to consider introducing a levy for motorhomers 

visiting the Western Isles. The SNP’s 

Alasdair Allan suggested such a levy would 

help islanders better handle increased vehicle 

traffic, arguing that the number of holidaymakers 

travelling to the Outer Hebrides in 

motorhomes had ‘shot up.’ 

Mr Allan said the tourism was welcome, 

but the islands lacked ‘suitable sites’ and 

waste disposal points. ‘This is about recognising 

the pressures created on infrastructure 

by such a rapid growth in tourism and providing communities 

with a new source of funding that they can direct as they see 

fit,’ the MSP said. 

That’s all very well, but you can’t help but wonder if Scotland 

is the only country in the world that seeks to encourage 

tourists and then complains about them once they’re here? 

While many are praising marketing efforts like the North 

Coast 500 for bringing extra business to remote areas of Scotland, 

just as many appear to be whingeing about it, claiming 

that the narrow highland roads have become overcrowded; 

that there aren’t enough overnight facilities, like campsites; 

and that bedandbreakfast owners dislike people staying only 

one night because they have to change the bedsheets daily. 

In his statement to the BBC, Mr Allan admitted the 

increase in tourism over the past two or three years, including 

campervanners and motorhomers, was essentially good for 

the local economy, but feared that this newfound popularity 

‘has brought its own set of problems, and it is readily apparent 

that our infrastructure has not been able to keep up with 

Campervanners are made 

very welcome on Harris 

“Is Scotland the only 

country that seeks 

tourists, then complains 

about them?” 

demand.’ I suspect most of 

us who own campervans 

and motorhomes are 

well aware of the lack of 

infrastructure in Scotland 

– but why we should we be 

the ones who pay directly 

for such facilities? I don’t 

see any suggestions from 

politicians asking carborne 

tourists for a levy to build 

more hotels or garages. And 

other than create an even bigger 

ferry levy on the size of your 

camper or motorhome, how does 

Mr Allan suggest we make this infrastructure contribution? 

Surely if a region is actively trying to gain economic 

benefit from tourism, it’s incumbent on that region to create 

the infrastructure to support it? 

Room on the boat 

It appears to me that Alastair Allan MSP has a personal gripe – 

one that I’ve heard from a number of islanders – and that is 

that motorhomes take up too much room on ferries and occasionally 

local people can’t get booked on the ferries they want. 

If that’s the case then surely we need more ferries making the 

crossings between Ullapool and Stornoway, Uig and Tarbert or 

Oban and Castlebay during the summer months. Or perhaps 

a certain amount of space should be reserved on the ferries 

for the islanders’ use? It’s perhaps a question to be laid at the 

door of Caledonian MacBrayne, the ferry operator. 

The other issue that Mr Allan is concerned 

about is a lack of campsites and waste disposal 

points. I would agree with him on the first point. 

I’m a regular visitor to Harris, which I’ll come back 

to in a minute, but there is a real need for more 

campsites on islands like Mull, Arran, Skye and 

the Western Isles. Indeed, a lack of campsites is 

one of the main issues of contention in the Loch 

Lomond & Trossachs National Park, where bylaws 

have been created on lochsides to stop people wild 

camping, as I’ve mentioned here before. 

Rather than slap a levy on motorhomes travelling 

to the islands, what is urgently required is 

92 



some government joined-up 

thinking and a longerterm 

strategy that makes 

campervanners and motorhomers 

want to continue to 

come to Scotland. 

I mentioned that I’m 

a regular visitor to Harris, 

and one of the reasons I like going there is that 

campervanners are made welcome. The West Harris 

Trust has signs on some very scenic laybys asking 

for a £5 voluntary donation, while the North Harris Trust has 

just spent a considerable amount of money providing a new 

building at Hushinish, for long a very popular wild camping 

spot among campervanners, with toilet and shower facilities. 

The toilets are free (again with a request for a small donation) 

and the showers cost a pound. And the Trust is building a 

small campsite with enough space and electric hook-ups for 

five motorhomes. 

It’s interesting that both of these areas were the subject 

of community buy-outs. If it’s possible for small communityrun 

trusts like these to provide infrastructure then surely 

those who are gaining financially from such tourism can 

contribute too? 

In the first column I wrote in this magazine, I gave figures 

that reckoned the leisure vehicle industry was worth around 

£6bn a year to the Scottish economy, and growing. The past 

year has demonstrated the increasing role that 

campervans and motorhomes have in the tourism industry 

Pitytoputanyoneoffseeingthelikesofthis 

Top: Cameron checks the 

lie of the land from his 

trusty Hyundai conversion 

today. And I would refute the suggestion that 

campervanners and motorhomers bring 

everything they need with them and don’t spend 

locally. We spend money on ferries, on fuel, on 

meals out, and in places like the new Harris 

Distillery and numerous craft shops. 

A motor- 

home holiday is not a cheap alternative. 

Fàilte oirbh uile! 

Rather than discourage these tourists with 

levies and increased charges, we should be 

encouraging them to continue visiting more remote areas 

like the Western Isles, just as the Scottish government has 

done with its Road Equivalent Tariff on the ferries. That was 

introduced partly to encourage tourism. Is Alasdair Allan 

now suggesting it’s been too successful? 

Other countries in the world have examined the campervan 

issue, and the excellent examples set in New Zealand, 

another small country rich in natural wonders, are worth 

noting. As well as more campsites, local councils should be 

imitating the ‘aire de camping car’ system that’s so popular 

in France. I recently stopped overnight at one such location 

in Freidrichschafen in Germany, where on-road parking was 

allowed and waste-disposal units and water were provided for 

a few Euros. If it works in other countries, I have no doubt 

such facilities can work here. It just needs a different mindset 

from our politicans and VisitScotland – a much more welcoming 

attitude than simply demonising a section of society and 

dumping an extra levy on them. 


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76976

Eventsguide 

Out and about 

Your regular guide to all the best events and activities to 

visit when touring around Scotland in the coming months 

Autumn Internationals, 

Murrayfield Stadium 

On 11, 18 and 25 November there’s Rugby Union 

international action as Scotland take on Samoa, 

New Zealand and Australia. 

Scots Fiddle Festival, Summerhall 

This fiddle-fuelled weekend of talks, concerts, 

workshops and ceilidhs takes place from 17 to 19 

November. Email info@summerhall.co.uk. 

Scottish Festival Of Brass 

More than 1,000 brass players, youth and 

senior, from Scotland and beyond, take to the 

stage at Perth Concert Hall on 18 and 25-26 

November. See www.horsecross.co.uk/whats-on/ 

scottish-festival-brass-2017. 

Mountain Festival, 

University of Dundee 

The UK’s longest continuously running mountain 

film festival hosts speakers, films and exhibitions 

from 23 to 25 November. Details from mail@ 

dundeemountainfilmfestival.org.uk. 

Winterstorm 2017 

Seaside rock with hits from four decades. 24-25 

November at Troon, see www.winterstorm.co.uk. 

Santa’s Woodland Experience 

From 25 November at Balfron Station, north of 

Glasgow, join Santa on a search for his woodland 

home and enjoy hot drinks and food. See www. 

woodlandexperiences.co.uk/santa-experience/. 

Kinross-shire’s Winter Festival 

At various venues on 25 November there’s a 

mix of family fun including pantos, music, street 

market, carols and fairs. Details at www.kleo.org.uk. 

Cove And Kilcreggan Book Festival 

Headliners this year, at Helensburgh on 25-26 

November, include Ian Rankin and Jon Snow. Find 

out more at www.coveburghhall.org.uk. 

Galashiels Christmas 

Craft & Gift Fair 

Handmade gifts, food, children’s activities, Christmas 

card design contest and Santa’s Grotto. 25 

November, see www.walkaboutcrafts.com/events. 

Words Garry Fraser Picture alamy 

Aviemore 

Sled-dog Rally 

The annual twoday 

timed trials, 

held by the Siberian 

Husky Club of Great 

Britain, take place on 

27-28 January. 

See www.siberian 

huskyclub.org.uk. 

Traquair Christmas Opening 

Free entry to this beautiful house, decorated in the 

Victorian style. 25-26 November, traquair.co.uk/ 

event/free-christmas-opening/2017-11-25. 

Scottish Kids Show 

At Aberdeen’s AECC on 25-26 November you’ll 

find a shopping extravaganza with over 100 brands 

and entertainment. www.scottishkidsshow.com. 

Harbour Festival Of Light, Irvine 

Fireworks and light spectacular. 30 November to 

3 December, www.illuminationfestival.co.uk. 

Saltire Race Day 

Celebrate St Andrew’s Day (30 November) 

with an afternoon at Musselburgh Racecourse. 

Viennese Christmas by 

Candlelight, St Giles Cathedral 

The London Concertante come to Edinburgh on 

1 December to play Schubert, Strauss and Brahms. 

Cromarty Film Festival 

Tenth year of the festival that gets you up close and 

personal with Scottish and international film stars. 

1-3 December, www.cromartyfilmfestival.org. J 


Eventsguide 

J 

Pitlochry Christmas Tree Festival 

At Pitlochry Church on 2-3 December, a festival 

of Christmas trees with displays from local 

businesses, charities, groups, clubs and families. 

Clyde Life, Riverside Museum 

Ending 6 December in Glasgow, nostalgic photography 

capturing the river’s changing landscape. 

A Winter Chorale, St Machar’s 

Cathedral, Aberdeen 

Join vocal group I Fagiolini on 7 December for 

Renaissance, baroque and contemporary music. 

Winter Warmers – A Mini-Musical 

Bring your under-5s to Cumbernauld Theatre on 8 

December. Email info@cumbernauldtheatre.co.uk. 

Christmas at The Basin 

At SWT’s Montrose Basin Visitor Centre, Angus, on 

10 December, enjoy a hot drink and a mince pie 

while you watch pink-footed geese return to roost. 

Scotch Malt Whisky Society Chocolate 

and Wines for Christmas Tasting 

In Edinburgh on 12 December, learn from experts 

Nadia Ellingham of Thinking Chocolate and Master 

of Wine Rose Murray. Email tastings@smws.com. 

Winter Wonderland, Whin Park 

On 15 December this local Inverness park will be 

transformed into a fantastic Christmas scene. 

Stonehaven Fireball Festival 

In this annual procession, participants swing blazing 

balls of fire above their heads and throw them into 

the sea. 31 December, stonehavenfireballs.co.uk. 

The Loony Dook 

At South Queensferry on 1 January, start 2018 

with a dip in the Forth alongside thousands of others. 

Mugenkyo 

Taiko 

Drummers 

Feel the energy 

and savour the 

power of thundering 

rhythms on 

huge taiko drums, 

mixed with masked 

choreography and 

inventive lighting. 

November 26, 

Falkirk Town Hall. 

For details, email 

venue@falkirk 

communitytrust.org. 

The Ba’, Kirkwall 

On 1 January a traditional game of mass football is 

played in the streets – it’s Uppies vs Doonies. 

Burning Of the Clavie 

At Burghead, Moray on 11 January, experience a 

New Year festival of light dating back to the 1750s. 

Scalloway Fire Festival 

On 12 January this Shetland town hosts a torchlit 

procession with galley-burning and music. Details 

at www.visitshetland.org/up-hely-aa. 

Celtic Connections 

The annual Celtic music event is on from 18 January 

to 4 February. See www.celticconnections.com. 

Big Burns Supper, Dumfries 

Celebration centred on Burns Night, for locals and 

visitors. 19-28 January, www.bigburnssupper.com. 

Strathpuffer 

A mountain bike challenge for solos, pairs, quads 

and eights. 20-21 January, www.strathpuffer.co.uk. 

Up Helly Aa 

A Shetland tradition, at Lerwick, 30 January. Similar 

festivals are held across the islands during January. 

Kingussie Food on Film Festival 

Local food, celebrity chefs, shorts and documentaries. 

2-4 February, www.kingussiefoodonfilm.co.uk. 

February Fest 

At the Clachaig Inn, Glencoe, from 2 February to 3 

March, enjoy live music, quizzes, whisky and more. 

Spectra: Aberdeen’s Festival Of Light 

From 7 to 11 February, explore the past in this 

Scottish Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology. 

Scottish Caravan, Motorhome 

& Holiday Home Exhibition 

At Glasgow’s SEC, 8-11 February, you’ll find 

everything you could wish for from leading manufacturers 

and dealers. Email info@qdevents.co.uk. 

Inverness Fiddlers’ Rally 

At Eden Court Theatre on 17 February, over 100 

fiddlers will be on stage, including local players and 

special guests. See www.invernessfiddlers.org. 

Fort William Mountain Film Festival 

Mountain culture in films, lectures, exhibitions and 

workshops. 21-25 February, phone 01397 700707. 

Scottish Motorcycle Show 

With stunt riders, live bands and vintage classics. 

3-4 March at Ingliston, details on 01775 768661. 

Scottish Cycling, Running & 

Outdoor Pursuits Show 

A must-see for the outdoor enthusiast. 3-4 March, 

Glasgow SEC. See facebook.com/scropsscotland. 

96 



Andy’s classiccorner 

These we have loved 

Our van expert Andy Jenkinson checks out a Springbok, a 

Cotswold, and a rare trendy tourer with a 1980s designer look 

I love It when folk contact me with a classic 

tourer or motorhome they own. This issue my 

classic corner has two names from the 80s 

and one from the 60s. Let's go first to Dawn 

Hopkins in Dorset, at Blackmore Vale Leisure 

Caravans. Dawn, who started the sales dealership 

up in the late 60s, also likes older caravans 

and became a firm fan of the Cheltenham range 

of luxury tourers. 

Dawn has collected eight, had them all 

refurbished and stores them under cover. 

Pictured below is Dawn’s 1968 Springbok with a 

rather nice Triumph Stag; she also showed us a 

Cheltenham Puka from the same period. Dawn 

used to hire them out, but due to needing room, 

some will be going up for sale. 

One of my classic chaps I know, Mick 

Rayner, recently mailed me to say he’d just 

bought a 1986 Cotswold Windrush, barn-stored 

from new. These tourers were luxury ones 

with quality fittings and real oak veneers. 

Basically the Cotswold needed some TLC, but 

within a few weeks the Windrush was ready 

to roll and Mick, who’d purchased a Volvo 740 

from the same period, had his ideal outfit for 

classic shows. Mick and his wife Emma love the 

Cotswold, with its end kitchen and spacious 

front lounge. 

Twenty years ago I found a tourer on site 

named an Abbey SR 14, and did a feature on it 


for a magazine. More recently, I had a phone 

call from its owner, Mrs Coulson, who now 

needed to sell the Abbey. So it’s up for sale as 

a rare 80s classic from 1986. The interior was 

very contemporary and trendy at that time! The 

Abbey looks to be in cracking condition, and 

the hope is to find a buyer that appreciates its 

design heritage. Few were built, so it’s a gem of a 

classic. Let’s hope it finds a good home. 

The classic season is coming to an end now, 

and many will be under cover for the winter, 

while others will be getting restorations. In my 

next Classic Corner I’ll look at tourers being 

restored ready for 2018. See you then! 

Clockwise from bottom 

left: Mick Rayner relaxing 

in his 1986 Cotswold 

Windrush with a topquality 

magazine; Dawn 

Hopkins’ 1968 Springbok, 

with slightly later Stag; the 

Abbey, another 80s model, 

has a remarkable interior 

The two main classic caravan 

clubs can be found at periodclassic-caravan-club.co.uk 

and 

historiccaravanclub.co.uk. 

98

Scottish Caravans & Motorhomes

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