Grand Tour of Scotland June July 2015 begins


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May 30th 2015
Published: June 8th 2015
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The Big Scottish Tour begins on 28 May with an uneventful drive to Hill Farm just off the M42 to drop off the caravan for one night and then to the Greasleys in Bournville to drop off Ethan. Spent the night there.

29 May left the next morning to collect the caravan and set off up the M42/M6 Toll. We arrived at Red Rock Fisheries CL just outside Preston about 2 pm. It is a very nice site popular for fishing as it has a lovely lake. But it is so close to the M6 and the traffic noise is horrible. The review on the web said it was quiet and tranquil. I can only think that whoever wrote it was profoundly deaf. We took a short drive into Preston and walked along the River Ribble taking some pictures along the way. We were unecided whether we will stop the 2 nights because of the traffic noise but decided to stick with the plan as we wanted to explore a little more.

30 May after a good night's sleep and late breakfast we set out for Rufford Old Hall, a NT property about 15 miles south east from the site between Liverpool and Preston. A short woodland walk alongside the Leeds to Liverpool canal, trees shrubs and structures adorned with dolls and animals made by children from wool and other textiles, exotic reptiles on show including a Royal Python, a young Boa, a dragon lizard and a Bearded Lizard. The house was built in 1661 by James Hesketh illegitimate son of ??? Hesketh who left the estate to him. It is an original Tudor House with an additional section added later (it was the first house in the area made with brick). We then headed back across country and were surprised just how flat the landscape is west of Preston -a possible area to explore by bike maybe.Back at the caravan site traffic noise had reduced to a very low level hum as the wind had dropped. Watched Arsenal beat the Villa in the FA Cup Final, then cricket , dinner , walk, bed. Off to cross the border tomorrow and pitch up near my favourite Scottish name place - Ecclefechan - tomorrow.

2 June what a night the wind just stronger and stronger and neither of us slept well - the van was shaking for the wrong reasons. Still very windy but dry as we packed up to move onto Edinburgh We liked Whins though and look forward to returning there on the way back south. Journey to Edinburgh was easy enough with a following wind we averaged 36 mpg. The road through the Borders and Midlothian was lovely (A702) arrived at caravan park amid strong winds but sunshine. Decided not to put the awning up until the next day when the wind will hopefully have dropped. However this was the start of a number of problems beginning the car making a Strange noise, then the TV packed up followed by a long drive around Edinburgh looking for a TV shop. Then to cap it all during late dinner preparation the electrics in the van packed up completely. Fortunately the helpful warden came to our aid and sorted out the connections from the supply. Tomorrow a trip to a Volvo dealer to sort out the car then perhaps a trip to see the Royal yacht Britannia 3 June auxiliary belt on car has damaged alternator fly wheel so £315 to fix. Courtesy car allows travel to visit Royal Yacht Brittania. Highly recommended as you get excellent service from start to finish, an audio tour, free parking and most importantly a great insight into how the royals were looked after and lived and the upstairs downstairs comparison with the 300 or so crew that pampered them. We took tea in the Royal and made our way back to the site via Morrisons. At 9.46 we saw the most magnificent sunset over the Firth of Forth even better than the ones we've seen at North Devon

4 June Tony has a cold poor thing. Decided to drive into the city and take in the atmosphere around the Castle and the Royal Mile. Started at the cathedral then the Scottish Museum which was really interesting. But we cut it short as the weather improved and wanted to see more outside. Climbed the several hundred steps up came face to face with crowds. By then it well after 2 pm so decided to take a break at Cafe Nero. We met a very interesting couple and spent good half an hour laughing and telling stories - him of India and she of Hollandpampered them. Back to Wallyford to collect the car. The bad news is that WarrantyWise would not cough up on the claim. They will not be getting my business again and I strongly advise anyone from using this business. They will do anything they can to wriggle out of paying and I am afraid Mr Quenton Wilson your endorsement does not do your reputation any good.

5 June Edinburgh Castle well deserving of its reputation because of its well presented history. The views are magnificent and wondering around some of the older parts of the castle like St Margarets Chapel and the Prisons is quite a humbling.

6 June Strong winds eventually brought the awning down so out in our pyjamas to get it away before it got damaged. A neighbour came over to tell us that we ought to have an inflatable one like his. Not very helpful at this time and besides his was protected from the wind by his van while ours was full facing. Still saves a job tomorrow. After watching Murray lose in the French Open we drove west to the House in the Binns (meaning between two hills.

Set in beautifully landscaped parkland overlooking the River Forth, this 17th-century laird’s house near Linlithgow has been the home of the Dalyell family for 400 years.

The present house was built in 1612 by Thomas Dalyell, an Edinburgh merchant who had made his fortune at the court of King James VI and I in London.

In 1944, the Dalyell family gifted the house, its contents and the parkland, along with an endowment, to the National Trust for Scotland under its Country House Scheme, keeping the right of the family to live in the house.

The house was gifted to the NTS in 1944, along with the parkland, contents and an endowment, under the Country House Scheme by Eleanor Dalyell and her son Tam Dalyell, who retained the right of the family to live in the house and contribute towards the upkeep and maintenance in partnership with the National Trust for Scotland. We met Tam Dalyell who was a labour MP for many years and latterly elected Father of the House (of Commons). Guided tour included and a really interesting experience plus fantastic views over the Firth of Forth

7 June Woke up to lighter winds and mixed sun and cloud. Easy drive up to Forfar, site is on the edge of Loch very idyllic except for neighbour's yappy dogs


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Walking on the River RibbleWalking on the River Ribble
Walking on the River Ribble

Long way from Cormwall


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