Scotland in a camper van (1/3) - To the country

Scotland in a camper van (1/3) - To the country

Cipo Cipollino
Road trip to, through and back from Scotland in a camper van. Part 1/3: towards Scotland. This spectacular road trip takes you through scenic alternatives to the main roads and offers a number of great attractions along the way.
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A few thoughts about preparation

In Scotland, you often read: “Card payment only”.

One way to avoid the hefty fees charged by banks in the Eurozone is to use a multi-currency card such as the "WISE MASTER DEBIT CARD". You can top up the card with the required GBPs and use it to pay locally without having to pay the foreign currency fees charged by your bank. When topping up your card, pay close attention to the fees charged by WISE and your BANK. In our case, it makes sense to top up with a SWIFT transfer of GBP 750 or more. This can take 2-3 days. However, if it has to be done quickly, in seconds, then smaller amounts with your house bank debit card are probably the cheapest, although the overall fees are of course less favorable than with SWIFT. The break-even point for the total fees is then for total amounts between 200 and 600 GBP, depending on the amount of the partial amounts.

What you need to travel to the UK with a pet.

There are some good checklists on this topic on the Internet. Even if you are not traveling to the island with LeShuttle, their compilation also applies to all other types of canal crossing.

Roaming UK: What are the costs for EU citizens?

Be sure to check with your provider again before your trip. Costs may be incurred depending on the tariff and current regulations. There are still a few offers where UK roaming, although limited, is included. Details can be found in the price lists of your provider.

On the trail of spontaneity. 

Unfortunately, we were told, you can't always be as spontaneous in Scotland as you might like to be. If you want a specific ferry, a guided tour, a restaurant visit or a stay at a campsite, you usually have to book in advance! So you should bear that in mind too.

The route in detail: AT to GB-SCT

Deviations in the course of travel cannot be ruled out. 😉

Friesach
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We start in Friesach. Friesach is a historic town in Carinthia and is known for its well-preserved medieval structures, including the town wall, castle ruins and moat. It is considered the oldest town in Carinthia and has a rich history dating back to the 9th century. This time the route takes us to Scotland. Scotland is a country in the north of the United Kingdom, known for its picturesque Highlands, historic castles, cultural traditions such as playing the bagpipes and wearing kilts, as well as its vibrant cities such as Edinburgh and Glasgow. It has a rich history, breathtaking landscapes and is home to the famous Loch Ness Monster. So far, so good. It's probably important to have a good map so you don't get lost... 😉
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Burg Hohenwerfen
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Hohenwerfen Castle (German: Burg Hohenwerfen), is a medieval rock castle, situated at an rock pillar overlooking the Austrian market town of Werfen in the Salzach valley, approximately 40 kilometres south of Salzburg. The castle is surrounded by the Berchtesgaden Alps and the adjacent Tennen Mountains. Hohenwerfen is a `sister` of Hohensalzburg Fortress, both built by the Archbishops of Salzburg in the 11th century. The castle became known internationally as the main location in the film `Where Eagles Dare`.
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Chiemsee (See)
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The ‘Bavarian Sea’ attracts visitors with magnificent Alpine views, sport and culture. Lake Chiemsee is the largest lake in Bavaria and lies in a picturesque Alpine foothills setting. Its appeal lies not only in its scenic beauty, but also in the wide range of leisure activities on offer. The Chiemsee with Herreninsel and Fraueninsel is one of the most important sights in Germany.
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Dicke Sophie
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In cooperation with the Ayinger brewery and its beer specialities, the tradition-conscious restaurant Dicke Sophie offers traditional Bavarian cuisine with a modern twist. It was not our first visit and will be our last. Many beautiful and emotional memories are associated with this place.
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Remstalkino
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Quiet, but nonetheless spectacular, the Remstal cinema on a mountain spur above the Beutelsbach district invites you to linger - the cinema screen is the landscape of the Lower Remstal between the slopes of the Schurwald and the Swabian Forest in the play of light of the times of day.
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Schmollingers Biergärtle zur Waldschenke
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Note: ‘Stay’ in this case means spending the night in a campervan! Quiet car park for hikers. The road noise is barely audible and there is hardly any traffic at night anyway. Unfortunately, the pub was closed. This is probably due to the low season. Fits well for a campervan stopover, although the beer garden could not be tested 😉
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Straßburg
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It is a matter of experiencing the medieval old town, walking along the many rivers and feasting on Alsatian specialties.
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Aire de Stationnement Camping-Car
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The pitch is really in the middle of nowhere, but still close to the motorway. Very quiet. Clean, electricity, toilet, shower and waste disposal included for €8. Payment in cash by envelope in a letterbox. We would be happy to stay again.
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Boult-aux-Bois
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Boult-aux-Bois in the middle of the Argonne invites you to take a short breather.
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Bergues
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Surrounded by city walls and canals, the small fortified town of Bergues is dominated by the silhouette of its bell tower. Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, this belfry has a carillon with 50 bells! From the top you have a beautiful view of the surrounding countryside. Since the movie "Welcome to the Sticks" in 2008, is a stronghold of Bergues French and tourism in Europe. The Ch'ti Tour Tour organized by the Tourist Office, recreates this special time in the life of the city during filming, following in the footsteps of Dany Boon.
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Camping Clairette
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Everything you need is there. Sanitary facilities clean, with toilet seat, but without paper. The owner is very helpful. The location is a bit far from the beach. It's a bit deceptive on the map.
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LeShuttle - Calais
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LeShuttle - Folkestone
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Canterbury
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3 Broadview Ave
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For many years we came here to visit our aunt and uncle. In silent memory. Rest in peace.
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Cambridge
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Be inspired by a city of history, culture and world-changing discoveries. Home to more Nobel Prize winners than any other city, Cambridge is bursting with knowledge, culture and discovery.
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Nottingham
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Nottingham is a picturesque town in the middle of the East Midlands, the region that connects the north and south of England. Quiet, charming and steeped in history, the town combines some of England's best qualities. Living legends: Robin Hood and Nottingham
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York
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This beautifully preserved medieval city is a must-visit for history buffs. YORK - AT A GLANCE Be sure to visit The Shambles, a street of traditional timber-framed buildings dating back to the 14th century. And of course, the magnificent York Minster, the largest gothic cathedral in Northern Europe. There’s Viking heritage too, as York – then called Jorvik – was once the capital of a Viking territory. You can head back in time to learn more and experience the sights, sounds and smells of the time at the immersive Jorvik Viking Centre.
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Whitby
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Whitby in North Yorkshire enjoys a prime location scenically: to the north and south stretches the unspoiled and beautifully dramatic coastal landscape of the North Yorkshire and Cleveland Heritage Coast, to the east lies the North Sea, and to the west are the green moors and heaths of the North York Moors National Park.
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Newcastle upon Tyne
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Newcastle upon Tyne is the largest city in the northeast of England and has a history dating back more than 2000 years. The Gateshead Millennium Bridge is just one of seven architecturally stunning bridges that cross the River Tyne and connect Newcastle with Gateshead.
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22 Eastgate Gardens, Newcastle upon Tyne
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There is something privately special here. This is where our dear relative Josephine made her home. It is also necessary to visit the gravesite and drink a glass of shandy with her in spirit.
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Seahouses
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The village now known as Seahouses was originally named Sunderland, then North Sunderland (to distinguish it from the Wearside city of the same name) and was a mile or so inland from the sea.
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Tempest Brewing Co
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Tempest Brewing Co. is known for its creative and experimental beers. The taproom is a great place to sample the unique beers, which often feature bold flavors and innovative brewing techniques. Beer to try: Long White Cloud, Mexicake.
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Edinburgh
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There are many exciting things you can see and experience in Edinburgh. Stunning buildings, hidden alleys and an impressive castle high on an extinct volcano make the city truly unique.
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What's next

The destination of the arrival stage has been reached

Something entertaining to finish

Voice recognition technology in Scotland?

We'll see if they can handle the Scottish accent by now or not. If not, situations will still arise, as the following example impressively shows. 😂

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Cipo Cipollino
Experiences are events in a person's life that are so different from everyday life that they stay with them for a long time. We want to share some of them, albeit irregularly.
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