Speyside by Craigellachie

-

 


This blog is about my most recent trip, from 18th 'til the 21st June 2022, taking my tally for nights in the van this year to 35 so far.

This was really a 'spur of the moment' trip. I had been browsing online the night before this trip, looking at both Clubs of which I'm a member, the Caravan and Motorhome, and the Camping and Caravanning Clubs. The C&CC Site in Speyside, known as 'Speyside by Craigellachie' had pitches available over the next while which, usually for these times, offered some real value for money.

As it was forecast to be bright, I selected a non-electric (I have solar) grass pitch, which totalled around £25 for 3 nights. Fantastic!


My fine, quiet pitch.


The site itself is formed on an old WW2 POW camp and there is still evidence of it's former use, such as the shadows of the bases of the nissen huts which once housed the prisoners.


The toilet block was once the ablutions block for the prisoners, and although refitted and upgraded, it still has some of the building features and cubicles.

The site itself is adequate, and pleasant enough but is definitely more on the Clubs 'rustic' types of place!

I spent a lot of time walking around the nearby forest at Archiestown, but walked a section of the Speyside Way near Carron with it's stunning distillery. This is minutes from the site.



Passing an old Railway Halt on the path.


And some huge trees, probably once within one of the nearby estates.


The Spey near Carron.


And the lovely bridge over the Spey, The Bridge of Carron.


Also visited Aberlour, and on the return stopped at the Telford Bridge at Craigellachie.


It was a great trip with some fine walking.


A short drone movie of the site.






Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

50 Nights in my Troll.

-
Image
I thought that after having spent 50 nights this year in my Troll, this would be a good opportunity to offer my views and opinions on this caravan. Overall, I'm very impressed and there are some features which I really like, and others not so much. I've only ever owned Eriba's, having switched from campervans a few years ago. The switch was really an attempt to minimise the ongoing costs associated with a 'leisure vehicle'. I've had a Puck (a 120), a Familia (a 320GT), and now own this Troll (a 530GT). The Troll was a substantial investment for me, it's a (used) 2017 fixed bed model with a number of extras fitted, such as awning, high back seats, 3 ring hob, etc. I first started touring in the Troll back in April of this year and have covered a good part of Scotland and North England in my travels. The Troll is actually probably a bit 'overkill' for my needs. I normally tour alone with my 2 spaniels, and rarely have guests. However, I do sp...
Read more

Solar Power in my Eriba Puck

-
Image
  I'm often asked what arrangements I have for generating power when I'm touring 'off-grid' in order to keep the 12v electrics operating. This equipment needing 12v includes the lights (all bulbs changed to LED), my 12V TV, and inverter (which powers my MacBook), and also for charging of phones and speakers etc.  I have a 100W folding panel which even over a good few days, I find this works fine with my fairly small leisure battery and I've never ran out of power yet. I've used this panel for years which is an advantage of a portable panel. I've used it on 4 different Eriba's I've owned, and a camper van before that. Importantly, it has a solar charge controller mounted on the rear of the panel. This is essential for any solar panel. I do move the panel during the day to get optimum light and try to avoid shadows from the van or trees and buildings. It fits behind the cars front seat when travelling. I didn't want to have an arrangement where I r...
Read more

Replacing the Door Shelves

-
Image
  With the weather being really nice today, and with the prospect of touring again in the next wee while, I took the caravan out of the garage where it was being stored and returned it to my drive. I really didn't have any projects for the van over the winter, unlike last year when I completely re-upholstered and redone the internal decor like curtains, carpet, door facia's and the likes. Like my 3 previous Eriba Caravans, I've had trouble with the original plastic door shelves and decided to order an improved aluminium set from Darren at Eribastuff. I've ordered other odds and ends from Darren over the years and everything has always been top quality. He's an enthusiastic Eriba Puck owner himself, a Scot based in France. The original door configuration above, plastic shelves (or rather shelf fronts?) which turn the Eriba door into effectively a very useful storage area, just like a fridge door! I purchased the van 'set' which comprises one with an 'Erib...
Read more