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Cameron McNeish Outdoors
United Kingdom
Приєднався 12 жов 2016
This channel is about using a VW campervan to access the great outdoors where I love to go walking, hiking or ride my e-bike. I'm based in the Scottish Highlands and probably have an unrivalled knowledge of the highlands and islands due to my long career (fifty years) in writing, as a magazine editor and author of 23 books, and making television programmes for the BBC about the area.
I've been running a longstanding campaign in Scotland to improve infrastructure for campervanners, particularly those, like myself, who simply want a low cost off-grid stopover for a night or two to go off hiking or biking. I use campsites but have little need of those expensive facilities that many campsites deem necessary today.
I hope this channel may be helpful to those who come to Scotland in their campervan. The number of Scottish aires is growing but there is still much work to be done before we can compete with France, Spain etc. Hope you find the channel useful.
Enjoy your campervan!
I've been running a longstanding campaign in Scotland to improve infrastructure for campervanners, particularly those, like myself, who simply want a low cost off-grid stopover for a night or two to go off hiking or biking. I use campsites but have little need of those expensive facilities that many campsites deem necessary today.
I hope this channel may be helpful to those who come to Scotland in their campervan. The number of Scottish aires is growing but there is still much work to be done before we can compete with France, Spain etc. Hope you find the channel useful.
Enjoy your campervan!
Bikepacking: The Curse of Cluny
#camping #campervans #bikepacking
An overnight bikepacking trip in the Scottish Highlands in search of a 500 year old standing stone.
The gear I use for bikepacking is largely made up of old backpacking gear. I'm in the oprocess of renewing a lot of my gear and making it more bikepacking specific. At the moment what I'm using is as follows.
Bike: Whyte Dean Gravel bike with a Brooks saddle
Bike Bags: Apidura Handlebar Bag and Bar Bag and a large Revelate Saddle Bag. Topeak accessory bag.
Tent: Alpkit Aeronaut 1
Sleeping Bag: The North Face Trail Lite
Sleeping Mat: Alpkit Airo 120
Stove: Alpkit Kraku
Pot: MSR Titan
Mug: Sea to Summit Detour Stainless Steel Collapsible
Titanium spoon
50-year old Sierra Cup
Warmwear: Rab Cirrus Flex jacket
I'm based in the Scottish Highlands and I use a VW campervan to access the great outdoors, where I climb hills, ride my e-bike or gravel bike and just visit some of those places I've never been to. I've been climbing hills and mountains all over the world for 50 years and I'm a former editor of Climber Magazine and The Great Outdoors Magazine.
An overnight bikepacking trip in the Scottish Highlands in search of a 500 year old standing stone.
The gear I use for bikepacking is largely made up of old backpacking gear. I'm in the oprocess of renewing a lot of my gear and making it more bikepacking specific. At the moment what I'm using is as follows.
Bike: Whyte Dean Gravel bike with a Brooks saddle
Bike Bags: Apidura Handlebar Bag and Bar Bag and a large Revelate Saddle Bag. Topeak accessory bag.
Tent: Alpkit Aeronaut 1
Sleeping Bag: The North Face Trail Lite
Sleeping Mat: Alpkit Airo 120
Stove: Alpkit Kraku
Pot: MSR Titan
Mug: Sea to Summit Detour Stainless Steel Collapsible
Titanium spoon
50-year old Sierra Cup
Warmwear: Rab Cirrus Flex jacket
I'm based in the Scottish Highlands and I use a VW campervan to access the great outdoors, where I climb hills, ride my e-bike or gravel bike and just visit some of those places I've never been to. I've been climbing hills and mountains all over the world for 50 years and I'm a former editor of Climber Magazine and The Great Outdoors Magazine.
Переглядів: 6 903
Відео
Two Islands, Two Stopovers and a Special Announcement
Переглядів 9 тис.21 день тому
#camping #campervans #islands A campervan trip down the West Coast of Scotland to look at an island aire and an island campsite, plus a special announcement that concerns any campervanner or motorhomer who wants to visit the Highlands of Scotland. The special announcement concerns my thoughts on the Highland Council's Highland Campervan and Motorhome Scheme. Essentially the council is offering ...
Cycle Camp in Glen Feshie
Переглядів 9 тис.Місяць тому
#camping #campervans #bikes A bikepacking overnight in the depths of Glen Feshie, one of the most beautiful glens in the country and certainly the most fascinating I'm based in the Scottish Highlands and I use a VW campervan to access the great outdoors, where I climb hills, ride my e-bike or gravel bike and just visit some of those places I've never been to. I've been climbing hills and mounta...
Aires in Scotland
Переглядів 9 тис.Місяць тому
#camping #campervans #ebikes A visit to the Loch Ness Caravan Park, a newish aire on the outskirts of Fort Augustas on the Caledonian Canal. I also drop in on the Forty Augustas Canal car park where Scottish Canals have several bays for campervans for a one night stay. (No facilities) This is the latest in a series of visits to Scottish aires so if you have a favourite please let me know and I'...
Back on the Bike
Переглядів 6 тис.2 місяці тому
#camping #campervans #ebikes It's taken me almost four months after open heart surgery to get back on my bike, and there's a very good reason for that. However, it's great to be back on the bike and I'm planning a number of cycle touring, or bikepacking, trips for this summer. CYCPLUS AS2 Pro Max Tyre Inflator I've found this to be a really useful tool, mostly for checking tyre pressures on dif...
Three Great Galloway Aires
Переглядів 9 тис.3 місяці тому
#camping #campervans #ebikes I'\m checking out three campervan aires in Dumfries & Galloway, a beautiful area of Scotland. I'm visiting aires in Moffat, Kirkcudbright and Isle of Whithorn. The Green Frog Moffat, Dumfries & Galloway DG10 9QL www.thegreenfrogmoffat.co.uk £15 per night for aire. £20 per night with EHU Kirkcudbright Swimming Pool Aire Kirkcudbright, Dumfries & Galloway, DG6 4AW kir...
Two Trossachs Aires
Переглядів 11 тис.3 місяці тому
#camping #campervans #ebikes A visit to the Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park to check out a couple of low cost overnight parking places. I'm based in the Scottish Highlands and I use a VW campervan to access the great outdoors, where I climb hills, ride my e-bike or gravel bike and just visit some of those places I've never been to. I've been climbing hills and mountains all over the world...
Ten Weeks Post Open Heart Surgery
Переглядів 9 тис.4 місяці тому
#camping #campervans #ebikes Ten weeks after a double bypass and a replacement aortic valve operation and I'm delighted to be back on the hills. Just a wee hill for the moment but a good wee Scottish hill nevertheless. Feeling good and making plans for the future. Thank you NHS. Scotland I'm based in the Scottish Highlands and I use a VW campervan to access the great outdoors, where I climb hil...
ON & UP - Getting Back to the Hills
Переглядів 6 тис.4 місяці тому
#camping #campervans #health Recovering from open heart surgery. Six weeks ago I had a double heart bypass and replacement valve operation. This little series of videos records my journey back to climbing hills and mountains in Scotland elsewhere. I'm not a medic in any sense but if others are facing heart surgery I'm only too happy to share my experience. I'm based in the Scottish Highlands an...
A Short Message about the Old Ticker
Переглядів 6 тис.5 місяців тому
A promised progress report now I'm almost six weeks post-open heart surgery. I hope these reports may encourage others who are going through the cardiac issues that I've faced, or those who think open heart surgery is the end of everything! I'm based in the Scottish Highlands and I use a VW campervan to access the great outdoors, where I climb hills, ride my e-bike or gravel bike and just visit...
The Heart of the Matter
Переглядів 13 тис.5 місяців тому
#camping #campervans #hearttouching I've been posted missing on You Tube over the past few weeks and for very good reason. I found myself spending almost three weeks in hospital for a double-heart bypass and a replacement aorta heart valve. I've had angina for a few years which has been increasingly slowing down my outdoor activities so it's good to get it sorted out and hopefully squeeze out a...
Check Out Grampian Campervans' New Aire in rural Aberdeenshire
Переглядів 9 тис.7 місяців тому
#camping #campervans #ebikes Grampian Campervan Hire have added an aire to their hire business and it's in a lovely part of Scotland, in rural Aberdeenshire just below an amazing little hill called Tap o' Noth, near Rhynie and Huntly. For more details check the website at www.grampiancampervanhire.co.uk Overnight fee is £10 and there are EHU points for another £4. It is a CAMpRA approved site. ...
The Christmas Party
Переглядів 5 тис.8 місяців тому
#camping #campervans #bestlanterns On a very wet and windy December afternoon I decided against my planned walk and retreated to my campervan for a wee Christmas party. With the help of some wine, some nibbles, music and song all helped along by some atmospheric lighting from this great little Cren Lanter/Speaker. The product is still at Kickstarter stage and will be for another two or three we...
There's Always the Hills, Even if They're Only Wee Hills....
Переглядів 2,8 тис.8 місяців тому
#camping #campervans #ebikes At 74 next birthday I'm no longer capable of enjoying the long hill days and backpacking trips of my younger years, but I'm determined not to lose connection to the 'green world' - those places that have formed the bedrock of my life and work over the past 50 years. In this little video I try to explain why those places are still important to me and how I can mainta...
Is This the Best Entry-Level E-Bike on the Market?
Переглядів 10 тис.9 місяців тому
#camping #campervans #ebikes Introducing the Heybike EC1-ST e-bike. I enlisted the help of my good friend Carol to try out this woman's step-through commuter e-bike and we discovered this is more than just a commute bike. It's just a great road bike and one that is pretty comfortable on many off-road tracks too. And for less than £1500 it's a fantastic entry-level e-bike. And Heybike is offerin...
The Beinn Eighe Mountain Trail in Torridon
Переглядів 8 тис.9 місяців тому
The Beinn Eighe Mountain Trail in Torridon
How Revolutionary are these new Hiking Shoes?
Переглядів 7 тис.10 місяців тому
How Revolutionary are these new Hiking Shoes?
The Best Bike Ride in the Cairngorms?
Переглядів 12 тис.Рік тому
The Best Bike Ride in the Cairngorms?
Campervan Mindfullness: Is this a thing?
Переглядів 7 тис.Рік тому
Campervan Mindfullness: Is this a thing?
Our VW Caravaggio - Is it Time For a Change?
Переглядів 10 тис.Рік тому
Our VW Caravaggio - Is it Time For a Change?
Are Campervans Still Welcome in Scotland?
Переглядів 31 тис.Рік тому
Are Campervans Still Welcome in Scotland?
Eleglide's M1 Plus: Is this the Number One Entry-Level e-Bike?
Переглядів 7 тис.Рік тому
Eleglide's M1 Plus: Is this the Number One Entry-Level e-Bike?
The Two BEST Walks in the North-West Highlands
Переглядів 6 тис.Рік тому
The Two BEST Walks in the North-West Highlands
The Number One Tip for a Great Campervan Sleep
Переглядів 9 тис.Рік тому
The Number One Tip for a Great Campervan Sleep
The Himiway Cruiser...What a Surprise!
Переглядів 6 тис.Рік тому
The Himiway Cruiser...What a Surprise!
That was TOUGH! I must be getting old...
Переглядів 9 тис.Рік тому
That was TOUGH! I must be getting old...
Is this Scotland's Best Campervan Stopover? #campervan #camping #campervanlife
Переглядів 13 тис.Рік тому
Is this Scotland's Best Campervan Stopover? #campervan #camping #campervanlife
Ecoflow RIVER2 Pro - A Game-changer for Campervan Use!
Переглядів 8 тис.Рік тому
Ecoflow RIVER2 Pro - A Game-changer for Campervan Use!
Very informative. I also think to say that a bunion almost resembles the sound of pain likened to your condition. I had seen few cases where bunions and your condition show up. I'm glad to find your video very helpful.
Keep doing what you are doing, Cameron. I'm sure that there's lots of stories to tell in the future.
Great stuff Cameron. Just read through the transcript to get the spelling of the places you mention, … any chance of writing it down as an answer please 🤦🏻♂😂
Melgarve, Corrieyairack, Badenoch, Monadh Liath, Creag Chathail, Clach Chathail
@@CameronMcNeishOutdoors Thankyou for taking the time . Will study my map now 👍
There are lots of issues when people take camper vans around Scotland. Bad driving, slow driving, bad parking, dangerous parking, litter and rubbish dumped in lay-bys, toilets being emptied into rivers and lochs as well as at the side of the road. The sense of entitlement is palpable from many van drivers. The constant “ well we spend money in the local economy” excuse. No you don’t. You look for cheap takeaways or cook in your van. Then all they seem to do is complain about having to pay for parking, overnight or during the day. They all seem to do everything they can to not spend money locally. If you don’t have a good experience then don’t come back. It’s simple really.
@@colgra1100 All those issues you quote can also be laid at the door of people driving cars, and I include local highlanders in that as well as tourists. Are you a campervan driver? If not how do you know campervan owners don’t spend money? I use my campervan most weeks and seem to spend a lot of time in shops, petrol stations, pubs and restaurants. I live in the highlands and it’s not just campervan owners that cause issues yet they are the ones constantly discriminated against.
Wonderful atmospheric story Cameron, you are the spiritual successor to Private Fraser. We're doooooooomed!
😊
Thanks Cameron, the video is a great help. Have always been active, cycle toured tens of thousands of miles, but then develop pain that prevents, but realise that suffering helps builds an inner strength. Life throws up these challenges, but we learn to overcome. Health is wealth indeed. Great to see this video, thanks again!
Beautiful scenery and a lovely tale of love marked by a standing stone. Thank you for sharing.
Great trip Cameron. You are an inspiration, especially for those of us that can't do the big backpack trips now. Some great ideas.
Fascinating Cameron. What a story thankyou.
Fantastic Cameron and so much history beneath our feet on the hills and glens.
Only if your a lazy bastard
Captivating and inspiring… look forward to more like this…and to searching for the stone myself….🏴
Fantastic short video Cameron👌
I went looking for that Stone last year and couldn't find it. I had the map but no GPS. Ta for the video.
Would you ever upload your old tv programmes for us youngsters ? 😂
Would love to but I'm afraid I don't own the copyright.
thats a shame. UA-cam is full of older shows who I suspect the channel holder never got aunty beebs permission. Oh well, maybe you can make some more now the old ticker is fighting fit 😂 Not enough done on MSM to show off Scotland. Much prefer UA-cam. Too many don’t know what’s on their own doorstep.
Great little story, I do enjoy the aire reviews very much!
Please keep making films Cameron. Love your stuff ❤️
Amazing, but sad story Cameron. Been past the Stone a few times without even noticing it. Next time i'll take a look. Bikepacking is great fun especially as we get older! Keep enjoying your trips and thanks for sharing them.
Love a good story Cameron .Working at Fort George I here so many stories of the Jacobite's after Culloden .Some true ,some absolute nonsense. Good to see you looking so well and enjoying the bike .
Thank you Cameron, I enjoyed the bike ride and the tale of the Curse of Cluny
Good to see another informative video. We do look forward to your new blogs. How is the camper?, love your camper blogs.
@@jasonnicol8302 The camper is good, being prepared for a month long trip to France. Meanwhile I’m getting back to basics.
@@CameronMcNeishOutdoors oh, we look forward to this adventure.
Nice one Cameron more like this and as usual less gear talk👍
Thank you for sharing this Cameron. The more time and miles that pass the more fascinated I become about the human connections and stories we have entwined with the landscapes we pass through. Your telling of this story here a perfect example. How many people have passed nearby that almost-hidden stone, unaware of the lives connected to it? I've spent the last eighteen months backpacking through the hills and places of countries, visiting their historical sites that the inspiring historian Bettany Hughes features in her TV series Treasures of The World, and she talks about how a 4,000 year old earing for example, can be a "short circuit" back through time to people who were essentially, no different to us. Stories in the places, literally beneath our feet.
What a great jolly host, thankfully she’s in the correct business. 👏🏻❤
Very informative and well edited. 👍👏🏻
£15 for a pitch plus £10 for a hookup seems very high when you consider that some 'club' sites charge less than £20 for a site with showers etc. Interesting to know where the Aires are though.
oh Cameron McNeish i love you ! you warm the cockles of my heart, we have once again really enjoyed your post, and we totally agree with your sentiments, A couple of years ago we stayed in a magnificent site on Harris:- the West Harris Trust at Talla Na Mara which helps locals in a pretty remote place, why would you not stay there, we had 2 nights, £30 a night with electric and fabulous toilets and showers which were immaculate, (earlier this year we stayed in a council car park under Bambourgh Castle which was initially a trial and i think is not permanent for £10 again we have no problems with this as it helps local communities) These locations on your post look wonderful
Hi Cameron Thanks for your video. I had an unsuccessful chilectomy in May. Now having a fusion in a couple of weeks. How are you feeling a few years on? Do you walk with a limp?
No, not at all. I walk absolutely fine. If I do too much the top joint in the fused toe gets a bit sore but just through overuse. That joint was never designed to take that pressure but a couple of iboprofin sorts it out. Back hillwalking again. Have given up ballet dancing though...
Such overnight parking for campervan and motor homes without proper facilities such as toilets is poor planning. Were not all running around in expensive motor homes.
Re overnight parking. The new parking area in Inverness is a complete mess with two overflowing rubbish bins and the excess lying all around at 1.30 on a Monday. Typical highland council organisation.
Sounds like a typical tourist area in mid-August after a busy weekend. Wouldn't get my knickers in a twist over it. Not ideal but hey, that's the way things are throughout the UK.
I need this surgery but the wait list is years in Canada.
I switched to Gaslight Propane cylinders in my caravan after finding Calor had stopped producing the 6kg Gaslite bottles. I now have two 5kg bottles in my caravan, they are lighter and readily available from Homebase stores nationwide as well as many others. The switch involved fitting a new pigtail with a 27mm clip on connection, a simple job to do. Changing bottles is also much simpler, the connector simply lifts off with the press of a button. Calor have shot them selves in the foot as far as I'm concerned.
Excellent production Cameron and a great idea if only more would use this facility? Sadly I’ve come across many bragging that they’ve been in Scotland for a week and not paid a penny! I liked the idea in Canada where to visit national parks you pay a fee which supports the infrastructure, Super video keep off the “gear” and you’ll get a thumbs up👍
Thankyou. We're setting off in a few weeks time when schools are back. We only have a wee vwt5. Bought it as I can't fly now due to bad health. Cannot wait. Is there anywhere in this area with showers? We can go off grid easy but as we're going to be travelling for a month or so we probably need the shower facilities.
Well done. Keep campaigning for Aires. There is a place for both Campsites and Aires. I think the Highlands scheme is a great idea, even for only a couple of nights in a week.
Yes, you speak my mind. We have had enough of those who, by their rouge behavior, spoil the right to camp freely to everyone else. I support your notion that we all have influence and can put a stop to it. I have started to ruthlessly report those who violate camping etiquette. I do this, because I want to protect the 80% that abide by the rules from the 20% who don't and spoil it for everyone. I report to the police and to social media, I approach the individual politely and point out what impact their behavior has on the communities image. Those who don't give a shit are reported at the fullest extend (police, social media, me harassing them until they leave). Those who are open for a discussion, I try to sit down with and have a talk about why we all have a responsibility to improve our image! We all need to do this more, and not turn a blind eye towards those who misbehave!
A great Ambassador for Scotland Cameron McNeish. Walked the Scottish National Trail which Cameron devised its a spectacular long distance walk and it also goes through Glen Feshie which is in the video. Would recommend it to anyone.
Nice one Cameron. All about the journey & experience. A breath of fresh air in this space where it's all about the gear & clickbait titles.
Great idea. Agree totally about why are campsites not moving with the times and needs of motorhomes. Currently in France and they are the best at it 👍
So, how is this policed then….
@@borisvondoofenschmirtz3488 It’s a voluntary scheme. Why would you police it? The overnight stops in question, car parks, will come under the normal parking regulations. The scheme allows you to stay in designated car parks between hours of 10pm and 8 am. Outside those hours normal parking charges apply.
An excellent idea which could help bring down some of the prices charged by some of the big boys who don't seem to understand the concept of touring in a motorhome / camper. We don’t necessarily want to stay in the same place for a week or a fortnight.
Hi cameron, great video and super informative. I have enjoyed the lower forest walk a few times but felt a little intimidated about the mountain section, which id really like to attempt as the views look spectacular. Can i ask if this route is doable for novices? Are map reading and compass skills required would you say
40£** then 50£** and so on** then U have got all by the goolays** who's kidin who** 🏴☠️
@@RonaldGorrie Why so cynical? It’s voluntary. See it as a service.
Another great vlog, I think we said "yes Cameron" throughout it! The scheme is a good idea and we always look for sites under £15 and have found some great places, including one recently you reviewed - the Grampian aire. Keep the reviews coming 🚐
Hia Cameron, a newbie here. Just watched this video, one of yours for the first time and safe to say it won't be the last. I'm counting down the next couple of years till my retirement and getting back into campervaning.
Good idea but should not be voluntary. Torveen sute must have cost the council meaning us a fortune We as resudents are giing to gain nothing, probably higher taxes to accimudate passing through motor homes. Its a but naive to depend on honesty
Seems like a good common sense approach Yes it does seem that the those that own campsites are the ones who complain and a no frills area on their sites seems a cracking idea I for one would pay the £40
Lovely video Cameron and added those two stops to the list. I agree with the 40 quid proposal and very common across Europe. We are wardens on a very small campsite in Dumfries and Galloway so see many tourists going up and coming back down from up North. It seems the honeypots of Skye and NC500 are always on the agenda!
We agree wholeheartedly. We recently visited Tomintoul for the HIghland games. On our journey North we stayed at Hawick in the designated free motorhome stopover with water and CDP. We spent money in the local shops, cafes etc and visited the local parks. Then a stay at Dalwhinnie at 'The Apiary Cafe', again free if you buy a coffee and cake ( which was delicious, and highly recommend). Motorhomers must use their common sense, use the facilities that are being offered, and contribute to the local economy. Keep up the good work Cameron!!