THE SWC300 - SCOTLANDS SECRET NC500 ALTERNATIVE - (Van Life Scotland)
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- čas přidán 26. 11. 2022
- SCOTLANDS SECRET ALTERNATIVE TO NC500 - (so good we almost didn't tell you!) Van Life UK.
If you have ever considered Van Life in Scotland then you will almost certainly have heard of the NC500. It's a beautiful route that runs around Scotlands north coast, however, if you've heard of it then so has everyone else!
Every year it gets packed with vans and motorhomes to the point where the remote route simply can't cope. The locals are getting understandably frustrated, park ups are overflowing, single track roads get grid locked and there simply aren't the services to always handle it.
BUT, what if there was an alternative route? Over the last 3 weeks we have been exploring the lesser known South west coast and it's SWC300 route. This coastal route and its inland forests and lochs is a real secret gem up here in Scotland (and it's not the only undiscovered part either).
In fact, it's so pretty and welcoming to vans and campers that we almost probably shouldn't share it with you. The scenery is amazing and wild camping is more than tolerated and its a real unexplored part of the beautiful Scottish wilderness.
Perhaps, if everyone spread out a little in Scotland and didn't always follow the crowd, maybe, van life in Scotland might just stay accessable?
In this video we share our thoughts of this Scottish tourist route, when to visit and when not to visit and what you can expect from this area.
Let us know what you've thought of our most recent van adventure in this lesser known part of Scotland, if you're prepared to get off the beaten track and not follow the path well taken, or perhaps you've been here already and can offer some insight for others thinking of doing the same.
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Hopefully you are enjoying this Scottish travel series as much as we are and we are managing to show you just some of the stunning landscapes that Scotland has to offer in this Scottish travel vlog.
As usual, we have tried to include a bit of everything, some cinematic scenery mixed with our usual female van life foolery, we always love hearing what you lot think in the comments so do let us know, and as always, thank you for watching!
Follow us on our journey as we attempt to create a proper youtube travel series as we, two female travelers and vanlifers, attempt to travel across Europe in our rolling tiny home.
Hit the subscribe button to see where our DIY campervan takes us next and how this van life couple copes living in a van!
Have a look at emily's blog for her thoughts on all things van..
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By far, by far, by far the best produced channel on CZcams. Appreciate all the work you two put in 😜👍
Couldn’t agree more. Em & Lou you have the best channel by far.
Kinda agree. Views speak for themselves
Aw thank you guys 😀
I agree! I'm yet to see a more interesting funny and informative channel. I just love the dynamics and humour...it's actually bloody addictive though 😆😆
I’m 50 and lived in Scotland all my life., we are very friendly and we welcome everyone to come and enjoy our beautiful country, ❤👍
For some reason I feel emotional watching this. I just feel soo lucky to live in such a beautiful country 💙 Scotland really is a bit of a hidden gem!
England is better though 🤷♂️
@@davebayliss3142 😂😂😂😂 U can keep it then
@@davebayliss3142 At football, that's about it trollface; says this tyke !
@@davebayliss3142 haha if u say so 😂
Scotland really is a beautiful place
If anyone needs more convincing to visit Scotland than this video you’re a lost cause. I’ve been able to travel to a number of countries, many known for their beauty but around every bend in Scotland is another breathtaking view and until they convince me otherwise, my wife and I have never met more friendly and helpful people with a wicked sense of humor than the Scottish people. In my fantasy life Scotland is where I would live out the rest of my life. Instead I’ll hope to visit another time and in the meantime continue to watch “the girls” visit there with a few wistful tears in my eyes. If you have the means and the time, please put Scotland on your bucket list.
There's breath taking views in other countries, but what you don't get is breath taking distilleries, they were in the same region as Bladnoch, a good whisky.
We couldn’t agree more but then we filmed it and loved it 😀😀
You're all welclome to come to my backdoor,just don't litter please.
@@stum8374 I don’t litter at home or when I’m visiting someone else’s. Sadly that’s not true of everyone so request noted.
@@SweetHopeCookies
Thank u, I've seen people in car parks empty their car Ash tray,can u imagine if EVERBODY did that !!!
You guys have definitely got the cooking / meals nailed down 👍
Emily Ramsy 🤣
👩🍳 😀
Stunning.
One to keep in mind for sure.
I have Scottish routes.
Its a pain picking up other peoples rubbish but well rewarding if it saves these park ups. A litter picker costs less than a fiver and makes it easier to carry these tasks. Save our park up campaign would be a good idea, Thanks for another great vid..
Loved the video. ‘Em, maybe you should start doing a cooking video. I know, I know, that would mean more work on the videos, but the dishes you cook do look good. I’m pretty sure their delicious as well, since Lou isn’t complaining and cooking noodles. 😂😂
Give AJ and Summer a hug.🥰
I am a good cook 😂😂
As I'm from Scotland ... to me this weather is tropical .... nothing wrong with a wee bit of rain snow wind and sun all in one afternoon tbh 😁
I love Scotland,with all its moods,come rain come shine,come hail come snow ,come wind come ice ,when I’m watching from the comfort of a lazy Sunday in bed drinking a latte,it’s lovely...🥶lol
The Electric Brea is well worth it.
I found the SWC300 just by chance and spent two entire summers in the region and will be back there again in the spring, I never found it to be busy anywhere and had no trouble finding wonderful parkups.
It's up to all us campervan people to keep the area clean as it's the little cars which leave all the rubbish with their Mcdonalds and KFC wrappers.
If we are seen to do litter picking the locals will be very happy to welcome us.
That is very true, we do love to get the picker out 😀
Some people just don't know how to appreciate perfect ...mother nature pure fresh and beautiful
I’m with you on the parkup thing, the only thing that should be left behind is footprints and maybe tyre tracks, litter rubbish etc should be taken away and disposed of properly, there is no excuse.
Looks like a great place, it’s been on my list of “must visits” for a while.
Another great video, keep them coming.
Leave Nothing, Take Nothing but Memories.
It was storm Arwen just about a year ago today that caused all the damage. Wasn't just the strength but the unusual direction that caused so much devastation in the forests. I'm generally there for a month around September, although next year I get June and September :)
I’m from Inverness, another beautiful part of Scotland. My family now live in Fife, also a beautiful part of Scotland. I recommend that you visit this side of the country. scotland 🏴
You two are awesome. I just love how you take such good care of your fur babies. That makes us kindred spirits. Rock on!
Thank you for your comments about how to tour responsibly and respectfully. I do hope your message reaches a wide audience and helps reduce tension between van lifers and locals.
So do we 😀🙌
That park with the fallen trees and moss is the same terrain we have on Hornby Island, British Columbia. No wonder the Scots settled here :) Trees fall because of the wind and also from long periods of the ground being too wet or too dry.
Thanks
we love the Isle of Mull its fantastic well worth the journey. Those trees are very shallow rooted so it doesn't take much wind to topple them
You just keep doing it, no one else seems to capture the places like you two, pure class well done again
Thank you 😊
As somebody born and raised in a tropical country, there is something about gloomy, misty, cold and just fairy like scenarios... Just delightful, or maybe the idea of whiskey and bagpipes. And yes, some hidden gems are better remained untold.
Yeah I bet it seems pretty cool
Come visit sometime if you can. Scotlands a great wee country. It is a bit gloomy at times weather wise though. Wear lots of layers, but it’s so beautiful
Girls, thank you so much for showing SW Scotland in such a good light even though this last month we have had probably the worst weather I can remember but it still looked excellent. Your drone work and camera work and music fantastic and you's are so genuinely enthusiastic and positive about this area. It made me so proud to say I am from SW Scotland. Thank you for this series and please come back. P.S. Vlog made me quite emotional. Michelle
We loved it there, can’t wait to explore more places in Scotland 😀
It's been a real pleasure watching your videos of our corner of Scotland. Haste ye back!
We will 😀
What a lovely film I’m from the west of Scotland and living down south for 50 years now it’s made me so home sick and brought back lovely memories wish I could go back home and see my mum and granny’s again who are no longer with us maybe in my dream tonight 😢love your van and pets what a great life your living safe journeys both of you 🏴
I’ll never get enough of watching your vlogs you two xx I wish they were everyday and twice as long 🤣🤣 Obviously I know!!!!!!😅
We did part of the SWC300 summer 2021 in a van, we didn’t know it was and had only heard of the NC500 which we didn’t want to do as it was Uber popular straight after lockdown. Galloway area (we also went off track here and there) is just amazing!!!
Coastal areas (ayre) was great for the kids but the forest areas were my fav. My husband was on a Rabbie Burns pilgrimage too so detoured off to various Burns locations.
Love Scotland and still may end up moving up there.
I think it’s nice to go a little off track and see some other bits 😀
Hiya me again, another great vid.Always looking forward to Sundays.We've got a electric hill on the Isle of Man, we call it a magnetic hill ( optical illusion).Emily is a proper Fanny Cradock te he.Scotland is alot like the Island ( just on smaller scale) Mountain's, Reservoirs , forests, waterfalls,seaside , villages,wildlife, and unpredictable weather.Only problem it's Expensive to get here on boat.Enjoy rest of your trip, lake district is beautiful. I loved Windermere. Take care Richard x
We loved seeing it, was great fun
"Shits & Giggles". Now that would be a great name for your channel! 🤣
Those forests are amazing! You're certainly selling my home county. Thing is, now every bugger and their dog are going to start turning left at Gretna!
As for sausage on pizza; what are salami and chorizo but sausage? I usually chop up a couple of Linda Macs and fry them with a bit of chilli, garlic and smoked paprika before they go on top. 😋🤘
Then again, I put pineapple on too! (Caramelized with a bit of sugar and chilli first. I'm not some heathen that puts it on straight out the tin! 🙄🤣)
Thanks for sharing, safe journeys and enjoy a bit of R&R
Hopefully the more we show of it the more people will spread out rather than go to one place, that’s our hope 🤞🤞
We have a place called Magnetic Hill that essentially does the same thing. It is just outside Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada. If you both ever decide to tour Canada please let me know and I can give you some awesome tips on some beautiful places. Your tours are so beautiful. Living virtually through your videos. Thank you. Jackie
Oh amazing, we definitely will one day
I've been to Moncton from the UK. The things that Hill did to my compass !
Thanks once again Girls , fantastic video, Scotland is beautiful even in the rain!. Good advice to all the mobile campers, keep Scotland free to all and don't abuse it . Keep safe girls . Janie x
Hi very wise words from you too keep to the rules or you will lose these places would be such a shame great content as usual 👍
Ah Scotland, my beautiful home country. Had my first ever kiss on the Electric Brae whilst rolling backwards (or forwards) in an Austin A40. Magical!! Great video girls. Just back from 6 weeks in my van and currently can't bare to go in the house, so having one more night on my drive in the van, before I face civilization. Can't wait for your next video!
When I feel sad and when I feel blue, I put on Camper Vibe and watch you two, you lighten my mood and I forget everything around me. You two are great.
Well said you two, Scotland is more than the NC500 !
Love watching your adventures.....Keep 'em coming.x
Another brilliant, entertaining adventure!! This part of Scotland is now on our radar, thank you friends 🥰 I particularly appreciate the PSA to the van life community to remember to be respectful & kind when camping. 🚐💕 xx Tania
Our pleasure, definitely go it is very scenic and beautiful 😀
Great video as always ladies.
The reason so many trees are down, is simply due to the shallow layer of soil there is on top of the bedrock, so the trees routes can’t penetrate deep into the ground and end up growing outwards, but very shallow and prone to uprooting in high winds. 👍🏼
Oh nice thanks
@@campervibe
Apologies for the terrible spelling mistake, which I have just noticed!
Should have read ‘roots’ and not ‘routes’ 🤦🏼♂️
The drone footage with the pipe music was spots on !
Fantastic scenery ❤️❤️
Fabulous video as always. My puppy Bonny was glued to the tv especially when summer and AJ were on screen 😂 loving Scotland despite the rain.
😂😀
Great video and very good advice on how to find a park up without causing hassle. Good news next two weeks weather looks good for you.
Great video. I was in the exact same park up earlier in the year just for a few hours but couldn’t stay overnight. Loads of parking spots around the Loch but like you say, so much mess, litter, fire remains, etc everywhere we’ll soon be losing these beautiful parks ups. You might’ve got the rain but i got eaten alive by midges. Gimme the rain any day! 😆
ABSOLUTELY LOVE YOU GUYS & LOVE YOU EMILY WITH THE ROLLING UP HILL! THAINK YOU!!!!
That name 'Electric Bray' is awesome & says it all for us. Got to be to do with the unseen forces/electromagnetic energy. Something we are currently & have been for a while learning about through personal experience.
Seriouslu thank you for being so authentically you guys as this was a fab share for our collective growth and connections!
Big Ups Big Love xxxxx
(& even more fitting & aligned with the harmony & synchronisities is our alarm for moon rise just went off which is all about the gravitational pull creates our tides, seasons & movement of emotions in our body & another one of the unseen forces that one would've expected to make the van go down hill lol)
Thank you Lou and Em, the U.K. is stunning and I don’t think we appreciate it as much as we should. And, you have sunshine, yaaaaaay ❤
We first went to Scotland in 1975 and loved it we would get up on a morning look at the MAP (that’s all we had in those days) and decide where to go, we had a homemade transit van and visited many areas of Scotland over lots of years👋👋👋
Love these videos....I still can not understand how the CZcams algorithm has not brought them more subscribers! People are missing out.
Aw thank you 😊
We just love that part of Scotland, always take our bikes and telescope.
So glad the sun shone for you when you travelled up the coast, it is a magical place. You are so right I found the locals so friendly. But Lou you are so right, it will so sad if we loose these wonderful park ups because of a handful of idiots.
Yes there is so much beauty south of the central belt you don't have to flock to the Highlands. Enjoy, take care xx
Stunning drone footage of a stunning location. 😍
Travelling vicariously and loving every moment. One day I'll return.
I love Scotland, as the scenery is simply the best. Another enjoyable Sunday afternoon watching Camper Vibe with a cup of tea and a snack.
😀😀😀
Great video, brilliant part of the world - you should also add the Heart 200 to your Scotland to do list :)
We will 😀
Please do not underestimate the value you both bring to the world. Your energy, humour, wisdom, curiosity, and courage bring a bright light to our lives. TY
Lou: "If you can get it up here..." and points her thumb at the waterfall. Had me thinking how impossible that would be: "getting it up" in a cold Scottish waterfall, in November. If you could, you deserve a reward, I should think! 🤣😂😉
The electric Brae, my dad used to take us there as part of a day out when I was a kid as a treat . :) Thank you so much for sharing your trip to my homeland, so many wonderful memories.
Waw!
What a video!!
And you two seem happier than ever here xx
(Sshh, come again in May 🤫😘)
Absolutely wonderful place thanks for sharing take care 🙂 ❤ xx
Ay up me ducks.
What a place, absolutely beautiful. Thank you so much once again for taking us along with you 🤙👍
Another stellar video! I felt emotional when the drone was in the sky, it was pure magic. Love sausage on my pizza. Thanks for sharing.✌🏼
So happy to hear you say how welcoming Scotland is for wild campers etc! 👍
Scotland was extremely friendly for campervans, there were so many places set up for staying, for emptying and refilling for water and waste it was great, very happy to have campervans there with loads of signs saying so
Hi guys great footage with the drone lou well done. Fabulous scenery nice one guys. Glad AJ is better 🤠👍
The beautiful place you have found, is a dream I loved watching the cat running through there as well as my wolf was Tigre the cat, she was incredible wherever I pulled up she could go for 30 mins on her own , I would just have to call her once and what I discovered was that she was always ten foot away from me at max ! ( I’m defo not telling you to let your loved cat off the leash,all cats are different and she grew up with me nomading with her on my back) The moss on the trees is called lyca the old Pict tribe and Celtish tribes in Scotland used it for a multitude of medicinal and practice things, also said to keep bad spirits and negative energy away from a place or person, no wonder you can feel the pixies there ! It only grows in really clean air and environments , there are all different types of lyca as well it sprouts out of the trunk of some smaller trees into what looks like a light green squashed tiny six leaf clover with a hard constituency. As always I’m loving watching your vids and hitchhiking with you around the world, my broken body won’t allow but at least I’m hitching with you from my bed bounded ness current state, magical Alaya Old Owl 🦉 Norfolk, if your ever in Norfolk DM me on Twitter and I will give you directions to my lifetime fav park up (Since I come from north Norfolk) I won’t post it on here because I don’t want any Trunts around there, who don’t clean up after themselves ! @shivashiva. Twitter 🦉
There is a place in Northern Ireland "Spelga Dam Reservoir"when you put your car in neutral and it rolls up hill. Very spooky.
It is an optical illusion where the topography makes it look like it is going up when it is in reality is going down. Look for a video of an Ames room on youtube, the natural topography, and vegetation have a similar effect.
I agree is a cool and spooky effect but it is one of how our brain interprets what we see not cars rolling up hills.
I loved seeing it, it’s great fun 😀
You two never disappoint! Such a cool video. Thank you for showing us the beautiful SW of Scotland. Bucket list.
Hi Louise and Emily Thank you for a lovely video again.the good days and wet days you guys are great at photography I look forward to you putting more content up
Am Godsmack by brilliant photography views this whole Scotland Trip Lou! I have been to Scotland few times, but where you both traveled brings a new freshness. Admire and appreciate your vlog channel!🧡🐾🐿🐇🐾🧡
l just love scotland and where you parked up soooo breathtaking and stunning🥰🤩😍 thanks for taking us along ☺
Ah, gravity roads... We have one here in Sweden in Idre. It´s all an illusion but it is quite cool. Stunning scenery, just unbelievable. Also unbelievable was the fact that Em´ didn´t give us what we all want. The Skinny Pizza Dance!?😜
Love that part of the country, the Ayrshire coastal road is beautiful 🏴❤️
What a magical and fun vlog. Beautiful scenery. Thank you 🙏🏻❤️
Great video thanks for all your hard work making our Sunday evening something to look forward to .
Thank you, as always.
LOVE this so much!!!
Very beautiful.... amazing! ❤
Very, very rare that I’m laughing before 20 seconds on ANY video. You two rock!!
I'm so jealous! Scotland is absolutely beautiful! At least I can enjoy the places you all are highlighting in your videos with all the beautiful drone and video footage all thanks to Lou and her incredible skills. Emily, the reason there are so many fallen and uprooted trees is because of all the rain Scotland gets. The ground gets so soaked with water which loosens the roots, then when there is heavy wind the trees sway causing the roots to loosen from the ground. Eventually, the trees will topple over roots and all. Stay safe and have an incredible time. And yes Emily, Scotland does look magical. Those forests you all went hiking in look like there should be fairies and pixies fliting about.
Thank you for letting me know 😀
That is part of the reason. The main one is that the soils where tree planting has been done are very thin. The tree roots are shallow and make them susceptible to blow down.
Fantastic as always...🤙💕
Cracking video guys yet again. 🙏
Theres also a magnetic hill in Snowdonia, North Wales uk. 💕
Oh wow I did not know that
Spectacular scenery 🙏🏻😍
Another amazing video from you guys 🥰 THANK YOU SO MUCH ❤️ 🙏
You were in my back yard when I was younger up the loch Doon you didn't show the 🏰 or what remains of it. Dalcairney falls as well is beautiful when it freezes over in the winter. I come from Dalmellington originally did you not go into the bakers there Emily when we go up on holiday we used to bring loads of cakes back down to Hampshire. I am glad you enjoyed yourselves up there it brought back great memories seeing it all again as I haven't been back since my mum in law died five years ago. Will be back this summer though see you all again next week stay safe xxPat
It was a lovely place, the castle was all fenced off when we was there unfortunately
Fantastic as always xx
Breathtaking! Thank You xxx
Good evening ladies, A fanny rolling uphill backwards is something to behold! The mind boggles It's hard to realise at times when you're down in the dumps but we live in such a beautiful country & that coastal drive is spectacular, Thank you for sharing.
You really do
Totally awesome ♥Thank you
So good to see you passing through our hometown of Ayr ❤️🚐🍦
I so look forward to your weekly vlogs, thanks girls x
Thank you for another stunning video!!
Best snacks on the internet! And all of that with no mention of Fanny! 🤣
I did enjoy it, thank you ❤
And the spruces are all plantations, the trees planted to tight to each other and the roots are interlocked so if one starts to wobble they all are going to fall (self tough Swedish spruce expert😂)😘✌🏽
You're so much harder on yourself. When you say, "I know what you're saying, Lou," you usually say exactly opposite of what I'm thinking. This time, you're like, "Lou, deal with it, spend the night in the bog in the tent in the rain," and I'm like, "Lou, get the hell out of there." And I LOVE the stopover for milkshakes. I've driven hours out of my way for a proper cake before, and this didn't look out of the way, it just looked like one way of many. If you are going anyway, why not take a way that has great milkshakes?
Loving the channel, loving the vids, loving your family there as always. Let those commercials play, folks! 🙂
(They do make prosthetics for those who can't get it up there... some have strap-ons...)
Loved this video and given us so many more places to visit :-)
There must be a massive deposit of magnetic 🧲 Hemitite underfoot and upwards ! Incredible to see that actually happening , nothing paranormal about it all I must add, it’s purely geological and mother natures natural wonder ! Thank you ladies, Alaya Old Owl 🦉Norfolk.
the "crieff cloverleaf" is theoretically for motorcycles but can give you some good ideas for "non-nc500" explorations in the central highlands
Top notch content as ever. You have such a gift between you for producing videos that are compelling and addictive.
The area you've just visited I have explored several times going back many years. There's always something new to see, or just the sheer pleasure of revisiting an old haunt that feels as comfortable as an old pair of slippers. I love Scotland and all that it offers, just fabulous.
You guys continue to warm my old heart..travel safe and keep on smiling.xx
Brilliant video and so much crammed in, but so informative. Thank you. We are planning a trip to Scotland from Sussex next year, not the NC500 but a bit of island hopping with some mainland too. Safe journey home. C&R 🍻
That sounds good
A walk in the woods, walks the soul back home..The power of nature is amazing 🙏🌏
Couldn’t agree more
Fabulous and brilliant advice too❤
Stunning video incorporating the weather as it really is. Shows how you can still enjoy a trip in the rainy season 👍💙❤️
Another great video ladies, love how you enjoyed the harsh weather.
You will get loads of rainbows in Scotland so don't panic you'll find some more places swimming with rainbows. I've been up here five years and I'll see rainbows nearly every week. Will it rain is so keep your eyes out. Look after yourself and keep driving