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Hi,
Was planning a couple of weeks away maybe taking in Scotland and Wales but starting to think that it might not be possible due to the cost of staying over, it is not in school holidays so thought would be ok but after looking around very much mistaken.
Any suggestions for a Dad and his son, van and two bikes MTB riding as much as possible.
Thanks
I'm a great fan of the southwest of Scotland it is less well known and can sometimes be a bit cheaper than the highlands. You could try hostelling to reduce your costs, but on the subject of costs energy, food etc are up everywhere.
Glen Nevis campsite?
Not what you asked, but have a look at some of the less well known bits of the Alps / Jura. Our accommodation over there was about half the cost of something similar in Scotland for 2 weeks.
You say van so do you mean you'll want somewhere like a campsite or is that just your mode of transport?
Accommodation everywhere has become very expensive. Covid/Brexshit increased demand and made people realise they could get away with charging more. Staffing is difficult and pushed costs up, energy costs are huge. Even hostels or camping are not cheap now. If camping is an option then if you can find a spot in the LL&TNP facilities it looks like its not reached the profiteering stages yet. Bear in mind that Scottish Holidays start earlier than English ones so peak season is different. Depending on age of son you could also pack up the bikes for bike packing and go wild camping on a multiday tour (e.g. a loop in the cairngorms, or somewhere you can get a train back).
Is the van a camper or just a van?
Would you camp?
SYHA/YHA acceptable?
Hi thanks for all the suggestions, its just a van for transport not a campervan, I did have all camping equipment but gave it away.
I think the easiest way to put it is my relationship of 23 years broke down (2 older kids) and now I am left trying to sell my house that I thought was my forever home and try and rebuild my life again at 47 and a lot of that effort is going towards my son who is my world.
He is just finishing exams and then going onto farming apprenticeship so I guess my time with him will be limited, hence a two week lads holiday but as most people find cost is a option so I guess it might be stay at home and big days out.
Are you anywhere near West Yorkshire? Got a massive 6 bed tent I need rid of if that's any use? Could probably do with a spray of waterproofing treatment and you wouldn't want to change campsite too often as it takes ages to put up!
Ecclefechan Hotel. £60 a night for 2. You need to ring up to book it.
30 minutes travel to Ae, Mabie and Dalbeattie, 50 minutes to Glentress/Tweed valley/Newcastleton.
Beaches abound on the south coast west of Dumfries if you are into that sort of thing. Very little traffic on the roads, decent food at reasonable prices, as the area isnt inundated with tourists.
Trouble is any time between now and Sept is holiday time for everyone - those without kids are away, those with kids have to go in school holidays.
If you let us know where you are based (roughly) I'm sure the STW crew can rustle up some camping gear you can borrow to help keep costs down. My camping gear is sat in the back of my office doing nothing.
I'd not get stuck on location - it sounds like you just need time with your lad more than anything else.
Comrie croft? Cheap camping or lodge type accommodation, trails literally on your doorstep, great cafe on site. Nice area of the world to explore too
I think we might need your definition of expensive too.
You are a slightly tricky group to accommodate that does not fit too well into normal boxes for bricks and mortar. Two people but a lad and dad so not a 1 bedroom place. So you are now into places that can probably sleep 4 but there are only 2.
I think I'd be heading to go outdoor/ decathlon and sorting yourself out a car camping tent and clobber - or find something on Facebook market For a 2 week trip the cost and flexibility will be worth it.
My best memories of my dad were the 2 of us away under canvas for our annual walking trip together in the lakes.
Get yourself a tent and come up there to the Tweed Valley.
I've already offered to show you round and that offer still stands.
Get yourself a tent and come up there to the Tweed Valley.
That's getting trickier these days though. Rosetta is shut and crossburn is statics and touring caravans only these days.
I mean I think it's a great idea just getting harder without expense.
Im in Sw Scotland lend you a tent/stove.
Even buy you a pint if you end up in dg8
You can stay in my AirB&B hut if you want to book direct to save on fees (I normally charge £50 a night but obviously AirB&B charge a bit more!). If you stay for a while we could do a good deal. It is on a farm (good for the lad) and we are in the middle of fantastic natural riding area (Black Mountains) and also within less than an hour of Forest of Dean, Cwmcarn Bike Park Wales, all the Valleys riding, the Gap etc, while only being 4 miles from Dirt Farm if that takes your fancy. I probably know and have ridden just about every trail (cheeky or otherwise) within a 50 miles radius of here and am happy to pass on that info. If you want to check out the hut look at the link below. The calendar on the AirB&B site will show you when I have space (still plenty available as most bookings are short notice).
https://airbnb.com/h/the-squirrels-nest-llanthony
Buy a tent and basic stove off face book. Pop to decathlon for so e sleeping bags and matts.
As mentioned above, hostels are a good option fir cheapness. Some crackers across the country. I've probably only stayed in about twenty of them over the years. Very rarely let down (Fort William bavkpackers hostel and the Ullapool YHA being notable exceptions).
Buy a tent - just a two man pop-up, a couple of sleeping mats and a couple of sleeping bags.
That puts pretty much anywhere you like in Scotland on the "can stay there" map - because as long as you take your rubbish with you then if you can pitch, it's fair game.
Yes, @welshfarmer has nailed it for generosity and he's right, it's amazing round there. Definitely recommend if you can.
There are plenty of campsites for a tenner a night in Wales. If I were in your position I'd be buying or borrowing a cheap 3 man tent (or two 2 man) and a cheap stove and going from there.
Thank you everyone some brilliant suggestions and have been looking at them all.
Welshfarmer and singlespeedstu have sent you both a PM.
Really grateful of the replies and time people have taken.
This might sound a bit daft, but I've just stayed at Haven in Porthmadog with my 7yr old. It'd be a great location to hit some North Wales riding spots, we did degla and coed y brenin. A bronze caravan cost <£300 for a week but you can get it cheaper if you don't want to go to the mini disco every night.
A bothy or two? Loads in Scotland but also a fair few in Wales including one in Coed y Brenin forest.
I have huge amounts of camping kit available to lend thanks to the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme, what do you think you need? Also, if on hardtails there's some racks and panniers too or you could borrow my Yak trailer. You will probably need to get a rear axle for your specific bike unless it is a qr or a Trek Rail.
There's a tour that takes in a few of the Mid Wales bothies that would be great father son bonding.
I'm about twenty minutes from J49 of the M4, Pont Abraham, the end of the motorway.
The likes of Glenlivet has their toilets open 24/7 if you could sleep in the van and i have heard of folk wild camping not far from it, not sure if thats allowed or not though! not too far from Aviemore either. Not sure about Laggan but if the toilets are open then again could be another nightstop there. As @Ambrose mentioned if you dont mind it you could do a bothy for a night if you can carry a sleeping bag but summer or not the weather can change from sunburn to bloody awful in no time if youre in the middle of the Cairngorms. This also depends on what kind of MTB riding you fancy, trail centers wee hidden off piste or a Monro or two.
Have you tried? ; Glamping Pod & Cabin Holidays Scotland | Gorsebank Accommodation | Marthrown Of Mabie
Hi thought I would update this after what has probably been the best week so far on our bikes, we would like to thank Welshfarmer for his offer of staying at his place via air b and b and are so pleeased he offered it.
The whole area is just amazing and his place I would recommend it to any one of you who fancy visiting the area, lovely and clean and just what you need to base your selves and just enjoy the area.
His farm,family and "The squirrels nest" have been just awesome and I was upset to leave but will 100% be going back, over the course of 5 days we rode BPW (first time), Dirt Farm (first time and just amazing), FOD and also managed a ten mile walk around some of the nicest scenery anywhere, also rode across some ridge lines which again was a epic adventure.
Thank you everyone who posted it was time well needed with my son and has made me really think about work life balance and how I got here. (see posts before).
Dave
Talbotdrain guesthouse, just outside Machynlleth. Great hosts (on airbnb), and not too far from the town centre and a very short distance from the Mach 1, 2 and 3 loops. Not that far to drive over to Dyfi and The Climachx trail.
thought I would update this after what has probably been the best week
**** splendid. Great to hear you got out. 🙂