outdoor gear

Another new tent…

I have been using my other new tent – here – for the past couple of weeks in Scotland. It stood up well to Storm Betty, whilst we were at the Skye campsite and was a good tent, but now I want a bit more room.

For £124 I got a Vango Banshee 200. It is listed as a 2 person tent but it would be very cramped for two adults, unless they were on very friendly terms, or it was an emergency. It is listed as a tent suitable for Duke of Edinburgh Award activities and the illustrations show two smaller people sleeping head to tail in it – that would work.

I liked the asymmetrical design. On one side there is a large porch, suitable for a brew up with my small stove or for storing a rucksack, on the other enough room to put some boots or a folding chair in out of the weather. It has doors on both sides and plenty of ventilation, including a low level vent with a bug net which can also be closed off.

Vango Banshee 200 tent

Another good point is that the inner tent and fly go up as one – so in the rain the inner tent does not get (so) wet.

It is up in the garden waiting for a rain test.

Jeremy now has the Lost Nature tent.

Another new tent… Read More »

More photos from my recent trip – Part Two

Craigellachie National Nature Reserve

Craigellachie National Nature Reserve
Craigellachie National Nature Reserve
Craigellachie National Nature Reserve

Strathspey Railway

Strathspey Railway 5025
Strathspey Railway 5025
Strathspey Railway 5025 front detail
Strathspey Railway 5025

River Findhorn at Logie Steading

River Findhorn at Logie Steading
River Findhorn at Logie Steading
Monochrome close-up of a fern
Fern in the sun

Isle of Skye

We moved onto the Isle of Skye.

The Bridge to Skye​
The Bridge to Skye

Loch Alsh from Kyleakin

Loch Alsh from Kyleakin

Loch Greshornish

Loch  Greshornish
Loch Greshornish
Loch Greshornish

Dunvegan

Dunvegan, The Duirinish Stone, Loch Dunvegan and the MacLeod’s Tables
Dunvegan, The Duirinish Stone, Loch Dunvegan and the MacLeod’s Tables
Dunvegan
On the walk to The Duirinish Stone a Pixie House
On the walk to The Duirinish Stone a Pixie House

The Duirinish Stone

The Duirinish Stone
The Duirinish Stone

Loch Dunvegan and the MacLeod’s Tables

Loch Dunvegan and the MacLeod’s Tables

Portree

Portree Harbour
Portree Harbour
Portree

Broadford

Broadford
Broadford
Pabay
Pabay

Loch Linnhe – Fort William

Loch Linnhe - Fort William
Loch Linnhe - Fort William
Loch Linnhe - Fort William

More photos from my recent trip – Part Two Read More »

Sunday on Skye

Isle of Skye Camping and Caravan Club Site
Loch Greshornish
Loch Greshornish

Dunvegan

From Dunvegan Car Park
From Dunvegan Car Park
Dunvegan
Dunvegan
On the walk to The Duirinish Stone a Pixie House
On the walk to The Duirinish Stone a Pixie House

The Duirinish Stone

The Duirinish Stone dates from the turn of the Millennium, not the stone age, and was put here by local villagers to commemorate the date.

It is located above Dunvegan with views of Loch Dunvegan and the MacLeod’s Tables in the distance.

The Duirinish Stone
The Duirinish Stone
The Duirinish Stone

At the foot of the hill are the ruins of St Mary’s Church.

St Mary’s Church
St Mary’s Church
Walking to The Duirinish Stone
Walking to The Duirinish Stone

Loch Dunvegan and the MacLeod’s Tables

Loch Dunvegan and the MacLeod’s Tables

Sunday on Skye Read More »

Coffee

Storm Betty has passed leaving us with a sunny, dry but breezy morning.

Time for coffee.

Coffee by my hiking tent on the Isle of Skye

The plan today is to go nowhere for the morning as Jeremy wants to watch the football World Cup today. The last time I camped at this site was in 2013 and I commented on the lack of a phone signal – this would be a problem today when it comes to watching the football.

However a new phone mast that we can easily see from our tent has solved that problem.

Excellent internet at Skye Camping and Caravan Club Site Isle of Skye

Coffee Read More »

More photos from my recent trip – Part One

Newcastle

Newcastle Central Arcade

Camping at Lauder Campsite

Camping two lightweight tents

Edinburgh

Edinburgh, Ross Fountain
Edinburgh, Ross Fountain
Royal Scots Greys
Royal Scots Greys on Princes Street

Culzean Castle

Culzean Castle
Culzean Castle

At the campsite…

Orange and black beetle

Near the campsite

Sphere at Culzean Castle

Isle of Arran and Holy Island in the mist

Isle of Arran and Holy Island in the mist
from the campsite

The Coast and Turnberry Castle

The Coast and Turnberry Castle

Dunure

Dunure Harbour
Dunure Harbour
Dunure Castle
Dunure Castle

The Electric Brae

We stopped here but did not try rolling the car up or down the hill!

The Electric Brae
Click on the image for a larger version

Sunset at the campsite

Sunset at Culzeana Castle Campsite

Culzean Castle and Country Park

Culzean Castle and Country Park green house
Culzean Castle and Country Park
Culzean Castle and Country Park meadow flowers
Meadow flowers
Culzean Castle and Country Park
Culzean Castle and Country Park hidden grotto
Hidden grotto
Culzean Castle and Country Park
No swans on the Swanpool

Coast Path

Culzean Castle and Country Park coast path
Culzean Castle and Country Park coast path
Culzean Castle and Country Park coast path
Culzean Castle and Country Park coast path
Culzean Castle and Country Park coast path
Culzean Castle and Country Park coast path

More photos from my recent trip – Part One Read More »