Forum menu
Easing of Scottish ...
 

[Closed] Easing of Scottish lockdown

Posts: 44717
Full Member
 

I do not see anything contradictory in the five miles. Initially it was exercise from home only. then it was loosened to you can drive five miles to start your exercise. Not 5 miles to do your exercise this was at the same time that angling and similar was allowed. so if like my mum you can only walk 3 or 4 miles she does now have the ability to drive a bit so she can vary the walk


 
Posted : 28/06/2020 11:36 pm
 Spin
Posts: 7787
Free Member
 

What’s contradictory about it ?

The 5 mile limit wasn't in the Lockdown regs but appeared in the Phase 1 guidelines so that was confusing/contradictory. It was also unclear whether it meant you couldn't drive more than 5miles or that you couldn't be more than 5 miles from your house. Initially I thought it was to do with driving but the actual guidance was not entirely clear on that. Also, all other things being equal, why is it any different to drive 40 miles from your house and ride 40 miles from your house?


 
Posted : 28/06/2020 11:37 pm
Posts: 44717
Full Member
 

The five miles was a losening not tightening. Its not the limit of your travel during exercise - it allowed you to drive five miles to start your exercise

edit - crossed posts - perfectly clear to me

Initially exercise from home only. Then drive five miles to start your exercise. there never was a five mile limit on how far you could go during your exercise just a suggestion to keep it local so as to be self reliant


 
Posted : 28/06/2020 11:37 pm
 Spin
Posts: 7787
Free Member
 

The five miles was a losening not tightening. Its not the limit of your travel during exercise – it allowed you to drive five miles to start your exercise

And yet even before the relaxation to phase one we were told that you could drive a 'reasonable distance' to exercise. The figure only came in with phase 1.


 
Posted : 28/06/2020 11:40 pm
Posts: 44717
Full Member
 

Not as far as I was aware. Itr was exercise from home only

Bah

Gettting bogged down in detail;

Shall we just agree to do our best to stick with the spirit of the rules?


 
Posted : 28/06/2020 11:41 pm
 Spin
Posts: 7787
Free Member
 

Shall we just agree to do our best to stick with the spirit of the rules?

Provided we also agree not to get tore into people for slight differences in how they view that spirit.


 
Posted : 28/06/2020 11:43 pm
Posts: 44717
Full Member
 

What - and spoil all my fun? 😉

Agreed

Lets leave the slagging for the real numpties


 
Posted : 28/06/2020 11:44 pm
Posts: 39678
Free Member
 

Fwiw i've been pretty chipper during lock down.

I've had to work throughout. But the slower pace of work and life in general has been quite welcome.

Work was getting out of hand busy coming into this and now it's manageable again

Ive been home throughout to see my daughter sit unaided , crawl and stand unaided.

It's been invaluable time together that we would not have got with 30mojs between me getting home and her bed normally

Makes you reevaluatebt important things and reaffirms others.

I'm so glad I made the decision to get a new job(even if it is much busier than old one) and not be traveling globally. Some of my ex colleagues are stuck in places like Azerbaijan and Saudi since march as their company will not release them as they back to back cannot get in country .


 
Posted : 28/06/2020 11:46 pm
 Spin
Posts: 7787
Free Member
 

Lets leave the slagging for the real numpties

The Tory Govt you mean? They are always fair game!


 
Posted : 28/06/2020 11:46 pm
Posts: 17388
Full Member
 

How Dundee protected its citizens from the Great Plague in the 1640s

http://citylifedundee.com/2019/12/27/dundee-and-the-great-plague-of-1644-8/?fbclid=IwAR1weF-ai173DJKKki-s_zzJ1ICQ4JiVOf3owqDnCWKzHT78BNNx5NgfrIE


 
Posted : 29/06/2020 12:05 am
Posts: 7766
Full Member
 

I was reading that yesterday. There is still a small section of those walls beside the DCA arts centre, near the Uni. However by the 1840's somebody HAD written a booklet called "The filth and fever bills of Dundee." on why life expectancy was 45.SPOILER ALERT! Involves being Irish/or poor/or not Presbyterian enough.


 
Posted : 29/06/2020 7:15 am
Posts: 17388
Full Member
 

4 days, no deaths.


 
Posted : 29/06/2020 5:24 pm
Posts: 43903
Full Member
 

That's a couple more campsites deciding not to open in 2020 - Sligachan on Skye and Fidden Farm on Mull.


 
Posted : 29/06/2020 9:05 pm
Posts: 5141
Full Member
 

@scotroutes any reason given? Seems odd to just decide not to open at all. I’m hoping Glenmore is staying closed so they can upgrade the facilities 🙏😂


 
Posted : 29/06/2020 11:58 pm
Posts: 46010
Free Member
 

I'm thinking campsites have much lower overheads when operations are suspended, compared to hotel etc. Therefore arguably easier to make a decision to write a season off...?


 
Posted : 30/06/2020 12:11 am
Posts: 43903
Full Member
 

Small communities worried about lots of incomers?

Cost/manpower required to do additional cleaning routines?

Limited income anyway as many are planning to only run at half capacity?


 
Posted : 30/06/2020 12:32 am
Posts: 43903
Full Member
 

More sites not opening this year...

Altnaharra
Inverewe Gardens Poolewe
Kinlochewe
John O' Groats
Morvenview Caithness
Morvich
Wick Caravan and Camping Site


 
Posted : 30/06/2020 2:05 am
Posts: 1325
Full Member
 

Was reading that insurance and staffing is an issue for some campsites.

So there will be greatly reduced capacity, possibly greater than normal demand.

Try booking a pitch, everywhere is booked up (or almost).

Fewer sites still operate on the 'first come first served basis, but some still do, so Folk who couldn't get a booking are going to be expecting to drive around and find a site, and end up queuing up to camp in laybys.


 
Posted : 30/06/2020 8:47 am
Posts: 8527
Free Member
 

The Calmac website is fun this morning!


 
Posted : 30/06/2020 11:13 am
Posts: 43903
Full Member
 

We're still hoping to get across to Lewis, probably 1st week in August. We were hoping that there would be some sort of priority system in place for residents, family etc.


 
Posted : 30/06/2020 12:09 pm
Posts: 5141
Full Member
 

The Calmac website is fun this morning!

Oops I need to get on that!

Edit - managed to do a dummy booking to Islay, so that's looking ok. Just need the timetable to be updated beyond 14 July.


 
Posted : 30/06/2020 12:13 pm
Posts: 8527
Free Member
 

We were hoping that there would be some sort of priority system in place for residents, family etc.

There was lots of talk about that locally, but it's not mentioned in the booking process. I gave up eventually, it was only to get over for a bit of hillwalking at the weekend, gonna head down to Hartfell horseshoe instead, should be fairly quiet.

Edit - Can't book for august 1st yet Colin, only the next 2 weeks is available on a rolling basis, you'll need to wait til around the end of July.


 
Posted : 30/06/2020 12:18 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

oldtennisshoes
Subscriber
The Calmac website is fun this morning!

Oops I need to get on that!

The covid test pilots aren't be hanging about it seems! 😆

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Bookings update 30 June 2020 - Bookings for the period 1-14 July 2020.
We are experiencing an extremely high volume of calls and traffic to our website. Thank you for your patience and understanding. Our team is working through the queue and will respond to you as soon as we can.


 
Posted : 30/06/2020 12:40 pm
Posts: 8527
Free Member
 

Test pilot mode engaged, wee day walking on the big rock booked for next wednesday, happy days! 🙂


 
Posted : 30/06/2020 2:47 pm
Posts: 5141
Full Member
 

The covid test pilots aren’t be hanging about it seems! 😆


 
Posted : 30/06/2020 4:34 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

😆 tbh, I'll be waiting a bit, finally started working again with a bit of a bang, well fingers crossed it's sustained and not just a backlog I'm working through, but i'm more interested in getting in as much money as I can at the minute. Though next good weekend, I'll be for a bit of wild camping at some point no doubt. Not completely written off this weekend, yet, see how the weather looks.


 
Posted : 30/06/2020 11:32 pm
Posts: 8527
Free Member
 

Weather looks bloody awful on Friday, fingers crossed for Sat and Sun. In terms of being a ferry test pilot, I'm fairly easy osy about it, there'll be loads of room on the boat given their only allowing 20% capacity, and looking at the bigger picture, numbers are improving, not a single person in any of the Ayrshire hospitals with covid.

Glad to hear you've got some work going, good stuff. 👌🏻


 
Posted : 30/06/2020 11:58 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

20% sounds no bad actually, least it'll not be like planes, from what I've heard it's brutal on them. Aye numbers are looking good, was pretty busy about today in glasgow, well, over by battlefield/hampden and ruggie way, defo shedloads more people about this week (I actually chained up my bike to jump into a wee tesco, then just decided, f that, I'll go later on the night! 😆 ).

But yeah we have to open up as much as we can and find the level that's workable.

Tbh and I don't think an immediate bump will happen, well least not massive, it'll be more localised, so hopefully they've got the ability to action that kinda thing. It's more november/dec/jan as winter takes hold which = more indoor interaction + full on complacency that is the biggest concern. I don't think Sturgeon will for a minute stop and say right that's plenty between now and then.

Aye touch wood it's kicking in, see what happens, but it's most welcome!


 
Posted : 01/07/2020 1:14 am
Posts: 43903
Full Member
 

Another site NOT opening in 2020, citing increased costs and reduced capacity.

https://www.invernahavon.com/


 
Posted : 02/07/2020 8:10 pm
 poah
Posts: 6494
Free Member
Topic starter
 

So where are people going at the weekend?


 
Posted : 02/07/2020 8:24 pm
Posts: 66093
Full Member
 

My plan was tomorrow, do laps of Angry Sheep til my legs drop off. But looking at the forecast, maybe not. The valley'll be hoaching at the weekend so I'm thinking maybe Comrie...

It'll be a solo effort though as I have no match fitness.


 
Posted : 02/07/2020 8:33 pm
Posts: 7130
Full Member
 

The new owners of the Ardnamurchan camp site are opening, full up until the 24th of August now


 
Posted : 02/07/2020 8:59 pm
 poah
Posts: 6494
Free Member
Topic starter
 

I’m staying away from trail centres st the moment.


 
Posted : 02/07/2020 9:00 pm
Posts: 1014
Free Member
 

Face coverings mandatory in shops from the 9th...

Think they’ve been advisory since last week?


 
Posted : 02/07/2020 9:20 pm
Posts: 66093
Full Member
 

mashr
Member

The new owners of the Ardnamurchan camp site are opening, full up until the 24th of August now

...and is run by an STW Legend (tm)


 
Posted : 02/07/2020 9:25 pm
Posts: 495
Full Member
 

I'm off next week and weather looking decent in the borders so considering a 2-3 day bike packing trip to try out some random trails I've been thinking about for a while. It may turn into a walking holiday but don't know until I try them!


 
Posted : 02/07/2020 9:26 pm
Posts: 46010
Free Member
 

and is run by an STW Legend ™

Who dat den?

In related news, Dunblane Hydro are laying off about 80% of staff, currently less than 8 bookings a night through August and September (200 rooms), three corporate or weddings booked for 2021 when they're usually more than half booked a year ahead... Apparently income is less than the electricity bill for the foreseeable.

That's two junior_oab's out of a job.

I wonder how many other hotels are feeling similar nervousness of bookings?


 
Posted : 02/07/2020 9:40 pm
Posts: 6927
Full Member
 

Yeah! Moved to Speyside last week - I'm really surprised about how quiet it's been up here in comparison to Hampshire and how few people are about. Rode 10 miles of the Speyside Way south of Aberlour on Saturday and didn't see anyone - expect it to be hoachin' by the weekend!


 
Posted : 02/07/2020 9:41 pm
Posts: 43903
Full Member
 

Moved to Speyside last week – I’m really surprised about how quiet it’s been up here in comparison to Hampshire and how few people are about.

Folk up here are seeing a marked uptick in non-locals and have been voicing concern about it but I do think many have been somewhat removed from what has been happening in other places. Of course, with that has come a certain complacency about following the restrictions (although there are also mitigating practical issues too). I do hope everyone is prepared for the "onslaught" we are about to experience this week onwards.


 
Posted : 02/07/2020 9:50 pm
Posts: 43903
Full Member
 

matt - it's Jo Cardwell that now has the Ardnamurchan Campsite.


 
Posted : 02/07/2020 9:51 pm
Posts: 46010
Free Member
 

Oh eh, I hadn't realised she had left Stirling!

I'll visit some day...


 
Posted : 02/07/2020 10:12 pm
Posts: 14908
Full Member
 

I wonder how many other hotels are feeling similar nervousness of bookings

Crieff Hydro in their own words are in "serious trouble".

Not surprised really. Some big expansion in recent years taking over the likes of Peebles Hydro plus the other place in Peebles. Would be a huge shame to lose them as I'm a big fan of both Crieff and Peebles


 
Posted : 02/07/2020 10:13 pm
Posts: 460
Free Member
 

Scotroutes - tough one, brings income into area but totally understand nervousness with influx of people


 
Posted : 02/07/2020 10:15 pm
Posts: 43903
Full Member
 

tough one, brings income into area but totally understand nervousness with influx of people

Which is a real tension in all rural areas.


 
Posted : 02/07/2020 11:07 pm
 poah
Posts: 6494
Free Member
Topic starter
 

Inners is open

https://forestryandland.gov.scot/visit/forest-parks/tweed-valley-forest-park/innerleithen


 
Posted : 03/07/2020 8:39 pm
Posts: 4209
Free Member
 

tough one, brings income into area but totally understand nervousness with influx of people

It's a difficult one for everybody. As a potential visitor (and based South of the border), I would normally make a point of spending money for local facilities when I could, but in the present situation they might prefer me to keep away. I guess there'll be views on both sides.


 
Posted : 03/07/2020 8:58 pm
Posts: 1530
Full Member
 

dmbins.com has a list of trail centres that show if they are open, closed or have a date for opening. saw it last night but cant see it now. Hoping the new folk at Glenlivet cafe had a good day!


 
Posted : 03/07/2020 10:37 pm
Posts: 11605
Free Member
 

Bad news about Creiff, I'd be booking there if I could (plus a few nights at the croft).

Gonna get worse before it gets better I think.


 
Posted : 03/07/2020 10:50 pm
Posts: 320
Free Member
 

Anyone know if wild camping is allowed in Scotland now?

We're allowed to stay overnight away from home in campsites, B&B, etc as long as they don't have shared facilities... but Mountaineering Scotland are suggesting that we need to wait until the 15th to wild camp.

Can't see anything in the official guidance that says either way.


 
Posted : 04/07/2020 10:27 am
Posts: 8527
Free Member
 

I'd go with MS advice rather than us lot.


 
Posted : 04/07/2020 10:38 am
Posts: 43903
Full Member
 

Wild Camping is not currently permitted.

It was ruled out on 18th June.

The current expectation is that it will be allowed from 15th July.

https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-what-you-can-and-cannot-do/pages/sport-culture-and-leisure/

Can I go wild camping?

Not yet. In Phase 2 we are still requiring people to stay at home, except for limited purposes. In Phase 3 we hope to be able to be able to allow leisure travel and tourism activities, including wild camping

This guidance has not been superceded by anything more recent relating to self-contained holiday accommodation.


 
Posted : 04/07/2020 10:43 am
Posts: 5296
Free Member
 

I'd say wait for 15th July.

My pal and I are going to cycle camping up the east coast from Edinburgh to Orkney and planning on leaving about then in case we need to stop in for food or get a hostel room for a night or whatever.


 
Posted : 04/07/2020 11:23 am
Posts: 17439
Full Member
 

Wild Camping on Loch Morlich beach seems to be the thing now, I guess the Glenmore campsite being shut is encouraging it.


 
Posted : 04/07/2020 11:26 am
Posts: 43903
Full Member
 

What you're not seeing on the webcam are the 20 campervans/motorhomes parked up last night.

I thìnk we can assume that there will be zero enforcement regardless of the current law/guidance.


 
Posted : 04/07/2020 11:28 am
Posts: 17439
Full Member
 

^^^ jings, that’s pretty poor ! Surprised that a blind eye is being turned. With travel restrictions lifted it’s probably just going to increase for a bit...


 
Posted : 04/07/2020 11:31 am
Posts: 7766
Full Member
 

Yet the campervan groups are up in arms at Highland councillors attempts to restrict their access to things like the Morlich carpark. Complaining that it is a minority of campervan users that are irresponsible. Judging by the numbers in Glenmore when its open compared to the carparks around the park, that " minority" is about 49%.


 
Posted : 04/07/2020 12:34 pm
Posts: 43903
Full Member
 

The Loch Morlich car parks are all on land owned by FLS. Anyone parking there without permission from the landowner is already contravening the (pre-covid) law.

I do have sympathy for folk who want to park off-site (we do it ourselves) and not just because Glenmore charges are exorbitant. It's time more councils established basic parking zones (Aires) such as already exist in the Outer Hebrides and commonly in France etc.


 
Posted : 04/07/2020 1:08 pm
Posts: 0
Full Member
 

http://www.dmbins.com/developing/covid-19/mtb-trail-centres-scotland-covid-19
Dmbins trail centre open/closed list


 
Posted : 04/07/2020 4:39 pm
 poah
Posts: 6494
Free Member
Topic starter
 

Was at balquidder today. Pretty busy when I was leaving.


 
Posted : 04/07/2020 6:49 pm
Posts: 460
Free Member
 

I don’t have a problem with self contained cabs it’s those without a bog that I’m a bit 🤔 about seeing as there are no toilets open out at Glenmore


 
Posted : 04/07/2020 6:57 pm
Posts: 43903
Full Member
 

Glenmore beach toilets are apparently open.


 
Posted : 04/07/2020 7:12 pm
Posts: 43903
Full Member
 

Rumour has it that we've a positive case in Newtonmore. Someone who had a visitor from London in a holiday home last week. Could all be bollocks of course...


 
Posted : 04/07/2020 7:40 pm
Posts: 5141
Full Member
 

Glenmore beach toilets are apparently open.

Indeed they are, complete with 1 way system and hand sanitiser dispensers on the outside.
Just as well, as it’s busy - well probably not as busy as a typical July weekend, but there are plenty of folk about.
We took a walk up to An Lochan Uaine and there were loads of extended families about enjoying the drizzle and midges.


 
Posted : 04/07/2020 8:00 pm
Posts: 46010
Free Member
 

Rumour has it that we’ve a positive case in Newtonmore. Someone who had a visitor from London in a holiday home last week. Could all be bollocks of course…

And that's the rub - the fear can be as bad as it actually happening, and the importation of the virus is just going to happen....


 
Posted : 04/07/2020 8:07 pm
Posts: 43903
Full Member
 

And that’s the rub – the fear can be as bad as it actually happening, and the importation of the virus is just going to happen….

Yep - I doubt it will be the last of the stories floating about.


 
Posted : 04/07/2020 8:22 pm
 Spin
Posts: 7787
Free Member
 

The no 'wild' camping camping thing is being widely ignored, there was a massive group of motorbikers camped pretty much on the verge of the road at the Commando Memorial last night, Mrs Spin reckoned at least 10 tents!


 
Posted : 04/07/2020 9:08 pm
Posts: 43903
Full Member
Posts: 1083
Full Member
 

^ although the official event was cancelled it seems this was a group of bikers that included a number of ex-servicemen. They moved their tents further away from the actual memorial when asked, and all their camping equipment had been taken up by van, including a toilet facility. (I saw them heading south this morning and there was no kit on the bikes). I’m told the place was left very clean and tidy.


 
Posted : 04/07/2020 9:13 pm
 Spin
Posts: 7787
Free Member
 

Didn't realise it made the news! We just saw it on way to friends near there.


 
Posted : 04/07/2020 9:16 pm
Posts: 46010
Free Member
 

We passed a group of 8 lads today, all 18-25yrs old, off to camp at the far end of Loch Turret.
I'm doubting they were siblings.


 
Posted : 04/07/2020 9:23 pm
Posts: 8527
Free Member
 

This thread has turned into the Sunday post. 🤣


 
Posted : 04/07/2020 9:26 pm
Posts: 3631
Full Member
 

Me and the wife are planning on heading to Peebles area first week of August for a few nights. I know this probably isn't the place to ask but just wondered how welcome we'd be, staying in a self catering AirBnB. Last thing we want to do is piss off locals.

And does anyone have any idea when Glentress is due to open as it's list as closed on the dmbins.com site.


 
Posted : 04/07/2020 10:10 pm
 Spin
Posts: 7787
Free Member
 

Laggan was open today not particularly busy and splendid fun as always. Haven't ridden there for years! Just great to get somewhere different.


 
Posted : 04/07/2020 10:14 pm
Posts: 8527
Free Member
 

Sam, don't expect it to be any different from normal, ie you'll be fine. I'd imagine GT will open soon, the weather's been good, so there'll be very little in the way of trees down or water erosion, so trails will need minimal maintenance.

Enjoy mate.


 
Posted : 04/07/2020 10:19 pm
Posts: 43903
Full Member
 

This thread has turned into the Sunday post.

I'm rather enjoying the streaming from the Loch Morlich webcam. It's better than the pish on telly.

https://www.lochmorlich.com/webcam

I really need to head up tomorrow and clean the lens


 
Posted : 04/07/2020 10:43 pm
Posts: 1325
Full Member
 

All the loch morlich webcam is missing is commentary from Ant&Dec


 
Posted : 04/07/2020 11:28 pm
Posts: 13809
Full Member
 

there was a massive group of motorbikers camped pretty much on the verge of the road at the Commando Memorial last night

A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: “Officers have been made aware of complaints around a group camping at Commando Memorial, Spean Bridge.
Officers attended and spoke to the group.
Advice has been given and the group has advised they will move on in the morning and will clean up after themselves.
Officers will continue to monitor the area during the night.”
They were apparently too pished to move on, they have now moved on after tidying up.
The initial Police complaint came from a former commando via a press outlet i’m led to believe. due to it being the area they camped on (area designated for the spreading of veteran commandos ashes).
They are believed to be from the Manchester area


 
Posted : 04/07/2020 11:33 pm
Posts: 43903
Full Member
 

Funny place to line up for a pish


 
Posted : 04/07/2020 11:40 pm
Posts: 8527
Free Member
 

Is there anything more embarrassing than a gang of fat, middle aged motorcyclists? That's before you even start on those jackets! 🤣


 
Posted : 04/07/2020 11:44 pm
Posts: 39678
Free Member
 

Is there anything more embarrassing than a gang of fat, middle aged motorcyclists

Exhibit a. Able bodied Ebikers 😉


 
Posted : 04/07/2020 11:48 pm
Page 15 / 59