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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
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?
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
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.
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?
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.
What - and spoil all my fun? 😉
Agreed
Lets leave the slagging for the real numpties
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 .
Lets leave the slagging for the real numpties
The Tory Govt you mean? They are always fair game!
How Dundee protected its citizens from the Great Plague in the 1640s
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.
4 days, no deaths.
That's a couple more campsites deciding not to open in 2020 - Sligachan on Skye and Fidden Farm on Mull.
@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 🙏😂
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...?
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?
More sites not opening this year...
Altnaharra
Inverewe Gardens Poolewe
Kinlochewe
John O' Groats
Morvenview Caithness
Morvich
Wick Caravan and Camping Site
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.
The Calmac website is fun this morning!
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.
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.
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.
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.
Test pilot mode engaged, wee day walking on the big rock booked for next wednesday, happy days! 🙂
The covid test pilots aren’t be hanging about it seems! 😆

😆 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.
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. 👌🏻
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!
Another site NOT opening in 2020, citing increased costs and reduced capacity.
So where are people going at the weekend?
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.
The new owners of the Ardnamurchan camp site are opening, full up until the 24th of August now
I’m staying away from trail centres st the moment.
Face coverings mandatory in shops from the 9th...
Think they’ve been advisory since last week?
mashr
MemberThe 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)
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!
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?
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!
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.
matt - it's Jo Cardwell that now has the Ardnamurchan Campsite.
Oh eh, I hadn't realised she had left Stirling!
I'll visit some day...
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
Scotroutes - tough one, brings income into area but totally understand nervousness with influx of people
tough one, brings income into area but totally understand nervousness with influx of people
Which is a real tension in all rural areas.
Inners is open
https://forestryandland.gov.scot/visit/forest-parks/tweed-valley-forest-park/innerleithen
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.
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!
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.
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.
I'd go with MS advice rather than us lot.
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.
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.
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.
Wild Camping on Loch Morlich beach seems to be the thing now, I guess the Glenmore campsite being shut is encouraging it.
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.
^^^ 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...
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%.
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.
http://www.dmbins.com/developing/covid-19/mtb-trail-centres-scotland-covid-19
Dmbins trail centre open/closed list
Was at balquidder today. Pretty busy when I was leaving.
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
Glenmore beach toilets are apparently open.
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...
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.
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....
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.
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!
^ 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.
Didn't realise it made the news! We just saw it on way to friends near there.
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.
This thread has turned into the Sunday post. 🤣
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.
Laggan was open today not particularly busy and splendid fun as always. Haven't ridden there for years! Just great to get somewhere different.
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.
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
All the loch morlich webcam is missing is commentary from Ant&Dec
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
Funny place to line up for a pish
Is there anything more embarrassing than a gang of fat, middle aged motorcyclists? That's before you even start on those jackets! 🤣
Is there anything more embarrassing than a gang of fat, middle aged motorcyclists
Exhibit a. Able bodied Ebikers 😉