MG4 Roadtrip Scotland

[Rolfe]

I am pleased to report that in the western Borders at least the sun has now come out for a short visit, just in time to set again.

 

[FiferMG4]

I'm thinking of taking my MG4 up to Scotland as I've had it over a year and only done 7.5K. I notice we seem to have a lot of Scottish members so was after some advice on where to go for nice driving and great scenery and also where to stay. I was thinking the NC500 but everyone seems to do that and I'm sure Scotland has much more to offer. Aiming to go in May and stay for around a week so any ideas (including tips on charging) would be much appreciated.

Naturally, I would like to recommend you visit the Kingdom of Fife, home of golf and countless quaint fishing villages along the East Neuk. Visit Scotland has loads of good ideas of what to see and do in Fife.

Visit Scotland Website for Fife Region

I also love Perth and Kinross-shire, especially around Dunkeld (The Hermitage), Pitlochry and Aberfeldy with Loch Tay and Rannoch. The Angus Glens also make for great days out driving and walking.

As other members have already said, a Charge Place Scotland card will come in handy. Whatever you decide, I’m sure you’ll have a braw time!

 

[Archev]

Naturally, I would like to recommend you visit the Kingdom of Fife, home of golf and countless quaint fishing villages along the East Neuk. Visit Scotland has loads of good ideas of what to see and do in Fife.

Visit Scotland Website for Fife Region

I also love Perth and Kinross-shire, especially around Dunkeld (The Hermitage), Pitlochry and Aberfeldy with Loch Tay and Rannoch. The Angus Glens also make for great days out driving and walking.

As other members have already said, a Charge Place Scotland card will come in handy. Whatever you decide, I’m sure you’ll have a braw time!

With you there, that’s a lot of beautiful country you’ve covered in that list, and a vast array of different types too. Fab seascapes etc etc love it all ?

 

[Archev]

With you there, that’s a lot of beautiful country you’ve covered in that list, and a vast array of different types too. Fab seascapes etc etc love it all ?

In fact just on Friday last I headed East to Queensferry on the South bank of the Forth where I traversed the Chinese built Queens Crossing bridge into the Kingdom and bypassed North Queensferry to circumnavigate Dunfermline and access Dobbies garden centre for an enormous eclair with my coffee.

 

[FiferMG4]

In fact just on Friday last I headed East to Queensferry on the South bank of the Forth where I traversed the Chinese built Queens Crossing bridge into the Kingdom and bypassed North Queensferry to circumnavigate Dunfermline and access Dobbies garden centre for an enormous eclair with my coffee.

Sounds like a fun trip. Have you ever visited the villages of Limekilns or Culross on the banks of the Forth? They’re not far from Dunfermline.

 

[Archev]

Sounds like a fun trip. Have you ever visited the villages of Limekilns or Culross on the banks of the Forth? They’re not far from Dunfermline.

Yes, I can see Culross from my window in fact. Over the years I’ve visited and worked in some of the houses there ( and most other places all over Scotland and a fair bit of the north of England )

 

[KH11]

£12 for an RFID card seems steep.

It might appear to be but they do have some 50kw rapid chargers that are free to use for Charge Place Scotland card holders.

 

[siteguru]

Indeed - and I used one in Brodick Harbour which effectively has paid for my CPS RFID card.

 

[PeteC]

I found that a CPS card was almost essential. When I first charged on CPS I only had the app and it was a devil to get charges started and sometimes I just couldn't. Since I've had the card it's been a simple tap and off I go. It may just be my experience but I'm so glad I got a card. I should say that I'm in Scotland at least 6 times a year so the cost didn't really come into it.

 

[Archev]

My first thought was to head to the “Wishing Tree by the Sea” cafe in Dunbar but my steering accuracy was a bit flawed - luckily then ?
I had some fine veg soup and a date and banana scone with a coffee - delish ?

Today I cruised in to the Go outdoor store in Edinburgh. I’m investigating the possibility of fitting a roof top tent for my next adventure. Looks promising I think.

 

[Rolfe]

I saw a car with a rooftop tent in a car park by the Rhine in 2010 when I was on my first road trip with my GTi. I thought I was seeing things! Are they any good? I mean, I'm still struggling to follow the concept. How do you even get up into them?

Meanwhile, I think that sleeping inside the MG4 with the HVAC on is sounding like a much more comfortable proposition.

 

[Archev]

I saw a car with a rooftop tent in a car park by the Rhine in 2010 when I was on my first road trip with my GTi. I thought I was seeing things! Are they any good? I mean, I'm still struggling to follow the concept. How do you even get up into them?

Meanwhile, I think that sleeping inside the MG4 with the HVAC on is sounding like a much more comfortable proposition.

I was impressed with the OEX tent on display down in Granton at Go. They have it mounted on a frame as if on a car roof. There’s a U-tube video of that very unit and how to erect it and fold it up. I’m meeting my daughter for dinner on Thursday so we’ll discuss it then. We’ve thought about trading in my five for a small camper van like a Nissan en200 or a Citroén Berlingo (my choice). We could swap cars if her and her dog Ruby need it (they go walking all over the place)
I really like the five estate car so the roof tent might be my choice.
Very comfortable once inside.

 

[Coulomb]

I would think that the tent with people in it would well exceed the 60kg roof load. Am I missing something?

 

[Archev]

I would think that the tent with people in it would well exceed the 60kg roof load. Am I missing something?

Aye but you’re not driving with that load on the roof. Apparently the static load limit for a roof is nearly 10 times the dynamic limit. Note that this particular unit is built for two folk.
I was like you and no doubt most of us with precious shiny undented lids on our cars so I’ve still a bit of investigation to do.
This one is allegedly OK in a force 8 gale but I can’t help thinking I’d be down inside the car before the anemometer reached that ?
I’ve experienced that sort of gale flattening a tent around me in Glencoe one night so I do have previous when cowardice is being measured ??

 

[Ian Key]

Something like this might be safer especially if you need to go for a wee in the middle of the night. The first step from a roof mounted tent is a biggie.

 

[Archev]

Something like this might be safer especially if you need to go for a wee in the middle of the night. The first step from a roof mounted tent is a biggie.
View attachment 24737

Pay attention at the back there. The roof tent has a full en suite and kitchen included. Nah wait that bit might have been in my dream ?

 

[Rolfe]

Something like this might be safer especially if you need to go for a wee in the middle of the night. The first step from a roof mounted tent is a biggie.
View attachment 24737

That looks a lot more practical. And it could be that you could benefit from running the car's HVAC, if the tent is in effect an extension of the car's interior. Add VtL, and it could be very comfortable.

 

[OriginalBigAl]

I’m currently sitting in my five looking out in the sunshine over loch Earn from St Fillans. The sky is glorious blue, a breeze is rippling the water and I’m surrounded by approximately fifty brilliantly coloured MG fours intent on stealing my easy peel orange.
Oh hang on, correction, they’re actually ? but from the rear view. It’s an easy mistake ??

Scotland has great roads, places to see, and stay and most of its inhabitants are genuinely friendly. If you can avoid some of the weather, midges and caravans you will really enjoy it, so May should be ok on at least two of those points. My MG4 is fizzy orange. I do not know if Archev is near Faslane and the aging nuclear submarine fleet but I hope it's not going to become easy peel orange should we visit.

 

[Rolfe]

He's not near Faslane, but he is quite near Rosyth and Dalgety Bay...

 

[Archev]

That looks a lot more practical. And it could be that you could benefit from running the car's HVAC, if the tent is in effect an extension of the car's interior. Add VtL, and it could be very comfortable.

Yeah I’m guessing it’ll be a fair bit cheaper to run too, not having the bulky box on the roof.