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 Topic: Winter Camping in Scotland. Advice
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07/11/2014 at 7:39am
Location: Redditch
Outfit: Changes almost daily!!
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Simple answer is; Yes. It is just a case of layering up!!! lol. I have a Pennine Sterling, and I love Winter camping. I don't like the thought of not being able to use my 'toy' for half of the year. I do, however, have one golden rule, which I always recommend to other campers, and that is, I never do it without electric hookup.
The reason for this is that I have most things that will run on 12V (microwave, TV / DVD, kettle, filter coffee machine, etc etc) but the one thing you can't run is a heater, as the average electric heater will drain a leisure battery (with an inverter) in about 3 minutes.
The only alternative to that is a gas heater. I have two, and I've used them for years, with no problems, BUT they are not recommended for indoor use by the manufacturers, so I only use them in a well ventilated space, with a CO detector, and wouldn't even consider leaving them on at night. Same applies with any camping gas appliance.
If you really must camp without a hookup, then there is no specific advice I can think of, other than all the usual generic 'apply anywhere' advice you would give in any cold situation; layer up; hot drinks, hot water bottle; thick duvet / sleeping bag, all the usual common sense stuff. You've not actually said where you're going to be camping. If you don't have an electric hookup yet, then is it an option to take a long extension lead with you, and plug it in at your relatives' house. That would make all the difference, in terms of heating the interior, as well as allowing for a few extra little luxuries as well. If you're on a site, then an EHU lead with a couple of sockets on it would give you that same degree of flexibility, if budget allows, but, from a purely personal perspective, Winter camping, in Scotland, with no EHU? Ain't gonna happen!!! 
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07/11/2014 at 9:21am
Location: Stockport
Outfit: Venus and Cmax 2.0D
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I would just add that propane rather than butane is recommended for very cold weather.
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07/11/2014 at 9:34am
Location: Redditch
Outfit: Changes almost daily!!
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You can pick up an electric hookup lead for less than 20 quid, if your unit already has a mains system fitted, or less than 30 quid if you get one with its own electrical sockets.
I'm with you on the gas heater. By all means, get one for a bit of a quick boost in the morning, or when you get back at night, but you're right; it's not a viable option for night time use, which is what you're mainly going to need. An oil filled radiator, or something similar will keep the interior nice and snug at night, and can be safely left on, unlike a gas appliance, which, of course, also has the potential issue of fumes.
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08/11/2014 at 5:30pm
Location: Scotland
Outfit: Goodbye Quickstop Hello Globetrotter!
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Well I would invest in an ehu before the trip, take an oil filled radiator with you and leave it on and running in the unit during the day to keep the cold/damp away....
We've been out in our Raclet a few times when its been colder and its amazing how warm they are with a heater just left on......we didn't even have it full blast.....
Whats the FB Raclet page link?
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09/11/2014 at 11:51am
Location: Scotland
Outfit: Goodbye Quickstop Hello Globetrotter!
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thanks
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13/11/2014 at 10:20pm
Location: Kirkintilloch
Outfit: Camplet Savanne TT & Vango Icarus 600
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we have used a gas heater to keep warm and found it effective but obviously not overnight, I also wasn't comfortable using it when the kids were still awake, and def. not with dogs.
I think it would be worth biting the bullet and getting electric hookup and a cheap fan heater. We only use this off season but have found it invaluable. The fan heater can also be used on the morning of your last day to help dry out the tent before packing away.
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2015
May - Balloch O Dee, Newton Stewart
July - Ilse de Re, France
August - Cruachan Farm, Killin
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