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Topic: A trip around Scotland

rccarton

12/11/2012 at 10:19pm
Location: The Netherlands
Outfit: None Entered

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Dear forum-members,

My wife and I are planning a holiday through scotland in 2013. It's not the first time we will (probably) endure the tough Scottish weather... we have visited Scotland on many occasions (since I'm the chairman of a Whisky Society, see my site: www.singlemaltmatters.com

We are experienced campers "with a caravan", but we want to be more flexible and decided to go for a nice tent! I have done my research... on this great website but also on many others and by visiting some 20+ shops around The Netherlands to ensure that what I see online is the same as in real life.

I have a shortlist of 5 tents which would apply for the holiday at hand:

1. Outwell Carolina M (the old 3-series for a discount price!)
2. EasyCamp Lakewood 600 (great headroom, I'm 205 centimeters tall...)
3. Easycamp Wichita Twin (is it spacious enough?)
4. Outwell Winnipeg 500 (but it's discontinued... I've read...?)
5. Outwell Oakland XL (but unfortunately to expensive at this moment)

The budget is around 200 to 300 euro's that I'm willing to spend on a new or (a more expensive) used tent.

Perhaps you can from experience tell me if one of the tents suits the following needs (I think we need) best:

- sturdy during strong winds/weather (steel poles vs. fibreglass poles)
- enough livingspace for 2 adults that want some extra room
- being able to cook in the tent[-door] (without extra canopies, etc.)
- easy to erect by one or two persons
- A lot of windows to see the countryside... (we love Scotland!)

Bear in mind that I've not found any reviews on both easycamp tents on the web... so when camping at Glencoe in high winds I would really like to know from anyones experience if these tents are more likely to collapse than the more expensive Outwell tents.

I hope to see a reply. If needed please attach some pictures.

Many thanks from The Netherlands,

Reinder Carton

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dk168

13/11/2012 at 12:16am
Location: Devizes Wiltshire
Outfit: MWB2BVW2BCrafter2

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Welcome to UKCS!

Have you considered getting a Dutch pyramid tent, as they are considered to have good storm-resistant properties due to their shapes and design features?

I camped in Glencoe recently in my Hypercamp Escala 4, and it stood up to the elements without any issues.

You may like to take a look at the bigger version of my tent, namely the Palamos 6 as it may suit your needs, except it does not have that many windows.

Reviews and pics of both tents can be found in the Tent Review section, and there are a number of threads about these 2 tents too in case you are interested.

Have fun choosing your tent, and enjoy your trip in Scotland.

DK

-------------
Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
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* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!

JimCall

15/11/2012 at 10:11am
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Hello and welcome to the forum Reinder. I have a Carolina M and have used it on many a stormy night in Glencoe. My advice would be to go for the Carolina. Failing that, make a choice but go for steel poles.

There are a few of us here in Scotland who can give you some good tips on campsites in the west coast so just ask!

-------------
Jim

Safeway56

15/11/2012 at 11:09am
Location: Newton le Willows LANCASHIRE
Outfit: Burnt out wreck

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It isn't the weather you need worry about in Scotland but the midges. Perhaps you haven't heard of them in the Netherlands but there are some mighty man-eaters up that way.

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New! Please upload a photo of your tent to the Tent Showcase!

rccarton

15/11/2012 at 4:50pm
Location: The Netherlands
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Quote: Originally posted by JimCall on 15/11/2012
Hello and welcome to the forum Reinder. I have a Carolina M and have used it on many a stormy night in Glencoe. My advice would be to go for the Carolina. Failing that, make a choice but go for steel poles.

So steel poles really do matter?

rccarton

15/11/2012 at 4:51pm
Location: The Netherlands
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Quote: Originally posted by dk168 on 13/11/2012
Welcome to UKCS! Have you considered getting a Dutch pyramid tent, as they are considered to have good storm-resistant properties due to their shapes and design features?

I have considered that... but we also like to have a bit more windows... and the possibility to camp with friends in separate bedroom-pods... So after quite some searching this type of tent was exit for us...

rccarton

15/11/2012 at 4:52pm
Location: The Netherlands
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Quote: Originally posted by Safeway56 on 15/11/2012
It isn't the weather you need worry about in Scotland but the midges. Perhaps you haven't heard of them in the Netherlands but there are some mighty man-eaters up that way.

We heard about them and we will be prepared for that!

Don't forget to leave a review of all tents you've used, for a chance to win fantastic prizes

New! Please upload a photo of your tent to the Tent Showcase!

feeblecat

15/11/2012 at 9:26pm
Location: Scotland
Outfit: Coachman Highlander (Amara)

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Quote: Originally posted by Safeway56 on 15/11/2012
It isn't the weather you need worry about in Scotland but the midges. Perhaps you haven't heard of them in the Netherlands but there are some mighty man-eaters up that way.

There's many thousands of us survive to tell the tale..............and return again and again to midgie land. Much the same as we return to Greece and Italy and Tunisia and Turkey etc etc to face the mozzies!

rccarton

15/11/2012 at 10:19pm
Location: The Netherlands
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Quote: Originally posted by rccarton on 12/11/2012
I have a shortlist of 5 tents which would apply for the holiday at hand:

1. Outwell Carolina M (the old 3-series for a discount price!)
2. EasyCamp Lakewood 600 (great headroom, I'm 205 centimeters tall...)
3. Easycamp Wichita Twin (is it spacious enough?)
4. Outwell Winnipeg 500 (but it's discontinued... I've read...?)
5. Outwell Oakland XL (but unfortunately to expensive at this moment)

The budget is around 200 to 300 euro's that I'm willing to spend on a new or (a more expensive) used tent.

Dear forum-members alike,

Many thanks for all your comments via the forum. We really appreciate your help! Nice to see (agaian) that there are no borders when it comes down to campers (in a tent/carvan/something else) we are all alike and as a foreigner on this website I really like that!

Tonight I have made my decision...
I have bought a brand new Outwell Carolina M for just 200 euros.
In my opinion, the steel poles are great for stability, the windows will show us Scotland and the "just one" sleeping pod will probably ensure some very cosy and romantic nights!

Many thanks for your replies. Again, being Dutch and knowing a lot about Scotland... isn't enough just yet... we really like to learn from experiences you've encountered. I will be loyal to the forum and submit my pictures once we are back from our holiday to review "OUR LIFE IN" the sweet Carolina! (if the buffer of all photo's in that section can cope with some more...)

Fun... going on a holiday with two grils: my wife and Carolina!

Best regards, Reinder

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