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We would like to tour to Scotland next year and wondered if my car would be sufficient on any hills we might meet on the way up with a 1.8 Zetec Ford Focus Petrol and our Freedom Prima caravan. So far have only been to Christchurch, Rutland and Norfolk without any trouble but not exactly how I think Scotland is with mountainous roads. We hope to take it slowly over three weeks and visit Garlieston, Wigtownshire SW Scotland. Look forward to hearing from anybody that has made this journey. Forgot to mention we live in Northamptonshire.

Quote: Originally posted by barmar on 15/12/2009

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We would like to tour to Scotland next year and wondered if my car would be sufficient on any hills we might meet on the way up with a 1.8 Zetec Ford Focus Petrol and our Freedom Prima caravan. So far have only been to Christchurch, Rutland and Norfolk without any trouble but not exactly how I think Scotland is with mountainous roads. We hope to take it slowly over three weeks and visit Garlieston, Wigtownshire SW Scotland. Look forward to hearing from anybody that has made this journey.

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no probs at all the freedom is only 750kg or thereabouts and the focus zetec lump is a good un, dont exopect any probs on the A roads you might have to use the gears a bit though, you should cope fine with any of the twisty B roads too.

i tow using a almera 1.5 and my van is 950kg in usual trim or thereabouts and havent had any dramas yet (apart from going up glen ogle on my 2nd trip in a 30mph headwind and blizzard, 20mph at the summit in 2nd gear)

We tow our van with a 1.4 Clio. Okay its a Diesel but there won't be that much difference.

The worst hills we have had to face was in North Yorkshire but we coped.

Whilst I know of a couple of roads further north that I would not tow our van on, you will certainly have no problems where you are going.

my almera is petrol and it has coped with anything i have asked it to do, even going up the A9 to perth most of the time i was in 4th gear only used 3rd a few times. okay on the steep motorway climbs i am in 3rd and doing 40mph at times but i am taking a bit more weight with a few cubes less than you. so buddy stop panicking and enjoy the trip. you will be fine

I'm a little further north than you plan to go but realistically you will have no trouble in the area you mention, If you go a bit further north you will find beutifull mountain country, If I were you I would try to venture further into the real mountainous country.

I wouldnt worry too much about your tow car if you break it there are plenty more!

No.No I mean you will have no trouble but do check all fluids as the Highlands can put strain on any car even when unloaded.

It really is worth the trip, we have been touring Scotland for years without problem, as mentioned above we found Yorkshire had steeper hills and the peak district was close but neither had hills which go up for so long as the Scottish mountains.

I plan to tour some of the mountains between Xmas and newyear without the van just to see the views again and hope to find some snow.

Hi Barmar, You will enjoy Dumfries and Galloway. There are some beautiful small villages and towns in the area and the coastline along the Soloway Firth is just magical.

The area is steeped in history including the first christian church in Scotland, built by St Ninian in 397AD.

There are castles to explore and forests to walk and cycle in.

Try THIS page for more information.