RE: Scotland 2019

R1200RS + R1250RS Forum � My ride � in planning � Scotland 2019

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#31 | RE: Scotland 2019 datum

Wed Oct 17, 2018 10:50 pm

Hello Graham,

Thanks for the hints, I had already entered the falkirk wheel.
The link motorcyclescotland.com is good, i'll go through the fine planning in winter.

Now it's my first time to book the overnight stays and the ferry before the turn of the year, but good advice is always welcome.

Regards,
Holger
Moderator and Admin

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#32 | RE: Scotland 2019 datum

Thu Oct 18, 2018 10:48 am

Zitat von Holger im Beitrag #31
Hello Graham,

Thanks for the hints, I had already entered the falkirk wheel.
The link motorcyclescotland.com is good, i'll go through the fine planning in winter.

Now it's my first time to book the overnight stays and the ferry before the turn of the year, but good advice is always welcome.

Holger

with DFDS go on one of the coupon sites as I did this and got 20% discount. pre book the dinner unless you are taking your own food on board. did you do the Kelpies when you did the wheel?

Graham

Graham
Winskill, North West England

the long and winding road perfect for a bike

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#33 | RE: Scotland 2019 datum

Thu Oct 18, 2018 1:14 pm

Where do I find the "coupon sites"?

"did you do the Kelpies" - No, so far only the pictures have been seen but still no place found - but since yesterday evening they are integrated into the tour planning

Regards,
Holger
Moderator and Admin

reply

#34 | RE: Scotland 2019 datum

Thu Oct 18, 2018 1:30 pm

Zitat von Holger im Beitrag #33
Where do I find the "coupon sites"?

"did you do the Kelpies" - No, so far only the pictures have been seen but still no place found - but since yesterday evening they are integrated into the tour planning

Coupon sites are for example https://www.groupon.de/ or https://www.1dayfly.com/de/de/.

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#35 | RE: Scotland 2019 datum

Thu Oct 18, 2018 8:19 pm

Zitat von midlife crisis im Beitrag #32
Zitat von Holger im Beitrag #31
Hello Graham,

Thanks for the hints, I had already entered the falkirk wheel.
The link motorcyclescotland.com is good, i'll go through the fine planning in winter.

Now it's my first time to book the overnight stays and the ferry before the turn of the year, but good advice is always welcome.

Holger

with DFDS go on one of the coupon sites as I did this and got 20% discount. pre book the dinner unless you are taking your own food on board. did you do the Kelpies when you did the wheel?

Graham

Book the ferry now so you get first choice for cabins, assuming you are on the overnight boat.

Be aware, if using the likes of booking.com for hotels etc, that some hotels will not release rooms to these sites until after the New Year season. Scotland is a popular destination for New Year holidays and Hogmanay. Also Burns' celebrations in February.

When I book trips for my touring group of up to 12 people I makes sure any early booking has free cancellation available. Then, if someone drops out or you find a better place to stay then it is easy to make changes.

Do you have cashback sites in .DE ? We have Quidco and Topcashback and I can get 4% rebate from booking.com and more from other sites such as Expedia - this is a nice perk if you are booking hotels costing around £2000 for a trip.

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#36 | RE: Scotland 2019 datum

Thu Oct 18, 2018 10:15 pm

Actually, i do not like these discount pages at all, as well as the payback cards and the thousands of membership cards. After all, they are all just modern rag-pickers and all just want to collect our data and do business with it.

I wanted to contact the hotels and B & B's directly by mail and then book if everything fits.
Maybe I'm too old-fashioned, but I'll book and then I'll go there too, unless I have to cancel it for an important reason.

Regards,
Holger
Moderator and Admin

reply

#37 | RE: Scotland 2019 datum

Thu Oct 18, 2018 10:36 pm

Zitat von Holger im Beitrag #36
Actually, i do not like these discount pages at all, as well as the payback cards and the thousands of membership cards. After all, they are all just modern rag-pickers and all just want to collect our data and do business with it.

I wanted to contact the hotels and B & B's directly by mail and then book if everything fits.
Maybe I'm too old-fashioned, but I'll book and then I'll go there too, unless I have to cancel it for an important reason.

I don't like paying deposits so love the sites like booking.com - when booking for a dozen people a deposit can be large. Deal direct and they want a deposit. So, I let my bank sit with a credit card pre-authorisation.

Personal data: I don't care. I am quite happy for a supermarket to track my purchases with a loyalty card if it means rewards of bottles of Chablis at Christmas. I am waiting for the annual Sainsbury's double up on their Nectar card.

My touring group is quite aged. They have medical incidents so changes are inevitable. Managing these with a few mouse clicks saves me a lot of time.

I am sensitive to the needs of the hotels to make a profit and I do not hold rooms "just in case" until the last minute unless there are exceptional circumstances. I like people to commit to the trip at least 6 weeks before the trip. That way, any cancellation of a room gives the hotel plenty of time to find another guest.

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#38 | RE: Scotland 2019 datum

Sun Oct 28, 2018 10:51 pm

We did a Scottish tour this year and I would recommend September as the weather can still be good and the midges are much less active. The west coast is an absolute must - Applecross to Durness is absolutely fantastic. Also the eastern route around the Cairngorms is very good. You will love it!!

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#39 | RE: Scotland 2019 datum

Mon Oct 29, 2018 7:46 am

Yes, we are there the last week of August and the first week of september, if everything goes as planned. The route is mainly on the west coast.
I'm looking forward to it, hope the planning will help me over the winter.

Regards,
Holger
Moderator and Admin

reply

#40 | RE: Scotland 2019 datum

Mon Oct 29, 2018 11:32 am

Zitat von Holger im Beitrag #39
Yes, we are there the last week of August and the first week of september, if everything goes as planned. The route is mainly on the west coast.
I'm looking forward to it, hope the planning will help me over the winter.

there is a public holiday in that period - last Monday in August plus it will be the last few days of the summer holidays for schools across the UK.

Everywhere is likely to be very busy so pre-booking accommodation is recommended.

If possible, I would move the holiday to 2 weeks later. Some of the roads you plan using are single track and you will have convoys behind caravans and camper vans that are difficult to get past.

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#41 | RE: Scotland 2019 datum

Mon Oct 29, 2018 1:39 pm

Thanks for the important info.

It is difficult for 4 man to find a date together.

So I have a few weeks ago after first consultations the start date on 25.08. proposed. Departure from home and ferry from amsterdamm to new castle on 26.08. in the evening . Then the tour as I have already posted as a map here and on 04. or 05.09.2019 return by ferry, on 06.09. we would be back at home in the evening.

We will meet on the following wednesday to discuss everything final and to define the dates exactly, then I would like to start with the pre-booking.
Now I have to see if we can reschedule

I already know that from a friend's daughter on 07./08.09. marries, so 09.09. is only possible as start tremin.
The tour would take until the 20th or 21st, but on 18.09. is my wife's birthday - you see, it's really not easy with us

Regards,
Holger
Moderator and Admin

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#42 | RE: Scotland 2019 datum

Mon Oct 29, 2018 3:09 pm

at least with those dates you arrive in the UK on the bank holiday itself - many people will be travelling in the opposite direction to you i.e. heading back to England after a weekend or longer in Scotland. Just checked and schools in most parts of England start the term on 3rd Sept. In Scotland the schools start back in August as they have different public holidays. So, maybe you will be lucky with current dates but I would still prebook hotels in the more remote parts with a group of 4, especially if you are having single rooms.

Personally, I would still go later in September as the roads will be quieter, there are fewer midges and you should have a better choice of accommodation.

If you want to book hotels before Christmas then you might want to book direct. Many hotels do not release rooms to the likes of booking.com until February or March once they have set the new season room rates.

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#43 | RE: Scotland 2019 datum

Mon Oct 29, 2018 4:16 pm

Thanks again for your information, seems it would be really good to postpone it for at least another week or 1 1/2 weeks.

Let's wait Wednesday, I suppose it will not be easy to bring them all together , I will tell you.

Regards,
Holger
Moderator and Admin

reply

#44 | RE: Scotland 2019 datum

Thu Nov 01, 2018 3:10 pm

Pity, to postpone the tour has not worked.
Hope the campers and stealthy tourists are then back home.

So in the next few weeks, I will start booking accommodations and the ferry.

Does anyone have any experience of how long it takes to get off the ferry in Newcastle ? Arrival is stated at 9:15.

Regards,
Holger
Moderator and Admin

reply

#45 | RE: Scotland 2019 datum

Thu Nov 01, 2018 5:08 pm

Zitat von Holger im Beitrag #44
Pity, to postpone the tour has not worked.
Hope the campers and stealthy tourists are then back home.

So in the next few weeks, I will start booking accommodations and the ferry.

Does anyone have any experience of how long it takes to get off the ferry in Newcastle ? Arrival is stated at 9:15.

Should clear customs by 10.30, if you are heading straight to Scotland go up the A19 and miss Newcastle.

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Anyone going to the BMW event in Garmish Partenkirchen? � � Scotland in Spring/Summer

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