Help me build a Budget Honeymoon!

[Celestine]

Little task for the Beagles!!

I am trying to get married and go on honeymoon in July without ending up in any debt.

Wedding plans are going very well, got lots of bargains and very happy that we're still getting our dream day.

On the day after the wedding, Sunday 22nd July, we want to go up to Scotland with our baby who will be about 21 months then, so a long car journey is out of the question and not our idea of fun.

Dream would be to get the sleeper train up to Scotland.

We need to get to Girvan in Ayrshire by the Monday to take up a kind family offer of a free week in a gorgeous holiday cottage.

I know the sleeper train goes to Glasgow, but how to get to Ayrshire?

The second week is where it could get expensive

I grew up in Scotland and spent loads of time in and around Ardnamurchan. I desperately want to spend a few days there as well as catching some of the best nearby Highland experiences.

Here's where I need help!

Transport: I'd love to hire a camper van but have been shocked at the expense. Even car hire is over £350 per week from what I can make out. Car isn't ideal because with a baby and all his kit, especially pushchair, what would we do with luggage?

Accommodation: A camper van would take care of that, but if that isn't in budget, where to stay?? Anyone have any recommendations? I like things very peaceful, private, tucked away places. Don't need to many frills but has to suit baby too!?

The logistics are just looking so complex and expensive that I'm getting deterred.


HELPPPPP!!! :beagle::beagle::beagle::beagle:

[Sapphire]

Re: Help me build a Budget Honeymoon!

Here's a link to Scotrail http://www.buytickets.scotrail.co.uk...lidatorCommand but you can't book until 13 weeks before.

[Mrs James]

Re: Help me build a Budget Honeymoon!

It depends what you want to do whilst you're in Scotland. I should imagine you'd want to go out most days rather than just booking a site for the camper van and not moving.

We hired a camper van once thinking it would be just what we wanted. In reality it turned into a nightmare. For one, if you want to go out for the day you have to pack everything away securely whilst you travel. Another thing we found was, that once you'd found a site you like and parked in a nice spot, that when you came back from a trip out your spot had been taken by someone else.

You're supposed to 'rope off' your spot (many leave their a replica of their number plates there to secure the spot) but we often found these had been moved and there was nothing we could do about it. Hence, we'd often end up parked with the camper on a slope and found that consequently the water pump wouldn't work etc....

I'd seriously think about the pitfalls of a camper van, having said that, it was a few years ago that we did it and times may have changed.

[labman]

Re: Help me build a Budget Honeymoon!

LOL! We love our motorhome! Each to their own. Ideal in Scotland with their laws, as you wouldn't need to pay campsite fees.

If it wasn't for the long drive you could borrow ours! MH's are great, but TBH probably not ideal for the baby as even in a big one like ours, space remains at a premium.

[Celestine]

Re: Help me build a Budget Honeymoon!

It depends what you want to do whilst you're in Scotland. I should imagine you'd want to go out most days rather than just booking a site for the camper van and not moving.

We hired a camper van once thinking it would be just what we wanted. In reality it turned into a nightmare. For one, if you want to go out for the day you have to pack everything away securely whilst you travel. Another thing we found was, that once you'd found a site you like and parked in a nice spot, that when you came back from a trip out your spot had been taken by someone else.

You're supposed to 'rope off' your spot (many leave their a replica of their number plates there to secure the spot) but we often found these had been moved and there was nothing we could do about it. Hence, we'd often end up parked with the camper on a slope and found that consequently the water pump wouldn't work etc....

I'd seriously think about the pitfalls of a camper van, having said that, it was a few years ago that we did it and times may have changed.

Blimey that sounds like a nightmare! In some places it will work well because we won't want to stay in many official sites. I want to drive out to Sanna Bay and camp for a day or two, just hanging out with the baby on the beach. I'm not great for visiting attractions and I guess I'd assumed we'd just park up anywhere!?

Need to plan more......

[Mrs James]

Re: Help me build a Budget Honeymoon!

Blimey that sounds like a nightmare! In some places it will work well because we won't want to stay in many official sites. I want to drive out to Sanna Bay and camp for a day or two, just hanging out with the baby on the beach. I'm not great for visiting attractions and I guess I'd assumed we'd just park up anywhere!?

Need to plan more......

Please don't let me put you off the idea, Cel, like Labman said, it's each to their own, just didn't work for me.

[bluebottle]

Re: Help me build a Budget Honeymoon!

Hi Celestine,

Have you considered National Express to get to Scotland from where you live? A friend of mine goes up to Scotland at least twice a year to visit her son and three grandchildren who live in Gorebridge, about 10 miles south of Edinburgh, and catches a National Express coach from Plymouth to Edinburgh - direct. It takes 13 hours, but it's a lot cheaper than the train. I've checked the National Express website and they run services into Glasgow and Edinburgh from most places.

I have also run a check on trains to Girvan. They run from Glasgow Central to Girvan, the journey takes approximately 90 minutes and the cheapest fare, at this time of year, is £10.20, based on one adult single ticket.

I'm afraid I can't find Ardnamurchan on a road atlas.

You may need to check with National Express about services to Glasgow on a Sunday and the National Rail Information Centre about trains between Glasgow and Girvan on Sundays.

I hope this information is useful to you and your future husband. Sorry I can't help with anything in the second week.

Bluebottle

[Celestine]

Re: Help me build a Budget Honeymoon!

Thanks Bluebottle.

Yes, I love the National Express network, used it loads in the days when my parents lived in Wales and I was in London.

But 13 hours with a 20 month old would probably cause half the passengers to get off half way LOL!! I think the train appealed because we could take over a carriage with all our kit, walk about if he gets bored, easy access to loos and we can sleep properly.
But yes....expensive

Ardnamurchan is a peninsular. Home

Sanna Bay is UK's most westerly mainland point. Sanna Bay Ardnamurchan
I can't wait to go back there!

[strangewayofsavin]

Re: Help me build a Budget Honeymoon!

East Glascow, everything is cheap, I found a bloke called Hamish, he will marry you for 4 cans of special brew, and a bloke from Kelty in Fife, you can rent his shed for £2 a night, with romantic views of the local Mecca bingo hall.
I have even sorted transport, a Glasweigian firm called ben Dover and Phil mc cavitey specialise in Gay tours, will lend you a coach for 20 Bensons and a bottle or cheap bottle Spanish port.
May I suggest a tour of the Mcewens brewerey, and a tour of the infamous intreveinous public house of Rab C Nessbitt.
All inclusive $12.50 per week.