Welcome to Winter 2018.
Braemar Caravan Park has been close for just a month but we've been busy getting the site ready for the Winter ahead.
One of the things we've been working on is a complete change of the Motorhome Service Point. Motorhomes are getting bigger, and wider, and manoeuvering on to our old fenced service point often was quite difficult for many. So we have removed the old service point, and have installed a drive over point so motorhomes can simply drive on and drive off. The tap has been moved indoors so when the temperature drops over the winter, you can still access fresh water without the hose freezing solid.
We have also had a roadway laid to allow access to the grass pitches. In the past access to the grass pitches has been difficult after heavy rain, but the new roadway allows vehicles to drive up to the grass pitches without churning up the grass.
Braemar Village has been busy too. The Fife Arms is now open, A new Pub is in the process of refurbishment and 'Farquharsons' will be opening soon and The Braemar Highland Games Centre is set to open in the Spring and is looking spectacular.
We continue to have the yummy Highlanders Bakehouse delivering freshly made bread to order, and the return of the Christmas Wreaths has made a lot of people very happy.
Braemar Caravan Park is such a beautiful place to visit throughout the Winter months and We're well equipped and ready for the winter. Winter can be such a special time in Braemar, whether you're interested in Snow sports, photography, winter walking, wildlife, or just want a nice break away from the hustle and bustle, why not plan you're winter break now.
Many of the questions we get asked about when visiting us in the Winter, are about access to the Caravan Park and around the facilities on the Caravan Park if the weather turns, so here's a bit of information to help you plan your trip.
On the Caravan Park, we have a snowplough, snow blower and gritter to clear the snow and help you get around the Caravan Park in the snowy conditions, but do be prepared that pavements and roadways can be slippery and some ice grippers on your shoes and a walking pole can help you stay upright.
Our toilets and showers are heated, and we have a drying room, boot drying room, and ski lockers to help store you wet gear when you’ve been out in the cold. We also have an information room with a sofa and book swap if you want to come and put your feet up and read a good book.
Temperatures can drop impressively overnight, so preparing your unit for the colder weather is worth doing. Most Caravans and Motorhomes have a pretty good heating system and it can be more cosy and easier to heat than a house, so check your heating system before you travel.
Make sure you have enough Gas, and the correct type of Gas. When you're visiting in the winter months it is advisable to use Propane Cylinders rather than Butane Cylinders. Butane stops working below about 4 degrees, so to ensure you keep warm and can cook your dinner, look in to converting your unit to run on Propane instead of Butane.
Water can freeze quite rapidly, so it is a good idea to have some kind of insulation for your aquaroll/ external water containers to ensure you can still get water in to your unit. We have both outdoor and indoor water points on the caravan park, so sometimes if outdoor taps freeze, you'd need to use the indoor ones.
If you're staying in one of our Camping pods, they are well insulated, have carpets and curtains and a heater, so are very cosy throughout the colder months.
Getting here: Many people arriving from the south will access Braemar Caravan Park from the A93 via Glenshee. There are snow gates at the Spittal of Glenshee and outside Braemar Caravan Park which have webcams with a live feed so if you are worried if the snow has affected the road, check on the webcams and traffic Scotland current incidents. If the road does become impassable, you can still access Braemar Caravan Park by travelling up the A90 towards Aberdeen and then the A93 towards Braemar. It is a slightly longer route but is less prone to being affected by the weather.
If you're coming from Inverness, the A939 also has snow gates and so if the gates close because of the snow, it's a good idea to travel from Inverness along the A96 to Huntly, and then south along the A97 to Dinnet, before joining the A93 to Braemar.
Always check the forecast, TrafficScotland and The Braemar Snowgate Webcam and the Perth and Kinross Council Webcams. If you're after a bit of advice on routes, we're always happy to help.
It is a good idea to prepare your vehicle for winter conditions too, even if there is no snow on the ground when you set off. Winter tyres are invaluable and will help give you traction when the roads become slippery. Have a snow shovel, ice scraper, warm clothes, a hot drink and some food to hand in case you do get delayed or diverted.
There may be some days when Mother nature decides that you have to have a rest day. When the snow is thick, the ice is too slippery or the wind may be too strong, but it's a lovely time of year non-the-less and it is part of the winter experience. There are cafes in the village which make an ideal Snow Day indulgence day treat. When it's wild outside, there's always a warm and cosy atmosphere, good coffee and cake and a bowl of fresh soup.
Finally, relax and enjoy. Winter is a magical time to enjoy a break in your caravan or motorhome. Whether you enjoy walk, photography, watching wildlife or doing winter sports, there’s no better place to spent the winter time.
