It was inevitable, really, that a trip to the Scottish Caravan, Motorhome & Holiday Home Show would result in major “van envy”. I already own a lovely VW TV campervan, named Fern, but now I really want a new van, definitely a bit bigger and with lots of shiny new gadgets.
The Scottish Caravan, Motorhome & Holiday Home Show is on this weekend, February 6 to 9, at the SEC in Glasgow. It is impressively vast, taking over three large halls, and with lots and lots (and lots) of vans, caravans, motorhomes, holidays homes and an array of stalls, too.
I had no idea, for example, that there would be holiday homes, full-sized, built in the hall. In fact, there were dozens of holiday homes to stroll around and through.
Then there were lines and lines of motorhomes of all sizes, next to large display areas of caravans – who knew that the modern caravan could look so, well, trendy? – and this year there is a new Campervan Hall.
There is even a live build of one of Caledonian Campers compact tourers.
I confess I still find it hard to pass a VW campervan without looking inside to see how fitters have installed the equipment. I was impressed to see one campervan even had a shower compartment.
The next up in size is the van I’m most keen on. Many fitters are using the Fiat Ducato and there were numerous permutations of layout. I browsed, ogled, smiled, nodded and dreamt as I looked inside many of these vans. “One day, maybe,” I kept saying to myself.
Anyway, suffice to say, whether you are in the market for a campervan, motorhome or holiday home, or you are still at the dreaming stage, there is plenty to see at the Scottish Caravan, Motorhome & Holiday Home Show 2020.
What is fantastic is that there are so many in one place – and that means you can compares and contrast to your heart’s content (or until you become very confused!).
Stalls and stalls
Dotted about each of the halls and around the edges, too, were lots of stalls with an array of interesting products and gadgets. I overheard chat about innovation and discounted prices. There are prizes to be won as well, including a year’s ownership of a motorhome.
E-bikes on show, too
I throughly enjoyed a chat with the Synergy Cycles guys. They were displaying a range of e-bikes and it’s a topic I was interested to hear more about. I had a ride on their “showstopper”, the Tern GSD.
At first sight it looked large, cumbersome and heavy. It is heavy but that doesn’t matter because it comes with a battery, four power settings and “infinity” gears. It rides very, very easily.
The bike is not meant to be a speed machine, but rather it is aimed at replacing a second car. It is sold as an efficient and environmentally friendly way to travel and because it has a rear carry area – the bike was fitted with two child bike seats – and a front luggage carrier, it can be loaded up with people, kit and food etc.
It can travel for up to 120 miles on the battery charge (obviously depending on how much power you use). It can be power assisted to up to 16mph.
I am seeing more and more e-bikes being used and I think they are a great idea. I certainly enjoyed taking the tern for a spin.
Back to the other stalls
My eye was drawn to colour, interesting products, new gadgets, wildlife, eco – and biscuits!
Organisations such as VisitScotland, DC Thomson, which publishes the Scottish Caravan and Motorhomes magazine, Scottish Wildlife Trust, and charities have taken stalls, too.
The Scottish Caravan Club was also represented, as well as a host of caravan, motorhome, camping and holiday home sites and operators.
In total, I counted around 140 exhibitors, so there is plenty to see and you could easily spend a day wandering around.
Oh, and these is a Farmers’ Market and a Kids’ Activity area where there is face painting, arts and crafts, balloon modelling and more.
Tickets are available online and on the day from £11. Children under 16 are free. To book tickets and for more information, see www.caravanshowscotland.com.
PS I cycled to and from the show because it is healthier and better for the environment. It’s also cheaper than driving. You could take the train, with a very convenient stop at the Exhibition Centre.