🚐 Our Epic Roadtrip to the Edinburgh Military Tattoo 🎺Vineyards and Villages Weekly Travel Slideshow скачать в хорошем качестве

🚐 Our Epic Roadtrip to the Edinburgh Military Tattoo 🎺Vineyards and Villages Weekly Travel Slideshow

Join us on an epic roadtrip to the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, travelling slowly and happily in our trusted 1989 Talbot Express campervan, Nettie. With our narrowboat Spirit of Sproglet safely moored at Tattenhall Marina, we set off on a classic British adventure using winding “B” roads, historic towns, dramatic coastlines, and one truly unforgettable night beneath Edinburgh Castle. Our journey begins in Skipton, the gateway to the Yorkshire Dales. This handsome market town is famous for its canals, narrowboat life, welcoming restaurants, and its beautiful medieval church. Watching boats glide along the Leeds–Liverpool Canal is always a reminder of why we love slow travel so much. From there, we head north to Rothbury in Northumberland. Nestled in the Coquet Valley, this charming town is known for its elegant stone bridge over the River Coquet. Lunch at Little Italy turns out to be a highlight — friendly service, generous portions, and food that makes you seriously consider ordering dessert as a starter. Our next overnight stop is Heddon-on-the-Wall, where history quite literally runs through the village. We explore a remarkable section of Hadrian’s Wall, built by the Romans nearly 2 000 years ago to mark the northern edge of their empire. The Swan Inn offers a free campervan park-up on condition you enjoy a meal in the pub. We happily accept. Excellent pub fare, lovely views, and a gentle village stroll make this a perfect stop. Still avoiding the big roads, we cross into Scotland and reach the spectacular east coast village of St Abbs. This working harbour village is surrounded by dramatic cliffs and endless sea views. Although there is a campervan park-up in the village, we camp at Starney Bay Caravan Club, high above the coast. Even in the rain, the views are breathtaking. From the cliff paths above Starney Bay, we spot wind turbines turning slowly in the North Sea — moody, beautiful, and very Scottish. An early start takes us to Edinburgh, where we camp just outside the city and take the bus in. Edinburgh is a city of layers — medieval closes, Georgian elegance, volcanic hills, and centuries of stories. We explore the Royal Mile, Old Town, and gaze up at Edinburgh Castle towering above it all. The highlight of the trip is, of course, the 75th anniversary of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. The show begins at 21:30, but it is absolutely worth the wait. Titled “The Heroes Who Made Us”, the 2025 Tattoo features over 800 international performers, including the Ukraine Naval Forces Orchestra and the US Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps. The precision, music, emotion, and sheer scale are breathtaking. The evening ends with a massed pipe-and-drum march and an extraordinary drone light show over the castle. We booked our tickets nine months in advance and were not disappointed. Tired, emotional, and completely in awe, we return to the comfort of Nettie — hearts full, voices hoarse, and memories made for life. 🍷 Sip of the Week This week’s sip is a 2023 Côtes du Rhône Villages Rouge — because epic road trips deserve proper wine. Deep ruby-purple in colour, it’s full-bodied, ripe, and wonderfully approachable. Expect black cherries, dark bramble fruit, violet, pepper, and that unmistakable Garrigue character. Dominated by Grenache and Syrah, these wines often sit at a confident 14–14.5% alcohol and deliver excellent value. Stand-out producers include Domaine de Mourchon (Séguret), Domaine de Piaugier (Sablet), and Les Coteaux. One glass while reliving the Tattoo… purely accidental, of course. 📍 Filmed locations include: Skipton • Rothbury • Heddon-on-the-Wall • Hadrian’s Wall • St Abbs • Starney Bay • Edinburgh • Edinburgh Castle ⚠️ Affiliate Disclaimer Some links in this description may be affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps keep Nettie on the road and the adventures rolling — thank you for your support. 👍 If you enjoyed this journey, please like, subscribe, and join us each week as we explore vineyards, villages, waterways, and slow travel adventures — whether by campervan, train, on foot… or by narrowboat. Social Media Facebook   / velddrifleon   Instagram   / vineyards_and_villages