Dashaway to Shetland with Suzuki Swift report

Dashaway to: Shetland! - No ordinary holiday

June/July 2018, Stephen Wheeler (and his Sheltie collie, Tara) of Wheelhome took the ground-breaking new and exciting all electric Dashaway e caravan to the stunning Shetland Isles.

Heavy rain and strong winds were expected. However, blue sky was the order of the day, and a whole lot more besides, as this turned out to be a genuine adventure with terrible tragedy involving a full-scale air and sea search, helping police Scotland “with their enquiries” Tara being filmed and the Dashaway being the catalyst to the extraordinary warmth and hospitality of the Shetland Islanders.

Stephen’s account is told alongside the photographs. It will take a little while to go through, so, get yourself a nice drink, make yourself comfy, and immerse yourself in the adventure! We hope you enjoy the journey and maybe even contemplate a trip of your own to Shetland (or Sheltieland as Stephen calls it).

A One or Two Berth camper

Facts and figures. Dashaway performed faultlessly, with solar panel re-charging the on-board auxiliary batteries so well (in good weather) that a re-charge from campsite hook up was only required once in the two week period. Tow car was a Suzuki Swift with 1 litre petrol engine and automatic transmission. It towed extremely well being very stable and returned over 35mpg to Aviemore and then Aberdeen, carrying an electric bike. Shetland reduced that though, to an overall 33 mpg for the whole 2,000 mile round trip from Essex.

Ferry info Contact Northlink Ferries. Cost of normally 12 hour ferry from Aberdeen to Lerwick for car, Dashaway and cabin £560 approx. Could be cheaper if prepared to sleep on a “couchette” (reclining seat), I wasn’t! Cost of campsites typically £18 night with electric hook up.

Dashaway to Shetland Gallery

On way from Essex to Aviemore stopped at Tebay services (of course). After examining the Dashaway, the owner of Airstream commented 'one style icon meets another!'

We spent three days at Rothiemurchus Camp and Caravan Park, Aviemore. Our allocated pitch was almost totally in the shade from the relentless sun due to the trees around its perimeter, so very little charge from solar then! However, with the optional additional battery and only minimal support from the solar panel the batteries lasted the 3 days, that was for all the cooking and even recharging my electric bike!

If you would like to know more then please give us a call or come and visit. We would love to talk you over the in’s and out’s of all our models and answer any questions you might have.