Coocoo Campers

This week our Effie Coo is in Loch Lomond and her wee pals are enjoying a luxurious spot at Cashel Campsite, Loch Lomond right next to the Loch. Absolutely stunning.

Get in touch with any enquiries 🚌❤

NEW BLOG POST ALERT ‼️

We have a new blog post up on our website for you to read, written by Lois, our youngest coo in the business! This blog does in depth about off season campervan hire and the positives of hiring during these months.

If you have any questions or queries regarding off season campervan hire, don’t hesitate to message us on any of our socials or through our email on the website ❤️🚐

OFF SEASON CAMPERVAN HIRE IN SCOTLAND | Coocoo Campers, Campervan Hire, Scotland Off season camping, where do we begin? There’s no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing! There is a big stigma about off season camping and hiring campervans during the autumn and winter months but we want to change that. You may enjoy the splendour of nature as the seasons change...

I'm delighted to now be an Ambassador for Highland Tourism . Together we can help the Highlands tourism industry to grow sustainably so everyone can enjoy it for generations to come 🐮🚐❤️

GIVEAWAY ALERT!!!

You can win a trip in either Big Ed or Effie...

Head over to our Instagram page www.instagram.com/Coocoocampers to enter 🚐❤️

Like and share to win ❤️🤞

✨ G I A N T G I V E A W A Y ✨

Having to re post our July giveaway separately due to a recurring issue with our first post. Apologies.

✨ Follow our page and share this post to be in with the chance of winning a mystery giveaway worth £100!

✨ The winner will now be announced on Monday 15th July.

Please note our 20% discount code is still running through our website if you sign up to our newsletter. www.candlesfromthecroft.co.uk

Thank you for your understanding and good luck! ✨

Here's a wee bit about me and my new venture 🚐♥️

Ex-Inverness police officer kick starts campervan business to benefit mental health after suffering from PTSD Fiona Wares was diagnosed with PTSD and left her job in the Police after 16 years to help others feel the benefits of being at one with nature.

wanna hear a story?

So, this is a tough one for me to do. As it’s this is the best time to jump in, be brave and get it out.

I have PTSD. Oooft. Yes, so after being with Police Scotland for 16 years, I am currently going through the Ill Health Retirement process as I can no longer work as a Police Officer. I never in a million years would have thought that I would be leaving after such a short time and with only 9 years to go until actual retirement, but I have to do this for the sake of my mental health and everything that that depends on.

For those of you who don’t know me, I went back to uniform after many years in a variety of different roles within the Police. I was a sexual offences detective for 5 years; I worked in resourcing which was constant panic stations and problem solving and decided then that I wanted to go for promotion. The best way to do that was to go back to uniform. It started well, there was a lot
to learn but I was getting there. Regaining confidence as so much had changed with new legislation, new procedures, new forms, new people etc.

And then in August I attended an incident which has since changed the course of my life. A few weeks later I developed a tight chest, panicky feelings and a shortness of breath and I realised something wasn’t right. The worst of it was a very physical presentation of tension in my neck, shoulders, jaw, arms and the nightmares. Every night, two or three times I waken having dreamt that someone is trying to kill themselves, trying to kill me or my family, horrendous accidents happen to loved ones, people run from burning buildings – generally horrific scenarios. I also have palpitations, flashbacks, a twitch in my eye, I feel like I’m in constant fight or flight mode, I have hyper vigilance, I feel removed from friends, colleagues and find it difficult to participate socially, I have motivation issues and a lack of interest in hobbies and have developed avoidance tactics to protect myself from stressful situations. This is the basics, there are other symptoms and I have had extremely low days.

So, I’m speaking out. Unfortunately, PTSD or mental health is still stigmatised in the Police. They say it isn’t, but I know they see me as weak, a sick note, on the skive. I have been accused of self-medicating and consuming alcohol to excess when I have been seen socialising as on one occasion, I swapped a Christmas present with a friend in a pub and had one drink before going home.

I was offered EMDR by the Employee Assistance Programme which I was working through, and it was starting to help. I was only entitled to 8 sessions and two of those were cancelled so the 6 that I did have started the process but made me far worse as the process was not concluded. I could not get any more and the Police Treatment Centre does not cater for PTSD. Seems like they are missing a trick as 90% of officers currently going through the Ill Health Retirement process are doing so as a result of PTSD.

I now have a diagnosis from the NHS and am waiting for more EMDR with them but the waiting list for mental health support in the Highlands of Scotland is lengthy. I don’t write this to ask for sympathy or help. I just want to raise awareness for those out there with PTSD. Many police officers and first responders do suffer from PTSD and don't get the support they require. I have such massive
respect for my colleagues who are still battling on and continuing to serve their communities as Police Officers. It’s an extremely tough job and they are incredible people for what they do.

So, what am I doing with my time? I find that one of the best things for me and my mental health is to get away in my campervan. I take my dog, head out into the Highlands, park up next to a beautiful body of water and breathe in the fresh air, walk the hills, ride a bike – immerse myself in nature.

And now I am leaving my full-time employment I need to somehow earn a living. I’m not looking to take over the world, I just want to be able to provide for my family and be able to go to a Pearl Jam gig in the future!

I have started my own campervan hire business in the Highlands. As a lifelong highlander, I know how incredible this part of the world is, and I’ve been around! So, I wanted to share it with others. I sold my house, bought a couple of vans and have one on the go already, Big Ed. Effie is currently in conversion and will be ready to go at the start of July. Our vans are dog friendly, deluxe, custom built and come fully equipped with everything you might need for your adventure.

I have never started a business before, and I have been in the public sector for the last 16 years so this is a massive learning curve. My business is pushing me out of my comfort zone, it is forcing me to be sociable and it is encouraging me to keep promoting, keep advertising, keep doing social media, keep sharing my vision with others and I am actually really enjoying it! I have imposter syndrome, which I’m working on. I walk into a business setting and question why I am there, why would anyone be interested in me and what I do?! I believe that there is a better future for me and my family, and it doesn't involve the trauma and stress of my previous employment. It is campervans. I’m van daft, they please me greatly, what else would I do?!

Feel free to reach out if you have a similar story. I always think it’s best to talk about these things. Even if it is massively terrifying and I am exposing my vulnerabilities. If this blog helps one other person this then it is worth it. I hope you all understand and support me in my new business venture moving forward.

Thanks for listening, I feel better already.

Fiona

Oh wow, just had word from Big Ed and he's having an awesome adventure! Not only did he make pals with some lambs, he also saw the Aurora in Shieldaig and now he's on a boat to the Western Isles!

The Highlands in a campervan, just awesome 🚐❤️. Do you want to make memories like this?

www.coocoocampers.co.uk for enquiries

Awwww look! Big Ed has some new pals! How cute is this?!

He's having a blast on his adventures out west - last night he was at Achmelvich Beach 🚐❤️ Gorgeous 😍

Heading into this networking event this evening to help me promote the Coos. I've been practicing my pitch, it's nerve wracking... Wish me luck 🤞

Who is coming to our Speed Networking and Elevator Pitching event tonight? 😃 We can't wait to see you there! 👍 Don't forget to bring your business cards! 😁

Hi everyone, we've just about recovered after our awesome weekend at Fort William Mountain Bike World Cup

Big Ed was a comfy steed as always but can you guess - Far's the Coo the Noo? A bit closer to home...

www.coocoocampers.co.uk

for availability and enquiries 🚐❤️

This is a great spot if you fancy a adventure in Big Ed. You can follow in the tracks of the champs on the track if you're feeling brave ❤️🚲🚐

Here we have part 2 of my blog post about which way round to travel on the . There are a heap of places listed on here you won't want to miss 🚐❤️

If you still need campervan hire for your adventure, check out our website for more details 👍

NC500 - Which way round? Part 2 | Coocoo Campers, Campervan Hire, Scotland NC500 Anti-clockwise - North and West coast This is the most debated question on many NC500 Facebook groups - which way should I go round? Clockwise or anti-clockwise? So in the last blog we finished up at Melvich Beach. And we’re going Anti-clockwise… Next stop for me would be Castle Varrich

If you're still looking for a dog friendly van to hire for your Highland adventure, please check us out.

Our vans are deluxe, custom built - each with a unique design and available for hire in Inverness. They are fully equipped for your adventure.

Head to our website for van and booking options ❤️🚐

www.coocoocampers.co.uk

New blog post added!

One of the most common questions people ask is - Which way round?

Here I give you my favourite direction and point you to some must see stops along the route.

Get in touch with queries or if you would like help arranging your itinerary 🚐❤️

https://www.coocoocampers.co.uk/northcoast500campervanadventureswhichwayround

Road trip in Scotland By deluxe Campervan - Which way round? | Coocoo Campers, Campervan Hire, Highlands of Scotland Read our guide to the north of Scotland by campervan including the NC500, clockwise or anti-clockwise, Inverness, Highlands & more.

Our first review is in! And it's a cracker. Doesn''t get much better than that. Very grateful for our awesome customers this week. Thanks Lynne, Ciaron and Vinnie 🐶

Check us out if you're looking for an awesome camper to hire 🚐❤️

Far's the Coo the noo?!
Translated as - Where is the cow just now?

We've just had word from Big Ed, he's having a blast on his adventures this week. But can you guess where he is?! 🚐❤️

The weather ain't so hot today, but Big Ed is looking mighty fine on his adventures. Awesome scoff at the Motorgrill @ Ballinluig as usual but it must be the first time we've been in and NOT seen someone we know!

Massively exciting and momentous day here at Coocoo HQ! Huge thanks to and for awarding a £1000 start up grant to help us on our way. Mon the Coo 🚐

Check out this enormous garage in big ed 🚐👏🏻

Perfect for your mountain bikes, paddle boards or any other equipment your adventure requires. He also has a shower fitted in the garage for your dirty bikes and dugs 🐾 Did we mention we’re pet friendly?!

Enquire re availability 🚐

PS. We’ve got our first booking 🎉🎉🎉