Scotland is an incredible place. And exploring the open roads of Scotland in your campervan is a brilliant way to immerse yourself in the unique sights, scenes and culture of the country.
It has been named ‘the most beautiful country in the world’ by Roughguide and it's full of hidden gems and opportunities for outdoor adventure.
If you’re planning a campervan holiday in Scotland, this blog is for you! We’re going to be telling you all about the best places to visit in Scotland in a campervan, as well as telling you about Heidi, our campervan that’s perfect for a Scottish holiday with Under The Stars Campervan Hire.
The NC500 Route
The NC500 (North Coast 500) is adored and celebrated far and wide. This is a striking scenic route (just over 500 miles) that takes you from Inverness and along the west coast, up along the north to John O’Groats, and down the east coast back to Inverness. In short, it’s Scotland’s answer to Route 66.
Some of the highlights of the NC500 route are Achmelvich Beach, Chanonry Point, The Whaligoe Steps, Stac Pollaidh and Wailing Widow Falls.
There are designated campsites along the NC500, including:
Sango Sands, Durness
Sands Camping & Caravan Park, Poolewe
If you’d prefer to go wild campervanning on the NC500 route (which we highly recommend!), this article from highlands2hammocks will tell you everything you need to know.
Fort William & Glencoe
Glencoe is a village in the Scottish Highlands, within the Lochaber Geopark. It’s been dubbed the outdoor capital of the UK, and for good reason, too.
This is an epic spot for adventurers. You can go skiing, snowboarding and mountain biking at the Glencoe Mountain Resort and kayaking on Loch Leven.
Because of it’s charming surroundings, you might notice some parts of Glencoe from films, such as the Jacobite Steam Train which was featured in Harry Potter.
When you’re touring the Scottish Highlands, we recommend that you make a stop at Fort William, which is just off the A82.
Ben Nevis is near Fort William. This is the highest mountain in Scotland and is part of the Grampian mountain range. It used to be an active volcano but now it stands at 1,345 metres and is top of the bucket list for many hikers all over the world.
Isle of Skye
Campervanning on the Isle of Skye is an unrivalled experience of natural beauty.
This is an excellent place for a relaxing campervanning trip to Scotland. Sights you should not miss on the Isle of Skye are the Fairy Pools, the charming town of Portree, Dunvegan Castle & Gardens and Old Man of Storr.
Something to be aware of is that the weather on the Isle of Skye is different from that on the mainland and it can be really unpredictable. You can expect lots of rain, wind and cool temperatures. So, make sure you check the weather forecast and bring appropriate clothing.
Loch Ness
Do you fancy your chances of getting a glimpse of the Loch Ness Monster? That’s unlikely, but stunning views are guaranteed, as are opportunities for activities and fun.
When you stop in Loch Ness, you can experience Loch Ness Centre & Exhibition, Urquhart Castle, Dores Beach, Inverness Castle and Glen Affric.
On Loch Ness itself, you can do boat tours, canoeing and kayaking. Plus, you can make the most of cycle routes around the Loch and the more adventurous can take part in mountain biking, abseiling and gorge walking.
Northern Lights
You can see the northern lights (a.k.a. Aurora Borealis) from the NC500 on clear nights. Unfortunately, seeing the northern lights isn’t guaranteed, but the best time to see them from the NC500 route is in the autumn and winter. This aurora forecast will be able to help you plan your trip if you want to see the northern lights, showing you when there will be the most activity.
Wild Camping Laws in Scotland
Like any country, there are rules and regulations about where you can park your campervan when you’re wild campervanning in Scotland. This guide to wild campervanning in Scotland will give you a full rundown of the rules, including the Scottish outdoor access code.
Visiting Scotland with Under the Stars Campervan Hire
You absolutely can take a trip to Scots with Under the Stars Campervan Hire! We can offer you VW campervan hire for your Scotland holiday.
If you choose to go to Scotland with us, you’ll be taking Heidi. She’s a 4 berth, 6-seater 2012 VW Camper that sleeps 4 people. She’s perfect for families and couples.
Heidi comes with a fully-equipped kitchen, a diesel heater that can be used off grid, a radio and speakers, a full width rib bed, a ¾ bed, power sockets & USB ports and more. Learn more about Heidi here.
Under the Stars Campervan Hire is here to give you a brilliant road trip experience. We’re based just south of Lancaster, meaning we’re perfectly located for you to explore Lancashire, Cumbria and the Lake District, and Scotland in our beautiful campers.
To find out more about our availability and pricing, campervans, campervanning tips and advice, as well as book with us, browse our website.
Thanks for reading and we hope you found this useful. The Under The Stars Campervan Team x