Touring Scotland in a campervan or truck camper: routes, rules and what to consider

With dramatic landscapes, ancient castles and stunning lochs, driving through Scotland’s epic scenery can feel like stumbling onto a movie set. And if you can tear your eyes away from the rugged backdrop, it’s a great place for outdoor adventures, too.

 

There are fantastic hiking, cycling, climbing and water sports opportunities across the country. And there’s plenty of history and culture to be found in the towns and cities, including Edinburgh and Glasgow. 

 

It’s also the only country in the UK to allow wild camping in most open spaces. Which means it’s popular with those looking for an adventure off the beaten track. 

 

However, restrictions do apply, and it pays to brush up on the rules before you go.

Here’s what you need to consider when planning your trip to Scotland in a campervan or truck.

 

What’s the best vehicle to choose?

 

If you have your own campervan or demountable camper, great! But if you’re hiring a vehicle for your big Scottish adventure, there are a few things to think about before you commit.

 

• Facilities – think about what you’ll need in your vehicle during your stay. Is a toilet or kitchen a deal breaker? How many people would it sleep? Do you need storage for surfboards or bikes? And does your camper need to be dog friendly?
• Budget – make sure you factor in fuel and campsite costs when working out what you want to spend on your camper so there are no hidden surprises along the way.

• Pick up – think about where you want to pick up and drop off your vehicle and how easy it is to get to if you’re travelling there by public transport and if you’re driving, can you leave your car there.

• Driving surfaces – consider where you’ll be driving. If you’re heading off the beaten track, do you need a 4x4? And if you’re travelling somewhere with narrow lanes or steep gradients, consider the size and handling of your vehicle and its suitability for the terrain.

 

If you’re heading to Scotland and looking to hire something a bit more adventurous than your average campervan, take a leaf out of astronaut Tim Peake’s book and explore in our 4x4 Wild Camper Truck. It can be picked up near Edinburgh Airport – the ideal starting point for Scottish road trips.

 

Costing from £160 a day, the camper is dog friendly and sleeps two (plus a little one). It comes with a heater, solar panel, fully stocked kitchen, toilet and hot water outdoor shower. And each booking includes a free outdoor cinema, so you can watch Netflix under the stars.

 

Find out more about Wild Camper Truck hire

 

Popular Scottish campervan routes

 

There are lots of popular road trip routes in Scotland, depending on how far you want to travel and how long you plan on spending exploring. Some of our favourites include:

 

• North Coast 500 – the most well-known of Scotland’s road trip routes, the North Coast 500 takes in 516 miles of highland scenery. Starting and finishing in Inverness, you’ll discover sandy beaches, rugged mountains and remote fishing villages. You might even spot Nessie at Loch Ness.

 

• Isle of Skye – many people choose to tour this stunning island off the west coast of Scotland in a camper. At just 50 miles long, you can cover many of the magical sights, including the Old Man of Storr rock formation and the crystal-clear Fairy Pools and waterfalls, in a long weekend.

 

• South West Coastal 300 – a 300-mile trip along the south-west coast of Dumfries and Galloway and South Ayrshire, this route passes through Scotland’s most southerly point, the Mull of Galloway – on a clear day you can see across to Northern Ireland. You’ll also take in the Galloway Forest Park – one of the best places to stargaze in Europe.

 

‘We rented the camper truck for a week to do the NC500 and we had the most perfect adventure. The truck had everything we needed and was a dream to drive.’ Josh

 

Whether following a well-trodden route or planning your own, however, it pays to draft a basic schedule. Here’s what to consider.

 

Planning your camper truck route

Follow these top tips for planning your itinerary.

 

The non-negotiables

Build your itinerary around any non-negotiable stop offs. This could be the date and place you need to drop off your vehicle or ferry times if you’re visiting the Scottish islands. Then slot in other places you’d like to visit and activities you want to do to help your itinerary fall into place.

 

Timings

Work out how long you’d like to spend exploring at each stop and the time it will take to drive between them. Give yourself a bit of leeway for extra comfort breaks, unexpected traffic or getting stuck behind a tractor – you want your trip to be relaxed not rushed.

 

Be flexible 

Remember, plans are made for breaking. The beauty of a campervan or camper truck trip is the flexibility and independence it offers. 

 

Detours to see the waterfall someone at your last stop recommended, staying an extra night in the friendly village with the great pub or stopping off to watch bottlenose dolphins at the Moray Firth … these are the experiences holiday memories are made of.

 

Have a backup

It pays to have a few backup plans. You might have planned to bag a munro on a certain day – but if visibility stops play, perhaps you could visit a nearby castle instead. And if that campsite you forgot to book is full, have another option up your sleeve. You don’t want to be driving around searching for an alternative as night falls.

 

‘We had a fantastic time exploring the Isle of Skye in the wild camper truck! It’s got everything you need for a week of off grid adventuring!’ Greig

 

Where to stay

Before you park up your camper truck for the night on your Scottish trip, make sure you know the rules.

 

Official campsites

Official campsites can be found across Scotland and mean you can camp knowing you have full permission. You also have the advantage of being able to connect to electricity, empty your waste, top up with water and use shower blocks. 

 

It’s best to book ahead and reserve your space at campsites – especially if you’re travelling at busy times.

 

If you want something quieter and closer to nature though, there are plenty of other options.

 

Can you wild camp in a campervan or truck in Scotland? 

 

Unlike England and Wales, wild camping is legal in most parts of Scotland – as long as you act responsibly, respect wildlife and leave no trace. It’s important to note that the rules don’t apply to campervans, though.

 

Rights of responsible public access to land were introduced in the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003. They apply to open areas including forests, beaches, rivers, lochs and national parks.

 

The Scottish Outdoor Access Code states that access rights ‘don’t include motor vehicles’. Instead, campers are encouraged to use small tents.

 

That doesn’t mean you can’t camp off grid in a campervan or camper truck in Scotland though.

 

A number of car parks have spaces for campervans and trucks to stay overnight. And there are some great apps and websites that can help you find secluded, wild places to park up.

 

We’d recommend:

 

• Stay the Night – a Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) scheme that lets you park your campervan in selected forest car parks for a night. Spots are on a first-come first-served basis and cost between £7 and £10. FLS also says ‘Blue Badge holders can Stay the Night for free with a valid badge displayed’.
• Park4Night – an app and website that’s regularly updated by campers sharing great places to stay in your campervan or truck.
• Off Grid Camp – a network of privately owned, off-grid spaces where you can pay the landowner to stay. When you hire a Wild Camper Truck you can get discounted access to the Off Grid Camp website. If you buy a demountable camper for your pick up truck, we’ll give you a year’s free membership. 

Usually priced at £25 a year, membership means you can browse and book more than 165+ off grid camping locations across the UK.

 

If you want to park on open land or in a free car park overnight  – like at a pub – ask the landowner for permission first. Arrive late, leave early and take any rubbish with you.

 

When is the best time to visit Scotland in a campervan or camper truck?

 

May and September are the most popular times to visit Scotland in a campervan, motorhome or touring caravan, according to Visit Scotland research. But you can visit at any time of the year as long as you’re prepared.

 

Spring and autumn

Travelling in spring and autumn means you can explore without the summer crowds. The weather should be relatively mild, if changeable, perfect for hiking and wildlife spotting. Rain is always a possibility in Scotland, though, so take your waterproofs.

You might even see some early or late snow on the mountains.

 

Summer

June to August tend to be the busiest months for holiday makers. 

 

Summer days are long in Scotland so there’s more chance to explore – in mid June it doesn’t get dark until around 11pm in the Highlands.

 

Campsites and hiking trails can get busy at this time of year, particularly during the school holidays, so it’s always advisable to book any activities or stop offs in advance. And take your midge spray – the insects are most active from May to September. 

 

Unlike campervans though, Wild Camper Trucks come with midge nets over the windows to keep the critters at bay.

 

Winter

If you’re travelling in the winter, snow can make driving tricky so make sure you hire a vehicle that can handle wintery conditions and pack emergency, all-weather supplies. It can also get very cold when you’re camping so go prepared with warm clothing and sleeping bags. Many campsites close for the winter so always check ahead.