Scotland makes up the northern third of the UK, with nearly 800 small islands, including the popular Isle of Skye and the lesser-known Isle of Gigha. With it's vast landscape of rugged coastline, epic mountains, and Munros; there truly is something to suit everyone, and a motorhome holiday to Scotland will surely be memorable.
Finding the right camper for your trip will make the experience much more enjoyable, whether travelling solo or with family and friends. Camper Champ compares hundreds of campers' prices, features and availability to help you do that.
Scotland is the home of the UK’s tallest mountain, Ben Nevis. There is plenty of motorhome parking at the Ben Nevis Visitor Centre, so it’s the perfect opportunity to tick this impressive climb off your bucket list! Scotland also boasts the NC500, a route just over 500 miles long across the majestic landscape that has become very popular with campervans.
Many tourists visiting Scotland and exploring in a campervan usually stay on the mainland. However, the nearby Outer Hebrides islands off the northwest coast offer white sand beaches and turquoise waters, easily accessible in a campervan by ferry—it’s worth the trip over! Impressively, the Outer Hebrides was the only place in the UK to make it onto the ‘Top 100 Greatest Travel Experiences’ list in Wanderlust travel magazine.
Wild camping is legal in Scotland, so the options for choosing a camp spot for the night are almost endless. After driving through winding mountain roads with uninterrupted views of the raw landscape, you can end the day tucked away in the comforts of your motorhome up close to nature in a forest or mountain setting.
Discover Scotland your way by choosing a class of campervan that suits your travel needs.
Not all vehicles may be available. Use the search tool to check availability for your travel dates.
Taking a campervan holiday around Scotland is like experiencing several countries in one. The landscape of the northwest coast is wild, with undulating roads such as the notorious Bealach na Ba mountain pass road. Head over to the east coast, however, and the landscape calms. You can also visit historic cities like Aberdeen, Dundee, and Edinburgh, which all have motorhome parking availability.
Since there is so much to experience, we’ve put together some recommendations on how to get the most out of your campervan holiday here.
The weather can be very unpredictable across Scotland and the Outer Hebrides, changing at the last minute. So it’s essential to keep up to date with the weather forecast, and if travelling during late autumn or winter, be on the lookout for any storm warnings. It’s crucial to park in safe places, away from cliff edges and trees, if weather conditions become challenging.
It’s always best to plan when travelling in a camper, as nothing is worse than not knowing where to park for the night. Various apps are available to solve this problem, such as park4night and Searchforsites. Both apps work in many different countries and provide the locations of free wild camping spots and many other facilities such as sewerage dumps and public showers.
Travelling by motorhome has grown massively in popularity over the last few years. Unfortunately, this has led to many wild camping spots being closed due to aller left behind by campers. Scotland is full of incredible scenery with some of the greatest driving roads in the UK. When campervanning, be sure to leave no trace so that we can enjoy its beauty long into the future.
Scotland is known for its rich history, and with over 1,500 castles on display, you can easily imagine what this country was like in centuries past. However, if you find hiking trails and waterfalls more enjoyable, there are two stunning national parks waiting to be explored. The Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park and the Cairngorms National Park are jaw-droppingly beautiful and provide an idyllic setting for a road trip adventure.
Scotland is a popular destination for stargazers as it has some of Europe's largest expanses of dark skies. The Galloway Forest has such low levels of light pollution that, if you’re lucky, the Milky Way, Northern Lights, and various star constellations can be seen on a clear night.
Choosing a campervan holiday is perfect for those who want a unique, first-hand experience of such a diverse country. You get to experience Scottish culture up close and get a raw experience of the environment and landscape. Not to mention the countless benefits of having handy onboard facilities such as a shower, kitchen, and toilet.
Campervanning is a prevalent activity throughout Scotland, so it’s no surprise there are so many campervan-friendly sites all around the country. The average price for a campsite in Scotland is between £15 and £30. Site prices vary depending on the season, pitch size, and whether or not you have an electrical hook-up.
We’ve compiled a list of private-sector campsites suitable for various budgets that we recommend during your Scotland trip. The best way to get a slot at one of these impressive campervan-friendly sites is to book online well before your trip!
This immersive itinerary will guide you through rugged highlands, serene lochs, and ancient forests as you delve deep into the heart of Scotland's most majestic and unforgettable terrains.
MORE: 7-Day Edinburgh ItinerarySoar around Edinburgh and then on through the highlands and both national parks in Scotland before heading over to the west coast so you can catch a little bit of everything on this epic trip.
MORE: 14-Day Edinburgh ItineraryTo hire a campervan in the UK or Ireland, you must have a valid manual driving licence that you have owned for at least two years. This allows you to drive a European category B vehicle or equivalent up to 3,500kg GMW. You will need an International Driving Permit (IDP) if your licence is issued outside the UK, EEA, or Switzerland.
The VW California camper is a favourite for campervan holidays and is offered for rent by several UK brands. Use our search tool to check availability and prices across multiple companies.
In general, vintage VW campervans are not offered by the major motorhome hire providers. However, they may be available from specialised suppliers.
Although wild camping is largely permitted in Scotland thanks to the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, these rights and rules do not apply to motor vehicles, and different restrictions apply when travelling in a campervan.
If you wish to stay in an area, permission must first be obtained from the landowner. In addition, the Road Traffic Act 1988 states that you may only drive a vehicle off-road for the purpose of parking within 15 yards of a public road.
There are, however, areas throughout Scotland designated for motorhomes, and certain communities may be more accommodating than others. Check with a local information centre to find out if any local restrictions apply or if there are areas nearby where you can park up for a night.
Yes, a large number of rental companies allow one-way rentals. Our comparison tool will automatically factor in any additional fees and show you which vehicles are available on your preferred route.
Yes, some campervan companies in the UK are pet-friendly. These include McRent, Camper Rental UK, Just Go, Apollo, Bunk Campers, Rent Easy, Easy Campervan Hire and Rockin Vans.
Spaceships and AUK Motorhome Hire do not allow pets in their vehicles.
With all the companies that permit pets, approval must be obtained prior to your rental. A service fee will also be charged.
It is your responsibility to ensure the cleanliness of the vehicle, and you will be liable for any damages caused as a result of bringing a pet on board.
You are also responsible for the safe transport of any domestic animals according to local regulations as well as for compliance with any entry restrictions and vaccinations.
Yes, unlimited miles (kilometres) are generally included for standard vehicle rentals in the UK. The comparison tool will show you whether your preferred vehicle has unlimited or restricted miles.