A wonderful and different way to explore Scotland is to rent an RV or camper and embark on an adventure: you will have the freedom to stop wherever and whenever you please, and you will be able to spend the night in natural sites of stunning beauty.
Stay tuned if you are interested in this original way to discover Scotland, because we are going to give you all the tips and information that you need to do so!
Traveling by RV can be a most satisfactory experience as long as a series of musts are borne in mind, all stops are carefully planned and the needs and regulations pertaining to this kind of vehicle are known.
In the following article, we will present to you a complete travel guide to explore Scotland by RV or camper.
Differences between a camper and a RV (motorhome)
The main difference between an RV and a camper is the very structure of the vehicle: whereas an RV or motorhome consists of a module structure laid upon the frame of a van or a small lorry, a camper is simply a refurbished van in order to make it inhabitable.
In a similar vein, another difference is the size, since campers are usually smaller than RVs: while the former can only host up to two or three people, the latter has room for up to six or seven travelers.
One more difference resides in fuel consumption, which is higher in RVs and motorhomes and, obviously, also the price, as campers are always cheaper.
Pros and cons of choosing an RV or a camper
Once we have taken notice of the differences between both types of vehicles, you may be wondering which one is more convenient for you. The truth is that there is no easy answer, as it depends on your personal preferences and your trip goals.
The advantages of an RV are related to the comfort of staying and sleeping in them, since they are usually furnished with a toilet, a shower, and proper beds so, should you be aiming for a longer stay and not so much traveling, that would be your best pick.
On the contrary, the benefits of a camper are its greater room for maneuver and its versatility when choosing a place to stay the night, since you can pull over in many other spots. Because of this, if you wish to go on a more dynamic road trip, a camper would be your best option.
Planning your Scotland trip by RV
In order to plan your RV trip successfully, a series of special needs concerning this kind of vehicle must be borne in mind, as well as your own trip goals.
Firstly, it is necessary to determine during which season of the year you wish to undertake your route. I, for one, suggest that you do it between March and October, considering that Scottish winters can be rather harsh for nomadic life and, furthermore, sunlight hours are much longer in spring and summer, plus the weather should (hopefully) be better.
Secondly, you should look for camper-friendly routes (you can find some suggestions later in this article) and, especially, an adequate camping selection. Even though you can spend the night in your camper or RV in many nature sites, you will still need the amenities and commodities of a camping site every now and then.
You can find plenty of them on the Park4Night app!
Essentials to bring with you
The best advice we can give you as far as essentials go when traveling an RV or camper route is to carefully curate a checklist with every idea that crosses your mind. In this way, you will be ready when the time comes!
Do not forget personal care essentials such as grooming items, comfortable clothing and footwear, bed sheets or sleeping bags, and insect repellent (a must if you wish to travel Scotland in summertime).
Finally, double check alongside your camper or RV rental company if you must book any special items beforehand, or even bring them yourself, including shoehorns, curtains, parasols, awnings, auxiliary batteries, starting clamps, picnic chairs and tables, etc.
Safety and maintenance tips
It is very important to acknowledge a few safety and maintenance particularities regarding RVs and campers for your trip to be successful.
Besides standard vehicle maintenance, featuring engine and oil checks, or checking tire pressure, you should keep in mind that an RV has different kinds of water whose containers must be emptied regularly.
- Greywater comes from sink and shower faucets and its container can be emptied on any grid connecting directly with a draining system, such as sewers.
- Wastewater comes from the vehicle’s WC and its container can only be emptied on particularly adapted locations for that purpose, which can usually be found in camping sites and petrol stations.
As for the rest of it, always observe some basic safety measures such as ensuring that the vehicle is locked before going out or going to sleep, or making sure that you won’t bother locals in the place where you have decided to stop (remember not to do so in passing places or next to private residences).
How to save and budget your trip
In order to calculate the budget for a camper trip, it is paramount to know when you want to do it, how many days you are willing to spend, and which places you seek to explore. In this way, you will be able to ponder the different offers that rental companies feature online, since prices vary depending on the month of the year, and to assess how much fuel expenses will cost depending on how long you will drive. You should also decide on how many nights you wish to spend “in the wilderness”, and how many will you park in a camping site.
So as to save on your RV trips, it is best to buy your groceries in local supermarkets. Since you will have a kitchen and a fridge at your disposal, you should make the most of it and, additionally, thus try the local cuisine without splurging a fortune in restaurants!
Unique experiences and recommended destinations in Scotland
Some of the best destinations to travel by RV in Scotland include areas such as the jaw-dropping Isle of Skye, the heart of the Highlands from Glencoe to Loch Ness and Inverness, the woods of Perthshire, the romantic Borders, the Kingdom of Fife, the Moray Coast or Route NC500.
My last camper trip was precisely along the famous Route NC500, and I cannot overstate how recommendable it is for a road trip of this kind. The Northwest landscapes are breathtaking, and you will be able to stop by some of the finest beaches in the country, such as Gairloch and Achmelvich, as well as visit remote charming villages like Ullapool, and discover mind-blowing sites such as Smoo Cave. Nothing beats sleeping beside a summery turquoise sea, or at the foot of some of Scotland’s oldest mountains, what a unique camper experience!
Conclusion
To bring this matter to a close, being myself a camper and RV adventure lover, I wholeheartedly recommend this experience. Even though Scotland is not as well-equipped as other European countries for this kind of overnight stay, it is very easy to find unspoiled spots to drop by and enjoy nature, peace, and the landscape.
Don’t forget to prepare carefully, to check all of your doubts with your rental company, to keep our tips in this RV trip guide in mind and…just take the leap already and enjoy a unique travel experience!
