Andy Bower
So this was our first big trip in our T5 with our two kids (aged 4 and 2) to Scotland and loved every minute. Having read so much on this forum (and others) I wanted to share back some of the tips we pick up on the road and great locations we found to camp (mixture of wild and campsites). We are based in Amsterdam so make the trip all the more exciting as the kids love the ferry.
We had researched but not booked anything before we departed which worked in our favour, go where the weather looked best and the mood took us. We spent a few days with friend’s in Edinburgh before heading to Lock Lomand, onto Oban and the Isle of Mull. Before taking in Fort William for wet weather activities before heading back to the Trossachs and a final night in the Scottish Borders before catching the overnight ferry home.
Loch Lomand: Cashel Campsite. Right on the water with good facilities, amazing views on the loch and lots of space for the kids to explore and ride their bikes
Mull - Calgary Bay: A magical place right on the beach. A wild campsite which is designed perfectly for VW vans. A small area is dedicated for overnight campers, gate posts just allow a VW to get in but nothing larger. Toilets remain open which is handy and its idyllic to watch sun set over the bay whilst lighting an fire.
Mull – Uisken: A little bay down a small road leads you to a spot on the beach. With permission (which costs 2 GBP per person from the lady in the bungalow on the hill) you can park on the beach. No facilities but an amazing spot, we did take on some strong winds that night and Ended up swapping with my sun upstairs in the night and basically felt like a plane in turbulence when trying to sleep, chilly, windy and noisy. It was amazing to wake up to the sound of the waves however after the storm passed!
Mull – Lochbui: we didn’t stay here but everyone we spoke said it was beautiful with even an honesty box for fresh supplies ☺
Mull – Sheilings Holidays: hot shower, washing machine (and dryer) and a place to dump grey water, refill and recharge the power. This pub down the interesting take on a Haggis Pizza!
Fort William – Having talked to the guy who runs the climbing wall we heard that you can park at overnight in the top carpark on the Glen Nevis road, and he was right! Keep driving past all the ‘no camping / parking overnight’ signs on the road and you will eventually end up at the top carpark. An amazing view to wake up too and right in the trail for the morning to take in the waterfall. We amazed that this spot was not known by others as we were the only van overnighting here (one other in a car). A little gem close to Fort William.
Trossachs – Cobeland Campsite: Another stunning campsite on the side of a river.
Scottish Borders – Rue Du Chateau: A farmers field right on the river in perfect tranquillity. The chickens and ducks potter around the sheep came to say hello in the morning. You get access to the farmers house where you can use the spare bathroom and washing up facilities. Fresh eggs for sale and a perfect place for us to end our trip and explore Kielder Castle on the way back to the ferry in Newcastle.
We learnt a number of lesson on how a family of four can live in a small van. Some night were challenging due to my two year old escaping his bedding and getting cold. However it was amazing for the kids to be outside, explore the coast line, take boat trips to Ulva and Iona on Mull. Go rock climbing and walking in Fort William. Fish with their nets in the rivers we visited and cook on an open fire. Thoroughly recommend the Camperculture The CVC Roadii Lightweight Grill as seen in the pictures (it is a little punchy in price however). The kids did get chilly a night so I wonder about a roof topper to keep in heat and I think seat covers are a must having seen the state of them when we got home… recommendations welcome. The weather was amazingly kind and it was the perfect trip to have fun in countryside!
We had researched but not booked anything before we departed which worked in our favour, go where the weather looked best and the mood took us. We spent a few days with friend’s in Edinburgh before heading to Lock Lomand, onto Oban and the Isle of Mull. Before taking in Fort William for wet weather activities before heading back to the Trossachs and a final night in the Scottish Borders before catching the overnight ferry home.
Loch Lomand: Cashel Campsite. Right on the water with good facilities, amazing views on the loch and lots of space for the kids to explore and ride their bikes
Mull - Calgary Bay: A magical place right on the beach. A wild campsite which is designed perfectly for VW vans. A small area is dedicated for overnight campers, gate posts just allow a VW to get in but nothing larger. Toilets remain open which is handy and its idyllic to watch sun set over the bay whilst lighting an fire.
Mull – Uisken: A little bay down a small road leads you to a spot on the beach. With permission (which costs 2 GBP per person from the lady in the bungalow on the hill) you can park on the beach. No facilities but an amazing spot, we did take on some strong winds that night and Ended up swapping with my sun upstairs in the night and basically felt like a plane in turbulence when trying to sleep, chilly, windy and noisy. It was amazing to wake up to the sound of the waves however after the storm passed!
Mull – Lochbui: we didn’t stay here but everyone we spoke said it was beautiful with even an honesty box for fresh supplies ☺
Mull – Sheilings Holidays: hot shower, washing machine (and dryer) and a place to dump grey water, refill and recharge the power. This pub down the interesting take on a Haggis Pizza!
Fort William – Having talked to the guy who runs the climbing wall we heard that you can park at overnight in the top carpark on the Glen Nevis road, and he was right! Keep driving past all the ‘no camping / parking overnight’ signs on the road and you will eventually end up at the top carpark. An amazing view to wake up too and right in the trail for the morning to take in the waterfall. We amazed that this spot was not known by others as we were the only van overnighting here (one other in a car). A little gem close to Fort William.
Trossachs – Cobeland Campsite: Another stunning campsite on the side of a river.
Scottish Borders – Rue Du Chateau: A farmers field right on the river in perfect tranquillity. The chickens and ducks potter around the sheep came to say hello in the morning. You get access to the farmers house where you can use the spare bathroom and washing up facilities. Fresh eggs for sale and a perfect place for us to end our trip and explore Kielder Castle on the way back to the ferry in Newcastle.
We learnt a number of lesson on how a family of four can live in a small van. Some night were challenging due to my two year old escaping his bedding and getting cold. However it was amazing for the kids to be outside, explore the coast line, take boat trips to Ulva and Iona on Mull. Go rock climbing and walking in Fort William. Fish with their nets in the rivers we visited and cook on an open fire. Thoroughly recommend the Camperculture The CVC Roadii Lightweight Grill as seen in the pictures (it is a little punchy in price however). The kids did get chilly a night so I wonder about a roof topper to keep in heat and I think seat covers are a must having seen the state of them when we got home… recommendations welcome. The weather was amazingly kind and it was the perfect trip to have fun in countryside!
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