Our Return to Scotland: A Road Trip Full of Adventure
It's been two years since our first road trip to Scotland in the van, and let me tell you, it was a trip we won't forget — but not for the best reasons. In fact, I never quite got around to writing about it, mainly because it was traumatising at the time. But now, with some distance, I can finally look back at the wild and wacky journey and share the story. And trust me, this second trip was a world away from that first chaotic venture.
Let me take you back for a second to 2022. We had been living van life for about two months when we made our first attempt at a Scottish road trip. We drove up to the Highlands and the Isle of Skye, but of course, Scotland decided to show us its stormiest side. Imagine this: torrential rain, gale force winds and a skylight that refused to stay fully closed and rattled with every gust. Oh yeah and leaky windows that required constant attention in between downpours. Every stop was a mad scramble to seal things up before the next shower rolled in. It was more "survival mode" than "adventure mode," and honestly, I’m still not sure how we made it through! That trip tested us in ways I didn’t expect, but I’m glad to say we came out stronger, wiser, and with a lot more respect for the unpredictability of the Scottish weather.
Here’s a few photos to show you just how sketchy it got – A campsite in Skye helped us with a rope for the van after we asked for a place to stay for the night. It made us very grateful for their help, as well as a german couple also road tripping who stopped and tried to help too.
Fast forward to now — two years later — and I’d like to think we’ve become more seasoned travellers. More experienced and more adaptable. Van life has shaped us in ways we never imagined, and there's been this undeniable pull to revisit Scotland, to reconnect with its landscapes and explore the places that stayed with me from that first trip, as well as journeying to new destinations too, of course! The longing for adventure, the open road, and a bit of peace away from the hustle and bustle of life had been growing.
Then, out of nowhere, I get an email. A job offer — a photography gig for some forest lodges in Scotland. I didn’t even hesitate - despite the fact we were currently at Lands End, couldn’t be any further away! I quoted for the job, it was accepted, and just like that, we were packing up the van again. The road trip was on!
The Journey Begins: Pub Stops & Scenic Routes
We hit the road with a mix of excitement and nerves, knowing we were much more prepared this time. Two pub stops and a national trust walk on the way up gave us a good break (honestly, pubs are fantastic when you're on the road in a van — some ask you to eat, others just want you to get a drink, but no cooking and washing up? That's a win in my book!). One of those pubs involved a vegan roast too, seeing as it was a Sunday, would have been rude not to! Then crossing the border and our first Scottish stop - Gretna, where we stretched our legs, got a good night sleep and braced ourselves for the adventure ahead.
Glentress Forest – A Perfect Start
The first proper stop was Glentress Forest, where I was working and photographing this location for Forest Holidays. Nestled in the Scottish Borders, this place was a true gem. The towering trees, the fresh air, and the peaceful vibes of the place made us feel like we’d truly arrived in Scotland. Well kind of…. The place was also the tail end of being a construction site with the place due to open in a weeks time! Eek….. but once we settled in, we could truly see the beauty of the location. So I spent a day capturing photos of the cabins in the landscape, the details of the cabins in line with a brief given to me and all the while soaking in the stillness of the woods. I absolutely love when I can combine my passion for nature and commercial work – still feels a dream I get to call this ‘work!’
Edinburgh – Vegan Food and City Streets
Next up, Edinburgh. I am not a city lover at all! Give me the wide open coast or a beautiful woodland any day, but it’s hard not to love this city. From the cobbled streets to the magnificent architecture, Edinburgh has its own energy. We spent hours wandering around, indulging in the incredible vegan food scene, and diving into the culture. The old-world charm and architecture makes this city a great stop on any Scottish road trip. Top tips for anyone visiting in a van though, especially an old one like ours; just avoid the Low Emissions Zone. We got a campsite just out of the centre and got the bus into the city each day. It saved the hassle of worrying about charges and where to park. It felt quite care free actually, just leaving the van in a safe place and jumping on a bus! We stayed at Morton Hall campsite and the bus stopped 10 mins right outside the entrance. Also if you are vegan / veggie or just curious then I highly recommend checking out Holy Cow and Nova Pizza in the city – both incredible spots to eat!
Lossiemouth – The Peaceful North Coast
After the city buzz, we decided to drive further north, with no particular destination in mind. We just followed the road and ended up in Lossiemouth, a quiet coastal town on the northeast coast. And what a surprise it was! The sun was shining, the beaches were empty, and the energy of the place was so calm and inviting. We explored the dunes, the town, and the coastline. The park ups were stunning, right on the beaches and very refreshingly, were donation only – coming from England where most places do not even allow overnight, it was a true breath of fresh air! It was one of those places that felt like a hidden gem. We will definitely return and the entire Moray Coast is now on our radar for another visit!
Cairngorms & Balmoral – Majestic Landscapes
We left the north with the plan to explore the Cairngorms a little. So we ventured deeper into the heart of Scotland, and found ourselves at the Balmoral estate. While we didn’t tour the castle, we marvelled at the dramatic landscapes surrounding it, and the added bonus was we could stay on the land, costing just £10 for 24 hours…and again, yes, that includes the overnight park up! Awesome! So we did that for a couple of days and during that time just had to go and find the pyramid! The Balmoral Pyramid, known as Prince Albert’s Cairn: Surrounded by the majestic, autumnal countryside was all very beautiful.
Glencoe – The Highlands Were Calling
Then, we entered the Highlands. Glencoe, with its towering mountains and hauntingly beautiful scenery, leaves me in awe each time we visit. The place has a mystical vibe, and that’s partly down to the weather. Usually misty or gloomy, or moody, as the clouds seem to cling to the mountain scape. We took our time here, as I was super keen for the photography and there were a few spots I wanted to revisit. To be honest, these spots are so popular for photography, its nothing new but at the same time you can see why all photographers feel the pull here – it’s just stunning!!! We stayed for 5 days, mainly at the Glencoe Mountain Resort. Again it’s a donation, and the added bonus of a drying room and showers!! Winning!
Luss & Loch Lomond – A Quiet Life on the Loch
Next, we headed to Luss, a charming village on the shores of Loch Lomond. Foggy, dreary, but beautiful. It was a welcome couple of days exploring another new location. Then we moved onto check out a van life community on the west highland way, great to see spaces around offering a free stop over for full time van lifers…. next onto the south west for our final spots on this trip.
The South West - Glencaple, Caerlaverock Castle & Shambellie House – Our Final Stops!
With just a few days remaining before needing to head back into England - the south west seemed like a good place to explore and to be honest, we’d never ventured into Dumfries or surrounding areas before, and always made a bee line for the highlands. But actually we found some really great hidden gems! First up Glencaple, a lovely park up by a café on the quay. Super quiet in a little sleepy village and waking to the view across the water - wow, just perfect! Again another donation only site which is so refreshing. Scotland sure has these park ups nailed! Whilst here, the sun finally came back out! We hadn’t seen a peek of it since Balmoral! But with that the temperatures dropped at night too – we even saw the first frost! Next we drove a few minutes down the road to Caerlaverock Castle and a wooded park up area. Again just for a donation you can stay over night, plus theres toilet disposal AND water - so kind of a semi serviced camp spot. Epic winning! We wandered the forest, explored the castle grounds and simply sat and watched the birds eating some seed we put just outside our window on a bird table provided. Very very peaceful indeed. So then for the final night, we realised we were 20 minutes from a spot I’d been looking into recently due to an upcoming collaboration scheduled for the summer (watch this space!) at Shambellie House. Shambellie House is a creative centre for arts, heritage and environmental courses, workshops and events. Situated at historic New Abbey, which by the way the local tea rooms were a great find, where we consumed ALOT of tea and some really tasty vegan, gluten free cake too! Back to Shambellie though, they have a photography department and something I’m really keen to get involved in from the educational side, but seriously you will just have to watch this space on that one! But anyway, I got to meet the lovely team there and was given a guided tour, saw their current exhibition and heard all about what they have going on and future plans. It was a joy to be in such a warm, welcoming and creative environment!
To Wrap Things up…..
This trip has made me appreciate many sides to Scotland and really left me wanting to see more! I really can't wait to explore more of the country during future trips - There are still so many places on the list — but for now, we’re just savoring the moments from this journey and I know Scotland’s beauty will stay with us for a long time.
It’s not just about the destination; it’s about the moments we create along the way, the lessons learned and the beauty we discover. What a way to live hey, getting to visit such amazing places with our home in tow – there’s nothing like the freedom of the open road and to travel at our own pace! Traveling allows us to see everything through a fresh lens, with a sense of wonder that enhances our appreciation for the world around us.
There are still so many places waiting to be explored, and I can’t wait to see where the next adventure takes us. So, here’s to more roads to travel, more views to see, and more experiences to cherish.
Until next time Scotland…..
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