Hire a campervan in Scotland and discover a land rich with fascinating history, spectacular scenery, and authentic personality. From rolling hills and wild coasts to fabled monsters and gothic castles, this northernmost country in the United Kingdom is chock full of exciting attractions and natural wonders. A Scotland road trip in a campervan allows unfettered access to the remote corners and wide open spaces of this gorgeous place, and there’s no better way to enjoy the lush green Lowlands and mountainous Highlands than on your own time. So, what are you waiting for? Grab your kilt, hit the road, and have an amazing experience while touring Scotland.
What you need to know
Where to pick up your campervan in Scotland
The main Scotland campervan hire pick up points are Glasgow and Edinburgh. If you recently landed at Edinburgh Airport or Glasgow International Airport, you can easily pick up a campervan rental in just a few minutes from our rental partners Easicampers, Bunk Campers, Apollo, Go! Explore Scotland and more. With Motorhome Republic, you can also hire a camper van in Dundee, Aberdeen and Inverness.
Organise your pick up plan with your campervan hire provider well in advance and keep in contact if you run into any travel delays.
Where to stay in Scotland
There are over 150 Scotland campsites to park your motorhome hire. Most of the parks are concentrated around cities and popular tourist destinations, but they are also dotted along the west coast and east coast. The UK campsites website has a helpful list with maps and ratings. With so many options, you'll be well catered for wherever your motorhome adventure takes you.
Freedom or wild camping
One of the great things about doing a tour of Scotland in a campervan is that freedom or wild camping is allowed. There are guidelines you will need to follow, which we have broken down below:
Be responsible
Don't leave a trace
Camp away from buildings, roads and main paths
Get permission to camp on private property
Do not disturb wildlife
Only dispose of water in dedicated areas
Scotland motorhome rental tips for the savvy traveller
Scotland is one of the few places that still allows wild camping. Check the local rules before parking your motorhome and leave no trace. Take all your rubbish with you.
Make sure you buy any essentials before leaving the main cities for. Chances are you may not be able to pick supplies up locally in the smaller towns and villages of Scotland.
While the motorways are relatively wide, country roads and village lanes can be a tight squeeze. Go slow and be prepared to pull over to allow others to pass. If passing another vehicle on a narrow mountain road, yield to the driver going uphill.
Make sure to use a GPS when visiting Edinburgh near Old Town as many roads are off-limits to cars and the road signs are hard to read or find. We recommend parking your motorhome just outside the city centre limits and walking or taking public transport.
The weather in Scotland can be wet, cold, and changeable—particularly in the Highlands. Pack layers of clothing when preparing for your motorhome holiday.
When you rent a campervan Scotland, vehicles generally come with a full petrol tank. It is also your responsibility to return the motorhome with the same level of fuel as when you collected it. So make sure you top up your fuel before your drop-off time.
Have a memorable holiday in Scotland with a campervan hire
Friendly people and delightful accents add folksy charm to a long list of Scotland’s many merits. Every experience during your Scotland road trip, from shopping in Glasgow to hiking the Highlands, brings a sense of enchantment unique to this fantastic part of the world.
Get back to nature
In addition to two magnificent National Parks (Cairngorms National Park and Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park), Scotland is home to 43 National Nature Reserves, three UNESCO Global Geoparks, and two UNESCO biospheres. Picking up a motorhome in Scotland allows you to visit the stunning scenery of this country at your own pace.
City lights
A luxury motorhome trip in Scotland lets you pair the great outdoors with visits to world-class cities like Edinburgh and Glasgow in your campervan rental. More than the spectacular Medieval attractions and live music these places are known for, Scottish cities are just plain fun!
Castles
Scotland has a long and fascinating history, represented in the many stunning buildings and castles dotted throughout the country. Take a motorhome hire Scotland trip through time when you visit Edinburgh Castle, Dirleton Castle, Cawdor Castle, Stirling Castle, Glamis Castle, Tantallon Castle, Crichton Castle, Blackness Castle and many more.
Whiskey tours
It’s no secret that Scotland is famous to whisky lovers. Home to over 130 malt and grain distilleries, Scotland has the greatest concentration of whisky production in the world. Park your motorhome rental for the night and dabble in a wee dram.
Special interests
It’s easy to set a theme to your Scotland campervan/motorhome trip. Many tourists head here to visit all the phenomenal golf courses in the country, while others tick off stunning film locations of their favourite shows. Golfing enthusiasts have a lot of large resorts to choose from, but a popular choice is usually The Old Course of St Andrews.
For a small country, there is an expansive list of places to visit spread across the whole of the country. It would be tough to tick everything off your list in one visit, but here are some of the highlights to hit in your Scotland campervan hire.
Campervan hire Scotland: Where to go on your motorhome holiday
Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park
Less than an hour’s drive northwest of Glasgow lies 1,865 square kilometres of natural beauty. Traditionally divided into four distinct parts: The Trossachs forested hills, Breadalbane, Loch Lomond, and the Argyll Forest, the park is home to 21 “munros” - mountains over 3000 feet.
Fort William
Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the United Kingdom, lies directly behind Fort William in the western Scottish Highlands. Its beautiful setting between peaks and sea lochs is the main draw, but Neptune’s Staircase, the Old Inverlochy Castle, Glen Nevis, and the short River Nevis can be enjoyed by all the family members and is really worth your time. Grab a motorhome hire in Scotland and discover the wonders of this beautiful country on your wheels.
Inverness
A visit to the “Highland Capital” in your motor home hire Scotland is a must to climb aboard a boat and cruise the local lake, hunting for the elusive Loch Ness Monster. But the fun doesn’t stop there! Enjoy warm hospitality, interesting heritage, delicious dining, great shopping, and energetic events.
North Coast
The northern coast of the Highlands region is a wild place, and a 500-mile drive will introduce you to its varied landscapes of rolling hills, beautiful beaches, craggy cliffs, and hidden coves. One of the most stunning road trips in the whole world, the North Coast should be high on your Scotland bucket list.
Isle of Skye
For more rugged landscapes and village charm, make your way to the northwest coast. Medieval castles and dramatic scenery make for an incredible Scotland campervan hire adventure.
After exploring Scotland and beyond UK, Motorhome Republic can help you visit camper locations the world over. Get unbeatable deals and the same excellent customer service when you book motorhome rentals in Perth or Brisbane in Australia, even Auckland or Queenstown in New Zealand.
Campervan hire Scotland: Frequently asked questions
How much is it to hire a motorhome in Scotland?
Prices for campervan hire in Scotland depend on factors like the time of year you visit, campervan size, model, vehicle availability, and the length of the rental. To get an accurate price estimate, type your dates into the search on this page and compare up-to-the-minute prices across multiple brands.
Can you sleep anywhere in a campervan in Scotland?
Scotland is one of the few places where you can still free camp. Scotland laws allow for sleeping in any location as long as that is not a “do not park” zone, and motorhomes/campervans are parked a good distance away from main roads or tourist attractions. Try to stick to properly marked roads and only wild camp in locations that are suitable and legal. If it is clear who owns the land you are aiming to overnight at, obtain permission beforehand and be prepared to seek camping site/wild camping spots as required.
What do I get in a campervan?
Rental motorhomes are fully equipped for sleeping, eating and general everyday living. Most campervans have bedding (duvets, sheets, pillows and covers and towels) and the kitchen comes with cutlery, crockery, electric appliances, etc. Costs vary, and in some cases charges are made for the hire of equipment and bedding. These are itemised during the booking process so you can review.
Also, most motorhome rentals come with roadside assistance, comprehensive insurance, automatic transmission, and unlimited mileage. Still, check with your chosen provider for more details
What do I need when I collect the campervan?
To rent the vast majority of campervan rentals in Scotland, you should at least be 21 years old and you are only required to have a full valid driver’s licence. Some campervan hire companies make exceptions to the age ' however, terms and conditions in regards to bond/excess and insurances may be different. No special driver's licence is required unless you are renting a very large motorhome that exceeds a weight limit of roughly 3500kg. This should be clear in the listings, but please give us a call if you are unsure.
Is there a minimum period to hire a campervan?
The minimum rental period when hiring motorhome Scotland is usually 7 days. There are many exceptions to this depending on time of year and availability. Some restrictions to minimum hire periods over peak season travel may apply too. One way rentals are often restricted to a minimum of 14 days. Check out the various companies as these terms vary.
Can I pick up or drop off the motorhomes at the airport
In most cases, you are not allowed to pick up and drop off your campervan hire Scotland at any airport in the country. Sometimes, complementary transfers are available going to the Scotland depot, but there are airport transfers that incur a fee. Usually, the depots are just a few minutes away from the airport. Please arrange directly with your chosen rental company before pick up and drop off. Any extra charges may apply but these will be clearly stated.
What kind of motorhomes can I rent?
There are large numbers of campervan hire suppliers in Great Britain, but if you don’t want to search through numerous websites to find the best campervan hire deal, use Motorhome Republic to find great offers from a wide range of rent motorhome Scotland companies.
Motorhome Republic lets you compare prices for all the leading brands and campervans available to rent. Tour Scotland in a two-person motorhome for a cozy roadie or choose a 4 berth campervan with a fixed double bed for more space. You may also prefer larger 4WDs and six-berth campers if you really need extra space. Converted vans are the cheaper option for small families, while 6-berth luxury motorhomes with onboard shower and toilet are clearly a more expensive choice. We ensure you get the best rates so we can give have a fantastic holiday for your campervan hire Scotland adventure
Are pets allowed?
While a lot of camper van hire Scotland companies allow pets in their rentals, you still have to double-check the listing if there is an extra charge for pets before booking.
