Scotland Motorhome Road Trip: Places to Visit
Plan a Scotland motorhome road trip from south to north and back through the east. This guide follows a realistic sequence from Falkirk towards Loch Lomond, Glencoe, the Road to the Isles, Skye and the north-west coast before returning through Caithness, Inverness and the Cairngorms. It includes major sights, quality route photographs and links to nearby campsite information.
Suggested Scotland motorhome route
- The Kelpies and Falkirk Wheel – the gateway north
- Loch Lomond
- Glencoe and Glen Etive
- Fort William, Ben Nevis and Glen Nevis
- Glenfinnan and the Fort William–Mallaig railway
- Arisaig, the Silver Sands of Morar and Mallaig
- Isle of Skye
- Eilean Donan, Applecross and Torridon
- Ullapool, Assynt, Achmelvich and Kylesku
- Durness, Smoo Cave and the north coast
- Dunnet Head, John o’ Groats and Wick
- Inverness, Loch Ness and the Black Isle
- Cairngorms and Aviemore
- Edinburgh and Glasgow
A complete circuit needs time. The official North Coast 500 alone is approximately 516 miles and is best treated as a journey rather than a race. For a shorter holiday, choose one region and stay two nights at the most interesting stops.
The Kelpies and Falkirk Wheel – the gateway north
Coming from the south, Falkirk is a practical first major stop. The Kelpies sit at The Helix beside the canal, while the Falkirk Wheel is the remarkable rotating boat lift linking the Forth & Clyde and Union canals. Check each attraction’s current motorhome parking information before arrival.
Find official visitor or campsite information for this area.
Loch Lomond
Continue north-west to Loch Lomond for waterside views, woodland walks and villages including Luss and Balmaha. Roads and car parks can become busy, so reserve a proper pitch and avoid arriving late without a plan.
Find official visitor or campsite information for this area.
Glencoe and Glen Etive
Glencoe is one of Scotland’s most dramatic valleys. The Three Sisters, Buachaille Etive Mòr, Loch Achtriochtan and the road into Glen Etive all reward a slower visit. Use signed parking, keep passing places clear and never stop where the vehicle obstructs the road.
Find official visitor or campsite information for this area.
Fort William, Ben Nevis and Glen Nevis
Fort William is a useful base for Ben Nevis, Glen Nevis, Loch Linnhe and historic Old Inverlochy Castle. It is also the starting point for the famous railway journey towards Mallaig. Mountain conditions change quickly, so choose walks that suit the weather and your experience.
Find official visitor or campsite information for this area.
Glenfinnan and the Fort William–Mallaig railway
The Glenfinnan Viaduct, Glenfinnan Monument and Loch Shiel make an excellent combined stop. The Jacobite steam train uses the viaduct on selected dates, but timetables vary and a train is never guaranteed. Use official parking and arrive with enough time to walk to the viewpoints safely.
Find official visitor or campsite information for this area.
Arisaig, the Silver Sands of Morar and Mallaig
The Road to the Isles reaches pale beaches at Camusdarach, Arisaig and Morar, with island views in clear weather. Continue to Mallaig for its working harbour and ferry connections. Book coastal campsites and ferries well ahead during busy periods.
Find official visitor or campsite information for this area.
Isle of Skye
Skye deserves several days rather than a hurried lap. Highlights include the Old Man of Storr, the Quiraing, Portree and the Fairy Pools, with Neist Point another popular detour. Roads, parking and campsites fill quickly; reserve pitches and allow generous travel time.
Find official visitor or campsite information for this area.
Eilean Donan, Applecross and Torridon
From Skye or Kyle of Lochalsh, Eilean Donan is a natural route stop before the west coast. Applecross and Torridon offer memorable mountain and sea-loch scenery. Bealach na Bà is steep, narrow and demanding: check weather, road advice and vehicle suitability, and use the alternative coast road whenever that is the safer choice.
Find official visitor or campsite information for this area.
Ullapool, Assynt, Achmelvich and Kylesku
Ullapool is a useful place to refuel and restock before continuing through Assynt. Ardvreck Castle, Kylesku Bridge, Achmelvich Beach and the distinctive mountains and lochs make this one of the most scenic parts of the west coast.
Find official visitor or campsite information for this area.
Durness, Smoo Cave and the north coast
Durness brings together Smoo Cave, Sango Sands, Balnakeil, Ceannabeinne and wide views across the Kyle of Durness. Tours inside Smoo Cave depend on weather and water conditions. Use established paths, respect warning signs and keep well back from exposed cliff edges.
Find official visitor or campsite information for this area.
Dunnet Head, John o’ Groats and Wick
Travel east through the far north for Dunnet Head, John o’ Groats, Duncansby Stacks and Wick. Dunnet Head is mainland Britain’s most northerly point; John o’ Groats is the famous journey marker. Coastal weather can change quickly, so leave spare time in the itinerary.
Find official visitor or campsite information for this area.
Inverness, Loch Ness and the Black Isle
Inverness is the traditional start and finish for the North Coast 500. Nearby choices include Urquhart Castle on Loch Ness, Chanonry Point on the Black Isle and the prehistoric Clava Cairns. Combine popular sights with quieter stops and use proper overnight facilities.
Find official visitor or campsite information for this area.
Cairngorms and Aviemore
Aviemore is a strong base for Loch Morlich, Rothiemurchus Forest and the Cairngorm mountains. Conditions at height can be very different from the town. Follow local access advice, protect wildlife and use the National Park’s official campervan guidance.
Find official visitor or campsite information for this area.
Edinburgh and Glasgow
Scotland’s two largest cities can be added at the start or end of a longer journey. Edinburgh offers the castle, Old Town, Royal Mile and Arthur’s Seat; Glasgow adds museums, architecture, music and Kelvingrove. A campsite outside the centre with public transport is usually easier than driving a large motorhome into busy streets.
Find official visitor or campsite information for this area.
Useful campsite and route-planning links
- North Coast 500 official route
- VisitScotland caravan and camping directory
- Skye campsite information
- Applecross campsite information
- Discover Assynt campsite directory
- Inverness and Loch Ness campsite map
- Cairngorms campervan guidance
Take a motorhome to the Scottish islands by ferry
For Lewis, Harris, the Uists, Eriskay and Barra, use our Outer Hebrides motorhome ferry guide. It explains the mainland ferry routes, inter-island crossings, campsites and designated overnight guidance.
Find and book a legal overnight stop
Use our guide to motorhome campsites and lawful overnight stops and our campsite booking apps guide. Always confirm current opening dates, access, vehicle-length limits and arrival instructions directly with the site.
Choose a motorhome for your Scotland trip
Our pet-friendly motorhomes are available from Doncaster for UK and European travel, with breakdown cover included. View our motorhomes or contact Yorkshire Motorhome Rentals for help choosing the right vehicle.
Photograph credits and licences
- The Kelpies, Falkirk – Dave43251 mages – CC BY-SA 2.0 – source
- The Falkirk Wheel – Mike McBey – CC BY 2.0 – source
- The Falkirk Wheel – Ian S – CC BY-SA 2.0 – source
- Loch Lomond at Balmaha – Tony Webster from San Diego, California – CC BY 2.0 – source
- View towards Ben Lomond – Alan Reid – CC BY-SA 2.0 – source
- Loch Lomond at Balmaha – Thecheeseistalking99 – CC BY-SA 4.0 – source
- Loch Lomond at Balmaha – Chris Heaton – CC BY-SA 2.0 – source
- Conic Hill beside Loch Lomond – Peter S – CC BY-SA 2.0 – source
- Panoramic view of Glencoe – JavierOlivares – CC BY-SA 4.0 – source
- The Three Sisters of Glencoe – Marco Delnoij – CC BY-SA 4.0 – source
- The A82 through Glencoe – Saadtowheed – CC BY-SA 4.0 – source
- Winter in Glencoe – Alan O'Dowd – CC BY-SA 2.0 – source
- Buachaille Etive Mòr – Peter S – CC BY-SA 2.0 – source
- Ben Nevis from Corpach – Andy Stephenson – CC BY-SA 2.0 – source
- Old Inverlochy Castle – Peter_Glyn – CC0 – source
- Loch Linnhe at Fort William – Nigel Thompson – CC BY-SA 2.0 – source
- Loch Linnhe at Fort William – Chris Heaton – CC BY-SA 2.0 – source
- Ben Nevis and Fort William – Viewfinder at English Wikipedia – Public domain – source
- The Jacobite train crossing Glenfinnan Viaduct – de:Benutzer:Nicolas17 – CC BY-SA 2.5 – source
- Glenfinnan Monument and Loch Shiel – Robert Linsdell from St. Andrews, Canada – CC BY 2.0 – source
- Loch Shiel from Glenfinnan – Daniel Kraft – CC BY-SA 3.0 – source
- The Jacobite train crossing Glenfinnan Viaduct – Luca Schultz – CC BY 3.0 – source
- The Jacobite train crossing Glenfinnan Viaduct – Eric Kilby – CC BY-SA 4.0 – source
- Camusdarach Beach near Arisaig – Stuart Wilding – CC BY-SA 2.0 – source
- Silver Sands of Morar – Neil Aitkenhead – CC BY-SA 3.0 – source
- Morar Beach – Jennifer Jones – CC BY-SA 2.0 – source
- Mallaig harbour – Andrew Abbott – CC BY-SA 2.0 – source
- Loch Morar – Peter Moore – CC BY-SA 2.0 – source
- Old Man of Storr, Isle of Skye – Diliff – CC BY-SA 3.0 – source
- The Quiraing, Isle of Skye – Diliff – CC BY-SA 3.0 – source
- Portree harbour, Isle of Skye – הגמל התימני – CC BY-SA 4.0 – source
- The Fairy Pools, Isle of Skye – Balon Greyjoy – CC BY-SA 3.0 – source
- Old Man of Storr, Isle of Skye – rboed* – CC BY 2.0 – source
- Eilean Donan Castle – Eric Kilby – CC BY-SA 4.0 – source
- Torridon mountain and sea-loch scenery – Alan Reid – CC BY-SA 2.0 – source
- Eilean Donan Castle – Bigar – Public domain – source
- Eilean Donan Castle – Diliff – CC BY-SA 3.0 – source
- Eilean Donan Castle – Syxaxis Photography – CC BY-SA 4.0 – source
- Ullapool – Victuallers – CC BY-SA 4.0 – source
- Ullapool – Tom Law (deceased) – CC BY-SA 2.0 – source
- Ullapool – Carol Bleasdale – CC BY-SA 2.0 – source
- Ullapool – Jim Barton – CC BY-SA 2.0 – source
- Sango Sands, Durness – Clive Nicholson – CC BY-SA 2.0 – source
- Balnakeil Beach – Roger D Kidd – CC BY-SA 2.0 – source
- Ceannabeinne Beach – Paul Hermans – CC BY-SA 3.0 – source
- Kyle of Durness – Alan Reid – CC BY-SA 2.0 – source
- John o’ Groats – Leslie – CC BY-SA 2.0 – source
- Duncansby Stacks – Robert Linsdell from St. Andrews, Canada – CC BY 2.0 – source
- Wick harbour – Roger Davies – CC BY-SA 2.0 – source
- Dunnet Head lighthouse – Rob Faulkner from Leeds, United Kingdom – CC BY 2.0 – source
- Inverness and the River Ness – Dave Conner from Inverness, Scotland – CC BY 2.0 – source
- Urquhart Castle on Loch Ness – Lewis Clarke – CC BY-SA 2.0 – source
- Chanonry Point, Black Isle – Dave Conner from Inverness, Scotland – CC BY 2.0 – source
- Clava Cairns near Inverness – Dave Conner from Inverness, Scotland – CC BY 2.0 – source
- The Cairngorm mountains – Unsplash – CC BY-SA 3.0 – source
- Cairngorm scenery near Aviemore – Alan O'Dowd – CC BY-SA 2.0 – source
- Cairngorm scenery near Aviemore – John Ferguson – CC BY-SA 2.0 – source
- Cairngorm scenery near Aviemore – TXGemGem – CC BY-SA 4.0 – source
- Edinburgh Old Town – David Hillas – CC BY-SA 2.0 – source
- Edinburgh from Arthur’s Seat – James Richardson-Lewis – CC BY-SA 2.0 – source
- A performer on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile – fw42 from Germany – CC BY 2.0 – source
- Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Glasgow – LornaMCampbell – CC BY-SA 4.0 – source