Scotland
Scotland is a destination that every Nomad should put on his travel list. The country lends itself perfectly to travelling by camper van, car or motorbike and is a feast for the eyes at any time. This road trip is ideal for those unfamiliar with Scotland and eager to discover the land of whisky, Haggis, Highlands, Loch Ness and Rob Roy. The route starts in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne (accessible via England or by ferry from Amsterdam) and takes you past Scotland's capital Edinburgh to the beautiful Scottish Highlands, past Loch Ness through the sublime Glenn Coe Valley via Glasgow back to your starting point. This route really has it all: magnificent panoramas, natural parks, countless lochs, bays, sea views and typical Scottish villages and towns. In Scotland, there is plenty of room, so spending the night in a motorhome is never a problem. Outside the villages and cities, you can always find a place and the camp sites are super in terms of facilities.
Total distance of the route: 1039 km
To Edinburgh (186 km)
The Newcastle-Upon-Tyne route, as a transition between urban Newcastle and the Scottish lowlands, is quite pleasant. Just before the Scottish border you pass through Northumberland National Park, which is worth a longer stop if you have time. Once you cross the Scottish border, you head for Jedburgh, a small but cosy village. Time for a break! After Jedburgh, you can drive on to Edinburgh in one go, along undulating roads where your cornering skills will be put to the test for the first time (but certainly not the last). Once you arrive in Edinburgh, it is best to look for a motorhome site on the outskirts of the city. Driving into the city with a campervan is of little use, as there is hardly any space to comfortably park your campervan. By car or motorbike, there are more parking options in the city.
Edinburgh - Inverness (275 km)
From Edinburgh to beyond Perth, the route is uneventful. Once you leave the M90, however, the fun begins. Here, you will discover the Scottish soul for the first time: rolling countryside, rushing streams, old bridges over water and mystical villages. You're heading straight for the Cairngorms National Park, where the peaks are still covered in snow in the spring. You can also take a left turn after Perth, leaving the Cairngorms on your right. The left hand route along the A9 to Inverness is not so nice, unless you plan specific stops off the main road as there are some nice villages to visit. For example, a stop in Dalwhinnie is worthwhile if you want to visit a whisky distillery.
Our route leads to Balmoral, the country house of the English royal family. Balmoral is a lovely village and let's face it: taking a peek at where the British royal family spends their free time is interesting, isn't it? After the stop in Balmoral, you head through the Cairgorms towards Inverness. The landscapes here change frequently in a fascinating game of views. In the vicinity of Speybridge, you enter pure whisky territory with numerous distilleries such as Glenfiddich. After this area, the capital of the Highlands beckons: Inverness.
Inverness - Glen Coe (132 km)
Got kids on board? Then you can super motivate them for this trip because we drive along the world famous Loch Ness. After about ten kilometres outside Inverness, the lake emerges. You will follow it for a long time because the lake is about 50 km long. Along the road you will regularly pass souvenir shops and museums. Make sure to stop at the Loch Ness Centre & Exhibition in Drumnadrochit which combines both. At the end of Loch Ness, you drive into Fort Augustus, worth a stop. This is the place where the Caledonian Canal can be admired. This canal connects Inverness with Fort William and has no less than 29 locks and 10 bridges. Quite a nice place for a walk along the canal or a break in one of the pubs.
Next interesting stop is Fort William. This city has the nickname 'Outdoor Centre of the UK'. Outdoor enthusiasts will be in their element in Fort William. It lies at the foot of Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the UK. Fort William is also the departure point for the Jacobite Steam Train, which featured in several Harry Potter films. After Fort William, the journey to Glen Coe along Loch Lochy, Loch Eil and Loch Leven remains. In Glen Coe you will find Invercoe, a very beautiful campsite with a view of the lake.
Glen Coe - Loch Lomond (86 km)
Glen Coe is a breathtaking volcanic valley, perhaps one of the most beautiful places on this road trip in Scotland. It was also the setting for the James Bond film Skyfall. Caution: the road (A82) in the valley is quite narrow and overtaking is almost impossible with a campervan. In principle, you do not need the right mirror if you are not going to overtake, so folding it in can avoid disaster. Some time after Glen Coe, you enter the Trossachs National Park, with Loch Lomond at its centre. The park may be a place to stay for several days as there is a lot of natural beauty.
After Loch Lomond
Depending on your schedule and your remaining time in Scotland, you have 2 options. Either head for Glasgow for the return journey to Newcastle if you take the ferry back home, or south via London and the Channel Tunnel. Those with time to spare can take the route to Stirling and return south past Edinburgh. In Stirling you will find the Wallace Monument, a symbol of Scottish freedom in honour of William Wallace, a thirteenth-century freedom fighter.