Touring Scotland in a Motorhome – The Best 7-Day Road Trip Itinerary
JuliaUpdated at: 21/01/2026
Reading time: 5 minutes
Scotland feels made for a motorhome adventure. Hills rise into mountains, and lochs catch the light like mirrors. Every turn tempts you to pull over. Touring Scotland in a motorhome, in our opinion, is the best way to experience the country. You pass old villages and quiet roads that seem made for slow travel. You’ll probably get some rain along the way. That’s just Scotland being Scotland. You can wake beside a loch, drive for an hour, and end up near a castle. Many of the people who book with us begin in Edinburgh, where we have a number of trusted rental partners on the city's outskirts. Others collect their camper in England and make the journey north for a highlands Scotland road trip, which may involve a small border registration fee. Wherever you end up starting, you won’t be far away from some amazing scenery.
What To Expect (And Some Tips)
May to September gives you the best motorhome weather in Scotland. The days are long, and the air stays mild. Pack layers though, because sunshine and rain often share the same hour.
Pick supplies before you head too far north and fill up with petrol while you can. Some areas of Scotland have nothing but sheep and scenery. Phone signal can be hard to get in some parts, so keep a paper map close just in case. The less you rush, the more Scotland gives back.
There are a lot of single-track roads in Scotland where only one vehicle can pass through. Luckily, they do have passing points, as you may need to use these, but you will get used to them.
A small campervan or panel van is the better option to drive in Scotland over a motorhome. This is especially true in the Highlands, where the roads can be narrow. Panel vans still come well equipped with as most have a shower and toilet.
The 7-Day Route – Scotland’s best road trip itinerary
We could have covered touring Scotland in a motorhome along the NC500, but that's been covered everywhere else. This is our idea of a Scotland road trip itinerary you can cover in 7 days.
Day 1 – Edinburgh to Pitlochry
The road out of Edinburgh sets the tone straight away. Cross the Queensferry Bridge and and you will be met with great views. Perthshire is green and calm with rivers that twist through forests.
Along the way, call at Dunkeld. Start with a coffee and a short wander through town. Then walk up to the old cathedral ruins and take in the view over the river.
Pitlochry is a popular place to stay on the first night of your Scotland road trip, as the drive isn’t too far from Edinburgh, and this allows you to get used to the van. There is a great distillery here that's worth visiting, or take a walk along the river.
Day 2 – Pitlochry to Cairngorms National Park
Start the day a bit slower, as this will be your first morning in your campervan/motorhome, and enjoy that first coffee before the day truly begins.
Carry on north past open fields and thick pine forest. Aviemore is good place to stop for lunch and they have a cool reindeer centre that’s worth a visit. You can take the mountain train if the weather looks clear. Loch Morlich, nearby, has a small beach that surprises everyone the first time they see it, making it worth visiting.
Day 3 – Cairngorms to Inverness
Follow the River Spey through whisky country. You’ll see signs for distilleries every few miles and each one claims to be the oldest. We recommend stopping at one to pick up a bottle for later that evening. Inverness sits at the edge of the Highlands with plenty of good pubs and riverside walks. You could always walk part of the Ness Islands path, which makes a gentle end to the day.
Day 4 – Inverness to Isle of Skye
The Isle of Skye is amazing but it can be very busy, especially with campervans, so you do really need to book ahead. The A87 might be the most scenic drive in Scotland. Cross the Kessock Bridge and follow the road west. Stop at Eilean Donan Castle for a few photos. When you reach the Skye Bridge, the landscape changes. Cliffs drop straight into the sea and the road feels made for adventure.
Day 5 – Exploring Skye
This is the day for no plans. Drive north to the Old Man of Storr or walk the Quiraing if the weather is good. The Fairy Pools are busy but still worth it for the colour of the water.
Day 6 – Skye to Glencoe
Return to the mainland through Fort William where Ben Nevis often hides behind clouds. If it clears, the view is huge. Glencoe comes next, and nothing prepares you for how dramatic it feels. Park up early and walk one of the shorter trails before sunset. The light in the valley changes by the minute.
Day 7 – Glencoe to Edinburgh
The road home still offers plenty to see. Drive past Loch Lomond, where calm water meets rolling hills. Stop in Stirling for lunch and visit the Kelpies near Falkirk for one last detour. You’ll reach Edinburgh feeling like you’ve crossed a whole country in a week.
How CamperDays Can Help
Touring Scotland in a motorhome is easy when you have help planning it. CamperDays works with trusted rental providers and helps you choose a motorhome that suits your trip. Our team knows Scotland well and makes pickup simple, especially around Edinburgh. Once you’ve booked, the rest of the adventure is up to you.
What comes next is the best part. The freedom, fresh air and the kind of scenery that never gets old. CamperDays handles the details so you can focus on your motorhome trips Scotland and the stories waiting to happen along the way.
Do you have any feedback on the article, questions about booking a motorhome, or are you looking for tips? Then feel free to write to us here. We will get back to you as soon as possible.
