Scotland is somewhere that we have wanted to visit for quite some time, and I think this may be my most favourite road trip in Otis to date. We planned the trip for May half term 2016 and were totally blessed with the most amazing scenery and beautiful weather.
We started off fairly early (for us!), but not before taking our standard Campervan selfie that we have to take before any road trip. Lame I know but it’s become a kind of tradition and I love looking back at the changing faces of Mr and Mrs S.
We hit the motorway feeling rather smug that we had managed to leave the house so early… but then had to turn around for…a forgotten coffee percolator. Yes thats right you did read that correctly. We turned around for a coffee percolator!! Mr S and his love for coffee……
After initially getting stuck on the motorway, the rest of the journey, although long – was plain sailing and we finally arrived at our first destination much later than planned (thanks to the coffee percalator.) Our friends greeted us with a large glass of wine and the journey was a distant memory. Our first stop was Inverness. We found a campsite just on the southern shore of the Beauty Firth, which was a beautiful location to start our road trip. The caravan and campsite was a lovely quiet, family friendly site, set in 20 acres of sheltered parkland and had panoramic views of the waters and mountains and hills beyond.
The campsite provided an ideal base to explore the beauty of Inverness and surrounding areas. The following morning we woke to beautiful sunshine and headed off to explore the area. We found some lovely walks around here, leaving behind the wonders of technology and throwing ourselves into outdoor living.
We explored the Falls of Foyers, a wonderful waterfall on the River Foyers, which feeds Loch Ness. There is a lovely cafe here which I can undoubtedly say has the best cake and coffee !!!
In the late afternoon we stumbled across a wonderful shingle beach in Dores. The little ones loved the spontaneous late stop-off collecting shells and pebbles. I think this evening was so memorable for us. The setting was breathtaking. The shingle beach was empty. Watching the girls enjoy running around the beach with their friends, at a time when you normally would be rushing them into the bath to then get ready for bed, is so memorable, and well… priceless. Sitting on a rug, looking out at the breathtaking scenery – listening to their laughter was enough to put a smile on anyone’s faces. Family time is so precious.
Day 1 was definitely what you would call a success. Dores was a lovely little gem of a find. That is the thing with Scotland, you can’t help but take a lot of spontaneous photo stops, as you head on your journey. I lost count of the times I squealed at MrS to stop or turn around, as we passed stunning scenery to photograph, spotted little coves, and stumbled upon beautiful shores to explore.
The other thing I need to mention is the roads! There is very little traffic, and that makes for a pleasant road trip. After a busy day we headed back to our base to cook up a storm on the camping stove, and enjoy a glass of wine while the kids ran around in their onesies, enjoying the campsite and their newfound freedom and relaxed routine.
The following day we headed to Whin Park, Inverness which has lovely facilities for children with an excellent play park and a boating pond where we hired rowing and paddle boats out with our friends, and enjoyed ice-cream and coffee.
We then headed towards Nairn where we found a marvellous sandy beach which had beautiful views across the Moray Firth. This offered another evening of building sandcastles, enjoying the freedom of having little routine and no plans or to-do lists, (or set bed time for the kids!)
With a van full of sand, we returned back to our base to eat and get some rest before leaving Loch Ness and moving on to our next destination.
We had a wonderful and memorable start to our road trip and had already fallen in love with its beauty. We couldn’t wait to hit the road and find out what else Scotland had to offer.
**Please note this road trip was paid for by myself and I have reviewed the attractions with no benefit to myself**
Our fabulous friends are happy for us to share the photographs that they feature in.
Oh I am sad that we missed the Foyers waterfall and cafe when we were at Loch Ness. Will have to go back! What a lovely trip, these are such beautiful pics. We loved hiring a camper – I am really missing our caravan/campervan now. Looking forward to following more of yours.
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Thanks so much Penny, it was such a wonderful road trip! We would return in a flash! We absolutely love our camper it has already created so many wonderful memories so far. xx
We’re thinking of possibly doing a Scotland road trip this summer – it’s great to see your pictures and read about the trip. Dont’ blame you for going back to fetch the percolator. It’s important to have home comforts on the road! #MondayEscapes
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Nell you really should do a road trip it was amazing and we visited so many beautiful breathtaking places!! I am looking forward to following your adventures this year 🙂 xx
The waterfalls look so beautiful and the views are amazing. We did a tiny bit of Scotland and Loch Lomond a few months ago and you’re so right, you have to keep stopping to admire the views. I’m hoping to go back at Easter now. I’ve wanted to do a Scotland road trip for so long that I’m definitely going to come back and read more about yours 🙂
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We are visiting in Easter too! Let’s hope we have some sunshine !!! I’m sure it will be beautiful whatever the weather! Look forward to reading about your adventures! Thanks for stopping by xx
nice photos! #mondayescapes
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Thank you that’s so kind! It’s a beautiful place… so easy to photograph.:)
Looks like a lovely area to road trip through! #MondayEscapes
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Thanks so much it was so lovely ! Xx
My Dad was Scottish and May half term was when we would go up visiting family. I always remember having the best weather then and some wonderful times, looks like you had that same luck. #MondayEscapes
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We are travelling in Easter this year I’m wondering if we need our rain coats 🙂 even in the rain I imagine it is just as beautiful! 🙂
We are off up to Scotland this May half term, so I hope we get good weather like you did! We are going away in a campervan for the weekend in March (first time!) and I’m really looking forward to it. I’m going to catch up on some more of your posts about campervan holidays. #mondayescapes
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The campsite said that May half term is very often lovely so fingers crossed you have he weather ! I will look forward to following your adventures xx
Oooh, hiring a campervan and doing a road trip in Scotland will definitely have to go on our bucket list. This looks fabulous! Although we’ve stayed in so many hotels and rental apartments during our 10 months in SEA we haven’t gone camping with our toddler yet. Maybe we should try a weekend first 😉 #MondayEscapes
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Our first ever camping trip with my eldest was in abersoch for a weekend, my middle girl’s first experience at camping was a festival! Such happy memories! I hope you get to sample it with your little one – thanks for stopping by xx
Scotland is so beautiful…and you managed to get sun. That is a rare thing haha. A Scotland roadtrip is on our to do list too #MondayEscapes
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We can’t wait to visit the east coast this year ! I absolutely fell in love with it ! Hoping the weather is good again! Xx
Scotland is just breathtaking isn’t it? We visited in October and could not get over the scenery, I would love to do a road trip. Thanks so much for linking up #MondayEscapes
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Sarah it really is!! I had heard such wonderful things about Scotland but I have to say I fell in love with it ! We are planning to visit the east coast this year and I’m hoping we are lucky with the weather again! Xxx
Scotland is so beautiful! I love reading about its many places since I keep discovering new spots I would love to visit. Like you, I would like to road trip or camp around the area. #MondayEscapes
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Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting! It is beautiful, we are planning to road trip around the east coast this year – very excited 🙂
Those views are simply stunning! We’re looking forward to heading to Scotland ourselves soon – if we can find somewhere large enough for the ten of our kids we travel with!
Oh, and #mondayescapes!
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I will look forward to reading all about your adventures !! It is so beautiful ! I hope you find a tent big enough for everyone 🙂 🙂
Wow you really did have amazing weather. I think you might need to buy a coffee machine to keep in the camper van!! Stunning views and photos. #MondayEscapes
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Karen that is on my list for this year – to buy a coffee machine 🙂 🙂 ! Weather was amazing – thanks for the lovely comment xx
Absolutely stunning photos Katy! My parents have a campervan and we use it quite regularly. Not been up to Scotland yet, although very tempted after reading about your road trip!
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Thank you so much! We were so lucky with the weather- it is such a beautiful place you really should visit!! 🙂
We took Tin Box up to Scotland for a short trip a few years ago. The roads are amazingly quiet, right? And the landscape is epic. We’d definitely like to return to soak up more of Scotland’s landscapes and coastline #MondayEscapes
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Claire the roads were so quiet !! It was lovely – We have talked about returning again this year – not enough school holidays in the year for all these camping trips 🙂 xx
This looks like a great road trip. We love Scotland and your campsite looks like it was in a great location. #mondayescapes
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Thankyou so much we had such a wonderful time ! Thanks for stopping by xx