Scotland by van
The Scottish Highlands are one of Europe's great road trips. The North Coast 500 (NC500) loops around the north of the country over 500 miles of coast and cliffs. Scotland's right to wild camp applies on foot, with a tent: in a van you sleep at campsites, at designated sites or with a permit in Loch Lomond National Park.
Our itineraries
Travelling in Scotland by van
On the road
Stops not to miss
Where to sleep
The rules for sleeping in a van
From the itinerary “Scotland Highlands Van Road Trip: 10-day itinerary” →Scotland is known for its right to wild camp, but it applies on foot, with a tent. Access rights do not include motor vehicles. Whether you can spend the night in a van depends on the land: if the owner restricts or regulates parking, you must follow it. NatureScot advises booking into campsites or managed sites when you can.
- Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park: from 1 March to 30 September, you need a permit in the camping management zones. For campervans: Firkin Point and Inveruglas (west shore of Loch Lomond), and the Three Lochs Forest Drive. A permit costs £4.50 per vehicle per night (£3 extra for the Three Lochs Forest Drive), 3 nights at most in the same place, bookable up to 4 weeks ahead on the park's website.
- Forestry and Land Scotland opens some of its car parks overnight all year round (fewer in winter) through its "Stay the Night" scheme: £10 a night, one night only from 6 pm to 10 am, no booking, for self-contained vans with their own toilet (checked 31/10/2026).
When to go
Scotland month by month
May to September
- Jan : Outside the best time
- Feb : Outside the best time
- Mar : Outside the best time
- Apr : Outside the best time
- May : Best time
- Jun : Best time
- Jul : Best time
- Aug : Best time
- Sep : Best time
- Oct : Outside the best time
- Nov : Outside the best time
- Dec : Outside the best time
Elsewhere
