Itinerary · Scotland
Scotland Highlands Van Road Trip: 10-day itinerary
Ruined castles, mysterious lochs and wild coastal roads
The Scottish Highlands are one of Europe's great road trips. The North Coast 500 (NC500) loops around the north of Scotland over 500 miles of coast, cliffs and lochs. By van, you can sleep by the lochs, but not just anywhere: Scotland's access rights do not cover vehicles, and some areas require a permit.
The route
Indicative route, in straight lines between the stops, in travel order.
View on Google Maps →The 10 stops
Good to know before you go
The real budget for 10 days
Budget about £1,920 to £2,530 for 10 days between April and September. This covers three things only: the rental, diesel and your nights (campsite or permit area). Food, restaurants and visits come on top (see below). Prices checked in October 2026.
- Van rental: £140 to £195 a day depending on the van and the month, so £1,400 to £1,950 for 10 days. A 4-berth VW campervan costs £140 a day in April and £170 in July and August (Open Road Scotland); a 2 to 4-berth motorhome, £135 to £195 a day (Scottish Tourer). Both include insurance.
- Diesel: about £2.00 a litre on average in the UK in early October 2026 (RAC). For about 1,500 km (this route, worked out stage by stage) at 9 to 11 litres per 100 km (our estimate for a van), that is 135 to 165 litres, so £270 to £330.
- Nights: £25 a night for a motorhome pitch with electric hook-up, for two (Bruce's Cave), so about £250 for 10 nights. A night at a Loch Lomond park permit area costs £4.50 (see below).
- Total: £1,920 to £2,530 (about €2,280 to €3,010 at £1 = €1.19, rate of 26 October 2026).
In October, rental drops (£150 a day at Open Road Scotland, £135 to £150 at Scottish Tourer). From November to March, Open Road Scotland charges £85 a day.
On top, depending on how you travel: food (cooking in the van costs far less than eating at the pub every night), visits (Edinburgh Castle, distilleries) and ferries if you head to the Hebrides. The Skye Bridge is toll-free.
Where to sleep in a campervan in Scotland
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).
Fewer or more than 10 days?
This itinerary is built for 10 days. If you have 5, 7 or 15, read our article Scotland campervan itinerary: 5, 7, 10 or 15 days: one itinerary per length, with distances, budget and ferries.
When to go
May to September. From June to August the midges (tiny biting flies) are out, especially in the evening when there is no wind: bring repellent, Smidge is the local brand. The weather changes fast: four seasons in one day is not a figure of speech.
Driving in the Highlands
Many roads in the north and on the islands are single-track, with passing places. The rule: whoever has the passing place on their side pulls in and lets the other through. Never park in one overnight. Allow plenty of time: these roads are slow.
Mistakes to avoid
- Rushing the Isle of Skye: give it at least 2 days.
- Reaching the Old Man of Storr after 9 am in summer: the crowds are there.
- Stopping at the NC500: if you have more time, the Outer Hebrides (Lewis, Harris) are even wilder.
- Only seeing Loch Ness at Drumnadrochit: that is where the coaches go. Stop somewhere quieter along the loch.
Updated 30 October 2026
When to go
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
Your questions
No. The right to wild camp applies on foot, with a tent: it does not cover motor vehicles. In a van you must follow the landowner's rules, and in parts of Loch Lomond National Park you need a permit from 1 March to 30 September.
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