Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

First motorhome Road trip - driving to Scotland

44 replies

NotSoLittleGoatGruff · 13/05/2019 14:33

We have booked a motorhome for 5 days in a couple of weeks time and, weather depending, we would either drive to Scotland (if not, Cornwall).

We have young kids, all under 4 and this will be our very first road trip. I am buzzing with excitement as I have always dreamed of road trips with the family.

Can anyone suggest any beautiful sites we should consider in Scotland? And what do people do, do they stop for a night or two in one place and then move on to the next?

I am after:

  • In the middle of nature, right by a spring ideally (or lake), next to a forest and would love it if they allow a fire/have fire pits
  • It would be nice if there was an animal farm within walking distance to keep the kids entertained but obviously not a must

Apart from the obvious groceries, wellies and warm clothing what else should we take with us? Someone mentioned a door mat, anything else?

I would really appreciate any recommendations you might have?

OP posts:
babysharkah · 13/05/2019 15:30

How many under 4's do you have? It could be hard work! What's the configuration/ where do their seats go in relation to you?

FadedRed · 13/05/2019 15:38

How many children? Have you checked there are enough seats with belts - not all campervans have seatbelts in the rear seats.
Where are you starting from? Scotland or Cornwall in just five days will be involve very long drives, not ideal with very small children.
If

Original poster
NotSoLittleGoatGruff · 13/05/2019 15:39

It is a 6 berth motorhome. I will be seating with them at the back, opposite each other from what I recall.

OP posts:

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Cars & vehicles Holidays
Original poster
NotSoLittleGoatGruff · 13/05/2019 15:40

It is a brand new fully equipped campervan with seat belts on all seats, etc

OP posts:
Original poster
NotSoLittleGoatGruff · 13/05/2019 15:41

Driving from Greater London

OP posts:
couchplato · 13/05/2019 15:43

You need to track down and watch some otters and seals!
Hopefully somebody can recommend the best place.

LordProfFekkoThePenguinPhD · 13/05/2019 15:48

The 500 route? maybe that’s a bit far. You have to find a nice beach.

MissPinkCakeyBun · 13/05/2019 15:48

My recommendations
Quadruple check every drawer and door is closed and locked before you drive off
Consider how you are going to stop them escaping the camper ( a problem a friend had)
Be aware that a lot of campsites have limited hours for running generators so if u don't run them u have very limited power unless you have a hook up
Take photos of everything outside and inside if your renting as it helps when you return if there are any issues with damage etc.
Enjoy every single minute of it as it will be brilliant fun and we have had the best fun with camper vans

BlackPrism · 13/05/2019 15:52

5 days altogether doesn't seem much if you need to get all the way to, and into, Scotland and back - you'll only have 3 days there!

RunningWild12 · 13/05/2019 15:53

Does the company you are hiring from give you camping and caravan club membership and caravan club memebership? Easiest way to check out campsites.
I would say don’t come to Scotland, not for 5 days. It’s too long a haul from London for 5 days. You don’t want to be driving all the time. As a motor homer of 15 years I’d suggest that for 5 days you want one place. 2 at the most. Do not underestimate how much faff there will be in tidying everything up to move on! (And there’s only me and DP in our motorhome, no children!)
One of the best things about having a motorhome is deciding where to go near the last minute depending on where the weather is best.
We had a lovely time in campsite in Southwold last year. Stayed a week as the weather was glorious. Not a fancy site, owned by th council, but right by the beach, walkable into the town, nice traditional English seaside holiday. I know you didn’t say seaside...New Forest?
Anyway. You can google sites. I would honestly consider somewhere closer to you than Scotland! (Dorset is lovely)

MissPinkCakeyBun · 13/05/2019 15:53

Oh and you need to book places to stay as you can't just stop in lay-byes etc. You need to source campsites that take motorhomes. Do you need to go as far as Cornwall? Dorset and Devon are fabulous way this time of year and this will also give you longer to explore as motorhomes are significantly slower than cars so take into consideration how far you want to travel /drive at 65mph before you swap the driving. If your not used to driving larger vehicles it's a fair bit more tiring too, so think about how far you can go each day if only one is driving at

LordProfFekkoThePenguinPhD · 13/05/2019 15:54

I thought you could on Scotland? Different laws to England and all that.

IHeartKingThistle · 13/05/2019 15:56

We did 9 days in a camper round Scotland with older DC and it was amazing but the journey up from Surrey was so long. Wouldn't have wanted to go for less time tbh

peoplearepeople · 13/05/2019 15:56

I can't advise on Cornwall but I do live in Scotland and could suggest some great places if that's where you decide to go.
Is there any chance at all of you having the motorhome for an extra couple of days? Realistically you are looking at a days travel to Scotland and another day back again. You would probably be spending far more time than you initially anticipated just driving around with the children potentially being very bored and you very tired. Smile
What kind of things do you like doing as a family. Are you outdoorsy people that enjoy walking etc or do you just want some nice scenic spots? Will the children like/appreciate seeing wildlife?
Also worth bearing in mind that a lot of the uk is not set up that well for large motorhomes in my experience. Quite often you'll end up having to park quite far from the destination you want to go to as there's no parking available for large motorhomes, so it serves well to really plan in advance where you are going.

MissPinkCakeyBun · 13/05/2019 15:57

"Wild camping" in all its forms in Scotland?
It's tolerated but not legal....great website has this interesting article www.google.co.uk/amp/s/wildaboutscotland.com/2014/11/30/wild-camping-in-scotland-camper-vans-and-motorhomes/amp/

Yogagirl123 · 13/05/2019 15:59

Book any sites you are considering ASAP. The good ones get booked up way in advance.

user1494670108 · 13/05/2019 16:03

We're doing similar but collecting the campervan from Glasgow.
We've just booked our sites and found pitchup.com v good. We're taking the first evenings dinner and our first campsite includes breakfast. We're moving around a fair bit bit are taking older children so they should be ok

babysharkah · 13/05/2019 16:05

Don't want to be picky but 6 berth doesn't necessarily mean 6 road safe driving positions, have you checked that out?

BrownEnvelopeWoman · 13/05/2019 16:05

I think you are a little over optimistic with your ambitions for 5 nights. With a vehicle full of kids it will take you an overnight to get up there and an overnight to get back, if you want to go to the Highlands.
TheHigh Range campsite at Aviemore is lovely and you could take them up Cairngorm on the funicular, have a walk around Loch Morlich and go to the Highland Wildlife Park nearby which is brilliant for those with an RV or camper as the car park is right in the middle of the zoo so very convenient for making lunch etc. There is also a drive through section which is very interesting.

BrownEnvelopeWoman · 13/05/2019 16:08

An alternative for this first trip would be along to Longleat for a couple of nights at the on-site campsite for the house, gardens and safari park. Then down to Wareham Forest Tourist Park for a couple of nights for Monkey World and walks on the beach at Studland and Swanage, then back up to London.

I'd save Scotland for a longer trip.

Hiddenaspie1973 · 13/05/2019 16:25

We did a week in Scotland. Went from beds to the highlands pulling a 4 berth tourer.
It took AGES.
We were ecstatic at Glasgow.....until we realised 5 more hours to go.
Loche linnhe was the site, near Fort William. Brilliant. We did loch ness and the chair lift to the top of the mountain.

chemenger · 13/05/2019 16:29

Travel sickness pills! I have never felt so travel sick in a road vehicle than when we hired an RV in California.

LizzieMacQueen · 13/05/2019 16:41

There's a great campsite on a beach in south Scotland, west coast, I'll see if I can find details.

Might be all booked up though.

LizzieMacQueen · 13/05/2019 17:19

It's Mossyard near Gatehouse of Fleet.

The Cream O Galloway is worth a visit with little kids.

Original poster
NotSoLittleGoatGruff · 13/05/2019 17:35

We have obviously made sure that seating and seat belts are appropriate and that they can accommodate carseats. The children are 4 and 3 years old.
I understand why I have been too optimistic targeting Scotland. It is disappointing to realise that the we can't fit Scotland into this break. I have lived in the UK for a number of years and to my shame have not visited Scotland yet.
Thank you for suggesting travel sickness pills, the little one suffers terribly with it, I have on my list to research what could help him.
Yes, we have also considered Longleat, I have been there in my other life, the one before kids, can you drive through with the caravan or do you park and walk? Blush

I am quite outdoorsy, my dh not so much, but regardless we wanted this to be about nature and wildlife and trying to disconnect the kids from all the rubbish in the city and bring them really close to nature. I hope it makes sense

OP posts:
Swipe left for the next trending thread