To go on holiday in a campervan in Scotland in October?

[letspartytomorrow]

We can never afford it in the summer and have found a good deal. I get that it will be slightly colder and dark at 5 pm. But that means we can have camp fires at a reasonable time for the kids! AIBU? Will it be terrible?

Thank you for all the replies. This time last year we camped with our 2 DS (3 months and 5) and it did get quite cold at night.

We have a dog so are out and about anyway, if we were looking for a place to stay it looked too expensive.

I wanted to go to the waterfall near Aberfole (so trossachs).

The campervan in question has a toilet and shower - we are used to camping in a 6 person tent, so more luxurious this time.

Tell us you don't live in Scotland without telling us.

It's not full on winter in October. It's autumn.

October in the highlands last October was mild and lovely when we went for a family holiday. We met friends who were touring in a camper van having the best time. Scottish weather can be unpredictable but we're not living in the depths of winter in mid October...be prepared for everything!

Ah so a motorhome, not a campervan. You’ll be fine. We in a VW campervan with no shower or toilet and it’s fine.

I live in Scotland and it's definitely not full on winter in October, even in the highlands!

It's cooler obviously and can get rain but it really depends on what your plans are when your visiting. Autumn is my favourite season. Beautiful trees changing colour, cool but crisp mornings with early morning sun along with cosy evenings. What's not to love!

I live in the Highlands so I am very familiar with the weather, thank you.

Yes we are still waiting on the so called heatwave which has not as yet appeared!!

I swam in Tobermory for around 20 minutes skins on New Year’s Day.

it’s October it may rain, it may be windy. Or it may be sunny and beautiful. But it is Scotland and if you know you can get a warm shower have a decent duvet in the van and keep warm. It will be beautiful with awesome walks and good food. I’d do it.

@BellaAndDave I didn’t say it definitely would be, I said most likely would be wet, cold etc. To be fair, I was presuming when they mentioned children they were referring to the English school holiday towards the end of the month of October.

( I’m in my sixties and have lived in Scotland all my life and honestly remember mostly dreich miserable grey days mid- end October.)

Name change fail? I was replying to HarpieDuJour. Many others have echoed what I said.
Not even all of the Highlands are "full on winter" in October. Pitlochry, as an example, certainly isn't.

I've slept in a campervan when it was snowing enough to collapse the pop top and let's just say I'm lucky I'm really skinny

the cold part won't be a problem overnight, especially if there's a family of you in there, you'll be toasty. If you're reliant on kids sleeping in the pop top then remember sometimes wind can be enough reason for you not to be able to use it.

Full-on winter with driving rain and limited visibility? WTF? Where I am it's 14-15 degrees every day at the moment and forecast to stay so for the next week and a bit. Some showers as usual and a bit breezy, going dark around 6.30. I didn't bother with a jacket when I walked to the shops this afternoon.

Winter my arse, it's Scotland not Greenland 😂The absolute pish you read on here

Scotland in Autumn is spectacular.

Lots of attractions put on events for the Tattie (October) holidays. Lots of places have pumpkin picking and Halloween activities (not just one day).

If you are going to the Trossachs then Blair Drummond Safari Park is great. Or Highland Wildlife park if going to the Highlands.

Yes it might be wet but it could be wet anywhere in Britain.

We even have all the things other parts of Britain have when it rains, swimming pool, ice skating, curling, bowling, cinemas.

It’s not actually the dark ages up here. We don’t hibernate for the winter.

Nothing better than a camp fire on the beach.

Scotland can have four seasons in one day but as long as you are prepared and embrace it then you will enjoy it what ever the weather.

I’ve camper vanned in the Cairngorms in October. It was beautiful, but we had a dry week.

It will be ok. Take wellies and blankets. Enjoy!

Scotland in October is fabulous if you are prepared for the worst weather, possibly chilly and wet as every bit of sunshine/warmth will be appreciated. This time of year is devoid of mosquitoes... and tourists at the most popular attractions. April/May Sept/ October best times to go IMHO. We go every year. Wellies, fleece tops, waterproof trousers and woolly hats essential.

It’ll be fine. I spend a fair bit of time attending various events in a campervan around Scotland and plenty of camp sites are still open and will remain so to accommodate all the other people who travel about for events and October holidays.
The weather will vary, just be prepared for the cold. I’ve been out and about across Scotland in the past week and it’s been freezing up north and humid close to the west coast/central belt I’ve been.

Totally reasonable

I live (and camp) in Scotland. It's not winter in October. You may encounter rain, cold and wind, or you may get sunny days and crisp mornings.

Any camper van I've stayed in (and I own one, and have rented in the past) has heating. Often the van is warmer than my house.

And there are plenty of campsites and attractions open in October. We often take the camper van away in December or January! Some sites are open year-round.

Quite.

Half the time in October I'm still sat in a teeshirt with the windows wide open. This is mumsnet though, where it's normal to have the heating on full blast in July because the room temp dropped below 22.

"Winter". Jeezy peeps. 😂

I wouldn’t do it. I’d save that money & put it towards a sunnier holiday next year. There’s a danger it will be horrible & a waste of money.

We have a small camper van and have been away October half term a few times (we’re in Scotland). You generally need to sit inside in the evening we find, but it sounds like yours is big enough for that. We have woken to frost a few times but if you’ve got enough bedding with you and cosy games etc for indoors it’s fine. Generally daytime temps are fine for out and about - the trossachs are beautiful in autumn. October in that area can often be dry and bright.

And most seasonal places don’t close till after the October week.

Jings, well seeing most of the folk on here won't be getting a job with the Scottish tourism board anytime soon.

I live in Scotland OP and October is my favourite month. Absolutely beautiful with the autumn colours. You know you're not signing up for a holiday in the tropics but the weather is generally fine and in October there will be some really lovely fresh crisp days. I say go for it and have a ball. PM if you want any tips on places to visit.

I've booked it,thanks for all the reassurances. We're based in Edinburgh. I don't want to travel too far maybe 1.5 hrs the first day stay a few nights, then move on to another place. Hopefully 3 - 4 hour journey back at the end. Any recommendations welcome.