Sandy Toes and Salty Kisses: Scotland’s Best Beaches in a Motorhome Rental

This heatwave of late has turned Scotland’s spectacular beaches into Caribbean-like settings with 30 degrees plus temps- except unlike the Caribbean, the days never end in Scotland! The best way to capture the summer sun and sand is in a motorhome, so you can just take all the comforts of home with you while the surf is just outside your doorstep.

Which Scotland beach will you explore in your motorhome or campervan hire this summer? We share our favourite seaside destinations…

Hushinish Beach, Isle of Lewis in a motorhome rental

Take your campervan rental down the 12-mile road and you will be rewarded with sweeping views of the Atlantic and the Sound of Scarp. Considered a rival to any tropical paradise, Hushinish is a hidden gem, so you just might have it all to yourself as you explore rock pools surrounded by a carpet of summer flowers. Visit the nearby castle and whaling station, or hike to other beaches across the moor. Add to all this a glamping experience in a motorhome hire and it’s our idea of beach heaven.

Rare wildlife and a remote setting for a motorhome beach holiday

Motorhome rental and Smerclate Beach, South Uist

Wildlife watchers and those who really want to get away from it all will love discovering Smerclate Beach in a motorhome rental. Silver ribbons of sugary sand and machair frame turquoise waters, and this time of year the flowers put on a fantastic display. Nearby Loch Druidibeg and Balranald Nature Reserves provide hours of fascinating bird watching, including the elusive corncrake. A remote beach, we love to load up on supplies and escape to Smerclate in a campervan hire, where we can feel like we are the only people in the world.

Saltcoats Beach, Ayrshire, family fun in the Scotland sun by motorhome rental

Saltcoats Beach, located a few miles north of Irvine, between Ardrossen and Saltcoats, is a favourite for families looking to escape summer in the city for paddle. The shallows go out for a long way, which is great for swimming with kids, and the fine sand is perfect for building sand castles. Walk the promenade to the harbour, where there are childrens’ rides and eateries. With plenty of facilities and stunning views over the Clyde and the Isle of Arran, Saltcoats Beach is a fantastic day out for the whole family. Load up the gang in a motorhome rental and live for the weekend at Saltcoats.

Sandy Toes and Salty Kisses: Scotland’s Best Beaches in a Motorhome Rental

Vanderlust: A Highlands and Islands of Scotland Adventure in a Campervan Hire: Day 7

It’s been a romantic week exploring the Highlands and Islands of Scotland in our campervan hire from Roseisle and we don’t want to go home. One week wasn’t enough to see everything so I would recommend at least two weeks. What a feeling of freedom we had on the open road- and with the luxurious touches of our campervan rental, we don’t miss our own house at all.

This morning we awoke to a cloudy sunrise in Oban, with views over the Firth of Lorn to go with our breakfast. We got an early start so we could drive on Edinburgh to return our campervan rental. The amazing team at Roseisle, especially Louise who checked us in, made sure we had everything we needed to make the most of our holiday all the way to the end.

We absolutely loved this Hymer Yosemite campervan rental. We were a bit nervous about moving up to a larger model this year, but found it easy to drive, park and get anywhere we wanted to go. The use of space in this campervan is magic- there’s a spot for everything yet we never felt really cramped, even in the washroom.

Campervan hire in a Hymercar Yosemite

We definitely recommend the Hymer Yosemite or a comparable size for the couple who wants to camp in style, yet still get around the Highlands of Scotland with ease. You could bring young children and still have room for everyone to sleep and eat. There is even a TV but we never turned it on the entire week- the views out our windows were too picturesque!

We love to wild camp, and this campervan hire was the ideal model for our travel style- thanks to Heather and Emanuel at Roseisle for helping us choose it. Even first time campers need not be nervous, because the friendly Roseisle team assisted us every step of the way, from choosing the campervan hire that was perfect for us, to taking us on a thorough tour of the vehicle, to an easy check out and check in process. And, as always, the campervan was immaculate and fully stocked, down to loo roll, a torch and road maps. All we had to do was show up with our luggage.

Glamping it in a campervan hire

This has been our best glamping experience in a campervan hire yet. For those who want to get the most out of a Scottish holiday, this really is the best way to go. It’s perfect for those of us who don’t fancy the idea of roughing it every night but still crave the outdoors. We love exploring hidden gems where there is nothing between us and Scotland’s world class land and seascapes!

To follow our travels and get more Scottish inspiration, visit us at www.imaginealba.com

Photo: Oban is a postcard perfect seaside town where the living is laid back and the views are amazing.

Vanderlust: A Highlands and Islands of Scotland Adventure in a Campervan Hire: Day 7

Vanderlust: A Highlands and Islands of Scotland Adventure in a Campervan Hire: Day 6

On this leg of our weeklong campervan hire adventure, we travelled from Achnahaird Beach in spectacular Wester Ross to charming Oban, the Seafood Capital of Scotland. From a beachy sunrise to spectacular waterfalls to a bayside sunset, we’ve seen some of the best of the Highlands of Scotland in just 24 hours.

Campervan Hire and Oban

Our destination for the night was Oban, our favourite seaside town in the West Highlands. Besides the hospitality, shopping and sunsets, Oban is famous for its fish and chips- best enjoyed al fresco while sitting on a bench on the esplanade.

As we drove toward Inverness and Loch Ness in our campervan rental, we saw several red kites flying overhead, with their distinctive tails. Always looking for new destinations on our routes, we stopped at Invermoriston. This small village is easy to overlook when travelling this route with so many glamorous attractions, such as Urquhart Castle and the Loch Ness Monster exhibition at Drumnadrochit, but this hidden gem is well worth a stop- and there wasn’t a crowd like at the more popular sites.

There is a picturesque Thomas Telford bridge spanning the river and the impressive waterfalls. The entire scene is incredibly charming and it’s well worth an hour or so walking the forest trails along the falls and over the bridge.

Fort Augustus in a Campervan Hire

Just down the road is delightful Fort Augustus, where the Caledonian Canal locks take boats into and out of Loch Ness. The town is built around the locks, and there are plenty of eateries and shops, including fuel. We took a walk along the canal esplanade while enjoying an ice cream and the views over the village and loch.

The drive between Fort Augustus and Oban in our campervan hire has to be one of the more beautiful in Scotland. No matter how many times we see Britain’s highest peak, Ben Nevis, it never fails to take our breath away. Even in early spring, the peak is covered in snow, and for those who like to ski, the powder is usually excellent all the way through April. Driving through Fort William and along the sea lochs is a treat as we head south to the “Wee Bay”- Oban- for the night.

We got into town just in time to take an Oban Walking Tour, which was a fun and informative stroll through this lovely seaside town. Our amazing guide told us about the history of Oban as well as some entertaining Celtic legends and stories about the town’s past. We worked up an appetite for fish and chips- enjoyed whilst sitting on the esplanade and watching the boats come in and out of the bay. A perfect ending to a perfect day of sightseeing in Scotland from our campervan hire!

Photo: The drive along Loch Ness is beautiful and exciting- you have to keep an eye out for Nessie!

Roseisle Campervan Hire

Vanderlust: A Highlands and Islands of Scotland Adventure in a Campervan Hire: Day 6

Vanderlust: A Highlands and Islands of Scotland Adventure in a Campervan Hire: Day 6

On this leg of our weeklong campervan hire adventure, we travelled from Achnahaird Beach in spectacular Wester Ross to charming Oban, the Seafood Capital of Scotland. From a beachy sunrise to spectacular waterfalls to a bayside sunset, we’ve seen some of the best of the Highlands of Scotland in just 24 hours.

Campervan Hire and Oban

Our destination for the night was Oban, our favourite seaside town in the West Highlands. Besides the hospitality, shopping and sunsets, Oban is famous for its fish and chips- best enjoyed al fresco while sitting on a bench on the esplanade.

As we drove toward Inverness and Loch Ness in our campervan rental, we saw several red kites flying overhead, with their distinctive tails. Always looking for new destinations on our routes, we stopped at Invermoriston. This small village is easy to overlook when travelling this route with so many glamorous attractions, such as Urquhart Castle and the Loch Ness Monster exhibition at Drumnadrochit, but this hidden gem is well worth a stop- and there wasn’t a crowd like at the more popular sites.

There is a picturesque Thomas Telford bridge spanning the river and the impressive waterfalls. The entire scene is incredibly charming and it’s well worth an hour or so walking the forest trails along the falls and over the bridge.

Fort Augustus in a Campervan Hire

Just down the road is delightful Fort Augustus, where the Caledonian Canal locks take boats into and out of Loch Ness. The town is built around the locks, and there are plenty of eateries and shops, including fuel. We took a walk along the canal esplanade while enjoying an ice cream and the views over the village and loch.

The drive between Fort Augustus and Oban in our campervan hire has to be one of the more beautiful in Scotland. No matter how many times we see Britain’s highest peak, Ben Nevis, it never fails to take our breath away. Even in early spring, the peak is covered in snow, and for those who like to ski, the powder is usually excellent all the way through April. Driving through Fort William and along the sea lochs is a treat as we head south to the “Wee Bay”- Oban- for the night.

We got into town just in time to take an Oban Walking Tour, which was a fun and informative stroll through this lovely seaside town. Our amazing guide told us about the history of Oban as well as some entertaining Celtic legends and stories about the town’s past. We worked up an appetite for fish and chips- enjoyed whilst sitting on the esplanade and watching the boats come in and out of the bay. A perfect ending to a perfect day of sightseeing in Scotland from our campervan hire!

Photo: The drive along Loch Ness is beautiful and exciting- you have to keep an eye out for Nessie!

Roseisle Campervan Hire

Vanderlust: A Highlands and Islands of Scotland Adventure in a Campervan Hire: Day 6

Vanderlust: A Highlands and Islands of Scotland Adventure in a Campervan Hire: Day 6

On this leg of our weeklong campervan hire adventure, we travelled from Achnahaird Beach in spectacular Wester Ross to charming Oban, the Seafood Capital of Scotland. From a beachy sunrise to spectacular waterfalls to a bayside sunset, we’ve seen some of the best of the Highlands of Scotland in just 24 hours.

Campervan Hire and Oban

Our destination for the night was Oban, our favourite seaside town in the West Highlands. Besides the hospitality, shopping and sunsets, Oban is famous for its fish and chips- best enjoyed al fresco while sitting on a bench on the esplanade.

As we drove toward Inverness and Loch Ness in our campervan rental, we saw several red kites flying overhead, with their distinctive tails. Always looking for new destinations on our routes, we stopped at Invermoriston. This small village is easy to overlook when travelling this route with so many glamorous attractions, such as Urquhart Castle and the Loch Ness Monster exhibition at Drumnadrochit, but this hidden gem is well worth a stop- and there wasn’t a crowd like at the more popular sites.

There is a picturesque Thomas Telford bridge spanning the river and the impressive waterfalls. The entire scene is incredibly charming and it’s well worth an hour or so walking the forest trails along the falls and over the bridge.

Fort Augustus in a Campervan Hire

Just down the road is delightful Fort Augustus, where the Caledonian Canal locks take boats into and out of Loch Ness. The town is built around the locks, and there are plenty of eateries and shops, including fuel. We took a walk along the canal esplanade while enjoying an ice cream and the views over the village and loch.

The drive between Fort Augustus and Oban in our campervan hire has to be one of the more beautiful in Scotland. No matter how many times we see Britain’s highest peak, Ben Nevis, it never fails to take our breath away. Even in early spring, the peak is covered in snow, and for those who like to ski, the powder is usually excellent all the way through April. Driving through Fort William and along the sea lochs is a treat as we head south to the “Wee Bay”- Oban- for the night.

We got into town just in time to take an Oban Walking Tour, which was a fun and informative stroll through this lovely seaside town. Our amazing guide told us about the history of Oban as well as some entertaining Celtic legends and stories about the town’s past. We worked up an appetite for fish and chips- enjoyed whilst sitting on the esplanade and watching the boats come in and out of the bay. A perfect ending to a perfect day of sightseeing in Scotland from our campervan hire!

Photo: The drive along Loch Ness is beautiful and exciting- you have to keep an eye out for Nessie!

Roseisle Campervan Hire

Vanderlust: A Highlands and Islands of Scotland Adventure in a Campervan Hire: Day 6