Outdoor Adventures in Scotland

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Scotland is the ideal destination for those who are fond of outdoor adventures. Scotland’s rugged coastline, forests, lochs, mountains and wild, open terrain make it one great big adventure playground. Our Land Rover campers and VW campervans are the perfect vehicles for a holiday packed full of outdoor adventures in Scotland. Pick up one of our campervans and you can head pretty much anywhere, to do pretty much any outdoor pursuit. We’ve put together a bit of information and advice on some of the most popular outdoor activities. If you need any advice on itineraries take a look at some of our suggested road trips or get in touch and we’ll be happy to advise.

Wildlife Watching in Scotland

Scotland, with its diverse landscapes and rich ecosystems is a must for wildlife enthusiasts. Our country’s unique blend of mountains, moors, and coastlines means there are an abundance of diverse species that thrive in its untamed habitats. Depending on where and when you choose to visit you will see many species of seabirds, osprey and eagles, red deer in the wild, otters, seals, dolphins or whales.

The picturesque Cairngorms National Park is a hotspot for birdwatching, and also home to the elusive mountain hare. RSPB nature reserves, such as Forsinard Flows in the Highlands and Loch Leven in Kinross, provide havens for birdwatchers. Rugged islands like the Isle of May attract nesting puffins each year. The western isles are a great place for spotting sea otters along their shores, along with dolphins, and whales in the coastal waters.

Mountain Biking in Scotland

Whether you are an experienced mountain biker or just want to ride for a couple of hours, Scotland has mountain biking routes and facilities for all abilities. There are hundreds of natural routes and wild biking trails accessible to mountain bikers throughout Scotland, as well as world class biking centres with a range of facilities and rides of different levels. You can find more information about mountain bike routes and centres on the Visit Scotland website or from the Foresty Commission who manage much of the land on which many of the trails can be found.

All our vans (except Duncan) can be fitted with bike racks (on request) which we provide free of charge. We can also recommend bike hire places nearby if you wanted to hire a bike for your holiday, rather than bring your own with you. Most of the major towns also have bike hire centres with bikes suitable for the terrain if you only wish to hire for a day or two.

Walking Holidays in Scotland

Scotland is beautiful to walk in and you don’t need to walk far or high to see some beautiful scenery. Just make sure you have good pair of walking shoes/trainers with you (they will get muddy/wet) or walking boots if you are aiming to bag a Munro or two.

 Scotland has many official long distance hiking routes through magnificent scenery, along coastal paths and taking in famous beauty spots; trails like the Rob Roy Way, West Highland Way, the Great Glen Way and the Southern Upland Way. For experienced hikers, there are also unmarked but established trails like the Cape Wrath Way and unofficial trails such as the challenging and ruggedly beautiful Skye Trail, or the 864km long Scottish National Trail. You don’t have to be an experienced hiker to sample some of the best of walking routes in Scotland, however. With a campervan you are free to park up and sample a section of a longer distance  hiking route, before returning to the comfort of your van at the end of the day. Walk Scotland and Walk Highlands will give you all the information you need for great routes across the whole country.

Wild Swimming in Scotland

If you are a fan of watery outdoor adventures you can pop a wet suit on and swim where you like. Or for the really adventurous (and hardy!) take a skinny dip in a loch if you are camping somewhere glorious and without neighbours.

There are a number of clubs and gatherings for wild swimmers if you’d like some company. However if you do head off for a natural dip without someone waiting on shore for you then do remember to leave a note on the dashboard saying what you are up to and what time you left….just in case you get into difficulties.

Watersports in Scotland

With our our many lochs, rivers and long coastline, Scotland is the perfect destination for lovers of watersports. You can choose from canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding, windsurfing, surfing, white water rafting, water skiing, wake boarding, sailing or simply swimming. Wild swimming is a popular sport as there are an abundance of quiet spots where you can have the water and the beautiful scenery to yourself.

Adrenaline sports and activities

For adrenaline junkies, or simply to tire the kids out for a bit, you can find a host of exciting activities available in all areas of Scotland. Scotland’s wild and rugged landscape is perfectly suited for gorge walking, canyoning, white water rafting and coasteering. Just over an hour from our base you can even have a go at bungee jumping with a 40m jump from the Garry Bridge.

Increasingly popular with big kids and little kids alike are tree top trails and zip wires, where you can get a view of the Scottish landscape like no other. Go Ape has centres at Aberfoyle, Crathes in Aberdeenshire and Glentress Forest. Zip Trek Park in Aviemore will give you a tree top view of the Cairngorms. Also in Aviemore is TreeZone for over 8’s. The company also has a site at Loch Lomond. Whilst the Craufurdland Estate has family friendly tree top trails, with one suitable for children as young as 5.

Surfing in Scotland

The northern most coast frequently hosts the National Surfing Contest in Thurso. There is also surfing on the West Coast especially off Tiree and Islay (wind surfing too) and on the East coast, Pease Bay. All areas and more offer surfing lessons and provide all the required kit.

Scotland’s waves are at their best in winter, and can hit 12 feet in Thurso, but the short days and temperatures mean that surfing in Scotland at this time is not for the faint hearted. September, October and November can see better weather and good swells so surfing in Scotland is becoming increasingly popular during these months. The best surfing in the Summer is usually found in the Hebrides but the best weather means its a great time to try surfing for the first time. Spring time can be hit and miss. Hiring a campervan is a great option for surfers, you have the independence and the wheels to head to wherever the waves are best.  For further information on surfing in Scotland try the Scottish Surfing Federation.

Snowsports Adventures

Scotland

Yes, it is possible to ski in Scotland….as long as it snows!!! The Glenshee slopes have a snow machine which means that unless it is pouring with rain, the slopes are open. From Edinburgh and Glasgow most people just call the slopes the night before, get up with the lark (in the dark) and head north to the area most likely to have a good covering. The Cairngorms, The Nevis Range, Glenshee and the Lecht are popular. You can hire everything you need when you get there as well as an instructor! On a sunny day when the mountains are snow covered you really couldn’t ski in more beautiful scenery.

Because the snow can be unpredictable in Scotland, if you want to ski here, hiring a campervan is a great choice. You don’t have to book into a resort in advance and risk disappointment. WIth a van, if you get lucky with the weather, you can just head up to the slopes, and if not, you have the freedom to head off somewhere else. As the five resorts are less than 100 miles apart, you can drive between them very easily. You can find out more about skiing in Scotland here.

Climbing in Scotland

Rock and ice climbing are incredibly popular oudoor adventures in Scotland. Many climbs are not accessible by road but you can certainly get closer with Wallace or one of the campervans. There is plenty of information about routes and there are many organisations that will manage and lead a climb. Mountaineering Scotland will offer advice on routes, courses and climbs. If you head up into the mountains then please leave a clear note on your dashboard stating your route and the time you left. This is to support the Mountain Rangers so they can keep tabs of who is on the mountains and can raise an alarm if they are concerned.

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