RV Rental Scotland, United Kingdom

Scotland, UK RV Rentals

Scotland is one of the most historically rich and topographically diverse countries in all of Europe. Lying just north of England, it has some of the most stunning vistas you can possibly imagine. With more than 7,300 miles of coastline, lush rural lowlands, and rugged mountainous highlands, its scenery is awe-inspiring.

What’s more, the Scottish people are a welcoming and vibrant population that makes the country even more enticing. An RV road trip is one of the best ways to see this large and diverse nation. RV rentals in Scotland are abundant and easy to come by.

Choose from a smaller, more maneuverable caravan or a large, luxury motorhome. Either way, it’s one of the most comfortable and economical ways to see all that Scotland has to offer. Whether you plan to stay for two weeks or two months, it will never feel like enough time.

To help make planning your trip easier, we’ve put together some of Scotland’s top-rated attractions and events for you. Check out some of our itinerary suggestions and get started planning what we’re sure will be the vacation of a lifetime. 

Popular RV Destinations in Scotland

Edinburgh Castle

With so many amazing castles in Scotland, you could plan your entire itinerary around seeing all of them. If you could only visit one (which would be tragic), we recommend the world famous and iconic Edinburgh Castle. It’s complex and checkered history, as well as its rugged architecture make it Scotland’s top paid-for tourist attraction.

St. Margaret’s Chapel is the oldest portion of the castle, dating back to the 12th century. The castle’s Great Hall was built in 1510 by King James IV and the Half Moon Battery was completed in the late 16th century. The Scottish National War Memorial is one of the newest structures, being built after World War I.

One of the biggest draws of the castle is that it’s home to the Honours, the crown jewels of Scotland. See the breathtaking Stone of Destiny. You can also check out the famous guns, Mons Meg, and the One O’Clock Gun during your tour.

You can enjoy a personally guided tour of the castle, or try the audio tour, which is available in eight languages. There’s also a free Braille guide and texts for the hearing impaired.

The Royal Yacht Britannia

The Royal Yacht Britannia has won plenty of Travelers’ Choice awards, and is another must-see that should be at the top of your list. This remarkable ship has hosted the British Royal Family for more than 40 years, as well as welcoming countless famous celebrities and guests. It’s currently berthed in Leith, Edinburgh.

Be warmly welcomed at the visitor center to learn the history of Royal Yachts and see historical photographs and displays. They offer an audio handset tour that’s available in an astounding 30 languages. The tour covers the whole of the ship’s five main decks.

Start at the vessel’s bridge, tour the Royal apartments, the crew’s quarters, and the engine room. Enjoy fresh and vibrant views in the Royal Deck Tea Room. You can even sample some properly made teas, coffees, scones, soups, and sandwiches, all prepared on board.

The Falkirk Wheel

The Falkirk Wheel, one of Scotland’s top free attractions, is a feat of engineering. It connects the Forth & Clyde Canal and the Union Canal, allowing coast to coast navigation through central Scotland.

This unique structure stands 115 feet tall and attracts more than 500,000 visitors per year. It’s powered simply and ingeniously by eight domestic kettles. Stop by the visitor center during your trip and enjoy a hot drink and a scone as you watch this novel wheel turn.

For those who prefer to get up close and personal, you can take a one-hour boat trip yourself. The trip gives you the one-of-a-kind experience of seeing the 360-degree views from inside the wheel. Keep your eyes peeled, on a clear day, you can see the Kelpies.

Loch Ness

Speaking of Kelpies, you’ll want to plan a trip to Loch Ness, obviously. The famous home of the Loch Ness monster boasts some of the most serene and gorgeous views that Scotland is so famous for. This beautiful lake, located near Inverness, contains more water than all the lakes in England and Wales combined. 

Shrouded in mystery, Loch Ness has been a hub of rumours and conspiracy theories as far back as 1933, when the first photograph of the famed Loch Ness monster surfaced. Since then, it has boasted over 1,000 eye-witness sightings and accounts of Nessie. However, scientists continue to fail to come up with any concrete evidence.

During your visit, be sure to explore the eerie ruins of the 1,000-year-old Urquhart Castle. Hike or bike the well-maintained and scenic Loch Ness 360 Trail. Also be sure to check out the ancient Boleskine Graveyard.

A stop at the quaint village of Drumnadrochit is highly recommended for rounding out your trip to Loch Ness. Here you can get a hot meal and a cold pint and soak in some of the history of this interesting region.

St. Giles’ Cathedral

Also known as the High Kirk of Edinburgh, St. Giles’ Cathedral is a magnificent parish church of the Church of Scotland. Located in Edinburgh, construction was initially begun on the church during the 14th century. Construction of the building actually continued all the way into the early 16th century, making it one of Scotland’s longest architectural undertakings.

Major renovations and additions to the church were undergone in the 19th and 20th centuries and include the addition of the Thistle Chapel. The church switched from Catholic to Protestant in 1559, under the management of the famous John Knox. He served as the church’s minister and Scotland’s foremost figure during the Scottish Reformation. 

The patchwork history of the church also has it serving as a prison and a meeting place for the Scottish Parliament throughout the centuries. You can take a guided walking tour, guided roof-top tour, and even attend church services to fully experience this amazing cathedral.

National Museum of Scotland

In the heart of Edinburgh, the National Museum of Scotland is a cornucopia of ancient artefacts and historical pieces. It’s also one of the most visited Museums in the UK. This vast building offers amazing permanent and temporary exhibits that will entertain and educate you.

Discover all you ever wanted to know and then some about the fascinating history of Scotland. Learn about its numerous and varied wonders of nature. Explore Scottish art, design, science, and technology.

There are a number of interactive displays, such as the Imagine, Explore and Adventure Planet galleries that kids love. As an added bonus, admission to this diverse and all-encompassing museum is currently free. 

Events and Entertainment in Scotland

Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival

With more than 50 working whisky distilleries in the northern town of Speyside is the biggest whisky producing region all of Scotland. To honor this much-loved spirit, Speyside has been hosting its annual Whisky Festival since 1999. The festival usually takes place in the Spring when the weather is getting drier and balmier.

The festival features over 500 whisky-themed events over the course of its five-day duration. It’s a whisky connoisseur’s dream and an excellent venue for novices to learn all about the art of making great whisky. The festival’s events take place throughout the town of Speyside.

It’s a fun and light-hearted way to tour the town. Events happen in new and older distilleries, quaint village halls, historic castles, outdoor venues, and of course, in local whisky bars. Visitors from more than 50 countries receive exceptionally warm welcomes from the locals.

Beltane Fire Festival

Every year, on the day before May Day, the Beltane Fire Festival helps revelers usher in the long-awaited summer. The festival was founded over 30 years ago as a modern homage to the ancient Celtic celebrations that are such a rich part of Scotland’s history. This well-attended event is almost completely run by volunteers.

At this primal event, you’ll not only see a lot of fire (hence the festival’s name), but you’ll also witness plenty of elaborate costumes, body paint, acrobats, and scantily clad performers. Lit by torchlight, the whole event exudes an ethereal, ritualistic vibe. There’s also the story of the May Queen and the Green Man, the goddess and god whose reunion kicks off summer.

The festival takes place at the top of Calton Hill, in the center of Edinburgh. The National Monument becomes a stage upon which the first fire is lit and the May Queen greets the audience. In true Celtic fashion, the festival begins at sundown and lasts all night long.

Islay Festival

Held the final week of May each year for more than 30 years, the Islay Festival is the Island of the same name’s largest and most exciting event. The Calmac ferries bring thousands of visitors to this welcoming and scenic spot each year to celebrate malt and music. Plan to buy your tickets and book your events in advance, as many of them sell out well before the actual festival.

The island boasts nine operational distilleries, which all offer tours and tastings throughout the week. Other fun happenings include endless music from talented national and local bands, singers, and musicians, as well as plenty of games and contests. There’s an abundance of food tastings, from barbecue to traditional Scottish fare.

Enjoy boat trips around the bay while sampling various whiskies and beer. Stroll through the town exploring the vast array of food stalls, arts and crafts vendors, the Botanist Gin tent, and more. You’ll be hard-pressed to sample all of the amazing offerings found at this lively event.

Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival

The Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival was founded in 2004 and has become the UK’s most popular summer music festival. Held on the scenie Belladrum Estate south of Inverness, this music festival usually takes place at the start of August. The festival has a capacity of 20,000 and usually sells out well in advance.

It’s famous for its divers and wide musical scope, along with its family-friendly atmosphere. There’s even a dedicated family campsite and plenty of RV accommodations onsite. Festival entry is free for children under 12.

The festival’s 10 different stages have hosted the likes of Ed Sheeran, The Proclaimers, Tom Jones, Kaiser Chiefs, and so many more. You can hear everything from folk music to comedy, indie rock, acoustic music, EDM, jazz, pop, and more. It’s truly got something to suit every musical taste. 

There’s also a dedicated children’s area with workshops, puppet shows, circus skills, dance and music classes, and arts and crafts. You might also find an ice rink, roller disco, or even a zip line at this out-of-the-ordinary event.

Cowal Highland Gathering

The Cowal Highland Gathering is also held each August in the town of Dunoon, on the Cowal peninsula. Held annually since 1894, it has become the most iconic and famous Highland Games competition in the world. This exciting and traditional event attracts more than 3500 competitors from around the globe each year.

Come to cheer on your favorite competitors and witness the rich history and tradition of these revered games. You can see the pipe band competition which hosts the world’s best bagpipers. There’s also a solo bagpipe competition that features an event for adults and one for juvenile competitors.

The highly anticipated and festive Highland Dancing competition is always a crowd favorite. It’s only open to Scottish residents, the Scottish Highland Dancing Championships, and the qualifiers and finals of the World Championships. 

Of course, there are the traditional Highland games events. These include the caber toss, shot put, weight throw, and hammer throw, as well as a Scottish Backhold Wrestling Competition. Here, the shot put is not only done with a standard 16-pound stone, but with the naturally formed 34-pound Cowal Stone.

FAQs

Q: What are RV rentals?

RV rentals work much like any other vehicle rentals. You pay a daily or weekly rate. You can expect these rates to fluctuate based on the time of year and the geographic location that you're renting. Naturally, rates tend to increase during peak seasons. You can get an RV for a certain period and enjoy all its benefits while traveling without the hassles and large cost of owning an RV. It’s also a great way to try out some different RV models if you’re considering purchasing your own.

Q: How much are RV rentals?

RV rentals in Scotland can range between $100 and $150 per night for most small to medium-sized trailers and campervans. Larger RVs and travel trailers can cost from $150 to $250 per night, depending on the season and the RV’s year, make, and model. Some companies offer a discount if you rent for longer than a week.

Q: Do I need to be a certain age to rent an RV in Scotland?

The legal age to rent a vehicle in Scotland is 21. This usually doesn’t apply to RV rentals, however. Most RV rental agencies require you to be at least 25 years old to rent from them. You may be able to find some agencies or owners who are willing to rent to younger individuals, but they’ll also usually charge a hefty surcharge for that privilege, so double check with your particular rental agency or owner.

Q: Do I need insurance when I rent an RV?

Yes, you'll need insurance to rent an RV in Scotland. It's meant to cover the vehicle in case of an accident and is mandatory in most states. Most rental companies will have RV-specific insurance that you can purchase.

Q: Do I need to return my rental RV with a full tank?

This policy varies among rental agencies, but most RV rental facilities in Scotland will expect you to return the vehicle with a full tank of gas. At the very least, the fuel should be at the same level as when you picked up the vehicle. 

Q: Are RVs pet-friendly in Scotland?

Many RV and camper rentals in Scotland are pet-friendly, and there are even vehicles specially designed for accommodating animals. Still, it’s important to double-check the policy with your chosen rental agency before renting a particular vehicle.