A Round Trip through the Highlands and Islands of Scotland
We collected our motorhome rental at the depot in Edinburgh; and headed almost due north to Inverness, where our journey into the chain of lochs really began. We found a great caravan park and turned in early after visiting Inverness Castle. Our heads were spinning over the excitement of what lay ahead. Our ten-day journey to the islands of Scotland would take us to so many of the places we read about as kids.
Road Trip through the Highlands and Islands of Scotland
Days One To Five: Loch Ness to Standing Stones in the Islands of Scotland
We spent day one and two a short distance south of Inverness, exploring Loch Ness, and Scotland’s arguably most lovely valley Glen Affric filled with ancient Caledonian pine trees. Loch Ness as you may know is above sea level in the uplands; and reputedly a shelter for ancient underwater dinosaurs that somehow survived to the present day.
We passed through Glencoe village, the southernmost point on our journey after we paused for a leisurely lunch. It would have been a great stopover as it is a magnet for hikers, but we pressed on to Portree on the Isle of Skye for the night. This little known place is often overlooked for the more famous places that lie ahead on the islands of Scotland.
After we discovered a convenient campsite just outside town, we bought fresh-caught fish at the local harbour and a great time was had by all. The following day we caught the ferry to the Isle of Lewis and Harris, where we discovered the astounding Callanish Standing Stones that have been there since the Neolithic Era some 5,000 years ago.
Day Six to Ten: Isle of Lewis Back to Edinburgh
We had set aside the balance of our time to explore quaint villages on our way back. Holidaymakers who have not tried renting motorhomes simply do not appreciate the marvelous freedom they give. Ours was a modern vehicle more than capable of maintaining the seventy-mile-per-hour speed limit on throughways. Yet, we had only 450 kilometres (280 miles) to go to Edinburgh; we had no hotel bookings, and so the pressure was off.
As it was, the town of Ullapool hooked us the moment we set wheels on the Scottish mainland again. This important port and tourist destination benefits from a spectacular position on the coast, with long, easy-going climbs just inland to magnificent views across the ocean. Once we overnighted in a remote farm stay, knowing our motorhome rental was safe and sound at the Ullapool caravan park.
We had a great welcome when we returned the RV or campervan rental to the Edinburgh depot. Then with a trace of regret it was time to return to our much loved brick and mortar house, after a most successful motorhome holiday visiting the islands of Scotland.