Day 2: Loch Lomond to Glencoe
Wake up on the loch and don’t be in a hurry to leave. Make breakfast in the van, have a walk along the shore, and head north mid-morning. The drive from Loch Lomond to Glencoe via the A82 is one of the finest road trips in the world — no exaggeration. You pass through Crianlarich, across Rannoch Moor (a vast, desolate peat bog that feels genuinely prehistoric), and then the valley of Glencoe opens up in front of you.
Glencoe is one of those places that stops conversation. The scale of the mountains on either side — the Three Sisters on your left, Buachaille Etive Mòr ahead — is unlike anything else in Scotland. Stop at the Glencoe Visitor Centre (operated by the National Trust for Scotland, just off the A82) to learn about the 1692 massacre and the geological history of the valley. Even if you’re not a history person, the exhibition is excellent.
If you have energy, the Signal Rock walk (circular, about 2.5 miles) is an easy and very beautiful leg-stretch through woodland with views back into the glen.
Where to stay: Glencoe Camping and Caravanning Club Site (PH49 4HX) is right in the valley — waking up surrounded by those mountains is an experience. In the village itself, the Clachaig Inn is a Highland institution and serves excellent food and whisky if you fancy dinner out.
Day 3: Glencoe to Fort William & the Road to the Isles
Fort William is only 16 miles north of Glencoe and is the main town in this part of the Highlands — worth stopping for supplies, a cooked breakfast, and a wander. It sits at the foot of Ben Nevis, and if the cloud is off the summit you’ll see it clearly from the town. You don’t need to climb it to appreciate the scale of it.
From Fort William, take the A830 west — the Road to the Isles. This is a genuinely lovely drive through birch woodland and alongside sea lochs. Stop at Glenfinnan to see the Viaduct (yes, the Harry Potter one) and the monument at the head of Loch Shiel. The National Trust car park here fills up in summer so try to arrive before 10am or after 4pm.
Continue west through Arisaig — the beaches here face directly west and on a clear day the views across to Mull, Eigg and Rum are extraordinary, with white sand that genuinely looks Caribbean if you squint and ignore the temperature. The village of Mallaig at the end of the road is a working fishing port with a lovely feel and very good seafood.
Where to stay: Traigh Farm Campsite near Arisaig (PH39 4NT) is one of Scotland’s most scenic campsites — right on the beach, stunning sunsets, and a genuinely special atmosphere. Book well in advance in summer.
Day 4: Mallaig to Torridon
This is your biggest driving day — roughly 3 hours without stops — but the route through Lochaber and up through Wester Ross is worth every mile. Head back east briefly on the A830 to Fort William, then north on the A82 and A87 through the Great Glen, past Loch Ness and up to Inverness, before heading west on the A835 and then south on the A832 into Torridon.
If you want to break the drive, stop at Eilean Donan Castle on Loch Duich — one of the most photographed castles in Scotland, and for good reason. The setting where three sea lochs meet is genuinely dramatic. Entry is charged but the exterior view from the bridge is free and beautiful.
Torridon itself feels like the edge of the world. The mountains here — Beinn Alligin, Liathach, Beinn Eighe — are among the oldest rocks on earth (around 750 million years old) and they look it. The scale and remoteness is unlike anywhere else in Scotland. Even if you’re not walking, just drive the single-track road through the glen.
Where to stay: Torridon Campsite (IV22 2EY) is operated by the National Trust for Scotland and is spectacularly situated at the head of Upper Loch Torridon. Facilities are basic but the setting is extraordinary. Alternatively, Shieldaig Camping and Cabins (IV54 8XN) just north of Torridon is excellent and has electric hookup pitches.
Day 5: Torridon to Applecross
A shorter day — don’t rush it. The Applecross peninsula is one of those places that rewards taking your time.
The classic approach is over the Bealach na Bà — the Pass of the Cattle — one of the highest and most dramatic mountain passes in Scotland. The road climbs from sea level to 626 metres in a series of hairpin bends with unfenced drops and views that will make your passengers grip the seat. It’s perfectly driveable in a campervan — we’ve sent plenty of our vans over it — but take it slowly, use your horn on the blind bends, and check the weather before you go. The pass is occasionally closed in winter ice but in spring, summer and autumn it’s generally fine.
Coming down into Applecross village on the far side with the view across to Raasay and Skye spread out in front of you is one of the great arrival moments in Scotland.
Applecross village itself is tiny — a handful of houses, a community shop, a petrol station (support it: it’s community-run and keeps prices reasonable), and the Applecross Inn, which is famous for its seafood and worth every penny. Book a table in advance — it fills up. The street food mentioned in our NC500 guide is seasonal but if it’s running, the bacon rolls in the morning are exceptional.
Alternatively: Take the coastal road from Shieldaig (the south approach, not over the Bealach) — quieter, equally beautiful, and accessible in all conditions.
Where to stay: Applecross Campsite (IV54 8ND) is right on the shore with views across to Skye. Open March to October. It’s popular — book ahead.
Day 6: Applecross to the Isle of Skye
You’re close to Skye now — it’s only about 45 minutes from Applecross to the Skye Bridge at Kyle of Lochalsh, or an hour if you drop back through Shieldaig and take the more scenic coastal route via Lochcarron.
You don’t need a ferry to get to Skye — the bridge connects it to the mainland and it’s free to cross. The island is enormous (roughly 50 miles long) so you won’t see all of it in one day. Pick two or three things and do them properly rather than ticking off a checklist.
Our recommendations for a first visit:
- The Fairy Pools (near Glenbrittle) — a series of crystal-clear mountain pools in the shadow of the Cuillins. The walk in is about 3 miles return and not too strenuous. Parking is paid (£5 cash or card). Go early or late to avoid the crowds.
- The Old Man of Storr (on the Trotternish peninsula, north of Portree) — the iconic rocky pinnacle above the east coast of Skye. The path to the base is about 2.5 miles return and moderately steep. Views across to the mainland are spectacular on a clear day.
- Portree — Skye’s main town, with a pretty harbour and good food options. The Café Arriba above the harbour does excellent coffee and food. The Co-op in Portree is the main supermarket on the island — stock up here.
Where to stay: Sligachan Campsite (IV47 8SW) is central, basic but well-located with the famous Sligachan Hotel right next to it (great bar). For something more sheltered: Skyewalker Hostel at Portnalong takes campervans and is very friendly. Loch Greshornish Campsite in the north of the island is quieter and very beautiful.
Day 7: Skye & Return to Glasgow
Your van is due back by 11am, and Skye is roughly 3.5 to 4 hours from Glasgow depending on your route. This means an early start — be on the road by 7am to be comfortable, or use the previous evening to get to the mainland and camp somewhere closer to Glasgow (Fort William, Loch Lomond or even Luss) so the final drive is shorter.
If you have time for one last stop, the view back to Skye from the mainland at Balmacara just east of the bridge is one of Scotland’s best farewell shots. Pull over, make a last cup of coffee from the van, and take it in.
Before you arrive back, remember to:
- Fill the diesel tank — there’s a petrol station in Dumbarton or Clydebank just before you return
- Empty and clean any hired toilet equipment
- Give the van a quick tidy — we don’t expect it to be spotless but leave it as you’d like to find it
Return to us at 8 Park Road, Dalmuir, Clydebank, G81 3LD by 11am. We’ll do our checks while you tell us about the trip — we genuinely love hearing where the vans have been.
