Scotland is always my first choice for a trip in my camper van (even though it’s not exactly on our doorstep) and with Glencoe being en route between Fort William and Loch Lomond, we’ve visited the area a fair few times.

However, Glencoe is not simply stunning scenery that will make your jaw drop as you drive past. The glacier-carved slopes of Glencoe cannot fail to steal your heart and you certainly won’t regret pausing there for a night or two.

Read on for my top tips and everything you need to know to plan a trip to Glencoe in your camper van or motorhome…

OVERNIGHT PARKING BESIDE LOCH ACHTRIOCHTAN

Our favourite overnight parking spot is the car park beside Loch Achtriochtan, which is part of Glencoe National Nature Reserve and is cared for by the National Trust for Scotland. There are dramatic views to be enjoyed right from your van – of one of the most famous views in Glencoe, no less – and the location is really convenient too.

The National Trust for Scotland allow camper vans and motorhomes to stay overnight in this car park, at no charge. Please let’s not abuse their generosity. I’m sure all of you lovely campers will be sure to leave no trace of your stay and perhaps you’ll consider making a donation to the National Trust for Scotland.

CLACHAIG INN

The Clachaig Inn (PH49 4HX) is an easy walk from the Loch Achtriochtan car park, but I’d recommend a head torch if you’re walking back in the dark after one of their superb live music nights.

The Clachaig Inn offers excellent food too, served amidst fantastic scenery. It’s a great choice for lunch or dinner and vegetarians, vegans and those who require a gluten-free diet are catered for.

HAGRID’S HUT

Harry Potter fans will recognize Glencoe as being the filming location of Hagrid’s Hut, first seen in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, and the location is even marked on Google Maps:

The site is just a 5 minute walk from the Clachaig Inn but the last part of the walk is quite steep with uneven ground which is likely to make it unsuitable for those with mobility difficulties.

Don’t expect to see Hagrid’s Hut though! The set has long since been removed, but its distinctive location is easy to spot and offers magnificent views down to Loch Torren.

GLENCOE ORBITAL RECREATIONAL TRACK

The Glencoe Orbital Recreational Track is a low-level flat path that is suitable for all. But don’t underestimate the views; the mountain scenery will wow you for sure.

From the Loch Achtriochtan car park, cross over the A82 and join the path that runs west alongside the road. This will lead you along the river to An Torr carpark, from where you can explore the An Torr woodland or take the walk up to Signal Rock.

Exit An Torr woodland at the Clachaig Inn and turn left to follow the path alongside the road. To your right, you will see the track heading up the hillside to the filming location of Hagrid’s Hut and, further on, you will pass Loch Torren – a great place to pause for a picnic and enjoy the view.

Continuing on, you may choose to make a diversion and enjoy the Glencoe Lochan trails before heading into Glencoe Village.

In Glencoe Village, I’d recommend a visit to Glencoe Café (PH49 4HP) where you can enjoy breakfast or a light lunch before retracing your steps back to Loch Achtriochtan car park . As you head back along the main village road, the rounded hill in front of you is Sgorr na Ciche, the Pap of Glencoe.

THE THREE SISTERS

The Three Sisters is the name given to three ridges – Beinn Fhada, Gearr Aonach and Aonach Dubh – on the Bidean nam Bian mountain. They are one of the most prominent features of Glencoe and you won’t want to miss their majestic beauty.

The Three Sisters car park is about 4km east from the Loch Achtriochtan car park, along the A82. It’s a short drive, or you can walk it in about an hour, taking the path which runs alongside Loch Achtriochtan and the A82, and then walking along the remains of the old military road.

GROCERIES

If you’re running low on groceries, there is a small Co-op Food store in Ballachulish (PH49 4JS). Alternatively, Fort William is about 17 miles (30 minutes) away and there you will find a Morrisons supermarket (PH33 6AN).

WATER

It is also worth heading into Fort William if you need to top up on water. You’ll find a free water tap in front of the Black Isle Bar (PH33 6DY) and beside the Travelodge (PH33 6DX). You will probably be able to park your van in Fassifern Road.

I know from experience that it takes many trips up and down that hill with a water bottle to fill our water tank! After a tip from a fellow camper and tap user a few years ago, we bought this BPA-free collapsible water container and have been very grateful for it on future trips:

FUEL

If you need to top up on fuel (and in the Scottish Highlands you really should when you get the chance) you have two main options. There is the Claymore Filling Station in Ballachulish (PH49 4HP) or, if you’re heading into Fort William, you’ll find a Morrisons Petrol Station (PH33 6XZ).

WASTE DISPOSAL

In Glencoe Village, there is a temporary black waste disposal point and not only is it convenient but there is also no charge for using it. You can use this map to get directions (and also to view other waste disposal points in Scotland).

GUIDE BOOKS & MAPS

GLENCOE VALLEY BY TRAIN

In the winter months, driving and hiking in Glencoe becomes more challenging. Perhaps the best way to enjoy the snowy views in comfort may be by train.

The journey from Fort William to Glasgow Queen Street takes 3 hours 45 minutes and is particularly scenic. The tracks weave their way around the mountains and you get to enjoy the magical journey across Rannoch Moor too.

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Situated in the south of the New Forest, on the shore of Poole Bay in Hampshire, this overnight parking spot is really special!

Location:
50.716702, -1.576880
Hurst Beach, New Lane, Milford-on-Sea, SO41 0UQ

It’s a very popular spot with something to offer everyone. Expect to see dog walkers, cyclists, fishermen, young children crabbing, and water sports enthusiasts with canoes, kayaks and SUPs. In the summer months you can expect 20 to 30 vans to be staying overnight, in addition to the cars of those visiting for a shorter time.

There is no charge for parking and there’s the option of parking on the lower tidal road, or the upper road which has gravel to either side. The lower road is our preferred spot. It is more suitable for wider camper vans / motorhomes and is reasonably level. It also has the best views, across to Hurst Castle. However, be warned that spring tides (which occur twice a month) will cause this lower road to flood. (Tide times and heights can be found here.)

From the eastern end of the lower road, a coastal footpath leads to Keyhaven quay, from where you can take the ferry to Hurst Castle. There are also sea fishing trips and sightseeing boat trips available. Keyhaven also has a public house, The Gun Inn. The footpath, which is part of the 60-mile Solent Way, continues beyond Keyhaven to Emsworth Harbour.

If you choose to walk to Hurst Castle from Hurst Beach, it’s a 1.5 mile walk along the shingle Hurst Spit, with views across to The Needles.

Walking in the opposite direction along the shingle will take you past Sturt Pond Nature Reserve (with a public bird hide open 9am to 5pm daily, or dusk if earlier) to Milford-on-Sea where you will find The Lighthouse (a seaside bar and restaurant), Needles Eye Café, a playpark for children aged 5 to 14 years, and public conveniences (open 8am to 7pm) beside the bowling green.

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Whether you’re planning a weekend break or a longer road trip, you’re going to need somewhere to sleep in your van. So, how do you find the best camping spots?

There are more options than you may think and which you choose will depend largely on your personal preferences, the kind of trip you are planning, who you are traveling with, and the budget you have set for your adventure.

Where will you choose to park?

Campsites

Campsites are an obvious option that needs no introduction. Although they are the most expensive option, they are obviously the #1 choice if you’re after comforts and facilities.

Joining the Caravan and Motorhome Club and/or The Camping and Caravanning Club will bag you discounted rates at their sites along with access to Certified Locations (CLs). These are small, private sites which are exclusively available to club members and which offer picturesque solitude in interesting locations.

Pitch Up is a super site for booking campsites online and has extensive search filters, e.g. adults only, dogs allowed, electric pitch, walkers’ paradise, horse riding nearby. The list goes on… and on!

The website Cool Camping is also worth a look, despite it catering mainly for tents and various glamping options. Although relatively few of the campsites listed allow camper vans, those that do have been selected for being particularly special.

Nightstops

The Nightstop Scheme is run by Practical Motorhome in conjunction with the Motor Caravanners’ Club. Their sites are in England, Wales and Scotland and they are all Certified Locations, but you don’t need to be a member of any club to make use of them.

Many of the sites are the car parks to pubs and hotels, and some will waive the overnight fee if you eat in the pub or hotel. Most sites have fresh-water taps, three-quarters have toilet facilities, rubbish-disposal bins and hardstandings and are dog-friendly, and just over half have chemical-disposal points. Many – just under half – have dog-exercise areas and are wheelchair-friendly. Fewer (a quarter) have electric hook-up and washrooms, while just five have shower facilities. A quarter of the sites are suitable for stays of a week.

Many of the sites are open all year, and fees for an overnight stay are around the £10 mark (although you might have to pay more for extra people, electric hook-up, or use of a shower).

Britstops

Britstops puts restaurants, country pubs, farm shops, vineyards and breweries in touch with motorhome and camper van travellers. To join this fantastic scheme, you simply need to purchase the annual guidebook, which costs £28 (plus £3.60 P&P). The guidebook contains details of over 1000 hosts who will welcome you to stay overnight in your motorhome or camper van in a safe environment – free of charge! These are not camp sites, so they won’t have shower blocks or overnight toilet facilities, but you do get a pleasant stopover somewhere off the road. The businesses are obviously hoping to attract your custom and, whilst it’s not compulsory by any means, if you are going to eat out or stock up on food anyway then it’s only fair to support them.

Wild Camping

Staying off-grid in our camper van is our first choice every single time. Nothing beats a quiet and secluded spot – perhaps in an area of woodland, maybe along a scenic stretch of coastline, and usually with great walks right from the parking spot. It’s the ultimate way to get close to nature and avoid crowded campsites.

It goes without saying that there will be no facilities, so you will have to be especially organised when it comes to water, waste disposal, managing power and staying safe. Don’t let that put you off though. Wild camping is where the magic really begins.

Finding wild camping overnight parking spots in the UK is really easy. All you need is the park4night app. It’s free to join and is essentially a directory of parking spots shared by members of the community, usually including photos and comments by others. The app will guide you to the location too, using Google Maps.

Stealth Camping

Stealth camping essentially involves sleeping in your vehicle without anyone knowing… which probably means that you are parked somewhere where you shouldn’t be sleeping! You’ll have more luck with stealth camping if you have a home-made camper van that doesn’t look like a camper van from the outside.

I will warn you that you should always be prepared for a knock on the door from the police who might ask you to move along. (And if that happens, simply apologise and move on.) If that’s not for you (and it’s certainly not for me, unless there’s absolutely no other choice) then stick to the other options. Also, if you have a dog that barks every time someone walks by the van then, as great as that is for security, you can probably write stealth camping off!

With that in mind, I have some tips that will help you to pull this off. Firstly you will want to be sure to do all of your chores and general ‘living’ in your van when you are parked in a safe location, so that the only time you spend at your overnight parking spot is when you’re actually asleep. Your safe location could be a supermarket parking lot, where you could also stock up on groceries and use the bathroom. Bear in mind that parking is usually limited to 2 or 3 hours though. Another great option is National Trust membership which will allow you to park at most of their sites for free (during their opening hours) and enjoy their grounds, properties and cafés. Make sure to do all of your cooking, eating, cleaning and other chores before you head to your overnight parking spot.

Your overnight parking spot should be a quiet road in a residential area where other cars and vans are parked. Remember, you don’t want anyone to know that you’re in the van, so as soon as you arrive it’s lights out and straight to bed. And as soon as you wake up, head straight for a safe parking location again and have your breakfast there. Don’t park in the same place for more than one night. Don’t push your luck.

Motorway Service Stations

I doubt spending the night at a motorway service station would ever be anyone’s first choice, but I’m including it simply because… well… “any port in a storm” as they say. If your aim is simply covering as many miles as you can for a few days, perhaps driving until late at night and heading off early in the morning, or if tiredness suddenly hits, then spending the night at a motorway service station may be your most convenient option.

In terms of price, most service stations allow you to stay free of charge for 2 or 3 hours but longer stays will cost you about the same as you would pay at a campsite. Of course you will not have facilities such as electric hook-up that you may have at a campsite, but the advantage is being able to make an impromptu stop at any time of day or night without diverting from your route.

Motorway Services Online and Motorway Services both aim to catalogue all motorway service stations in the UK along with the services available at each and the costs of parking.

Happy camping peeps!

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