A Campervan Adventure to The Hebrides With roadsurfer: Our 8 Day Epic Tour
Ever since we completed the NC500 with roadsurfer back in April, we’ve been itching to get back on the road and discover more of Scotland. Scotland, with its breathtaking landscapes, dramatic coastlines, and wild, winding roads. With the 6 week school holidays well underway it was time to load the campervan and the kids and head off on an epic adventure through the Scottish Highlands to the Hebrides. What better way to explore The Hebrides than with a trusty campervan from Roadsurfer? Scotland is perfectly set up for campervans, so if it’s your first time hiring a campervan or you’re a bit unsure, don’t be, we found it incredibly easy and straight forward!
Our home on wheels for the week was the Roadhouse model, which came with everything we needed (and a few extras) for the perfect road trip. This is the second time we’ve partnered with roadsurfer and we can’t shout loudly enough about them, the spec of the van is incredible and everything from booking and collection to drop off was smooth and easy. This eight-day journey took us from the depot in Manchester all the way up to the Outer Hebrides, with stops at iconic Scottish landmarks like Glencoe, the Isle of Skye, and the spectacular beaches of Harris and Lewis. Here's the lowdown on our route, the van, and the incredible places we visited.
The Roadsurfer Roadhouse: The Perfect Rolling Home
Let’s start with our noble steed – the roadsurfer Roadhouse. This van is a proper tour de force in campervan living. With space to comfortably sleep four (thanks to the pop-up roof bed that the kids aged 7 + 9 slept in and loved), it’s equipped with all the mod cons and gadgets to make life on the road a breeze. Here’s a quick rundown of the Roadhouse specs:
Sleeps: 4 people (two in the pop-up bed, two below in the fixed bed)
Kitchen: Fully equipped with a gas stove, sink, and a fridge (cold wine on tap…once you’ve parked up for the night of course!)
Toilet & Shower: Yes it has both!
Heating: Essential for those chilly Scottish nights.
Storage: Plenty for our hiking gear, food, camping chairs and a table and we could have fitted more in!
Driving: We had the automatic, making it super easy to handle, even on the twisty Scottish roads – smooth, reliable, and surprisingly compact for something that fits a family! As it wasn’t oversized, we loved that we didn’t have to stress about where to park!
The route and all the magical places we visited.
Day 1: Manchester to Dornie – The Journey Begins!
We picked up the roadsurfer in Manchester and, after a quick demo by the super friendly roadsurfer team, we hit the road. Stopping en route at Glencoe this was the perfect place to kick off our road trip. Driving into Glencoe really is like stepping into a highland postcard, the scenery is breathtaking. We stopped at the picture perfect Three Sisters view point to stretch our legs, take in the magnificent views and try out our kitchen on wheels for the first time, lunch with a view!
After lunch we continued north and finally arrived at Dornie. We’d booked a campsite for the night, staying at Ardvele Caravan & Camping Site, right on the shores of Loch Alsh. Following the long journey it was a welcome discovery to find Manuels Wee Bakery, serving delicious takeaway pizza, just across the road from us.
Skye Fairy Glen
Day 2-3: Eilean Donan & Isle of Skye
Waking up on day 2 to a stunning rainbow over the Loch, we took a short walk from the campsite to Eilean Donan castle. This is one of the most photographed castles in Scotland – and for good reason. It’s perched on its own little island and is pure medieval magic. After soaking in the atmosphere and stopping at All The Good Stuff for the BEST cinnamon bun we’ve ever had (honestly we’re still dreaming about those buns), we made our way across the bridge to the Isle of Skye, with a quick caffeine hit at Lean Too Coffee, a funky coffee shop in a derelict bothy, before heading to Old Man Storr.
Old Man Of Storr - This is one of Skye’s most iconic spots and the hike to the top will leave you breathless, both from the uphill climb and the unrivalled views. The hike took us about 1 hour (this was with the kids). It was fairly busy when we were there, but the higher up you go, the quieter it gets.
We’d booked in advance to stay at Portree Caravan & Camping. Just a 5 minute drive from the town of Portree, this campsite had good facilities including laundry facilities and was beautifully kept.
We spent the rest of our time on Skye exploring Skye:
Portree: A charming harbour town, perfect for wandering, browsing the shops and grabbing brunch at Birch. Enjoy the colourful buildings and chilled vibe down by the harbour and the kids loved sea glass hunting on the harbour beach…they’ve never had such a big sea glass haul.
The Fairy Glen: You do not want to miss this one! This otherworldly landscape is straight out of a fantasy novel and made me reminisce of past travels to Peru. Tiny hills and mystical rock formations – it’s easy to see where the name comes from!
Rha Glen Ramble (Waterfall) – As you make your way towards the Uig ferry terminal, make a quick stop here to see this powerful waterfall. There’s a small parking area close by and only a 10 minute walk down a woodland path to this beautiful waterfall.
Ferry Crossing
After a day exploring Skye, it was time to hop on the ferry from Uig heading towards the white sands and turquoise waters of Harris and Lewis. The ferry journey cost us £60 one way for the campervan, 2 adults and 2 children and took 1 hour 40 minutes, we booked our return tickets in advance. With the weather gods on side, we had a super smooth sailing.
Once off the ferry, we set up camp at Reef Beach – the first of many stunning beaches we’d visit, with the clearest water and the whitest sand, it was a breathtaking beach and the perfect place to start our island tour. We’d booked ahead to spend two nights at Traigh Na Beirigh campsite and managed to get a beachside plot. There was a small takeaway hatch, The Raider Trailer serving up great burgers and more.
Day 4
With the weather not on our side this day, we decided to set off in our van and spend the day exploring some of the historical sites on Lewis to get a real sense of the islands and their history.
Lews Castle & Museum Nan Eileen – a museum that will give you in an insight into the islands and islanders, great rainy day activity. There’s a lovely café on site too.
The Story of Harris Tweed – Learn all about the history of Harris Tweed through a short film and live loom demonstrations, even getting an opportunity to run one of the looms ourselves. A small entrance fee of £5 for adults and free for children.
Arnol Balckhouse & Whitehouse - offers a glimpse into traditional Hebridean life, showcasing a preserved 19th-century thatched blackhouse with peat fire and a more modern, neighboring whitehouse, illustrating the transition in rural living conditions. Entrance £7.50 for adults and £4.50 for 7-15 year olds.
Gearrannan (Blackhorse Village)- an immersive experience in a restored 19th-century crofting village, where traditional stone blackhouses and breathtaking coastal views provide a glimpse into Hebridean life and history. There’s a small tearoom on site.
After a full day of sightseeing it was time for a treat. Uig Sands Restaurant – A restaurant with the most stunning panoramic view! Uig Sands Restaurant is a stunning spot right by the beautiful Uig Bay, serving up fresh, locally sourced dishes with a focus on seafood like scallops, crab and lobster. We loved the laid-back atmosphere, combined with amazing views of the beach and hills, making it a perfect place to enjoy tasty food while soaking in the stunning scenery of the Outer Hebrides. This was our splurge of the trip with a set menu costing £80 for adults and £40 for children.
Day 5
After an early morning swim in the stunningly clear waters of Reef Beach, we were on the move again, stopping off at Calendish Stones, a Neolithic stone circle (entrance free) then making our way through the winding mountain roads back to Tarbet were we called in at Harris Distilleray. We know Scotland is synonymous with whisky, but this isn’t our tipple of choice so we enjoyed sampling the beautiful Harris gin and buying a bottle to enjoy at our park up later that night.
Huisinis Beach – This wild, unspoiled spot feels like a million miles away from everything and one of our favourite spots of the tirp. The drive there is an adventure in itself, and takes you through Amhuinnsuidhe Estate (drive slowly through here to marvel at the tumbling river beside the castle), but once you arrive its pure serenity.
Stay a Huisinis Gateway, a first come first served park up. Find your beach front parking space and purchase a ticket from the machine (£20 for overnight), there are basic shower & toilet facilities and a picnic room with a beautiful picture frame window looking out over the beach.
Day 6
Walk from Huisinis Beach to Traigh Mheiliein. This 3k coastal path to Traigh Mheiliein is pretty tricky, (particularly on a windy day like we had) with a boggy and rocky path, but it is so worth it to reach this remote but beautiful beach of white, unspoiled sand (not even a footprint on it) turquoise waters and views to the island of Scarp. It felt pretty special to be the only people on the beach, with only the dolphins and an inquisitive seal for company. This will be one of our most treasured memories of the whole trip, the combination of remoteness, isolation and nature was stunning (maybe we can get the sun next time!)
After arriving back at our campervan and enjoying another picturesque lunch straight from our van we hit the road again, arriving at Horgabost Beach and staying at Horgabost campsite. This campsite is nestled behind the dunes of this beautiful bay and has all the facilities you need.
Sauna time! With a stroke of good timing we booked a slot with Salt Box Sauna, for some cold water sea-dips and sauna therapy. Salt Box Sauna tour the Hebrides and were there for their 1 month residency. Make sure you check on their socials to know where they will be and book ahead as slots go quickly!
Day 7
After a week of mixed weather and some rather windy spells, we woke to calm and blue skies. Our ferry back to Skye wasn’t until 4.00pm and we were in a perfect place to explore more of Harris’ incredible beaches, heading to the paradise of Luskentyre Beach. This is THE beach, often ranked as one of the best in the world, it’s not hard to see why with it’s white sand, crystal clear waters and panoramic views across to the mountains. After a week of seeing and doing as much as we could, we spent the day chilling on the beach and swimming in the sea. It’s really not that cold (by August anyway)!!
We boarded our ferry back to Skye at 4.00pm before starting the long drive back through Skye and the Highlands to Glen Etive, arriving late in the evening at Creaganlin Station Tourers.
Day 8
Waking to more sunshine, loch side views and our hearts full of Scottish adventures it was time to pack up the campervan one last time and head back to the Manchester depot. Our trip thus far had been incredibly smooth, but with the M6 closed, we had take a very long detour through North Yorkshire, arriving late at the depot. The roadsurfer team were just ace, waiting until we arrived, not rushing us in anyway and wanting to hear all about our adventure! With a heavy heart we said goodbye to our campervan…you become so attached to it over the course of the holiday!
Final Thoughts & Roundup
roadsurfer made the whole experience easy and fun. The van was comfortable, well-equipped, and ideal for Scotland’s narrow, winding roads. With the freedom to stop where we wanted, whenever we wanted, the Roadsurfer Roadhouse gave us the perfect blend of adventure and comfort. So, whether you’re planning a quick getaway or an epic tour, I’d highly recommend giving campervanning a go – especially with roadsurfer. Just pack your sense of adventure (and maybe a raincoat & brolly), and hit the road!
Our Campsites:
Ardvele Caravan & Camping – Loch side pitches with views of Eilen Donan
Portree Campsite, Skye.
Traigh Na Beirigh Campsite, (Reef Beach) Lewis.
Huisinis Gateway, Harris – Fist come first served park up with toilet & shower facilities.
Horgabost Campsite, Harris
Creagan Station Tourers, Glen Etive.
The Harris Trust also have designated park up spaces dotted all over the island.
Beaches we visited:
Huisinis Beach: A wild, unspoiled spot that feels miles away from everything. The drive there is an adventure in itself, but once you arrive, it’s pure serenity. Toilet, shower and park up facilities.
Traigh Mheiliein: secluded, unspoiled beach only accessible on foot (45min-1hr coastal path), known for its pristine white sands, turquoise waters, and peaceful atmosphere, perfect for those seeking a quiet escape in nature and where we saw dolphins and seals.
Uig Sands: Vast, golden sands that stretch for miles. Perfect for a long walk or a lazy afternoon reading by the waves.
Horgabost: with soft sands and those crystal-clear waters and views across the bay to the mountains.
Luskentyre Beach: This is THE beach. Often ranked as one of the best in the world, it’s not hard to see why. The colours of the sea here are unreal.
Reef Beach: a beautiful stretch of white sand and crystal-clear waters, offering a tranquil setting for relaxation, coastal walks, and stunning views of the surrounding landscape. Full of the prettiest shells, perfect for a beach scavenge.
Things to do:
Eilen Donan Castle – One of the most photographed castles in Scotland, you’ll understand why when you see it.
Old Man of Storr – Hike up to this Skye icon.
Sligachan Old Bridge – Picturesque view point of the Cuillin Hills, Skye.
Isle of Skye Candle Company – Purchase one of their stunning candles.
Portree – Visit this colourful harbour town and hunt for seaglass on the beach, there’s an abundance.
Fairy Glen, Skye – A magical landscape of hills and rock formations, truly unique.
Rha Glen Ramble (waterfall), Skye – If you’re catching the ferry from Uig, make a quick stop here to see a powerful waterfall.
The Story of Harris Tweed, Stornoway, Lewis – a short interactive experience about Harris Tweed.
Arnol Blackhouse & Whitehouse, Lewis – An immersive experience, offering a glimpse into traditional Hebridean life.
Gearrannan Village, Lewis – A crofting village, museum & tearooms with stunning coastal views.
Cliff Studio, Lewis – Call in at this open studio (seasonal) to see some beautiful art inspired by the wild surroundings.
Isle of Harris Distillery, Tarbert, Harris – Enjoy a distilleray tour or visit their shop and café to sample the whiskey a gin. Honestly, the gin is outstanding!
Salt Box Sauna – This sauna tours The Hebrides, follow their socials to track it down and book a slot.
Food and Drink:
Manueles Wee Bakery, Dornie – A bakery in the morning and takeaway pizza in the evening.
All the Good Stuff, Dornie – A great bakery and cofffee spot for overlooking Eilen Donan Castle.
Birch, Portree, Skye – A small café with a great brunch menu.
Lean Too Coffee, Skye – A funk coffee stop in a derelict bothy, trust us it works!
The Raider Trailer, Reef Beach, Lewis – A takeaway hatch serving a good range of food. Great kids boxes.
Crust, Lewis – A remote Pizza stop.
No 9 by the Harbour, Stornoway Lewis – a fab spot with a New York diner vibe. Their waffles and bacon were delicious.
Uig Sands Restaurant – The view alone makes this restaurant pretty special but the food is just as incredible. Championing local ingredients and seafood.
Flavours Chocolate Isle of Harris, Harris – Not a café but make sure you call in and treat yourself to artisan chocolates, the Harris Gin chocolate is incredible.
Talla Na Mara, Harris – Café/Restaurant with beautiful views and picture frame windows.
Temple Harris, Harris – A quirky, loch side, coffee spot and deli.
