Campervan or Car rental and Budget hotels?

We had friends who rented a camper van in Scotland. Seeing the pictures, I can’t imagine 4 people in there comfortably.

Driving a vehicle that large will come with its own challenges. Driving in Glasgow and Edinburgh will be interesting, even in a normal car. Not for the faint of heart in a camper van.

You don't want any vehicle in either Glasgow or Edinburgh. Stay in a budget hotle or B&B. Travelodge or Premier Inn are both good places to start looking. Hire when you are about to set off on the trip.

If you are talking this year, Late July/early August is prime holiday time and you may have problems booking camp sites or accommodation - many places will have been fully booked for months.

If you decide on a camper van, you have to drive that all the time and it may not be as comfortable over longer distances than sitting in a car. The bigger the vehicle the more cumbersome it will be to drive along some of th narrower Scottish roads. Parking at different tourist spots, especially the more popular ones, may also present challenges too...

the first 25 days in August are the Edinburgh Fringe, with all its madness and huge, vast crowds, and rooms, if you can find them at this late date, through the roof expensive.

Are you prepared for that?

If you are talking this year, Late July/early August is prime holiday time and you may have problems booking camp sites or accommodation - many places will have been fully booked for months.

I definitely agree with this. Most people start booking accommodations in the Highlands and islands 9-10 months ahead, and since accommodations are limited in those areas, it will be hard to find something this late; especially budget options.

Also, you would be much better off staying in Edinburgh at the beginning of your trip, or at least before August 1 when the Fringe starts. Hotels will be much cheaper and it will be much less crowded.

I also agree with wasleys that Premier Inns or Travelodge would be good places to start looking at for Edinburgh. I stayed at the Premier Inn York Place, and loved it. Great location and very good price. I know this particular hotel has family rooms, which accommodate 2 adults and up to 2 kids (under 16). Breakfast is not included but is available.

I'm all about camping. See if you can even book a campervan and campsites in the areas you want to visit. If you can, maybe pick up an inexpensive tent for the kids? The van rental company might offer this as an add-on. Of course, they would need warm sleeping bags, as I imagine the night-time temps would be pretty low. Another approach might be to look for glamping sites (often listed on AirBnB) or campgrounds that have cabins. Some friends of mine stayed in a campervan near the Kelpies, and their photos of them lit up at night were amazing.

Have you thought about ferry availability for getting to the islands? You may already have left it too late for this year. There are no budget hotels (premier inn etc) on any of the islands and B&Bs book up well in advance. A small camper would be too cramped for 4 adults, so I think you’d be looking at a larger van. Those pay more on the ferries than a car. Campsites also book up well in advance. Hopefully you’re thinking 2026……

Thanks all! This is super helpful--I appreciate the warp speed comments as I do the mad dash to get places booked. I should have started booking sooner -- but as they say "the best laid plans." By way of update: We found some super picturesque glamping spots in Lewis and Harris, and a semi affordable hotel in Mull. After going to all the usual travel sites (VRBO, Airbnb, Expedia, Booking), I found some hotels on Priceline that weren't listed elsewhere. Skye at this point was out of the question -- so that will have to be next time. Finally, we are actually leaving Edinburgh on 8/1 -- so I think we'll be able to find something -- but that booking starts tonight.

That's great—I loved my stays on both Mull and Lewis and Harris, and I'm sure you will, too. They're both wonderful and scenic and so much to see and do there. Enjoy your stay!

Mardee -- Your tip about Travelodge was a gem! Thank you! K