Explore Scotland’s cultural capital on a campervan trip

Edinburgh is Scotland’s picture-postcard capital – and an incredible world city in its own right. This place truly is travel heaven: a vibrant blend of history, culture and stunning natural beauty. Cobbled streets and spooky graveyards? Check. Independent shops and foodie hotspots? Check. Magnificent castles and jaw-dropping dormant volcanoes? Check! You get the idea. You haven’t truly seen Scotland till you’ve climbed up Arthur’s Seat for the incredible view, visited majestic Edinburgh Castle or taken a stroll down the historic Royal Mile.

Edinburgh’s status as Scotland’s must-see city makes it the perfect starting point for a campervan trip around the country. It’s a place where you can sample everything that’s great about modern Scottish city life before heading north, south, east or west to check out stunning scenery and rural gems. Campervan hire in Edinburgh is a great way to take in the sights inside and outside the city limits at an easy and enjoyable pace.

Festival favourite

A treat for the traveller all year round, Edinburgh is particularly renowned for its festival season. Throughout the summer, the city plays host to a fantastic array of cultural events, attracting audiences and performers from across the globe. From the famous Edinburgh Fringe Festival with its radical roots to the multicultural Mela, the breath-taking Military Tattoo to the star-studded Book Festival, this season finds the city transformed, with revellers enjoying the delights late into the night.

Unfortunately, Edinburgh’s popularity at this time of year comes at a price: accommodation is at a premium, with hotels, hostels and holiday lets booking up months in advance. If you’d like to keep things spontaneous or stick around a little longer, campervan hire in Edinburgh and the surrounding area is an affordable alternative. Pitching up at a campsite just outside the city lets you combine the thrills of the festivals with the more peaceful pleasures of the great outdoors. Sample the buzz before escaping the hustle and bustle and retreating to your own four walls on four wheels.

Parking your campervan in and around Edinburgh – the lowdown

Edinburgh might be a fairytale destination, but it’s no paradise for parking, as any local will tell you. Spaces can be hard to come by – but that’s a small price to pay for a taste of travel heaven. Nearby campsites are your best option. We recommend finding a pitch just outside Edinburgh and heading into the city on public transport or driving in for the day to enjoy the sights at your leisure. Suitable sites can be found in Silverknowes, close to stunning Cramond Island, Mortonhall, by the Braid Hills, Newbridge, near the airport, and by the sea at Seton Sands. Here, you can enjoy plenty of useful amenities and home comforts – and there’s no need to worry about finding a space or falling foul of the city’s parking regulations and bagging a fine.

Keen to stray from the beaten track? Scotland is more tolerant of wild camping than the rest of the UK. In fact, thanks to the Land Reform Act, it’s legal – but only in tents. There is no legal right to wild camping in motorhomes in Scotland. However, overnight stays are often tolerated, depending on the location, respect for the surrounding area, and landowner’s

permission. Scotland is a vast country with a small population and a huge amount of open space, which campers can and do use to their advantage. Campers in Scotland should exercise caution and common sense – and avoid pitching up in places where they’re likely to stick out like a sore thumb or pose a nuisance to locals. Spots with ‘No overnight camping’ signs are a no-no.

Parking a campervan within Edinburgh’s city limits might prove tricky. However, it’s a tidy little city, comparatively lacking in suburban sprawl – bordered by the Firth of Forth to the north and the Pentland Hills to the south. Campers shouldn’t have to stray far from the sights to find spacious countryside campsites and quiet spots to park a campervan.

As in any global holiday hotspot – think Berlin, Barcelona and beyond – residents of Edinburgh and its surroundings have a complex relationship with tourism. They adore the life and excitement visitors bring to the area, but struggle with the mess sometimes left behind by rogue campers, particularly in recent years. Taking care to protect their natural environment is a great way to make their lives easier – and enjoy a wonderful trip.

Camping dos and don’ts

Ultimately, the best option for campervan hire in Edinburgh is basing yourself in a campsite just outside the city. Wherever they choose to lay their head, campers should always follow these rules of thumb.

DO use a campervan app. The camper community is your friend. Who better to share tips on camping spots than people who have been there, done that? Apps like park4night let campers clue each other in on suitable sites.

DON’T disturb the locals – or precious floral and fauna. Keep loud noise to a minimum and avoid setting up intrusive awnings and so on. Be sensitive to fragile plants or animals you spot along the way.

DO keep a respectful distance from homes and other campervans. Privacy is paramount, even in the great outdoors. Leave others to enjoy the surroundings in peace.

DON’T set fires. Camping stoves and designated barbecue areas only. Wildfires are pretty rare in Scotland, given the climate, but they’re not unheard of. You wouldn’t want to be the famous firestarter who set one off.

DO clear your waste responsibly. ‘Leave nothing but footprints’ – that’s the motto. Leave your spot the way you’d like to find it and try not to spoil the stunning countryside.

DON’T stay more than one night. Keep it moving, people! Found an overnight parking spot? Arrive late and leave early to minimise disruption before you head off the next day. There’s plenty to explore in the meantime.

Great campervan getaways from Edinburgh

Edinburgh is a fascinating city, filled to the brim with thrilling attractions – but it’s also a fantastic starting point for exploring the hidden gems of Scotland’s East Coast. Here are a few of our favourite touring destinations for campervan hire in Edinburgh.

East Lothian: sea birds, sandy beaches and stunning scenery

East of Edinburgh, this stretch of coastline is home to beautiful beaches, outstanding links golf courses and picture-postcard seaside towns, sea birds and links golf courses. Follow the coast, stopping off at picturesque spots like Gullane, known for its golf, and North Berwick, a popular seaside town with charming shops and restaurants, all the way along to Dunbar, 30 miles from the English border. Along the way, be sure to visit Tantallon Castle, a ruined 14^th-century fortress offering dramatic clifftop views.

Top tip: take a boat trip from North Berwick around Bass Rock, home to the world’s largest colony of Northern gannets.

Local campsite pick: Belhaven Bay Caravan and Camping Park, near Dunbar

The Scottish Borders: magnificent history meets cute market towns

Head south of Edinburgh to discover this historic region on the frontier with England, home to quirky market towns with plenty of interesting sights, like Jedburgh, a charming town with a dramatic history. The Borders combines gentle scenery with sweeping history, breathing life into many a literary masterpiece. It’s no surprise that famous authors such as Walter Scott and James Hogg drew creative inspiration from its fascinating people and landscapes.

Top tip: visit magnificent Melrose Abbey, where the heart of Scottish legend Robert the Bruce is said to have been buried.

Local campsite pick: Eyemouth Holiday Park on the Borders coast

St. Andrews and East Fife: coastal charm and historic hidden gems

Known affectionately as the ‘Kingdom’ due to its Pictish history, the region of Fife is a hidden gem north of the Scottish capital. Cross the Firth of Forth – keeping an eye out for the iconic red railway bridge – and head east along the coast, passing through sweet seaside settlements with some of Scotland’s best beaches. You’ll eventually come to St. Andrews, home to an ancient university where Prince William famously met Kate. Known as the home of golf, this historic town boasts some of the world’s finest links courses, as well as a stunning ruined cathedral.

Top tip: visit the quaint fishing villages in the East Neuk, south of St. Andrews – including Anstruther, home to some of the UK’s best fish and chips.

Local campsite pick: Craigtoun Meadows Holiday Park, just outside St. Andrews

Loch Ness & the Black Isle: Highland heaven

A little further afield, just over three hours’ north of Edinburgh by road, you’ll find the Black Isle. This stunning peninsula is known for its wonderful wildlife, iconic brewery and lovely little seaside towns – including Cromarty, birthplace of the Scottish geologist Hugh Miller. Take a slight detour along the way for a look at Loch Ness and a potential glimpse of the famous Monster.

Top tips: go dolphin spotting at Chanonry Point near Fortrose.

Local campsite: Fortrose Bay Campsite

When is the best time to visit Edinburgh?

The best time to visit Edinburgh is June through August when the average high temperatures rise to a balmy 65 degrees Fahrenheit. But this is also the city’s busiest time for tourism, especially in August when festivals fill up the calendar.

Hire a campervan in Edinburgh

The PaulCamper Promise