Loch swims, waterfalls and weather-proof family adventures.

This trip felt like a true escape into the Scottish wilderness. Plans changed with the weather, adventures unfolded naturally, and water shaped every day — from loch swims to island ferries.

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7 night Scotland and Isle of Mull Campervan Itinerary

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Route at a Glance

Luss → Oban → Glen Nevis → Kinlochleven → Glencoe → Glen Etive → Isle of Mull

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Why We Chose This Route

Scotland offers a rare mix of rugged landscapes, accessible wild spaces and water everywhere you turn. This route combined iconic scenery with quieter moments — loch swims, wildlife spotting and spontaneous stops when the weather shifted.

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Detailed Itinerary

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Day 1 — Luss & Loch Lomond

Where we stayed: Luss Camping and Caravan Park

We arrived on the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond to sunshine — which felt like a gift. A quick wild dip in the loch (freezing, breathtaking in every sense) and then a short walk into the village for tea. Off to a cracking start.

Luss Campsite put us on a jumbo lochside pitch with the loch right on our doorstep — ideal for an early morning swim before anyone else was about.

Swim rating: Wild and freezing. Worth every second.

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Day 2 — Rest and Be Thankful, Loch Fyne & Oban

SceWe woke to a sunrise over Loch Lomond, then headed up to the Rest and Be Thankful viewpoint before dropping down onto the slow road along the shores of Loch Fyne. The drive through Inveraray is worth the extra time — it’s a genuinely beautiful stretch.

Lunch in Oban at the famous Seafood Hut on the harbour. The oysters were enormous and… an acquired taste. Let’s leave it at that.

The weather turned by evening and the forecast wasn’t looking kind. Original plan was to ferry the next morning, but rough weather changed everything. We stayed at Oban Camping & Caravan Park and had a rethink.

Overnight: Oban Camping & Caravan Park

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Day 3 — Glen Nevis, Steall Waterfall & Grey Mare’s Tail

With the ferry crossing cancelled due to weather, we pivoted inland — and it turned out to be one of the best decisions of the trip.

Steall Waterfall, Glen Nevis Touted as one of the best short walks in Scotland, the route through the stunning Nevis Gorge to Steall Waterfall is about 45 minutes each way and not too strenuous. The drama comes from the gorge itself — and the wire bridge at the end, which is the only way across to the falls. Fair warning: you need to be tall enough to reach both ropes, so the kids had to sit this one out. Dan and I took it in turns for a bit of solo time at the waterfall. 😆

Park at the Upper Falls car park at the end of Glen Nevis Road, past the Ben Nevis Visitor Centre.

We also spotted a Highland coo on the Ben Nevis path. Scotland: unlocked. 🐄

Grey Mare’s Tail Falls, Kinlochleven After days of heavy rain the force of the water was out of this world. Just a 400m walk from the visitor car park in Kinlochleven — a sight genuinely not to be missed. Waterproofs strongly recommended.

Overnight confession: After several days of heavy rain, surrounded by dripping wet raincoats and muddy boots, the conversation went something like: “Look, we’re not in a survival contest — this is supposed to be a holiday.” So we checked into the Hollytree Hotel — pool, jacuzzi, cooked breakfast, Netflix and a balcony view over the loch to snow-capped mountains. No regrets whatsoever.

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Day 4 — Glencoe

After a rather wet morning at the waterfall, we drove into Glencoe — one of the most dramatic landscapes in Scotland and recognisable from the James Bond film Skyfall.

Highlights:

• Hot dinner and mulled cider at the legendary Clachaig Inn — exactly what was needed
• Walk through An Torr woodland
• Exploring the area around the Harry Potter filming location (Hagrid’s hut territory)

Then back to that jacuzzi.

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Day 5 — Glen Etive

Where we stayed: Glen Etive area

Glen Etive. Just wow — even in spite of the weather.

We had planned to wild camp and swim here, but the conditions made that a stretch too far. The landscape more than made up for it — dramatic, remote and utterly spectacular. We found what we think is the Skyfall filming spot (you tell us — did we get the right one?). A great excuse to come back when the sun decides to show up.

Deer sightings at dusk. One of the most peaceful evenings of the entire trip.

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Day 6 — Ferry to Mull, Tobermory & Calgary Bay

The crossing After delaying the Oban to Mull ferry for three days due to weather, we woke to snow. Of course we did. A light dusting on the peaks made for an extra dramatic backdrop to the 46-minute crossing — stunning, if a little fresh on the observation deck.

It wasn’t raining when we arrived in Craignure. We considered this a win.

Tobermory From Craignure, you choose: north or south. We headed north to Tobermory — the colourful harbour town at the top of the island. The kids had zero recognition of the multicoloured houses from Balamory. We’ve clearly failed somewhere as parents.

We picked up pastels and a sketchpad for wholesome family fun, and a bottle of Tobermory gin from the distillery for balance.

Overnight: Calgary Bay Wild Camping A cool little wild camping spot right behind the beautiful white sandy beach at Calgary Bay, in the north of the island. The narrow wooden gate keeps anything much wider than a T5 out — worth knowing before you arrive. A small toilet block and bins on site, but no showers or drinking water. Peaceful, friendly and superb for letting the kids run wild on the beach.

It’s not often Dan can be persuaded into a cold water dip. But couples who swim together stay together. His Baywatch exit from the water was everything.

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Day 7 — Fidden Farm & South Mull

Where we stayed: Fidden Farm Campsite, Fionnphort

@fiddenfarm_campsite sits in a stunning location right on a white sandy beach near Fionnphort, at the south-western tip of Mull.

Practical details:

• £10/adult, £5/child per night
• Smart modern shower block
• No electric hook-up, no prebooking required

Perfect for wildlife watching — we spotted herons and seals without even trying. Ideal for paddleboarding, swimming and within easy reach of the ferry to Iona and some excellent fish and chips.

I went in for a dip in my swimsuit. Only the neoprene gloves and boots gave away the fact that this was the Inner Hebrides rather than the Caribbean.

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Swim & Water Highlights

• Scotland’s rain is just swimming from above — we got wet regardless.
• Loch Lomond swim
• Loch Etive swim
• Sea dips around Mull
• Waterfalls and loch exploration throughout the trip

The combination of fresh-water lochs and Atlantic coastlines made every day feel different.

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Family Travel Notes

• Weather changes quickly — flexibility is essential.
• Detours often became the best parts of the trip.
• Mixing camping with one comfort stop (hot tub included!) saved energy and morale.

Heading to Scotland? See our family campervan packing checklist — built for exactly this kind of trip.

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Would We Do This Route Again?

Absolutely.

This trip felt raw, wild and unpredictable — exactly what we hoped for from Scotland.

Love wild coastal adventures? You might also enjoy our Ireland Ring of Kerry campervan itinerary or our Northern Spain route.

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