Places to Visit in Scotland

If ever there was a place to take the family on a life-changing journey by caravan, that place is Scotland. The scenery, the architecture, the vast expanses of moorland, the foggy mornings, the cloud-piercing mountain peaks and the smoky chimneys make for a fascinating caravanning destination. There's no shortage of things to do in Scotland, especially if you plan to drive up there or rent a caravan. Everywhere you turn, there's beauty, excitement and wonder; and we're not just saying that. To prove it, we've put together an itinerary of places to see and things to do in Scotland.

An expedition befitting the land of whisky and golf could start nowhere else but in Edinburgh. We start here and travel across the country. With a bit of luck, we may even catch a glimpse of the Fringe Edinburgh Festival, the largest arts festival on the face of the planet. Our first pit-stop is the Dynamic Earth, a 360-degree show dome using 4D technology to immerse the viewers into the planet's past and present. After we've spent a few hours in Edinburgh, your journey caravanning in Scotland continues with the SledDog Centre in Cairngorm, where one dozen huskies will be strapped up to pull our sled on a safari across the Cairngorms National Park. Then, only 50 miles west, lies one of the most popular places to visit in Scotland; Loch Ness. It's here that we can spend an afternoon paddling an open canoe, with the Urquhart Castle towering over Loch Ness. Then, it's onwards to the west coast, some 70 miles away, where we'll have the opportunity to enjoy some of the most amazing things to do in Scotland.

First on our agenda is a whale and dolphin watch trip in Minch, near Torridon. Minke wales, bottle nose dolphins, basking sharks and jellyfish like to surface for visitors here, or further down on the Isle of Skye. Then it's on to the Fairy Pools, where your caravanning in Scotland continues with a leisurely walk along the River Brittle to a waterfall near the village of Carbost. The clear blue pools below make for some spectacular photographs. Then, just over 100 miles to the south, is the Isle of Mull. Here, we can leave the caravan behind while we take a boat across the Sound of Mull, mingling with the local animals on a Seals Safari. Don't forget about your caravan safety alarms whilst you are away on this trip. Back on dry land, Glengorm Castle welcomes us to a highland estate that boasts Bronze Age standing stones, rocky beaches, a wildlife project, self-catering cottages, and loads of family-oriented activities. Speaking of family specific things to do in Scotland, we could always drive another 100 miles to the south. Glenmore is where a free-ranging reindeer herd will surprise you with its friendliness. The paddocks are home to a small group of reindeer through most of the year, and children can spend the day at the Santa Bothy or Elf's House. This is probably as close as many of us will ever be to Santa! Finally, what better way to round off a perfect itinerary of places to visit in Scotland than by visiting The Kelpies in Falkirk, on the Forth and Clyde canal. Only 70 miles to the east and relatively close to Edinburgh, these 300-tonne horse bust sculptures are a sight for sore eyes, especially at night, when they lit up in a spectacular show of light and colour. There is a vast choice of stunning scenery to admire so don't forget to bring your camp furniture with you to unwind and relax.

From Edinburgh to Cairngorm and from Skye to Glenmore, Scotland has myriads of riches and natural splendours to share with us wide-eyed caravanning folk. But don't feel bad if you only see a handful of the above-mentioned places to visit in Scotland. With so many tourist attractions to choose from, a lifetime of caravanning in Scotland wouldn't suffice to see them all. But it's never too late to start checking them off your list of must-see Scotland spots!