Lewis & Josie take Big Bert to Scottish Highlands

Meet Lewis, teacher by day, founder of Pedal Slip, and all things bikes and photography the rest of the time! Lewis and his fiancé Josie packed their two wheelers, into Camplify four wheeler Big Bert, a converted VW Crafter, and headed for Glencoe for the weekend - think loch swimming, downhill waterfalls and lots and lots of cycling. We asked them to share their experience, and itinerary with us.

How was your experience of Scotland?

Scotland is often given the reputation of a land of wet, wind, and cold. It’s depicted as a grey place with pretty views but only when you can see them. And I think that’s an injustice. But Scotland is more than that, much more. Embrace the wet, realise that you’re likely to get soaked right through, and adventure anyway. Do that and you’ll see Scotland in its truest form. A place with unimaginable beauty, stretching wilderness, and the perfect place to explore in a camper van.

Day 1

We picked up Big Bert, a converted VW Crafter, from just outside of Glasgow and headed north towards Glencoe, stopping off at a farm shop for some supplies en route. Our trip took us alongside Loch Lomond and further north still until we eventually reached the surrounding peaks leaning away from the A82. We took in the surroundings and found a wonderful pull off to shelter from the rain for the night. We’re used to camping, even in the wet, so having the van with its heater and inside lights made for more comfort than normal. We watched the clouds roll over the surrounding hills until the sun disappeared and the dark crept in.

Day 2

The following day was typically wet. Scottish wet. Glencoe Nature Reserve (a National Trust owned part of Scotland) provided a place to explore with shelter and history of the explorers and adventurers in the area. We explored forest tracks in the wet and when the rain continued to fall, we laughed knowing the area would soon be all the quieter for it. We’d have more of Scotland to ourselves and that was something to find joy in. The car park emptied and we took an hour to relax and have an afternoon snooze in the back of the van before heading back along the A82 to soak up more of the views - incredible waterfalls and hills stretching out on all sides.

Eventually, with views admired, we began our journey west and south. Portnacroish was the destination with Castle Stalker within reach. Scotland’s laws provide the perfect combination with camper vans and we made use of the legality of wild camping again by finding another pull-in near to the road for the night. Relaxing, cooking and staring out across Loch Linnhe made for the evening’s entertainment and the thought of switching the van’s TV on didn’t even cross our minds.

Day 3

We rose early on the third day - the excitement and sunshine was too much to keep me in bed for long. I unstrapped the bike from the garage area and set off on a short ride to find Castle Stalker for myself. A glimpse of the building on the previous evening had filled me with hope of being able to get up close. I wasn’t disappointed to find that the cycleway led right to the beachfront with a perfectly unspoilt view of the castle, and even a chance to ride on the wet sand in front. I spent a long time gazing at the vista with mountains and beach sandwiching the historic building. Eventually, it was time for lunch (easily prepped thanks to the fridge and gas stove) and another drive - this time shorter to Loch Awe, another castle in sight. Kilchurn Castle turned out to be as incredible as our earlier trip. The ruined building was unfortunately surrounded by fencing to prevent damage in its decay but the surrounding area was majestic. On two sides, Loch Awe brushed the land and the idea reached my mind. What about a swim? Having left the van in the car park, we walked back to retrieve our wetsuits and then dipped into the loch right at the side of the castle. Incredible and unique views looking back towards the building were our reward. The shallow water had warmed through the day and the dip was refreshing. Again, we made use of the van and slept in the car park after cooking ourselves a potato and coconut curry for tea.

Day 4

Views stretched out into the hills on the next day. The sun dispelled the myths that Scotland never has a summer and without any sign of midges we left the side door open to enjoy our morning coffee. St. Conan’s Kirk was our first stop of the day and, despite only being completed in the 1930s, it was filled with medieval-inspired stonework. From there, we headed south and east again past a full car park at the Falls of Falloch where we’d hoped we might find another opportunity for a swim. Instead, we continued to our first and only campsite of the trip. The shower and toilet in the van had served us well over the previous days but the reward of reaching the campsite was the use of their facilities, electric hook-up (although the solar panel had served us well), and chance to reorganise some of the internal cupboards.

Day 5

Our final day in the van was by far the most rewarding. We chanced a journey along the Three Lochs Drive, near Aberfoyle. Having heard that it was an opportunity to drive through a forest, we thought it might provide a few interesting sights. We were wrong; it was glorious and gave us much more than just pretty views. Bert’s burly wheels munched the miles through the forest until we happened upon a pull-in at the side of Loch Drunkie. A short path pointed tantalisingly towards a secluded beach at the bottom of the hill and it made the perfect spot to spend the entire day, hanging in my hammock, cycling the maze of paths, and swimming in the loch.

Day 6

We dropped Bert back home the following morning and, with fulfilment, headed back home. Could I or would I do the same trip again in a van? Absolutely no question As far as trip highlights go, that’s an impossible thing to write about: the whole trip was a highlight and experiencing every minute of time on the west of Scotland was a dream. We won’t soon forget this one.