Spring is coming, so now is a great time to be planning a road trip with us – The Tartan Camper Company – and discover some of Scotland’s great scenery and history. We want you to have a memorable trip, so we’ve come up with 5 things you should try to see whilst on the road driving one of our campervans.
Our campervans have all the latest comforts to enable you to live for a week or two on the road and make some fantastic memories. Whats even better is you can bring you dog with you as we are a dog friendly campervan hire company, and we want you to fully enjoy hiring one of our camper vans!
Here are our five must see things, which will enhance your holiday experience.
The Kelpies.
Come and wee the world’s largest horse sculptures! The Kelpies a are a monument to Scotland’s horse-powered industrial past in Falkirk. The Sculptures were designed by sculptor Andy Scott and were completed in October 2013. These horse-head sculptures stand at over 30 meters tall and depict “Kelpies”, shape-shifting water spirits from ancient times and mythology, that one had to tame to gain safe passage across water. The heads form a gateway at the eastern entrance to the Forth and Clyde canal and the new canal extension built as part of the Helix land transformation project.
Unveiled in 2014, you can now tour inside the sculptures themselves and marvel at the intricate engineering and design, visit the Horsebox café and shop, or walk the surrounding grounds and land.
Broons Hoose
Also known as the “Wee Hoose” this tiny building has an unusual back story. It was said to be built in 1824 by a poacher names Jack Broon. Jack Broon was gifted some land by a local laird after Broon taught him how to distil Whiskey (valuable knowledge in those days. His elevation to a being a land-owner was cemented, by Jack, by building his own small house on a small island on Loch Shin. Or so the story goes…
In truth the house was only built 20 years ago for a float which was taking part in the Lairg Gala. It was then transported to the small island by locals, at the end of the Gala, and the myth was created by people within the community, and it took hold. A sort of perpetual April’s fool joke!
Culloden Battlefield
The Culloden battlefield is a relatively small but surprisingly well-preserved site. As the centrepiece to the battlefield, Culloden Hill, which offers a panoramic view over Aberdeenshire and the North Sea, which you can enjoy while taking in the majesty of one of Scotland’s most tragic moments. Culloden Battlefield is one of the most important sites in Scotland. It was here that the Jacobites were defeated, leading to the end of the Jacobite rebellions and the union with England, which stands to this this day. The final Jacobite Rising took place on April 16th 1746. Jacobite supporters, seeking to bring back the Stuart monarchy to the British thrones, amassed to battle with the Duke of Cumberland’s government troops. It was the last pitched battle on British soil. Around 1,500 men were slain – more than 1,000 of them Jacobites in less than sixty minutes.
The battlefield is located on a hilltop overlooking Inverness, and offers stunning views over Loch Ness, Ben Nevis and even out across the Atlantic Ocean! The battlefield has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2004, and it’s definitely an experience that everyone should take if you are in the area.
When visiting Culloden Battlefield in a campervan there are several different options available for accommodation including hotels and B&Bs as well as campsites, which offer campervan parking .
Sango Sands
This is a stunning beach on the west coast of Scotland in the village of Durness, Sutherland. The beach is lined with white sand and provides sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean. It a popular destination with surfers, walkers, and wildlife enthusiasts alike. Just above the beach is a visitor centre with local information. The Sands are on the North Coastal 500 Route and become very popular in the summer. Full camping facilities are near-by.
Just a short distance away is Smoo Cave, the largest cave in Scotland, which was formed by the sea and local river. It’s open all year round and a public access allows you to walk into the main waterfall chambre free of charge.
McCairgs Folly
This is a monument, constructed with a combination of Doric and Gothic styles, located in Oban, in Argyll and Bute. It was constructed in 1812 to honour the local Laird Lieutenant-Col John McCaig. McCaig wanted to provide winter work for local stonemasons and build a lasting monument to his family. He designed the building, wanting it to be based on the Colosseum in Rome. He planned to have statues of his siblings and himself installed in the central tower that was to dominate the building. Sadly, he died whilst only the outer walls were complete, and that’s how it has stayed. John had a quite high regard of himself as he had the following inscription places in stone above the entrance “Erected in 1900 by John Stuart McCaig, art critic and philosophical essayist and banker, Oban”. The quarries of Bonawe, on Loch Etive, provided the stone for the folly, which has circumference of 200 meters, or there abouts. It’s now a public garden which is reached by 144 steps, and provides magnificent views over the surrending countryside.
There’s so much to explore in one of our Campervans – book now – and enjoy all Scotland has to show.