Surge in Family Campervan Holidays in Scotland as Bunk Campers Drives Shift from Hotels

30th April 2025

More UK families are swapping hotels for campervan holidays as travel costs rise and expectations change. Whether it’s a long weekend break or a summer adventure, the UK’s rugged landscapes and open roads have seen a boom in motorhome travel demand — and one company, Bunk Campers, is helping that trend continue for families visiting the Highlands and beyond.

Campervan Travel: The New Appeal

Campervanning is becoming more mainstream, and families are doing it. Motorhome holidays are self-drive holidays – in your own time and at your own pace – and a great alternative to hotel breaks. For those wanting to stop off at remote beauty spots best reached by road – like Scotland – a campervan is the way to go.And some families say they’re trading hotel rooms and long check-in times for tiny cabins on wheels. It has cooking facilities, comfy beds and you can wake up beside a loch one day and under castle walls the next.

Scotland: Perfect for Road-Based Holidays.

The whole of Scotland is built for campervanning. Families can drive around the country – along the North Coast 500 or up through the rugged Isle of Skye and Cairngorms National Park. You can visit mountains, forests, beaches, and islands in a day or two. With Scotland motorhome hire, families can enjoy the freedom of the open road, exploring at their own pace. And campsite infrastructure too has evolved to meet the demand – some sites now have electric hookups, modern shower blocks, playgrounds for kids, and on-site shops. This gives families the convenience of home but the adventure of a lifetime.

Why Families Are Quitting Hotels.

Not just money – although that certainly helps. For families with younger children, the campervan lifestyle is comfort, control and a pace all their own. No horny hotel neighbours, no waiting for food service and no parents chasing toddlers around hotel lobbies. Parents can cook meals on their schedule, have routines and just spend time together.

There’s also something very human about life on the road. And campervan holidays give you that connection – whether you plan the day’s route together or tell stories around a campfire.

Bunk Campers: The Center of the Movement.

Camping with kids is made easier by Bunk Campers, one of the UK’s leading motorhome hire companies. With a major hub in Scotland Bunk Campers has catered to the demand for large, modern campervans.

What sets Bunk Campers apart is their attention to what families need. It has models for couples and groups of all sizes with layouts that balance comfort with space for storage. Features like fully equipped kitchens, heating for those cold Highland nights and child seat compatibility make life on the road easier.Families can book through their Scotland depot and collect their vehicle in Edinburgh or Glasgow – no airport queues, no transfers – just into the wild.

Post-Pandemic Priorities: Space, Safety, and Self-Sufficiency

With the pandemic comes self-contained travel. Motorhomes give something that hotels can not always promise: freedom and privacy. So you cook, sleep, and unwind at home, away from noisy dining halls or common areas. Equipped with the right travel gadgets, campervans offer even greater comfort and convenience, which swayed many families toward this style of travel.

And as hotels and eating out get more expensive, families are changing how they holiday. Although hiring a campervan costs more up front, the savings on food and accommodation can add up fast – especially for a week or more. Many families are realising how practical and free motorhome hire is in Scotland.

Tips for First-Time Family Campervanners.

For someone new to camping the thought of navigating Scotland’s winding roads or planning campsite stops might seem overwhelming. But with a little preparation the journey becomes part of the joy. Have a rough route in mind but be flexible – some of the best memories are on unexpected detours – to a beach you didn’t expect or a viewpoint you happen upon. Popular family campsites can be booked well in advance – especially in peak summer. Packing for all weather also helps, as Scotland is notoriously unpredictable – sunshine and showers arrive at the same hour.

Including the kids makes it more fun. You can have them read the map, help with setup or pick a daily destination. Lastly, buy a campervan from a safe supplier. For example, Bunk Campers gives you quality vehicles and local help to make your trip as stress-free as possible.

An Evolving Travel Culture

As travel costs rise, campervan holidays are becoming smarter and more rewarding. But Scotland’s natural beauty, improved road trip infrastructure and changing family dynamics make it more appealing than ever.

Forward-thinking providers have stepped up to meet – and shaped – that demand. Companies like Bunk Campers are giving families alternative ways to travel. It could be a week in the Highlands or a long weekend at castles and coastlines – this new chapter in family holidays is being written from the front seats of campervans and not from hotel balconies.

But it is proving to be the most rewarding way for many families to travel: Mile by mile – memory by memory.