Overview

Leaving the city behind, we picked up our camper van and ventured into the wild beauty of the Scottish Highlands. This leg of the journey was all about winding roads, misty mountains, wild raspberries, and one of our favorite hikes of the trip.

Spaceship Rentals – Camper Van Pickup

We grabbed our camper van from Spaceship Rentals, an affordable, easy-to-drive option perfect for road tripping across Scotland. Located just outside Edinburgh, the process was seamless, and we were on the road within the hour.

Tip: Double-check that your van includes bedding and cooking equipment before leaving. Ours was ready to go!

House of Bruar – Roadside Market & Lunch

Our first stop was the House of Bruar, an upscale Scottish market just off the A9. It's a great place to stretch your legs, grab coffee or lunch, and stock up on snacks. Outside, we found a vendor selling delicious raspberries.

Falls of Bruar

Right behind the House of Bruar, take a short walk up to the Falls of Bruar, a cascading waterfall tucked in a peaceful pine forest. It’s a great detour to stretch and soak in nature before heading deeper into the Highlands.

Cairngorms National Park

Driving into Cairngorms National Park feels like you’ve stepped into a landscape painting—one filled with ancient pine forests, lochs that mirror the sky, and mist-draped peaks that stretch beyond the horizon. Located in the heart of the Scottish Highlands, the Cairngorms is the largest national park in the UK, covering over 4,500 square kilometers of wild and largely untouched beauty.

The park is home to five of the UK’s six highest mountains, hundreds of miles of walking trails, and wildlife you won’t find elsewhere in Britain—think red deer, ospreys, and even reintroduced wildcats. The air feels fresher, the light hits the land differently, and there’s a sense of calm that settles over you as soon as you cross into its borders.

Glenmore Visitor Centre

We made a quick stop at Glenmore Visitor Centre to get our bearings, top off water, and check in on trail conditions. Friendly staff offered a few ideas, but we already had one goal in mind...

Meall a’ Bhuachaille Trail

We started our Meall a’ Bhuachaille hike around 4 PM, after a quick visit to the Glenmore Visitor Centre. While checking our gear, we met an Irish guy who was also gearing up—he was in Scotland for a wedding but decided to turn the trip into a multi-day hiking adventure. After some friendly chat, we parted ways—he continued deeper into the woods, while we began our loop toward the summit.

Trail Info:

Distance: ~5 miles / 8 km
Time: ~3 hours round trip
Elevation Gain: ~550 meters (1,800 ft)
Difficulty: Moderate
Trailhead: Glenmore Forest Park car park
Route: Loop, best done counterclockwise

Once we were on the trail proper, we didn’t see another person for the remainder of the hike.

The trail itself is well-marked and easy to follow, winding first through Caledonian pine forest, past mirror-like Lochan Uaine (the Green Loch), and gradually climbing toward the shoulder of the mountain. The elevation gain is steady but never too steep, making it suitable for most hikers with decent fitness.

As we climbed above the treeline, the views opened dramatically—you can see Loch Morlich sparkling in the distance, framed by towering ridges and rolling moors. To the west, the late-afternoon sun bathed the hills in gold and purple, and clouds drifted low, casting shadows that danced over the glens.

At the summit, we had 360-degree views over the Cairngorm range. It was quiet, still, and humbling. We lingered at the top, catching our breath and watching the wind ripple through the grass before descending along the loop. The descent gives you even more epic vistas—and by this time of day, you may have the whole trail to yourself.

Evening Stroll Through Inverness

After the hike and a short drive north, we arrived in Inverness, the capital of the Highlands. This small yet vibrant city sits on the banks of the River Ness and is often considered the gateway to the northern reaches of Scotland.

We parked the van and took a leisurely walk along the riverwalk promenade, where locals and visitors alike strolled past flower beds, bridges, and historic buildings. The Inverness Castle, perched above the river, made a dramatic silhouette against the evening sky. Though we didn’t go inside, its position alone was worth the stop.

The town had a relaxed charm—bagpipers playing in the distance, cozy pubs lit from within, and cobbled lanes that invited wandering. It was the perfect place to decompress before dinner.

Dinner at AYE Restaurant

For dinner, we settled into AYE, a modern Scottish restaurant in Inverness that puts a creative spin on traditional dishes. The vibe was casual but elevated—perfect for two hungry travelers winding down after a long day.

Here’s what we ordered:

Loch Ness Brewery Ale – Rich, malty, and perfectly cold. A true taste of the region.
Cullen Skink – A warm, creamy Scottish soup made with smoked haddock, potatoes, and onions. Comfort food at its best.
Scottish Mussels – Served in a fragrant white wine and garlic broth. Fresh, plump, and perfectly cooked.
Angus Beef Burger – Topped with cheddar and whisky-caramelized onions. Juicy, flavorful, and exactly what you want after hiking.

Camper Van Overnight

After wrapping up the Meall a’ Bhuachaille hike, we hit the road north, winding our way through the highland roads as the last light faded. Our goal: find a peaceful spot to spend the night in the van—and we found a gem.

Just outside Inverness, we landed in the quiet seaside village of Avoch (pronounced “Auch”), tucked along the Moray Firth. With the tide gently lapping the shoreline and the village lights reflecting off the water, it felt like the perfect welcome to van life.

Highlands- Scotland (Day 2)