No matter how much we love to move forward and get on that open road, we all need to take a break every now and then. From tired eyes to achy legs – or maybe that sense of pining for the fresh, cool world beyond the window – we’re never far away from an excuse to pull in, let our roadside companions speed past, and take in a few minutes of peace and quiet.
But breaks from driving aren’t just about disrupting the flow for 5 minutes while we take a sip or two or water, have a snack, rub our eyes clear and check the map. In fact, in all our years of travelling, we’ve found that some of the best parts of the journey happen when you’re at a complete standstill.
With that in mind, here are some of our favourite ways to break up a long journey, see the world from a different angle, and make sure we’re bright eyed and bushy tailed in time for the next long stint on the road next time you hire a motorhome in Scotland.
The Five-Minute Break:
It never hurts to ‘disengage’ from the driver’s seat, relax your eyes (and your mind) for a few minutes, and take a few moments to really appreciate the landscape that has been zooming past your windows.
If you’ve got five minutes to spare, we recommend getting outside – park up in one of the many (many) scenic spots this country has to offer, and get the blood flowing with an energising walk through the cool air. A stretch, a photo or two, and you’re good for another brief stint on the road.
The Two-Hour Break:
The best recipe for couple of hours away from the helm? Get the cocoa going on the stove, then open up the door and let the fresh air flood in as you appreciate one of Scotland’s many beautiful viewpoints while you wait for the warming smells of chocolate to reach you. Pack it away in a flask, lock up the van, and get exploring.
From Lake Windermere to Arthur’s Seat, some of Scotland’s most tempting landmarks fit comfortably within a much busier day. For us, marking off the opportunities to stop and see something well-worth seeing is what makes the journey so rewarding. It’s not about Point A to Point B – there’s a whole alphabet of things to see in-between.
If you’ve got a couple of hours to spare, you’ve got an adventure waiting. Whether you want a dose of culture – the Riverside Museum in Glasgow is a great destination if you’ve got a few hours to kill – or something away from it all, like one of the world-renowned cycling trails in Cairngorm National Park.
Stopping is essential when you’ve got a lot of driving ahead of you (and behind you), but it doesn’t have to be boring.
The Day Break:
However beautiful it all is, being in the wilder parts for too long can certainly make us long for a change of pace. You don’t need to feel guilty about missing restaurants, people, shops and creature comforts – and, fortunately, in Scotland, you’re never too far from some of the more populated parts of the country.
Even if your mind and heart are set on a cross-country, rugged Scottish adventure (although, with our motorhomes, nothing ever gets too rugged), why not schedule in at least one day in the city?
Edinburgh is the ultimate pitstop for anyone in Scotland, whether you consider yourself a history buff or a lover of art, music, food, and culture – or a bit of everything.
You can’t see the whole city in a day – or even a week – but a busy 24 hours within its walls will be enough to whet your appetite for a return visit later in the year. We’ve written a full guide to exploring Edinburgh in a day, and it’s certainly worth a read if you’re treating yourself to a day’s break in the city.
The Weekend Break:
Yes, the idea of taking a weekend break while you’re taking a holiday may sound a little strange, but, when your holiday is devoted to travel, it’s always worth setting aside a couple of days for the exact opposite.
The great thing about a motorhome is the fact that, wherever you are, you’re ready to retreat from the world and take a short break from travel. Why not plan your motorhome holiday around a couple of days’ respite in a beautiful location, where you can unfold the camping chairs, get some hearty food brewing over a campfire, and take advantage of one of the best things motorhomes can offer: peace.
Grab a book, a blanket, and a hot drink, and enjoy the beauty around you.
It may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you’re planning your route across Scotland, but we can guarantee you’ll appreciate the thought when the time comes.
