This topic seems fitting right now—the UK is melting. Yes, Scotland isn’t as hot as some areas in the UK, but as far as hot goes for Scotland, this is hot. And most of us are shouting the classic ‘this is too hot’ even though we beg for a summer like this year after year.
Still, we’re not equipped for this level of heat. The fans are only blowing hot air at us, the nights produce unbearably sticky heat, and if you’re camping, well, good luck to you. If you think sleeping in a bed in your house at night is hot, camping takes it to another level. Your fight-or-flight response kicks in, and it quickly becomes a race for survival.
Are we being dramatic? Absolutely. Are there ways of staying cool when camping during a UK heatwave? Absolutely. Motorhoming is much more forgiving, but it can still heat up. Read on for our top 5 tips.
Pick a Luxury Motorhome
Motorhoming can get hot, unless you’re renting a motorhome with luxury features. Not to blow our own trumpet, but all of our Etrusco models have an impeccable, top-of-the-range air conditioning system.
Now, we will admit, you can’t leave the engine running all night and have the air conditioning on all day. But what you will notice is that, sprinkled in throughout this article, are tips on how to extend the duration of the blissful chill that blows out when you’re driving.
And it’s not even all about the air conditioning, although it is the star of the show. If you pick a tin can motorhome that’s literally made from tin, you’re going to roast inside. Luxury motorhomes are made from insulating materials designed to keep the heat out.
Shade, Shade, and More Shade
Shade will be your best friend. This one is pretty self-explanatory. Whenever you’re parking up to explore, look for a position with shade. And when you’re parking up for the night, this is even more essential. The evening sun can quickly heat up your home for the night. Most motorhome parks should have some shaded space, but we can almost guarantee they’ll be full.
To help the situation, have the awning out to cover the side of the motorhome with the sun facing. Avoiding the direct sunlight will help to keep it cool.
Windows and Doors Shut, Air Conditioning On
This one is contrary to popular belief. People think that having the windows and doors open is the way to keep homes, motorhomes, caravans, etc., cool. But if hot air is the only thing you’re letting in, that beautiful air-conditioned chill quickly escapes.
Now, the new recommendation is to keep windows and doors shut unless there’s a bit of wind. If there’s wind, open all of the windows and doors for a nice draft.
But, in our opinion, before you go to sleep, shut everything up and sit with the air conditioning on for 30 minutes. It won’t drain the battery because you’ll have the motor running. Turn it off and enjoy falling asleep in a chilled room.
Avoid Using the Kitchen
Well, we would at least say to avoid using the oven. The oven is a nightmare in the summer heatwaves, and that’s inside a big house. In a motorhome that, although it can be spacious, is still small, that heat feels like a furnace from hell.
Where possible, on the hot days, avoid using the kitchen for extended periods. The stove to cook some pasta shouldn’t be an issue, but the oven will 100% be an issue.
Portable, High-Quality Fans
When all is said and done, we have to rely on a fan. That being said, not all fans are reliable. You can go for the cheap £15 ones, and you really get what you pay for…nothing. There’s nothing worse than a fan blowing hot air at you.
But we’re in 2025, an era where technology is more advanced than ever. That applies to the fan. If you’re a frequent motorhomer or camper, we’d highly recommend investing in a high-quality, portable fan. Motorhomes will have plugs, so they don’t need to be battery-operated, but even the battery-operated ones are improving if you’re willing to pay.
Brands like Dyson and Samsung have some incredible portable fans.
We should be grateful for the weather we’re having. Sometimes, when you’re sweating at night and neither side of the pillow feels cool, it isn’t always easy. Hopefully, our tips will help you to keep cool on your motorhome holiday. There’s nothing better than Scotland in the sun!