If you’ve chosen Scotland for your motorhome holiday, you’re probably aware of the rivalry between this country and the rest of the UK – go to any Six Nations rugby match against Scotland and England, and you’ll see what we mean!
Nothing beats a bit of healthy competition, but Scotland certainly takes it to another level. For instance, did you know that Scotland is in competition with itself? That’s right, despite being similar in so many ways, the East and west of Scotland can’t help but think their respective regions are better than the other.
It’s all in good spirit, of course, but for motorhome travellers trying to map out where to go, we would hate for you to take heed of it. No one with the Twitter handle “Edinburgh4Ever” is going to give an accurate representation of Glasgow’s many qualities.
That’s where we come in. As a lover of all things Scottish, we feel we’re in a good place to list the best things about the East and the west, including the towns, coastlines and the hikes you can enjoy on your motorhome holiday.
So, let’s settle this once and for all. Round one, ding ding!
Cities
Both the west and eastern side of Scotland have some superb towns and cities that you need to visit in one of our Scottish motorhomes. Let’s start with the East:
- In The East, Edinburgh
We may be biased, but Edinburgh is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, let alone Scotland. When you come here to pick up one of our vehicles, you’re sure to have a dilemma of whether you want to leave! Filled with historic sites like Edinburgh Castle, Scott Monument, and bustling streets like Grassmarket and Prince’s Street, this city has everything for any traveller.
- In The West, Glasgow
Yep, you guessed it, no flies on you! The best city in West Scotland is undoubtedly Glasgow. It’s a little different to Edinburgh. There’s more of a modern vibe, with a few extra options for those into their nightlife, but it’s still got several historic Glaswegian sites – the University of Glasgow was founded in 1451, making it the fourth oldest university in the English-speaking world – and the architecture is beautiful too.
Coastlines
The coastlines of west Scotland are technically warmer than those in the East, due to the influence of the Atlantic currents and the Gulf Stream. So western Scotland has already gained one point. But before we jump to any conclusions, let’s take a look at the best parts of both coastlines:
- In The East, Fife
Our favourite thing about eastern Scotland is the number of gorgeous coastline towns and villages you can find along the coast. One of the best is the region of Fife, which is well known for its idyllic seaside conditions and nearby fishing villages like Crail, St Monan and Elie. If you want the best fish and chips anywhere in the UK, this is also the place to go!
- In The West, the Isle Of Harris
This is slightly more obscure, but if you visit the Isle Of Harris, you’ll find a magical combination of beaches and greenery. To put it simply, imagine if the Highlands and Cornwall made a baby. There are plenty of amazing sandy beaches and dunes, but among all that, there are rolling hills and stunning mountains. It’s the location mash-up we didn’t know we needed!
Hikes
One of the best things about travelling Scotland in a motorhome is the number of amazing Scottish hikes to go on. With this in mind, let’s take a look at the best hikes in the East and the West:
- In The East, Arthur’s Seat
Going back to Edinburgh for a moment, we couldn’t help but list this as one of the best hikes in the region, simply due to how different it is from any other hike you could have in Scotland. In Holyrood Park, the volcanic formation of Arthur’s Seat climbs 823 feet into the sky, offering a perfect 360 view of the city below.
- In The West, The Moorland Wilderness
To be honest, if we’re talking about brilliant West Scotland hikes, we could list absolutely anywhere in the Highlands. But if we had to narrow it down, the Moorland Wilderness hike is undoubtedly one of the best for variety.
This is a five-mile hike that takes you through gorgeous, green moorland, then along the vast west coast to Sandwood Bay. Once there, you can stop off, have a picnic, spot some dolphins, and then retrace your steps and do it all again! Either that or – if the amount of walking is making you sweat – do it in the comfort of your motorhome.
East Or West?
So, there we have it, a look at the East and the West, and a few of the best things they have to offer. But which is categorically better? Drum roll, please…
Neither. It’s a draw. Both the East and West have beautiful towns, coastlines, castles, history, food, mountains, you name it! That makes it impossible to choose one over the other.
That’s not to say there are no differences, of course. As we’ve mentioned, the West has a modern charm, while the East is quieter with more of a traditional touch. The West is warm but with moody skies, and the East is cooler but with more sunshine. Both have a few contrasts, but none of these contrasts make one better than the other. Our advice? Visit them both! You’re in a motorhome, so use that motorhome to experience both the East and the West. That way you don’t have to miss out on anything
