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Motorhome Holiday Ideas – Our Guide to Edinburgh

We are based only 15 minutes from Edinburgh, and so it can be the first port of call for many of our customers. After a quick 10 minute drive from the airport, there really is nothing stopping you from starting your explorations!

Along with the free, wild camp spots we have loaded into your sat nav, you will also be eligible for discounted member prices at some beautiful and well-equipped Camping and Caravanning Club sites. Club members often post reviews online, so you can get an idea of the site before you get there, but it is often advisable to book for some of the more popular sites which we can advise you on. There are currently 60 sites within a 50 mile radius of Edinburgh, with prices around £18 within the city itself. You can easily plan your route via these sites on the Camping and Caravanning Club website, which even provides latitude and longitude information, and we would be happy to help you every step of the way.

What does Edinburgh have to offer?

As the capital city of Scotland, Edinburgh has a variety of exciting and unique experiences for you, so pull up at one of the many caravan parks (we’ve listed some further down in this article) and start exploring!

 

Scottish Food

Just about any type of food you can imagine, you can find somewhere in Edinburgh, from seafood restaurants like The Ship on the Shore serving up the local catch, to The Kitchin, Edinburgh’s Michelin-starred restaurant, you can eat all over the world in one trip.

And you cannot miss the Scottish farmers markets, especially when passing through Edinburgh. They are normally held on a monthly basis, but Edinburgh’s award-winning market in Castle Terrace is held weekly, and has the largest variety on offer in all of Scotland. It regularly features 60 stalls, with everything from wild boar, to fresh bread and jams, local drams and craft beers.

If a tour of Scot produce is what you’re looking for, then check out the list of farmers markets across Scotland and plan your own personal experience.

Edinburgh Shopping

And of course, you could enjoy some shopping before setting off for the Highlands of Scotland, as Princes Street of Edinburgh is not to be missed. A visit to the iconic Jenners department store will cater to your every need, whilst Scotland’s only Harvey Nichols store is just a stone’s throw away on St. Andrews Square. Whether you’re looking for the latest from the high street, or boutique Scottish creations, you’ll find it in Edinburgh.

Historic Landmarks

Whilst strolling down Princes Street, you will naturally come to Edinburgh Castle, a grand piece of history from the 12th century, which is well worth a visit. Make sure not to miss the one o clock gun, fired every day except Sunday!

Another popular attraction for many visitors is the Royal Yacht Britannia on the coast of Edinburgh, which served the Royal family for 44 years and stands as a symbol of the Commonwealth. If you are interested in visiting these two attractions, it could be worth getting the Royal Edinburgh Ticket (£45 adult), which covers admission to the Castle and Britannia, along with a visit to the Palace of Holyroodhouse and unlimited bus travel between all three.

Museums and Galleries

The weather in Scotland is famously changeable, and it’s always good to have some options for a rainy day! Edinburgh boasts many historic museums and art galleries, including the National Museum of Scotland, which features exhibits ranging from the natural world, science and technology, to the history and cultures of both Scotland and much further abroad. In addition to the many local art galleries dotted around (visit Dundas Street in Edinburgh’s New Town) Edinburgh is home to the Scottish National Gallery and Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art. Information on the National Galleries of Scotland can be found here.

Edinburgh Events

Check out the Visit Scotland website for the latest news on events happening throughout Edinburgh. With the Commonwealth Games and Ryder Cup taking place in Scotland this year, 2014 is being billed as the Year of Homecoming, and there are 100s of events taking place to revel in all that is great about Scotland.

The month of May has been declared Whisky month, and all across the country events will celebrate Scotland’s national drink, culminating in The Islay Music and Malt Festival which is sure to be fantastic.

For all sport and music enthusiasts, Turnberry Beach Rugby Tournament is running from 4th – 6th July, which involves a weekend of beach rugby, alongside a music festival.

The ever-popular Inverkeithing Highland Games kick off on August 2nd, and is sure to serve up a thoroughly Scottish experience!

Download the Homecoming app from Visit Scotland, to get up to date information on events straight to your mobile.

If you’re a bit overwhelmed by the sheer number of things you can do in Edinburgh, Edinburgh-Inspiring Capital has some great holiday itineraries to give you an idea of what can be done if you only have a few days,or even a few hours.

 

Caravan Parks and Campsites near Edinburgh

The following campsite locations are great for your final since they are very close to our location. They are also great for your first night if arriving late or do not want to drive too far on the first day.

Mortonhall Caravan Park is a simple bus ride from the city centre, although reviews mention a good pub and restaurant on site, so you don’t even have to venture far. In the ‘Big Sites Book’ that we provide you with, you can look up Mortonhall Caravan Park with the reference number 066/017 and see if it fits into your planned route.

Beecraigs Campsite is 10 minutes from our location, set in woods and parkland, and next to ‘deer centre’ and restaurant. It boasts plenty of family-friendly activities as well as offering a long established loch stocked with Rainbow Trout.

http://www.westlothian.gov.uk/tourism/countryparks/beecraigs/

http://www.westlothian.gov.uk/tourism/countryparks/beecraigs/caravan

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowUserReviews-g186590-d1550728-r147253485-Beecraigs_Country_Park-Linlithgow_West_Lothian_Scotland.html

Linwater Campsite is around 20 minutes from Edinburgh city centre, and has excellent reviews: http://www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk/campsites/uk/westlothain/byeastcalder/linwatercaravanpark

And finally, for somewhere a bit further out, why not visit Perth, Scone Palace Campsite, which is 50 mins from our location. It offers a tranquil location, but has family facilities like a children’s play area and offers walks along the River Tay. In the grounds of Scone Palace you can visit the historic palace (crowning place of the Kings of Scots), famous gardens, and coffee shop which serves local cakes and tea.

http://www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk/siteseekerlite/aspx/details.aspx?id=7260

*Discounted fees are on offer (we have membership of the Caravan and Camping club)*

 

Attractions Near Edinburgh

Rosslyn Chapel

Twenty minutes in the opposite direction from Mortonhall Caravan Park, you will find the majestic Rosslyn Chapel, which is steeped in Scottish legend and a real treat for architecture enthusiasts. Built in the mid-15th century and only 20 minutes from Edinburgh, the fine stonework carvings are one-of-a-kind. A new visitor centre was created in 2011, and they now provide tours throughout the day letting you explore the underground sacristy with original architect drawings, and play around with the award-winning exhibition and interactive features. For all you movie fans, the chapel was the setting for part of Dan Brown’s novel, The Da Vinci Code, and also featured in the film. The chapel is open for visits from 9:30-17:00 Monday to Saturday, and noon-16:45 on Sundays.

Alternatively, if you want to move on from Mortonhall Caravan Park, you could head south to Lothianbridge Caravan Park, located on the A7 near Dalkeith, which is still within 20 minutes of Rosslyn Chapel. In the ‘Big Site Book’, the reference number for Lothianbridge Caravan Park is 066/010.

Tweed Valley

Four hundred thousand mountain bikers a year visit Tweed Valley for some of the best Scottish trails, and it’s only 30 minutes outside of the bustling capital city. If you are not a bike enthusiast though, don’t worry because there’s loads more. You can go salmon fishing on the river Tweed, birdwatching for Ospreys at the viewing centres, or find out why Tweed Valley was the location of the Scottish Borders Walking Festival in 2010! Golfing, water sports, and even zorbing in the near future, makes this a fantastic area to visit.

Visittweedvalley.co.uk recommends Selkirk Leisure Centre and Caravan Park, in Victoria Park, Selkirk for nearby accommodation. However, the Camping and Caravanning Club mentions a certified site nearby called The Onstead, which takes a maximum of 5 motorhomes, but comes highly recommended from club members (Big Sites Book Reference: 074/007). Prices start at £7, pets are welcome, and wifi is available in this well-sheltered site.

South Queensferry

Nestled almost underneath the world famous Forth Road Bridge, grab something to eat in the Hawes Inn. Catch the ‘Maid of the Forth‘  passenger boat for a tour of the estuary, out to Incholm Island and see the 14th century monastery and the seals.

You can get a train from Edinburgh to South Queensferry, and the ride takes around 20 minutes: http://ojp.nationalrail.co.uk/service/planjourney/search

Pentlands Park

An area of hills and reservoirs on the outskirts of Edinburgh with great views and peaceful countryside. The Pentland Hills website has some great walking guides and also has details of how the area can be reached by bus from Edinburgh city centre: http://www.pentlandhills.org/downloads/file/32/how_to_get_to_the_pentland_hills_by_bus

Stirling Castle

Why not follow the River Forth into the heart of Scotland, and stop off in Stirling which is less than an hour from Edinburgh. You could stay at the nearby Witches Craig Caravan and Camping Park from £17, which is just down the A91 from Stirling (Big Sites Book Reference: 057/040). Camping and Caravanning Club members rate this park highly, as it is just 5 minutes from the shops and has great walks nearby!

Stirling Castle, , the centre of Scottish celebrity culture in the 16th century, is just on the edge of the town itself, with commanding views of the Scottish countryside. If you want to see all attractions available at the site, it is recommended you allow around 2 hours. With a variety of interactive exhibits, Stirling Castle is sure to keep young kids entertained – they can even dress up in period costume for the day! Audio guide tours and souvenir guide books are available in German, French, Italian, Spanish and Japanese.

Spend the night in Stirling, enjoy the local city, and you could be in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park in under an hour the next day after breakfast, where the Cobleland Caravan and Camping Site comes highly recommended from Camping and Caravanning Club members. Our customers spend weeks at this site alone, because of the fantastic nearby restaurants, dedicated shuttlebus, and amenities for water sports!

These are just a few popular Scottish sites that our customers enjoy visiting, but feel free to get in touch if you are looking for further advice on attractions to visit during your motorhome escape! As a keen motorhome-holiday family, I’m confident we’ll be able to help you with any queries you may have.

 

Richard and Hilary
+44 (0)7825 863915

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