As holidays abroad are still wracked with uncertainty, staycations have never been more popular.
And what better way to escape than by hiring a campervan and exploring what Scotland has to offer?
"This is the year for it,” says Alex Black, who runs Big Sky Campers with Rob Dawkins, “It’s having that sense of freedom. If you have your own vehicle you can do your own thing. You learn so much about your own country.”
Based in Edinburgh, the campervan hire company has been running for four years now and gone from two vehicles to nine. Like many businesses, lockdown has been hard for them, but they are determined to keep going and are looking forward to restrictions easing.
Alex, who has the enviable task of scouting out locations for holidaymakers, said: “I would recommend not doing the North Coast 500. It’s wonderful but it’s really busy because everybody’s doing it.”
Instead, she has suggested 11 magical locations in Scotland to have a campervan staycation extraordinare.
9. Isle of Jura
The 'untamed' Isle of Jura in the Inner Hebrides has a small population (just 200) and is described as one of the 'wildest places in Scotland'. It's where George Orwell retreated to write his novel 1984. Photo: Getty Images
10. Isle of Harris
Located in the Outer Hebrides, the Isle of Harris offers outstanding golden beaches and turquoise seas. Visit westharristrust.org for information on where to camp. Photo: Getty Images
11. Aviemore
Highland Shepherd Huts can be found north of Aviemore, in the Cairngorms National Park. "They're beautiful huts and there's three places for campervans," says Alex, "All you can see is the mountains. That's a spot not many people know about." Photo: Getty Images