Our First Time Car Camping in Scotland
So we decided to try first time car camping, and like most firsts, it was equal parts exciting and chaotic. We didn’t know exactly what to expect – just that we were ready to try something different, something simple and spontaneous. I’d read a few tips here and there, but nothing really prepares you for that first night tucked into a sleeping bag in the back of your own car, wondering if bin bags count as proper window insulation.
Aviemore felt like the perfect spot to try our first official night. We didn’t go far or wild – just far enough to feel like we were “away.” I hadn’t invested in any real gear yet. No fancy blackout shades or power banks. Just some cheap window covers, bin bags to block out light, two mats, sleeping bags, flamingo fairy lights, and a slightly overconfident attitude.
We parked in a school’s car park – it was the school holidays, so no one minded. Plus, the school building had a small library with toilet access, which we’d found on an app while scouting low-key places to stay. I remember thinking, “We’ll be fine. People do this all the time.” And honestly, in some ways, we were.
What went right:
The dog settled instantly. Oaxaca seemed to think this was the best adventure we’d ever come up with. My teen didn’t complain either – a miracle in itself – and even had fun cutting blackout panels out of an old camping mat. We set up quickly, laughed at our makeshift bin bag curtains, and huddled into our sleeping bags. There was something freeing about not being tied to a hotel – no check-in times, no shared bathrooms, just us, a few snacks, an iPad with a movie, and the wind in the trees.
What went wrong:
Camping in a small space means that space gets really messy very fast. So I did realise we need to have a system for the future that will help keeping the car a bit more tidy. Also, bin bags do block out light, but they don’t insulate. We hadn’t cracked the windows, so by morning everything was damp with condensation. Cold, slightly soggy, and smelling faintly of dog breath — it wasn’t exactly the Instagram version of van life. But we weirdly loved it.
We decided to head into town for breakfast. First, we parked outside a shopping area and ran the car to charge the phone for 15 minutes. Unfortunately, that drained the battery. Flat. Thankfully, a kind stranger in Aviemore came to the rescue, and after a successful jump start, we drove straight to Inverness to buy a new one.
It felt like an experiment – proof that we didn’t need perfect conditions to create a memory. I added “battery pack” and “window vent covers” to the list for next time… and also added “definitely do this again.”
Because it was far from perfect – and that’s exactly what made it great.
( the photos are not from that first night, but you get the idea 😉
