Many people travel to Orkney via ferry, bringing their own motor home with them, However, we would point out that the roads in Orkney are not designed for large vehicles and heavy traffic, many are indeed single track road with passing places, which could make some of the large, modern mobile homes a little cumbersome.

An enterprising couple on the mainland are offering tourists the freedom to travel light and hire a self drive camper van when they get there….and yes, they are genuine VW camper vans, lovingly named;

Poppy the Orkney VW camper van

Poppy, who is a 1986 Leisuredrive conversion and Mr Bumble, a 1982 Westfalia High Top

The vans are equipped with everything you need to start your holiday, all you need to do is chose what to do first.

Hiring a VW camper gives you the freedom to choose where you go and how long you stay there as well as being compact and easy to drive around Orkney’s roads.

“It’s not just your wheels and your bed, it’s a way of life”.

Wild Camping
As well as campsites, Orkney (and the rest of Scotland) is one of the few places in the UK that you can still wild camp.

Plenty of beaches have public toilets with drinkable water and sinks.

Mr Bumble, the Westflaia High Top

People are asked to be aware of their impact on the natural habitat when wild camping, so there are a few simple rules to ensure your stay leaves the beautiful beaches as you found them and the facilities clean and tidy. This will ensure that this privilege lives on long after we have all gone.

A Hire Car with a Difference
Why not think about hiring a camper van as an alternative to a conventional hire car? It is much cheaper than a hire car and a hotel, plus you get to live the dream and you can vary whether you sleep in the van, stay with friends or at a B & B or Hotel, the choice is yours.

Have you seen Poppy or Mr Bumble?
Maybe you have seen one of these characterful camper vans on your tour of the islands or perhaps you have even hired one…If you have some happy camping stories and pictures to share, then just send them to us via the comments link at the end of the article.

More about camping in Orkney

Orkneycampers.com – Genuine VW camper van hire

Wild camping in Scotland

Orkney camping, caravan & hostels - A full list of camping and caravan sites on the Orkney mainland and islands

Be a responsible camper – Scottish outdoor access codeSimilar Posts:

• Accommodation
• Camping and Hostels in Orkney
• Walking in Orkney and the Isles
• Getting to Orkney
• Winter in Orkney