The Northern Lights are a natural wonder which have a place on many people’s bucket list.

With the Arctic Circle a far cry from most people’s reach of places to visit, it may come as a surprise that another great place to catch nature’s very own theatrical performance is along the northern reaches of Scotland. Primary viewing locations include the Shetlands, the Outer Hebrides, Orkney as well as around the Caithness coast.

Campervan hire is a quirky and practical alternative for enthusiasts wanting to experience the Northern Lights and January is a great month to spot them as solar activity tends to increase with cold nights and clear skies.

If hiring a campervan to see the Aurora Borealis is not something you have considered before, here is our five reasons why a campervan is your prefect travel companion for catching the Northern Lights;

1.       Chase the Lights

(Photo credit: @Forgetsomeday)

Enjoy the freedom to move around and chase the Northern Lights as they appear from one location to the next. With campervan hire, you have your transport and accommodation in one, so you can head to locations as they appear – the perfect opportunity to photograph the lights from several different viewing angles throughout the night.

2.       Home from Home

Stay warm with camper heating and enjoy all the perks of home. No more sitting outside in a freezing tent! With a campervan warm up with a cup of hot tea and enjoy cooking facilities, toilet, shower and electricity on board as you wait for the Aurora Borealis to appear!

3.       Sleep under the stars

Chasing the Northern Lighting can be tiring and often lead to a late nights or early mornings. The great thing about a campervan is that you are carrying around a very comfortable bed! So, when the Northern Lights have faded, you can simply retreat to your on-board accommodation. Another major benefit of an on-board bed is that not everyone has to sit up waiting on the Northern Lights to start; you and your fellow chasers can take shifts throughout the night.

4.       Get off the beaten track to the most remote viewing locations

In the UK, the optimum viewing locations for the Northern Lights are in the Scottish Highlands or Islands. If you want to head to the more remote locations to get the best views of the lights, you can take your Bunk Camper on most ferry carriers. Northlink Ferries have a great overnight service that can transport both you and your motorhomes to the Islands from either their Aberdeen or Scrabster ferry ports.

5.       Explore by day

Chasing the Northern Lights is a night time activity; this means that during daylight hours you will have some spare time to explore the great attractions Scotland has to offer. Scotland is a great outdoor destination and some of the must do activities whilst in the Highlands or Islands include; exploring stunning beaches, searching for the big 5 wildlife as well as relaxing in an array of beautiful parks and gardens.

When to hire a campervan?

As the nights get longer, the season for chasing the Northern Lights comes to life. January is one of the best months for catching a glimpse of the Northern Lights, so now is the time to start thinking about experiencing one of the world’s natural beauties for yourself!

For campervan or motorohome hire in Scotland, our rental depot is conveniently located close to Edinburgh airport. Choose from our range of 2-6 berth campervans and motorhomes to suit all tastes and budgets from only £65 per night. If you fancy chasing the Northern Lights, we are your perfect travel companion.

To book a campervan, simply booking online using our online booking engine, email [email protected] or call 44 (0)800 0590 905.