5 campervan hotspots for climbers

Climbers everywhere will be putting away their crampons and dusting off their climbing shoes as the warmer weather brings with it the opportunity for some spring rock climbing. At this time of year, Scotland's wealth of lower crags offer the perfect destination for climbers of all abilities.

These crags also make a great base for a week or weekend of sociable climbing, especially if you're travelling by campervan. Many campervans offer sleeping space for up to four adults, as well as the possibility of two more sleeping beneath an attached awning. And while the days may be sunnier, the evenings can still be chilly so a heated campervan makes even more sense.

Just think of the potential for a get-away-from-it-all campervan holiday that offers endless day-time climbing, combined with evenings spent cooking, eating and chatting in your mini home on wheels.

Of course, Scotland does sometimes feature a little rain. But if you a holidaying in a campervan then it's simply a case of relaxing in the van until the rain eases - before quickly resuming your activity.

Many climbing crags are also located amid some of Scotland's finest scenery and so there are plenty of other opportunities for investigating a more varied range of outdoor activities. You could, for example, combine a few days of climbing with a couple of days of walking. Or why not take your bikes and mix cycling with climbing over the course of a week or so?

In a campervan the options are endless and the range of stunning overnight spots are almost limitless.

Here we bring you five of our favourite campervanning hotspots for climbers.

Glen Etive, Glencoe: The Glen is wonderfully atmospheric and deserves more exploration - but for climbers it's the superb Etive Slabs that offer the main attraction. It's worth making an early start here as the crag catches the sun until early afternoon. Where to campervan: There is a good wild camping spot that is ideal for a campervan at the end of the single-track road some 23km along the glen. If you're lucky you may even catch sight of otters in the sea loch here. There are other overnight spots possible further back along the road towards Glencoe but campervanners should take care not to block passing places on this single track road.

Poolewe & Loch Tollaidh, Ross-shire: The low-lying crags here offer a great selection of different aspects and easy access so you can follow the sun. There's a good mix of trad climbing and sport crags, which means you can choose how brave you want to be! Where to campervan: An idyllic wild camping spot for campervans – and only a few minutes' walk to either the sport routes on Creag nan Luch, or the trad routes on Lower an Upper Tollie Crag – can be found right next to Loch Maree at Tollie Bay. It’s a tiny spot, right by the water’s edge, and reached by a singletrack road 2km south of Poolewe. The singletrack road goes past Tollie Farm and you must ask permission there first, before carrying on past the farm to Tollie Bay. If you don’t fancy wild campervanning the Gailoch Holiday Park campsite in Gairloch itself is lovely. The Mountain Coffee Company in the village is also well worth a visit for fab coffees, huge hot chocolates, cakes and a great browsing library of climbing mags.

Cuillin traverse, Isle of Skye

Isle of Skye: Spring and early summer are Skye ridge seasons. Whether you’re aiming to complete the full Cuillin traverse, pick off a few classic rock routes, or Munro bag the In Pinn, a campervan trip is ideal. You'll relish the flexibility to overnight close to your start point, or else drive close to the day's climbing. And if the climbing happens to be rained off then you will value the ability to relax in a heated campervan – and wait until the next break in the clouds. Where to campervan: Sligachan campsite is beautifully located at the head of Loch Sligachan. The pub/hotel is so close it feels as though it's an integral part of the campsite. Or try Glenbrittle Campsite if the southern Cuillin is your goal. The classic rock routes on Sron na Ciche are amongScotland's best.

Glen Clova, Angus Glens: This gorgeously scenic area offers great early season low-level climbing. There are also a number of newly opened Angus sport climbing venues, such as Rob’s Reid and Kirriemuir. Where to campervan: A basic but beautifully located and peaceful campsite opposite the car park and Carn Deag Mountaineering Hut at the head of the glen.

Glen Nevis, near Fort William: A premier Scottish cragging venue, the Polldubh crags at Glen Nevis give a whole variety of routes at different grades. Linking the end of one route to the start of another is one of the pleasures of climbing at Polldubh. Where to campervan: Glen Nevis campsite. This is a great site with easy access to the crags higher up the glen.

For more tips about great spots for Scottish climbing, and where to overnight in your campervan, contact Big Tree Campervans. We know many of the hotspots personally.