‘We love the freedom, but we hate unpacking the van, especially after a rainy weekend in Scotland.’
That’s according to Owen Price, 32, from Arbroath, Scotland, when asked what he likes and dislikes about adventuring in a former British kingdom. Volkswagen Caddy Maxi gas van converted into a motorhome with a roof tent, double bed and gin dispenser.
He uses his van most weekends to travel with his partner Megan Mcleod, 28, and their dogs Riley, 13, and Skye, nine, and posts photos and videos of their trips on Instagram under the username @roofracks_rucksacks.
Owen also shares with MailOnline Travel the hidden spots he’s discovered and the most surprising aspects of his tiny house-on-wheels adventure.
One of the biggest surprises has been how much money the couple has saved on accommodation. Owen says he was hugely surprised “by how much money has been saved on holidays and Airbnb by being able to jump in the van with a full tank of fuel and snacks for the road.”
Owen Price and his partner Megan Mcleod, pictured, use their van for mini adventures.
Owen, from Arbroath, Scotland, converted his former British Gas Volkswagen Caddy Maxi van, seen above, for £2,200.
The couple was surprised by the number of “hidden gems” they found along the road, where “you can just stop and visit during the day, and stay overnight if you feel like it.” And they were surprised by how “attainable” the lifestyle is.
Another revelation was how quickly they made friends along the way.
Owen comments: “They already have something in common, so it’s really easy to make new friends as we explore. We’ve met so many wonderful people on our travels around the country and now have friends for life.”
She was also surprised by how “attainable” this lifestyle is: She says that “no matter what your budget is, whether it’s a fold-up bed made from old pallets or a professional conversion,” you can make it work.
She notes: ‘It’s amazing, with a little planning and thought, how much you can fit into such a small space and still make it comfortable to live in for periods of time, short or long.
Owen’s van in front of the Buachaille Etive Mòr mountain at the head of Glen Etive in the Scottish Highlands
Owen is travelling with his dogs Riley, 13, and Skye, nine (right). Commenting on how he chose the van, he said: “After extensive research, the VW Caddy Maxi came out on top, particularly the ex-British petrol models as they are well maintained being ex-fleet vehicles.”
Coastal cruising: Owen’s van is shown here on the Isle of Lewis.
‘Because everything has its place in the van, we can keep it packed and ready to use whenever we feel like it, rather than having to load and unpack the car all the time.
‘We use the van every other weekend as much as we can, as well as for longer trips, festivals, wedding accommodation and everything in between, but mainly as a way to escape reality.’
The couple were also surprised by the number of “hidden gems” they found along the way, where “you can just stop and visit during the day, and stay overnight if you feel like it.”
Recommending his three favourite spots, Owen says: ‘The Red Squirrel Campsite in Glencoe is the closest ‘wild camping’ experience you’ll get whilst still having camping amenities such as a store and food truck, hot showers and washing facilities.
“It’s surrounded by some of the most rugged and spectacular terrain Scotland has to offer. Pull over and grab a spot – the views are guaranteed. It’s our favourite campsite.”
She also recommends Shell Island Campsite in North Wales, with its “stunning views of the unspoilt Welsh countryside, including Cardigan Bay and Snowdonia National Park”.
He continued: “It is one of the largest campsites in Europe and has a wealth of facilities such as shops, bar, restaurant, games room, as well as laundry and cleaning services, and hosts multiple event weekends throughout the year.”
Owen suggests the Isle of Harris for those wanting a beach, noting: ‘Like most of the Outer Hebrides, the Isle of Harris is stunning whatever the weather.
“With stunning views, wide sandy beaches and turquoise waters, it’s a must-visit. There are numerous campsites throughout the island, as well as communal areas (sites built specifically for motorhomes and campers) that feature overnight parking with basic amenities.”
Owen converted the blue van into a well-equipped camper van. It even has a bar that serves gin (right)
Inside Owen’s empty VW van before converting it into a camper van
Custom accessories include a removable table (bottom left) and storage space. Owen says, “Because everything has its place in the van, we can store it away and use it at any time.”
Inside the main body of the motorhome with its additional seating and projection screen for movie nights.
Owen adds: “Being from Scotland we are very lucky with what we have to hand, but living on the east coast we have to admit that the west is the best. So we often travel up and down the west coast, and Glencoe is our favourite area.”
Owen completed the conversion of his VW van himself. As the pictures show, he turned the empty blue van into a well-equipped camper van with seating, tool holders and clever storage solutions.
These include a “pull-out kitchen drawer on the side, multiple storage compartments, top cargo net and Molle pouches on the tailgate,” he describes, adding: “This, combined with our TentBox roof tent, side awning and shower, makes the most of the limited space. Our favourite features are the tailgate bar and drop-down projector screen for when the weather is bad.”
The cargo carrier opens up into a tent with a double bed inside, where Owen, Megan and their dog Riley sleep. It also compresses when driving. The biggest dog, Skye, sleeps in the van.
Pictured above is Glencoe, Owen’s favourite place to take his van.
The couple say they spent around £2,200 on the conversion, on top of the price of the van itself and the roof top tent they already had. Owen says the price was “not a lot considering what a professional conversion costs”.
They bought the van in January 2023 and he says: ‘I knew we didn’t want a big van. After extensive research the VW Caddy Maxi came out on top, specifically the ex-UK petrol models as they are well maintained and serviced being ex-fleet vehicles. Mine came in locally and cost £10,000. It has a 66 registration so is ULEZ compliant and has the more sought after 2.0 TDI engine.
“I did the entire renovation myself, from installing windows to soundproofing, insulation, carpeting, electrical installation and everything in between. And I saved myself a small fortune! It’s amazing what a little YouTube, a little help and some patience can achieve.”