A flexible family trip to Scotland in the Trouvaille Pop Top MWB
- 5 days ago
- 7 min read
Our Tomlin family’s latest trip to Scotland began with a slightly familiar feeling...
We set off with a weather forecast that wasn't exactly full of promise. High winds, freezing temperatures and driving rain were all on the cards, which did make everyone think rather fondly of their previous Easter trip to Denmark, complete with Legoland, Lalandia and those lovely crisp blue skies!
Still, there was a date with our Scottish cousins in the diary, so off we went in their Trouvaille Pop Top MWB, ready to make the best of whatever the weather decided to do.
And as it turned out, that's exactly where the beauty of campervan life came in.
Watch Richard’s real-life campervan setup for a family of four, complete with awning, bikes and all the gear.
A warm arrival at Drummohr
By the time we arrived at Drummohr campsite, things were already looking up.
A meal was ready and waiting for us, which is always a cracking start after a long drive. Richard gulped it down and headed off to set up camp before nightfall, with a drive away awning to put up and bikes to unpack.
It was a proper family setup, with everything we needed for a week away. Bikes, awning, dog gear, food, bedding and all those little bits that make family life work when you're away from home.
That first night brought high winds, but inside the Trouvaille, everyone was warm and it was nice and quiet. Despite the gales outside, we had a brilliant night’s sleep, as – thanks to the superb insulation process - the 'vans are noise proof and toasty.
That is the sort of thing that really matters when the weather turns. It's one thing loving your ‘van on a bright summer day, but it's another thing entirely when you wake up after a blustery Scottish night feeling warm, rested and ready for the day ahead.
Sunshine, cycling and Jack’s first beach trip
The next morning brought sunshine, which was a very welcome surprise.
Sonya walked with Jack along the coastal path from Drummohr to Portobello, while Richard and the boys cycled.
After a good night’s sleep, everyone was full of energy and ready to get out. For Jack, this was a very special trip because it was his first time at the beach – and what a first beach trip it was!
He met lots of other dogs, explored the sand and had the time of his life. In fact, we had to tear him away from the beach in the end.
That evening, everyone flopped into their comfy beds and slept deeply again – sleeping even more soundly than we do at home, which is exactly what you want from a family ‘van that has been designed properly around real life.
It also made them feel rather smug the next morning when some fellow VW campers emerged looking decidedly dishevelled.
The pop top stood up to the Scottish weather
The next day was much grimmer, with 40mph gusts to contend with.
Even so, the Orange Campers Pop Top stood the test. The kids slept through it all and didn't stir, which says a lot about how secure and comfortable the setup felt, even in less-than-ideal conditions.
With the weather looking a bit wild, we adjusted our plans for the day. Sonya and the boys headed into town for a trip to Camera Obscura, while Richard and Jack made their way to the Portobello Tap for a relaxed Sunday afternoon.
That is the thing with a campervan – you can have a plan, but you're always flexible to adapt to any situation. If the weather is kind, you can be outside. If the weather turns, you can head into town, cosy up in the ‘van, change location, or simply rethink the day.
Golf, beaches and campfires
The trip also gave everyone space to enjoy the things they love. Richard managed to fit in some golf, which was rather fitting given they were staying on Scotland’s golf coast.
He booked an early morning slot at Musselburgh Links, located within a racecourse and apparently one of the oldest golf courses in the world.
Meanwhile, Sonya visited one of the best beaches near Edinburgh, while the boys spent their evenings collecting twigs with Jack and making campfires to their hearts’ content. There were toasted marshmallows, dog frisbee and even a new campsite game invention involving war paint.
It was one of those trips where the small moments became the best bits: the beach walks, the campfires, the quick meals made in the ‘van and the little routines that come naturally when your campervan works around you.
Changing plans because they could
The original plan was to head on to the Isle of Mull.
However, with a dreadful forecast ahead and no need to pre-book, we changed tack. The weather looked better in Edinburgh, so we decided to stay put – purely because we could!
When you travel in a campervan, especially one that's warm, practical and properly equipped, you can follow the weather. You can stay longer when somewhere works or move on when it doesn't.
You can decide to come home before a rainy Easter weekend if that feels like the better option.
A ‘van gives you choices, and that's what we really love and it's so liberating!
Jack’s first birthday in the ‘van
One of the loveliest parts of the trip was Jack celebrating his first birthday in the ‘van.
After Richard’s early morning golf, Sonya and the boys had a relaxed birthday breakfast with Jack before prepping a picnic in the campervan ready for a trip to Arthur’s Seat.
Parking the ‘van at Arthur’s Seat was easy. We parked at the foot and set off while the weather was still fine. By the time we descended, the rain had arrived, so the campervan became a very welcome retreat.
We could get back inside, warm up, look out at the view and cosy up after a soggy walk.
That's one of those little campervan luxuries that makes such a difference – you can go out and enjoy the day, but when the weather turns, you have your own warm base waiting for you close-by.
A rainy afternoon and dinner in a car park
With rain settling in for the afternoon, the boys persuaded everyone to go to AirHop.
While Richard went in with them, Sonya turned on the campervan WiFi and worked from the ‘van. Then Charlie summoned her to come and watch his trampolining, so she and Richard swapped places!
Meanwhile, Richard rustled up dinner because the boys were starving, and they were heading straight from there to meet Sonya’s sister in the Portobello Tap.
Dinner in a car park may not sound glamorous, but it's exactly the kind of thing that makes a campervan so useful. You're not relying on finding somewhere to eat or trying to keep tired kids going while you search for food. You can simply make dinner and carry on with your day.
Keeping Jack happy in the campervan
This was also a big trip for Jack, and he took to campervan life beautifully.
He slept in a few different places, including his dog bed at the end of the main bed, in the galley and under the RIB bed. He also enjoyed getting onto the bed and sharing with the family, which we suspect many dog owners will understand!
All of these sleeping spots worked well, and even with a dog bed in the galley, we could still get to the toilet by stepping over it. Having Jack in the ‘van turned out to be no problem at all. In fact, he was a delight to have on board!
One of the most useful features we added was the dog gate. When Jack couldn't be off the lead on the campsite, it meant he could still see everyone while staying safe and settled. It was especially helpful when we were doing jobs like washing up or filling up with water, when Jack wanted to know where everyone was but couldn't necessarily come along.
The D-ring outside the ‘van was useful too, as it allowed Jack to wander a little on a longer lead without being able to run away from the ‘van while they were on the campsite.
We also took a doggy-in-a-bag towel, which proved very useful after wet walks and beach trips. It dried fairly quickly, and with the diesel heater in the ‘van, we were able to dry damp kit, bedding and Jack’s towel without any fuss.
Despite the weather, we didn't notice any extra mess from having Jack with us. So, we're pleased to report that Jack hasn't been ejected from the campervan life just yet... he can stay!
Beach walks, sausage sarnies and one last sunny day
After a full week in Edinburgh, we decided not to stay for the rainy Easter weekend. Again, because we could!
Our final day brought sunshine, so it was golf on repeat, followed by Portobello Beach and lunch at The Shrimp Wreck as a final treat. We also managed to pack the awning away while it was dry, which is always the dream.
We managed a trip to Gullane Bents and Aberlady Bay, one of the best beach walks near Edinburgh, with a picnic made in the ‘van ready for the day. Sausage sarnies in the campervan before a beach trip is exactly the kind of practical little moment that makes family travel feel easier.
There was even a Trouvaille spotted out in the wild during the trip, which is always a nice Orange Campers moment!
Why this trip shows what the Trouvaille is really about
This Scotland trip had a bit of everything – there were gales, rain, sunshine, beaches, bikes, golf, campfires, family meetups, dog walks, work from the ‘van and dinner in a car park!
The Trouvaille Pop Top MWB gave us a warm, comfortable and practical base for proper family life on the move. We could sleep well, cook when we needed to, dry wet kit, keep Jack happy and change plans when the weather demanded it – and that's where thoughtful design really matters.
At Orange Campers, we talk a lot about innovation, design and quality because those are the things that turn a campervan from something that looks good on a forecourt into something that genuinely works for everyday family travel – and this trip showed that beautifully.
See our MWB for yourself
If you'd like to see any of our 'vans in person, the best thing to do is book a workshop tour at Orange Campers HQ.
You can come and see any of our demonstrators for yourself, have a proper look around the latest features, ask questions and get a feel for how the Trouvaille layout could work for your own family, dog, hobbies and travel plans.
It's one thing reading about our family trip to Scotland, but it's another thing stepping inside the ‘van and seeing all the little details for yourself.
And because we believe the little things matter, when you book a workshop tour, you'll also receive a free mug set.
Please note: Information in this blog was correct at the time of publishing. Links, offers, specifications and product availability may change over time.
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