Van Life Campsites in Aberdeenshire

Aberdeenshire combines two outstanding van life environments: the Cairngorm National Park to the west — Britain's largest national park — and a coastline of castle ruins, sea-stack beaches, and fishing villages running north from Aberdeen to Fraserburgh and west to Cullen.

Royal Deeside between Balmoral and Braemar is the Cairngorms' heart. Braemar is a good base for the highest roads in Britain and for exploring Glens Muick, Clunie, and the Lairig Ghru. Campervans should use authorised riverside sites, farm stops, or other places where overnight vehicle parking is expressly allowed.

The Moray Firth coast and the Buchan coastline north of Aberdeen are undervisited and excellent: dramatic cliff scenery, dolphins at Chanonry Point, and the ruins of Dunnottar Castle near Stonehaven — arguably Scotland's most dramatic castle setting. Farm sites along the coast tend to be basic but extremely affordable.