Roaming for Conservation: A Van Life adventure
Hello to fellow adventurers and conservationists. I am Dr Kate Thompson, and I have worked in nature conservation for most of my academic and personal life. However, the majority of this time has been spent behind a computer, researching and writing papers, a lot of data analysis, report writing – you name it! Working in this field has allowed me to follow my passion to work on impactful conservation projects, however, I always feel the pull of nature. In my mind, nothing beats getting outside and immersing myself in nature.
This is where Four Seasons Campers come in. In October 2023, I collaborated with this fantastic luxury campervan company for 5 days. My mission was to see as much wildlife as possible and spend as much time outdoors – the perfect combination for van life!
Our journey began at Loch Lomond, which is home to a range of bird species such as the Greenland white-fronted geese (a winter migrant). We then travelled to the Devil’s pulpit and spent a night wild camping at Glen Orchy. There were many tight roads to get to Glen Orchy, with smaller, less commercialized camping spots which were perfect in this van. The quietness also enabled us to hear so much wildlife and be immersed in exuberant bird call in the morning.
Next, we headed to Glencoe, which is well known for its mountainous areas, but you can also encounter majestic red deer there. From there we travelled to Oban and Ellanabeich, a lesser-known town on Scotland’s western isles. Here, we booked a wildlife watching boat trip which was unfortunately cancelled due to the weather, but that’s the way wildlife watching goes! I also found lots of tracks and scats of otters, and I was on the lookout for them.
All the while, I had my binoculars out waiting to hopefully catch a glimpse of a golden eagle. I held onto these tightly as we headed over to the Isle of Mull, and as soon as the vans tyres touched the island we were graced with the presence of a golden eagle. They are the most spectacular bird, and it was one of my favourite encounters of the trip.
Our trip ended travelling through Glennfinian and the Cairngorms, with a final wild camp at Loch Rannoch. The Cairngorms national park is bursting with wildlife, as we saw so many bird species and the iconic red squirrel.
We now carry with us a newfound appreciation for the power of Van Life to promote and protect the natural world. From the misty highlands to the rocky coastlines, our journey has reaffirmed our belief that every adventure is an opportunity to make a difference—for the planet, for wildlife, and for future generations. We travelled over 500 miles on this trip, and even though this sounds like a lot, we did it all very slowly and connecting with nature down every road we turned.
This wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible Four Seasons Campers. The company offers luxury campervans with everything you could possibly need to feel at home on the road. From the moment of booking to the return of the van, the team was faultless and so friendly. If you’re looking for that trip to connect with nature and see the breathtaking views and wildlife that Scotland has to offer, then look no further than Four Seasons Campers. I couldn’t recommend them enough!
In a world that often feels chaotic and disconnected, Van Life offers us a sanctuary—a sanctuary where we can slow down, breathe deeply, and reconnect with the natural world that nourishes our bodies, minds, and souls. It’s a reminder that, no matter how far we roam, nature is always there to welcome us home.
Until next time, happy trails and keep roaming for conservation!