When my wife Sarah first suggested driving to Scotland with our two kids (ages 6 and 9), I'll admit I was skeptical. Could we really manage a 6-hour drive with children? Would we have enough space? Spoiler alert: Renting a 400 litre roof box from the Birmingham location was the game-changer that made it all possible.
The Packing Challenge
Our VW Tiguan is spacious, but fitting a week's worth of gear for four people seemed impossible. Between clothing, camping equipment, kids' entertainment, and "just in case" items, we were drowning in bags. The roof box gave us an extra 400 litres, essentially another large suitcase worth of space.
What went in the roof box:
- All our sleeping bags and pillows
- 4-person tent
- Extra clothing and rain gear
- Kids' toys and games
- Beach/outdoor equipment
What stayed in the car:
- Snacks and drinks (easy access!)
- Electronics and valuables
- Camping cookware
- First aid kit
The Journey North
We left Birmingham at 6am to beat the M6 traffic. The kids were excited, tablets charged, snacks prepared. By 7:30am, we were cruising through Staffordshire. The roof box? Completely silent. I was worried about noise, but at motorway speeds, we barely noticed it was there.
Quick stop at the Lake District around 9:30am for breakfast at a lovely cafe in Windermere. The kids ran around while Sarah and I enjoyed proper coffee. Back on the road by 10:30.
By 1pm, we crossed into Scotland. The kids' excitement was contagious as we passed the "Welcome to Scotland" sign. We stopped at Gretna Green for the obligatory photos and some Scottish tablet (the kids' new favorite sweet).
Discovering the Highlands
Our campsite near Loch Lomond was absolutely stunning. Setting up camp was surprisingly easy, everything we needed was right there in the roof box, organised exactly as we'd packed it.
Week highlights:
- Day 1: Loch Lomond boat trip - kids spotted a seal!
- Day 2: Glen Coe drive - jaw-dropping scenery
- Day 3: Ben Nevis visitor center and easy walks
- Day 4: Loch Ness - no monster, but amazing fish & chips
- Day 5: Cairngorms wildlife spotting
- Day 6: Relaxed campsite day - kids made friends
- Day 7: Slow drive home with stops at Edinburgh Castle
The Roof Box Experience
Honestly, I didn't realise how much stress the roof box would eliminate. No tetris-style packing in the car. No "do we really need this?" debates. We just packed what we wanted and still had room in the car for the kids to be comfortable.
Unexpected benefits:
- Kids had legroom and could see out the windows
- We could access car boot for daily items without unpacking everything
- Dirty/wet items went in the box on the return journey
- Fuel economy? Lost about 12% but totally worth it
Would We Do It Again?
Absolutely, 100%. Sarah's already planning our next trip, this time to Cornwall for summer. The kids keep asking "when can we go back to Scotland?" which I think answers the question!
We're seriously considering buying a roof box now. The rental from Birmingham was perfect for trying it out, but we've already got three trips planned for next year. That break-even calculator in the knowledge centre? It's got us convinced.
Top tip for families: Don't overthink it. Just rent the box, pack more than you think you need, and enjoy the adventure. The roof box takes away so much stress and opens up possibilities you didn't know existed.
Has anyone else done Scotland with kids? What were your favorite spots? Share your stories in the comments!
Rented Equipment Used
Below are the 1 rented items of equipment used in this trip for you to try yourself: Thule Touring 200 (Volvo OEM) – 400L Gloss Black Roof Box.
Let a Roof Box Hire live again!
