‘We love the freedom but we hate unpacking the bus, especially after a wet weekend in Scotland.’
That’s what Owen Price, 32, from Arbroath, Scotland, says when we ask him what he likes and dislikes about having adventures in a former British home. A gas-powered Volkswagen Caddy Maxi bus that he converted into a camper 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, posting photos and videos of their travels on Instagram under the username @roofracks_backpacks.
Owen also tells MailOnline Travel about the hidden gems they discovered and the most surprising aspects of the adventure in a tiny house on wheels.
An eye-opener was the amount the couple saved on accommodation. Owen says he was blown away by ‘the amount saved on holidays and Airbnbs by just being able to jump on the bus with a tank full of fuel and snacks for the journey’.
Owen Price and partner Megan Mcleod, pictured, use their van for mini-adventures
Owen, from Arbroath in Scotland, converted his former British Gas Volkswagen Caddy Maxi van, pictured above, for £2,200
The couple were shocked by the number of “hidden gems” they found along the way where “you can just stop and have a look around for a day – and stay overnight if you fancy”. And they were surprised by “how achievable” the lifestyle is
Another revelation was how quickly they made friends along the way.
Owen says: ‘You already have something in common, so it’s really easy to make new friends while you’re exploring. We’ve met so many great people on our travels around the country and have friends for life now.’
He was also surprised by “how attainable” the lifestyle is, claiming that “it can be done no matter what your budget is, whether it’s a pull-out bed made from old pallets or a professional conversion.”
He notes: ‘It’s amazing how much you can cram into such a small space with a little planning and thought and still live there comfortably for short or long periods.
Owen’s van in front of Buachaille Etive Mòr mountain at the head of Glen Etive in the Highlands of Scotland
Owen is travelling with dogs Riley, 13, and Skye, nine (right). On how he chose the van, he said: ‘After extensive research the VW Caddy Maxi came out on top, particularly ex-British gas models as they are well maintained and ex-fleet vehicles’
Coastal Cruise: Owen’s van is pictured here on the Isle of Lewis
‘Because everything has its own place in the van, we can keep everything packed and ready to go whenever we want, instead of having to pack and unpack the car all the time.
‘We use the bus as much as possible for weekend trips, but also for longer trips, festivals, wedding accommodations and everything in between. But mainly to escape from reality.’
The couple were also shocked by the number of “hidden gems” they found along the way, where “you can just stop for the day and stay overnight if you feel like it.”
Owen recommends his top three spots, saying: ‘Red Squirrel Campsite in Glencoe is the most ‘wild’ camping experience you can get, while still having the amenities of a campsite, such as an on-site shop and food truck, hot showers and dishwashing facilities.
‘It is surrounded by some of the most stunningly rugged terrain Scotland has to offer. Drive there and find a spot – views guaranteed. It is our favourite site.’
He also recommends the Shell Island Campsite in North Wales, which has ‘breathtaking views of the unspoilt Welsh countryside, including Cardigan Bay and the Snowdonia National Park’.
He continues: ‘It is one of the largest campsites in Europe and has a large number of facilities, such as shops, a bar, a restaurant, a games room and laundry and cleaning facilities. In addition, several event weekends are organised throughout the year.’
Owen recommends the Isle of Harris for those who love beaches, noting: ‘Like most of the Outer Hebrides, the Isle of Harris is beautiful whatever the weather.
‘With breathtaking views, expansive sandy beaches and turquoise waters this is a must see. There are numerous campsites on the island as well as community run aires [sites built specifically for campervans and motorhomes] who have an overnight parking space with basic facilities.’
Owen has converted the blue van into a well-equipped camper. It even has a gin tap bar (right)
Inside Owen’s empty VW van before he converted it into a camper
The custom fittings include a pull-out table (below left) and storage space. Owen says: ‘Because everything has its own place in the van, it can stay packed and ready to go when we feel like it’
Inside the main area of the camper with additional seating and projection screen for movie nights
Owen adds: ‘As Scots we are lucky to have what we have on our doorstep, but living on the east coast we have to admit that ‘west is best’. So we often travel up and down the west coast, with Glencoe being our favourite area.’
Owen completed the conversion of his VW van himself. As the images show, he transformed the empty blue van into a well-equipped camper van with seating, tool mounts and clever storage solutions.
These include a ‘side-sliding kitchen drawer, multiple storage compartments, overhead cargo net and rear door molle pockets’, 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 rear door gin bar and the retractable projector screen for when the weather doesn’t cooperate.’
The roof rack opens up to a tent with a double bed inside where Owen, Megan and their dog Riley sleep – and it gets flattened as they drive. The bigger dog Skye sleeps in the van.
Above you see Glencoe, Owen’s favorite place to go in his van
The couple claim to have spent around £2,200 on the conversion, plus the price of the van itself and the roof tent they already had. Owen notes that the price was ‘not much when you consider what a professional conversion would cost you’.
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, particularly the ex-UK gas models as they are well maintained and ex-fleet vehicles. Mine came along locally and cost £10,000. It’s a 66 plate so ULEZ compliant and has the more desirable 2.0 TDI engine.
“I did the entire renovation myself, from installing windows to soundproofing, insulation, carpet, electrical and everything in between. And I’m saving a small fortune in the process! It’s amazing what you can achieve with a little YouTube, some helping hands and some patience.”
