YOUR ROADMAP FROM THE ORDINARY INTO THE EXTRAORDINARY
The young couple who found the meaning of ‘home’ on the roads
ISSUE 01
MARCH 2024
5
Stunning Routes
Breathtaking escapades in Scotland
First van?
6+ essentials to pack for your next trip
Vanishing into territories known and unknown with a home on wheels to escape the traditional notions of lifestyle – this is what every day feels like to nomads.
At Vanish magazine, our aim is to become the go-to travel companion for anyone living or aspiring to embrace the nomadic lifestyle. We’re dedicated to an audience on the lookout for relaxing, engaging, informative content that enriches their knowledge about van living.
From experienced travellers to first-time campervan owners, Vanish embodies the spirit of vandwellers – it is as ambitious, escapist, nature-loving, sustainable-driven, and mental-health focused as its readership.
With Vanish, we will take you on an exciting ride, blending engaging journalism with visually striking photography.
We’re committed to building a community of van-dwellers by becoming their ultimate guide to van life adventures, filled with stories of alternative lifestyle that will always fuel their aspirations and desires.
Considered the most popular route in Scotland, the North Coast 500 has gained its reputation from the stunning landscapes, coastal views, and diverse attractions that it offers. Travellers typically start their journey in Inverness before embarking on the 500-mile journey through the Scottish Highlands.
Scotland's diverse landscapes, rich history, and warm hospitality make it an ideal destination for van enthusiasts seeking both adventure and tranquillity. From the famous North Coast 500 to the lesser-known island roads, each route promises an authentic and unforgettable experience.
By: Emelia TurnerVoted one of the most scenic routes in Britain, the A82 route from Loch Lomond to Glen Coe has plenty of spectacular views to offer. While the drive itself is only around 60 miles, there are many stops along the way to extend the journey, such as the Buachaille Etive Mòr mountain.
Connected to the mainland by a bridge at Kyle, the Isle of Skye can be accessed without needing to take a ferry. It captivates with its stunning landscapes, including the Quiraing and Fairy Pools, and the island’s Dark Sky site is ideal for stargazing.
AFREEN KHAN | EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Often referred to as the Western Isles, the Outer Hebrides are a chain of Islands off the west coast of Scotland known for pristine beaches and ancient standing stones such as the Callanish Standing Stones. The islands offer a range of outdoor activities and wildlife, and is home to machair, one of the rarest habitats on earth.
This circular loop covers approximately 250 miles, through the northeast of Scotland. The route allows travellers to discover the city of Aberdeen, charming fishing villages, cliffside castles, and the Cairngorms National Park.
From renovations to road trips, one couple share how they found the ultimate intimacy living the van life.
Ella Craig reports
There’s nobody that I would rather wake up to, on the beach or overlooking a stunning lake than him.
Megan Higman and her boyfriend Robert Freeman share a passion for travelling the world. Exploring from the UK to Costa Rica to Vietnam to Australia over their five years together, the highlight of their travels came from the smallest of places, inside of their van.
In 2021, Megan found herself in need of a new car for getting around day to day. On an impulse, she bought a small van for around £2,000 after her social media was overloaded by the van life hashtag. Megan, 24, says, “If I get an idea in my head, I want to do it straight away and it was the best decision I have made.”
Before their travels, Megan and Rob’s relationship was long distance: Megan in Derby and Rob, 25, in Lancashire. But spending a few months together during Covid lockdowns, Rob didn’t take much convincing to know that the small space and freedom of van life was exactly what they needed.
After just four weeks of DIY insulation, painting and decorating, that cost just under £500, Megan and Rob planned their first trip to Glenridding in the Lake District. She recalls, “It was gorgeous. We have such amazing places here in the UK that people tend to overlook and that’s when fell in love with van life.” adding, “We had a lovely spot where nobody was around for miles, and we weren’t going to leave a trace.”
Since then, Megan and Rob have travelled across the UK but loved to visit Tenby, South Wales and the Lake District the most. She says, “It has been a great bonding experience for us. There’s nobody that I would rather wake up to, on the beach or overlooking a stunning lake, than him.”
Megan says that the best part of van life is not knowing what each day will bring, “Getting up when we wanted, driving for however long we wanted and seeing where we ended up was what made it so different. It’s best to have an idea, not a plan.”
An example of this is when Megan and Rob were journeying through Wales in 2022. After a long day of driving, they needed to find somewhere to pull over and found a beautiful spot overlooking a lake.
There wasn’t a designated camping sign so the pair popped into the nearby pub and asked if they could park up overnight if they bought a meal. She recalls, “There’s always going to be somewhere to stay. Just be spontaneous and not afraid to ask for help.”
However, the couple’s spontaneous nature was put to the test in their most recent trip to Australia, where they hired a van to travel the East Coast for a month. Megan says, “Exploring Australia was something we had both wanted to do for a long time.” adding that it took a lot of
To have all those memories of just the two of us is something I will always treasure.
research and months of planning to find the best deals. She says that the van life scene is so popular in Australia that there are many free and cheap places to stay.
From Brisbane to Airlie and back down to Melbourne, Megan recalls, “We did thousands and thousands of miles in that van through really hot temperatures, but for the time spent together and stunning destinations we visited, I would recommend it to anyone.”
“We made a deal, he drives, and I’ll do most of the cooking and washing.” Megan reminisces about the Australia trip, “I loved that the van in Australia had a fridge and sink. That fridge was a lifesaver!”
“With spending that amount of time together, you are going to clash eventually,” Megan recalls, adding that there were times when they had small arguments when the situation got stressful, such as when they struggled to find somewhere to park up.
“It’s important to have your own little thing to get you through that. Whether it’s going for a walk or reading a book.”
However, she emphasises, “We really love spending time together though and having your own space is an important part in any relationship.”
Back in the UK and during a girls’ trip to a lodge in Derbyshire, the van broke down.
“We got about three-quarters of the way there and something didn’t feel right,” Megan says, admitting that she had always been a nervous driver after having a three-year gap from passing her test in 2018 to buying the van. “I pulled over, got out of the car and realised the tyre had blown up!”
Not wanting to part with the van life, Megan paid for the repairs yet kept on having more and more issues. Their journey came to a halt when Rob, a delivery driver at the time, was on the job and the front of the van started smoking.
“It was sad because I had loved that little van and learned so much from it but to have all those memories of just the two of us is something I will always treasure.”
When Megan first acquired her van so many people told her they would love to do something like that. Her advice is, “Do it!” Megan and Rob are now saving for a new van to travel across America in the future and have since been exploring the world without the van, visiting Vietnam, Colombia and Costa Rica.
“I would love to get a proper van that’s done out really well. The van life isn’t over for us yet and we have many more travels planned for the future.”
Abigail Gayer, 53, has been living the van life since 2021, along with her husband, Jeremy, and dog, Flossie. She reveals her must-have items for transforming her campervan into a home on wheels.
Image credit: Abigail
For both seasoned road trippers and those embarking on their first journey in a campervan, the key to a successful and enjoyable trip lies in smart and efficient packing
A metal stove always comes in handy! Image credit: Satoshi _ AdobeStock
There’s nothing that make the home cosier than a candle. Image credit: IKvyatkovskaya _ AdobeStock
1. A comfortable mattress
(£24.99 - £279.99) and duvet cover (£9.99 - £59.99) are essential for a good night’s sleep.
2. A portable metal stove is perfect for outdoor cooking. (£17.99 - £151.99)
3. Kitchen essentials, including a fridge, cooking supplies, food sealing clips, and storage spaces, ensure a well-equipped kitchen on the go.
5. A portable solar panel provides eco-friendly power on the road. (£32.99 - £272)
6. Fairy lights (£2.99£21.99) and scented candles (£4.99 - £50) bring coziness to the campervan’s interior.
7. Dog essentials, such as food and water bowls, toys, treats, and a collar, for those travelling with a pet.
4. Campervan wheel chocks stabilise the vehicle when parked. (£12.99 - £55.30)
(All costs are estimates and vary depending on size of van)