I converted a British Gas VW into a home-on-wheels and travel the UK with my dogs and partner - here are the most surprising things about van life and the top three places to visit

'We emotion nan freedom, we loathe unpacking nan van, particularly aft a bedewed play successful Scotland.'

So says Owen Price, 32, from Arbroath, successful Scotland, erstwhile we inquire him what he loves and loathes astir going connected adventures successful an ex-British Gas Volkswagen Caddy Maxi van that he converted into a camper pinch a rooftop tent, double furniture - and gin dispenser.

He uses his van astir weekends to recreation alongside partner Megan Mcleod, 28, and their dogs Riley, 13, and Skye, nine, and posts pictures and videos of their trips connected Instagram nether nan username @roofracks_rucksacks.

Owen besides shares pinch MailOnline Travel nan hidden gem locations they've discovered and nan astir astonishing aspects of adventuring successful a mini location connected wheels.

One eye-opener has been nan magnitude of money nan mates has saved connected accommodation. Owen says he was hugely amazed astatine 'the magnitude of money saved connected holidays and Airbnbs by being capable to conscionable jump successful nan van pinch a vessel of substance and snacks for nan road'.

Another revelation was really quickly they made friends on nan way.

Owen comments: 'You already person thing successful communal truthful it is very easy to make caller friends while retired exploring. We’ve met truthful galore astonishing group connected our trips up and down nan state and now person immoderate friends for life.'

He was besides amazed by 'how achievable’ nan manner is - he claims 'no matter your budget, whether it is simply a pull-out furniture made from aged pallets aliases a master conversion', you tin make it work.

He notes: 'It is surprising, pinch a spot of readying and thought, conscionable really overmuch you tin fresh into specified a mini abstraction while still making it comfortable to unrecorded retired of for periods of clip - short aliases long. 

'With everything having its spot successful nan van it tin enactment packed fresh to spell astatine nan driblet of a chapeau whenever we consciousness for illustration it alternatively of having to battalion and unpack nan car each nan time.

'We usage nan van each different play arsenic overmuch arsenic we tin arsenic good arsenic for longer trips, festivals, wedding accommodation and everything other successful between, but chiefly arsenic an flight from reality.'

The mates were besides shocked by nan number of 'hidden gems’ they recovered on nan roadworthy wherever ‘you tin conscionable propulsion up and sojourn for nan time - and enactment nan nighttime if you consciousness for illustration it'.

Recommending his apical 3 spots, Owen says: 'Red Squirrel Campsite successful Glencoe is nan closest “wild camping” acquisition you’ll get whilst still having campsite amenities specified arsenic an onsite shop and nutrient truck, basking showers and washing-up facilities.

'It's surrounded by immoderate of nan astir stunning rugged terrain Scotland has to offer. Pull up and find a spot - views guaranteed. It’s our favourite campsite.'

He besides recommends Shell Island Campsite successful North Wales. pinch its 'stunning views of nan unspoilt Welsh countryside, including Cardigan Bay and nan Snowdonia National Park'.

He continues: 'It is 1 of Europe’s largest campsites and has a big of accommodation specified arsenic shops, bar, restaurant, arcade arsenic good arsenic washing and cleaning amenities and it hosts aggregate arena weekends passim nan year.'

Owen suggests nan Isle of Harris for those who want beaches, and notes: 'Like astir of nan Outer Hebrides, nan Isle of Harris is stunning nary matter nan weather.

'With breathtaking views, immense sandy beaches and turquoise h2o it's a must-see. There are galore campsites crossed nan land arsenic good arsenic community-run aire’s [sites built specifically for campervans and motorhomes] that person overnight parking pinch basal amenities.'

Owen adds: 'Being from Scotland, we are beautiful fortunate pinch what we person connected our doorstep, but surviving connected nan eastbound seashore we person to admit that nan “west is best”. Therefore we find ourselves travelling up and down nan westbound seashore often, pinch Glencoe being our favourite area.’

Owen completed nan conversion of his VW van himself. As nan images show, he turned nan quiet bluish van into a well-equipped camper pinch seating, mounts for devices and clever retention solutions.

These see a ‘side pull-out room drawer, aggregate retention compartments, overhead cargo netting and rear doorway molle pouches,’ he describes, adding: 'This paired pinch our TentBox tile tent, broadside awning and ablution makes nan astir of nan constricted space. Our favourite features person to beryllium nan rear doorway gin barroom and pull-down projector surface for erstwhile nan upwind doesn’t play ball.'

The tile rack opens into a shelter pinch a double furniture wrong wherever Owen, Megan and their canine Riley slumber - and it compresses level erstwhile they are driving. Larger pooch Skye sleeps successful nan van.

The mates declare they spent astir £2,200 connected nan conversion, positive nan value of nan van itself and nan tile shelter that they already owned. Owen notes that nan value was 'not overmuch erstwhile you look astatine really overmuch a master conversion will group you back'.

They bought nan van successful January 2023, and he says: 'I knew we didn’t want a ample van. After extended research, nan VW Caddy Maxi came retired top, specifically ex-British state models, arsenic they are good serviced and maintained being ex-fleet vehicles. Mine came up locally and costs £10,000. It is simply a 66 plate, truthful is ULEZ compliant, and has nan much sought-after 2.0 TDI engine.

'I person done nan afloat conversion myself from fitting windows, to sound deadening, insulating, carpet lining, electrics and everything other successful between. Saving a mini luck on nan way! It’s astonishing what you tin execute pinch a small spot of YouTube, immoderate helping hands and immoderate patience.’