Meet our newest motorhome insurance ambassadors

Come meet our new Motorhome insurance ambassadors...

Campbell and Gemma AKA Highlands2Hammocks  

About you

We’re Campbell and Gemma, a Scottish couple in our early thirties who swapped the 9–5 for a life of adventure on the road. Our vanlife journey began when we quit our jobs to travel the world, living out of backpacks and tents before eventually upgrading to our beloved campervans.

From cycling across Europe to road-tripping Australia in an old van called Roxy, we’ve always been drawn to the freedom of life on wheels. Today, alongside running our travel publishing brand, Destination Earth Guides, and our campervan rental business, Scotland Escape, we share tips and inspiration for anyone dreaming of a road trip.

What is Vanlife?

To us, vanlife is the freedom to wake up wherever you choose - by a wild beach, at the foot of a mountain, or in the heart of a bustling city. A vanlifer is someone who embraces that flexibility and simplicity, living with less “stuff” but gaining so much more in experiences and memories.

Favourite place to park your motorhome in Scotland

We’re spoiled for choice in Scotland, but our hearts always return to the white-sand beaches of the Outer Hebrides. There’s nothing like watching the sun set over turquoise waters from your van door. We do sometimes revisit our favourite spots in a year. When you find somewhere that feels like paradise, it’s hard to stay away!

Favourite motorhome/vanlife travel experience

Driving the NC500 will always hold a special place for us, it’s where we truly fell in love with vanlife in Scotland. But our European road trip to the Dolomites was also unforgettable: winding mountain passes, alpine lakes, and coffee with a view every morning.

What vehicle do you use for vanlife?

For the last four years, we’ve been living full-time in "Ellie the Elddis", our trusty Elddis Autoquest 155. She’s been our home on wheels across Scotland, Europe, and beyond. Over time we’ve upgraded her to make her perfect for off-grid living, with a self-installed inverter, a B2B charger, and a solid solar setup that keeps us powered up wherever we go. Ellie has everything we need: a comfy fixed bed, plenty of storage, and the flexibility to live comfortably both on campsites and completely off-grid.

How do you get power & connectivity in your van?

Ellie’s solar system, inverter, and B2B charger mean we rarely run out of power, even when parked up in the middle of nowhere. We use it to charge laptops and keep our lights going without worry. For WiFi, we tether from our phones or use a mobile router with a data SIM, a game-changer for working on the road.

What do you put as your address when living in a van?

When living in the van full-time, we used a family member’s address for mail. Now that we split our time between vanlife and a home base, it’s much easier to manage but having a reliable contact address is a must if you’re going long-term.

Tips for Vanlife beginners

Budgeting & Costs: Vanlife can be as cheap or expensive as you make it. We save by cooking most meals in the van and using free or low-cost overnight spots. Fuel is usually the biggest cost on longer trips.

Community: One of the best parts of vanlife is the community. We’ve met friends from all over the world through shared campfires and chance encounters on the road.

Start small: hire a van first, test weekends away, and figure out what you really need (and what you don’t). Don’t overpack, invest in a good power setup, and always have a backup plan for where to stay.

What is the best thing about Vanlife

The freedom. The ability to change your view with the turn of a key, to chase sunshine or sit out a storm, and to feel at home wherever you park. That’s what keeps us hooked.

Note: Ripe does not insure customers who live in their vans full-time, but does offer cover to include travel to a range of countries across continental Europe for up to 90 days in one trip or 180 days in the year.

Specialist campervan insurance through Ripe

Looking to insure your campervan or motorhome? Find out more about specialist campervan and motorhome insurance, including campervan conversion insurance, and get a quote online today.