WildAx Solaris XL
- Seats
- —
- Sleeps
- 4
- Toilet
- Yes
- Shower
- Yes
- Transmission
- Automatic
Hire your motorhome in Scotland from £60/day
Motorhome Escapes review
Motorhome Escapes brings compact campervans and larger family motorhomes together at a single Scottish base.
Profile reviewed and updated on
Background
Company overview
Motorhome Escapes is a family-run Scottish business offering vehicle hire, sales and servicing. Its rental operation is based at Bathgate, where its workshop also maintains the hire fleet. Motorhome Escapes Limited was incorporated in March 2013; the workshop separately describes its motorhome work as dating from 2013.
The hire business spans WildAx and GiottiLine campervans, Swift Voyager motorhomes and a Malibu model. Sales and workshop services are separate activities, although a Try Before You Buy scheme links an off-peak rental to a possible later purchase.
Our verdict
Editorial review
Motorhome Escapes pairs a varied vehicle range with a scheduled handover and access to help during the hire. There is time set aside to become familiar with the vehicle before leaving, and an out-of-hours contact if problems arise. The arrangement is most useful for a trip that can start and finish at the same base: returning to Bathgate is part of the hire, which gives less flexibility to travellers planning to end their journey elsewhere.
Good points
- A meaningful choice of layouts.The range includes a compact 5.41-metre campervan, two-berth layouts with twin-bed options and overcab models for larger parties. That gives the choice more substance than a series of differently named versions of the same layout.
- Gearbox choice in larger models.Both manual and automatic versions of the Voyager 494 and 475 are advertised. Renters considering those categories can specify their transmission preference without having to move to a smaller campervan.
Things to consider
- Damage cover leaves substantial exposure.The standard excess is not a limit on every possible charge. Excluded damage can cost more than the security hold, and protection has conditions that include a first-incident limit. The headline reduction alone does not describe the remaining risk.
- Customer accounts give a mixed picture of handover and problem-solving.Several customer accounts praise explanations, cleanliness or staff help. Others describe disagreements about equipment, faults or damage deductions, with some allegations disputed by the operator. This small, mixed sample supports neither a promise of consistently smooth service nor a general conclusion that complaints reflect every hire.
Vehicle categories
Motorhome Escapes fleet
Swift Voyager 594
- Seats
- 4
- Sleeps
- 4
- Toilet
- Yes
- Shower
- Yes
- Transmission
- Automatic
Swift Voyager 564
- Seats
- 4
- Sleeps
- 4
- Toilet
- Yes
- Shower
- Yes
- Transmission
- Manual
Swift Voyager 494
- Seats
- 4
- Sleeps
- 4
- Toilet
- Yes
- Shower
- Yes
- Transmission
- manual_or_automatic
Swift Voyager 475
- Seats
- 5
- Sleeps
- 5
- Toilet
- Yes
- Shower
- Yes
- Transmission
- manual_or_automatic
Swift Voyager 485
- Seats
- —
- Sleeps
- —
- Toilet
- Yes
- Shower
- Yes
- Transmission
- manual_or_automatic
WildAx Meteor
- Seats
- —
- Sleeps
- 2
- Toilet
- —
- Shower
- —
- Transmission
- Automatic
GiottiLine 60T
- Seats
- —
- Sleeps
- 3
- Toilet
- —
- Shower
- —
- Transmission
- Automatic
GiottiLine 54T
- Seats
- —
- Sleeps
- 2
- Toilet
- —
- Shower
- —
- Transmission
- Automatic
WildAx Europa XL
- Seats
- —
- Sleeps
- 2
- Toilet
- Yes
- Shower
- Yes
- Transmission
- Automatic
Malibu T450
- Seats
- —
- Sleeps
- 2
- Toilet
- —
- Shower
- —
- Transmission
- Automatic
The fleet spans compact campervans and larger motorhomes with several distinct sleeping arrangements. The GiottiLine 54T is the shortest confirmed option at 5.41 metres, while the Voyager 594 extends to 7.85 metres. Those dimensions make vehicle size a useful first distinction before comparing beds and equipment.
For two people, the six-metre WildAx Meteor offers rear twins or a large double. The Europa XL uses a rear U-shaped lounge that converts into twins or a double, while the shorter 54T has a transverse rear double. The Europa XL and four-berth Solaris XL both have confirmed cassette toilets and indoor showers; bathroom details should not be assumed for the other campervans simply because they have similar names or dimensions.
The four-berth Voyager 494 combines a rear island double with an overcab double. The five-berth 475 adds sleeping arrangements across the rear lounge, overcab and dinette. The 564 and 594 also have four confirmed travel seats and four berths, with manual and automatic transmission respectively. A third berth is advertised for the GiottiLine 60T, but the sleeping arrangement needs clarification before choosing it for three people.
Model names describe the advertised offer rather than an unconditional allocation guarantee: the rental terms allow a similar-size, similar-specification substitute in specified circumstances. Confirm the assigned vehicle’s weight and driving-licence requirements as well as its layout; a general reference to Category B does not establish that every model weighs no more than 3,500kg.
Locations
Motorhome Escapes pickup locations
Open each country to see its pickup locations.
United Kingdom
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Bathgate depot Royston Lodge, Bathgate, EH48 1JX, Scotland
Before booking
Practical facts
| Topic | What to know |
|---|---|
| Indicative hire prices | Direct-hire starting prices are £100 per night for most of the advertised models, £109 for the Solaris XL and £200 for the Malibu T450. These are starting figures, not quotes for particular dates or complete trip totals. For the Solaris, a separate seasonal schedule and £15-per-night automatic supplement do not make clear whether that supplement is included in the starting figure. |
| Booking payment and fees | The non-refundable booking payment is the greater of £200 or 30% of the total invoice and is credited towards the hire. A £25 booking fee and a separate preparation fee also apply; obtain the preparation amount in the quote. |
| Balance deadline | The stated deadlines differ: 45 days before collection and six weeks before collection. Establish the actual payment date in the booking confirmation rather than treating them as interchangeable. |
| Cancellation | Cancelling more than six weeks before collection loses the booking deposit. Within six weeks, or for a no-show, the terms retain the deposit and hire charge paid. Failure to meet licence requirements or pay an overdue balance can also trigger cancellation. |
| Security hold | The standard refundable credit-card hold is quoted as both £1,200 and £2,000. Agree the amount for the booking before paying. The terms specify the lead driver’s credit card, a hold three days before collection and release seven days after safe, undamaged return and inspection. This hold is separate from the booking payment and damage excess. |
| Standard excess and excluded damage | The standard excess is £2,000 for the first incident or claim, with a replacement deposit required to continue the hire. Excluded damage can exceed the hold. For overhead or underside damage, the terms specify £3,000 plus the full hold/deductible; interior and negligent damage are also excluded. |
| Optional damage protection | One offer starts at £50 per night and reduces the excess to £500, while the terms describe unpriced red, yellow and green tiers. Their equivalence is unresolved, so confirm the exact product, exclusions and excess reduction. Do not assume the hold also falls to £500. Protection is bought before hire, applies only to the first incident, cannot be restarted and is unavailable to drivers over 70. Incidents must be reported within 24 hours under the protection conditions. |
| Mileage | Two incompatible schedules are stated: unlimited UK mileage subject to fair use, with a £0.45-per-mile excess charge and no stated threshold; or 1,000 miles per week/145 per day, with excess mileage at £0.30 per mile plus VAT. Get one applicable allowance and rate confirmed; the figures cannot be combined. |
| Minimum hire | The usual minimum is seven nights from April to October, with some five-night gaps available. Shorter hires may be possible from November to March. |
| Driver eligibility | A full licence held for three years is required, but the stated minimum ages differ between 25, 28 and 29; the small-VW exception does not establish eligibility for the current range. Confirm acceptance for the driver and assigned model. Over-70 applications require referral rather than automatic acceptance. |
| Driver documents | Drivers normally attend collection and supply their licence plus two proofs of address one week beforehand. UK licence holders also supply a DVLA check code. Most address proofs must be within 90 days, with an exception for an annual council-tax document. |
| Additional drivers | Up to two additional insured drivers can be added. The listed insurance charge is £11 per night per additional driver, with a separate one-off £1 card payment from each additional driver’s own card. |
| Collection, return and transfers | Collection starts at 15:00; return must be completed with the vehicle emptied and unloaded by 11:00. Allow 30–90 minutes for handover. Edinburgh or Glasgow airport transfers may be arranged and included in the quote, but the vehicle itself is collected and returned at Bathgate. Earlier collection or arrival after 17:00 needs advance agreement. |
| Late return and late collection | Late return costs £100 per hour or part-hour plus VAT. Arranged collection after 17:00 is quoted at £100 in one passage and £100 plus VAT in another; confirm the tax-inclusive charge and staffing arrangement. |
| Islands and ferries | General island and ferry permission conflicts with a requirement for written consent before leaving the mainland. Obtain written approval for the proposed island itinerary. Do not assume permission extends to Northern Ireland or travel outside the UK. |
| Restricted roads | The terms exclude cover on named sections of the B869 and for an eastern approach to Bealach na Bà; they describe an allowed west-to-east approach via Shieldaig. They also discourage the A82 between Tarbet and Crianlarich. Establish the permitted route for the assigned vehicle before committing to an itinerary. |
| Dogs | Dogs must be declared at booking and allocated a pet-friendly vehicle. Published size/count limits differ, as do the £50 and £55 charges; confirm the accepted dogs and full charge for the booking. Dogs must be restrained and kept off upholstery, and cannot be left unattended. Larger dogs and puppies require individual agreement. |
| Child seats | Child seats must fit using the vehicle’s seatbelts; the stated arrangement is incompatible with ISOFIX/i-Size. Baby and booster seats are listed at £20 each, with no hire-duration basis specified. Confirm the fit for the assigned model. |
| Equipment and bedding | Utensils, crockery, a hose, hook-up cable, cleaning items and chocks are included. Bedding, outdoor tables and chairs are extras. Listed amounts are £50 for a double linen set, £30 for a single set, £6 per chair and £11 per table; the duration basis is not specified. Mattress protectors are required when bringing your own bedding. Bike-rack availability and charging need confirmation. |
| Return cleaning | Interior or appliance cleaning can cost up to £60 plus VAT; upholstery, carpets or pet-hair cleaning is £55 plus VAT. An unemptied or unclean toilet cassette attracts a £200 charge. There is no chemical-toilet disposal at the depot, so empty it before arrival unless an agreed return package covers this. |
| Fuel and return package | Diesel and refillable LPG operate full-to-full. A diesel shortfall attracts £50 plus VAT as well as the fuel cost. Purchased Calor gas need not be returned full and is not refunded. The £200 Easy Drop Off package covers diesel/LPG filling and toilet emptying; it states no allowance or cap and should not be read as unlimited fuel. |
| Parking your car | Paid parking is available at the depot, with one allocated space per hire and additional spaces charged. The published amounts differ between £20 per holiday and £35 for one car without a stated frequency. Agree the applicable total; vehicles are left at the owner’s risk. |
| Assistance and repairs | An out-of-hours phone service and 24-hour road assistance by agreement are available. Necessary repairs of up to £100 can be reimbursed with a VAT receipt when pre-authorised; higher amounts need authorisation. Negligence is excluded. |
| Non-UK bank cards | The direct-hire terms specify a 3% international transaction charge for cards issued by a bank outside the UK. |
More about the company
Explore Motorhome Escapes
Try Before You Buy
Up to four days’ off-peak hire cost can be deducted from the price of a later vehicle purchase. This links a rental to the sales business rather than reducing the price of an ordinary holiday hire. Agree the qualifying hire and purchase with the company before relying on the deduction.
Quick answers
Motorhome Escapes FAQ
Can I collect a motorhome at Edinburgh or Glasgow Airport?
Collection and return take place at Royston Lodge in Bathgate, rather than at an airport desk. An arranged airport transfer takes you to that depot; include the transfer in your quote and allow time for the handover.
Which Motorhome Escapes vehicles have confirmed space for five travellers?
The Swift Voyager 475 has five confirmed travel seats and five berths, with manual and automatic versions advertised. The Voyager 485 has conflicting five- and six-person figures, so it cannot be treated as a confirmed five- or six-person choice without agreement on the actual vehicle. Sleeping places in another model do not establish its number of travel seats.
Is unlimited mileage included with Motorhome Escapes?
Do not assume so. An unlimited UK mileage description with fair-use conditions conflicts with a daily/weekly allowance in the rental terms, and the excess-mileage rates differ too. Ask for the applicable allowance and excess rate to be written into the booking before planning the driving distance.
Can I take a Motorhome Escapes vehicle to the Scottish islands?
The island and ferry wording is inconsistent with the mainland-only condition requiring written consent. Get written approval for the particular islands and crossings before booking the trip; general island wording is not a substitute for that agreement.
Can I take my dog in a Motorhome Escapes vehicle?
Yes, subject to booking an assigned pet-friendly vehicle and declaring the dog in advance. The permitted number and size of dogs and the cleaning charge need confirmation because the stated rules differ. Dogs cannot be left alone in the vehicle or use its upholstery.
Does Motorhome Escapes allow every road on a North Coast 500 trip?
No. Its terms identify uninsured sections of the B869 and restrict the direction of approach to Bealach na Bà. Check the exact permitted route with the company for the assigned vehicle; choosing a Scottish hire operator does not mean every road on the trip is covered.
Can I bring an ISOFIX child seat?
The stated Motorhome Escapes arrangement requires seatbelt-fitted child seats and is incompatible with ISOFIX/i-Size. Establish which seat will fit the assigned vehicle before booking; optional hired child seats are also offered.
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