What is the best roof tent for Scotland?
Hard shell roof tents are best for most people due to fast setup and weather resistance.
Can you use roof tents on the NC500?
Yes — they’re one of the most popular ways to travel the route.
Do You Need Roof Bars?
Yes — all roof tents require compatible roof bars or a rack system to mount safely. If you’re unsure what you need, speak to us.
Best Roof Tents for Scotland
Looking for the best roof tents in Scotland? At Roof Tents Scotland, based in Glasgow, we specialise in premium rooftop tents from leading brands including TentBox, RoofBunk, Tuff Trek and Thule.
Visit our showroom to see roof tents on display, compare models in person, and get honest, expert advice on choosing the right setup for your vehicle and adventures. Whether you’re planning weekend trips, the NC500, or longer road trips across Scotland, we help you get fully set up with confidence.
We also provide professional roof tent installation and hands-on demonstrations, so you know exactly how to use your roof tent before you leave.
✔ Roof tents on display in Glasgow
✔ Installation service available
✔ Live setup demonstrations
✔ Expert advice for Scotland travel
See Roof Tents in Scotland at Our Glasgow Showroom
Buying a roof tent is a big decision — and seeing one in person makes all the difference. At our Glasgow showroom, you can explore a range of roof tents fully set up, compare sizes, opening styles, and build quality, and get a real feel for what works best for you.
We work with customers from across Scotland, including Edinburgh, Stirling, Perth, Inverness and Aberdeen, helping them find the right roof tent for their needs.
Roof Tent FAQ's
Yes — all roof tents require compatible roof bars or a rack system to mount safely. If you’re unsure what you need, speak to us. As a Thule dealer, we can recommend the best setup for your vehicle, install your roof bars for you, and make sure everything is ready for the road.
Scotland offers some of the best road trip and wild camping opportunities in the UK — from the NC500 to the Isle of Skye — but the weather and terrain can be unpredictable. A roof tent gives you a major advantage, keeping you elevated off wet ground while providing a quick, reliable shelter wherever you stop.
With fast setup times, strong weather resistance, and the ability to camp almost anywhere your vehicle can go, roof tents are ideal for exploring remote areas without relying on campsites.
A roof tent (or rooftop tent) is a foldable tent that mounts securely to your car’s roof bars. When parked, the tent unfolds in minutes to create a comfortable, elevated sleeping space.
Unlike traditional ground tents, roof tents keep you away from mud, uneven terrain, and standing water — making them especially useful in Scotland’s changing conditions.
They’re compatible with most vehicles, including SUVs, estates, vans, and 4x4s, as long as the correct roof bar system is installed.
Choosing between a hard shell and soft shell roof tent depends on how you plan to travel.
Hard shell roof tents are the most popular option for Scotland. They open in seconds, offer excellent protection against wind and rain, and are ideal for frequent use or multi-stop trips like the NC500.
Soft shell roof tents are typically more spacious and cost-effective. They’re a great choice for families or longer stays in one location, though they take slightly longer to set up.
The right roof tent depends on your vehicle, travel style, and how often you plan to use it.
Start by checking your vehicle’s roof load rating and ensuring you have compatible roof bars. Then consider how many people will be sleeping in the tent and whether you need a compact setup or more living space.
If you’re touring Scotland and moving regularly, a quick setup hard shell tent is usually the best choice. For longer stays or family trips, a larger soft shell tent may offer better comfort and value.
If you’re unsure, our team can help you choose the best option for your setup and travel plans.
Roofbunk Explorer XL
We popped in to West End Outdoors a couple of weeks ago to look at their Roofbunk Explorer XL (we preferred to see it in the flesh before buying, particularly to get an idea of size). We liked the look of it so we ordered one and an annex in the shop on the day. From the start Andrew was helpful and knowledgeable about the brand and roof tents in general. We went down again on Monday to get it fitted, and again Andrew and his colleague couldn't have been more helpful, giving us a demo and advice about where to camp in it. (It was also handy to be able to order a couple of camping essentials online and pick them up with the tent on the day.) We've managed to spend one night in it so far and love it. Really looking forward to taking it out again soon. We really recommend both West End Outdoors and the Roofbunk tent!
C Laybourne
Great service from Andrew
Great service from Andrew who bent over backwards to help us get our roof bunk fitted after being let down by the delivery company. We had booked a campsite on the Friday after the delivery was supposed to be on the Thursday and the weekend was to be dry, delivery eventually showed up after the shop closed on the Friday but he came back to fit it after closing which meant we could get away for the weekend as planned..great service 👏
Gavin Cruickshank
I wish we had found you sooner !!!!
I wish we had found you sooner !!!!If you are looking or even thinking of any type of camping item or outdoors adventure, stop scrolling online, stop reading reviews and instead go here !!! You'll thank Andrew & his team later and you will save so much time & sanity !
After going down multiple never ending searches for a roof tent we stumbled across Roof Bunk and one of the very few retailers in the UK that actually stock them is West End Outdoors. We were initially helped by Chris, what a lovley person he is ! He showed us around the roofbunk tent, answered questions and for us more importantly he was outstanding with our autistic children which instantly made us comfortable with making our decision.
Then 2 weeks later we were met with the amazing Andrew who directed us to the Gruffalo trail while he VERY quickly fitted our roof bars & Roof Bunk Tent. No question was too stupid, they don't try to sell you things you don't need, just a genuine business with a plethora of knowledge, time and genuine friendliness.
We can not thank Andrew and his team enough, go and visit West End Outdoors !!!
