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Camping

Our UK Camping forum has all the information you need on finding the right equipment for your tent or caravan.

Original poster

Camping in Scotland - suggestions?!

21 replies

Avacadoandtoast · 04/02/2023 07:35

We are thinking of going camping this year as a family - 2 young kids, 2&5. Any suggestions for campsites please? Having a nearby toilet is probably the biggest thing on my mind!

What other things should we be thinking about prior to booking?

OP posts:
keeponrunning85 · 04/02/2023 07:49

We went to Ruberslaw Woods in the Scottish Borders last year with a 2 and 4 year old. Lovely, family friendly campsite with great facilities. No children's play area but a big green space for them to run around and woods to explore. You need to book pitch in advance.

Have you camped before?

Igotjelly · 04/02/2023 07:54

Really depends what you are looking for, Scotland is incredibly diverse.

My one tip would be to avoid areas prone to midges, horrid wee fuckers that would honestly ruin even the best camping experience.

ivykaty44 · 04/02/2023 07:59

Igotjelly Which areas are prone to midges? Handy to know 😌

Igotjelly · 04/02/2023 08:01

www.smidgeup.com/midge-forecast/

Smidge do a good midge forecast each year, don’t think the one for 2023 is up yet.

PurBal · 04/02/2023 08:01

Midges. We didn’t plan for them, more fool us!

ThreeB · 04/02/2023 08:07

Craigtoun Meadows in St Andrews has a couple of camping pitches. It's a lovely site with loads to do in the local area including fantastic beaches, museums and a sealife centre.
The last time I went, the loo block was a 30 second walk away but you'd want to check with them as they may have moved the pitches about.

midgetastic · 04/02/2023 08:11

East and coastal and open and avoiding July and august is best to avoid midges

Original poster
Avacadoandtoast · 04/02/2023 08:32

Ah thanks folks, we have been camping before, but never with children - and it’s always been wild camping or at a festival, so never to a camping site (I thought a camping site would be best with young ones?)
I know (from awful past experience) to avoid pitches close to water - midges tend to be most present in these areas, but in Scotland there really is no avoiding them, is there?

OP posts:
Hopeful16 · 04/02/2023 08:35

My advice would be to buy a camping toilet for in your tent. That "during the night" and first morning wee for LOs is a nightmare when you have to put on footwear and coats/ hoodies to go across a field.

NotTooOldPaul · 05/02/2023 21:18

I live in Scotland and now use a caravan but camped for years. The Camping & Caravanning Club have a few sites in Scotland and they all have good toilet and shower facilities and are kept clean.
PM mne is you want any specific information

ClosedAuraOpenMind · 12/02/2023 13:23

the Loft campsite near Elgin has good facilities - toilets/showers/plugs for charging phones etc and has a fairy walk and play area
Comrie Croft in Perthshire has a bike track which might be good, and a great cafe on site
would recommend both of these - but Scotland quite a big place so could be more helpful if OP could be more specific

bravotango · 12/02/2023 13:31

If you don't need top range facilities we love Red Squirrel in Glencoe - you can walk to the pub for your tea and it's v pretty. Although with a 2 year old maybe closer to the beach is good? You can go to see dolphins at Chanonry Point of you stay near the Black Isle?

midgemadgemodge · 12/02/2023 16:44

Red squirrel is misnamed

Black midge swarm would be more truthful

AnotherFuckingUsername · 16/02/2023 22:25

I'd second Ruberslaw in the Borders for kiddies. Also Comrie Croft at Crieff or Camusdarach at Arisaig (can be more midgie!).

EllaPaella · 06/06/2023 17:40

Invercaimbe near Arisaig is the nicest site I have ever stayed on. So quiet and tranquil and the kids had full run of the beautiful white sandy beach. We swam in the sea everyday and the water was crystal clear and still as glass. Absolutely perfect.

EllaPaella · 06/06/2023 17:41

On the east coast Rosemarkie is also lovely, the site is virtually on the beach. There is a lovely cafe within walking distance and a short drive to Cromarty where you can swim and take a boat trip out to see the dolphins. We saw the Northern Lights when we camped at Rosemarkie.

17CherryTreeLane · 06/06/2023 21:07

Pillars of Hercules in Falkland is lovely. Can't remember the midge situation though. There's a lovely walk through the woods, into the village, and a cafe on site.

AnotherFuckingUsername · 06/06/2023 21:32

Oh, yes - Pillars in Fife is great (superb cafe on cycle route). Also stayed in their self catering cottage for a couple of nights - it was like something from a fairytale. Midgies weren't too bad when I was camping but it was close to the end of Aug and the wasps were out (we were staying in the orchard).

CurlewKate · 06/06/2023 21:39

Rosemarkie is a favourite of ours. You can camp next to the sea and see dolphins. And it's usually breezy enough to tone down the midges.Please note- I say tone down- not eliminate!

EllaPaella · 06/06/2023 21:42

I've also stayed at Pillars enroute up to Rosemarkie. It is lovely and the cafe is great, only thing is you have to cross a road to use the toilets so you have to be a bit careful if you have kids running around.

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