Camping in Scotland

[campingwithdoggo]

Any recommendations for a dog friendly site in Scotland ?
How bad are the midges ?

We've been to Sands both with and without DC. Only made it to Clachtoll once. Don't underestimate how long you will be driving. Single track roads with passing places (the RBoS bus will overtake you constantly!). Nothing quite the same though.

Loch chon is great, nice private(ish) pitches, and access to the loch. Not much in the way of facilities, just toilets and sinks. However, inversnaid hotel nearby has shower facilities for walkers which you can use for a couple of pounds.

Belhaven camp site in Dunbar, right next to the beach.
Midges low tbh not like further north.
Could be a good starting point if your coming from England it's like 45minutes from the border x

@Washinglinewench29 that sounds really good as well !

@Sofahugs that looks wonderful as well !

The dog will be having a great adventure

I am in my caravan on a campsite at St Andrews now. I have not seen any midges.

Another vote for Sands at Gairloch. It's right on the dunes and there always seems to be a breeze which helps with the midgies.

Take care with the dog swimming we took a Canoe on Loch Lomond and it had a few Leaches stuck to it when we pulled it out of the water

@Funf thanks I hadn't even considered that

https://www.donthibernate.co.uk/summer-trip-to-the-west-coast-of-scotland/

Midge tips:
Tent needs to have full flyscreens/attached groundsheet and be big enough to sit in.
Look for a breezy beach side location or elevated spot- sheltered site in woods by a river would be an absolute midgefest. They can't fly in windy weather.
Take all the repellant and bite treatment meds with you now is not the time to get precious about chemicals
Take anti midge coil burners
Take a headnet too
Campsite ideally near a pub or somewhere for a few hours respite.

We love the west coast but you have to go armed.

@Funf that sounds so wonderful

Thank you

@NotMeNoNo

That's very helpful

Thank you

No problem the kids hadn't been to Scotland and we had a few bucket list items, it was great holiday. Arran is spectacular but book the ferry well in advance

I’ve found this repellant good - used it June around Ullapool. I wasn’t aware of the midges being too bad, but in the evening I’d clearly forgotten to spray my toes, because I took my sandals off and every mm of them was nibbled - there was a line where the red ended! The rest of me was fine where I had sprayed.

It’s a natural one so you can spray freely. Maybe get the hardcore chemicals as well in case.

https://amzn.to/3Ptyuur

Use UKcampsite to scope sites. The coast line from Edinburgh across to Dunbar and around to Eyemouth has spectacular beaches. Yellowcraigs and Coldingham are outstanding. Aberlady, Dirleton, Gullane and North Berwick area. Numerous campsites. Minimal midges.

Similarly coastline from Broughty Ferry, monifeith, Arbroath up to St Cyrus. Amazing beaches loads of camping opportunities.

St Andrews and Tentsmuir Forest also lovely coastline and plentiful dog walking.

Definitely the East coast, look at Findhorn, you will love it. No midges there.

@FoofOfTheWalkingDead I experienced the worst midgies ever at Sands in Gairloch. We have a tent with a very fine insect net door so we were OK.
My brother once bought a head net that was designed to keep mosquitoes out, unfortunately the kiddies could get in but seemed to have terrible getting back out again, he ended up with his head inside a bag of midgies!

I second @NotMeNoNos tent advice.

@beetr00 thanks for that it's really useful !

Tantallon at North Berwick. We stayed there with our tent (electric hook-up). It's walking distance into the town and beside a beach.

Friends have their tourer caravan there all season and take their dogs.

I can highly recommend this as I live on the West coast and I use it every Summer
https://maryjean.co.uk/product/highland-midge-lotion-with-bog-myrtle/ you can even use it on you pets, it smells nice too .They also have midge repellent candles for sale.

@chattyness thank you 😊

@campingwithdoggo I forgot to say, make sure your dog has tick protection too if you don't already , anywhere deer or sheep roam is rife with them , particularly in the long grasses , heathers and ferns

@chattyness thanks good point I wouldn't have thought of that either