5 of the Best – Top Camping Sites in Scotland

In a country rich with forest, mountains, pristine white beaches and a wealth of wildlife, Scotland has more choices of beautiful camp sites than you can shake a stick at.  Attempting to whittle the potential hundreds of camping and caravanning sites down to a handful is challenging to say the least. That’s why we’ve decided to recommend 5 of our favourites on this post.

Consider our list as offering a little taster for everyone looking to visit Scotland for an outdoor holiday– from those with a wild camping heart to those looking for something to keep the whole family entertained.

Camusdarach

Arisaig, Inverness-shire, PH39 4NT

www.91.186.160.184/camusdarach-campsite.html

This award winning, eco-friendly camp site is a stone’s throw from white sand beaches and stunningly clear blue sea – a sight familiar along Scotland’s west coast but one which is usually associated with rather more exotic locations.

The camp site’s aim is to provide its guests with a beautiful natural place in which to rest and relax whilst maintaining a commitment to all matters green. From the reed beds which filter and detoxify the shower block run-off thus avoiding environmental contamination, to the toilet block constructed from renewable softwood sources, the watch words are sustainability and low impact camping.

The views from here are all about the ocean and the Hebridean islands of Rum, Eigg, Muck and Skye which sit on the horizon. There are various options for boat trips to any of these islands as well as wildlife cruises and island tours. Sea kayaking is another popular choice for holiday makers and campers who want to get out on that impossibly blue water.

There is a great deal of things to see and do in the local area, of both the land based and ocean going variety but for those who love the outdoors, beach and dune playgrounds and the natural world they are going to be in seventh heaven.

Facilities: electric-hook-up, toilets and showers, disabled facilities, dish wash area, laundry, dog friendly, Internet access, some hard standing, twice weekly mobile shop, direct access to beach.

Open: March to October.

Cost: £21 per pitch per night for unit (caravan/motor-home) and 2 adults.

Port Ban Holiday Park

Nr Kilberry, Knapdale Peninsular, Argyll and Bute, PA29 6YD

www.portban.com

This is the perfect choice for those who want to escape urban chaos and every day hustle and bustle but still want all the comforts of modern facilities and 101 things to keep the kids occupied.

Port Ban Holiday Park sits right at the ocean’s edge and so offers the natural playground of the beach complete with rock pools for those who want to make their own entertainment. Fishing, cycling, walking and canoeing are also popular choices in an area rich in wide open spaces and beautiful, natural surroundings. However, should you like something a little more organised then this holiday park offers an incredible variety of things to do and join in with – from kids clubs to quizzes and from ceilidhs to crazy golf.

Additionally, there are many day trips and tours on offer by local companies including boat trips to the islands of Jura and Islay which are part of the panoramic ocean view here.

Most of the organised activities on-site are available in high season only which means outside of school and bank holidays this holiday park is somewhat quieter. Whether you are old or young, a couple or a family, looking for an active holiday or just want to relax, Port Ban has something to suit every taste.

Facilities: electric hook-up, toilets, showers, laundry, payphone, shop, café, games field, tennis court, crazy golf, bowling green, volleyball court, children’s play park, mountain bike hire, games hall, lounge with library, organised schedule of activities and entertainment (ceilidhs, barbecues, youth nights, kids’ club), dog friendly.

Open: March to October.

Cost: per night – standard pitch £8 – £10, adults £3, child (age 6 to 15) £1, electric £2, dog £1 – there are discounts and offers available for week bookings and longer.

Resipole Holiday Park

Resipole Farm, Loch Sunart, Acharade, Argyll, PH36 4HX

www.resipole.co.uk

Scottish camp sites seem to have rather a monopoly on stunning locations and Resipole is no exception. Picture a loch-side camp site, nestled in the Scottish Highlands, with a back drop of majestic mountains and surrounded by ancient woodland and you are starting to get the idea.

This little oasis of calm is particularly popular with those hardy outdoor types of the mountain biking, hard-core hiking or climbing variety but is also well beloved by nature lovers, fishermen and bird watchers or anyone in fact looking for tranquillity and serenity.

The 19 mile long, highly sheltered sea loch is naturally a focus for many with boating, kayaking and canoeing all possible, while boat trips which take you out seal, whale and dolphin watching are also on offer. However, without budging an inch from your camp site you may spot otters, red deer, badgers, foxes and a wide variety of bird-life, all of which call Resipole home.

Facilities: electric hook-up, hard-standing, showers and toilets, disabled facilities, dish wash area, laundry, dog friendly, payphone, motor-home service point, reception area (selling milk, bread and newspapers).

Open: all year.

Cost: per night, hard standing pitch including electric £13, adults £3, child (age 5 to 16) £2.

Noah’s Ark Caravan Park

Newhouse Farm, Western Edge, Perth, PH1 1QF

www.noahsarkcaravanpark.co.uk

Visitors to this rural ‘gateway-to-the-Highlands’ camp site will get the mountain vistas they might expect in Scotland while being situated just a stone’s throw from urban Perth and all the 21^st century conveniences this offers. Skipping between the two worlds is easy but should you not want to stray too far then Noah’s Ark Caravan Park has an impressive menu of facilities which are guaranteed to keep everyone occupied and happy.

The surrounding area provides the perfect playground for those who are into walking, climbing, horse riding or mountain biking while on-site options include karting, bowling, and a golf driving range.

Facilities: electric hook-up, toilets and showers, laundry, disabled facilities, dog friendly, book library, Wi-Fi, barbecue area, outdoor activity centre, children’s play barn with restaurant, karting, bowling, golf driving range.

Open: March to November.

Cost: £20 to £22 for pitch and 2 persons per night including electric, extra person £2. Various discounts and offers available including pensioners’ midweek specials.

Glenbrittle Camp Site

Glenbrittle, Carbost, Isle of Skye, IV47 8TA

For caravanners and motor-homers, enjoying the splendours of the Inner and Outer Hebrides is not impossible but it can be tricky and ferry prices make it unaffordable for many. However, the Isle of Skye is an exception thanks to the (now) toll-free bridge which arcs from mainland to island.

A short drive over to the rugged western coast of the island will bring you to one of the best located camp sites anywhere in the world – a serious claim but totally justified. Here you can watch the sun rise over the awe-inspiring Black Cuillin mountains, which this camp site nestles at the foot of, and then watch it set over the ocean as you sit on the shores of Loch Brittle. The star studded sky which emerges as night descends is probably unlike anything you have ever seen.

And the magic is not just reserved for on-site. Just down the road from Glenbrittle is a series of almost impossibly coloured natural pools known as the ‘Fairy Pools’. Looking like a scene from ‘Lord of the Rings’ these pools are perfect for wild swimming (often with not another soul in sight) but should you take the plunge be prepared for icy temperatures as the pools are fed from chilly  mountain rivers and streams.

Another extra-special treat is the Glendale Toy Museum where playing with the exhibits is not just allowed but positively encouraged. The museum may be small but losing whole days here is not uncommon and constant cries of ‘I had one of those’ fill its rooms.

However, all this aside, this is not a camp site for those who want holiday park facilities and laid on entertainment. Staying here is all about the quiet, the beautiful and the natural and, with the exception of a few modern conveniences, is more akin to wild camping than your usual caravan holiday.

Facilities: electric hook-up, hard standing, toilets and showers, washing up area, small shop on-site, dog friendly, fishing on site, direct access to loch/beach.

Open: April to September.

Cost: per night, adults £7, child £4.50, electric £6.