I haven't been to Scotland since I was a child (we used to go camping up there every summer as we lived in Co.Durham then, but I don't remember where we went) and my partner and I are thinking about going up for a week at the end of May. Although I'd love to explore further north, we live in South Yorkshire and I'm the only one who can drive. Since we'll only have a week, I'd rather not go more than 5 hours or so which would put us somewhere in the Dumfries & Galloway/Ayrshire/Borders sort of area as our base. Does anyone have any recommendations for particular areas or specific campsites?
I'd quite like to be near the coast if possible, but we also like forests, hills, lakes & moorland, and we're interested in historical/cultural sites. Our plan would be to have a fairly chilled sort of trip - some walking, maybe go on a couple of day trips further away, visit any towns/sites of interest and so on. We'd be taking a tent and we prefer small, quiet campsites, we're not bothered about EHU or lots of facilities - just a place to put a tent and a basic shower block is enough for us. Thanks for any suggestions that'll help us narrow down where to base ourselves.
Don't forget to leave a review of the campsites you have visited this year or last!
I live in dumfries and there are loads of decent sites available. Sandyhills is set on probobly the nicest beach in the area and is fairly close to Dumfries for supermarkets etc.
A smaller quieter site is Solway View past Kirkcudbright (pronounced Ker-coo-bry!) it has a smaller rocky beach down a path but is a lovey site.
We go to Brighouse bay and Auchenleary often as my brother and daughter love the swimming pools and both have beach access.
Will be visiting Balloch o Dee soon fo the dark skies and cam fires though!
There is a small site called Kings Green at Port William. Its a small site and the village has a Hotel with a bar and there is a restaurant in the village as well and a couple of shops. Next to the beach and the reviews are very good.
Has 16amp hookup, clean toilets etc but is quiet, check the site review in the site search..
------------- It is a wise man who has something to say.
It is a fool who has to say something.
JennygirlX has given good advice. Dumfries & Galloway has so many lovely castles (your English Heritage card will give you free entry), Abbeys (New Abbey, Glenluce and others in between), beaches, rocky headlands with forts, forests, mountain biking (Seven Stanes at Mabie outside Dumfries, Dalbeattie and near Newton Stewart), hill walking (but don't underestimate the Merrick), beaches (did I say?), red kites at Loch Ken, ospreys at Wigtown, millions of geese at Caerlaverock, Covenanters' history, dark skies, quiet roads, Food Town at Castle Douglas, Book Town at Wigtown, Artists Town at Kirkcudbright (pretty fishing port there too), golf galore (good value), wonderful Galloway beef, three of Scotland's National Scenic Areas (like English AONBs) on the coast - nice site overlooking Rockcliffe is in one NSA, and we enjoy Sandyhills too. Oh, and gardens & estates (like Logan Botanics near pretty Portpatrick, amazing at Rhodie time, or Castle Kennedy outside Stranraer with a Monkey Puzzle avenue, or Cally Gardens with a specialist plant nursery or Threave which is National Trust). As for where to stay - check the reviews, there's plenty of choice of good sites. We visit often, I'm sure you'll enjoy it.
Thank you everyone, all that advice is much appreciated! It sounds like there'll be plenty for us to see and do, we'll just have to keep our fingers crossed for good weather. We'll probably try and stay somewhere that's fairly close to indoor activities just in case - we've learnt from a trip to Wales a couple of years ago, we were staying in the middle of nowhere intending to do lots of walking, only it was non-stop torrential rain and low cloud 24/7 and after 4 days of playing cards in the tent and dragging out pub lunches for as long as we could, we abandoned it and went home early. I can cope with a bit of rain, but not all day every day and so heavy that you get drenched just going to the loo!
Loch Ken Holiday Park. Directly on the loch. Loads to do, great watersports. Absolutely beautiful, super site. X
------------- Kirsten :0)
May 14- The Plassey, North Wales
June 14- Lady Heyes, Frodsham
June 14- Plassey, North Wales
July 14 Tyn y Mur, Abersoch
Aug 14-Plassey North Wales
Aug 14- Loch Ken, Dumfries& Galloway
Nov 14- Plassey North Wales
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Recommendations for southern Scotland
