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Stayed 2 nights as part of a touring holiday. Booked because of good reviews but overall were disappointed.
Pitches not well maintained & uneven. Many unmarked and we struggled to find ours. TV hook-up on EHU pole didn't work - but we had been warned at check-in that this might be the case. Managed to get about 8 channels through our status aerial though. No radio reception but good mobile and internet via mobile.
Chemical closet emptying point was ineffective, unhygienic and needs urgent attention. Not acceptable to offer a shallow stainless steel kitchen sink with a 2' waste outlet attached to a soil pipe and a watering can as the only method of flushing away any solids. It also had a low wooden cover over the sink which made it impossible to tip the cassette vertical to empty it.
Reception staff were friendly and helpful. Lots of lovely walks and bike rides in the area.
Aviemore was a bike ride rather than a walk away. Hilton Hotel was an easy and short walk and had a choice three places to eat. Food was good quality, service was great but a little pricey as you would expect at an International Hotel.
The facilities of the Rothiemurcus Estate offer plenty of activities, which unfortunately we didn't get to sample due to bad weather.
Great site in beautiful location. Pitches in amongst pinewoods next to river. Much smaller and more relaxed feel than Glenmore down the road. Facilities good clean and warm.
No specific playparks but kids blissfully happy playing in the trees building dams. Red squirrels on site. Fabulous cycles and walks direct from campsite. Staff friendly and helpful. Easy access to Aviemore and beyond.
For our first 2 nights we were pitched on the area as you enter the site. More open than the rest of the site and mainly used by touring caravans and the larger motorhomes. A nice bit of the site but we asked to be moved to the lower part as I preferred the camping atmosphere amongst the trees!
The warden was very helpful at my request and we were given a lovely pitch where we felt very much as though we were back to nature! Watched red squirrels on the surrounding trees and an abundance of different birds.
Friendly wardens who had good knowledge of the area. Toilet facilities very clean and warm. Chemical disposal point could be a better design!
Pitches were varying sizes and shapes and some manoeuvring could be required (though we were OK) dependant on the size of your unit. For those with tents the pitches were set further in amongst the trees and you can choose your pitch.
The tent pitches are in a smashing setting, you can camp alongside the stream or away from it and pitches are fairly adhoc owing to the trees. I would have been very happy to forgo electricity to camp in my campervan in this area in future were it not for the no dog rule (see below).
You can camp with your dog if you are in a caravan / campervan / folding caravan / motorhome. However not if you are in a tent and not in the camping area. I don't know the reason for this.
The surrounding area is stunning. There are walks and cycle routes for all abilities around the site or further afield. There are countless activities from or near site including quad biking,archery, fishing, canoeing, tennis - to name but a few.
A half hour walk takes you to Aviemore where you can meet your shopping needs and eat at various cafes / pubs / restaurants. Dogs are permitted in the Bridge Inn where you can also have a lovely meal.
A local taxi firm will bring you and your dog to the campsite if you don't want to walk back after a few glasses of wine! If you fancy a pint or snack nearer the site there is the Hilton about 10 minutes from site (dogs are not allowed inside).
To summarise, a wonderful campsite in a wonderful area. Despite the poor weather I could have spent another week or more here - there is so much to enjoy. I plan to return asap.
Further to my review in April, wanted to add another couple of comments after our recent long weekend - on previous visit tv reception on digital was patchy( some channels patchy, others zero).
This time however I discovered that the pitch ( same one as last time actually had a tv point that gave around 10 channels ( not crystal clear quality, but very watchable. This came into campsite as digital and was then routed round by analogue.
Also, managed to get full internet access using my phone as wireless hotspot and connecting laptop, on Tmobile.
This is a very good campsite in a great location - handy for the Cairngorms and Aviemore. The staff are very friendly and helpful and the facilities are excellent. The site cost us £19.50 per night, but included a useful map and some discounts for the Rothiemurcus Estate (e.G. Free parking at Loch an Eileen). We spent 3 nights here in our small campervan.
The relatively new block includes 5 shower rooms (each having shower, toilet, wash basin), a disabled shower room and 2 toilets (each with wash basin). The showers are hot and powerful and the block is very clean. There are 2 large sinks for washing up.
There is a more basic toilet block near to the reception area, which also has a laundry room with washer and tumble drier.
Most of the site is amongst the trees and it reminded us of some of the sites we have stayed on in France. This means that there is plenty of shelter and shade, but it also makes it quite dark. There are a lot of trees. There are lovely walks and cycle tracks adjoining the site.
We booked Rothiemurchus as one of the very few website advertised campsites to be found in the Cairngorm area (there are dozens more from the signs along the road as it turns out).
We were well received on arrival by the stand-in managers as the usual managers were on holiday. We were given a map of the local area and some discount vouchers for local attractions.
We were then given total free choice of where to pitch and offered advice about which areas to aim for based on tent size and weather conditions.
It's a great site, with tent pitches between the trees, so it's well sheltered from the frequent wild weather in this area. The facilities block (£10 refundable keycard required) is the best I have ever seen on a campsite - I've been to posh hotels with worse facilities - the showers are a real treat as they are proper shower cubicles within the toilet cubicle and lots of room to dry off.
Most showers on campsite seem to like a wall or curtain which results in all your dry clothes getting wet from over spray. Not at Rothiemurchus!
The site was good value for money - £8 an adult for the night we considered quite reasonable compared to some Lake District sites which we are more used to.
Aviemore is a half hour walk away, though there is a pub at the back of the Hilton Hotel which is closer, but they only offer snacks and no proper meals.
This is a good site in a prime location for access to the Cairngorm area which offers good value for money and excellent facilities. We'll be using it again the next time we aim for the Cairngorm mountains.
Stunning. Plain and simple. We 'were' virgin campers and used Rothiemurchus as a trial run to see how we would fare.
On arrival we were greeted with a warm welcome. Given some local info, a small walking map and our washroom key, for which a £10 refundable deposit is required, then pointed in the right direction for pitching our tent. We had pre-booked, which I think is advisable as when we had phoned they had said they were busy. Simply you pick a spot up at the top end of the site, the lower end is primarily for tourers and caravans. All they ask is that you take a pitch appropriate for your tent size.
If you pitch on the right of the stream you can literally park beside your vehicle. If you pitch on the island between the river and stream then a short walk across the bridge is all it takes.
Nothing can really be added about the quality of the wash rooms that hasn't already been said. We did find that the showers were set a little hot though for our two small children, but using the disabled shower room for young children is permitted.
The site is very child friendly. There is a 5mph speed limit and on inspection we found the riverbanks a godsend for small children who have a passion for throwing stones and building dams. If you go further up to the top of the site you gain access to the estate where you can walk or cycle on well maintained and defined routes suitable for all ages and abilities. Loch an Eilein is a must, if only for the view, but you are able to walk and cycle all the way round.
Unfortunately there was no shop on site but we didn't find this a problem as Aviemore is only about 2 miles up the road. A full walking/cycle path takes you right into the town centre where the shops will provide for food, souvenirs and outdoor pursuits. On the way to Aviemore, and about 500yds from the site at the Hilton hotel is the Fun house, adults and children rejoice, which is very reasonably priced with something to keep everyone entertained and perfect to use for a bit of bribery.
I have given 10 out of 10 on all aspects and not just because this was our first camping trip. After all is said we can only hope that our experience at Rothiemurchus hasn't spoilt us for the rest of our holidays as we will use the site as a benchmark from now on.
Fantastic site - probably my favourite so far, and just love Aviemore.
As mentioned previously, toilet/shower block is one of the best with 6 or so full 'rooms' with wc, shower and basin plus another couple without the shower. It would be a bit of a trek to get a shower if you were pitched near the entrance to the campsite, but the pitches in the trees are the best anyway, in my opinion. River going through site was very fast flowing when we visited, so watch out for young kids.
Will definitely be going back to this site as whole family loved it.
Also ate at The Cairngorm hotel a couple of times, that was great also. You get a 25% discount ( think it used to be 33%) with Forest holidays card, which we still had from last year when we visited Glenmore just up the road
This is a simply amazing campsite. Right in the heart of the Rothiemurchus Estate amongst the pines, with beautiful streams running through it.
The owners are very welcoming and knowledgeable about the walks and cycle paths to be had, literally from the campsite itself. The camp feels spacious and a bit like wild camping, but with all the luxuries. You will almost certainly see red squirrels darting around, maybe spotting a heron or red deer too.
You never feel crowded and - at this moment - I have a view from my RV window over a brook. The only noise interruptions you are likely to hear are the rushing water and the occasional round from the clay pigeon shoot about a mile hence. This is the epitome of peace, quiet and open air.
In terms of facilities, there are two toilet blocks. The newer one near the top of the site is amazing - literally more like a 5 star hotel than a campsite. It has keycard access and then a series of private rooms, each with a toilet, mirror and washbasin; those on the left have a shower cubicle too. They are kept immaculate and have good disabled access.They also have the huge benefit of being heated, with individual radiators in each room. People have put in their reviews that these are unisex, but as each is a private, lockable room on its own that really didn't matter to us or our children either.
There are chemical disposal and greywater waste areas. The owner is unsurprisingly reluctant to offer blackwater disposal but was very obliging to us and we plumbed straight into a drain. There is also laundry, gas for sale and information at reception - all you could want.
Pitches can be a little small as they are set between pines, but pitch 68 is ideal for a larger RV/motorhome and all have hook up. There are plenty of fresh water points available. The area for tents is huge and people simply pick there own spot, whether amongst the trees or on the island between streams.
The great little town of Aviemore is only about 2.5 miles away - easily walkable via the network of paths - and here there are a host of outdoor shops, a Tescos, loads of restaurants and coffee shops plus a couple of garages.
There is also a mainline railway station that has a steam train run as well as connections to the major cities. Glenmore visitors centre is about 5 miles, with a wonderful exhibition, loch with its own beach and the reindeer centre from which you can trek into the hills to meet and feed the UK's only wild reindeer herd.
Cairngorm mountain itself with all the winter sports and a funicular railway is another 5 miles further on. Closer to home within a mile of the campsite is the Rothiemurchis visitors centre with a fishery (fishing for all levels, including kids), Treezone (spectacular new climbing outdoor centre), quad biking, clay pigeon shooting and more. It also sells high quality local produce. The Hilton is about 1/2 mile from the campsite and has free WiFi, family bar, restaurant and play centre, all open to non-residents.
This really is the perfect centre for exploring the incredibly beautiful Cairngorm national park and ideal for those wanting to make the most of the great outdoors. Our kids aged 12, 10 and 8 absolutely loved it and we would return like a shot.
My partner and his 10 year old daughter(loves animals and beasties) and I had a great time camping on this site. This site is very natural within the forest,which gave us some privacy. We seen a red squirrel which was the highlight of my step daughter's stay and loads of birds and ants nests. Although there is no children's play park my step daughter made friends with other kids and entertained themselves within the site.
The toilet block is the best yet, plenty of room like an en suite. You also have a key card for entry. The staff charged up our battery for the camera for free which was very helpful. The key card gave us entry to site so we were free to come and go and not stuck to set times. It rained one night so we headed to a pub in Aviemore to get heated and didn't have to worry about getting back on a set time.
We used to go to another campsite in Aviemore but we will definitely be returning to Rothiemurchus.
We stayed at this site for five days and would thoroughly recommend it to anyone.
There are a small number of pitches (17), they are not level despite what their website says, we had to use to use levelling blocks as did most other people there with a motorhome. The pitch we had was a bit too close to the surrounding pitches for my liking, although not all pitches are like this and there was no noise problem.
The (unisex) toilet block is an excellent example of how it should be done. Separate rooms containing toilet, sink and shower, the showers being very hot. Entry to the toilet block is by a card which you get when you book in and requires a £10 cash deposit that is returned when you leave. Excellent washing up area is also in the toilet block.
Aviemore is a 40 minute walk and has shops and restaurants. We ate at the Spice of India and the Happy Haggis (fish and chips), and can recommend them both.
The Rothiemurchus visitor centre is 20 minute walk, the farm shop didn't really appeal to us (it looks very nice though, but you'll probably need deep pockets!) and there is a restaurant, but did not try it (deep pockets required also). Next to the visitor centre is a Chinese restaurant which is very nice and reasonably priced.
The number 34 bus runs hourly from Aviemore to the Cairngorm visitor centre and will stop in the layby just outside of the site if you wave at it. It cost us (two adults) £2 each to get to Cairngorm, we also used it several times to get from the site to Aviemore which was 75p each.
The only criticism of the site is the chemical emptying point. It is the stupidest design I have ever seen, and has to have been designed by someone who has never emptied a chemical toilet before! You empty into a kitchen sink which is at ground level. Where the plug hole on a sink usually is, there is a hole, but there is no sloping surface to the hole so anything solid then has to be manually manoeuvred through the hole. Sorry for the fairly gross description, but I was pretty disgusted by it.
This one criticism aside, I would not hesitate to return to this site, it is in a staggeringly beautiful area with fantastic walks and with easy access to the A9 and also the rail network, we took the train to Inverness for £11.10 return each.
I also recommend the quad bike trekking, I would have done this over and over again if I had the chance!
We've just returned from staying 8 nights at this most magical of camp sites. The setting was just stunning, being able to pitch close to the stream amongst mature pine trees was something we have never experienced before - the views were breathtaking, sat by the stream watching the stars come out was something we'll look back on for many, many years.
The pitches vary in size, if like us you have a large tent you may struggle with the odd tree stump in the way - be prepared to walk your tent several times until it's in a suitable place, one of the downsides to this site's wild setting.
The staff are excellent - free freezing of cold packs, free charging of electrical equipment - if only they had a proper shop on site it would be perfect.
Aviemore is a leisurely 30 minute stroll along safe paths, the 'local' pub is about 25 minutes walk.
The showers are modern, plenty of hot water and minimal queueing, the laundry facilities are great.
The midges can be a problem, nothing a second bottle of wine won't cure though.
You need to book ahead for this site. I tried to book a couple of months in advance and even then, was told there wasn't a suitable pitch for our camper and awning. This is a popular place, and the pitches are all different - which is of course part of it's appeal. In the end we got on the site, having camped at other places in the area, but we had to pitch our free-standing awning away from the van, and up on an uneven slope. We didn't mind.
The tent campers get the best deal - set away from the statics and chalets in the woods, but it all feels a bit like 'wild' camping.
I am not usually a fan of camping in the woods, but the trees here are magnificent and the atmosphere here was something else. Not like any other campsite I have stayed in.
The shower block was the nicest I have ever experienced whilst camping. You get a whole room, and it feels like you are in someone's house. Others have mentioned queues and embarrassment about it being unisex, but I never experienced queues (first week of school holidays) and would say that the arrangement is very good for families with young children.
The site is right next to great paths for walking and cycling. This whole area is a must for mountain bike enthusiasts and canoeists. If you aren't into that, there are loads of gentle walks.
Very nice campsite set set in wooded land. You may find it difficult to get in, as they only take a limited number of advance bookings, and don't try to pack the space too tightly.
When we arrived, we were told to find ourselves a space and pitch. We found a nice spot by one of the streams running through the site. After that we were left to our own devices, which suited us fine. We initially booked in for one night, but extended twice and ended up being there for 3 nights.
The shower/toilet block is fairly new and queues were minimal in any. Washing up facilities (in the same block) were good. Plenty of hot water, and good showers (a must for me when I camp).
Aviemore is about 5 mins drive away and can be walked in about 30 mins if you fancy going for a meal and a few drinks. There are no pubs very close to the campsite, so its either drive, or cook for yourself at the site.
Plenty of nice walks that can be started directly from the campsite. We did one to Loch an Eilein which took a few hours at gentle pace.
Overall, a lovely site, very relaxing and set in wonderful countryside. I am not likely to go back to that region for quite some time, but would recommend this location strongly.
We had the most marvellous four days here as part of our first tour of Scotland and we were blessed with wonderful sunny, warm weather. Our two girls (14 and 10) have been nagging us ever since to return!
The site is set in a pine forest with a small river running through with pitches for tents right alongside it. Our children enjoyed playing around the river but it may be a worry with smaller children. Our pitch was a good size although an awkward angle to get into and sloping but we didn't care. Everything else about this magical place was so good.
The facilities were very good. As mentioned before, the new block has individual rooms with shower cubicle, basin and toilet so plenty of space and very warm. However, there are only about six of them and they are unisex. With so many tents and it being August, you almost always had to queue and our 14 year old (being 14) found this off-putting. She almost always used the loo in the old block which had separate ladies & gents.
The area is dotted with cycle paths which are mostly off-road. The chap at reception gave us a little booklet which had all the main routes on which was most useful. The paths went through the campsite so it was really easy to get on them. Hire bikes if you don't take them with you - it's a fab and easy way to get around.
We cycled to and around Loch Eilean, to Glenmore and to Loch Morlich. Loch Morlich is great for watersports - you can hire kayaks, canoes, windsurfers, wetsuits for a reasonable amount. The beach is beautiful white sand, pine trees behind and the mountains in the background. The water is unbelievably blue.
We drove to the Osprey Centre (easy to park our big van) and to the Cairngorm Mountain where we took the funicular to the top. You can't get out onto the mountain but there is a viewing point for photos etc.
It was a good 20 minute walk to Aviemore but cycle/walking track or pavement all the way. We preferred to cycle which took about 10 minutes. Quite a few shops and pubs in Aviemore. We went to a hotel (can't remember the name) on a Thursday evening for their Scottish buffet - all you can eat for about £7 (£4 for children) which included a big bowl of broth with a roll. Really good value.
The farm shop at the visitor centre is a must. We did most of our food shopping there as they had a lot of good quality items at a reasonable price. Venison burgers, sausages and steaks, fresh fish, smoked trout pate - wonderful, wonderful. The staff there were absolutely delightful. There's also a restaurant there which looks lovely although we didn't try it. The visitor centre is about a 10 minute walk from the campsite.
Lots of activities to do in the area but you do need to be a bit organised about booking ahead as they are popular. You can book in lots of places, including some of the outdoor clothing shops in Aviemore or online. Our two did gorge walking which they enjoyed - we went along as spectators and enjoyed the spectacular walks. Probably a bit pricy for the amount they did but worth it for the experience as we would have never have known about the place otherwise, very beautiful. We will be doing river raiders and clay pigeon shooting when we return next time.
So, a wonderful site and many happy memories. We will definitely return and hope the weather is as kind next time!
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Common Questions
Is Rothiemurchus Camping Caravan Park child friendly? YES, it accepts children View all facilities
Where is the nearest shop to Rothiemurchus Camping Caravan Park? There is a shop within 1 mile View all facilities
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
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The facilities shown on this website are a guide only, and you should check with the campsite direct before making any booking. The UKCampsite.co.uk will not be held responsible for any errors or omissions
Tent Pitches 
Caravan Pitches 
Motorhome Pitches 
Small Campervans 
No Glamping Units 
No Statics for Hire 
Holiday Homes for Sale 
No Seasonal Pitches 
Electric Hookups 
Hardstanding Pitches 
No Fully Serviced Pitches 
Families Welcome 
Not Members Only 
Rallies Welcome 
Not Naturist Site 
Dogs Welcome 
No Dogs Allowed 
Groups Welcome 
Motorbikers Welcome 
Toilet Facilities 
Hot Showers 
Washing Up 
No Bathroom 
No Baby Changing 
Laundry On Site 
Drinking Water 
Disabled Friendly 
Chemical Disposal 
No Battery Charging 
Gas Exchange 
Recycling Facilities 
No Kitchen Facilities 
No Freezer / Fridge 
Motorhome Point 
No Wifi Access 
Shop <1 mile 
Bar <1 mile 
Restaurant or Cafe or Takeaway <1 mile 
No Playground 
No TV Room 
No Games Room 
No Evening Ents 
Fishing <1 mile 
Wild Swimming <5 miles 
Indoor Pool <1 mile 
No Outdoor Pool 
Horse Riding <1 mile 
Cycle Hire <1 mile 
Golf <5 miles 
Tennis <1 mile 
Beach <5 miles 
Watersports <5 miles 
Boat Launch / Mooring <5 miles 
No Sea Views 
Not Working Farm 
No Campfires Allowed 
Open All Year 
Riverside Pitches 
Public Transport On Site
Offroad Dog Walk On Site or Direct Access 
Stayed 2 nights as part of a touring holiday. Booked because of good reviews but overall were disappointed. 
