Camping is cool these days in Scotland. We are firm fans of camping and we’ve written two editions of Cool Camping Scotland. We’ve got a lot of Scotland entries too in the Cool Camping Britain guide. The growing popularity of camping has also given rise to an increasing number of sophisticated camping options, that come complete with added luxury and comfort.
Here are our Top 5 Scottish Glamping Sites:
1. Harvest Moon Holidays
There is a definite touch of ‘Out of Africa’ about the safari style luxury tents set here in the coastal dunes in this remote retreat in East Lothian. They come complete with a wood burning stove, proper toilet and a decent shower, plus a double bed, bunk bed, double sofa bed and a cute cupboard bed ideal for wee ones. New this year are seven spectacular treehouses, one of which is a designated ‘honeymoon treehouse’. Another has a disabled access ramp. They boast an octagonal living area and a set of swings, making them ideal for families.
www.harvestmoonholidays.com
2. Loch Tay Highland Lodges
You may not be able to pitch your own tent here, but they do have the option of staying in a spacious glamping dome, which comes complete with a wood burning stove and double bed.If you want to branch out a little you can opt to sleep in their wooden wigwams, wooden cabins or lodges. Whichever you choose they all come with sweeping views of Loch Tay in front and the Ben Lawers range to the rear. Numerous activities await, from canoeing and kayaking through to boat hire, mountain bikes, fishing and RIB rides from the site’s own marina.
www.lochtay-vacations.co.uk
3. Shieling Holidays
This charmingly old school campsite on the Isle of Mull stakes a fair claim to having invented glamping in Scotland. David and Moira Gracie’s ‘unique carpeted cottage tents’ are fairly basic, but they do offer cookers, worktops, electric lighting and gas heaters. They have bbqs too, where you can cook up dinner while you look out for dolphins and admire the views over the Sound of Mull out towards distant Ben Nevis.
www.shielingholidays.co.uk
4. Comrie Croft
This Highland Perthshire retreat harks back to the old days of communal croft living. On site as well as campgrounds for traditional tents there are half a dozen Nordic katas, cosy tepee-like structures with wood burning stoves and animal skins to help keep you warm after an evening by the camp fire. Also on site are tough mountain trails, a family friendly bike skills loop, a bike hire shop, a well-stocked shop and a cute wee café with great home baking.
www.comriecroft.com
5. Roulotte Retreat
If you have ever dreamt of a life roaming around in a gypsy caravan Roulotte Retreat is for you. This compact wee site in the Borders offers purpose-built traditional French roulottes, which are more reminiscent of romantic luxury train cabins that traditional prosaic caravans. Each has its own rich and decadent décor scheme (choose from the likes of Moorish, Indian, Celtic or Art Deco), as well as reliably hot showers, wood burning stoves, cookers and proper double beds. Owner and yoga teacher Avril Berry also offers yoga lessons at this adults-only site.
www.roulotteretreat.com
