First Camping Trip - Where should we go?

owtfornowt_2

cazziebo wrote: »

Cobleland near Aberfoyle is a good one and an easy walk/bike ride into Aberfoyle for shopping, cafes, swing park, wool centre (more interesting than it sounds) and David Marshall Lodge.
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http://www.scottishcampingguide.com/link.php?n=264&c=

I'll second cobleland near Aberfoyle - couldn't find more friendlier people who work on the site.:T

Angua2

Have a look at Granton on Spey Camp Site - we (2 adults, 3 kids ages 5, 7 & 9) were there and the kids can't wait to go back!

EDIT: We had a fab time, too - and the area is lovely with so much to do and see - can't recommend highly enough the Highland Folk Museum at Kingussie! I've been 3 times and just love it.

katglasgow

Hi, we are planning our first family camping trip this weekend. We havea 5 year old and 1 2 year old and just fancy 1 night about a hours drive from North Glasgow, as a trial to see how we get on. From the suggestions above I quite fancy Cobleland in Aberfoyle, or Balgair Castle in Fintry, however I am worried about the midgie siotuation. If we have a miserable time it may put us off camping forever! Would it be more sensible to go to St Andrews (Kinkell Braes) or Tanglewood in Silloth?
I know it is sensible not to pitch next to a river or trees/bushes, but any usefuly advice at all is appreciated!
Thanks

Lorne

Cashel at Loch Lomond and Scone Campsites are also lovely.

Midge wise, skin so soft dry oil spray from avon is a must!

weegie_2

Glad I found this thread! Just booked our first camping trip for this weekend (me, hubby, son, daughter and dog!). We stay in Southside of Glasgow and I wanted something not too far either. We've booked a couple of nights at the Walled Garden at Kilkerran as it looked like a good base for setting off to explore some other areas - so I will let you know what it is like!

Edit: ps, looked at some of the other places people suggested and http://www.lochkenholidaypark.co.uk/ looks really good (especially the fishing part, coz my way boy loves that). Think if all works out well this weekend we might try that site the next time!

katglasgow

Walled Garden does look lovely, but we have decided to go for Loch Ken this time. Please do report back next week and I'll do the same!
Karyn

katglasgow

Hi weegie, just wondering how you got on?

We realy enjoyed Loch Ken! The site was a beautiful location and I would recomend to anyone! No too many midgies (yippee), and the field was not too full (need to book for this site as they did turn people away both fri and sat night). Kids enjoyed playing in field with others, small park and also pottering at loch (caught a frog and also picked up lots of cray fish pincers). This part of Galloway is fanmous for its Red Kite population on saturday we paid £5 to go to a nearby famr where they lay out food for the birds every day at 2pm. Saw loads of the birds and an RSPB Officer told us all about them. We then had a walk elsewhere ourselves and were able to spot them ourselves, even saw one fly over the campsite!

We are now hooked on camping :T and going to make another trip late september. Really fancy Callshell nr Rowardenen - hoping the midgies wont be too bad by then!

Karyn

The only slight downside was there were some very large noisy groups of campers who did make noice at night and my hubbie found it difficult to get to sleep on saturday. If I went back I would take my ear plugs.

weegie_2

Got on well - definitely up for camping again. Had such a laugh.

Walled Garden is lovely - took about an hour to get there from the southside. Very clean etc (altho toilets etc a bit dated - but certainly clean and useable). Pitch was fine, although it was busy and I am glad we booked. Got a small play park for kids and a wee hall where they put on bingo etc - a lot of the regulars on site looked like they enjoyed it. Saw them strolling down there with their bottles of wine etc! All people on site, including Jim the owner where very nice. He'll deliver fresh rollls and milk etc in the morning if you need it. The recreation room isn't up to much and the decor could do with a freshen up.

It certainly is a nice place, with wee walks and pathways close by. Ideal if you want to go to Culzean, Croy etc - like we did. I think I would perhaps go somewhere a bit noiser tho as I was forever telling my kids to be quiet as the place was very peaceful...I think if I was somewhere a wee bit busier then I wouldn't feel as bad when they screamed at one another

weegie_2

ps - you also need midgie repellant. They managed to get a hold of me before I covered myself in the stuff and I am now sporting 11 bites on one ankle alone...

sco0ter

I could reccomend any of the Parkdean sites.

HERE

I have been to a few and going to Southerness in september. The facilities are excellent and the entertainment/clubs for the kids is great.