Scottish Highlands

For those of you who enjoy hiking and walking there is a wonderful location that is largely unspoilt and it plays host to some of the most dramatic scenery in the British Isles. Scotland is a largely rural country with a dramatic landscape that includes some of the highest mountains in the UK. The Scottish highlands are quite inhospitable during the cold winter months however by late spring a families start to arrive looking for the ideal camping holidays.

The Scottish highlands are protected by the National Park and camping on the open land is strictly prohibited. There is however a large number of campsites that are located on private land located on lower ground less than 30 minutes drive away from the most popular walking areas.

Camping Holidays around the Highlands: Locations

There are a number of small towns and villages that run down the west coast of Scotland which are perfectly located for camping holidays within easy reach of the highland area.

Glencoe & Ballachulish

Glencoe and Ballachulish are located within a few minutes’ drive from one another at the bottom of the glacial valley which runs up to the highlands.  Both are both medium sized fishing villages and between them they boast a number of good pubs and restaurants. The Seafood Cafe which is located inland along the lock is well worth the 10 minute drive and comes highly recommended.

There are plenty of small campsites in the surrounding fields of these two villages and during the busier summer months they do tend to fill up quickly. We therefore recommend booking in advance and arriving early if it is possible.

Fort William

Fort William is a busier seaside town and it is larger than both Glencoe and Ballachulish combined. With plenty of small craft shops and fish mongers this town has a thriving main street that will entertain any family visiting from one of the nearby campsites. Fort William is steeped in history and there is a museum named the West Highland Museum there to indulge.

The campsites around Fort William can be described as being more luxury than those located near the smaller nearby towns and so this is the ideal location for the family camping holidays.

Oban

Oban, famous for its Whiskey production is a charming seaside town which has a wealth of very good Seafood restaurants. With an activ4e harbour this is the place to camp near to if you want to explore the culinary delights available in Scotland like the famous Langoustine Prawns.

Oban is located a way south of the pass into the highlands and it is therefore around an hour’s drive to the National Park, this should be considered if the walking and hiking is the main reason for your journey into Scotland.

Tom Watson is a guest blogger who enjoys writing about camping holidays and his experiences around the United Kingdom.