Discover the best beach and dog-friendly campsites in Scotland

United Kingdom
—
Scotland

96% (22 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Scotland

5 top beach and dog-friendly campsites in Scotland

91%

(32)

Dog-friendly getaways

91%

(32)

Badrallach Campsite

12 units · Motorhomes, Tents1 acre · Ross and Cromarty, Highlands

Where the end of the road is the start of your adventure

The Charcoal Huts - Isle of Bute

2 units · Glamping8 acres · Scotland

Our Huts are located within the Moss Wood area of Bute Forest - a mixed birch and alder wood that extends up the hillside to the west of the A886 that connects the Rhubodach Ferry to Port Bannatyne and Rothesay. Moss Wood has a range of facilities. Park on the shore-side where the coast can be enjoyed or at the main entrance, and take a walk up through Moss Wood along the Poetry Trail. A steep walk in places, the Poetry Trail is a loop punctuated with places to stop and read, to stop and think. Read nature poetry from throughout the ages, stop at the Blether Stane, or taking the spur to the Viewing Point back south across the Kyles. Moss Wood connects to the West Island Way – take the Poetry Trail and the spur to the Viewing Point – and then take the Stag’s Trod further up (steeply) till you reach the West Island Way. From there, head south towards Port Bannatyne or north along the boundary of the Community Forest. From the viewing point, you can also explore interesting heritage features such as the old WW2 bunker, kayak shelter, Balnakailly settlement, and the SSSI oak woodland.

100%

(7)

Runach Arainn Glamping

3 units · Glamping1 acre · Kilmory, Scotland

A three-yurt luxury glamping site on the Isle of Arran, steps away from the beach

Cosy Caravan in Roshven

1 unit · Glamping1 acres · Scotland

This self-contained trailer has been a well loved part our home since 2010. We’re happy to welcome friends and visitors to stay in it from time to time. A beautiful, wild and remote setting on the West Coast of Scotland. Peace and quiet! A useful stopover on the way to the Skye ferry. Cars/bikes and wellington boots are recommended. Eggs from our free range hens are available to buy. It is a drive to reach the small local shops/pubs. Walks to beaches and woods. We look forward to welcoming you. The vintage caravan is a cosy, quiet, self-contained space positioned close by our house. It is surrounded by honeysuckle and clematis. Through the windows you can glimpse mountains and trees. There’s a small double bedroom and another small bedroom that can be arranged either with a generous single or small twin beds that are ideal for young children. The living area has couches and a dining table. The kitchenette has all the basics, fridge, microwave and a gas cooker. The bathroom has a shower, washbasin and toilet. This self-catering accommodation has its own private lockable entrance. Guests have access to the caravan, garden, and driveway. Nearest shops/pubs are a 20-30min DRIVE away - it's a good idea to bring everything you need as the road is long and you may not feel like going out again! Please let me know in advance if you require the small twin beds made up. From the last week of May through to early September it is midge season in the Scottish Highlands, so be prepared to encounter these tiny biting flies - however, a light breeze and a stick of citronella incense is usually enough to disperse them! On still nights I strongly recommend that you keep the windows closed, otherwise you may find clouds of midges invade your space. There is a cooling fan to make warm evenings more comfortable. A haven for creatives! During April and October we host artists’ residencies specially for socially engaged practitioners who would benefit from some time to rest and reconnect with nature. When you book via Hipcamp, a small community fee is added to your daily booking charge and this goes to support these residencies by helping to pay for logs for the wood stove during the artists' visits.

Mongolian Yurt in Stunning Highland

1 unit · Glamping1 acre · Lochearnhead, England

When travelling in Scotland, you will want to have the confidence in the quality of your accommodation, knowing that it will play a big part in the whole pleasurable experience of your holiday. Our location in Lochearnhead provides an ideal base for walking, water-sports, cycling, with flora & fauna and wild life in abundance. There are many local historic places to inspire you and bring the history of the highlands to life. Or perhaps you'd simply choose to curl up with a good book and enjoy the peace and tranquillity of a slower pace of life. Wester Auchraw is located on the A84, Cycle Route 7 and the much loved walk 'Rob Roy Way'. It sits amongst spectacular scenery in Highland Perthshire yet is only 1 hour's drive from Glasgow, Edinburgh and Perth.

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Beach and dog-friendly campsites in Scotland guide

Overview

For a small country, Scotland packs a lot in. From the Highlands and islands in the north to the Scottish borders in the south, it's filled with spectacular views and endless opportunities for camping adventures—hiking in Glencoe; biking along the Ayrshire coast; exploring a Perthshire forest; touring and sampling whisky at the distilleries around Speyside; skiing and snowboarding around Aviemore; and playing a round on one of many famous golf courses. There's plenty of options for a camping holiday, whether you want to park in a caravan site, pitch a tent at a lochside camping site, or try wild camping someplace truly remote. This is one of the only places in the UK where wild camping is still legal, and we've got the best campsites in Scotland to choose from. Think woodland camping, luxury glamping sites on remote islands, and family-friendly campsites by the sea.

Where to go

Edinburgh and the Lothians

Scotland’s beguiling capital is packed with attractions, from its famous castle to medieval subterranean haunts. It’s also got easy access to some great hillwalking, from Arthur’s Seat in the city to the Pentlands just outside. You’ll also find yourself just a stone’s throw from coastal adventures.

Glasgow and the Clyde Valley

Known for its thriving music and arts scenes, as well as its friendly local characters, Glasgow is an endlessly entertaining city. And it’s ideally located for heading into the surrounding countryside, cruising the Clyde and exploring Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.

Argyll and the Isles

From white sandy beaches to long sea lochs and the incredible Corryvreckan Whirlpool, the Argyll region and its 23 inhabited islands are filled with opportunities for adventure. Sample malt whiskies on Islay, spot whales on Mull, and explore Fingal’s Cave and the large puffin colony on Staffa.

Dumfries and Galloway

The national bard, Robert Burns, found inspiration in the gentle hills, rolling valleys, tall mountains, and sandy beaches of Dumfries and Galloway. Nowadays, there’s a designated Dark Sky Park (Galloway Forest Park) to add to the picture.

The Highlands

The enduring image of Scotland was formed in the Highlands with its tall mountains and misty lochs and glens. The magnificent landscapes are the perfect canvas for getting outdoors, whether by hiking the West Highland Way, summiting Ben Nevis, spotting wildlife in the Cairngorms, or taking a boat trip on Loch Lomond or Loch Ness.

The Western Isles

Clinging to the wild Atlantic edge, these islands are rich with Gaelic culture, great food and drink and history—don’t miss the 5,000-year-old Callanish Stones. The outdoor adventures are endless, from sea kayaking to walking the Hebridean Way or soaking up the sun on a white-sand beach.

Aberdeenshire

In the northeast, Aberdeenshire is home to some stunning stretches of coastline, dotted with charming fishing villages, golden beaches and precipitous sea cliffs. The region is well-known for its fine castles, 300 of which lie along the Aberdeenshire Castle Trail.

The Northern Isles

Once part of the Kingdom of Norway, the Shetland and Orkney archipelagos retain a distinct Norse identity. In Shetland, Jarlshof has relics from the Bronze, Iron, Pictish and Viking eras while in Orkney you can admire the Neolithic stone circle Ring of Brodgar and 5,000-year-old village Skara Brae. Both archipelagos are superb for hiking, birdwatching, and island-hopping.