Discover the best beach and dog-friendly campsites in The Cairngorms National Park

United Kingdom
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Scotland
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The Cairngorms National Park

Popular camping styles for The Cairngorms National Park

Dog-friendly getaways

3 top beach and dog-friendly campsites in The Cairngorms National Park

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(33)

Badrallach Campsite

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

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

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.

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.

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Beach and dog-friendly campsites in The Cairngorms National Park guide

Overview

The U.K.'s biggest national park, the sprawling Cairngorms National Park encompasses lush native forest, lochs, waterfalls, and five of the country's highest mountains set alongside 55 mountains over 3,000 feet (914 metres)—known in Scotland as Munros. This wild mountainous landscape is a magnet for wildlife lovers who come to spot eagles, snow buntings, ptarmigan, capercaillie, and red deer. From snowsports to hiking and water activities on Loch Morlich, outdoor enthusiasts will also find plenty of thrills. One of the best ways to experience the landscape and get closer to nature is by pitching a tent in Rothiemurchus Forest, glamping in a camping pod, or parking your motorhome or campervan in the heart of the Cairngorms.

Notable campgrounds

Best for families: Glenmore Caravan and Camping Site is one of the park’s largest, with electric hookups available and bbq grills allowed.
Best for caravanning and snowsports: Braemar Caravan Park is minutes from Glenshee Ski Centre.
Best for pristine surroundings: Rothiemurchus Camp and Caravan Park in Coylumbridge has sheltered pitches surrounded by Caledonian pine trees.

Tips for snagging a campsite

Booking is recommended for all campgrounds in the national park.
Most sites allow booking many months in advance, so make your reservations as soon as you know travel dates.
Advise ahead of time if you will be arriving late.

When to go

Summer is the most popular time to visit Cairngorms National Park, but the season does bring crowds and booked-up campsites. If planning to visit in the summer, it’s a good idea to at least avoid school holidays and weekends—if unavoidable, be sure to book sites well in advance. In spring, Scots enjoy water sports, hiking, and climbing, while late February through March is the best time for skiing and other winter sports.

Know before you go

If you choose to wild camp, be sure to follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, which applies to all wild camping.
The park offers dozens of car parks, with the largest at Balmoral Castle, Linn of Dee, and Glenmore.
Cairngorms stretches into parts of Aberdeenshire, Banffshire, and Inverness-shire.
Small biting midges are a common summertime nuisance in the Cairngorm Mountains and wider Scottish Highlands. It’s a good idea to bring insect repellent.
Much of the park and its facilities are wheelchair accessible.
You’ll find plenty of places to buy food and camping gear in Aviemore or Blair Atholl.