Camping in Abernethy Forest National Nature Reserve

This Scots pine wonderland is home to some of Scotland’s Big Five.

100% (20 reviews)

United Kingdom
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Scotland
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Abernethy Forest National Nature Reserve

100% (20 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Abernethy Forest National Nature Reserve

Star Hosts in Abernethy Forest National Nature Reserve

100%

(7)

Under £50

94%

(98)

Loch Katrine Eco Camping

22 units · Glamping, Motorhomes1 acre · Stirling and Falkirk, Central Scotland

Loch-side sleeping and exploring in one of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park's most historic locations

93%

(29)

Badrallach Campsite

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

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

93%

(23)

Culdees Castle Estate Glamping

5 units · Glamping, Motorhomes17 acres · Perthshire , Scotland

Luxury woodland cabins, each with a private hot tub, in the grounds of a Scottish castle

85%

(13)

West Highland Way Hotel & Campsite

46 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents10 acres · Glasgow, Lanarkshire, South Scotland

A welcoming campsite on the West Highland Way

Cairngorms Glamping and Campsite

10 units · Motorhomes, Tents10 acres · Strathdon, Scotland

Pitches and pods in the Cairngorms National Park

12 top campsites in Abernethy Forest National Nature Reserve

85%

(13)

West Highland Way Hotel & Campsite

46 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents10 acres · Glasgow, Lanarkshire, South Scotland

A welcoming campsite on the West Highland Way

Cairngorms Glamping and Campsite

10 units · Motorhomes, Tents10 acres · Strathdon, Scotland

Pitches and pods in the Cairngorms National Park

Badrallach Campsite

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

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

Loch Katrine Eco Camping

22 units · Glamping, Motorhomes1 acre · Stirling and Falkirk, Central Scotland

Loch-side sleeping and exploring in one of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park's most historic locations

Culdees Castle Estate Glamping

5 units · Glamping, Motorhomes17 acres · Perthshire , Scotland

Luxury woodland cabins, each with a private hot tub, in the grounds of a Scottish castle

100%

(7)

Hillside Meadows

4 units · Motorhomes, Tents5 acres · Fraserburgh, Scotland

If you wish to visit the north-east of Scotland with sandy and rocky beaches, magnificent cliffs, old lighthouses and famous whisky distilleries, Hillside Meadows is the place to stay. You can enjoy near wild camping experience provided by hosts Michal and Gosia, who are developing on site fully off-grid permaculture family farm. Don't be surprised to be welcomed to your temporary home by a wired-haired dachshund Dubby or woken up in the morning by Pablo the Cockrell. There are usually fresh quail and hen eggs available. The site is handily located just off the A981 Strichen-Memsie road. It makes the site easily accessible for camper vans and caravans owners. There might be some noise from passing traffic, but it’s hardly a distraction from your surroundings, rolling hills, open fields and woodlands. It goes without saying that our 5-acres site is ideal for self-sufficient campers. There are just a handful of pitches, well distanced from each other, tucked among the high grass meadows, which gives campers plenty of space and sense of privacy. Park up or pitch your tent. Then you can just relax and concentrate on the important stuff – like getting that campfire going! The basic facilities, including composting toilet and tap water (cold), are available on site if needed. Just 3 miles away from our site lies Fraserburgh, a little coastal town with a sandy beach, Museum of Scottish Lighthouses, as well as a range of convenience stores, shops, cafés, restaurants and bars. Within 5 miles from our site, you'll also find Waters of Philorth Nature Reserve, New Aberdour beach, Rattray old lighthouse, Strichen stone circle, Aden Country Park and more.

Booked 8 times

Cobleland Campsite Limited

1 unit · Glamping7 acres · Gartmore, Scotland

Cobleland campsite sits on the banks of the River Forth in Queen Elizabeth Forest Park, just 13 miles from Ben Lomond. Not only is it a remarkably natural site, Cobleland is also a treasure trove of outdoor pursuits. You'll be hard-pushed to find a more beautiful setting for your camping holiday than at Cobleland campsite with its well-tended pitches and truly serene, idyllic countryside atmosphere.

100%

(3)

The Loft Glamping & Camping

12 units · Motorhomes, Tents5 acres · Kinloss, Scotland

The Loft Glamping & Camping is situated at East Grange Farm, Kinloss, Moray. It 's a working farm that has evolved over the years to include Wigwam Glamping and Camping for campervans, motorhomes and tents. A number of the old farm buildings are also perfectly appointed as venue spaces for Weddings, Events and Workshops. The "wilderness" campsite offers pitches suitable for tents and small campervans whilst the Stackyard area is suitable for motorhomes and mega tents. All motorhome pitches have electrical hook-up and we have a good number of electric tent pitches. Unfortunately we do not take bookings for caravans. Onsite, we also have Original Wigwam cabins which are wooden camping cabins (Pods) that offer all year round protection against the elements. With heating, electricity, fridge, kettle and toasters. For those wanting a bit more luxury there are also ensuite Wigwam Cabins onsite with wood fired hot tubs. We welcome families, groups, well behaved dogs and do allow campfires outside the wigwams and at pitches and can provide fire hubs on the campsite (this must be pre-arranged). The Loft Glamping & Camping looks forward to welcoming you throughout the year!

100%

(1)

Glen Dye Cabins and Cottages

4 units · Glamping, Tents15000 acres · Banchory, Scotland

Garden Camp at Glen Dye offers stays in our Vintage Showman's Caravan, our Keeper's Hut and two bring your own tent pitches. The Showman's Caravan sleeps 2 in a double bed and the Keeper's Hut also sleeps two in a king size bed. All these options share an outdoor kitchen and a heated washhouse.

Muiredge

8 units · Glamping1 acre · Perth and Kinross, Central Scotland

Rural glamping in a converted railway carriage, shepherd's hut, or bell tent in blissful Scotland

Booked 1 time

Reraig Caravan and Camping

2 units · Motorhomes3 acres · Kyle Of Lochalsh, Scotland

Reraig campsite is ideally located for exploring the stunning West Coast of Scotland. The Skye bridge is 10 minutes to the West, Eilean Donan castle 5 minutes to the East and the Beautiful village of Plockton just 15 minutes to the North. We are also a great stop off point along the world famous NC500 route.

Doigh Nadair

4 units · Tents30 acres · Scotland

We are a recently purchased family run croft with ponies, pigs, sheep, goats, ducks, and hens. A rural setting within walking distance of the village of Lairg. We do not allow dogs as your camping pitch will be visited by our hens and you will be surrounded on one side by our ponies and the other by our goats and sheep. If you would like to include some time with our animals during your visit please get in touch and let us know. We will be around during your stay carrying out day to day tasks on the croft. A few patches of mown grass, a few sensible rules and a portaloo are just about all that separate Doigh Nadair from a wild camping pitch. It’s simple stuff: if you’re someone who loves the idea of wild camping, but aren’t quite ready to head into the highlands with a backpack, then this place is for you. It’s somewhere to enjoy the outdoors in all its glory with the basics taken care of, thanks to a thoughtful owner. The owners Kirsteen and Leon are happy to share their journey so far to off grid life and the animals who used to be part of the petting farm they ran in Speyside before they moved. We’re not just talking about the pretty views of the hills surrounding Lairg but the fact that this land has been left relatively untouched for a number of years. The croft is quite biodiverse and Leon and Kirsteen would like to keep it that way. As a result, the few campers who are allowed on site at any one time are asked to exercise a light touch. The whole site is off grid so don’t expect electric hook up. There is water, but self-sufficiency is important here so you’ll need to come prepared. Having said that, there are usually a few farm-fresh eggs for sale, but for more than that you’ll need to head to the nearby village of Lairg where there is a pub, restaurant, take away, spar and a costcutter. The site is not quite seaside, lochside, mountainside or wild — but it’s satisfyingly close to all of these.

Camping in Abernethy Forest National Nature Reserve guide

Overview

Abernethy’s ancient woodlands are populated by chattering birds, elusive squirrels, and deer—making this nature reserve ground zero for Highland-style micro safaris. Comprising the largest remaining piece of Caledonian pine forest in Scotland, the nature reserve is carefully managed, with the wildlife habitats of the Dell Woods being closely safeguarded. Few other places have such healthy populations of pine marten, red squirrel, capercaillie, and osprey. Rambling trails lead through tranquil forest to shallow lochs for water sports, while gaps between the trees and boggy woodland reveal memory-making wild camping spots.

Tips for snagging a campsite

Booking at least four weeks in advance is recommended for all campsites and caravan parks in the Cairngorms. In summer, it is one of Britain’s most popular destinations, so travelling without a reservation will leave you disappointed.
Wild camping is legal anywhere within the Cairngorms, but as Abernethy Forest National Nature Reserve is a vital refuge for wildlife—and co-managed by NatureScot and the RSPB—it is prohibited here.
If travelling without a booking, arrive early to try and beat like-minded travellers coming spontaneously from Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, and Dundee.

When to go

Abernethy’s pinewoods buzz with life, no matter what time of the year you visit. In spring, the woodland is carpeted with wildflowers and breeding birds, while summer sees the arrival of butterflies and hovering dragonflies. Autumn is many campers’ pick because of the crayon-like colors of the birches, as is winter, when the forests and lochs sparkle with frost and—if you’re lucky—a fresh cover of snow and ice.

Know before you go

The nature reserve’s helpful visitor centre is open year-round, weather permitting, while the toilets are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Birdwatchers unite at the Osprey Centre, home to Britain’s healthiest number of the birds of prey. It is situated on Loch Garten within the nature reserve.
Full-on adventure is the mantra in the Cairngorms, and if you need to shift up a gear from Abernethy Forest’s quiet pathways, visit Cairngorm Mountain for gnarly mountain biking, hiking, climbing and winter sports.