Campsites with campfires near Aberdeen

Aberdeenshire’s bounds stretch from the coastal villages of Stonehaven in the east to Braemar and Ballater in the Cairngorms to the west. In summer, mountain bike the single-track through Royal Deeside or climb four of Britain’s highest peaks. In winter, hit the slopes at the Lecht or Glenshee ski resorts. More than 250 castles dot the open land, hills, and forest, and across the region, basic camping, glamping, and caravan parks are plentiful.

There’s a reason to visit Aberdeen anytime of year, whether for the Highland Games in summer or the Christmas markets in November and December. The grey, wet weather and short days of winter can make the all-granite city feel a little gloomy, but when planning an off-season Scottish camping trip, it pays to be near the amenities of a larger city.

• Aberdeen has excellent train and bus connections to Inverness, Glasgow, and Edinburgh, along with its own airport that services domestic and European flights.
• Bus services connect the city with villages like Ballater and Braemar, but for easy access to the country and Glenshee, it’s best to have your own vehicle. 
• Aberdeen is an excellent access point for Orkney and Shetland. Daily Loganair flights fly to Kirkwall in Orkney and Sumburgh in Shetland. The 12-hour overnight ferry from Aberdeen to Lerwick stops in Orkney, servicing passengers and vehicles. Be sure to book in advance, especially if you have a car, and keep seasickness tablets on hand for the notoriously rocky ride.