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Beach camping in Glasdrum Wood National Nature Reserve

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Sandwiched between the pretty harbor town of Oban and the history-rich Appin peninsula to the north, this wildlife-varied Celtic rainforest is a wonderland of ferns, mosses, and fungi. Where shards of sunlight pierce the oak and ash canopy, otters can be found darting into the shadows and roe deer graze in harmony with skipper butterflies and rarely sighted moths. For more active visitors, the nature reserve’s wild woods are circled by easily navigable trails, while botanists take great delight in some 169 species of lichen, including the wonderfully named Norwegian specklebelly.

97% (11)

Top-rated campgrounds

Port nan Gael Campsite

1. Port nan Gael Campsite

95%
(11)
75 units · Tents, Motorhomes · Pennyghael, Scotland
A lochside campsite on the Isle of Mull
Pets
Potable water
Showers
from 
£20
 / night
The Charcoal Huts - Isle of Bute

2. The Charcoal Huts - Isle of Bute

100%
(3)
2 units · Glamping · 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.
Pets
Potable water
Trash
from 
£85
 / night
Cosy Caravan in Roshven

3. Cosy Caravan in Roshven

1 unit · Glamping · 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.
Pets
Potable water
Showers
from 
£85
 / night
Mongolian Yurt in Stunning Highland

4. Mongolian Yurt in Stunning Highland

1 unit · Glamping · 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.
Pets
Potable water
Campfires
from 
£140
 / night

Sandwiched between the pretty harbor town of Oban and the history-rich Appin peninsula to the north, this wildlife-varied Celtic rainforest is a wonderland of ferns, mosses, and fungi. Where shards of sunlight pierce the oak and ash canopy, otters can be found darting into the shadows and roe deer graze in harmony with skipper butterflies and rarely sighted moths. For more active visitors, the nature reserve’s wild woods are circled by easily navigable trails, while botanists take great delight in some 169 species of lichen, including the wonderfully named Norwegian specklebelly.

97% (11)

Top-rated campgrounds

Port nan Gael Campsite

1. Port nan Gael Campsite

95%
(11)
75 units · Tents, Motorhomes · Pennyghael, Scotland
A lochside campsite on the Isle of Mull
Pets
Potable water
Showers
from 
£20
 / night
The Charcoal Huts - Isle of Bute

2. The Charcoal Huts - Isle of Bute

100%
(3)
2 units · Glamping · 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.
Pets
Potable water
Trash
from 
£85
 / night
Cosy Caravan in Roshven

3. Cosy Caravan in Roshven

1 unit · Glamping · 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.
Pets
Potable water
Showers
from 
£85
 / night
Mongolian Yurt in Stunning Highland

4. Mongolian Yurt in Stunning Highland

1 unit · Glamping · 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.
Pets
Potable water
Campfires
from 
£140
 / night

Stories from the community

The Charcoal Huts - Isle of Bute
S
Simon
August 2025
With pets
Weekend Trip to The Charcoal Huts - Isle of Bute
Beautiful views up the Loch. Quite a steep climb but easily achievable. Fire pit, bbq and seating area ideal. Even the compostable toilet had a great view!
See more
The Charcoal Huts - Isle of Bute
M
Meron
June 2025
2 nights at The Charcoal Huts - Isle of Bute
The Charcoal Huts were so magical. We stayed in Birch and it had amazing views, was quite private and had everything we needed - including things we forgot. It was beautiful and cosy inside and the fire kept us so warm. I really loved this place.
See more
Value Prop
Value Prop
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Beach camping in Glasdrum Wood National Nature Reserve guide

Tips for snagging a campsite

  • Booking is highly recommended for all campsites and caravan parks close to the nature reserve.
  • Many people use Oban and the Appin peninsula as a jumping-off point for the ferry crossings to the Isle of Mull and Lismore. As a result, campsites are particularly busy from Thursday to Monday and during local holidays. 
  • If travelling in the high summer season, reserve at least four weeks in advance.

When to go

A best-in-Britain place to spot butterflies and moths, Glasdrum Wood is most memorably visited in summer (particularly June) when the beautiful chequered skipper is most active. Throughout the other seasons, the nature reserve reveals its assets in other ways—after autumn rains, mists cling to the slopes of Beinn Churlain, providing a great opportunity for the woodland’s ferns and lichens to thrive, while in spring the forest becomes carpeted in multi-colour wildflowers and thistles.

Know before you go

  • Public transport is limited. Travelling by car is the easiest option, with the car park located on the north side of Loch Creran, 1.8 miles east of the nearest bus stop at Creagan Bridge.
  • Entry to Glasdrum Wood is free, but there are no facilities or toilets onsite. For the closest toilets (customers only), visit the nearby Creagan Inn.
  • The nearest train station to the nature reserve is 5.5 miles away at Connel Ferry. It’s a beautiful, if tiring, cycle there and back along the shores of Loch Creran.

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