Wildlife-watching campsites in Mar Lodge Estate National Nature Reserve

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Britain’s largest National Nature Reserve doesn’t do things by halves. On the eastern borders of the wild, wind-lashed Cairngorms, it’s home to four of Scotland’s highest summits, including the often Arctic-like Ben Macdui, and a haven for wildlife such as red deer, red squirrels, golden eagles, and black grouse. Through this landscape of heathery moorland and Caledonian pine flows the Linn of Dee, a beauty spot with waterfalls, low-level trails, and picnic spots favored by Queen Victoria. The estate’s showpiece is 19th-century Mar Lodge, a former sporting manor now home to self-catering apartments, cottages, and a bunkhouse. Area campsites can be found around Aberdeenshire,  by the River Dee, and in Braemar. Most offer plenty of pitches with electric hookups or glamping pods.

93% (62) 70 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near Mar Lodge Estate National Nature Reserve

Culdees Castle Estate Glamping

1. Culdees Castle Estate Glamping

88%
(25)
5 units · Glamping · Perthshire , Scotland
Luxury woodland cabins, each with a private hot tub, in the grounds of a Scottish castle
Showers
Campfires
Hot Tub
from 
£140
 / night
Cairngorms Glamping and Campsite

2. Cairngorms Glamping and Campsite

97%
(57)
10 units · Tents, Motorhomes · Strathdon, Scotland
Pitches and pods in the Cairngorms National Park
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from 
£33
 / night
Muiredge

3. Muiredge

100%
(16)
8 units · Glamping · Perth and Kinross, Central Scotland
Rural glamping in a converted railway carriage, shepherd's hut, or bell tent in blissful Scotland
Pets
Showers
Campfires
from 
£100
 / 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
Showers
Campfires
from 
£140
 / night
The Snug at Logie Farm

5. The Snug at Logie Farm

100%
(7)
1 unit · Glamping · Falkland, Fife, Central Scotland
Luxury glamping pods with all mod cons, with an elevated position overlooking the River Tay.
Pets
Showers
Hot Tub
from 
£275
 / night
Mondhuie Chalets

6. Mondhuie Chalets

1 unit · Glamping · Nethy Bridge, Scotland
Just under an acre, close to Ancient Caledonia Forest , on the Speyside Way (which runs from Elgin to the South) Garden space for pets, kids and a run around! Our house and 2 Chalets (1 sleeps 5, 1 ideal for 2 or small family) are on the property. Not fully fenced from road. On the outskirts of NethyBridge. Private driveway, and car park
Pets
Showers
Campfires
from 
£114
 / night

Britain’s largest National Nature Reserve doesn’t do things by halves. On the eastern borders of the wild, wind-lashed Cairngorms, it’s home to four of Scotland’s highest summits, including the often Arctic-like Ben Macdui, and a haven for wildlife such as red deer, red squirrels, golden eagles, and black grouse. Through this landscape of heathery moorland and Caledonian pine flows the Linn of Dee, a beauty spot with waterfalls, low-level trails, and picnic spots favored by Queen Victoria. The estate’s showpiece is 19th-century Mar Lodge, a former sporting manor now home to self-catering apartments, cottages, and a bunkhouse. Area campsites can be found around Aberdeenshire,  by the River Dee, and in Braemar. Most offer plenty of pitches with electric hookups or glamping pods.

93% (62) 70 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near Mar Lodge Estate National Nature Reserve

Culdees Castle Estate Glamping

1. Culdees Castle Estate Glamping

88%
(25)
5 units · Glamping · Perthshire , Scotland
Luxury woodland cabins, each with a private hot tub, in the grounds of a Scottish castle
Showers
Campfires
Hot Tub
from 
£140
 / night
Cairngorms Glamping and Campsite

2. Cairngorms Glamping and Campsite

97%
(57)
10 units · Tents, Motorhomes · Strathdon, Scotland
Pitches and pods in the Cairngorms National Park
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from 
£33
 / night
Muiredge

3. Muiredge

100%
(16)
8 units · Glamping · Perth and Kinross, Central Scotland
Rural glamping in a converted railway carriage, shepherd's hut, or bell tent in blissful Scotland
Pets
Showers
Campfires
from 
£100
 / 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
Showers
Campfires
from 
£140
 / night
The Snug at Logie Farm

5. The Snug at Logie Farm

100%
(7)
1 unit · Glamping · Falkland, Fife, Central Scotland
Luxury glamping pods with all mod cons, with an elevated position overlooking the River Tay.
Pets
Showers
Hot Tub
from 
£275
 / night
Mondhuie Chalets

6. Mondhuie Chalets

1 unit · Glamping · Nethy Bridge, Scotland
Just under an acre, close to Ancient Caledonia Forest , on the Speyside Way (which runs from Elgin to the South) Garden space for pets, kids and a run around! Our house and 2 Chalets (1 sleeps 5, 1 ideal for 2 or small family) are on the property. Not fully fenced from road. On the outskirts of NethyBridge. Private driveway, and car park
Pets
Showers
Campfires
from 
£114
 / night

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Wildlife-watching campsites in Mar Lodge Estate National Nature Reserve guide

Tips for snagging a campsite

  • With more than 29,000 hectares of unsurpassed Scottish landscape to explore, wild camping is the top option in the nature reserve. This is a crucial habitat for conservation, so a leave-no-trace ethos is mandatory.
  • There are several free mountain huts scattered throughout the nature reserve. Corrour Bothy, a day’s walk from Mar Lodge, has a single room with a fireplace and is ideal for Munro ascents.
  • Booking is recommended for all campgrounds and caravan parks in the wider Cairngorms area, particularly in September during the Braemar Gathering, the town’s world-famous Highland games.

When to go

Winter is unbeatable for Narnia-like hikes, ice climbs, and ski touring, especially with Glenshee Ski Centre right on the doorstep. Nevertheless, certain campsites only open from spring to autumn—check before travelling that your preferred option is open. There are no less than 24 Munros (Scotland’s highest peaks) in the near vicinity, and these are best tackled during summer when you have the greatest chance of sunshine and clear skies.

Know before you go

  • Wild camping is permitted throughout Mar Lodge Estate, but campfires are prohibited ,as the estate is made up of a mixture of peaty grounds and Caledonian pine forests. 
  • Should you have any on-the-ground questions, a small information booth is sometimes manned at the Linn of Dee. Otherwise, ask at Mar Lodge for one of the rangers.
  • Unless travelling by bike, the nature reserve can only be accessed from one of two car parks: at Quoich or at the Linn of Dee. From these points on, there’s only wild mountain tracks and the great outdoors.

Top towns in and near Mar Lodge Estate National Nature Reserve