Camping in Scottish Borders

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With its rolling hills, gentle valleys, quaint towns and rural countryside, the beauty and peacefulness of the Scottish Borders belies its turbulent history. Straddling the frontier between Scotland and the ‘Auld Enemy,’ England, the region has seen centuries of war and battles, although it has also inspired great works of literature by the likes of Sir Walter Scott and John Buchan. The Borders is home to magnificent abbeys, stately homes and castles, and unique events such as the Common Ridings. It's also the setting for plenty of thrilling adventures, from mountain biking to long-distance walks and golfing, all best experienced in the summer. 

96% (242) 445 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds in Scottish Borders

Walkmill Campsite

1. Walkmill Campsite

98%
(127)
Northumberland, England · 10 units · Tents, Motorhomes
Refreshingly understated private camping in the unspoiled Northumberland countryside
Pets
Campfires
Showers
King Garth

2. King Garth

100%
(10)
Carlisle, England · 1 unit
Built in 1733, King Garth is also known as The Old Customs House, reflecting its role in these fraught times of smuggling. Its strategic position on the banks of The Eden served as the perfect lookout for a bailiff employed by Carlisle Corporation to protect the very important salmon fishery. The plaques on the building which commemorate the visits by Mayors date back to the 1700s. These visits no doubt involved indulgent banquets centring around freshly caught salmon I grew up on the opposite side of the river. On family walks along the Eden I was always fascinated by the house on the other side sited in such an amazing position. In 2010, when I returned to Cumbria I was amazed to hear that this house was for sale. It was a ruin and everyone told me I was mad..... I probably was a little! But I soon realised that I wasn’t alone in my love of this house, everyone I met from the surrounding villages had a tale to tell about this iconic place. King Garth is for sharing - with locals, (we have an annual barbecue), with wildlife and with people like you. The aim when renovating King Garth was to celebrate and embrace its history. King Garth is off grid and has no running water. It is furnished in a style to reflect its history. It isn’t everyone’s ‘cup of tea’: you have to drive a mile down a muddy lane, there is no hot shower, no electric lighting, and a compost toilet. BUT we offer beautiful evenings of candle light, log burner, hot tub under the stars and bathing in the river. My priority with King Garth and the land attached was to manage in a way to protect the abundant wildlife. There are also alpacas who you can look after during your stay. You will be astounded by the din the birds make at dawn and dusk! Inside the house there is an owl box where one summer a pair of barn owls successfully raised chicks. Since then a kestrel frequents the box and has twice laid there. This part of the Eden is tidal so both estuarine and river species co exist. Kingfishers and otters are often spotted And even the occasional seal! Kinggarth comes with fishing rights and if you want to fish this can be arranged with the host. The bird feeders are frequented by tree sparrows, yellow hammers, wood peckers, nut hatches and in winter red poll.
Pets
Campfires
Hot Tub
Otter Moss Accommodation

3. Otter Moss Accommodation

100%
(8)
Brampton, England · 4 units
Otter Moss Accommodation offers a variety of upscale camping options suitable for couples, families, and groups. Nestled within a picturesque 12-acre former farm, the majority of the site surrounds a spacious meadow. Additionally, the site boasts a charming small lake featuring three islands and a rowing boat for leisurely water activities. Situated at the northern edge of the stunning Eden Valley, guests can enjoy sweeping views of the Cumbrian Fells, with visibility extending to the Solway Firth and the Lake District on clear days. The Lake District is a convenient 40-minute drive away, while various sections of Hadrian's Wall are even closer, reachable within a 15-minute drive. Carlisle and the M6 motorway to Scotland are both just 20 minutes away, with the picturesque market town of Brampton also within a 15-minute drive and offering its own attractions. Local pubs are plentiful in the area, with a diverse selection available within a five-mile radius. Accommodation units at Otter Moss come equipped with heating, kitchen utensils, and stoves, ensuring guests' comfort and convenience. Each unit also includes firepits or barbecues, as well as bedding and towels for a hassle-free stay.
Pets
Showers
Campfires
Langley Dam Glamping

4. Langley Dam Glamping

England · 3 units
Nestled in the Tyne Valley, on our beef and sheep farm, at the edge of the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Langley Dam Glamping provides high quality, en-suite accommodation in our unique glamping cabins. The six ‘Langley Longboat’ cabins are positioned on the bank of Langley Dam Reservoir, providing exceptional views over the 14 acres of water and towards Whitfield moor. Langley Dam itself is a commercial fly fishery and Troutmaster water. Visitors are welcome, and encouraged, to enjoy the fishing experience that the water provides (charges do apply, but residents have discounted fishing fees). We also have rowing boats that can be hired for fishing purposes. We have created some fantastic 3D showcases of the inside of the cabins. You can use these to get a better feel of how the cabins are laid out. We have created 3 showcases to reflect the 3 types of cabins we have. Humbleton is unique, then The Wonneys which is the same layout as The Rushy Lot, and Wheatleys which is the same as Blackcleugh and Bare Bones.
Pets
Showers
Campfires
Grinsdale Campsite

5. Grinsdale Campsite

83%
(3)
England · 1 unit · Tent, Motorhome
Wild camping with water and toilets on site, also the King Charles coastal path, just 2 minutes from Hadrians Wall and next to the River Eden open from Easter until end of September 2026
Pets
Picnic table
Staddlestones Paddock

6. Staddlestones Paddock

Scotland · 1 unit · Tent, Motorhome
Quiet green area on the edge of town. Easy walk to town centre with cafes, shops etc. Accessible by public transport. Space for bikes/canoes/horse. 5 minutes’ walk across park to River Tweed. We aim to offer an exclusive enclosed quarter acre pitch and would let you know if sharing with someone else.
Electrical hookup
Campfires
Water hookup
Beirhope Alpacas

7. Beirhope Alpacas

98%
(137)
Kelso, Scotland · 8 units
A small, off-grid campsite with alpacas in the historically rich southern Scottish borders
Pets
Campfires
Showers
Secluded Rural Farm Hideaway

8. Secluded Rural Farm Hideaway

100%
(14)
Lanark, Scotland · 7 units · Tents, Glamping
*PLEASE NOTE THE CABIN IS AVAILABLE FOR WEEKEND BOOKINGS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. CAMPING OPEN FROM 1st May to End August* Cleghorn Farm is a mixed farm just north east of the market town of Lanark. Comprised of 250 acres of fields and woodland and bounded to the south by Mouse Water, it is a beautiful spot to get away from it all without having to leave it all behind if you don't want to. The fields are grazed and cultivated but the woodlands are much as they were at the end of the last ice age with spectacular walks along Cleghorn Glen with the chance to see badgers, bats, deer and all manner of birds among the towering pine and beech trees. The Mouse Water (pronounced moose) tumbles down along the edge of the farm and has some glorious pools for swimming, shallows for paddling and some spectacular water falls before it joins the River Clyde, all a gentle walk from the sites.
Pets
Campfires
Potable water
Collierhall Farm

9. Collierhall Farm

81%
(21)
Lanark, Scotland · 5 units
Very quiet and easily accessible from the motorway (1 mile) The farm is set in 100 acres and has a mixture of caravans, motorhomes and tents. There is a golf course across the road and the world heritage site of New Lanark only 7 miles away. Edinburgh and Glasgow are also easily reached by car or train.
Pets
Showers
Potable water
Bamburgh Under Canvas

10. Bamburgh Under Canvas

90%
(5)
Bamburgh, England · 5 units
Luxury Lotus Belle tent glamping with sweeping views, within walking distance of Bamburgh town and castle (and beach)
Pets
Showers
Campfires
Cairn Meadow Pods

11. Cairn Meadow Pods

99%
(43)
Cumwhitton, England · 3 units
Glamping pods in Cumbria's secluded Eden Valley with views of the Pennines
Pets
Showers
Potable water
Garrison Shepherd's Huts

12. Garrison Shepherd's Huts

83%
(3)
Bowness On Solway, England · 4 units
Shepherd’s hut glamping near Hadrian’s Wall and the Solway Firth.
Pets
Showers
Hot Tub
Hadrian's Wall Country Yurts

13. Hadrian's Wall Country Yurts

100%
(13)
Brampton, England · 2 units
Two yurts with hot tubs in the Cumbrian countryside just a mile away from Hadrian’s Wall
Pets
Showers
Campfires
Pirnie Lodge Farm

14. Pirnie Lodge Farm

100%
(2)
Slamannan, Scotland · 3 units
Lodges with hot tubs in peaceful countryside near Falkirk
Pets
Showers
Hot Tub
Doxford Farm Camping

15. Doxford Farm Camping

100%
(4)
Northumberland, England · 7 units
Rustic-chic glamping pods near the sandy beaches of the Northumberland Coast
Pets
Showers
Campfires
Garden Yurt in a hidden glen

16. Garden Yurt in a hidden glen

100%
(3)
England · 1 unit
A cosy, romantic getaway. Unwind and reconnect, surrounded by nature and amazing dark skies. The spacious, well-equipped yurt is tucked away in a large private home garden in a beautiful glen, with Scaur Water just over the road. The Yurt at Craignee is a cosy, off-grid retreat, with wood burner and garden area, surrounded by peace and wildlife. Enjoy lots of home comforts with an extra dash of adventure! #bbcwildlife60places winner STL Number: DG01053P
Showers
Campfires
Wifi
Woodland Chase Glamping

17. Woodland Chase Glamping

100%
(1)
Felton, England · 2 units
Romantic, two-person cabins with hot tubs in Northumberland
Pets
Showers
Hot Tub
Old Rectory Howick

18. Old Rectory Howick

Alnwick, England · 2 units
The Old Rectory is surrounded by farmland near to Howick Village. Close to the Northumberland Coast we are within walking distance of the Howick Hall Gardens and the seaside Village of Craster. Our Bell Tent and Shepherd's Hut allow you to get close to local wildlife including Hares and Rabbits. Roe deer, hedgehogs, pheasants and songbirds.
Pets
Showers
Campfires
Broom Fisheries Campsite

19. Broom Fisheries Campsite

Newbie, Scotland · 4 units
Luxury caravans ideally situated next to picturesque Scottish fishing lakes
Pets
Showers
Hot Tub
Craigend Farm

20. Craigend Farm

Dumfries, Scotland · 2 units
Smart glamping pods on the rural outskirts of Dumfries
Showers
Wifi
Potable water

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Scottish Borders camping guide

Where to go

Berwickshire

Partly lying along the coast, Berwickshire county promises scenic walks along the edge of the North Sea, pretty harbour towns and even surfing. Wildlife watchers should head for St Abb’s Head National Nature Reserve for close-up views of thousands of nesting seabirds in summer, including guillemots, razorbills and kittiwakes. Camping options include quiet farm sites with glamping options including shepherd's huts.

Hawick

Long-famed for its knitwear and cashmere, visit Hawick to purchase a high-quality jumper to remember your trip by. Outdoor activities around Hawick include cycling, horse-riding and golfing and the town is also the setting for the first and largest of the Common Ridings. Camping options here include pitching a tent in an attractive walled garden.

Jedburgh

Known as the historic gateway to Scotland, the pretty market town of Jedburgh is a stone’s throw from the English border and has opportunities for adventures from horse-riding to cycling in its surroundings. Don’t miss the fascinating Jedburgh Abbey and Mary Queen of Scott’s House. Campers can park or pitch a tent in one of the area’s well-equipped holiday parks.

Melrose

In the valley of the River Tweed, and dominated by the triple peaks of the Eildon Hills, Melrose’s top attraction is the 12th-century Melrose Abbey, the final resting place of Robert the Bruce’s heart. The Abbey is also the starting point for the St Cuthbert's Way 62-mile (100-kilometre) long-distance trail to Lindisfarne (Holy Island) off the coast of Northumberland, England. Your overnight options include caravan parks close to the town centre.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Scottish Borders region is home to magnificent abbeys, stately homes, and castles, as well as unique events such as the Common Ridings. It's also the setting for plenty of thrilling adventures, from mountain biking to long-distance walks and golfing, all best experienced in the summer.

Outdoor activities around Hawick in the Scottish Borders include cycling, horse-riding, and golfing. The town is also the setting for the first and largest of the Common Ridings. Camping options here include pitching a tent in an attractive walled garden near Scottish Borders. You can also explore different options for camping near Scottish Borders on Hipcamp.

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Popular Scottish Borders holidays