Riverside glamping in Scottish Borders

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.

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Top-rated campgrounds

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.

100% (19)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. King Garth

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1 unit · Glamping · Carlisle, England

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.

2. Cleghorn Farm

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(10)

15 units · Tents, Glamping · Lanark, Scotland

*PLEASE NOTE THE CABIN IS AVAILABLE FOR MIDWEEK AND WEEKEND BOOKINGS. CAMPING WILL RETURN IN SPRING 2026.* 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.

3. Garden Yurt in a hidden glen

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(3)

1 unit · Glamping · England

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

Stories from the community

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Ellen

October 2025

Group trip

Weekend Trip to King Garth

We absolutely loved our stay at King Garth! It is located in such a tranquil location beside the river and away from other houses, but with alpacas for company! The hot tub was perfect to relax in and we enjoyed a cosy, candlelit evening inside by the fire afterwards! It was fascinating to read about the history of the building too! Will definitely be back :)

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Sean

August 2025

With pets

Weekend Trip to King Garth

We stayed as a birthday treat for my 12 year old. 2 adults, 4 children and our dog. It was a truly fantastic stay from start to finish. Such a unique house and experience. The kids absolutely loved swimming in the river, looking after the alpacas, the hot tub and going back to basics. It was lovely seeing them enjoying themselves with no distractions of the modern world. Games by candle light and food over the bbq, what more could you ask for. Jane was fantastic and made sure we knew everything that was needed before we arrived. Can’t wait to come back.

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Paul

August 2025

Weekend Trip to Cleghorn Farm

The beautiful cabin is in a lovely quiet private space. There are nice views across to the hills particularly when sat by the firepit. Alex and Lauren made us feel very welcome.

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Lucy

August 2025

1 night at King Garth

A truly unique stay in a beautiful location. The lane was a little challenging in my picanto but we managed it and was well worth the trip! So much provided in terms of wood, charcoal, crockery candles! Would definitely stay again :)

K

Kirsten

August 2025

2 nights at King Garth

We loved staying at the beautiful King Garth, the hot tub was perfect after getting the fire going and sitting in candle light, in front of the fire is the most comforting feeling in the world. A very quiet and peaceful sight with gorgeous views and riverside walks with a pub about 30 mins walk away. We did get lost on the way to the cottage so make sure to follow the map to cargo village and not the middle of a field on the other side of the river 🤣 We even got to feed alpacas and theyre very funny little characters and very friendly. We will be staying again and very recommended

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Harrison

July 2025

Weekend Trip to King Garth

What an incredible piece of land. The house holds so much history and retains so much of the original charm. The privacy, quietness, and abundant nature was incredibly therapeutic and relaxing. Jane was great at communicating and we had no issues with anything.

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Lucy

June 2025

Weekend Trip to King Garth

Absolutely beautiful place to stay. Had everything we needed and sitting by candlelight was lovely

Pridie

June 2025

With pets

1 night at King Garth

This is a very special place. A chance to step back in time and live simply - supper by candlelight, games played beside a roaring fire, dips in the river. We visited when the elder was full in blossom and the willows whispered full-leafed in the wind. Walking along the river edge was like exploring the mangroves in tropical rainforest - a magical experience for kids, dogs and adults alike! We feel like we've just slipped back into history, sat in the window watching the river, we half expected to see boats carrying cargo past to Carlisle... Go prepared to step back in time and live simply. Everything you need is provided - candles, wood, crockery - there is a woodfired tub that you can heat yourselves, a beautifully simple kitchen set up with a water system that is carefully thought out, and a compost loo.

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Riverside glamping in Scottish Borders 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.