Bell tent camping near Selkirk, Scottish Borders

Sitting above the Ettrick and Yarrow Valleys, in the heart of the Scottish Borders, Selkirk’s rich history involves such figures as William Wallace, James V and Sir Walter Scott. Visitors should also check out the town’s rich textile history and sample its famed local dish, the Selkirk bannock, a kind of fruit cake. Just west of Selkirk, Bowhill House and Grounds has an outdoor adventure playground and woodland trails while, to the east, the Ale Water Valley is the ideal setting for outdoor activities such as cycling, horse riding and golf. While camping options in town are scarce, there are plenty of nearby spots.

100% (14)

Top-rated campgrounds

Sitting above the Ettrick and Yarrow Valleys, in the heart of the Scottish Borders, Selkirk’s rich history involves such figures as William Wallace, James V and Sir Walter Scott. Visitors should also check out the town’s rich textile history and sample its famed local dish, the Selkirk bannock, a kind of fruit cake. Just west of Selkirk, Bowhill House and Grounds has an outdoor adventure playground and woodland trails while, to the east, the Ale Water Valley is the ideal setting for outdoor activities such as cycling, horse riding and golf. While camping options in town are scarce, there are plenty of nearby spots.

100% (14)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. Bamburgh Under Canvas

90%

(5)

70km from Selkirk · 5 units · Glamping · Northumberland, North East England

Luxury Lotus Belle tent glamping with sweeping views, within walking distance of Bamburgh town and castle (and beach)

2. West Highland Way Hotel & Campsite

82%

(36)

106km from Selkirk · 46 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping · Glasgow, Lanarkshire, South Scotland

A welcoming campsite on the West Highland Way

3. Muiredge

100%

(16)

101km from Selkirk · 8 units · Glamping · Perth and Kinross, Central Scotland

Rural glamping in a converted railway carriage, shepherd's hut, or bell tent in blissful Scotland

4. Old Rectory Howick

79km from Selkirk · 2 units · Glamping · Alnwick, England

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.

5. Otter Moss Accommodation

100%

(8)

76km from Selkirk · 4 units · Glamping · Brampton, England

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.

6. Stone Raise Bells

92%

(6)

79km from Selkirk · 3 units · Glamping · Carlisle, England

Off-grid bell tents on a working farm in Cumbria’s Eden Valley

7. Doxford Farm Camping

100%

(4)

72km from Selkirk · 7 units · Glamping · Northumberland, England

Rustic-chic glamping pods near the sandy beaches of the Northumberland Coast

Camper favorites near Selkirk

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

Old Rectory Howick

79km from Selkirk · 2 units · Glamping · Alnwick, England

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.

Otter Moss Accommodation

100%

(8)

76km from Selkirk · 4 units · Glamping · Brampton, England

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.

Stone Raise Bells

92%

(6)

79km from Selkirk · 3 units · Glamping · Carlisle, England

Off-grid bell tents on a working farm in Cumbria’s Eden Valley

Doxford Farm Camping

100%

(4)

72km from Selkirk · 7 units · Glamping · Northumberland, England

Rustic-chic glamping pods near the sandy beaches of the Northumberland Coast

Stories from the community

E

EngineerMe

August 2025

With kids

Weekend Trip to Stone Raise Bells

Fantastic welcoming experience for adults and kids. Really good communication, great view and super quiet. Will be returning shortly! Thankyou John and Emma

D

Daniel

August 2025

Weekend Trip to Stone Raise Bells

We had a great night stay at this campsite. It was a good setup with a lovely view of the surrounding area. The Bell tents were great and I’d recommend them to anyone looking to stay here!

E

Eric

August 2025

With kids

Weekend Trip to Muiredge

The place is really nice. Our tent was prepared for four and we sleep there really well. Views on morning were amazing. And comon places were really good when weather made not possible to be outside.

H

HEATHER

June 2025

With kids

Weekend Trip to West Highland Way Hotel & Campsite

A lovely wee site with various accommodation options, the staff are super helpful.

T

Tim

May 2025

2 nights at Bamburgh Under Canvas

Beautiful quiet site. The tent felt entirely private/separate from the few others on the site. Well equipped and comfortable. Perfectly located for exploring the North East coast. Campbell was really helpful and made our stay great. Couldn't recommend more!

M

Mandi

April 2025

1 night at West Highland Way Hotel & Campsite

Very friendly staff. Easy to find. Great facilities. Lovely walks right at back of premises. Only downside for me was the noise off other campers. People turning up and setting stuff up after 10 pm. Also loud group of lads. But I’m use to wild camping so maybe noise would be acceptable for most.

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Bell tent camping near Selkirk guide

Where to go

Melrose

A 15-minute drive north of Selkirk, the charming town of Melrose is home to the fascinating Melrose Abbey and is an ideal base for exploring the surrounding Eildon Hills. Close to the town centre, Melrose Gibson Park Club Site has pitches for tents and tourers.

Hawick

Heading 15 minutes south of Selkirk, Hawick is especially known for its rich textile history, and continues to produce knitwear and cashmere today. The town is also home to the beautiful Wilton Lodge Park, which has a variety of walking paths along rivers and to waterfalls. Ten minutes east of Hawick, Wild Woods Camping Ruberslaw has tent pitches in a variety of settings, including inside a walled garden.

Newburgh

A 25-minute drive west of Selkirk, the village of Newburgh is located in the Ettrick Valley. The area is popular with cyclists who can pedal through the landscape and challenge themselves at the nearby 7stanes mountain biking centre. Fishing, horse riding, and kayaking are also popular activities. Here, the glamping site Ettrick Valley Yurts has a selection of yurts set in the rolling hills.

When to go

The Scottish Borders is a year-round destination. July and August, when Scottish schools are on holiday, is peak tourist season and also the warmest. The Selkirk Common Riding, held annually in mid-June, is the town’s most popular event and a spectacle not to be missed. For avoiding crowds while still enjoying mild weather, May and September are good options. April is the driest month of the year and December the wettest.

Know before you go

Not all campsites in the area open year-round: check opening dates before travelling.
If you choose to wild camp, be sure to adhere to the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.
The closest train station is in Galashiels, which is a 15-minute bus journey away and has direct links to Edinburgh. Local buses can get you to most nearby places of interest.
There are a few small supermarkets in Selkirk where you will find the essentials. For bigger purchases, head for Galashiels.