Riverside glamping near Dunure

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South of Ayr, the small fishing village of Dunure merits a detour for the 13th-centure Dunure Castle, which stands in ruins on a rocky promontory on the Carrick coast. The pretty harbour, with its white stone fishing cottages, is the village’s focal point and keen-eyed Outlander viewers will recognise it from several scenes in season three. Dunure is well-placed for exploring coastal Ayrshire, and enjoying such activities as kayaking, white water rafting and mountain biking along the Ayshire Alps route. It’s also a handy base for those travelling to the islands of Arran, Cumbrae and Bute. 

92% (33)

Top-rated campgrounds

King Garth

3. King Garth

100%
(9)
123km from Dunure · 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.
Pets
Campfires
Hot Tub
from 
£80
 / night
Looking west at the end of the farm

4. Cleghorn Farm

100%
(11)
70km from Dunure · 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.
Pets
Campfires
Potable water
from 
£10
 / night

South of Ayr, the small fishing village of Dunure merits a detour for the 13th-centure Dunure Castle, which stands in ruins on a rocky promontory on the Carrick coast. The pretty harbour, with its white stone fishing cottages, is the village’s focal point and keen-eyed Outlander viewers will recognise it from several scenes in season three. Dunure is well-placed for exploring coastal Ayrshire, and enjoying such activities as kayaking, white water rafting and mountain biking along the Ayshire Alps route. It’s also a handy base for those travelling to the islands of Arran, Cumbrae and Bute. 

92% (33)

Top-rated campgrounds

King Garth

3. King Garth

100%
(9)
123km from Dunure · 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.
Pets
Campfires
Hot Tub
from 
£80
 / night
Looking west at the end of the farm

4. Cleghorn Farm

100%
(11)
70km from Dunure · 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.
Pets
Campfires
Potable water
from 
£10
 / night

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Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Riverside glamping near Dunure guide

Where to go

Culzean Castle

If castle bagging appeals, you can head 10 minutes south to Culzean Castle, which is dramatically perched atop a cliff overlooking the Firth of Clyde. You can explore the castle’s interiors and its sprawling grounds, which feature woods, beaches, a deer park and children’s play areas. Within the grounds, Culzean Castle Camping and Caravanning Club Site has grass and hardstanding pitches for campers, as well as glamping-style safari tents.

Ayr

Twenty minutes north of Dunure, Ayr is known for its long sandy beach and associations with Robert Burns who was born in the suburb of Alloway. Campers can park or pitch a tent on the grounds of the Craigie Estate, which offers woodland walks and birdwatching within walking distance of the town centre.

Maybole

Yet another castle, the 16th-century Maybole Castle, is the main draw of Maybole, 15 minutes inland from Dunure. South of the town, The Walled Garden is set within woodland and has pitches for tents and tourers and especially appeals to families with its children’s play area and small putting green.

When to go

The summer months make the best conditions for visiting Ayrshire. Summer temperatures are typically warm, with the chance of a few hot days, and daylight hours are long. This is peak season, however, and its accessibility from Glasgow brings lots of holiday makers during the summer school holidays in July and August. You can avoid crowds and still enjoy mild temperatures by visiting in April/May or September.

Know before you go

  • Wild camping is possible throughout Scotland but campers are required to adhere closely to the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.
  • Some campsites in the area are open seasonally. Check before travelling.
  • Dunure is a 20-minute bus journey from Ayr, where the railway station has regular connections to Glasgow.
  • There are limited options for shopping in Dunure but you’ll find plenty of supermarkets in Ayr, as well as  a handful of outdoor and camping shops.

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