The best campsites near Irvine with horseback riding

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Lying on the north coast of Ayrshire, Irvine is steeped in maritime history. The one time major west coast seaport is now home to the Scottish Maritime Museum, located in a former shipyard building and full of hands-on exhibits. There’s also a handful of golf courses and, just outside town, Eglingon Country Park, which has miles of paths and bridleways perfectly suited for walking, cycling and horse riding. The golden sands of Irvine Beach stretch north through Saltcoats to Ardrossan, from where you can take a ferry to the Isle of Arran.

94% (35) 39 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near Irvine

Cleghorn Farm

1. Cleghorn Farm

100%
(11)
57km from Irvine · 15 units · Tents, Glamping
*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
Muiredge

2. Muiredge

100%
(16)
94km from Irvine · 8 units
Rural glamping in a converted railway carriage, shepherd's hut, or bell tent in blissful Scotland
Pets
Showers
Campfires
from 
£100
 / night
Ayrshire Airstream

3. Ayrshire Airstream

100%
(2)
17km from Irvine · 1 unit
A seriously comfortable 1978 Airstream, complete with a hot tub, fire pit and its own bar.
Showers
Campfires
Hot Tub
from 
£187
 / night
Runach Arainn Glamping

4. Runach Arainn Glamping

100%
(9)
40km from Irvine · 3 units
A three-yurt luxury glamping site on the Isle of Arran, steps away from the beach
Pets
Showers
Campfires
from 
£162
 / night
West Highland Way Hotel & Campsite

5. West Highland Way Hotel & Campsite

82%
(36)
47km from Irvine · 46 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping
A welcoming campsite on the West Highland Way
Pets
Campfires
Full hookups
from 
£30
 / night
Craigmarloch Lodge

6. Craigmarloch Lodge

100%
(2)
47km from Irvine · 1 unit
A high-end glamping cabin with a hot tub on the edge of the Highlands
Pets
Showers
Hot Tub
from 
£150
 / night
Culdees Castle Estate Glamping

7. Culdees Castle Estate Glamping

88%
(25)
95km from Irvine · 5 units
Luxury woodland cabins, each with a private hot tub, in the grounds of a Scottish castle
Showers
Campfires
Hot Tub
from 
£140
 / night
Otter Moss Accommodation

8. Otter Moss Accommodation

100%
(8)
148km from Irvine · 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
from 
£85
 / night

Lying on the north coast of Ayrshire, Irvine is steeped in maritime history. The one time major west coast seaport is now home to the Scottish Maritime Museum, located in a former shipyard building and full of hands-on exhibits. There’s also a handful of golf courses and, just outside town, Eglingon Country Park, which has miles of paths and bridleways perfectly suited for walking, cycling and horse riding. The golden sands of Irvine Beach stretch north through Saltcoats to Ardrossan, from where you can take a ferry to the Isle of Arran.

94% (35) 39 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near Irvine

Cleghorn Farm

1. Cleghorn Farm

100%
(11)
57km from Irvine · 15 units · Tents, Glamping
*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
Muiredge

2. Muiredge

100%
(16)
94km from Irvine · 8 units
Rural glamping in a converted railway carriage, shepherd's hut, or bell tent in blissful Scotland
Pets
Showers
Campfires
from 
£100
 / night
Ayrshire Airstream

3. Ayrshire Airstream

100%
(2)
17km from Irvine · 1 unit
A seriously comfortable 1978 Airstream, complete with a hot tub, fire pit and its own bar.
Showers
Campfires
Hot Tub
from 
£187
 / night
Runach Arainn Glamping

4. Runach Arainn Glamping

100%
(9)
40km from Irvine · 3 units
A three-yurt luxury glamping site on the Isle of Arran, steps away from the beach
Pets
Showers
Campfires
from 
£162
 / night
West Highland Way Hotel & Campsite

5. West Highland Way Hotel & Campsite

82%
(36)
47km from Irvine · 46 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping
A welcoming campsite on the West Highland Way
Pets
Campfires
Full hookups
from 
£30
 / night
Craigmarloch Lodge

6. Craigmarloch Lodge

100%
(2)
47km from Irvine · 1 unit
A high-end glamping cabin with a hot tub on the edge of the Highlands
Pets
Showers
Hot Tub
from 
£150
 / night
Culdees Castle Estate Glamping

7. Culdees Castle Estate Glamping

88%
(25)
95km from Irvine · 5 units
Luxury woodland cabins, each with a private hot tub, in the grounds of a Scottish castle
Showers
Campfires
Hot Tub
from 
£140
 / night
Otter Moss Accommodation

8. Otter Moss Accommodation

100%
(8)
148km from Irvine · 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
from 
£85
 / night

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The best campsites near Irvine with horseback riding guide

Where to go

Saltcoats

A 15-minute drive north of Irvine, Saltcoats is joined to the port town of Ardrossan, from where regular ferries depart for the Isle of Arran. Saltcoats has a golden Blue Flag beach set around Irvine Bay, and is home to the North Ayrshire Museum. Here, Sandylands Holiday Park has electric or non-electric grass pitches.

Ayr

A 25-minute drive south of Irvine, the town of Ayr has another attractive stretch of sandy beach and is close to the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum and Culzean Castle and Country Park. On the pretty wooded grounds of the Craigie Estate, and within walking distance of the beach and town centre, Ayr Craigie Gardens Club Site has pitches for tents and tourers.

Fairlie

A 30-minute drive north of Irvine, Fairlie’s top attraction is the street art-adorned Kelburn Castle—the setting for the Kelburn Garden Party, one of Scotland’s most colourful festivals. The castle grounds feature secluded forest and glens, as well as indoor and outdoor play areas for kids and pitches for tents and tourers; glamping yurts, and bell tents.

When to go

The area is best-visited during the summer months when temperatures range from mild to warm, occasionally hot, and daylight hours are long. This is peak season, however, and you may encounter booked-up sites during school holidays. Spring and autumn are both also good options as the weather is typically mild and there are few crowds. While the region doesn’t get too cold in winter, winter storms can occasionally disrupt ferry journeys to Arran.

Know before you go

  • Many campsites in the area are seasonal. Check opening dates if planning to travel outside of spring/summer.
  • Wild camping is possible throughout Scotland but campers must adhere to the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.
  • Irvine is on the Ayrshore Coast railway line and has direct links to Largs, Glasgow, and Ardrossan Harbour (from where Arran ferries depart).
  • Don’t worry if you forgot something. Irvine has plenty of well-stocked supermarkets.