Best Beach Camping Near Glasgow 2024

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Popular camping styles for Glasgow

5 top beach campsites near Glasgow

Dog-friendly getaways

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The Charcoal Huts - Isle of Bute

2 units · Glamping8 acres · Scotland

Our Huts are located within the Moss Wood area of Bute Forest - a mixed birch and alder wood that extends up the hillside to the west of the A886 that connects the Rhubodach Ferry to Port Bannatyne and Rothesay. Moss Wood has a range of facilities. Park on the shore-side where the coast can be enjoyed or at the main entrance, and take a walk up through Moss Wood along the Poetry Trail. A steep walk in places, the Poetry Trail is a loop punctuated with places to stop and read, to stop and think. Read nature poetry from throughout the ages, stop at the Blether Stane, or taking the spur to the Viewing Point back south across the Kyles. Moss Wood connects to the West Island Way – take the Poetry Trail and the spur to the Viewing Point – and then take the Stag’s Trod further up (steeply) till you reach the West Island Way. From there, head south towards Port Bannatyne or north along the boundary of the Community Forest. From the viewing point, you can also explore interesting heritage features such as the old WW2 bunker, kayak shelter, Balnakailly settlement, and the SSSI oak woodland.

Runach Arainn Glamping

3 units · Glamping1 acre · Kilmory, Scotland

A three-yurt luxury glamping site on the Isle of Arran, steps away from the beach

Camping at Cardewlees

37 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents1 acre · Carlisle, England

A welcoming, family-run farm campsite between the Lake District and Hadrian's Wall

Broom Fisheries Campsite

4 units · Glamping200 acres · Dumfries, South Scotland

Luxury caravans ideally situated next to picturesque Scottish fishing lakes

Beach camping near Glasgow guide

Overview

While Scotland’s biggest city may not have the fairytale charm of Edinburgh, it more than makes up for it in character. Glasgow is an intriguing and earthy city filled with both stately and cutting-edge architecture, great music and arts scenes, a wild nightlife, and some of the friendliest, bighearted people in the UK. The name Glasgow means “dear green place,” and, with more than 90 public parks and gardens, there's always a green space closeby. It’s a good base for heading into nearby hills and mountains, starting the West Highland Way and exploring Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.

When to Go

Glasgow is admittedly not famous for its good weather, so be prepared for rain any time of year. Still, the summer months are the best time to visit, when days are long and Glasgow Green is prime for sunny days. Winters, while chilly, are fairly moderate, but daylight hours are short. If planning to hike the West Highland Way or explore Loch Lomond, visiting in spring or autumn can help you avoid crowds.

Know Before You Go

Some private campsites are seasonal—check opening dates before travelling.
Weather in Scotland is changeable, even in summer. Come prepared with warm, waterproof clothing.
Glasgow is well-connected to the rest of Scotland (and England) by rail and bus. The city itself is very walkable, although city bus lines and a limited subway system exist.
Don’t worry if you’ve forgotten something—you’ll find anything you need in Glasgow’s shops. Start on Buchanan and Sauchiehall streets for essentials.
Frequent buses connect the city centre with the airport in 15 minutes.

Where to go

Around the City

Just outside Glasgow City Centre, holiday parks combine the convenience of easy access to the city with bucolic settings. Sites include hardstanding pitches with electric hookups for caravans and motorhomes, as well as grass areas with spacious tent pitches.

West Highland Way

A 30-minute drive north of Glasgow’s city center, the West Highland Way Campsite is set directly on the 96-mile (154-kilometre) walking route. As well as grass and hardstanding pitches with electric hookups suitable for caravans, motorhomes, and tents, the site also has a shepherd's hut and furnished bell tents for hire.

The Campsies

Some 40 minutes north of the city, the Campsie Fells are a range of gently rolling hills that are a favourite outdoor escape for Glaswegians and popular with hillwalkers. In small villages with easy access to the hills, holiday and caravan parks offer grass and hardstanding serviced pitches for tents, motorhomes, and caravans, as well as glamping pods and spacious lodges with hot tubs and static caravans for hire.

Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park

A 40-minute drive northwest of Glasgow, the pretty village of Luss is one of the main gateways into Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, where you can go hiking, climbing, biking, or sailing. Outside the village, campsites can be found on the banks of Loch Lomond with a selection of grass and hardstanding pitches, many with electric hookups. During summer, some areas of the national park require permits for wild camping.