Riverside camping near Leadhills

·

Set in a high valley in the Lowther Hills, the Lanarkshire village of Leadhills has the distinction of being Scotland’s second-highest village. Leadhills is best-known for its strong mining history, but also has plenty to appeal to outdoor adventurers. You can hike and climb in the Lowther Hills, explore the Clyde Valley and play a round at Scotland’s highest golf course. Leadhills also attracts a steady stream of walkers following the Southern Upland Way long distance footpath, which passes through nearby Wanlockhead (which has the title of Scotland’s highest village). 

95% (66) 77 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near Leadhills

Cleghorn Farm

1. Cleghorn Farm

100%
(11)
31km from Leadhills · 7 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
Camping at Cardewlees

2. Camping at Cardewlees

99%
(47)
79km from Leadhills · 37 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping
A welcoming, family-run farm campsite between the Lake District and Hadrian's Wall
Pets
Electrical hookup
Campfires
from 
£16
 / night
Walkmill Campsite

3. Walkmill Campsite

98%
(122)
134km from Leadhills · 10 units · Tents, Motorhomes
Refreshingly understated private camping in the unspoiled Northumberland countryside
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from 
£25
 / night
S

4. S

92%
(93)
136km from Leadhills · 13 units
Lake District camping on the banks of Lake Windermere, with direct access to the water.
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from 
£50
 / night
The Black Swan

5. The Black Swan

100%
(26)
139km from Leadhills · 3 units
Our three, brand new wood and canvas yurts are nestled in our private, woodland hotel garden beside the beautiful conservation (SSSI) river of Scandal Beck. Just a short drive from The Lake District, The Yorkshire and Durham Dales as well as The Scottish Border, we are perfectly located for you to explore. The yurts themselves are individually decorated with full size furniture, electricity and double beds. The yurts are all located in the garden of The Black Swan Hotel, Ravenstonedale, a multi award-winning hotel, restaurant and bar; recipient of 2 AA Rosettes as well as AA pub of the year for England 2018/19. As part of your stay in our yurts you will receive a full cooked breakfast and buffet option included in the price for 2 people in our hotel restaurant. We like to think of ourselves as a cosy home from home with a relaxed dining atmosphere throughout. We are very dog friendly in the hotel, restaurant, bar and yurts so please bring your furry family members. Our beautiful woodland is also home to red squirrels (which are seen daily), protected, freshwater crayfish in the river, an otter (seen very infrequently but the nemesis of our ducks), 6 Indian runner ducks, free range chickens and our two cockerels! (Dogs are very welcome but are to be kept on a lead whilst in the woodland itself). We are very dog friendly and charge an additional fee of £15 for 1 dog/ £20 for 2 dogs for an additional cleaning fee and for some dog friendly goodies such as poop bags and treats. The price of this yurt is based on an occupancy of 2 people. Any other people who will be staying on the sofa bed will add a charge of £40 per person per night for breakfast and their stay. All yurts come with electrical battery pack, chargeable lanterns, tea/coffee, homemade biscuits, log burning stoves, towels, full breakfast included from the hotel, an outdoor seating area and access to our outdoor toasty warm woodland shower as well as our very cute, wooden toilet cabin. Hairdryers are available in the hotel for your use.
Pets
Showers
Campfires
from 
£136
 / night
Garden Yurt in a hidden glen

6. Garden Yurt in a hidden glen

100%
(3)
21km from Leadhills · 1 unit
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
Showers
Campfires
Wifi
from 
£100
 / night
Ayrshire Airstream

7. Ayrshire Airstream

100%
(2)
45km from Leadhills · 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
King Garth

8. King Garth

100%
(9)
72km from Leadhills · 1 unit
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
West Highland Way Hotel & Campsite

9. West Highland Way Hotel & Campsite

82%
(36)
73km from Leadhills · 44 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping
A welcoming campsite on the West Highland Way
Pets
Campfires
Full hookups
from 
£30
 / night
Culdees Castle Estate Glamping

10. Culdees Castle Estate Glamping

88%
(25)
101km from Leadhills · 4 units
Luxury woodland cabins, each with a private hot tub, in the grounds of a Scottish castle
Showers
Campfires
Hot Tub
from 
£140
 / night
Inside Out Yurts

11. Inside Out Yurts

100%
(9)
108km from Leadhills · 3 units
Rustic yurt glamping with a riverside setting, fell views and an enviable Lake District location
Pets
Showers
Potable water
from 
£115
 / night
Organic Welltree

12. Organic Welltree

100%
(2)
118km from Leadhills · 2 units
Welcome to Organic Welltree's beautiful eco-friendly yurts. Looking for a place to stay in the heart of Scotland, Perthshire for that perfect organic, vegetarian or vegan holiday? Come and enjoy our unique rooms in Scottish design or try luxury glamping and back-to-nature living in our well equipped yurts like a Home from home no matter where you’re from, a place to relax, enjoy nature and escape from the city. Short-Term Licence Number: PK13177F.
Pets
Showers
Potable water
from 
£100
 / night
Smardale Mill Shepods The Ash

13. Smardale Mill Shepods The Ash

88%
(4)
136km from Leadhills · 2 units
Smardale Mill Shepods are the perfect place to escape, unwind and relax. These modern style shepherds huts are tucked away in an idyllic setting in Cumbria. Situated on a working family farm there is always plenty to see and do. Each shepod sleeps two comfortably with the option of a further two guests on the sofa bed.
Pets
Showers
Wifi
from 
£77
 / night
Hut in the Sheep Wash

14. Hut in the Sheep Wash

140km from Leadhills · 1 unit
A shepherd’s hut in it’s own riverside field in Cumbria
Showers
Campfires
Potable water
from 
£100
 / night

Set in a high valley in the Lowther Hills, the Lanarkshire village of Leadhills has the distinction of being Scotland’s second-highest village. Leadhills is best-known for its strong mining history, but also has plenty to appeal to outdoor adventurers. You can hike and climb in the Lowther Hills, explore the Clyde Valley and play a round at Scotland’s highest golf course. Leadhills also attracts a steady stream of walkers following the Southern Upland Way long distance footpath, which passes through nearby Wanlockhead (which has the title of Scotland’s highest village). 

95% (66) 77 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near Leadhills

Cleghorn Farm

1. Cleghorn Farm

100%
(11)
31km from Leadhills · 7 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
Camping at Cardewlees

2. Camping at Cardewlees

99%
(47)
79km from Leadhills · 37 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping
A welcoming, family-run farm campsite between the Lake District and Hadrian's Wall
Pets
Electrical hookup
Campfires
from 
£16
 / night
Walkmill Campsite

3. Walkmill Campsite

98%
(122)
134km from Leadhills · 10 units · Tents, Motorhomes
Refreshingly understated private camping in the unspoiled Northumberland countryside
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from 
£25
 / night
S

4. S

92%
(93)
136km from Leadhills · 13 units
Lake District camping on the banks of Lake Windermere, with direct access to the water.
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from 
£50
 / night
The Black Swan

5. The Black Swan

100%
(26)
139km from Leadhills · 3 units
Our three, brand new wood and canvas yurts are nestled in our private, woodland hotel garden beside the beautiful conservation (SSSI) river of Scandal Beck. Just a short drive from The Lake District, The Yorkshire and Durham Dales as well as The Scottish Border, we are perfectly located for you to explore. The yurts themselves are individually decorated with full size furniture, electricity and double beds. The yurts are all located in the garden of The Black Swan Hotel, Ravenstonedale, a multi award-winning hotel, restaurant and bar; recipient of 2 AA Rosettes as well as AA pub of the year for England 2018/19. As part of your stay in our yurts you will receive a full cooked breakfast and buffet option included in the price for 2 people in our hotel restaurant. We like to think of ourselves as a cosy home from home with a relaxed dining atmosphere throughout. We are very dog friendly in the hotel, restaurant, bar and yurts so please bring your furry family members. Our beautiful woodland is also home to red squirrels (which are seen daily), protected, freshwater crayfish in the river, an otter (seen very infrequently but the nemesis of our ducks), 6 Indian runner ducks, free range chickens and our two cockerels! (Dogs are very welcome but are to be kept on a lead whilst in the woodland itself). We are very dog friendly and charge an additional fee of £15 for 1 dog/ £20 for 2 dogs for an additional cleaning fee and for some dog friendly goodies such as poop bags and treats. The price of this yurt is based on an occupancy of 2 people. Any other people who will be staying on the sofa bed will add a charge of £40 per person per night for breakfast and their stay. All yurts come with electrical battery pack, chargeable lanterns, tea/coffee, homemade biscuits, log burning stoves, towels, full breakfast included from the hotel, an outdoor seating area and access to our outdoor toasty warm woodland shower as well as our very cute, wooden toilet cabin. Hairdryers are available in the hotel for your use.
Pets
Showers
Campfires
from 
£136
 / night
Garden Yurt in a hidden glen

6. Garden Yurt in a hidden glen

100%
(3)
21km from Leadhills · 1 unit
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
Showers
Campfires
Wifi
from 
£100
 / night
Ayrshire Airstream

7. Ayrshire Airstream

100%
(2)
45km from Leadhills · 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
King Garth

8. King Garth

100%
(9)
72km from Leadhills · 1 unit
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
West Highland Way Hotel & Campsite

9. West Highland Way Hotel & Campsite

82%
(36)
73km from Leadhills · 44 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping
A welcoming campsite on the West Highland Way
Pets
Campfires
Full hookups
from 
£30
 / night
Culdees Castle Estate Glamping

10. Culdees Castle Estate Glamping

88%
(25)
101km from Leadhills · 4 units
Luxury woodland cabins, each with a private hot tub, in the grounds of a Scottish castle
Showers
Campfires
Hot Tub
from 
£140
 / night
Inside Out Yurts

11. Inside Out Yurts

100%
(9)
108km from Leadhills · 3 units
Rustic yurt glamping with a riverside setting, fell views and an enviable Lake District location
Pets
Showers
Potable water
from 
£115
 / night
Organic Welltree

12. Organic Welltree

100%
(2)
118km from Leadhills · 2 units
Welcome to Organic Welltree's beautiful eco-friendly yurts. Looking for a place to stay in the heart of Scotland, Perthshire for that perfect organic, vegetarian or vegan holiday? Come and enjoy our unique rooms in Scottish design or try luxury glamping and back-to-nature living in our well equipped yurts like a Home from home no matter where you’re from, a place to relax, enjoy nature and escape from the city. Short-Term Licence Number: PK13177F.
Pets
Showers
Potable water
from 
£100
 / night
Smardale Mill Shepods The Ash

13. Smardale Mill Shepods The Ash

88%
(4)
136km from Leadhills · 2 units
Smardale Mill Shepods are the perfect place to escape, unwind and relax. These modern style shepherds huts are tucked away in an idyllic setting in Cumbria. Situated on a working family farm there is always plenty to see and do. Each shepod sleeps two comfortably with the option of a further two guests on the sofa bed.
Pets
Showers
Wifi
from 
£77
 / night
Hut in the Sheep Wash

14. Hut in the Sheep Wash

140km from Leadhills · 1 unit
A shepherd’s hut in it’s own riverside field in Cumbria
Showers
Campfires
Potable water
from 
£100
 / night

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Riverside camping near Leadhills guide

Where to go

Around Leadhills

Staying close to Leadhills puts you within easy reach of Lanarkshire’s attractions, such as the UNESCO World Heritage Site at New Lanark, as well as Glasgow and Loch Lomond and the coast. A five-minute drive north of Leadhills, the small campsite at Lettershaws Farm welcomes Camping and Caravanning Club members.

Douglas

A 20-minute drive north of Leadhills takes you to another Lanarkshire village of historical significance: Douglas, former seat of the Lords of Douglas. The 3.5-mile (5.6-kilometer) Douglas Historic Walking Route takes you along streets filled with history and through rural landscapes. Four miles (6.4 kilometers) northeast of Douglas, the tranquil campsite at Collierhall Farm is situated on a small working farm.

Grey Mare’s Tail Nature Reserve

A 45-minute drive east, Grey Mare’s Tail Nature Reserve is a highlight of the Southern Uplands, home to one of Britain’s highest waterfalls. Active visitors can summit the peaks of Lochcraig Head and White Coomb for views extending as far as the Lake District. A 30-minute drive from Leadhills, staying at the Moffat Camping and Caravanning Site puts you within easy reach of the reserve.

When to go

The summer months are the best time to visit Lanarkshire and the surrounding regions. While sunny days can’t be guaranteed, the long daylight hours mean you can pack multiple activities into each day. If you are planning to hike the Southern Upland Way or the West Highland Way, both of which begin nearby, spring or autumn is best for avoiding the biggest crowds.

Know before you go

  • Wild camping is allowed throughout Scotland, as long as you adhere to the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.
  • The weather in Scotland is always changeable, even in summer. Come prepared with warm, waterproof clothing.
  • While you can get around using local buses, services around Leadhills are not comprehensive so you’d be better off with your own transport.