Cairngorms Glamping and Campsite

Cairngorms Glamping and Campsite is situated within the national park and you don’t have to get in the car to head out on great forest walks, hill walks or routes along the banks of the River Don which is just across the road from the campsite. If you want to bag a peak, head for the 565-metre summit of Ben Newe, walkable from Strathdon in just over an hour. It’s a great area for cycling too with bikes available to borrow from the campsite. Loch Muir (26 miles) is a great place for a long scenic walk with an eight-mile hike around its shores possible from the Spittal of Glen Muick visitor centre. The closest castles to the campsite are the fortified medieval tower known as Corgarff Castle (eight miles), the ruined Kildrummy Castle (12 miles) and the royal family’s Scottish pad, Balmoral (17 miles). You can visit the grounds and see the castle for free and, at certain times of the year (check ahead), there are tours of the estate and parts of the castle too. Royal Lochnagar Whisky Distillery is nearby and offers tours and tastings. Delgatie Castle (46 miles) is a bit further but still popular with campers from here thanks to its thousand-year history, wooded walks and excellent tea room. Family campers might want to take on a 40-mile drive in the other direction, through the national park, to visit Landmark Forest Adventure Park.

There’s an on-site shop with a few basics available in the winter. In summertime, it’s well stocked with local produce including meat and ice cream fresh from nearby farms and producers. There’s a food truck too, offering bacon sandwiches in the mornings and burgers in the evenings. For more than that, or out of season, the closest shop and place for a bite to eat is the village of Strathdon, three miles up the road. There’s a small grocery shop and The Steading Bar which serves grazing boards and pies alongside a range of local drinks. A little further away (12 miles), The Kildrummy Inn is recommended for food. For a supermarket, the closest is a fair distance, 28 miles away in Huntley, but Tesco and Asda can deliver to the site.