Scottish Highlands campsites: most scenic locations

Scotland is a brilliant place for camping trips of all sorts, whether you’re looking for a family holiday or a break with friends, an active holiday or something more relaxed. And one of the most stunning destinations in the country is the Scottish Highlands, an area of spectacularly scenic terrain made up of lochs, mountains, woodland and gorgeous coastline. We reckon a road trip through this region should be on any UK holiday itinerary at some point!

The absolute best way to explore the Highlands is by campervan or motorhome, stopping off at a different campsite every night or finding one to use as a base for your adventures. Or you might prefer to go free camping, which is legal almost everywhere in Scotland. Either way, we have you covered! Here are the best campsites in the Highlands of Scotland, plus some expert tips on wild camping in the region.

Our favourite campsites in the Highlands

Riverside Chalet & Campsite, Strathpeffer

Right on the NC500 route, this lovely park is next to the River Blackwater and ideally situated for days around the Cairngorms National Park, Loch Ness and the Isle of Skye. Munro mountains are within walking distance for munro bagging, hiking and mountain biking. Guests can fish or canoe straight from the grounds on the campsite’s own stretch of river, while mountain bike trails start across the road from the site. Bike hire is available three miles away at Strathpeffer.

The park is close to the Highlands village of Contin, about 18 miles from Inverness. Regular buses run to Inverness from Contin; a bus stop is just outside the campsite.

Features: 30 pitches with 12 electric hook-ups. Amenities include showers, free wifi and a laundry room with a washer/dryer.

Best for: couples

Price per night: £8 per adult (non-electric pitch); £12 per adult (pitch with electric hook-up)

Location: Contin, Strathpeffer, Highlands and Islands IV14 9ES

Gairloch Caravan & Camping Site, Gairloch

Anyone looking for friendly campsites in the Scottish Highlands will find what they need at this NC500 caravan park in Wester Ross, where the family owners are more happy to help guests out with information and tips on the region.

The campsite has lush views across the Gairloch Loch to the hills of Torridon and the Isle of Skye. It’s remote yet conveniently placed, next to the village of Strath on the western edge of the Highlands about 55 miles from Ullapool and around an hour and a half’s drive from Inverness.

There are loads of activities to try in the surrounding area, such as taking a boat trip from Gairloch Harbour, fishing in the local lochs or out on the sea, or climbing the Wester Ross crags. Gairloch village has a golf course, a museum and a leisure centre.

Features: 70 touring pitches (hardstanding and grass), modern showers and toilets, chemical disposal, laundry

Best for: groups of friends/active holidays

Price per night: on enquiry; 2021 prices to be confirmed

Location: 1 Mihol Road, Strath, Gairloch, Highlands and Islands IV21 2BX

Barns Campsite, Nairn

Another Highlands riverside campsite, Barns is in a countryside setting on the River Nairn. Nairn Beach and Nairn town are just over three miles from here and both Inverness and the Culloden Battlefield centre are about 20 minutes’ drive from the campsite.

Owner Ewan has been constantly adding to and improving the campsite since opening in spring 2019. It now has a play park, a campers’ shelter/bothy and a nature pond, plus a dog walking trail close to the riverbank and through fields. Fishing is available in the Nairn; buy a daily or weekly fishing permit in town.

Features: The site has a mix of grass and hardstanding pitches with electric hook-up on all hardstandings and on some grass. There are showers and toilets, including disabled accessible, plus waste disposal, a dishwashing area and a washing machine and dryer.

Best for: families

Price per night: £22 for hardstanding with hook-up

Location: Kinchyle Farm, Nairn, Highlands and Islands IV12 5NY

Bunroy Caravan and Camping Park

Set up camp and take in the Ben Nevis views and River Spean setting - all just a 20-minute drive from Fort William.

Price per night: Hardstanding pitches with electric from £26.

Location: Bunroy Park, Roy Bridge, Highlands and Islands PH31 4AG

'Nearly wild' camping in the Scottish Highlands

As we said in ourguide to wild camping in Scotland, it is a fabulous country for free camping as it’s legal almost everywhere (technically this applies to tent camping, but as long as you’re polite, discreet and respectful of your environment, you’ll likely not be bothered if wild camping in Scotland in a motorhome or campervan.)

Another way to try Scottish wild camping is to book a “nearly wild” campsite, i.e. somewhere with a remote setting and basic facilities but with the security and amenities possible from an “official” site. Need some inspiration or not sure where to start looking? Again, we have you covered!

Camusdarach Campsite

This stunningly located Highlands campsite is by the coast between Arisaig and Mallaig, only a minute’s stroll via a designated footpath to three gorgeous white sand beaches. Guests can launch sea kayaks or small boats from the site – and even get married on the beach.

Catch ferry services to Skye from Mallaig five miles away, and to Rhum, Eigg and Muck from Arisaig, three miles from the campsite.

Features: 18 hardstanding pitches, all with electric hook-up plus grass space for awnings. Communal amenities include a modern toilet and shower block, washing-up areas and a laundry; the site also has free wifi.

Best for: couples, families

Price per night: £32 for hardstanding with hook-up (two people)

Location: Camusdarach Lodge, Arisaig, Highlands and Islands PH39 4NT

Sango Sands Oasis

Another beachfront campsite, Sango Sands Oasis is on the northwestern tip of Scotland in the village of Durness, next to the Sango Sands Oasis Restaurant and Bar. Whales, seals and the occasional bottlenose dolphin can all be spotted in the adjacent waters.

Best for: couples, families Price per night: Stays from £9.50 per person.

Location: Sango Sands Oasis, Sangomore, Durness IV27 4PZ

Glenmore Campsite, Aviemore

Forest camping in the Cairngorms National Park with direct access to the beaches of Loch Morlich.

Best for: couples, families Price per night: Pitches from £18.05.

Location: Glenmore Campsite, Aviemore, Inverness-shire PH22 1QU

Plan your Highlands camping trip today

Whether you’re wild camping, luxury camping or something between the two, the Scottish Highlands are truly great for a motorhome or campervan road trip. This region is even the setting for the North Coast 500/NC500, a lengthy and exquisite circular route to and from Inverness (we have heaps of info on the journey: check out our North Coast 500 guide to learn more!).

It’s easy to arrange a vehicle for this road trip too, no matter your budget – hire a van in the heartland of the Highlands,Inverness.

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