Bail a’ Chairn

9.7 6 reviews
Couldn’t ask for a better view!
Couldn’t ask for a better view!
Visitor image of where they pitched up
What a lovely morning here at bail a’ chairn
Moor, moor and moor
Lovely path down to the burn, just right to walk dog in the morning with a cup of coffee
The peaceful retreat
Iron age broch on the left
Iron age broch to the right
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  • Comfy shepherds’ huts on a Caithness working croft near Wick
  • A 25-minute drive to Dunnet beach; close to the North Coast 500 drive
  • Ruins of an Iron Age broch and ancient standing stone on site
Now this is a truly remote spot. Bail a’ Chairn’s cosy little camping pods are situated on a 540-acres croft near Wick in Caithness. Part of the farm is designated a Site of Specific Scientific Interest, and there are red deer, red grouse and tons more wildlife to watch out for. When you’re out and about exploring the croft, you might see a lone standing stone, the remnant of a stone circle thought to be older than Stonehenge itself. And if that’s not enough, you can also spot the grassy ruins of an Iron Age broch – a type of ancient settlement – in the camping field. Just down the road is Loch Watten (10 minutes’ drive), renowned as one of the best trout-fishing spots in Scotland. You might like to know there’s also a pub in Watten village called The Brown Trout, which serves good food and a decent pint of heavy. What about facilities? Along with the two boho shepherd's huts and pitches for wild camping, there’s a loo and shower block. You can park by the pods, and feel free to bring the pooches along for a holiday too. And at only eight miles from the North Coast 500 driving route, this makes a welcoming and comfortable overnight stay.

Campground type

Tent sites 4
Lodges, cabins, pods or huts 1
Caravans for hire 1
Rent a tent 1
Opens

Languages spoken

English

Nearby campgrounds that are bookable on Pitchup.com

Unfortunately, we have no nearby bookable campgrounds.

Want to know more about camping in Caithness?

Features

Pop-up campground

Dogs allowed

Leisure on site

Bar or club house Cycle hire Evening entertainment Fishing Fitness centre Games room Indoor swimming pool Kids' club On-site restaurant/cafe Outdoor swimming pool Play area TV room Take away Tennis Watersports

Amenities on site

Bath available Car parking by site/unit Composting toilet Dog park Drying room Food shop Free wifi Ice pack freezing Internet access Laundry Parent & baby washroom Pick-up from public transport Portable toilet Pub toilets Public telephone Shower available Toilet block Washing-up area Wifi

Groups welcome

Family friendly Motorcycle friendly Single-sex groups welcome Student groups welcome

Rules

Barbecue provided Barbecues allowed Campfires allowed Commercial vehicles allowed Dogs allowed Dogs allowed all year

Themes

Budget/backpacker Peaceful Remote location Spectacular scenery Walkers' paradise Wild camping Wildlife haven

Utilities

Charging facilities Dump point Electric car charging point(s) Gas cylinders available Recycling available Renewable energy

Nearby amenities

Bar nearby Convenience store nearby Dog walk nearby

Type

Farm Pop-up campground Tiny (1-10 sites)

Accessibility

Disabled facilities

Nearby leisure

Indoor pool nearby Mountain biking nearby Restaurant nearby

Location

Bail a’ Chairn

19 West Watten

Watten

Caithness

Scotland

KW1 5XY

Directions

Timezone

Europe/London GMT (GMT+00:00)

GPS

58.44677°N
-3.32328°W

Nearest transport

Rail
10.6 km Georgemas Junction Rail Station
13.2 km Wick Rail Station
13.9 km Scotscalder Rail Station
Ferry
22.4 km Scrabster Ferry Terminal
23.4 km Gills Bay Ferry Terminal
26.5 km John O' Groats Ferry Terminal
Airport
13.5 km Wick Airport

Please note: All distances on this page are calculated "as the crow flies" - please check actual distance depending on your mode of travel using the Get directions button above.

Local attractions

Local attractions and activities include: - Loch Watten (trout fishing): 10 minutes’ drive - Pulteney Distillery Co Ltd (whisky): 20 minutes - Dunnet beach: 25 minutes - Whaligoe Steps (coastal views and seabirds): 25 minutes - Thurso Castle: 25 minutes - Dunnet Head (puffins): 30 minutes - Scrabster Ferry Terminal (ferry to the Orkneys): 30 minutes - Castle Of Old Wick: 30 minutes - Castle and Gardens of Mey: 30 minutes - John O’Groats: 35 minutes

Water quality at nearby bathing waters

Name Distance Type 2020201920182017
Dunnet 17.8 km Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Thurso 20.4 km Sea N/AGoodGoodN/A

Data source: European Environment Agency

Must see

The Castle & Gardens of Mey 21.9 km

Cycle routes

Find local routes on the National Cycle Network - over 12,000 miles of cycling routes.

Other

BLAR NAM FAOILEAG (CURRENT BOUNDARY FROM 19/02/1999) 11.7 km

Staxigoe to Noss Head 15.5 km

Noss Head and Sinclair and Girnigoe Castles 15.8 km

Dwarwick to Castletown 19.6 km

Dwarwick Pier - Peedie Sands - Dwarwick Pier 19.7 km

Please note: All distances on this page are calculated "as the crow flies" - please check actual distance depending on your mode of travel using the Get directions button above.

Offers

Conditions apply - see site type section for details

Reviews

9.7

Overall rating based on 6 reviews View breakdown

100%

would recommend this campground to a friend

83%

would stay here again

  • 83%
    10
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    9
  • 16%
    8
  • 0%
    7
  • 0%
    6
  • 0%
    5
  • 0%
    4
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    3
  • 0%
    2
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    1

Only showing reviews for the last 30 months.

Darren and Caroline were excellent hosts. Place was beautiful with views over…

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 10
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities 10
Customer service 10
Child friendliness 10
Cleanliness 10
Wifi 6
Victoria C. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Unpowered grass tent or trailer tent site

Liked: Darren and Caroline were excellent hosts. Place was beautiful with views over the fell. Very quiet and peaceful. Great location for all the sites and attractions in the northernmost highlands. Basic facilities but we’re most adequate. Will definitely return some day.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Would love to visit again!

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 10
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities 10
Customer service 10
Child friendliness 10
Cleanliness 10
Wifi No rating
Bradley C. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Unpowered grass tent or trailer tent site

Liked: Very remote location which was perfect!
The owner, Darren, was incredibly welcoming! When our sat nav didn’t take us to the correct location, Darren text us the “what 3 words” phrase and lead us right there!
Beautiful scenery.
Toilets and shower was spotless!

Recommend to friends Visit again

Secluded, with easy access to Wick…

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 10
Accommodation No rating
Facilities / Activities No rating
Customer service No rating
Child friendliness No rating
Cleanliness 10
Wifi No rating
Duncan F. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Unpowered grass tent or trailer tent site

Liked: Secluded, with easy access to Wick

Recommend to friends Visit again

Quiet camping spot, beautiful scenery.…

Overall 8/10
Location 8
Value for money 10
Accommodation 8
Facilities / Activities 8
Customer service No rating
Child friendliness No rating
Cleanliness 8
Wifi No rating
Liesbet S. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Unpowered grass tent or trailer tent site

Liked: Quiet camping spot, beautiful scenery.

Recommend to friends Visit again

locatie / type accommodatie / prijs / prijs-kwaliteit…

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 10
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities 6
Customer service 8
Child friendliness 6
Cleanliness 10
Wifi No rating
Anonymous The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Peaceful Retreat shepherd's hut

Liked: locatie / type accommodatie / prijs / prijs-kwaliteit

Recommend to friends Visit again

Great quiet location (clear night - great stars) very helpful and lovely…

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 10
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities 10
Customer service 10
Child friendliness No rating
Cleanliness 10
Wifi No rating
Josh C. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Peaceful Retreat shepherd's hut

Liked: Great quiet location (clear night - great stars) very helpful and lovely owners. Stayed in the Shepherds Hut - great break from our tent. Snug and comfy retreat from the wind ! - separate clean bathroom facilities with a hot shower! And a little area with a table and chairs and phone charging ports. Loved it

Recommend to friends Visit again

Frequently asked questions

  • Does Bail a’ Chairn have a swimming pool? No View all features
  • Is Bail a’ Chairn dog friendly? Yes View all features
  • What attractions are near Bail a’ Chairn? Local attractions and activities include: - Loch Watten (trout fishing): 10 minutes’ drive - Pulteney Distillery Co Ltd (whisky): 20 minutes - Dunnet beach: 25 minutes - Whaligoe Steps (coastal views and … Read more
  • When can I check in and check out of Bail a’ Chairn?
    Camping and caravan
    Arrive:  10 a.m. –  6:30 p.m.
    Depart by:  9:30 a.m.
    On-site accommodation
    Arrive:  12:30 p.m. –  5:30 p.m.
    Depart by:  10 a.m.
    Read more