Loch Ken Shepherd's Huts

View prices & book 1 review
The Hidden Hut
The hidden hut
Lochside shepherd's hut
Deckchairs at the edge of the loch
The huts sit on the lochside
Private decking at the hidden hut
External decking with a loch view
Exterior of the hidden hut
View from the decking
1/16
New
Lochside shepherd's hut
Deckchairs at the edge of the loch
The huts sit on the lochside

  • Shepherd’s huts on the shore of Loch Ken in Dumfries and Galloway
  • Watersports on site; Galloway Activity Centre five minutes’ drive
  • Well-equipped cabins with private bathrooms; pub five minutes’ drive
When you really, really need to get away from everyday life, pack your bags and head for Loch Ken Shepherd’s Huts on the shores of peaceful Loch Ken with views over Galloway Forest Park. This teeny-tiny glampsite is on a working farm that’s 15 minutes’ drive from Castle Douglas in Dumfries and Galloway. Each wooden hut is decked out with super-comfy king-sized beds (crisp linen provided), a cosy seating area and a small Belfast sink. Crockery, cutlery and glassware are all supplied too, along with basics like tea, coffee and drinking water. They are heated by potbelly stoves that keep you snug and also double as cookers. In the mornings you can have a lie in, read or take in the views of the loch without having to get out of bed. Private bathrooms with hot-water rainforest showers (heated by solar panels) and eco-composting toilets come with each hut. For warmer days, there are firepits outside on your private decking, as well as charcoal barbecues and gas camping rings. You can restock supplies at the village shops in Balmaclellan (five minutes’ drive), and if you don’t fancy self-catering, there’s an award-winning pub/restaurant five minutes’ drive away.

Campground type

Lodges, cabins, pods or huts 2
Open now
Opens April 4
Please note
  • Under 18s must be accompanied by their parents or legal guardians.

Languages spoken

English

Open from Fri, Apr 4 to

No availability here for your search criteria

Campsite types & availability

Accommodation

Tent sitesCamper sitesRV sitesLodges, cabins, pods or hutsMobile homes for rentRent a tent
Choose your dates
2 adults
0 children
Other options

Reviews

9

Overall rating from one Pitchup.com customer

Location
 10
Value for money
 6
Accommodation
 8
Facilities / Activities
 No rating
Customer service
 No rating
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 No rating

100% would recommend this campground to a friend

100% would stay here again
Reviews page 1 of 1
Arrival date (latest first)

This is a beautiful place and unique to stay in.

Overall

9 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 6
Accommodation
 8
Facilities / Activities
 No rating
Customer service
 No rating
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 No rating
Raymond R.

The Secret shepherd's hut (two person)

Liked Beautiful Location
Peaceful and remote
Unique
Strong phone signal

Disliked Not exactly dislikes but anyone going to stay here needs to be aware of a few things.
Access is across two fields and a stream so you need a vehicle capable of crossing that.
There's no electricity supply at all so no ability to charge a phone or refrigeration and you need to make appropriate arrangements.
Toilet is a composting toilet and might not be everyones liking

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Pleased you had a wonderful stay . Guests love our remoteness , next to the loch with direct access but still only 4 miles away from 3 villages and an award winning restaurant . If guests don’t want to cross the little stream with the car they are very welcome to park and walk the last 30 yds to the Shepherds hut . No electricity as we are totally off grid but hot running showers pumped by solar energy , charged lanterns and we can supply a power pack for charging your phone . We use zeer pots for refrigeration and the composting toilets are the fabulous woohoo ones which don't use separation .
These Shepherds huts are secluded and are at one with nature with plenty of wildlife and the loch through the day and the stillness of the evening and stars at night .

Features

Dogs allowed

Campfires allowed

Leisure on park

Bar or club house Cycle hire Evening entertainment Fishing Fitness centre Indoor swimming pool Kids' club On-site restaurant/cafe Outdoor swimming pool Playground Recreation room/arcade TV room Takeout Tennis Watersports Wild swimming

Amenities on park

Bath available Composting toilet Dog park Drying room Free wifi Grocery store Ice pack freezing Internet access Laundromat Parent & baby washroom Payphone Pick-up from public transport Picnic table Portable toilet Pub toilets Restrooms Shower available Washing-up area Wifi

Groups welcome

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

Rules

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

Camping 2.0

Jumbo tent sites

Themes

Hikers’ paradise Lake and/or mountain Peaceful Spectacular scenery Wild camping

Utilities

Charging facilities Dump station Electric car charging point(s) Propane/gas cylinders available Recycling available Renewable energy

Nearby amenities

Bar nearby Dog walk nearby Public transportation nearby

Type

Farm Tiny (1-10 sites)

Nearby leisure

Canoeing/kayaking nearby Cycle hire nearby Cycling nearby Fishing nearby Golf nearby Mountain biking nearby Sailing nearby

Location

Loch Ken Shepherd's Huts

Shirmers Farm

Castle Douglas

Dumfries and Galloway

Scotland

DG7 3NH

Directions

Timezone

Europe/London +0100 (GMT+01:00)

GPS

55.04869°N
4.11454°W

Nearest transport

Bus
10.5 mi Carlingwark Street
10.5 mi Carlingwark Street
11.9 mi Mill on the Fleet
Rail
20.3 mi Dumfries Rail Station
23.5 mi Sanquhar Rail Station
23.9 mi Kirkconnel Rail Station

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

At Loch Ken Shepherd’s Huts, you can go wild swimming, fishing, paddleboarding and kayaking (bring your own equipment) in the loch, spot wildlife including herons, deer, hedgehogs, red squirrels, owls and otters (the latter two at dawn and dusk if you’re lucky) and bask under a million stars on clear nights. If you’re looking for more sporting action, Galloway Activity Centre (five minutes’ drive) hires out dinghies and you can clamber all over the inflatable climbing course or book in for archery sessions. Galloway Forest Park (10 minutes) has ample walking or cycling tracks and fishing in its lochans and streams. Throw a bit of heritage into the mix with a tour of the art collection at Drumlanrig Castle and Gardens (45 minutes), or check out the installations and earthworks at Crawick Multiverse (an hour), built over a former open-cast mine.

Water quality at nearby bathing waters

Name Distance Type 2020201920182017
Mossyard 15.6 mi Estuary N/AGoodGoodGood
Carrick 16 mi Sea N/AN/AGoodGood
Dhoon Bay 16.2 mi Estuary N/APoorPoorPoor
Rockcliffe 18 mi Estuary N/APoorPoorPoor
Brighouse Bay 18.2 mi Sea N/APoorPoorPoor

Data source: European Environment Agency

Must see

Robert Burns Centre 19.7 mi

John Paul Jones Cottage Museum & Visitor Centre 23.5 mi

Cycle routes

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

Other

KEN-DEE MARSHES (CURRENT BOUNDARY FROM 01/06/2001) 2.5 mi

Mossdale - Big Water of Fleet Viaduct Linear Walk 2.7 mi

Mossdale Circular 2.7 mi

A Moorland Walk from St John's Town of Dalry 4.4 mi

The Ken - Dee Marshes Nature Reserve 5 mi

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.

Want to know more about camping in Dumfries and Galloway?

Frequently asked questions

  • Does Loch Ken Shepherd's Huts have a swimming pool? No View all features
  • Is Loch Ken Shepherd's Huts dog friendly? Yes View all features
  • What attractions are near Loch Ken Shepherd's Huts? At Loch Ken Shepherd’s Huts, you can go wild swimming, fishing, paddleboarding and kayaking (bring your own equipment) in the loch, spot wildlife including herons, deer, hedgehogs, red squirrels, owls and otters … Read more
  • When can I check in and check out of Loch Ken Shepherd's Huts?
    On-park accommodation
    Arrive:  3 p.m. –  8 p.m.
    Depart by:  10:30 a.m.
    Read more
  • How much does it cost to stay at Loch Ken Shepherd's Huts? From $336.30 (for 2 nights, 2 adults) - prices may change depending on your dates and party.