Braemar camping: a hot pick for a Highland fling
Ooh, Highland Games! And ooh, mountain views! And ooh, a golf course (the highest in all the land, in fact)! And ooh, a whisky distillery! Yep, it’s fair to say that a stay at a Braemar campsite is one that crams in easy access to a whole heap of classic Scottish bits and bobs – no doubt you can get hold of a haggis somewhere in town too if you’re busy ticking things off your ‘Scotland experiences’ bingo card…
And if that’s not quite enough to send you in the direction of this little village in the middle of the Cairngorms National Park, there’s more. You know who’s a fan of this place? No less than the Queen, that’s who. And while Braemar campsites may be just a tad less fancy than the royal pad up the road at Balmoral they make fab places to stay for all sorts of visitors to this area, from hardcore hikers to travelling families.
Fit for royalty: smart and scenic stays at Braemar campsites
As it happens, some of the offerings at campsites near Braemar are only marginally less swish than the castle up the road. Smart log cabins, spacious and warm tipis and yurts, cosy shepherd’s huts – we reckon they’d all get the royal seal of approval.
If you’re more into the fresh air than the fancy surroundings, you’ve got several options. Perhaps you’d like to bring your own carriage to park up at a caravan pitch or motorhome pitch? Maybe a Braemar camping pod for those travelling light or fearful of the whims of the Scottish climate? Or will it be a traditional tent pitch where you can light up a campfire and settle in for an evening of stargazing right there by your sleeping space?
Whichever of these seems like your kind of thing, there are a few more things to take into account when picking a Braemar campsite. Location’s pretty key here: you’ll need to be fairly nimble to negotiate some of those twisting mountain roads, so anyone in a bigger vehicle may like to skip those in favour of a stay somewhere closer to a main road.
Likewise, have a little think about whether you’ll need to be close to amenities: remote locations can be ace if you’re happy to stock up and be self-sufficient, but if you’re the kind that always runs out of milk and likes to spend evenings in the pub, you’ll want to plonk yourselves closer to town (otherwise it could be a long, long walk for you…)
Where to get out and about from your campsite near Braemar
Avid followers of the caber toss and the tug-of-war will no doubt already be aware that this is the home of the Braemar Highland Games Centre. Stop by here to learn all about the events’ history and current format, and maybe see a bit of action in the arena.
Your next delve into Scottish tradition should take you to the Royal Lochnagar Distillery for a dram or two; if that gets you fired up, you’re not far from Speyside and its fab Whisky Trail to sample several more tipples.
For a good few lungfuls of fresh air before you start out on the booze, bring your clubs along for a round at the gorgeous Braemar Golf Club on the banks of the Clunie Water, or gather your fishing kit for some time by the River Dee.
Check out Braemar on a map and you’ll note that it’s right in the middle of a big blob of green – that’s the Cairngorms National Park, one of Scotland’s most scenic areas. Braemar’s a proper mecca for mountain climbers, who can access a fab 40 munros from here (including four of the UK’s five highest mountains… that should keep you busy for a few days). Sound all a bit epic? There are plenty of pretty pathways through the glens and by the rivers for less intrepid walkers.
Oh, and of course you mustn’t forget to give the Queen a wave while you’re here (if she’s not in, take off to Scone Palace or Dunottar Castle for your historic home fix).
Where next after Braemar? Extend your trip with another stop at one of our Scotland campsites and holiday parks.
