Travelers stories

It is summer time and for me there is nothing better than loading up the car with my camping gear and heading to a beautiful location,  where I can escape the rat race and for me there is no better county  to go camping  in than Scotland.

For me I like to camp in places which offer outstanding natural beauty and I must stay in  a camp site which has first rate facilities. I’m not one of those back to basics campers that will pitch their tent in the middle of nowhere and dig a hole to use as a toilet. NO THANKS, when you have a family on tow that is just too complicated. I love heading out into the beautiful Scottish countryside to enjoy the natural beauty that my country provides.

I just cant stand those back to basics camp sites which have second rate facilities, as much as I enjoyed the Carry on Camping film, I don’t want to be part of it. I’m living in the 21st century and I demand up to date facilities when I go camping.

Scotland is one of the most beautiful countries in the world and has 100’s of campsites which are situated in beautiful locations, sadly many of them are stuck in the dark ages and the toilet, shower and laundry facilities are a disgrace, I wouldn’t let my dog use many of them, let alone my family!

Here are 5 of my personal Favorite Scottish Camping Locations, which I fell in love with:

1. Grantown on Spey Caravan Park, Seafield Avenue, Grantown on Spey, Highlands, Scotland: A campsite set in a great location, surrounded by wonderful scenery, great toilet and shower facilities. The icing on the cake is that there is only a short walk into the town.

2. Milarrochy Bay Caravan & Campsite, Balmaha, Near Drymen, Glasgow, Scotland: An amazing location on the east shores of Loch Lomond, excellent toilet and shower facilities, great walks and a small beach to relax at. There is only a short walk to Balmaha if you want to escape the camp site.

3. Ballater Caravan Park, Anderson Road Ballater, Aberdeenshire, Scotland: Modern facilities, level pitches and a great location on the outskirts of village with a short walk of 300m to shops, hotels and services.

4. Auchnahillin Caravan Camping Park, Daviot EastInverness-shire, Scotland: Great location, excellent kitchen and shower facilities, a great base for exploring the Highlands.

5. Faichemard Farm Caravan and Camping Site, Invergarry,Highland, Scotland: EXCLUSIVELY FOR ADULTS (18+) site, great if you want a child free camping experience, the facilities are maybe not the most modern in the world, but they are adequate.If you want peace and quiet, fresh air and beautiful surroundings this is the place be.

Camping is a great way for a family, or a couple to bond and spend some quality time together, having fun and enjoying themselves. Pack up your camping gear and go and explore the natural beauty that Scotland has to offer. Camping in Scotland is a fun filled adventure which will enhance your life.

If anybody knows of any more high quality Scottish Camping sites let me know, they must be in an area of outstanding natural beauty and have fantastic facilities?

Further Reading:

1. 10 Must Visit Places In Scotland That Everyone Should Visit

2. 5 Not Quite so Well known, Scottish Places, You Must Visit!

3. 5 Amazing Scottish Beaches That You Must Visit!

4. 11 Amazing Historic Scottish Sites That You Must Visit

5. Great Edinburgh Pubs for Chilling out and Relaxing In

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A good meal means different things to different people. However, good eats while camping are important because they can have an impact on the entire trip. I believe good camp food is food that is easy to make and can be made very quickly. Here, are a few tips I have picked up through the years to make good meals:

1. Don’t be afraid to choose basic hamburgers. Whether it is hamburgers or hot dogs, most people find that they like one if not both. By adding these to your cooking menu, you increase your chances of making them happy.

2. Meals Ready To Eat (MREs). These staples of the military can also be great for you. With food that tastes similar to what comes out of a can, these are great because of their quick cooking times. Plus, they are relatively inexpensive as you get up to 30 meals for under $100 in some cases and they pack well as they were designed for traveling.

3. Freeze dried food. The arguments for MREs also apply here. The pricing is much like them and the other benefits are the same.

4. Food in a can. These are good because of their quick cooking and ready to go formats. All you have to do is heat them in a pot and you are good to go. Plus, the left-over cans can be used to help you around the campsite to store smaller items or for target practice.

5. Boxed foods: Rice and noodle dishes, mac and cheese, and other boxed goods work great in the field. Boxed foods are good because they are relatively light weight, tend to have fast cooking times and the materials can be easily disposed of afterwards.

6. Breakfast food: There are about a dozen different types of bars you can choose from: cereal, granola, fruit, etc. Each one is great because they require no cooking and can be carried with you while hiking. This means you may be able to avoid having to build a morning fire on certain days.

7. Trail Mix and More: These work just like the breakfast food bars. Whether it is dried fruit, beef jerky, or a trail mix, they give you a ready supply of carbohydrates and proteins. Great for hiking trips and keeping your overall camping food weight down.

8. Crackers and More: Crackers are a great food for camping because they keep for a long time and can be used with a number of other items, like tuna, cheese, some meats, etc. While camping, these foods taste extra good, so be sure to add them to your camp food list.

9. Fast Menu Options: These examples are great because everyone enjoys them.
a. Taco salad( chips, shredded lettuce, and pinto)
b. Pita Bread Pizza (Pizza sauce, cheddar or mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, pita bread).

10. Drinks for Camping: It is best to avoid drinks that are liquid form. Choose powders to reduce your weight as you can always add water later. Popular camping choices are coffee, cocoa, tea, tang, and Gatorade powder.

These camping foods tend to be crowd pleasers because they are easy to make, easy to carry, and leave little left over trash. Do yourself a favor and try out a few as we are sure they will be good for your group and easier on the cook.

Written by Jeff Marshall

An interesting article about a Scotsman starting a new life in Barbados, The 2 Million Dollar Bills Dream Is One Step Closer, The Barbados Plan Is Happening! 

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