Scotland Peter Irvine’s the best
Carry on glamping
Enjoy the freedom of camping but with some luxurious extras providing a comfy stay
Lochhouses Farm
From the A1 south of Haddington, take the A198 to North Berwick past Tyninghame; Lochhouses signed on right. Seven well-appointed safari tents (can take eight) under trees and seven treehouses (all with wood-burning stoves and en suite toilets) in beautiful farmland near beach. Fabulous light and a microclimate one of the driest places in Scotland. Shop, barbecue. All mod glamping cons.
Inshriach
In the grounds of this quirky Edwardian country house near Aviemore, by the Spey, a range of wonderful woodland retreats: a 16-foot yurt (by Red Kite), a converted (1954 Commer) lorry, an “isolated” bothy and a Shepherd’s Hut by the river. All are highly individual, comfy and quite
beautiful, especially the bothy (part of a project funded by the Royal Scottish Academy), a mile away, and the Hut by the March Pool, by Tim Westman. Wood-burning stoves, sauna/hot tub, compost loos; it’s eco-heaven and “achingly romantic”.
Comrie Croft
On the A85 Comrie–crieff road, essentially a hostel and camp ground, but seven Swedish katas, canvas yurts up the hill in the woods. Stoves, platform to sleep, picnic tables. Millpond nearby, superb walking. Bike hire (and sales) on premises. Shop, tearoom, trails; good eating-out options in Comrie and Crieff.
Glentress Forest Lodges
Near Innerleithen. In Glentress Forest cycling hub, so this is mainly a bikey/walker thing. Lodges and pods form a community that looks like it just landed from outer space. On a gentle slope opposite the café, bike shop for all the cyclists who converge in the Tweed Valley. Timber frames, light, spacious, a deck, barbecue, campfire. Communal facilities.
Peter Irvine is the author of the essential travel guide Scotland the Best published by Collins, priced £15.99