Tutti gli anni, l’Ente Nazionale per il Turismo (British Tourist Authority), publishes a useful and detailed guide, “Camping and Caravans parks in Britain“, which presents campsites and facilities spread across all regions, as well as a wealth of maps, itineraries, and practical tips.
Campgrounds in Scotland
In Scotland, many campgrounds, besides being convenient bases for exploring a territory rich in attractions, also offer a wide and unexpected range of services: restaurants, bars, outdoor barbecues, evening shows, swimming pools, tennis courts, indoor gyms, playgrounds for children, and the possibility to go fishing, sailing, horseback riding, or playing golf. Many are open all year round and guarantee appropriate hospitality, and at prices definitely lower than in the summer, even in spring or autumn.
The level of their services is marked by stars, as in hotels: ranging from the excellent quality of a 5-star, to the modest but still decent service of those with 1 star. The evaluation is made annually by a group of independent inspectors, who consider overall environment, cleanliness level, quality of facilities and services as criteria.
Camping in the Highlands, Scotland
In the Highlands, for example, stands out the Linnee Lochside Holiday, near Fort William, tel. 0044 1397 772376, a well-maintained 5-star campsite, framed by a botanical park and overlooking a romantic loch, where, in addition to comfortable and equipped pitches, you can also find mechanical assistance, laundry, children’s play areas, a shop, opportunities to go fishing and cycling (daily rates from 13.50 pounds).
If you love golf and horseback riding, the Auchnahillin Caravan and Camping Park, tel. 0044 1463 772286, a seasoned 4-star site on the outskirts of Inverness, nestled among forests and heaths, where pitches cost from 8 pounds per day. Another prime area for campers is the shores of Loch Lomond, in central Scotland, where near Balloch lies the Lomond Woods Holiday Park, tel. 0044 1389 755000, an ideal base to relax and practice water and land sports (pitches from 13 euros per day).
Finally, if you want the big city, there is the Mortonhall Caravan Park, tel. 0044 131 6641533, in the Edinburgh belt, a 4-star equipped campsite with a restaurant and modern comforts (pitches from 10 pounds per day). Parking areas are practically non-existent (only on the outskirts of big cities can you find some); therefore, before taking even a short break, permission from the landowner or local police is required. At night, stopping in recesses or along grassy roadside edges is prohibited as these are considered parts of the roads.
