I love sourcing unusual places to stay on my travels around Scotland and I know I'm not alone. The glamping sector has boomed in recent years as more and more people seek out unique accommodation that is a bit more memorable than a homogenous hotel.
Over the years I've stayed in some amazing places - curling up beside a cosy log burner in an eco structure straight out of The Hobbit, sleeping under twinkling fairy lights in a pretty yurt, waving at passing trains from a converted railway signal box and having the most beautiful garden on the doorstep of a shepherd's hut. Every one of them was cheaper than an average nightly hotel stay, yet the experience was priceless. What surprises many people is that most of the quirky places I've stayed at in Scotland have also been dog friendly. This is no coincidence, as booking dog friendly accommodation is often necessary for me as Willow regularly joins me on my trips. As many of you have asked about dog friendly glamping options in Scotland, I thought I would share some of my recommendations, I hope this blog post gives you and your furry buddy some inspiration. Of course, it isn't necessary to have a pet to stay at any of these places which means anyone looking for unique accommodation in Scotland will find this blog post useful too. To make your planning easier, I have included a map at the bottom of the post with the location of each place mentioned. I'm always on the lookout for unusual places to stay in Scotland so I hope to add to this guide as I discover more great glamping options around the country. My recommended glamping & unique dog friendly places to stay in ScotlandBORIS THE MILITARY POD - KYLERHEA, ISLE OF SKYE
On our way toUist last year we stopped off in Skye and as it was just after Mr Adventure Around Scotland's birthday, I decided to book a night at this converted military pod as a wee treat for him as he had been eyeing it up for a while.
A former army radio repair workshop, Boris the Military Pod has been transformed into a fun, spacious and comfortable dog friendly glamping stop on the Isle of Skye. Inside there is everything you need for a cosy stay including a small kitchen, en-suite shower room and some homely touches including a DVD player, coffee pod machine and heating/air con so you will feel comfortable inside no matter what the weather is doing. Owners Sam and Lynne are very friendly and we were welcomed with a cup of tea and a chat. We also got a quick tour of their croft and introduced to the pigs which was a highlight for me. They also left us some thoughtful extras including basic supplies, a bottle of wine and a bar of Skye chocolate - perfect for some birthday celebrations. The pod is located in the Kylerhea area of Skye which is close to the crossing point of the Glenelg turntable ferry - my favourite way to travel to the island. It is a quiet part of Skye and there is a lovely short walk from the pod that takes you down to the water. We spent a fantastic evening sat on the rocks watching the local seals swimming just off shore. We only stayed for one night but could easily have stayed for longer and if you want to base yourself away from the Skye tourist crowds and stay somewhere unique, this ticks the boxes. If you want to explore more of the island on a private tour, Sam and Lynne also run Skye Jeep Tours. You might also like to read - Top things to do in Skye's Sleat Peninsula
THE TALL PINES YURT - HELMSDALE, SUTHERLAND
I've stayed at the The Tall Pines Yurt a couple of times and found it a really wonderful place to chill out. During the day you can sit outside in the little private garden which boasts a fantastic sea view thanks to its hillside position and at night you can fire up the log burner and sip on a glass of wine under the twinkling fairy lights.
The yurt is incredibly spacious and feels quite homely with a proper bed and furniture. Next to the yurt is a private outhouse with a shower and compost toilet. As the accommodation is off--grid, all amenities are run by solar power including the lighting and shower. There are USB chargers if you need to charge any devices. Although there isn't any electricity in the yurt, the log burner and a gas camping stove provide basic cooking facilities and a cool box can be used to store fresh items. This does mean meals are limited to what can be cooked on a hob or toasted in a grill. However, the nearby village of Helmsdale does have a shop and a few options for eating out if needed. Owners Jackie and Paul are on hand to make sure you have plenty of wood for the fire and basic supplies to keep you going including tea, coffee and milk. There are also plenty of cooking utensils if you do decide to eat in. The yurt is in a peaceful location with its own private enclosed grounds and an amazing view. There is a quiet walk from the doorstep along the road for those with dogs and the location is ideal for exploring Sutherland and Caithness, or as an unusual stopping off point on the NC500.
OTTER HOBBIT HOUSE, SHEPHERD'S LOCH - FISHERIE, ABERDEENSHIRE
When I was invited to check out Shepherd's Loch eco glamping site in Aberdeenshire I jumped at the chance to stay in the cutest looking Hobbit House, just one of several dog friendly properties on the site.
I'm not going to go into too much detail as I've already written a full review of my stay which you can read here, but fun, quirky and cosy are definite themes. It is also a brilliant place for adventurers of all ages with boats, swings, zip lines, walking trails and more. Each property is totally unique and I'd love to return to check out Graham's Bothy and the ship's wheelhouse which was still a work in progress when I stayed. Owner Jamie is quite the character and if you're lucky he will take you on a tour of his working farm during your visit. If you decide to explore a bit further, the stunning trio of coastal villages, Pennan, Crovie and Gardenstown are just a short drive away. If you're looking for a digital detox in a place with a mellow festival vibe, you will love Shepherd's Loch. You might also like to read - My guide to the Aberdeenshire Coastal Trail
MACBETH'S HILLOCK - BRODIE, MORAY
In my experience there are two types of glamping huts, the ones that are basically an overpriced wooden tent with nothing but a mattress inside and those that can justifiably class themselves as glamping accommodation because they provide all the home comforts you need.
Macbeth's Hillock definitely falls into the latter as each pod comes with a TV, proper kitchen, dining table and an excellent en-suite shower room. The only thing not provided as standard is bedding so we brought our own but there is an option to hire a bedding pack if you want to travel light. This is another dog friendly glamping stay that I've already written about previously and you can read my detailed review here. In summary, this is a fantastic and economical option for anyone wanting to explore the coast and castles of Moray and you are only a 30 minute drive from Inverness if you want to add a day out in the city to your itinerary. There are a surprising amount of dog friendly things to do there. The site itself is in a quiet country location which is alleged to be the 'blasted heath' where Shakespeare's Macbeth famously met the three witches. This is a great wee sitop for those wanting to visit a part of Scotland that is often overlooked by tourists. You might also like to read - Things to do in Inverness
SHEPHERD'S HUT - GLENWHAN GARDENS, DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY
About Wick
Wick sits on the north east coast of Scotland, just over a 2 hour drive north of Inverness and just over 20 minutes south of John O'Groats. It is one of two principal towns in the Caithness region of Scotland, the other being Thurso.
In the days when waterways were the main means of travel and transport, Wick's position along the mouth of the Wick River and the North Sea made it an ideal trading port. During the time of Viking rule it was named 'Vik' which is Old Norse for 'bay'. In 1589 it gained Royal Burgh status in recognition of its importance as a commercial seaport and as the fishing industry expanded, so did the town. The biggest growth took place during the fishing boom of the 19th century, and at one stage Wick was the busiest herring port in Europe. Although there are now only a fraction of the boats that once worked out of the harbour, the sea continues to provide other work opportunities in offshore industries. Things to do in Wick
I'm not going to sugar-coat it (and apologies to any Wickers reading this!) - my first impression of Wick wasn't a great one - granted I never ventured further than the town centre but all I could see was a place that looked a little tired and not that appealing to a visitor so I didn't stick around very long. Fast forward a few years of frequently stopping in the town on my travels to and from Orkney, along with several holidays in the area, and I have been won over by Wick. The layers of history, the stunning scenery and the warmth of Wickers who always seem to be up for a chat has seeped into my bones and I now relish my regular trips here.
The road that passes through the town forms part of popular North Coast 500 and is the main route for anyone travelling to the far north east coast of Scotland, including the famed John O' Groats and the Gill's Bay ferry route to Orkney. Despite being in a strategic position for capitalising on the booming north coast tourist market, I often hear complaints from locals that visitors don't stop here in any meaningful numbers or for any length of time. Maybe, like me, they are guilty of judging the town on its initial faded appearance, or maybe they just don't know what there is to do and don't stop long enough to find out. Either way, I'm hoping this blog post with my favourite discoveries of things to do in and around Wick goes some way to rectifying that and maybe makes some amends for my own unfair judgement. Maybe it will even convert a few of you that have initially written Wick off to give it another chance like I did, or convince those of you planning to explore the north coast of Scotland to add it to your itinerary. It is a place that deserves a longer stay to really appreciate everything on offer in the area and hopefully this list inspires you to do exactly that. Visit the Wick Heritage Centre
Don't be fooled by the unassuming exterior of this heritage centre near the harbour as once inside you will realise the museum is both a Tardis and an Aladdin's Cave. The volume and variety of objects is almost overwhelming so I recommend taking your time to soak in everything there is to see.
Rooms have been furnished to give a sense of bygone times, with a bigger exhibition space dedicated to Wick's significant fishing industry. However, one of the highlights that makes this centre unique is their collection of local photographs taken by three generations of Caithness photographers. Known as the Johnston Collection, the images document over a century of local life from 1863 to 1975 and include the era when Wick was the herring capital of Europe. I highly recommend this as your first port of call when visiting the town as it will give you a deeper understanding and appreciation of Wick's significant history. Walk to the Castle of Old Wick
It may not be Scotland's grandest fortification, but theCastle of Old Wick is one of Scotland's oldest castles, thought to date back to the 1100s, which makes the fact it is still standing at all quite a feat. Its precarious clifftop location is great for defensive purposes but also means it stands at the mercy of the North Sea, as has done for hundreds of years, making this squat ruin mightier than it looks.
The 1-mile trail along the blustery coast from Wick to reach the castle ticks the boxes for scenery and history. The square tower was once four storeys high and would have been the residential part of the castle which included a hall, living room and private chambers. Surrounding the tower are remains of other structures that would have included servant's quarters, workshops, bakehouse, brewhouse and stables. Indeed, the extensive fortress would have covered much of the headland it sits on. Today it is in the care of Historic Environment Scotland and is free to visit at any time. Explore Castle Sinclair Girnigoe
This post is part of a paid partnership with West Coast Waters to promote the many ways you can immerse your senses around the Scottish west coast
Back in August I was sat in the ferry queue in Uig in Skye bursting with excitement and anticipation at the prospect of another west coast adventure. The last time I waited in this queue was on a trip to Harris and Lewis, this time I was sailing to North Uist. My excitement levels were ramped up to the max because not only was this my first trip to Uist, it was also a proper holiday which meant I could truly immerse myself in the real-time beauty of the Hebrides without any online distractions or work commitments.
I deleted my social media apps from my phone, ensured my e-mail out of office was switched on and took some deep breaths before fully embracing vacation mode. Before long I was stood out on the deck of the CalMac ferry with the wind whipping my hair and the sea breeze reenergising my soul. On the horizon, Uist and new adventures awaited. In case you didn't know, Uist is a chain of islands linked by causeways, stretching from Eriskay in the south to Berneray in the north with South Uist, Benbecula, Grimsay and North Uist between them. There are also other smaller islands linked by causeways off of the main islands so if ticking off Scottish islands is your thing this is a good place to start, I managed 9 on this trip! The following week saw a new chapter of wondrous west coast memories added to my Scotland travel journal and I'm sharing some of my favourite island highlights from Uist in this blog which might be just the inspiration you need for planning your next Scottish adventure. Immerse yourself in the beaches
If there is a beach nearby, you can be sure I'll visit it! I love being by the sea, padding barefoot through the sand and dipping my toes in the water. In Uist I had countless beaches to choose from and although I couldn't possible visit them all, I did discover a few crackers including -
Immerse yourself in the historyThis post is part of a paid partnership with Social Enterprise Scotland to promote their gift directory If, like me, you're starting to plan your Christmas shopping and looking to shop local for unique gifts that also do good, this post is for you. Buy Social Scotland is an amazing initiative with a directory of local and ethical gifts from social enterprises across Scotland. There is something for every budget and you can find everything from a Build Your Own Ukulele Class to Christmas Spiced Gin. At a time when many of us are looking for ways to be more environmentally friendly, there are also lots of eco gifts to choose from including reusable snack bags, reusable glass coffee cups and plastic free Christmas crackers. I love this website as I have been able to source some unusual gifts and support businesses that actively reinvest their profits to do good in the community. I've listed 15 of my favourite picks below but with over 200 items in the directory, this is just a wee taste of what is available. Check out the full gift directory here FOR FOODIES 1. Handmade Chutneys from The Kitchen at Langloch Farm Chutneys are a great versatile foodie gift as they go with so many things. I personally put chutney on just about everything from sandwiches to scrambled eggs! These handmade chutneys from The Kitchen at Langloch Farm sound delish with flavours that include Spiced Plum, Green Tomato & Apple, Green Pepper & Chilli, Beetroot. Buying them supports the Clydesdale Community Initiative, an award winning Social Enterprise with a core mission to enable anyone who would like to make a contribution to their community to do so with the support of Placement Support Workers. All production processes are carried out by participants and volunteers and all ingredients and raw materials are sourced locally (many grown on site at Langloch) and eco friendly packaging is a must for all finished products. 2. Passion Fruit Truffles from Grace Chocolates These sound totally yummy, with a fresh passion fruit filling encased in the finest Belgian chocolate and drizzled with a luxurious ruby chocolate. I'm sure any chocolate lover would be very appreciative of these, I'd certainly be happy to find them under my tree this year. Grace Chocolates are handmade by women who have touched the Scottish criminal justice system and are choosing to make positive changes in their lives. Through making and selling chocolates the women receive support, training, work experience and the opportunity to raise their self- esteem and resilience which helps lower the barriers they face in finding meaningful work. 3. Scottish Cheese Selection from Loch Arthur Farm Shop This selection of Scottish cheeses includes Loch Arthur Farmhouse, Lanark Blue, Paddy’s Milestone, Bonnet goat’s milk cheese and a packet of Galloway oatcakes and will please any cheeseaholic. I'm also thinking a wee jar of the chutney from The Kitchen at Langloch Farm mentioned above would be a perfect addition. Loch Arthur Farm Shop and Cafe is a working community near Dumfries, South West Scotland, which includes men and women with learning disabilities. Loch Arthur is a shared way of life in a modern rural Community which offers security as well as support for through the challenges of daily life. They are committed to the fulfilment of the individual through a diversity of relationships and activities which create authentic social integration. FOR THE HOME AND GARDEN 4. Bee Bomb Flower Seeds from Cambo Gardens This is an ideal gift for anyone wanting to make their garden more wildlife friendly. Right now, 35 bee species face extinction. Many plants would not be able to fertilise without bees and we need bees to fertilise many of our crops. Wildflowers not only look lovely but they help bees to survive and thrive so this is a win win garden gift. Buying one also supports the Cambo Heritage Trust was established in 1998 to promote horticulture, education, arts and heritage at Cambo Estate. Over the last three years Cambo Heritage Trust has engaged with over 2500 children, 500 young people, 3000 adults and 1000 supported adults through their learning & engagement programmes. They have facilitated over 5,500 days of volunteering or a range of horticultural, environmental and traditional skills projects. 5. Happy Place Candle from Kindness & Co I don't know anyone who doesn't love a scented candle. The aroma and flickering flame add a relaxing ambience to any home and add a bit of coorie in the winter. Personally, I always have one lit on my desk when I'm working to keep me calm! I chose this one as not only do I love the sound of the scent 'Lemongrass & Ginger with notes of Sicilian lemons, juicy limes, nutmeg and eucalyptus', I also love that it is is designed for your 'Happy Place'. Nicola, the founder of social enterprise Kindness & Co started the South Ayrshire School Clothing Bank in 2017, a charity which supplies new school uniforms and warm coats to children and families experiencing financial hardship in South Ayrshire. Through this work she met many more charities that she wanted to be able to help and so all the profits from the sale of her hand poured candles, room diffusers and wax melts go to helping a range of local organisations that deliver a positive impact in the community. 6. Port Charlotte Pier Print from Isle Develop
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