TRAVEL
GOING WILD Scotland is one of the few places in the UK where it’s legal to wild camp, meaning there’s an unlimited number of remote and picturesque spots you can pitch your tent. We collected some of your suggestions (and a few of ours) of the most magical locations
Used by the nomadic peoples of Central Asia for three thousand years, yurts generally feature a timber lattice supporting several layers of material. Not all ‘western’ yurts are the same, however, and Harelawhill Eco Yurt has clearly been a labour of love for owners Diana and Mick, who have created an interior according to principles of the authentic Mongolian ger (home) to create a space that is unique, beautiful and very cosy. Crucially, there are several things in a yurt that make your stay very different from camping. Real beds, handmade using traditional methods by Mick in this case, mean you will sleep well. A wood-burning stove, gas hob and sink mean you will never be cold, hungry or unwashed. The yurt is insulated and the compost toilet has loo roll. Access to shower, fridge and Wi-Fi at the cottage should calm even the most twitchy urbanites. The addition of these simple facilities transforms the experience, but all that’s great about a night in the outdoors remains: chopping wood; lighting a fire and cooking on it; the quiet. Engaging with the simplicity of the yurt’s domestic arrangements is enough to make the holiday.
Visiting with young children, it feels like the ultimate gang hut. There’s a large enclosed garden to explore in the unlikely event that ‘helping’ with the fire (i.e. burning stuff) loses its appeal. Later, inside the (now very warm) yurt, there are games and jigsaws. Harelawhill lies in southern Dumfries and Galloway, two hours’ drive from Edinburgh and Glasgow and within sight of the English border. Nearby pub The Bridge Inn is just over it, meaning you can even rebrand your trip as a holiday abroad. Many Buddhists are drawn to the area by the spectacular Kagyu Samye Ling Tibetan Buddhist Centre in Eskdalemuir, which is worth a visit, as
is Langholm, fast becoming a centre for artists and makers. Diana and Mick have ongoing creative projects of their own: converting their cottage using traditional, ecological and low- impact building methods, making log cabins and restoring a vintage Sterling caravan – and they’ll happily show anyone around who has an interest in any of these. (Hamish Brown)
There are so many great places to wild camp in Scotland but my favourite has to be around Calgary Bay on Mull. It’s such a beautiful spot with the beach and the surrounding green spaces. @AnnieMillar79 Red Point, near Gairloch - you can pitch on grassy patches nestled between the dunes on the beach. @russellyface
Kiln Cottage, Canonbie, Dumfriesshire, harelawhill.co.uk For booking email bookings@harelawhill.co.uk or call 013873 71354, harelawhill.co.uk Prices start from £65 per night.
Easdale - a beautiful wee hidden gem of a spot. @MichaelSince83 Gullane Beach is amazing but maybe not wild enough for you. @EricaLennie
SHACKING UP
Coldingham, a pretty conservation village on southeast Scotland’s coastline, has long been a favourite with surfers and beach-lovers alike. Situated just an hour’s drive from Edinburgh, this sleepy little village has much to offer, namely one of its newest arrivals – and our home for the night – the ironically titled Rambleshack. Catchy it may be, but the ‘shack’ in the title belies a high-end glamping pad, situated at the bottom of Katie and Richard’s garden. The new-age pod-cum-upturned boat design is as slick on the outside as it is within. Carefully crafted, the Rambleshack has all the comforts of home in its relatively small, marginally bigger than a wigwam space, with a TV (with Sky), DVD player, iPod dock and Wi-Fi going begging. The aim here is to create the intimacy of a B&B with the privacy of a holiday let – a feat the Rambleshack heartily achieves. A table and two- couch formation, complete with pretty scatter cushions, transforms into either two singles or a double, and while the non-DIY inclined (such as this useless List-er) took a moment to piece it together, the end result is a comfy space to lay your head.
Sourlies, on the banks of Loch Nevis in wild remote Knoydart. It’s only accessible by foot and there’s a herd of curious deer who regularly drop by. @GailTolley There’s a great place to wild camp near Tyninghame right near the log cabin at Ravensheugh. Follow the path off down to the beach for maybe 15 minutes and there are a few potential places to camp. If you have a wee explore next to the woods there’s a great spot right next to the beach with shelter under trees, firewood and a bit of protection from the wind. @rhona_taylor
Round about Lochranza on Arran is great for wild camping, the distillery is nearby should you need any libation and the island itself is absolutely perfect for exploring the best of Scotland. @hollyclose
The back garden. @Redlee3000 ■ If you’re planning to wild camp remember to follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code outdooraccess-scotland.com
11 Jul–22 Aug 2013 THE LIST 27
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