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Swim, Walk and Explore at Red Squirrel Campsite

We have been going to the Red Squirrel campsite for a good few years now and it never disappoints. The campsite is located in the heart of Glencoe and a great base for exploring the area.

The site itself is suitable for tents and off grid campervans they also have a couple bell tents that can be hired too. Around the site there is shower, toilet and dish washing facilities. There are no electric hookup but you can charge small devices in the office if required. There are plenty of firepits across the site that campers can use and firewood can be bought onsite.

Down by the river there is a fantastic area for wild swimming that is usually busy on hot days with the young and old going in for a dook! When we visited there was a hot food van and an ice cream van came round at night. There is a cracking shop & petrol station called Claymore Filling station a few miles along the road that stocks everything I mean everything its like an aladins cave.

Clachaig Inn

Just a short 10 minute walk from the site you will find the Clachaig Inn which is a cracking place for drinks, food and often have musicians playing in the evening.

There is also a cracking walk to Signal rock (this is said to be the place where the MacDonalds gathered when faced with danger during the Glencoe massacre). If you fancy a hike you can head up the Pap of Glencoe or explore the beautiful Glencoe Lochan.

Glencoe Lochan

If you are like us and you want to explore the area there is so much to do within a 10-15 mile drive.

The turf house.

Glencoe Visitors Centre is around a 3 mile drive where you can learn more about the history and scenery in the area, outside there is beautifully contructed turf house and amazing views of the mountains. Entry fees do apply or free to National trust members.

The lost valley

The Lost Valley is a fantastic walk and starts a 3.5 mile drive away. This is a beautiful walk into the lost valley where the Macdonald are said to have hid their rustled cattle. This walk isn’t just a wee walk in the park so be prepared but well worth it.

Glen Ettive

Glen Etive is around a 12 miles drive and a beautiful scenic drive with various spots that you could have a dook in the clear waters of the River Etive. You could stop of the ionic spot that James Bond stopped in Skyfall.

Kinlochleven

Kinlochleven is around a 10 mile drive and is a beautiful villiage with shops, cafes and pub. It is also home to the world’s largest artificial ice climbing wall, the Ice Factory. There is also a beautiful short along to Grey Mare tail waterfall.

Grey Mare tail

There is so much more to do this is only a small selection and there are plenty of mountains to climb!

Glencoe

Red Squirrel is a fantastic site in beautiful surroundings wether you are a munro bagger or enjoy a chilled out holiday.

https://redsquirrelcampsite.co.uk/camping/

https://www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/glencoe

https://discoverglencoe.scot/

Places to Eat

Aberdeenshire

The Bank, The Square, Huntly

  • Cafe & Restaurant (licensed)
  • Open daily for breakfast, lunch, coffee, and evening meals!
  • Great selection on the menu, lovely staff and a great place to relax enjoy a meal out in cosy warm surroundings!

The Pitstop Tartan Bus (Roy’s Bus), A96, Inverurie

  • Cafe and takeaway
  • Open Wednesday – Saturday 8am-3pm and Sunday 8.30am-3pm
  • They serve a cracking breakfast as well as main meals and snacks.

The Larder Gordon Street, Huntly

This is where I get my lunch from on work days!

  • Takeway
  • Open Monday – Thursday 10am-2pm Friday 10.30am-2pm
  • Amazing range including cakes, pies, savoury pastries, soups and made to order sandwiches
  • Dog Friendly

The Soo’s Lug Main Street, Alford

  • Cafe and takeway
  • Open Friday & Saurday 9am-3pm Sunday 10am-3pm
  • Cracking bacon rolls made with Piggery Smokery bacon and coffee

https://piggery-smokery.co.uk/


The Market Cafe, Huntly Mart, Huntly

  • Cafe
  • Open Tue & Thur 8.30-3pm, Wed, Fri, Sat & Sun 8.30-4pm
  • They serve lovely wholesome homemade breakfast, lunch and coffee’s & cakes

Places to Eat

Moray

Threaplands Garden Centre, Lhanbryde IV308LN

  • Cafe/Restaurant (Takeaways also available)
  • Open 7 days
  • Lovely breakfasts, meals, snacks, cakes and coffee
  • Dog friendly area in the large gazebo at the front

https://www.threaplands.co.uk/


19 Crepes & Coffee, 19 Batchen Street, Elgin

  • Cafe
  • Open daily Monday – Saturday
  • Amazing sweet and savoury crepes and waffles, breakfasts and coffee

https://19crepescoffee.business.site/


Grampian Hotel, Regent Square, Keith

  • Restaurant, Hotel and Bar
  • Open daily Tuesday – Sunday for breakfast, lunch, afternoon teas and dinners
  • Great pub grub and homemade cakes.
  • Dog Friendly

https://grampianhotelkeith.com/


The Humble Burger, Munro Place, Elgin

  • Takeway
  • Wednesday – Saturday 12pm-3pm & 4.30pm-9pm Sunday 12pm-3pm & 4.30pm-8pm
  • Very tasty range of burgers, fries and burritos

https://www.thehumbleburger.co.uk/


WDC Scottish Dolphin Centre Cafe, Speybay

  • Cafe
  • Lovely soups, sandwiches, cakes and coffee

https://dolphincentre.whales.org/cafe/


Lily’s Kitchen Cafe, Seafield Street, Cullen

  • Cafe
  • Open Tuesday – Saturday 9am-4pm & Sunday 9.30am-4pm
  • Winner of the world Cullen Skink championship they also service breakfast and a good selection of meals, snacks and cakes.

Willow & Birch, Millbuies Country Park, Fogwatt

  • Takeaway/Outside Seating
  • Open Thursday – Monday 10am – 3pm
  • Lovely coffee, hot chocolate, soft drink and delicious tray bakes and cakes.
  • Dog Friendly

Portknockie Fish and Chip Shop 7 Union Street, Portknockie, AB56 4LF

  • Takeaway
  • Open Thursday – Sunday 4.30pm – 7.30pm order ahead to avoid disappointment from 10am.
  • Traditional fish and chips, their famous pop pop chicken as well as your usual chip shop favourites.

https://portknockiechipshop.co.uk/

Places to Eat

Highlands and Islands

Oregano Mobile Catering, Banks of the River Ness, Inverness and various other locations.

  • Takeaway
  • Locations and days vary see social media for updates
  • Delicious food served such as macaroni, breakfast rolls, soup, paninis and homebakes

The Seaforth, Quay Street Ullapool

  • Restaurant and fish and chips takeaway.
  • Reopens 27th of February
  • Great range of pub grub and seafood (seafood platter is amazing). Lovely fish and chips served in the takeaway next door.

https://www.theseaforth.com/