MMM – September 2019

September 2019outandaboutlive.co.uk 111

Readers share their honest opinion to help you choose the perfect campsite

Yurcampsite reviews

BraemarCaravanPark,Aberdeenshire

SCOTLAND

Braemar is a traditionalHighland
villagein the heartof Cairngorms
NationalPark, sit uated besidethe
River Dee. It is a wonderful basefor
exploringthe mountains orfollowing
whiskyand castle trails. The village
is onNorth East 250 andthe 90-mile
SnowRoads Scenic Route.
Braemar CaravanParkis owned
andrun byInvercauld Estate, which
covers 200 square miles of the
Cairngormsandadjoinsthe National
Trust for Scotland’s Mar Lodge Estate
on one sideandthe Queen’s Balmoral
Estate onthe other. These estates
encompass mountains,rivers and
ancientCaledonian forest that provide
varied wildlife watching opportunities,
withiconic speciesincludingred
squirrels, mountain hares, pine
martens, red deer and golden eagles.
Westayedhere for aweekend
duringthe autumnwhenthe colours
of the treesandhills were superb, and
the red deer were rutting. The site is
geared up for all seasons– including
winterwhenBraemar feels likean
alpine village –havinghardstanding
pitcheswithelectric hook-up,
heated washrooms, a dryingroom
and a variety of fresh water points
(includingindoor ones forsub-zero

temperatures). So, it’s anideal base for

skiing, withGlenshee Ski Centre just

upthe A93at the headof Glen Clunie.

All gradesof walkingareavailable on

the doorstep, asareoff-road cycli ng,

golf and salmon fishing.

WhenI booked onlineI wasable to

select myindividual pitch preference

in advance. Like the other pitchesit

turned outtohave a lovelyviewover

surroundingbirch andpinetrees

toheatheryhills. Separate areas

accommodate tourersandtents

andthere aresix woodencamping

pods. The site had all the facilitiesI

expected, includinganeasy-to-use

motorhomeservicepoint and agood-

sized, wooded dogwalking area.The

villagehasanexcellentway-marked

walksnetwork, which I joinedby

crossingthe roadandfollowingpaths

throughthe woods.

It was aneasy stroll along the

pavement intothe

village, which is well

servedbyshops,

restaurants andhotels.

Braemar Castle is on

the opposite side

of the village and

BalmoralCastle

is close by.

PLANYOUR STAY

©Crown copyright 2019 Ordnance Survey. Media 002/19

+Glenshee Road, Braemar,

Aberdeenshire AB35 5YQ

)01339 74137^3

braemarcaravanpark.co.uk

All year

£ Two adults, pitch and electric: From

£23

Nearest public transport:500 metres

Nearest pub/restaurant:300 metres

Directions:Dire ctly offthe A93 on the

south edge of Braemar

Looking downGlen Clunie towards Braemar Shopsinthe centreofBraemar

PitchesatBraemarCaravan Park

FelicityMartin