Highland
Pinewood pitches on the Rothiemurchus estate, a mile from Aviemore
Rothiemurchus Camp and Caravan Park sits at Coylumbridge on the road between Aviemore and Glenmore, on the edge of the Rothiemurchus estate and inside the Cairngorms National Park. The setting is Caledonian pine forest, one of the largest surviving fragments in Scotland, with heather and blaeberry underfoot and the Cairngorm plateau visible through the trees. It is a quieter, more wooded alternative to the larger sites nearer the ski road.
The park is modest in size, with around seventeen level pitches for caravans and motorhomes, all with electric hook-up, plus separate grass areas for tents scattered among the pines. Facilities are better than the small scale suggests: a heated amenity building with toilets, showers and a dishwashing area, and a separate laundrette. Dogs are welcome on leads, which suits the estate's working farm and forest setting. There is no shop or bar on site, but Aviemore is a mile or so away with supermarkets, outdoor shops and restaurants.
What you get in return is direct access to some of the best low-level walking and cycling in the Highlands. Paths lead from the site through the forest to Loch an Eilein and its island castle, to the Lairig Ghru pass, and on towards Loch Morlich with its sandy beach and watersports centre. The Cairngorm Reindeer Herd at Glenmore, the funicular and the ski area are all a short drive up the valley. Expect around £40 a night for a pitch outside school holidays, with higher rates in peak weeks. Booking ahead is sensible given how few pitches there are.