Glamping vs Camping: Which Is Best For A Scottish Getaway?

Glamping has been a profitable part of the UK hospitality scene for a while now. What was a quirky, niche way to enjoy a festival, particularly the Glastonbury experience, has spread far and wide. Glamping has evolved to include various forms of accommodation and packages in locations across the country. It is even possible to enjoy some time in the Scottish wilderness while glamping. But is glamping the right choice for your family? Is traditional camping more your thing? Let’s compare them.

Glamping: Luxury Experience

Glamping grew in popularity because of the focus on the luxury experience. The idea is you have something that’s a halfway point between being in a rustic campsite and a more high-end hotel. The best glamping sites in Scotland do a fantastic job of creating that balance with attractive accommodation and plenty of amenities in the right rural location. You can get a good night’s sleep in a bed and the facilities to shower and make food, but you’re still right in the heart of nature and separated from other huts, yurts, pods, or whatever else the site uses.

Camping: Wilderness Experience

This luxury experience is the main reason so many campers upgrade to glamping for a memorable camping experience in Loch Ness. However, many campers would argue that it takes all the fun out of the experience. Many still appreciate the romance of the more rustic approach and having to do everything yourself with minimal provisions. This could mean making coffee in a pot over a fire at dawn rather than having a lie-in and using the on-site coffee maker. Some prefer the sense of adventure in putting up a tent, rolling out the sleeping bag, and being so close to the natural world.

Glamping: Connections To The Real World

One of the concerns that holidaymakers have when booking camping trips is the loss of any connection with the real world. Many people can’t wait to cut themselves off for a week and unwind. Others find that heightens anxiety. They want to be contactable in case of an emergency. They want some link to the office if they are in charge of major projects. Just as importantly, many want to maintain their wi-fi connection. A reliable wi-fi connection at glamping accommodation can make a massive difference to couples and families. They can send messages, enjoy social media, and watch entertainment at the end of a day of exploring the Scottish landscape.

Camping: Completely Off-grid

The problem with staying connected to the real world like this is that you aren’t really getting away from everything unless you can be very disciplined with your technology. It’s fine if you can happily turn off notifications and divert calls to voicemail, but that’s not always that easy. Camping gives you a better excuse to completely ignore everyone apart from your fellow campers for a while. You get to be fully present with them as you make beautiful family memories. If you want to take photographs, you can use a digital or disposable camera instead. Sometimes, it’s comforting to know that when you say you are out-of-office, that office can’t suddenly make demands while you’re up in Scotland.

Glamping: Wildlife In Close Range

Glamping in Scotland can offer the best of both worlds when it comes to that luxury experience and a rural retreat. Many come to Scotland, in particular the area around Loch Ness, to see wildlife they wouldn’t necessarily find closer to home. There are must-see species in the woods and lochside areas, such as red deer, red squirrels, otters, and pine martens. There’s also the chance to go and see if Nessie wasn’t to show herself. This is much more enjoyable and serene for couples from the comfort of glamping accommodation. You can sit out by the fire with a glass of wine and scan the nearby area to see what’s around.

Camping: Wildlife In Your Tent

With camping in a tent, it can be a bit of a different situation. There is the potential for some amazing views of wildlife close to where you pitch up for the night. You get to feel at one with the area as you listen to all the sounds of the forest and look at the stars from inside your sleeping bag. However, there’s also the chance of a few residents getting a little too close and making their way into the tent. This doesn’t mean that the local foxes are going to wander in and raid your supplies, but you could find a few creepy-crawlies hanging around. This isn’t ideal if you head to Scotland camping during midge season.

Glamping: Accessible Location

Finally, the upside to these glamping sites in Scotland is that they are all very accessible on good road networks. It may take a while to get here, especially if you’re driving up to Loch Ness from down in England, but you’re going to be able to find your way with the sat nav. You can park up close to the accommodation, so you easily get supplies from the car, and you have the chance to use the site as a base for other trips.

Camping: Remote Location

Camping sites, unless they are managed sites with designated pitches, can be more remote. That might work in the favor of some campers who really want to be alone out there. The downside of shared glamping and camping sites is the other guests. Unless you’re booking out a whole site for the whole family, you’re going to have some neighbours to contend with. They might be a little noisy or a little overly friendly with their campfire activities and group hikes.

Which Is Right For You? Camping Or Glamping?

There are pros and cons to both sides of the camping experience. You might feel that no form of additional luxury or convenience can improve the camping experience. Maybe the thrill comes from the remote location, lack of communication, and the deeper connection to the natural world. Or maybe those luxuries and amenities are just what you need to convince you that a family camping trip won’t be a rustic nightmare. Check out the different opportunities for camping and glamping near Loch Ness and beyond. Find a site that appeals to the whole family, and enjoy your time away.