Back when we first visited in those early days it was the stark rusticity of the place, tucked amid inspiring landscapes and boasting ancient stone farm buildings, that made it really stand out. Years later, with the addition of electricity, toilet and showers, there has certainly been a change, yet the subtlety with which James and Hazel have shaped their campsite means the same unpretentious, rural-camping character still shines through.
There’s plenty of space (15 acres to be exact) and the large camping field offers spectacular views across the surrounding countryside. The atmosphere is relaxed and informal; kids can often be found paddling or trying to catch crayfish in the farm’s tinkling burn before dragonflies appear at dusk. Communal campfires accompanied by evening sing-songs are commonplace, while in the morning campers are woken by the dawn chorus and get to throw open their tent doors to the sight of Culvennan Fell, framed in the morning mist…
The aforementioned stone buildings have now been tastefully converted, with a barn space acting as a surprisingly cosy sanitary block. Large ‘rainfall’ showers provide the perfect way to warm up if bad weather caught you out on a fell walk, while thoughtful touches like free handmade soaps and scented candles show the owners care as much for the site now as they did when they first unlatched the gates years ago. The same thoughtfulness can be seen in their newest additions, a bunk-house Bothy, in the old cowshed, the wooden roundhouse, at the bottom of the field, each with fire-fed range ovens and an unbeatabley snug interior, and the Mongolian Yurt, new for 2015 complete with a log burner.
Adjacent to the campsite is Balloch O’ Dee’s trekking centre, which offers a warm welcome to young riders. Tuition is available with qualified staff for every level, or simply enjoy a free ride around the site and help Hazel with the grooming. By day, little ones will have a great view on horseback across the surrounding countryside and farmland. By night, they can keep their eyes peeled for shooting stars and ponder what sort of fun other campers might be having in another galaxy far, far away.
The pony-trekking centre should provide hours of fun for budding jockeys. Children are welcome to stay at the stables for the day and groom the horses, learn more about their new four-legged friends and join in with the mucking out (bring wellies and waterproofs!). Three Lochs Holiday Park (01671 830304) is a couple of miles down the road. Activities on offer range from archery to mountain biking. You can book fishing at Loch Heron and Loch Ronald at the park’s reception to go after pike as large as 30lbs for supper. In nearby Newton Stewart you’ll find a swimming pool (01671 404301), and a community-owned cinema that regularly screens the latest releases as well as live theatre shows. In summer, the programme is usually family-orientated.
Check out the House o’ Hill Hotel at Glentrool (01671 840243.) It has a fabulous location at the edge of Gallery Forest and a menu to match – crammed full of local produce with something tasty for even the youngest of diners – our firm family favourite were the homemade fishcakes.