Hiding amongst 100 acres of farmland on the edge of Gartmorn Dam – Scotland’s oldest reservoir, dating back to 1713 – there's something palpably wild about Dam View. If you thought you were in the middle of nowhere on the drive here, prepare to feel even more isolated as you wander the surrounding nature reserve, where hours of walking trails await. And with all the romance and beauty that this part of the Central Lowlands inspires, it's important to find accommodation to match. Thankfully, Dam View is as equally pleasing as its natural surroundings.
Three family-sized safari lodges (sleeping six in three bedrooms) come lovingly furnished with crisp white sheets, vintage leather sofas, and antique furniture. At the heart of the open-plan living space is a well-equipped kitchen, and – thank you, Dam View – a roll top bath, so you can appreciate that unspoiled scenery whilst having a soak. Not finished there, each lodge boasts a wood burning stove keeping the interior warm in all weathers, whilst also providing a means of cooking.
With all that space and fresh air to soak up, it's surprising to think that Glasgow and Edinburgh are both just an hour’s drive away. If you’ve not been, Edinburgh Castle is a must, and if you visit on a Saturday you can pass through the city’s farmers market and say hello to your host Sarah, selling Gartmorn Farm’s popular poultry. You’ll find plenty to enjoy close by too – the lodges overlook Gartmorn Dam Country Park and Nature Reserve, which buzzes with birdlife and offers connecting footpaths only two-minutes away.
After spending days exploring the nature reserve and beyond, Dam View is a comforting base to return to each evening. Sarah has done her hosting homework, pre-empting her glampers' every need – bathrooms stocked with toiletries and outdoor games are testament to that. The beautifully appointed tents also feature outdoor decking, so you can enjoy sunsets overlooking the reserve and the dam below. Allow evenings to float peacefully by, whilst enjoying the simplicity of a wild getaway – albeit in one of Scotland’s most luxurious lodges.
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The Owner Says
We are situated on our small 100 acre family farm looking out over a nature reserve with miles of walking, bike riding and bird watching straight from your lodge. The lodges are all kitted out for your arrival with fresh beds, towels and toiletries. The kitchen is equipped with everything you need for your stay with us, with all your cooking and kitchen utensils and pots, we have two cool boxes for your use with more freezer packs available on request. There is a wonderful wood burning stove, much like an Aga, that heats the whole tent on those chillier days and evenings whilst also having an oven and hob too. There is a camping stove also available for the mornings where you would like a cup of tea or coffee without starting the fire. There is also a BBQ outside for you to use outside and a fire pit for toasting marshmallows on.
There is a roll top bath with shower attachment in the tent, you can even open the back of the tent to enjoy the view while having a bath. There are towels provided for all our guests, along with locally made shampoo, body wash and hand soaps. The toilet is right outside your lodge for your privacy, it has a flushing toilet and small hand basin inside it. We do not have power in the lodge, however the toilet uses solar lighting and there is a solar powered phone charger in the kitchen for your use. We provide solar powered lanterns and battery powered candles for around the lodge in the evening. We can provide you with breakfast packs and BBQ packs if requested before your stay, the meat is all locally sourced and you can purchase meat straight from our farm (zero food miles). We have our own pet chickens on site that are looked after by our children, they would be delighted to bring guests fresh eggs. Our farm has chickens, ducks and turkeys, we hatch our own chicks all year around, but during the summer months our turkey chicks arrive which is a very exciting and busy time on the farm. If you would like to visit any of our chicks please ask when you are here if there are any to see at that time. In Spring time there might even be an opportunity to help to feed some pet lambs. We do live in a beautiful peaceful setting, however if the wind is blowing the wrong way, then you might hear some road noise. Luckily this also means that although you will feel like you are in the middle of nowhere it also has the advantage that we are in a very good location for visiting the rest of Scotland.
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Pitches
3 fully-equipped luxury safari lodges (sleeping 6).
Who's In
Glampers, families, couples, and groups – yes. Tents, caravans, motorhomes and dogs – no.
Facilities
Nearby
Food & Drink
Open
March–end of October.
The Damage
3-night weekends from £490, 4-night midweeks from £400, weekly stays from £720. Monday and Friday check-ins only.
Getting There
Public Transport
Alloa train station is a 15-minute drive (just under 5 miles) and there are buses running from the village.
Facilities
- Campfires Allowed
- Groups welcome
- No pets allowed
- No pets allowed
- Campfires permitted
- Groups welcome
- Good for kids
- Exclusive Hire
- Showers
Looking For...
- Bicycle Routes
- Car-free option
- Family-Friendly
- Forests
- On the farm
- Remote location
- Romantic Retreat
- Sensational Views
- Walking
- Walking
- Nice Views from Site
- Remote location
- Romantic retreat
- Forests nearby
- Mountains nearby
- Good walks nearby
- Bicycle routes nearby
- On the farm
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