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Dam View

UK Scotland Central Scotland Stirlingshire

Luxury safari lodges in a class of their own, set on a 100-acre farm within Scotland's unspoiled Gartmorn Dam Nature Reserve.

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. Also, the Ivy lodge features a wonderful wood-fired with a beautiful view of the Dam.

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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Facilities

Safari tents boast everything you could wish for from a luxury retreat, including three bedrooms, crisp white sheets under a thick duvet, hot water bottle, a well-equipped kitchen, roll top bath with shower head inside, wood-burning stove to keep you toasty and outdoor decking. The tents are situated above Gartmorn Dam a SSSI Nature Reserve, where there’s a working poultry farm. Fires are permitted using the firepit provided and outdoor games are provided in the tents.

Suitable For

Glampers, families, couples, and groups – yes. Tents, caravans, motorhomes and dogs – no.

Nearby

It's a scenic 45-minute drive to St Andrews where you will find excellent beaches, a world renowned golf course and many restaurants and farm shops. If you'd like some pampering you could pop up to Gleneagles (01764 662231) for a luxury spa or lunch. Closer to the site, Dollar is a lovely little village with walks up to the castle and through the hills. If you don't fancy such a calf-straining walk then pop in for an ice cream or milkshake, and wander up the burn to Mill Green Park where all the local children paddle when it’s warm. The Kelpies (01324 590600) – a sculpture of huge Clydesdale horse heads standing 30 metres over Helix Park – makes for a great afternoon out, plus there’s a visitor centre and a small cafe. As impressive as they are during the day they are even more so at night – so if you are heading back from Edinburgh at night, look out for them! Do bring bikes (the path around the Dam is reasonably smooth) and you can also go further afield and tackle some longer and slightly harder rides. There are many places around the Dam to stop for a picnic (or try some bird watching) and there’s a coffee shop at the head of the Dam which is an ideal end-point to grab some refreshments. Lochleven Castle (01577 862670) is an early 15th-century tower where Mary Queen of Scots was imprisoned in 1567 and spent a year at the castle as a prisoner, before dramatically escaping. The castle is only 16 miles from the site and you can take a boat ride over to the castle and follow in the footsteps of Mary and Robert the Bruce.

Food & Drink

BBQ and breakfast packs are available if requested before arriving and Dam View also have their our own eggs, chicken and duck available. The Juniper Bar and Restaurant is an independent restaurant in Tillicoultry (01259 753777) with excellent local food at reasonable prices. The chef has worked at some of the UK's best restaurants, including Gleneagles. Muircot Farm Shop & Bistro (01259 750886) is the ideal place for breakfast, lunch or just a quick snack – they also serve mostly local produce. Cafe Des Fluers (01259 743699) in Dollar used to be open only in the daytime and they dish-up the most amazing scones, cake and milkshakes. At the time of writing they started serving evening meals too, but please check with them directly. The perfect place to eat if you fancy a traditional Scottish meal with the freshest of ingredients, Bridge Street Kitchen (01259 928020) is well worth a visit. They also serve a few dishes in tapas quantities and host themed nights throughout the week. Finally, The Tormaukin Inn (01259 781252) offers a stunning setting, and were featured in the 2015 Michelin Eating Out Guide. If you enjoy walking then you can ramble from Dollar Glen across to the Tormaukin, and really work for your meal! The restaurant is popular so book ahead to avoid disappointment.

Opening Times

March–end of October.

Why book with Cool Camping?

Best Price Guarantee, with no fees
Instant booking confirmation
Trusted for over 10 years
A chance to win prizes in our regular competitions

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, 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, 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. 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.

Accommodation

3 fully-equipped luxury safari lodges (sleeping 6).

Ivy Lodge

Safari tent Sleeps 6

Quintessential, luxury glamping, within a 100 acre farm above a beautiful nature reserve. You have your own wood-fired hot tub, wood burning stove and a camping stove available for the mornings where you would like a cup of tea or coffee without starting the fire.

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Tabitha Lodge

Safari tent Sleeps 6

Quintessential, luxury glamping, within a 100 acre farm above a beautiful nature reserve. You have your own wonderful wood burning stove and a camping stove available for the mornings where you would like a cup of tea or coffee without starting the fire.

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Location

Contact Dam View, Dam View, Gartmorn Farm, Alloa FK10 3AU

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Getting There

Head north on Clackmannanshire Bridge and at the roundabout, take the first exit onto the A977. Continue for just under 2 miles to the B9140 and then turn left onto B9140. Continue straight on the B9140 (through the village of Coalsnaughton) and turn left at Gartmorn Farm, after you leave the village on your left hand side – when the trees begin is a farm track. Follow the farm track all the way along until you reach a gate, turn left down the hill towards the tent car park.

Alloa train station is a 15-minute drive (just under 5 miles) and there are buses running from the village.

Reviews

Add Your Review

Rated ★★★★★ over 2 reviews

★★★★★

Perfect

A long weekend in mid September in a perfect bolt hole. The Albion Safari tent has 3 (!) bedrooms each kitted with lovely warm duvets comfortable mattresses -and most importantly for our 7 year old- a unicorn hot water bottle. We needed to pack nothing but our clothes. BBQ and breakfast packs were lavish. Even marshmallows were provided. Decor wonderful. Luxury bath products and a beautiful bath. The children went brambling, chick holding and horse patting. We listened to owls and observed herons. Sarah and Robin were easygoing responsive hosts. Will love to come again.

Sep 18, 2018 by R Butcher

★★★★★

Absolutely fabulous!

Wonderful long weekend at Dam View. More than what we were expecting. Great setting overlooking the Dam with horses roaming in full view. Very quiet and peaceful surroundings. The accommodation was fantastic. Sarah has great taste in furnishings. Wonderful beds and duvets made for enjoyable rest and relaxation. Must try their chicken BBQ packs, best chicken ever! We all agreed will definately come back.

Aug 28, 2018 by P Kioupkiolis

Why book with Cool Camping?

Best Price Guarantee, with no fees
Instant booking confirmation
Trusted for over 10 years
A chance to win prizes in our regular competitions

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