Picturesque spot in Scotland’s ‘Braveheart country’ crowned Campsite of the Year

A STUNNING campsite set deep in “Braveheart country” has been voted the best in Scotland by travel experts.

The Automobile Association (AA) unveiled their hotly-anticipated list of the UK‘s finest outdoor accommodations at this year’s Caravan and Camping awards this week.

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Every year, the AA celebrates the UK’s best campsites and caravan parks.

Selected for their overall quality and high levels of customer care, all of the sites have excellent reputations.

With 16.7 million camping and caravanning enthusiasts exploring the UK each year, the awards offer a range of destinations from serene escapes to upscale glamping sites, to add to their bucket lists.

The winners have been carefully selected by a panel of experts, working anonymously, visiting establishments to score them on the standards of facilities, customer service, cleanliness, and overall experience.

And this year a site at the foot of the Ochil range in Stirlingshire – which has been operated by the same family for almost forty years – has taken the top spot in Scotland.

This year’s AA Campsite of the Year for Scotland was awarded to the stunning Witches Craig Caravan & Camping Park in Stirling.

The family-friendly park which is positioned as the “gateway to the Highlands” has collected the prestigious award for the second time having previously been named Campsite of the Year in 2015.

The AA praised the idyllic site near to the National Wallace Monument for its attention to detail and its attractive setting which forms an “impressive backdrop to the park”.

From the mountains and the lochs of the nearby Trossachs to the river running through the Forth Valley to the estuary at Edinburgh, Witches Craig is surrounded by some of the most breathtaking scenery in Scotland.

The site has been hosted by the Dewar family since the 1950s and has been graded as “exceptional 5 star” park by VisitScotland.

The campsite has also won many other awards such as “Loo of the Year” and a David Bellamy “Gold” Conservation award.

Owner Veda Dewar told of her delight at the result on social media.

She said: “This announcement came as a huge surprise! My family and I are absolutely delighted to receive the special award for the AA Scottish campsite of the year.

“I would like to thank the AA for recognising our hard work and dedication over the years, together with a massive thank you to all of our customers.

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“We are currently closed for the winter but are very much looking forward to the 2025 season.”

This year’s visiting AA Inspectors found it picturesque and welcoming with outstanding facilities for motorhomes, caravans or campers in tents.  

The inspector’s comments said: “In an attractive setting, deep in ‘Braveheart’ country, this  extremely well-presented park stands at the foot of the  dramatic Ochil Hills, which form an impressive backdrop to  the park.  

“Witches Craig has been tastefully developed by the  Dewar family, and the mature landscaping and beautifully  maintained grounds continue to impress our inspector, with the terrific displays of colourful shrubs and plants, all lovingly  cared for by Veda Dewar.  

“The attention to detail across the  park is superb, especially within the immaculate toilet block, and the quirky metal statues and themed carvings from tree  trunks that stand around the park.”

The review continued: “The touring pitches are  all on large hardstandings and set in small areas to provide  a feeling of seclusion, while tents are in a large, well-drained  field to the rear of the site, replete with cooking shelters and  picnic benches.  

“First-time visitors or campers that have been  visiting the site since childhood, as many customers have, are guaranteed of a warm and friendly welcome from Veda  and her staff.  

“A regular local bus service to Stirling passes  the site entrance and many of the historical sites are just a  short drive away.  

“This is not a big site (it does have a bar and  swimming pool) but a very popular family-owned park that  attracts customers on a regular basis to this stunning area.”  

Witches Craig will now feature in the AA’s guide for the 2024/25 season as Scotland’s best campsite.

The awards celebrated 12 exceptional sites across the UK, which were selected by the AA’s expert inspectors for their “outstanding” quality and commitment to customer satisfaction. 

Categories included AA Glamping Site of the Year, AA Campsite of the Year, and AA Most Improved Campsite of the Year. 

This year’s winners come from across the UK, from the sweeping views from the Isle of Anglesey in Wales to the ancient woodlands nestled within the South Downs of West Sussex. 

Tyddyn Isaf Caravan Park on Isle of Anglesey was crowned the overall winner of the UK’s Campsite of the Year, and also scooped the award for Wales.  

Simon Numphud, Managing Director at AA Media, said: “As local travel continues to grow and sustainable tourism gains momentum, we are excited to announce the best camping and caravanning destinations for the upcoming year.  

“This year’s winners have demonstrated outstanding quality along with a strong dedication to eco-friendly practices and customer satisfaction, making them excellent options for UK travellers.”