Scottish Caravans & Motorhomes

Parkreview
Wigwam
glam
With breathtaking views, quirky accommodation
and friendly local wildlife, Loch Tay Highland
Lodges is a glamper’s dream, writes Sally Hampton
Pictures Courtesy of LoCh tay vaCations (right, top and bottom); saLLy hampton
Scotland waS enjoying ‘weather for ducks’
when I visited Loch Tay Highland Lodges
to try their glamping facilities. The friendly
local ducks certainly seemed very happy
with it as they waddled past my front door at
regular intervals. They gather in numbers at
breakfast-time, obviously confident that spare
breadcrumbs will be coming their way. I was
also thrilled to spot several red squirrels darting
between the trees.
The Loch Tay Highland Lodges estate,
owned and run by Largo Leisure Parks, is
situated on a beautiful spot at the west end of
Loch Tay, near Killin. Visitors can enjoy the
best of both worlds: hills and water.
The park’s own three-mile circular hill
track, near the main entrance, is suitable for
walking and mountain-biking. From here you
can enjoy amazing views of loch and mountains.
More adventurous walkers can also access the
paths network on the Ben Lawers national
Trust area from the track.
At the lower end of the park, on the shores
of Loch Tay, you can rent a pebble boat for
fishing or watching the swans and ducks at
closer quarters. Prices, from £40, include
fishing permit, fuel and lifejackets, with fishing
Nearby
attractions
The park is situated
in a beautiful part of
the country, with the
stunning Falls of Dochart
and Killin on the
doorstep plus Doune,
Stirling, Callander and
the Trossachs National
Park within easy reach.
Nae Limits outdoor
activity centre offers
land and water thrills.
Auchingarrich Wildlife
Centre and Highland
Safaris get you close
to the animals. On
a rainy day, head to
Deanston Distillery
or the beautifully restored
Castle Menzies.
Clockwise from above: Interiors are
comfortable; my wigwam had cooking
facilities, but the Tay Bistro was too
tempting; the park runs down to the
loch; wigwams include outdoor space
rods for hire separately. Other activities include
a putting green, disc golf, children’s play area
and boat trips. Also nestling by the water’s edge
is the Loch Tay Bistro, serving delicious Italian-themed
meals. You can relax in the comfy
bar area or pick up logs for your fire pit here.
There’s a touching story behind the bistro’s
current management: the family in charge ran
an independent restaurant in Callander until it
suffered extensive water damage as a result of a
fire in the flat above. While their own premises
are being renovated, they’ve been invited to run
the bistro at Loch Tay.
With just four units available, Ready Camp doesn’t feel crowded and the site facilities are nearby
Visions of nature
I caught up with Largo Leisure Group’s Marketing
Manager, Jon Morley, who explained that,
while traditional lodges are still very popular,
glamping is a big growth area for the business.
‘Of course, the views are a great attraction,’
says Jon. ‘You’d never get permission to build
a huge hotel in such a scenic spot, but come
glamping and you can look out on one of the
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Scottish Caravans & Motorhomes winter 2017
www.scottishcaravansandmotorhomes.co.uk