Disappointing campground in spectacular surroundings (Red Squirrel Campsite (Glencoe))

Member Name: tconnor

Product:	Red Squirrel Campsite (Glencoe)
Date:	13/09/08 (259 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Half mile to Clachaig Inn, beautiful surroundings

Disadvantages: over priced for poor facilites

I am up in Glencoe quite a lot and have stayed at the red squirrel campsite many times; it was in fact my first introduction to staying in GlenCoe over ten years ago!

First the positives: The campsite is in a really pretty position & if you pitch your tent well the first thing you will see when you unzip the fly sheet in the morning is a mountain.

For me another advantage is the fact that the Clachaig Inn is approx half a mile away. After a tough day in the hills its nice to know you don't have to cook if you don't want to & that a traditional Scottish Inn serving good filling food is a short walk away. in Addition the Clachaig is a great night out at the weekends with a chance to meet like minded outdoor junkies. The real Ale is good as well!

This campground also has some fire pits where you are allowed to have a full blown fire until 11pm.

As a previous reviewer stated - this can be like wild camping, if the campsite is quiet & you pick your self a suitable pitch.

Unlike both the nearby hostels you can pretty much turn up & get a place to stay for the night.

Disadvantages: For the ladies there are only 2 showers & 3 toilets housed within a portacabin. There are also a few portaloos. There is a small area for cleaning dishes & that is it regarding facilities.

The price for this has crept up over the years from £4.50 a person ten years ago to £7 a person & 50p for your shower. I don't think that is outrageous however I haven't seen any improvements over the years, and for a mere £3 extra you can get a real bed in either the SYHA or independent hostel a couple of hundred meters down the road; both of which are very acceptable, family or fun friendly and have inclusive showers and decent kitchen facilities. The owner of the campsite is not exactly short of cash so it would be nice to see a complete overhaul of the showering/toilet facilities.

As the river which runs through the campground was diverted by the owner many years ago there is a tendency to extremely flooded conditions if the rains fall continually.

At peak times such as bank holidays when the weather is good, it can get really busy with zero parking at times; this isn't the norm but worthwhile knowing.

As the Clachaig is so close, it can get pretty noisy when the pub closes & despite a keep quiet after 11pm sign there are nights when parties around tents continue into the night. Likewise it can be really noisy very early in the morning when the non revelers are getting up to start their days activities!

Like much of Scotland the Midges can be vicious bring your repellent if visiting from May-Aug!

My first choice for accommodation will always be the Glencoe Independent Hostel, followed by the SYHA. I do still stay at the red squirrel mostly when i have decided on a spur of the moment trip up to Glencoe when both the hostels are full.

Useful Links:

www.redsquirrelcampsite.com - website for the campsite

www.clachaig.com - website to the infamous Inn, contains menu, accom options, entertainment and the links pages also very good at pointing you in the direction of other local businesses

www.glencoehostel.co.uk my preferred accom in the Glen

www.www.syha.org.uk/SYHA/Web/Site/Hostels/Glencoe .asp

Summary: Improve the shower facilities & this could be a fantasic campground