The lovely Scottish port town of Mallaig sits at the end of the famed Road to the Isles, and is often considered the gateway to the Isle of Skye. However, don’t overlook this lovely area as simply a means to grab a ferry, but rather see it as a stunning destination unto itself. The village and surrounding region is full of charm, beauty, and some of the most stunning beaches in Scotland.
We always think a camping trip is the best way to get to know a place, and Mallaig is no different. With a variety of camping and caravan parks in the immediate vicinity, there’s no reason not to spend a few nights sleeping under the stars.
Keep reading to see all your options for a Mallaig camping trip and the find the perfect pitch for next adventure.
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Mallaig Camping
There are a wide variety of camping and caravan parks south of Mallaig along the Road to the Isles route. These are a great place to spend a few nights, or simply stop over on your way to Skye if you’ve been camping near Fort William or Ben Nevis.
The majority of the camping and caravan parks are located south of Mallaig and closer to the village of Arisaig, but all are convenient if you’re continuing north. There are some seriously amazing campsites in this part of Scotland, and you’ll have your choice of beach front pitches at many of the parks included in this guide!
We’ve also created the map below to give you a better sense of each caravan park’s location so you can choose the option that works best for your trip.
Enjoy!
Camping near Mallaig
The region in and around Mallaig is spoiled with choice for caravan parks. Although you won’t find anywhere to pitch up in town, or in the immediate surrounds for that matter, there are many option just down the coast. Read on to get a sense of each caravan park and find the one that best suits your needs.
Camusdarach Campsite
Distance to Mallaig Railway Station: 5 miles / 8 km
Camping Options: Caravan & Camper pitches, tent pitches, Glamping pods
Reservations: Essential during summer months.
One of our perennial favorites for camping near Mallaig is the wonderful Camusdarach Campsite. Sharing a name with the nearby beach, this is a small campsite that makes for a great place to spend a few nights. They have excellent tent pitches as well as hard standing pitches for caravans and campers, all set with wonderful views out towards the Islands.
Thoughtful touches make all the difference at Camusdarach, including defined tent areas, electric hook up points, and free WiFi covering the entire site. This is a very convenient location as well as you’re just a short drive from Mallaig and even closer to Loch Morar. Activities are nearly endless here, but we highly recommend a day spent at Camusdarach Beach.
In addition to camping facilities Camusdarach also offers several Glamping pods for those looking for a slightly elevated experience.
The owners here go above and beyond to ensure you have a great stay, and we highly recommend Camusdarach Campsite for camping near Mallaig.
Silversands Caravan & Campsite
Distance to Mallaig Railway Station: 8 miles / 13 km
Camping Options: Caravan & Camper pitches
Reservations: Essential during summer months.
If you’re after a truly stunning location with pitches immediately adjacent to the sea, then Silversands Caravan & Campsite is just the place for you. We’re not exaggerating when we say this has to be one of the most spectacular locations for a caravan park in the entire UK! Unfortunately, they do not accommodate tents here, so this is only for the campervan and caravan crowd.
However, for those on a touring trip who don’t mind being a little ways for any nearby amenities, Silversands makes a truly incredible place to spend the night. Direct beach access and hard standing pitches keep guests coming back year after year, while the hosts are happy to provide local recommendations for things to do in the area.
The on-site amenities are basic and include a clean shower block, laundry facilities, and a chemical disposal point. There is no WiFi here, but who needs it with such incredible views to enjoy!
Portnadoran Caravan Site
Distance to Mallaig Railway Station: 8 miles / 13 km
Camping Options: Caravan & Camper pitches, Tent pitches
Reservations: Not currently accepted
The Portnadoran Caravan Site is another seaside caravan park with a stunning location. This is a family run site, which unfortunately doesn’t currently have a website or much information available. However, they do accept both tents and campervans, and many guests rave about the beautiful location.
Sunnyside Croft Touring & Camping Site
Distance to Mallaig Railway Station: 8 miles / 13 km
Camping Options: Caravan & Camper pitches
Reservations: Essential during summer months.
Sunnyside Croft is a small, family-run touring and camping site located south of Mallaig. Occupying a peaceful location adjacent to the coast and with great views out toward the Islands, there is a relaxed vibe here that is perfect for a holiday in the Highlands. Sunnyside Croft primarily serves campervans and caravans, but they do have some room for smaller tents available as well.
Pitches here are hardstanding with access to 16 amp electric hookups and all enjoy access to free WiFi. The site is very well maintained and the facilities are cleaned on a regular basis. You’ll also have access to a drying room, laundry facilities, and a dishwashing area. Sunnyside Croft also puts a special emphasis on sustainability.
The location is excellent for exploring the region, as you’ll be approximately halfway between Morar and Arisaig with easy access to much of the surrounding attractions. You can also walk to several great, white-sand beaches directly from your pitch, making this a great option in the Mallaig area.
Invercaimbe Caravan & Camping
Distance to Mallaig Railway Station: 7 miles / 11 km
Camping Options: Caravan & Camper pitches
Reservations: Essential during summer months.
Another small, independent, caravan park located south of Mallaig is the Invercaimbe Caravan & Camping Site. You’ll find just 14 pitches here, all right next to the sea with beautiful views out over the white sands and to the Islands beyond. This is a great option for those looking to disconnect and who aren’t interested in the hubbub of some of the larger caravan parks in the area.
You won’t get any fancy amenities here, but you will enjoy a tranquil setting with very friendly owners who make you feel right at home.
Advance bookings at Invercaimbe are essential, and we recommend reaching out to them via Facebook for the quickest response.
Kinloid Caravan Park
Distance to Mallaig Railway Station: 7 miles / 11 km
Camping Options: Caravan & Camper pitches, tent pitches
Reservations: Recommended
A simple, farm-style campsite north of Arisaig and just off the A830 to Mallaig is the Kinloid Caravan Park. You’ll find a rustic camping vibe here with a basic field for tents as well as a few campervan pitches. Nothing is hardstanding here and the facilities are very basic, but you’ll enjoy great views in a relaxing pastoral setting.
Kinloid is a bit further from the coast so don’t expect direct beach access and the midges here can be quite bad given you won’t get that helpful seabreeze.
However, the owners are friendly and it isn’t nearly as busy as some of the larger caravan parks in the area.
The Croft Caravan & Camping Site
Distance to Mallaig Railway Station: 7 miles / 11 km
Camping Options: Caravan & Camper pitches, tent pitches
Reservations: Recommended but not essential.
Another of the seemingly endless seaside campsites near Mallaig is The Croft Caravan & Camping Site. This is a basic campground that can accommodate tents, caravans, and campervans, in a beautiful location. The pitches sit adjacent to a small beach which is sheltered enough offer swimming for those brave enough to get in the cold water!
There are no hardstanding pitches here, so be prepared to park or pitch on the grass. The facilities are quite basic, but certainly more than adequate and include a toilet block. It is worth noting that there are no shower facilities at the Croft.
As you’d expect, this is a great option if you want a no frill camping experience where the focus is on the beautiful surroundings. If that’s what your after, then the Croft Caravan & Camping site is definitely worth a look.
Tigh-na-mara Campsite & Pods
Distance to Mallaig Railway Station: 7 miles / 11 km
Camping Options: Caravan & Camper pitches, Tent pitches
Reservations: Recommended.
Ok, Tigh-na-mara Campsite & Pods is our final campsite located on the popular stretch of coast between Mallaig and Arisaig. Given that there are several excellent choices in this area (almost too many!) Tigh-na-mara doesn’t make our list of top recommended sites. Not to say it isn’t a wonderful place to spend the night, it’s just you’re likely to have better options for the money.
You will enjoy the excellent beach access directly from your campsite here as well as the private and quiet location. Facilities could use some upgrading, and many campers feel you don’t get a great value for your money.
All that being said, Tigh-na-mara is still a great option if you find other campgrounds in the area full and you’re dying to get that beach front pitch you’ve been dreaming about!
Wild Camping
With any camping guide we always get the question of where one could wild camp. Although Mallaig and the surrounding countryside benefit from the same permissive wild camping rules as the rest of Scotland, we recommend first pitching up at one of the excellent developed campgrounds in this guide.
It would be difficult to find a suitable wild campsite that respects both the environment and private landowners in the Mallaig region, but for those who are determined to do so, we’ve included some tips below.
Wild Camping near Mallaig
First and foremost, you’ll need to familiarize yourself with the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, which defines the rules surrounding wild camping. You can check out the full code here, and we’ve distilled it down into it’s essential pieces below:
- The Scottish Outdoor Access Code permits wild camping.
- Wild camping is lightweight, done in small numbers, and only for two or three nights in a single place.
- Avoid camping in enclosed fields of crops or farm animals.
- Keep your campsite well away from buildings and roads
- Always Leave No Trace by packing out litter, property handling human waste, and removing evidence of your pitch, and avoiding campfires.
Given that much of the countryside surrounding Mallaig consists of enclosed fields, private homes, and farm uses, we don’t think there are many suitable spots for a wild camp. If you’re determined, a quick Google search will turn up a few results for some of the popular beaches along this stretch of coastline that can work in a pinch.
If you’re coming for holiday and hoping to save on accommodation costs by simply pitching your tent on the coast and claiming it as ‘wild camping’ we recommend you consider other options as in our opinion that goes against the spirit of wild camping.
For a much better wild camping experience, we recommend hopping on one of the many ferries in Mallaig that take you out to the adjacent Small Isles, where there are plenty of appropriate wild campsites to be had.
What to Bring
We’re sure you’ll already have the essentials like a great tent, sleeping bags, and camp chairs, but below are some of our favorite items for camping near Mallaig:
- Map: A good map is essential to exploring the area, and learning more about your surroundings. We always recommend bringing an Ordnance Survey map and this version covers the area around Mallaig and Loch Morar.
- Camping Stove – This classic piece of gear is perfect for cooking up deluxe campsite dinners.
- Cooler – Keeping food and drinks cool is essential when camping.
- Midge repellent – Camping in the Highlands is almost synonymous with midges. Be sure to pack some bug repellent to fight off these tiny nuisances!
Have a great trip!
That’s it!
We hope we’ve provided all of the information you need to plan a fantastic camping trip, and we know you’ll find the perfect campsite for your upcoming adventure!
Be sure to let us know in the comments below if you have any questions and be sure to tell us about your trip!
