Troquhain Woods

92%

21 reviews

· Castle Douglas, Scotland · 14 acres

Hosted by Malcolm S.

6 RV/tent sites

Best in Scotland: Finalist

Named one of the best Hipcamps to visit in 2023.

Nearly wild camping for tents and campervans in a Scottish woodland

Red squirrels, deer, and woodland birds will be your neighbours at Troquhain Woods in Galloway. Here in the south west of Scotland, you can enjoy a wild camping experience among the trees – with the convenience of a toilet and a tap. It’s a simple set up that’s been put together by host Malcolm, a woodsman whose speciality is building bridges. He’ll more than likely welcome you to your temporary home in the forest, although it’s not hard to find. You might feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere when you’re tucked among the trees but this woodland site is actually handily just off the A road which links Dumfries with Galloway Forest Park. It makes this wild camping experience as accessible for campervans as it is for those with tents.

The road can mean a little noise from passing traffic but it’s hardly a distraction from your wild surroundings and nor are the other campers, if there are any here when you stay. There are just a handful of pitches so staying feels like the privilege it is. It also gives you the chance to concentrate on the important stuff – like getting that campfire going. Logs are included in the price of your pitch.

It goes without saying that this 15-acre woodland is a place that suits self-sufficient campers. Only the very basics are provided and if you’re coming here you’ll want to know how to manage with those and your wits. You are asked to bring your own drinking water and to leave no trace of your stay. There’s no shower and no shop – in fact the nearest one is a couple of miles away in Balmaclellan with the closest places to eat or drink out, further than that in New Galloway or St John’s Town of Dalry. But those who’ll like it here the most wouldn’t have it any other way. They’ll likely be here for the campfire craic, for the dark skies and stars, for the wildlife and walking or for the mountain biking in nearby Galloway Forest Park.

Parkup or pitch your tent in our woods. Nice campfire nice walks chill out Packed with bird life, redsquirrels and deer we are in the Galloway Dark Skies, near numerous mountain bike parks and quiet cycling roads. Loch Ken watersports center 5 miles and lots of walking in the hIlls to be done Visit the Solway Coast, local market town Castle Douglas, Village Shop 2 miles,

RV details

Travel trailers, Fifth wheels, Pop-up campers, Class A RVs, Class B RVs, and Cars allowed

Vehicles under 65 feet allowed

variety of sites, level or unlevel

Pull-in site

variety of sites, level or unlevel

Accommodates slideouts

variety of sites, level or unlevel

Surface type: Grass or field

Surface levelness: Flat

No electrical hookup

No water hookup

No sewage hookup

No TV hookup

Generators not allowed

What to expect

RV/tent site

Camping area selected or assigned upon arrival.

8 guests max per site

Campfires allowed

Toilet available

Pets allowed

Picnic table present

No potable water

No showers

Pack it out

Cooking equipment absent

No wifi

Laundry absent

Hot Tub absent

No playground

Things to know

Getting there

Check in: After 2:00 PM

Check out: Before 12:00 PM

On arrival: Meet with Host

Cancellation policy: Flexible

Minimum nights: 1 night

Accepts bookings: 12 months out

Park at listing

Wheelchair access

Max 1 vehicle

2WD accessible

During your trip

Leave it better

Inclusion policyWe have a zero-tolerance policy against discrimination at Hipcamp. We are committed to helping our Host and Hipcamper communities be inclusive.

92%

32 ratings · 21 reviews

Kyle R.

5 months on Hipcamp

Recommends

· November 2024

16 ft Class B · Group trip

The pitch is pretty much perfect if you want a basic camp. 4 of us with a camper had a great time from start to finish. Malcolm is very attentive as a host and kept us stocked with firewood and came to make sure we didn’t want for anything. Loch Ken is not too far away and has a good water sports centre with decent boat hire for fishing.

Steve R.

11 months on Hipcamp

Recommends

· October 2024

Wild heaven

16 ft car

A cracking "wild" campsite. Do not expect electric hookups, onsite bistro or complimentary spa facilities. However, if you want to hear the deer barking 20 yards from your pitch or the owls hooting during the night then this is the place for you.

Matthew H.

6 months on Hipcamp

Recommends

· September 2024

Tent · With kids

The campsite was wonderfully quiet, nestled in the woods. The firepit was a real highlight. Malcolm was very friendly and helpful. Perfect for wild camping lovers!

Nicola B.

6 months on Hipcamp

Recommends

· September 2024

Great camping site

Tent · With kids

Malcolm was so friendly and helpful, he provided plenty of wood for the camp fire. The set up of the camp is great plenty of space. We saw a bat and heard the owls at night time my little girl loved. We will definitely be back and would recommend this to everyone

Patsy ?.

2 years on Hipcamp

Recommends

· August 2024

Tent

Really basic but great. Beautiful surroundings, welcoming fire and lots of walks around the place. Saw deer, bats, swans and heard owls.

Karen O.

5 years on Hipcamp

Recommends

· August 2024

16 ft Class B · With pets

Fabulous back to nature type of camping. Malcolm was so friendly and helpful. If you like having a camp fire this is perfect...firewood provided. Pitch was large and would be ideal for groups of family or friends. Would return.

Location

Castle Douglas, Scotland, United KingdomTo respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking

Hosted by Malcolm S.

Joined in September 2022

From the host

Beautiful wild woodland in the Galloway Hills, Situated in the the Galloway Hills we offer space to park up or tent in our woodland. Facilities are basic, we offer a toilet, a sink with wild water (we suggest campers bring their own drinking water although we drink it). We have a campfire with wood provided. No showers yet but you can always warm some water on the fire and have a bucket wash! We are in the galloway dark skies so wonderful starlight nights if its clear. Within the approx 20 miles we have a number of the seven stanes mountain biking parks, the Solway Coast and its spectacular tides, the Loch Ken Water sports center and castle Douglas a lovely small market town.

Nearby attractions

Troquhain Woods are just off the A712 a couple of miles outside Balmaclellan where you’ll find the closest shop. A little further along the road takes you into the Galloway Forest Park. A good place to start exploring it is at the Clatteringshaws Visitor Centre (nine miles) on the edge of a loch. It’s a good place for birdwatching and stargazing as its one of the darkest areas of the park. There’s great walking and mountain biking too – but head to the otherside of the park for more of that. Two 7Stanes MTB parks, Kirroughtree and Glentrool, can be found there, both within a 40-minute drive of site. Two further 7Stanes parks are about the same distance in the other direction; Dalbeattie Forest and Ae Village. There’s adventure on the water at Loch Ken, about four miles from site. Head for the Galloway Activity Centre on its shores for paddleboard hire and other activities. The Solway Coast is 25 miles from the site if you want to dip your toes in the sea or see some of its dramatic clifftop scenery and sandy beaches.

Food and drink

The closest shop to Troquhain Woods is in Balmaclellan (two miles). A mile or so further on is New Galloway where there’s a cafe at the CatStrand art centre, a tea room and a community shop which sells local produce. For a meal out, head to St John’s Town of Dalry (five miles) where The Clachan Inn is a good option. There are more eateries and more shops in Castle Douglas (16 miles), a designated food town where there’s claimed to be more than 50 local businesses which produce or sell good quality local produce. There are also a couple of small supermarkets for other supplies.

Things to do nearby