I'm looking for some advice.

I want to take my youngest camping in a couple of weeks time. Perhaps, Friday night. I want to keep it simple to see how we (I) cope. Don't particularly want to "wild camp" from the back of the car and I'd like to avoid a 5Km portage from car to campsite. I was actually considering ... and don't tell anyone ... using a campsite!!!! I'm looking for something around the central belt that we could get to after work on Friday. With some good areas for an interesting, exploring, adventurous 6Km walk on the Saturday.

I'm already scoping out some possible locations for a wild camp in the summer with all of the boys, but looking for a little warming up exercise.

Thanks,
Mark

"looking for a little warming up exercise."

Mark, given that in another thread we're bemoaning the lack of interest our children have in the outdoors, I'd ask you to consider just what positive things you expect your children to get out of a nights camping in possibly sub-zero temperatures?

It's character building ;-)

Seriously, I'll be looking at the weather forecast. Cold isn't too much of a concern as you can combat this with extra layers. We have a 4 season tent, 4 season bags and 4 season ground mats. We won't go if it's going to be raining. I think we need to be somewere we can go inside to eat (child friendly pub perhaps). It's been milder here this week, so I was hoping that towards the end of March the weather may have improved somewhat.

Alternativley, the backgarden is looking like a wild place at the moment. With the option of a warm retreit if it all gets too much.

Can't help with location specifics. I think I'd echo John's note of caution too. It's too easy to destroy a lot of ground work with one bad memory. I went camping in APRIL once. Standard sleeping bags etc and a bigger (read colder) family tent. Despite warm daytime temperatures we froze at night. We look back at it 7 years on and laugh, but we've never repeated it. I think a campsite close to a family pub is the best bet - or the back garden with a retreat to the house if needs be.