Does anyone have any experience of the Red Squirrel camp site of the Old Glencoe Road? Should have the opportunity to take youngest two camping this weekend and I thought it might be a good compromise between wild camping and a typical manicured commercial camp site.

Thanks,
Mark

I've never stayed there Mark, but from my glances as I've walked past and through it I'd say it'd fit loosely in between wild camping and manicured. 'course it'll likely be crowded on a bank holiday w/e.

There's a nice little wander up to Blea Tarn for the kids from there, and you can get high using the Wrynose and Hardknott Passes by car, then onto the tops. Pike o' Blisco makes a pretty interesting top with a tall cairn for the kids to marvel at, or Crinkle Crags for rocky scenery.

Thanks Ian.
Forgot about the Bank Holiday - I don't close the business on the bank holidays so they tend not to register with me.
Might leave it for a week, the traffic will be a pain.

Thanks for the walk suggestions. The youngest is limited to about 6 km walk. Was thinking about taking them up to the lost valley or looking for a low level walk down Glen Etive. Will definitely check out your suggestions though.

Mark

I've stayed there a few times Mark. The facilities are pretty basic, but the situation is fantastic. It's one of the few campsights that allow campfires, and that can help with the midgies. It is handy for the Clachaig too! :)

I think Ian must be thinking of another 'Red Squirrel'?

AArgh! Sorry about that - I completely goofed. I was thinking of the NT site in Gt Langdale (Lake District). Still if you're ever down south ...

Never stayed at the one in Glencoe either - we used to rough camp by the Clachaig Inn in Summer, or stay in the hostel in winter. The Pap of Glencoe might be a good challenge for the kids, but I think they'd love the Lost Valley.

Thought I'd tidy up the post with my experience.

Myself, wife and 3 children under 8 stayed at the Red Squirrel on Saturday evening. The gentlemen who checked us in was very pleasant and welcoming. Camp site was busy, very mixed groups. After taking advice we camped in the family area, which was supposed to be quieter. While fairly basic, facilities were adequate, and the children loved the fire pits. At eleven thirty - having lit a small fire, fed the children and repeatedly told them not to shout - we all headed to bed. At this point I found out that the family area is one of the main thoroughfares for drunks returning from the Clachaig. I lay prepared for the impact of a falling body, crashing through the flysheet of my little tent after failing to safely negotiate the out stretched guys; crushing myself and my third born in the process. This was followed by an increasingly heated discussion between a slightly the worse for wear couple regarding the unrequited advances of a male friend and the need to immediately communicate clarification of the situation with said acquaintance via a text message.

I really shouldn’t mock, I used to spend many a Friday night camped outside the Clachaig in the early 90’s. My rose tinted memories of such always bring a smile to my face. Perhaps the reality of those days for the unfortunate families that encountered me and the loud and ruckus band of lads found it as distasteful I did last weekend. In fact I realised, that I had never been to the front bar before because we used to think that it was to posh and always drank in the climbing bar. [Incidentally, waiting time for food at Clachaig on Saturday night was one and a half hours at eight thirty, regardless of what you were having. It may be better to make the effort to turn up earlier on a Saturday evening if you intend to eat.]

In summary, the Red Squirrel is reasonable campsite in a good location and very reasonably charged for families. Staff are very helpful, even have jump leads for idiots that let their car batteries go flat. Wouldn’t recommend it on a weekend in high season, but can only assume that mid-week it would be much better. Family area while a good idea doesn’t really seem to work fully in practice. One other point I'd note, it was midgie central there on Saturday night and Sunday morning. The family area was probably one of the most sheltered areas in the camp site, if staying again I'd trade-off the family area for a more exposed pitch.

Mark

We stayed there a couple of years ago. We picked somewhere down the far end, which seemed less busy. As you say the midges were a huge problem, especially as it was warm and drizzly when we were there. I can remember staying in the "Gardner's Hut" behind the Clachaig for several winters in the 1980's. One night it was so cold that a half finished can of Special Brew had frozen by morning.

The bunk house accommodation next to the Clachaig used to be reasonably priced, but I haven't stayed there since the 1990's. At least it's midge free!

Ian.