Campsites in Edinburgh

Discover Edinburgh

Set on a series of extinct volcanoes, Scotland’s capital has captured the imagination of writers, artists and visitors for centuries. Its medieval Old Town slopes from the castle down the hill to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, its buildings crowding the narrow streets. It’s here you’ll find many of the key attractions, from the National Museum of Scotland to St Giles’ Cathedral. The New Town – itself over 200 years old – has a completely different feel, with broader streets and a symmetrical pattern. Once intended as a residential area, it’s now the city’s commercial centre.

Edinburgh’s vibrant, bustling atmosphere has made it a popular destination for tourists and a trendy choice for university students. Its growing popularity has led to a great selection of bars and restaurants springing up in the port of Leith, where the royal yacht, Britannia, now floats. You can have a look around the yacht, which has been kept largely as it was while in service.

There are several campsites near Edinburgh that have good transport links to the city, so you can explore its streets and buildings on foot. Alternatively, you can hop onto an open-top bus tour to see the main attractions. The CitySightseeing tour even has Horrible Histories commentaries to keep kids engaged.

Reasons to visit Edinburgh

Whether you’re visiting as a couple, a family or with friends, there’s no shortage of fun to be had in Edinburgh.

Festival fun

If you’re heading to an Edinburgh Festival, camping is a great option as it gives you a base from which to experience the fun, as well as a chance to explore outside the city.

Edinburgh’s Fringe Festival is internationally recognised as the world’s biggest and best celebration of arts and culture. With an astonishing number of performances to be enjoyed across 300 venues, it draws hundreds of thousands to the city’s streets each year. Comedy, music, dance, circus and more takes place throughout August, with plenty of child-friendly, interactive shows for families. There are also market stalls where you can buy high quality, handmade goods, foods and souvenirs.

The Fringe isn’t your only chance to experience the festival vibe in Edinburgh though. Another highlight is the Children’s Festival, which runs through the last week of May. Aimed at getting kids of all ages engaged with the performing arts, it showcases theatre, dance and puppetry from across the globe. Many performances take place at the National Museum of Scotland and give children the chance to try art activities and get involved too.

For the infinitely curious, there’s the Edinburgh Science Festival, which takes place in early April. It’s got interactive activities for children of all ages, which explore all sorts of topics from photography and robotics to global warming and the natural environment. For adults, there are discussion panels, workshops and shows covering astronomy, human culture, cell biology and more.

Family days out

Besides festivals, Scotland’s capital has a lot to discover. Edinburgh Castle is one of the city’s must-visit attractions, and has a range of rooms to explore, including the Great Hall, the Royal Palace – where Mary Queen of Scots gave birth to James VI – and St Margaret’s Chapel, Edinburgh’s oldest building. Don’t miss the chance to see Scotland’s dazzling crown jewels, which have a turbulent history of their own. If you’re visiting with younger kids, grab a copy of the Explorer Quiz to keep them interested and help them notice the smaller details around the castle.

Zoos are always a favourite with families, and Edinburgh Zoo has some extra special animals to meet. It’s home to the UK’s only koalas and giant pandas, as well as its largest outdoor penguin pool, where knighted penguin Sir Nils Olav lives. You’ll also see barbary macaques, flamingos, zebra, vultures and wallabies.

Something a little different

Perhaps you’re looking for campsites in the Edinburgh area so you can try an activity that’s unique to Scotland. When it comes to experiences, there’s little more Scotch than a whisky tasting. The Scotch Whisky Experience runs a selection of tours from introductions to the world of whisky through to in-depth tours with tastings and food pairings. Alternatively you can head just outside the city to the Glenkinchie Distillery, where you can learn about the making of their 12-year single malt, see the production area and take part in a tasting. If you don’t have a car, don’t worry – you can book onto their shuttle bus service from Edinburgh city centre for a small fee.

There are lots of legends about fairies, kelpies and other magical creatures in Scottish lore, so what better way to discover these tiny beings than on a fairy trail? Just 45 minutes from our Edinburgh campsite is Archerfield Walled Garden, where you can find fairy homes hidden among the trees. Collect a Fairy Trail Quiz and follow the signs to find their houses. Once you’ve found them all, you can nip back to the shop to pick up some delicious local produce.

Why choose Experience Freedom?

To choose Experience Freedom is to gain access to some of the best campsites near Edinburgh and across Scotland. Located to the north of the city, our Edinburgh site is within easy reach of the city centre, the coast and a number of golf courses, so it’s perfect for a range of activities. Our sites are carefully maintained by dedicated staff and are close to transport links that enable you to properly explore. Select a site for full details or to book online.