This past weekend we went on our first family UK camping trip. I won’t lie, it wasn’t the easiest camping trip as it appears that neither child wanted to sleep, but despite lack of sleep it was a great weekend!
We booked a pitch at Glenmore Campsite, under the shadow of the Cairngorm’s. We arrived and booked in, not long later we had the tent up. We shouldn’t have worried about getting a tent up with the boys there, it was easy enough as they ran around playing as we put it up. A shame the midgies were attacking us at every moment when pegging out the tent!
I also, on a whim, brought my hammock with us. It’s a little old now, but hasn’t been out since my gap year when I slept in it every night for months. A loved lying in it and looking up at the trees above, both Chris and I found it really comfortable, probably more so than our beds in the tent!
The weather was dry when we arrived, but unfortunately it started raining during Friday night and continued through to Saturday afternoon. This wouldn’t have been so bad if we didn’t have a little person who is attracted to any small body of water and immediately jumps in, falls in, kneels and sits in the puddles. I quickly realised I hadn’t packed enough changes of clothes for A! He didn’t seem to care and lots of fun playing in the water and very annoyed when we stopped him the following day on his last change of dry clothes!
Glenmore campsite is right beside Loch Morlich, so of course we had to go for a little explore. You can hire boats and kayaks there, I remember sailing toppers on this loch when I was (a lot) younger. The boys had fun playing on the beach and throwing a dogs toy they found into the water. As I was the only one with tall wellies I was designated to wade in to get the ball each time. A, of course, went in above his wellies early on and then fell over in the water. As he was soaked through we didn’t stay too long!
Between the loch there is a little park area, where the boys had fun running around and playing on the equipment. There were no slides, so O was a little disappointed, but we did have fun on the wobbly bridge, logs and swing.
Notes for our next camping trip;
* Take more spare clothes and jackets for our toddler
* Take 2 pairs of wellies each for the children
* Bring midge repellent
* Buy self-inflating mats for sleeping
* Bring a foldaway table and chairs (we were lucky there was a picnic table available)
* Bring extra warm clothing for sleeping, maybe even thermals!
Do you have any other camping tips?
J x
Looks like a lovely trip, great memories for the future! And I love the hammock, I love the idea of them but can never quite get comfy!! #whatevertheweather
Ha ha, yes you have to get it just right! I don’t like the hammocks all saggy, they need to be tight and almost flat to begin with to make them comfy! 🙂 x
I actually love camping but haven’t been in years, no idea how A would take to it (would probably love it though). We have a hammock in our back garden so perhaps I’ll just go and have a swing on that instead haha. #whatevertheweather
Ha ha! Yes that sounds like a good idea! You should definitely try camping with Archie, it’s great really! 🙂 x
Ahh I love a camping trip! Good advice about 2 pairs of wellies as one always gets wet and plenty of changes of clothes. I have learnt what to take over the years and now have a great set of equipment. I always take a torch for every member of the family too. Great post 🙂 #whatevertheweather xx
Thanks! Yes, we torches too, but as it’s still light late and early here it wasn’t a problem. Still can’t believe how many changes of clothes we needed! 🙂 x
We camped in Scotland last year and loved it-apart from the midges! I know what you mean about needing more changes of clothes than you thought possible! I’ve yet to experience camping with older children-my little boy is only 7 months-but all I can add is bananas and wet wipes.
Both good things to bring too! The midges can be horrific when the weather is still, you need a good breeze. We used to camp at the top of cliffs for the main reason that it was windy and would keep way the midges! 🙂 x
No camping trip is complete without some rain! Looks like you had lots of fun despite the rain. We love camping and always say we’re going to do more of it! #whatevertheweather
That’s true! We did have lots of fun thank you! 🙂 x
Oh, you’re brave! We haven’t been camping with the kiddos yet! Love your tips at the end – I also like that you’re honest about it being work! I know it would be but I also know the kids would have a great time. #whatevertheweather
It really is great fun, even if it’s a bit harder work! 🙂 x
Our camping this year was also very wet, it does make it more challenging! I would highly recommend the self-inflating mats, and whiskey x #whatevertheweather x
Lol at the whiskey! I will have to research the self inflating mats! 🙂 x
My tip would be to stay in a hotel lol. Camping is my idea of hell (bad memories of the scouts) The photos and boys are gorgeous but you didn’t sell the camping idea to me; midges, puddles etc ewww
Ha ha! Some people aren’t going to like camping and that’s ok! 😉 I used to love it when I was younger, especially wild camping, so much more different with kids, but I’m sure once the kids are used to it will get easier. You can avoid midges by camping somewhere windy! 🙂 x
It’s been years since I went camping and Mr Toddlers is not keen on even trying it no matter how often Mr7 asks to go. So we opt for chalets – you stay dry and warm 🙂
Ha ha! You should try it just once! Can even go glamping these days?! I love camping and hoping the boys will get more used to it as we go more often! 🙂 x
What a shame you didn’t get more sleep out of the boys. Fresh air usually does the trick. My top tip is always take a torch for trips to the loo in the middle of the night x #WhateverTheWeather
Yes, I don’t quite know what was going on! Fingers crossed for next time we go! We had torches in the car but fortunately didn’t need them this time. 🙂 x
Self-inflating sleeping pad make all the difference. We just bought new ones for Christmas. I have found that wide one are more comfortable. You don’t roll off of them during the night as much.
I shall bear that in mind when I get mats, wide self-inflating ones! 🙂 x
We always pack too many clothes!! A great start on your camping journey! The first time I camped I could sleep and the last time we went camping it was in a storm!! #Whatevertheweather
Eek, not sure about camping in a storm! Ha ha, next time I will pack loads of clothes too! 🙂 x
You looked like you all have a fab time… I’m jealous with the hammock! We have tried camping before with my hubby and his friends in Red Squirrel in Glencoe, it was really a nice experience. I would love to go camping again and tag along the kids this time. Great tips here! Thanks for sharing. #WhateverTheWeather
Red Squirrel is on my list of campsites to visit too, I live Glencoe and have heard good things about that site. The hammock will definitely be a camping essential I think! 🙂 x
Looks like a fab time, despite the weather. I really want to go camping with mine but am petrified of dealing with her and the inevitable mud, water, mess and general child activities I can wash off so easily at home. Thanks for hosting #whatevertheweather
It’s definitely not as easy as at home to get cleaned up, but if you get a tent with the larger living area and bring a few towels then most thing’s are easy enough to clean up. It is fun though! 🙂 x
This sounds like a lot of wet fun!! I’m not a big camping fan (more of a glamping person!) but I would love to take M just to give her the experience 🙂 #whatevertheweather x
It certainly a great experience for the kids and despite the lack of sleep this time, we’ll still take them again next year! 🙂 x
Thanks for the tips, we are yet to camp with Monkey but what to give it a go if I can convince Hubby. Looks like you had great fun despite the weather. Thank you for hosting #whatevertheweather xx
Good luck convincing him, it’s definitely worth it for the experience and I’m sure it’s easier once they’re used to the routine when camping. 🙂 x
It sounds like you had a lovely trip despite the weather. I’m very jealous of your hammock – great idea to take it with you. It looks like a lovely part of the world to visit.
Alana x
Thank you, it was a great trip and the hammock was fun to have! 🙂 x
I really wanted to camp but the rain! It would be nice if our kit is rain friendly but we are not kitted well.
This made me long for camping. What a lovely trip! #whatevertheweather
We had to get a new tent as our old one wasn’t big enough, we’re used to wet weather in Scotland and so the boys have all the waterproofs and wellies for it! It’s definitely a fun thing to do! 🙂 x
Looks like you had a lovely time despite the rain and lack of clothes. We had a similar experience last week in Cornwall. My husband pitched a tent in Porth and spent a couple of nights camping with Annabelle. She loved it and was too excited to sleep. I couldn’t camp out with them which was a shame as our tent was too small. Maybe next time. Bx
That’s lovely they had a camping trip together, hopefully you can borrow a bigger tent so you can go along next time too. 🙂 x
Well done for braving a camping trip. Total respect! I always think you just have to go ahead and make it fun, be positive about it – even with the lack of sleep – and sounds like you did just that! Can’t imagine my daughter sleeping well either but the inflatable mats sound like a very good idea xx
Oh yes, even when you are exhausted, you just need to think positive thoughts and keep on going! Hoping for better sleep when they get used to it! 🙂 x
Oooh, looks like you had a lovely time. I definitely want to go camping in the future and would love to take everyone to Scotland as it was a favourite holiday destination for us growing up 🙂
Scotland is a gorgeous country, would highly recommend a holiday here, of course I’m biased though! Make sure you have midge spray for when there is no breeze! 🙂 x
Looks like it was a great family experience and a fun weekend! I loved camping when I was growing up and hope to go with my husband and son at some point. Thank you for hosting #WhatevertheWeather
Hope you enjoy it when you go, we love camping so much. Hopefully the boys will learn how to sleep in other places! 🙂 x
What a great trip! Even when it’s wet, camping is still so much fun isn’t it! Haha A sounds so much like Evie. She is drawn to water and dives straight in. We have to keep spare clothes in the car now! We’re planning on going camping before winter, so I’ll definitely keep in mind these tips. It looks like everyone is having so much fun in the pictures. Are hammocks really that stable? I’d be so afraid I’d roll over and fall out. x
Oh no, bring lots of clothes for Evie when you go camping, more than you think you might need! It doesn’t matter to A that he’s wet, but I don’t want him to get cold! Hammocks are great, once you can get in and out ok, then you won’t fall out, this is an army hammock and you can open it up so you can completely cover yourself and spin around if you want! :b x
Sounds like a brilliant weekend! We want to take our two camping but think we ate going to wait another year or two.
My daughter also LOVES water and will splash in the smallest amount if she gets the chance, so I probably wouldn’t have bought enough clothes either! ? Xxx #WhateverTheWeather
Even after all the lack of sleep and wet clothes, it was still lots of fun! If you do go make sure you bring loads of clothes then! 🙂 xx