Braemar Caravan Park and Camping Pods Blog

To assist our customers and potential customers who may be spending some time at Braemar Caravan Park, we would like to introduce the current staff working on Braemar Caravan Park, their roles,  and share a little bit about their background with you.

We would like you to feel able to approach any of the staff for help if required, and at the same time feel comfortable with who you are asking for assistance.

It may help make your stay a more pleasant and relaxing experience for you.

Hopefully, the questions and answers below will raise a smile or two. Enjoy reading!

A Group Picture of the Team

 from left to right:-  Tom Johnson, Chris Novak, Mike Rock, Peter Burt.

Mike Rock

Employed as Joint Park Manager to co-manage the caravan park.   

Q 1.   What date did you start on this park?   

            A.    September 2019.                                 

Q 2.   Most unusual place you have visited in your life?

           A.     Smoo Cave in Durness, Sutherland.

Q 3.   What movie can you watch over and over again?

           A.     Greatest Showman.

Q 4.   What item could you not live without?

           A.      Nice Shoes.

Q 5.   What tips or tricks have you picked up from your job?

           A.      Expect the unexpected & treat people how you would like to be treated on site.

Q 6.   When was the last time you slept for more than 9 hours?

           A.      Can't remember....... maybe when I was ill last summer.

Q 7.   Where's your go-to restaurant for amazing food?

           A.      Braemar Lodge.

Peter Burt

Employed as Joint Park Manager to co-manage the caravan park.  

Q 1.   What date did you start on this park?

           A.     September 2019.

Q 2.   Most unusual place you have visited in your life ?

           A.     The top of the Space Needle in Seattle.

Q 3.   What movie can you watch over and over again?

           A.    The Green Mile.

Q 4.   What item could you not live without?

            A.   Cake.  

Q 5.   What tips or tricks have you picked up from your job?

            A.   Always go with your gut feeling and instinct.

Q 6.   When was the last time you slept more than 9 hours?

            A.   On last day off, previous week.

Q 7.   Where's your go-to restaurant for amazing food?

           A.   Braemar Lodge - especially the desserts !!

 Chris Nowak (Tiff)

 Employed as Assistant Warden - to assist with the smooth running of the park.   

Q 1.    What date did you start on this park?

           A.   August 2019.

Q 2.   Most unusual place you have visited in your life?

           A.   Top Mountain Motorcycle Museum on the high alpine road in Austria - love the Alps.

Q 3.   What movie can you watch over and over again?

           A.   Vanishing Point  (1971).

Q 4.   What item could you not live without?

           A.   My motorbike.

Q 5.   What tips or tricks have you picked up in your job?

           A.   Always check the weather forecast. You will be asked !!

Q 6.   When was the last time you slept more than 9 hours?

           A.   Tuesday, I think. Whenever possible.

Q 7.   Where's your go to restaurant for amazing food?

            A.   Anstruther Chippy - Simple tastes !!

Tom Johnson

Employed as Assistant Warden - to assist with the smooth running of the park.

Q 1.   What date did you start on this park?

            A.   April 2019

Q 2.   Most unusual place you have visited in your life ?

           A.    A classic motorbike museum in Cyprus where the owner even made us a Cypriot coffee and talked us around his collection.

Q 3.   What movie can you watch over and over again?

           A.   The Butterfly Effect.

Q 4.    What item could you not live without?

            A.   A good pair of hiking boots.

Q 5.    What tips or tricks have you picked up from your job?

            A.  Always be prepared for a water leak somewhere in the caravan.

Q 6.    When was the last time you slept more than 9 hours?

            A.  Every day off!

Q 7.    Where's your go-to restaurant for amazing food?

            A.  Braemar Lodge.

We hope the selected questions and the answers will help the reader gain a better insight and understanding of the staff working on park. Our intention is to make you feel more at home and more relaxed about approaching any of the staff and be able to ask for their assistance during your visit with us.

Enjoy your stay!!

Many of our customers will be wondering what we have been up to whilst Braemar Caravan Park has been closed from the 10th of November until the 13th of December this year.

We have taken this opportunity to introduce ourselves to our nearby neighbours and also wanted to share our meetings with all our readers and customers alike.

The first neighbouring business we visited was Braemar Lodge Hotel. This is situated between the caravan park and the village, on the left, and has a large statue of a stag at the roadside. In the summer months the front of the building has a colourful display of flowering baskets. At the moment, the building and grounds are lit up by a wonderful display of Christmas lights.

We had the opportunity to eat twice in the warm, comfortable restaurant and met the friendly, welcoming owners, Fiona and Ronnie.

The owners and the staff went out of their way to be very hospitable to our friends, who were stopping there for a short break, and ourselves when we stopped by to meet them and have a meal in the restaurant.

The varied choices on the menu and the standards of the hearty meals were of an exceptional quality and our compliments go out to their chef. The restaurant is available from 6 pm each evening and at busy times it may be best to book a table. They are open on Christmas day for Christmas Carvery also New Year and still had availability in case any of our customers were looking for somewhere to eat at Christmas or New Year but best to check with them first. Their information leaflet is shown below.

 The second neighbouring business we stopped by was Cranford Guest House. This building is situated just outside the park again by turning left towards the village and you will find the guest house is the first roadside building on the right hand side of the road.

We stopped by to introduce ourselves to the owners. We met a very friendly and welcoming owner called Sarah, her husband was out at the time so unfortunately we never had a chance to meet Alistair. Again, it is a breath of fresh air to find very welcoming individuals in the village. You can visit the website for Sarah and Alistair's guest house at www.cranfordbraemar.co.uk .

The final business we visited was the restaurant up at Glenshee Ski Centre. You have probably seen the signs at the side of the road through Glenshee for T @ the Shee. This is out the park entrance and turn right up to the ski centre and the restaurant is located on the right hand side of the road.

We ate a very hearty scottish breakfast including tea/coffee for less than £8.00 and comes highly recommended. Take a look at their website www.ski-glenshee.co.uk  then look up Base Cafe they are open daily from 8.30am until 5pm.

These are just a few of the many businesses and eateries that we have met recently.  Further experiences of places to eat in the village centre will follow.

Please support local business and say hi to our neighbours if you see them in the passing.  We have found them all to be friendly and welcoming and great people to know.

We look forward to all our customers returning when Braemar Caravan Park re opens on Friday 13th December.

More blogs to follow......

Braemar Caravan Park is a fantastic base for walking some of Scotlands Largest and most iconic mountains, and it is also an ideal start or finish point for some really spectacular longer distance walking routes; The Lairig Ghru, Jocks road, Lairig an Laoigh and many more.

These routes are amazing, walking them is a great experience, and can also be quite challenging, not just in terms of the weather - which can change in an instant, but logistics.

A big consideration when you're planning your walk, is how you're going to get back to where you started. One option of course is to walk back the next day - but time constraints (and tired legs) may well stop that. 

Public transport in Braemar can take you in the direction of Ballater and Aberdeen, but going south or over the hill to Aviemore requires a lot of planning and takes a long time.

There are guided walks available who organise transport; Hillgoers and the the National trust for Scotland at Mar Lodge organise guided walks throughout the summer and have a minibus waiting for you at the other end ready to bring you back. So you'll get to enjoy the route in the company of like minded people and you may make a few new friends on the way.

Highland Yaks is another fantastic service in the area, they not only can be your transport for a walking route, they can arrange bikepacking pick ups and drop offs, Canoe transport and drop off, Airport transport and even distillery trips.

So whatever you're planning there are some fantastic companies in the area ready to help with your trip.

Happy walking everyone :)

Spring time is an amazing time at Braemar Caravan Park. The birds are singing, the trees and flowers start to burst in to life and the days are longer so there's much more time to get out and explore before dark.

If you don't have a caravan or tent but want to come for a relaxing week at Braemar Caravan Park, our camping pods are a great place to relax and enjoy this amazing area.

From 6th May to the 28th June 2019, Book to stay in a pod for 4 nights during mid week; Monday to Friday, and get 4 nights for the price of 3.

Book online, and use Code Midweekpod at the checkout to apply this offer.

Our Camping Pods sleep up to four people, have a microwave, kettle and mini-fridge. There are heated toilet & shower facilities a short walk from the pods.

You will need to bring your own Sleeping Bags and Pillows, Towels and Toiletries, Cooking facilities, crockery, Cutlery & Cooking Utensils and Tea towels & Washing Up Essentials.

Sleeping bags, toiletries and other essentials are available to purchase from our on-site shop.

The Small Print

This offer applies on 4 night stays on Monday to Friday only between the 6th May and 28th June 2019.
This offer is not valid on Fridays to Mondays or for shorter durations.
This offer applies to new bookings only and not existing bookings.
This offer is for camping pods only not pitches.
This offer is subject to availability.
The Code has to be applied at the time of booking and not in retrospect.

It's that time of year again when the days are getting longer, the flowers and trees start to wake up, the birds start to nest, and our thoughts turn to planning trips away. Whether Caravan, Motorhome, Campervan, tent or staying in one of our Camping pods, Braemar Caravan Park is a fantastic place to stay, in such a beautiful location in the Cairngorms National Park.

There are so many opportunities for exploring and outdoor adventures on our doorstep, and there are also many places to visit, both well established favourites like Braemar Castle and Balmoral Castle, The Braemar Gathering and a number of new places to visit. 

The New Braemar Highland Games centre opened on the 15th March. The centre has an exhibition hall, Gallery, Café, Shop and Archive. You can discover all about the world famous Braemar Gathering which has been an annual event since 1832.

For a small village there is a really great choice of places to eat out, whether for Breakfast, lunch or dinner; casual quick bites to eat, coffee and cake, or a special occasion. The much anticipated opening of the Fife arms has the already infamous 'Flying Stag', a cocktail bar, Drawing room for High tea and the Clunie dining room for that special evening meal. There is a café in the Braemar Highland Games centre cafe, the much loved favourites Bothy and Taste, The Bistro and more, will soon be joined by Farquharsons Bar and Kitchen. For more information on eating out in Braemar Visit the VisitBraemar page.

And why not enjoy the spectacular routes of the Snow roads and the North East 250 while you're in the area. These routes will take you through some breath taking scenery, to some wonderful villages, where you can explore the amazing variety of the North East of Scotland.

Whatever you do when you are in Braemar, it'll make you want to keep coming back again and again.

See you soon.

Autumn is a really magical time at Braemar Caravan Park. There might be a few more wet and windy days than Summer, but there so much to see and do, it's well worth a visit to enjoy this very special time of year.

The colours of the landscape are spectacular, and change every day. The deep golds and Rich reds of the Rowan, the bright Yellow Aspen, the chestnut browns of the Beech to name but a few. Braemar Caravan Park has a variety of trees on the site, which attract lots of different Wildlife; Red Squirrels which gorge on the Hazel nuts and Scots Pine Cones; Black Birds, Red Wings and Mistle Thrushes enjoying the Rowan Berries; Long tailed Tits, Great Tits, Coal Tits and Blue Tits, Tree Creepers, Great Spotted Woodpecker and Tawny Owl, all on site feeding themselves up preparing for the long Winter ahead.

And if you're lucky you'll catch a glimpse of the cheeky Stoats and Weasels darting around in the evening light to find some food, or the Pippistrelle Bats flying around the lights to feed on the insects. 

In the woods opposite Braemar Caravan Park on the flanks of Creag Choinnich, there's a brilliant Nature trail which guides you round some fantastic habitats.

October is also a brilliant month to Visit Braemar if creativity is your thing. The annual Braemar Creative Arts Festival hosts an amazing variety of workshops and events to get your creativity flowing. This year is no exception and has many new arts and crafts on offer to try, it's hard to choose what to choose, but whatever you choose will be fantastic. Whether you are interested in creative writing, drama, music, dance or crafting, there is something for everyone. This years festival starts on the 24th October and finishes on the 28th October with Braemarket, a craft fair in the Village hall which is a great opportunity to get some unique christmas presents in early.

If you normally come camping in a tent but are unsure about being under canvas as the seasons change, our Braemar Caravan Park Camping pods offer a comfortable, warm, cosy alternative. The Pods are heated, insulated, carpeted, thick curtains, comfy mattresses and have a microwave, kettle and a mini-fridge. Book your camping pod break now.

Braemar Caravan Park is open until the 28th October 2018 and reopens on the 1st December 2018, so we're only closed for a few weeks before the Winter season begins. 

Braemar Caravan Park has been operating since around 1984, and since 2013 has been managed by Invercauld Estate. 

Invercauld Estate has been in the ownership of the Farquharson family since before 1432. The current laird, Captain Alwyne Farquharson of Invercauld is the 16th laird and chieftain of the Clan Farquharson.

The Estate covers around 200 Square Miles of amazing landscapes in the Cairngorms National Park. The Estate is run as a trust with the guidance of the Farquharson family

Invercauld Estate is located in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park , in spectacular Royal Deeside. The Estate is managed commercially but with great respect for the natural environment.

Invercauld Estate is a sporting Estate and is world renowned for grouse shoots, deer stalking and salmon fishing. The native Caledonian Scots Pine provides the backdrop for rolling heather covered mountains leading up to a number of Munros. 

Invercauld Estate plays a significant role in the community of Braemar, and in the last two years have been carrying out a masterplan to identify the potential developments for the future of Braemar to help ensure a sustainable, thriving community. 

On the 4th September 2018 between 2:30 - 4:30pm or 5:30-7:15pm at Castleton hall, the Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) will be holding a consultation event to set out proposals for Braemars future in its Local development plan. CNPA has suggested that some land at the North East of the village should be made available for development.

Invercauld Estate owns this land and is now preparing proposals for consideration by CNPA. Invercauld Estate invites you to give your views on  how a development in the village might meet the needs of Braemars residents, businesses and visitors.

Braemar Caravan Park Camping Pods are truly unique and a great place to stay. We often get asked why we call them Fog Pods, so we thought we'd explain.

Braemar Caravan Park and Camping Pods is operated by Invercauld Estate. A large estate spanning some 200 Square miles in the Cairngorms National Park, with Braemar at its Heart. Invercauld Estate has been in the ownership of the Farquharson family for over 500 years, and dotted throughout the Estate are a number of little 'Fog Houses'. 

Fog houses are little follys, huts to have a picnic and take a break. Fog Houses on Invercauld estate are decorative wooden structures with a Heather thatch roof. You can visit 2 of the Estate Fog houses during your visit to Braemar. One is next to Braemar Castle, another is in the woodland behind Keiloch Crag, where there is a fantastic waymarked trail you can walk and you'll discover a Fog House perched on a hill with spectacular views down the river Dee. 

The reason for them being called a Fog House is uncertain. Some say ‘fog’ is anglicised from the word ‘Feugh’, which is a traditional Deeside thatched longhouse. Others state that ‘Fog’ derives from the Scots word for Moss, which was used for making the walls and roof. Others have said that because many of Scotland’s fog houses are close to water sources, the spray from nearby waterfalls appears like a fog, although the Fog houses of Braemar are not close enough to water.

Braemar Caravan Park Fog Pods are a modern version of Invercauld Estate Fog Houses. They are designed and built by Invercauld Estate on Invercauld estate, so are unique to us. They are a really comfortable, warm, cosy and relaxing place to stay while visiting Braemar. They sleep four people, with comfortable mattresses and they are equipped with a microwave, Kettle and mini-fridge, table and chairs, Sockets with USB ports and Wifi is available. 

They have a decking area where you can sit and look at the spectacular views in comfort.

So whether you're looking for more comfort than a tent, or are unable to tow a caravan, and you don't have a motorhome or campervan, Braemar Caravan Park Fog Pods are a great place to relax and unwind and enjoy your holiday.

To find out more and book your stay in the Fog Pods at Braemar Caravan Park, visit our website for more information.

Summer has well and truly arrived at Braemar Caravan Park. Winter was really late.....and long, but the sun has been shining for weeks on end to make up for it. 

We've been welcoming folk from all over the world, in Caravans, Motorhomes, tents, trailer tents, teepees and of coarse our Camping pods. 

The School holidays have begun and with the great weather conditions, many folk are visiting Braemar to enjoy some fantastic walking, cycling, visits to some of the amazing places and venues in the area such as Braemar Castle, Balmoral Castle and Royal Lochnagar distillery.

There are a number of new Scenic routes which have been mapped out to help guide you around some of the most spectacular landscapes of Scotland, and these routes have brought many people to enjoy Braemar.

The Snow Roads is an amazing drive which starts at Blairgowrie and finishes in Grantown on Spey. The Snow roads should be enjoyed at a slow and steady pace as there is so much to see, places to visit on the way, and amazing views to take in.

The Snow roads passes through some of the most spectacular landscapes of the Cairngorms National Park. You will travel through Glenshee, along the A93 - the highest A road in Britain, then travel along the A939 through Cock Bridge, the Lecht and Tomintoul, and arriving in the final destination of Grantown on Spey. There are 3 installations on the route which help you to make the most of your time exploring, called Connecting contours, The Watchers, and 'Still'. They are positioned in such beautiful locations you can sit and enjoy the view for hours. Download the route map and get planning your journey.

North East 250 is a new road route to help you explore Aberdeenshire and Moray. It is an area so diverse, for Landscapes, culture, History, Natural History, breathtaking coast and of coast through Whisky Country of Speyside. Aberdeen is a good place to start the North East 250, then head West through Royal Deeside to Braemar, in the Cairngorms National Park, before heading North towards Speyside and the Moray Coast, then head East along the coast, passing some fantastic coastal villages, before returning to Aberdeen. It really is a beautiful journey and well worth taking your time to enjoy.

Braemar is not part of the North Coast 500, but many folk have taken the opportunity to visit many of the places you pass through while driving both the Snow roads and the North East 250, on route to or from the NC500.

Scotland is such a stunningly beautiful, welcoming, interesting and culturally diverse country that it would be a shame to rush the journey. Take your time, visit some amazing places, try some of the delicious local foods, visit some unique and globally important places, and enjoy some time to relax. 

We hope to see you at Braemar Caravan Park, either while you're exploring on a scenic route or coming to Braemar Caravan Park for a holiday in this fantastic area.

Braemar is located in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park in the Highlands of Scotland and is the perfect location to get outside and explore the massive wide open spaces and really explore nature and the outdoors, there is so much to see and do for the whole family.

Here is our top 5 suggestions of things to do this Summer with all of the family for your Highland Holiday adventure.

1. Cairngorms Nature Big Weekend. 

Braemar is a fantastic place to explore the environment and watch wildlife, and it is home to some of the Highlands most iconic wildlife. Braemar wants to celebrate this unique and special area and is holding a number of events and activities for the Cairngorms Nature Big Weekend on the 11th - 13th May 2018.

There's a whole range of fantastic activities and events activities celebrating the Natural heritage of the Cairngorms National Park, including Tree Folklore, Falconry, Mountain Biking, family Butterfly workshop, bat and bird box building, orienteering, and there's even a Ceilidh where you can get your dancing shoes on. For more information about the programme of events, visit Cairngorms Nature Big Weekend.

The event hub is at the Highland Games park in Braemar Village, and there will be a minibus available to take you from Braemar to the Linn of Dee. 

2. Explore the New Braemar Nature Trail. 

Braemar has such a diversity of Wildlife and in the different habitats in and around the Village, it can be difficult to know where to look first. The New Nature Trail in Braemar, in the woods of Creag Choinnich is designed so you can explore some spectacular habitats, and you may see Red Squirrels, Red and Roe Deer, Damselflies, Dragonflies, Woodants, so many different bird species, and much more. You can get a map of the Nature Trail from the Visit Scotland information centre in the Mews.

3. Visit Braemar Castle.

Braemar Castle is a fascinating castle to visit and an ideal place to visit with the whole family. Braemar Castle dates back nearly 400 years and is the only castle in Scotland which is run by the local community. The Castle was originally built as a hunting lodge for the Earl of Mar in 1628 but for the last 200 years it was home to the chief of Clan Farquharson. in 2007 Braemar Castle was taken over by the Braemar Community. 

You can have a guided tour around the castle or make your own way around. For the younger children there is a Kilted Teddy bear hunt and for older children a Quiz. 

4. Go for a Picnic

There's some fantastic places in Braemar to explore with all of the family, where you can sit and relax and watch the world go by while having a Picnic.

To make your picnic there is so much delicious local produce to choose from; delicious bread and Croissants from Highlanders Bakehouse, Cheese from Cambus o'May cheese factory, pies and sausage rolls from the Butcher in Braemar, and lots of delicious goodies from Taste.

Take a Picnic blanket or find one of the benches scattered around the village. Some of our favourite spots for a Picnic are Loch Callater, The Morrone Birkwoods, The River Dee Walk and the Viewpoint on the Lions face walk. There are many more perfect picnic spots, so why not get outside and explore to find your favourite.

5. Braemar Junior Highland Games

Braemar is home to one of the biggest and most spectacular Highland Games in Scotland - the Braemar Gathering. But did you know there is also a Junior Highland Games every July. This year it is being held on the 14th July 2018.

Braemar Junior Highland Games is organised annually to allow children between the ages of 5 and 18 the opportunity to participate in Highland games events normally reserved for adults. 

The emphasis is on having fun and having a go. There is lessons in a number of traditional Highland games events, overseen by qualified instructors. Children also have the opportunity to try Highland dancing, heavy events such as tossing the caber and throwing the hammer, tug o war and running races. There are Competitions for solo piping, solo drumming, Highland dancing and cross country running races.

It's a fantastic day out whatever age, come and join in and cheer.

There is so much more to see and do in Braemar for all of the family, and Braemar Caravan Park is a perfect location to base yourself. Book your break now.