Braemar Caravan Park and Camping Pods Blog

Latest News Update  dated Saturday 24/10/20

We have well and truly arrived into a Cairngorm Autumn now with blustery days, some leaves underfoot and some resilient leaves still clinging to trees with late Autumn warm tones of yellows, oranges and reds.  

The start of this month saw the winter seasonal pitch renewal letters issued. Forty of these were sent out to the existing seasonals. We had hoped to increase winter seasonal pitch numbers up to fifty for this year but in light of the current situation and following guidance from Invercauld Estate it was decided we would remain at forty at the present time through the 2020/2021 winter season.

Please remember that the closing date for renewal payments to be received in the office is Sunday the 15th November 2020. The sooner we know of any existing customers not wishing to renew then the sooner we will be able to extend an invitation to new customers from the waiting list.

The Assistant Wardens have been settling in over the last few weeks. Their names are Averil and Alan and Luna the dog. Please make them feel welcome and say hi if you see them around site or in reception. They have been picking up the ropes and are enjoying their new surroundings as they settle. 

As we are approaching late October, the very busy period is passing and some openings are beginning to appear in the diary for touring pitches and pods. 

Remember this year we will not be closing in November, therefore, the park will be available to book right through to 31st October 2021.

Why not enjoy a break in November before the festive month of December gets under way. Treat yourself to  a wander, for an hour or two, around the many walks surrounding the caravan park. The views from your walk on a crisp, clear day will surpass your expectations and the smells of the woodland are very refreshing, it brings back memories of a real fir tree at Christmas time, in the living room, when the doors has been closed overnight. 

The orders for the twice weekly delivery from Chalmers Bakery are going well. The quality of the breads, rolls  and apple tarts are as good as expected and the individual boxed orders make for a real special touch.

Orders can be placed at reception on a Tuesday by 2pm for pick up at 9am on Wednesday from reception and the same on a Thursday by 2pm for the Friday 9am pick up from reception.

Take Care and keep watching for the latest updates being added.

Latest News From Braemar Caravan Park

Firstly, we are pleased to be able to inform you that from this coming week, commencing Monday 28th of September, we will be able to bring you pre ordered products from Chalmers Bakery, home of the famous Balmoral bread.

If you wish fresh breads and bakery produce during your stay:-

Delivery to reception on a Friday then please have your order into reception by 2pm on a Thursday.

Delivery to reception on a Wednesday then please have your order into reception by 2pm on a Tuesday.

Customers can call reception on 01339 741373 to place an order and pay or even stop by reception and make payment in person when placing their order.

The Chalmers Bakery product list and prices will be available on display in reception window. The order list will be held at reception desk to take your details. We will ask you for your Name, Pitch number, Order details then inform you of Cost. We will also ask for payment for your items at the time of ordering. The bakery will bag each customer's order individually for us. We hope you enjoy this service providing great tasting breads.

Secondly,  you will probably have heard the First Minister's message, earlier this week, regarding only one household permitted indoors in any one home, this is also applicable to self catering units from Friday the 25th of September.

This now affects any pod booking, any touring caravan booking, motorhome and tent booking alike. Please remember to take this into account prior to making any bookings with us. If you have any concerns regarding existing bookings then please give us a call on 01339 741373 and we will do our utmost to advise.

Thirdly,  remember bookings for pitches at The Braemar Gathering 2021 will be available on the telephone and online from Wednesday the 30th September from 10am. There is a minimum of a 3 night stay on all bookings on the main park over the Gathering weekend.

The overflow rally field will also be available at £20 per night and a minimum of 2 night stay. There will be fresh water available at the rally field but there will be no electric hook ups.

And lastly,  the winter seasonal pitch invites are being prepared presently and customers should expect to see these being emailed in the near future.

Take Care at this time and further news updates will follow.

Latest News as of Monday 31st August 2020

Firstly, some good news for anyone planning a late summer break towards the end of September or in the Autumn months of October and November, our bookings diary still has some availability for anyone wishing to book either online or by calling reception and we will be happy to assist on 01339 741373.

The upcoming weekend, Saturday the 5th of September, would normally be Braemar Gathering Weekend. The diary is still very busy with pre booked customers over this period. We look forward to everyone arriving and enjoying their breaks at the park although maybe not as they had originally planned but there are still plenty of bars open and you will be spoilt for choice with places to eat within the village and also it may be prudent to book a table in advance. There are plenty of local walks and cycle tracks to keep you occupied during your stay so enjoy !

Customers planning to make a booking, either online or over the telephone, please ensure you have read and fully understood the Booking Terms and Conditions and also the Covid-19 Addendum which form the last four pages of the document. We would like to ensure customers understand that for everyone's safety and social distancing purposes, all customers with onboard facilities, either in a touring caravan or motor home, must make plans to use their own during their stay with us. The limited toilet and shower facilities supplied are only for tent, pod and campervan customers without facilities. This is not our normal way of operating but is necessary during the current pandemic. With everyone's help we will all come through this as safely as possible.

And finally an update on our touring pitches for Christmas and New Year, they are all now booked up. Thank you for to everyone for their advance bookings and we look forward to having you join us again for the festive period.

take care and next update to follow soon

Todays Latest News Update Fri 7th August 2020

The current situation regarding Coronavirus & Covid-19 is constantly evolving and we are doing our best to keep abreast of all updates issued by The Scottish Government.

Presently, there are members of the public who live in Aberdeen city and have been advised, by The Scottish Government, to restrict their movement and not to travel outwith a 5 mile radius from their home. They have also been advised not to go on holiday during this time.

With this in mind, may we ask those customers with Aberdeen city addresses affected by the current restrictions, to be mindful and thoughtful towards others during this time. At Braemar Caravan Park we would not expect to see bookings coming from any addresses currently affected by the new travel restrictions set in place by The Scottish Government and we would not be able to accept these bookings whilst restrictions remain in place. This would apply to any area that may be placed under similiar restrictions.

Customers who have existing bookings and are affected by the travel restrictions, please get in touch with us as soon as possible and we will do our best to help by moving bookings forward in the diary for you. 

Can we also remind customers with onboard facilities that we need you to use them as much as possible whilst staying with us.

This enables our limited toilet and shower facilities to cope with the tent, pod and campervan customers as intended. Your cooperation in this matter is greatly appreciated.

Please all take care of yourselves and others at this time and stay safe.

more news updates to follow soon....

We have some very frequent and recurring questions arising the more we are talking with customers.

I have written this information as an up to date Q & A to help with the most frequently asked questions :-

Q.  When does Braemar Caravan Park re-open ?

A.  From 12 noon on Wednesday 15th July 2020.

Q.  Are your toilets and showers opening ?

A.  We are opening our facilities from the 15th July 2020 when the park re-opens. Toilets and showers will be available but with reduced capacity and with social  distancing in place in line with Government Legislation. Customers with their own onboard facilities are encouraged to use them to reduce any risk by entering enclosed indoor public spaces.

Q.  Are you taking bookings for Caravans ? Tents ? Pods?

A.  We are taking bookings for all, yes.

Q.  Can we book online ?

A. Yes, our diary is available online at our website www.braemarcaravanpark.co.uk for caravans and pods. Tents are required to call the park reception on 01339 741373. This is to ensure tent sizes will fit on pitches.

Q.  Will we be required to bring all our groceries with us ?

A.  The small Co-op in the village is happy to welcome visitors and help with essential groceries but please remember to bring face masks with you and wear them when visiting the shop. Social distancing queueing is in operation outside due to limited numbers only permitted in the shop at any time.

Q.  Do i need to bring face mask, hand gel and sanitiser sprays with me ?

A.  Yes, please do. Please treat your time on site the same as you would treat yourself / family and your surfaces at home. 

Q.  Will there be anything open in the village ?

A.  Yes, different businesses are opening back up and this information will follow shortly when we know exact timings.

I hope this helps answer some questions you may have wanted to ask. We are here to help and if you still have a question that needs answering then please call the park reception on 01339 741373. We will do our best to help.

We are pleased to be able to inform you that the caravan park has a re-opening date of Wed 15th July 2020 at 12 noon.

We are excited about this and look forward to welcoming everyone back.

The caravan park will re-open following Scottish Government Guidance and caravan park industry legislation. We are currently working through our risk assessments and procedures to suit.

Facilities will be available but in a reduced capacity and with social distancing measures in place. Customers who have their own onboard facilities will be encouraged to use them as much as possible to reduce risk in public spaces.

All booked and seasonal customers will receive, via email & prior to arrival, information setting out the necessary changes that will have taken place around park to ensure the safety of customers and staff alike.

Customers who have raised enquiries or sent emails over the lockdown period please bear with us, we are working our way through the large volume of enquiries and will be in touch with you as soon as we can. You can also call reception on 01339 741373 for assistance or leave a message on the answer phone.

Take care and we will see you all soon.

The office at Braemar Caravan Park will be temporarily closed from Wednesday 1st of April 2020 until advised by Government when safe to reopen. Updates on any reopening date will be issued via this news section and also on social media, Braemar Caravan Park Facebook page and Instagram.

Any customers who have April and May bookings in our diary have been contacted and the bookings moved to holding pitches on the diary until able to re book with us, over the phone, once we have re opened. The bookings diary on our website is closed until the end of May at present awaiting further instructions from Government.

Can we ask any further contact be directed to :-

office@invercauld.estate   or by telephone to Invercauld Office on  01339 741224  until the caravan park office reopens.

Thank you.

Braemar Caravan Park is now closed due to the current Coronavirus / Covid-19 pandemic following Scottish Government advice.

The bookings diary will not accept bookings until the end of May at present. This will be monitored and updates issued via social media and the park website as the situation unfolds.

Customers with bookings, during this closed period, will be contacted over the coming days.

Winter and summer seasonal customers are being contacted at present for reassurance regarding their caravans and pitches.

We thank you for your continued custom and please take care.

Kind Regards

Peter and Mike

Braemar Caravan Park 

Invercauld Estate

We are currently operating Braemar Caravan Park as normal.

You will notice some additional signs around the facilities asking you to ensure you wash your hands thoroughly and more regularly throughout this time. Cleanliness is always an absolute priority at Braemar Caravan Park and of course this continues.

We are closely monitoring the latest advice from the Scottish and UK Governments and should their advice change, which may affect your holiday with us, then we will contact you regarding your stay with us.

For the latest advice issued by the Scottish Government for Scotland then please check here :-

https://www.gov.scot/coronavirus-covid-19/

For the latest advice issued by the UK Government then please check here :-

https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response

If you have any further questions then please call Braemar Caravan Park on 01339 741373.

So you wake up, rains been drip, drip, dripping on your tent or caravan all night and the forecast for the day ahead isn't looking  any brighter, just more rain and your wondering what to do for the rest of the day. Hopefully, the following top 5 things to do in Braemar might bring you some inspiration. Braemar Caravan Park  and Braemar itself is an inspiring destination and can be a great place to be no matter the weather.

It's all about what you can do with your day that's going to bring the most satisfaction. Finding an activity or shelter inside from the rain is all you need for a few hours. Here are just a few ideas to think about.

  1.  Go for a breakfast roll or full breakfast at The Bothy, cafe/ restaurant, adjoining the mountain shop, sit back with a hot drink, wait on your breakfast to arrive and watch the river rushing past from the rear windows then have a chat and plan your next activity as soon as the weather fairs up. You can take your dog in with you as well.

   2.  If it's afternoon, why not wrap up, get your boots on and wander down to Farquarsons Bar and Kitchen. Have a pint or two and relax with friends or family in the comfy seating by the log fire and enjoy the warmth of your surroundings.

  3.  Go for a walk with your dog or offer to take your neighbours dog for a walk. It will get you out and about and stretch your legs for an hour or so. Give your mind a chance to plan your next activity when the weather fairs. Remember there's always the drying room onsite to dry off any wet clothing or boots.

  4.  Jump in the car, as it's a longer walk on a wet day, and head along to Braemar Castle, at the other end of the village. A fascinating 17th Century castle owned by the Chief of Clan Farquarson. There is a small gift shop onsite and a chance of a hot drink to warm you up.

  5.  Wander round to the Braemar Highland Games Centre. signposted through the village and along past The Fife Arms, continue past the Braemar Gallery and see the signs ahead and heading off to your left.Visit the museum and enjoy a hot drink and some lunch in the cafe. Take the chance to see the arena where the Braemar Gathering takes place each September and the current games can trace their roots back to 1816.

Maybe now, when visiting Braemar Caravan Park and the weather behaves in the way it very often does in Scotland, you will be able to find some inspiration to get up and get out there to discover something new about Braemar and it's very vibrant and colourful history.

 We look forward to seeing you - no matter the weather !!