Barrhill Holiday Park

Barrhill Holiday Park combines tent and campervan camping with glamping pods in an open-field setting in South Ayrshire, close to the boundary with Dumfries and Galloway. Some pods have hot tubs, offering a different way to stay for visitors who would rather leave the camping equipment at home. Practical facilities include a toilet and shower block, alongside cooking and cleaning facilities. Dogs are welcome and campfires are permitted. The park opens all year and offers online booking, making it an option for trips beyond the main summer camping season.

Galloway Forest Park gives visitors plenty of scope for days out among woodland, lochs and hills. At Glentrool, the Two Waters Trail follows the Waters of Minnoch and Trool through birch woods: a waymarked circuit of 2¼ miles, graded moderate, with loose gravel and one steep slope. For a longer outing, the 5¾-mile Loch Trool Loop starts at Caldons car park and circles the loch through native oak woodland. This is a strenuous route with uneven sections, steps and some steep slopes, rather than a gentle waterside stroll.

The wider forest park also holds International Dark Sky Park status. Glentrool is among its recognised stargazing locations, so a clear evening could be worth setting aside for looking skywards; cloud cover and the phase of the moon will affect what you can see.