Balloch O Dee Campsite is set 20 minutes from Galloway National Forest Park in Dumfries and Galloway. Surrounded by trees, mountains and dark skies, this tranquil site offers a real chance to get away from it all. It has a natural feel with free range hens, ducks and chicks wandering around. There are large non electric grass pitches for campers and tourers, plus unique glamping units. Relax in the communal area, or enjoy a meal in the cookhouse.

Why choose Balloch O Dee

Winner of Best Campsite Central and Lowland Scotland in our 2025 Camping and Glamping Awards

Featured in our 2025 Outstanding Sites list of reliably excellent camping, glamping, and touring sites

Located a 20 minute drive from Galloway National Forest with roaming animals onsite

Family friendly site with great facilities including a cookhouse and candlelit tables

Choose from unmarked pitches and quirky glamping units, with fire pits available too!

About the site

Just 20 minutes from Galloway National Forest Park, this welcoming site includes free range hens and ducks and is a relaxed base ideal for a countryside getaway! 'Proper' camping is available in the main field with plenty of space so you won't be crammed in, with five pitches offering the added bonus of an electric hook up too. There are plenty of purpose built stone fire pits in the main field and you are welcome to have a campfire whenever you like. Firewood is always available onsite. As well as sleeping under canvas there are six different types of indoor accommodation to choose from. Old converted barns, a bothy, a vintage caravan and a roundhouse are all available to hire, each totally unique with its own individual charm and character. Beautiful Bluebell sleeps four in vintage style or the roundhouse offers relaxed glamping for four with a handmade oak king-size bed and fold away camp beds. The stylish ranch house sleeps six with its own facilities, plenty of warmth provided by a log burner and a log burning range cooker, along with comfy sleeping in a hand-built super king size six poster bed, double bed upstairs and two sets of bunk beds downstairs. The site is also home to an outdoor covered stage for live music events, and communal covered shelters for campers to gather in to cook, chat and have a campfire. Please note, this is a quiet site.

Balloch O Dee is open from 01/01 to 04/01 and 27/02 to 30/11. Pitches from £20/night for 2 people.

"Everything you want from a Scottish campsite"

Luke B

"The campsite is in an absolutely stunning location with unbelievable views"

Martin D

"Lovely clean toilets and showers and stunning location. Nothing I didn't like"

Sharon S

"It was in a beautiful area amongst the hills and you hear nothing but nature"

Iain S

"A peaceful campsite where you can relax and unwind with great touches"

Kirsty G

What facilities are at Balloch O Dee?

Accessible facilities

Allow commercial vans

Allow pets on site

Café / restaurant / takeaway

Drinking water

Family friendly

Shop

Showers

Toilets

W.C. disposal

WiFi

Communal BBQ

Electric hookups

Fires allowed

Freezer

Glamping

Open year round

Peaceful

RV pitches

Wash up area

Site facilities include shared showers with rainfall heads and toilets, ice pack freezing, and a washing up area. The ranch house includes self contained facilities.

Guests also have the use of a range cooker, hotplate, BBQ and a large dining table and chairs. A shelter in the main camping field is also great for groups with chairs and sofas, a long dining table and benches.

For camping essentials, Kirkcowan Post Office is a ten minute drive away, and the Blackhorse Hotel and The Cree Inn can be reached in a 15 minute drive too.

Great for families

Family friendly with a cookhouse and hens, ducks, chicks, waddling around onsite! Enjoy communal areas with live music events and BBQs surrounded by mountains.

There are 30 accommodation options on-site

Bookable pitches and accommodation options

Large tent on a non electric grass pitch with distant mountain views

Non electric grass pitches with space for a parked car

Non electric grass pitches with distant mountain views at Balloch O Dee

Non electric grass pitches beside livestock

20 x Non Electric Grass Pitches

Max 6 people

Non electric grass pitches for tents, roof and trailer tents, caravans, campervans, and motorhomes. Guests can pitch where they like, and use designated fire pits for campfires.

Other accommodation

5 x Electric Hardstanding Pitches

Max 8 people

Electric hardstanding pitches to suit tents and tourers. There are designated fire pits for campfires.

Bluebell Vintage Caravan (Dog Friendly)

Max 2 people

Vintage caravan (off-grid) built from scratch on an old caravan chassis. Includes a double bed, and a small fold-out mattress underneath the main bed ideal for kids or could sleep another adult or couple. Access to shared WC and shower facilities nearby.

Rose Hippy Vintage Caravan

Max 2 people

A vintage caravan sleeping up to two adults. This caravan features wide double doors, electricity and plenty of seating. Outside, a deck area with a table and chairs and firepit. Access to cooking and shared facilities nearby. Sorry, no pets.

The Bothy

Max 5 people

Once a cow shed and rebuilt as a labour of love, the bothy has a double bed with a single bunk above and two single bunks. There's a log-burning range cooker, rustic furniture, kettle and toaster. Sleeps five with dogs welcome. Shared facilities nearby.

Balloch O Dee reviews

4.85 /5

35 reviews

100%

would recommend

Filter by: Review rating

Outstanding (31)

Very good (7)

Good (1)

Average (0)

Poor (0)

Accommodation type

Camping (35)Glamping (3)Motorhome or Campervan (0)Caravan (0)

Travelled as

Family with young children (3)Family with older children (13+) (3)Solo (5)Couple (20)Group (8)

Latest

Popular mentions

...

Showing the most recent reviews from guests

Quiet site

Recommends site

Helen C

Large Tent - Non Electric Grass Pitches May 2026

The site itself was lovely and peaceful with quiet hours between 9pm and 8am which were people did abide by. The only thing that let it down slightly was the showers. They have a fixed head and you had to keep pushing the button to get water as it ran out quickly. The shower also dripped on you when you were trying to get dried. There also were slugs or worms in the showers which was off putting. It's a lovely site in the middle of nowhere though and there are no shops nearby. You need a car to drive to the nearest village for supplies. Also there's nothing much to do in the area round about. And for that reason only, I wouldn't stay there again. But if you want peace and quiet of an evening (which we did) and enjoy listening to the wildlife, then this is the site for you.

Fabulous quirky peaceful spotless site

Recommends site

Sharon F

Aug 2025

Arrived Thursday for 2 nights. Owner Hazel was lovely and gave me many pointers when I asked where to visit I was on EHU and had 2 dogs in the campervan. The facilities of 3 beautifully decorated toilets in their own room with basin seat etc and a further 2 over where the showers are. Sitting area at kitchen with 2 couches and a table and chairs. Picnic tables outside. There is also a place to sit where the tents were. Quite a few different places to rent. Walked from the site up to the windmill. There is a board giving local beaches/places to visit. There were chickens periodically walking around which didn't bother my dogs. Safe and all I can say is the silence was deafening. Loved this quirky/friendly/spotless site.

Perfect, quiet, cosy

Recommends site

Collette M

Small Tent - Non Electric Grass Pitches Aug 2025

What a beautiful campsite. Turn up, pick a spot and relax. There's a fire pit and bench. Surrounded by amazing nothingness! It's a gorgeous location and has everything you need for a perfect camping trip. The local is a short drive away.

Share your feedback about Balloch O Dee

Already stayed here? Leave a review and tell us what you thought!

Need to know

Frequently asked questions about Balloch O Dee

Quick filters

Site rules

What time is check-in and check out at Balloch O Dee?

Check-in at Balloch O Dee is available from 2:30pm until 9pm for glamping and noon until 9pm for camping and touring. Please advise the site if you are delayed. Departure is due before 11am for glamping and noon for camping on your last day.

Is Balloch O Dee dog-friendly?

Yes, Balloch O Dee is dog friendly, with up to two dogs permitted per pitch or glamping unit. Do note the animals are free range at Balloch O Dee, so only bring your pet if they are good with other animals. Sorry, breeds or crossbreeds listed under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 are not permitted.

Does Balloch O Dee allow BBQs and campfires?

BBQs and fire pits are welcome at Balloch O Dee, just please ensure these are raised from the ground. Ground campfires are not permitted. Stone fire pits and sustainable hardwood are available onsite. Sustainable hardwood is also on site. Guests can also enjoy access to the site's cookhouse equipped with a BBQ, hot plate, oven, and cooker.

Does Balloch O Dee allow groups or pitches being booked together?

No, Balloch O Dee does not allow group bookings as the site is aimed at couples and families.

Does Balloch O Dee have a quiet time or noise policy?

Yes, Balloch O Dee does operate a quiet policy between 9pm - 8am. Amplified music onsite is not permitted. Feel free to play any live instruments you may want to bring with you, but not phone music, Bluetooth speakers, or car stereos.

Pitches

Does Balloch O Dee allow awnings, gazebos or pup tents?

Yes, Balloch O Dee allows awnings and gazebos. Pup tents are not permitted.

Are bedding and towels included at Balloch O Dee?

The glamping units at Balloch O Dee only include sheets, so bringing additional bedding and towels is recommended.

Can I park next to my pitch at Balloch O Dee?

Yes, you are welcome to park one car on your pitch at Balloch O Dee.

Facilities

Does Balloch O Dee have a shop onsite?

No, there is not a shop at Balloch O Dee. For picking up essentials, Newton Stewart is 15 minute drive away, where there's an Aldi, Co-Op Food, Sainsbury's, and a Londis.

Is there a restaurant or cafe at Balloch O Dee?

No, there is not a restaurant or cafe at Balloch O Dee. For dining out, the Blackhorse Hotel and The Cree Inn are 15 minutes away by car.

Is there WiFi at Balloch O Dee?

No, Balloch O Dee does not offer WiFi.

Does Balloch O Dee have a communal fridge and freezer?

Balloch O Dee offers a shared freezer for ice packs. There is not a communal fridge, so bringing a cool box is recommended.

What is phone signal like at Balloch O Dee?

Most phone service providers should be able to access a phone and 4G signal at Balloch O Dee.

Does Balloch O Dee have electric vehicle charging?

No, Balloch O Dee does not offer EV charging. The closest electric vehicle charging point is the Chargeplace Scotland Charging Station (15 minutes).

Getting there

What are the nearest public transport links to Balloch O Dee?

The nearest train station to Balloch O Dee is Stranraer, which is a 30 minute drive away. The closest bus stop is Halfway House, over an hour's walk away, making the area best explored by car.

What is the nearest bus stop to Balloch O Dee?

The nearest bus stop to Balloch O Dee is Halfway House, over an hour's walk away, making the area best explored by car.

Are there any local taxi service companies to Balloch O Dee?

Local taxi companies to Balloch O Dee include Cree Cabs (07552 627766) and McLeans Taxis (01671 404131).

What's nearby

What are the nearest beaches to Balloch O Dee?

The nearest beach to Balloch O Dee is Stairhaven Beach, a 20 minutes away by car.

What are the nearest pubs to Balloch O Dee?

The nearest pubs to Balloch O Dee are the Blackhorse Hotel and The Cree Inn, which are 15 minutes away by car.

What walking routes are close to Balloch O Dee?

Local walking routes to Balloch O Dee include Galloway Forest Park, a 20 minute drive away, which is the UK's largest forest park. It contains a host of gentle walks around lochs as well as more challenging ones, including the Merrick mountain peak. The popular Bruce's Stone is located here too.

Other

What is Balloch O Dee's short term let licence number?

Balloch O Dee's licence number with Dumfries and Galloway Council is DG00966F.

A note from the site themselves...

Balloch O Dee has been a labour of love over the last 14 years. As a family, we have done a lot of camping so when we decided to set up here we wanted to create a site that we would enjoy camping on. We didn't have a lengthy list of requirements when we were looking for a site to stay on but a few things were important to us.

Firstly, the location. As much as possible, we wanted to feel as though we were out in the middle of nowhere, we wanted a 'proper camping' experience.

Next was a campfire. I personally would never go camping unless we could have a campfire as to me it's an essential part of the camp. We use it as the hub of our camp and all of our food is cooked over the open fire and obviously to keep warm on the cool evenings.

After that, we were not at all fussy campers, but a sparklingly clean toilet and nice hot shower were very welcome!

We were always looking for something a bit different too, something away from the sterile, formulated set-up.

So, all of the above is here at Balloch O Dee.

Best wishes, James and Hazel

Balloch O Dee is ideal for...

Couples

Duke of Edinburgh Award

Older children (13+)

Peace and quiet

Rallies

Young children

Things to do on site and in the Newton Stewart area

Guests are welcome to help with the animals and get to know real country life. There's always something to do around the campfire, whether its roasting marshmallows, strumming away on a guitar or just stargazing.

This area is perfect for mountain biking, particularly around the Galloway National Forest Park and 7stanes trails, and there are great hiking trails at Cairnsmore of Fleet. Time your visit to find exciting music festivals nearby, such as Electric Fields, in the summer and many tasty food festivals.

Head to Wigtown, Scotland's National Book Town, to get a literary fix or enjoy the Newton Stewart and Minnigaff Traditional Music and Dance Festival for a taste of local culture, held every July.