Where to Camp Near Edinburgh Castle: The Best Campsites for Your Visit
Edinburgh Castle sits on its volcanic crag like something from a fairy tale — visible from almost everywhere in the city, brooding over Princes Street Gardens, and soaked in more than a thousand years of Scottish history. If you’re planning a trip to visit this iconic fortress, why not make a proper adventure of it and camp nearby?
Scotland’s famously liberal access laws mean wild camping is legal almost everywhere, and the area around Edinburgh has a handful of excellent campsites that put you within easy reach of the castle, the Royal Mile, and the wider Lothians landscape. Whether you’re a family in a big tent, a couple in a campervan, or a solo hiker with a backpack, this guide covers your best options.
Getting Your Bearings: Edinburgh Castle and the Surrounding Area
Edinburgh is a compact, walkable city, and the castle is right at its heart. Most traditional campsites sit on the city’s outskirts — typically a 20 to 45 minute drive from the Old Town. That’s not a problem: Edinburgh’s bus network is excellent, and many sites have good transport links. Wild camping options exist further afield in the Pentland Hills, the Firth of Forth coastline, and into East Lothian.
It’s worth noting that camping inside the city itself isn’t really feasible — Edinburgh is a dense urban environment. The sites below strike the right balance between proximity to the castle and genuine countryside camping. Edinburgh also has superb public transport, so you won’t feel stranded.
The Best Campsites Near Edinburgh Castle
1. Mortonhall Caravan & Camping Park
Distance from Edinburgh Castle: Approximately 5 miles south of the city centre
Mortonhall is the most popular campsite for visitors to Edinburgh, and for good reason. It’s the closest proper campsite to the city, set within a wooded estate in the Fairmilehead area of south Edinburgh. The site is large, well-managed, and has excellent facilities including modern showers, a shop, and a children’s play area.
Bus route 11 runs from nearby into the city centre, dropping you close to Princes Street and a short walk from the castle esplanade. It’s a genuinely handy base for a Edinburgh Castle visit, and the wooded surroundings give it a much more ‘camping’ feel than you’d expect so close to a major city.
Best for: Families, couples, campervans, and anyone wanting maximum convenience
Tip: Book well ahead in summer — this site fills up fast during the Edinburgh Festival in August.
2. Drum Mohr Caravan Park, Musselburgh
Distance from Edinburgh Castle: Approximately 7 miles east of the city
Set on the East Lothian coast near Musselburgh, Drum Mohr is a beautifully positioned site with views across the Firth of Forth. It’s a step up in quality from a standard campsite — well-landscaped, with quality facilities and a mix of touring pitches and glamping options. The nearby town of Musselburgh has good shops and restaurants.
From Musselburgh, Edinburgh city centre is reachable in under 30 minutes by bus or car. The coastal location also means you can combine your castle visit with a walk along the Forth estuary — a lovely contrast after the bustle of the Old Town.
Best for: Couples, those who want coastal scenery alongside their city trip
Tip: East Lothian is famous for its golf courses and beach walks — worth building a day trip around before or after Edinburgh.
3. Linwater Caravan Park, West Lothian
Distance from Edinburgh Castle: Approximately 12 miles west of Edinburgh
Linwater is a peaceful, family-run park set on a working farm in West Lothian. It’s quieter and more rural than Mortonhall, which makes it ideal for those who want genuine countryside camping but still want Edinburgh within reach. The site has clean facilities, a friendly atmosphere, and easy access onto the M8 and city bypass for the drive in.
The slightly greater distance from Edinburgh is compensated by the lower cost (typically cheaper than city-edge sites) and a genuinely tranquil setting. If you’re combining Edinburgh with a wider Scottish road trip heading towards Stirling or the Highlands, this is well-placed for a multi-day stay.
Best for: Families, budget campers, those combining Edinburgh with a wider Scottish trip
Wild Camping Near Edinburgh: The Pentland Hills
Scotland’s Land Reform Act gives everyone the right to camp on most unenclosed land responsibly — and the Pentland Hills Regional Park, just 8 miles south of Edinburgh city centre, is the closest wild camping option to the castle.
The Pentlands offer proper hill terrain: moorland, reservoirs, sheep tracks, and wide skies. You can wild camp on the hilltops and moorland above the Flotterstone or Boghall Glen valleys, and be in Edinburgh city centre within 30 minutes by bus or car the next morning. It’s an extraordinary contrast — falling asleep to silence and waking up to visit one of Europe’s most spectacular urban castles.
What to know:
- Always follow Leave No Trace principles — pack out everything you bring in
- Use a lightweight tent — the Pentlands are exposed and weather can change quickly
- Avoid camping near the reservoirs (Threipmuir, Harlaw) as these are water catchment areas
- Park responsibly at Flotterstone car park if driving to the trailhead
- Check the weather forecast carefully — the hills can be much windier than the city
Planning Your Edinburgh Castle Visit
Edinburgh Castle is managed by Historic Environment Scotland and is one of the most visited paid attractions in the UK. Here’s what campers need to know to make the most of their visit:
- Book tickets in advance online — queues for walk-up visitors can be very long in summer
- Allow at least 2–3 hours inside the castle — there’s far more to see than most visitors expect
- Don’t miss the Scottish Crown Jewels (older than the English ones) and the Stone of Destiny
- The One O’Clock Gun fires Monday to Saturday at 1pm — spectacular to watch from below on Princes Street
- The castle esplanade hosts the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo in August (book far ahead)
- Combine with a walk down the Royal Mile to the Palace of Holyroodhouse at the other end
Getting from Your Campsite to Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh’s public transport is one of the best in Scotland, and driving into the city centre isn’t recommended — parking near the castle is extremely limited and expensive. From any of the recommended campsites:
By bus: Lothian Buses runs an excellent network across the city and surrounding area. A day ticket is great value if you’re doing multiple stops.
By car: Drive to a park-and-ride on the city outskirts (Ingliston on the west side is convenient) and take the tram or bus in.
By tram: Edinburgh’s tram line runs from the airport and Newhaven through the city centre. From the York Place or St Andrew Square stops, the castle is a 15-minute walk uphill.
What Else to See Near Edinburgh: Make the Most of Your Trip
Edinburgh is surrounded by extraordinary heritage sites that reward an extra day or two of camping. Some highlights within easy reach:
Craigmillar Castle: Often called ‘Edinburgh’s other castle’, this beautiful ruin in the south of the city is far quieter than the main castle and well worth an afternoon. Free to enter with Historic Environment Scotland membership.
Stirling Castle: Just 40 minutes west by car or train, Stirling is arguably Edinburgh’s equal as a castle experience — and far less crowded. See our full guide to camping near Stirling Castle.
Rosslyn Chapel: The famous medieval chapel (of Da Vinci Code fame) is just 7 miles south of Edinburgh near Roslin village. The Pentland Hills wild camping area is very close by — a perfect combination.
The Forth Bridges: North Queensferry, just across the water, has stunning views of all three Forth bridges and a lovely waterfront. A short drive or train ride from Edinburgh.
Quick Comparison: Campsites Near Edinburgh Castle
| Campsite | Distance | Best For | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mortonhall Caravan & Camping Park | 5 miles south | Families, couples, campervans | Wooded setting, great bus links, nearest to city |
| Drum Mohr, Musselburgh | 7 miles east | Couples, coastal lovers | Firth of Forth views, high quality facilities |
| Linwater Caravan Park | 12 miles west | Families, budget campers | Rural farm setting, quieter, good for road trips |
| Pentland Hills (wild) | 8 miles south | Experienced campers, hikers | Scotland’s wild camping rights, stunning moorland |
The Ultimate Guide to Camping Near UK Castles
Final Thoughts
Camping near Edinburgh Castle is one of the most rewarding experiences for a heritage-loving camper in the UK. You get all the drama and history of one of Europe’s great fortresses, combined with Scotland’s wonderful camping culture and some genuinely beautiful countryside right on the city’s doorstep.
Our top pick for most visitors is Mortonhall for sheer convenience, but if you’re after something more adventurous, a night wild camping in the Pentlands followed by a morning at the castle is an experience you’ll be talking about for years.
Have you camped near Edinburgh Castle? Drop a comment below — we’d love to hear your recommendations.
