Scalloway Caravan Park

The wind carries salt and the low cry of gulls — this is Shetland, wide-open and Atlantic-facing, where the light shifts every hour and the sky feels bigger than anywhere else in Britain.

Scalloway Caravan Park takes tents, campervans and caravans on electric pitches, handy for those long summer nights or dark winter evenings when you're planning the next day's birdwatching or coastal walk. It's a solid base for exploring the west mainland — Scalloway itself was once the islands' capital, with its ruined castle and working harbour still at the heart of things. Couples and campervan tourers make up most of the crowd, along with anyone serious about getting properly north.

Facilities are straightforward — toilets and electric hookups onsite. Campfires are worth checking when you arrive, as policies can shift with conditions. Open year-round, which matters up here; Shetland in winter is a different animal altogether, but if you're chasing the northern lights or total quiet, this is your spot.