Sandylands Holiday Park

The gulls wheel over Saltcoats Bay and you can taste the salt in the air before you've even stepped out of your van — this is proper Ayrshire coast camping, where the Firth of Clyde stretches grey-blue toward Arran's peaks.

Sandylands suits tourers and motorhomers looking for a straightforward base on Scotland's west coast, close to the old seaside town and its long promenade. Saltcoats has that faded-postcard charm — ice cream vans, fish suppers, and proper beaches where kids can spend hours with buckets and nets. It's dog-friendly territory too, though you'll need to check their policy when you book, as rules vary by season and pitch.

Facilities aren't detailed in their listing, so it's worth ringing ahead to confirm what's onsite — this is a working holiday park rather than a bells-and-whistles resort. Campfires need checking on arrival. Expect a no-nonsense, coastal vibe with the town's cafés and chippies a short walk away, and Glasgow less than an hour up the road when you fancy a city day.