Compare 5 holiday parks in West Lothian – filter by hot tubs, pets, pools and more, then check dates and prices.
Nestled among the broad-leaved trees lining the Avon Gorge, these beautifully furnished lodges provide an ideal base for exploring the pristine beauty of the Gorge and its diverse wildlife, including otters.
Mortonhall, awarded the David Bellamy Gold Award for Conservation, offers the best of both worlds set within Edinburgh’s city boundary yet nestled in a private and secluded 200-acre country estate.
Commanding panoramic views of the Ochil Hills, these stunning woodland lodges take full advantage of their unique location in the glorious Stirling countryside.
Convenient access to the cosmopolitan city of Edinburgh yet located on the beautiful East Lothian coastline.
Be the first to experience our cabins at Glentress Forest, available to stay from winter 2024. Roamhillsides and take in sweeping valley views.
West Lothian sits between Edinburgh and Glasgow, and it packs a surprising amount into a small Scottish county. There are prehistoric cairns on Cairnpapple Hill, rescued brown bears at Five Sisters Zoo and the palace where Mary Queen of Scots was born, plus miles of trails across the Bathgate Hills. Finish the day in a pub on Linlithgow High Street.
Camping holidays in West Lothian work well because nothing is far away. Livingston is about 25 minutes west of Edinburgh, and the M8 and M9 make it a perfect base to explore Stirling, Falkirk, Glasgow and the rest of Central Scotland.
If you'd rather have a proper bed than a tent, a lodge or caravan gives you the same peaceful base with a kitchen and heating.
The county's camping sites are small and friendly, and most sit on farmland or inside a country park. Here's how they compare, from the council-run site at Beecraigs to the family-run farm parks.
| Campsite or caravan park | Where | Takes | Open |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beecraigs Caravan & Camping Site | 2 miles south of Linlithgow | Caravans, motorhomes, tents, 2 Little Lodges pods | All year (tents April to October) |
| Linwater Caravan Park | West Clifton, East Calder (EH53 0HT) | Caravans, motorhomes, tents, pods | All year |
| Loch House Farm Caravan Park | Bo'ness Road, Linlithgow (EH49 7RG) | Caravans, motorhomes, tents | Check with the farm |
| Hilly Cow Wigwams | Leyden Farm, Kirknewton | Glamping wigwams, some with hot tubs | Check with the farm |
| Mosshall Farm Caravan Park | Blackburn (EH47 7DB) | Caravans, motorhomes, campervans | Check with the farm |
Beecraigs is the big one for tent campers. Its 23 hardstanding pitches all have electric hook-ups, the grass tent field has none, and two modern blocks hold the toilets, showers, family shower rooms and a laundry. The site holds an AA 4 Pennant Gold award, booking online shows live pitch availability and arrival is between 1pm and 10pm. Want to skip the tent? Book one of its two Little Lodges camping pods by phone.
Linwater sits next to Almondell & Calderwood Country Park and the Union Canal, within five miles of Edinburgh Airport.
Book every site ahead for July and August.
These parks are self-contained sites with static caravans, lodges and sometimes glamping pods. Depending on the park, facilities can include a bar, restaurant, swimming pool, entertainment, play areas or your own hot tub.
You get separate bedrooms, a living area and your own outdoor space, all self-catering, so you can cook breakfast in your pyjamas and save on eating out. There are no airports or luggage limits either. Pack the car with wellies, bikes and the dog's bed.
Sharing a holiday home with friends brings the cost down quickly, so try the numbers below.
The county mixes rolling hills and old market towns with big-name shops and easy roads. History runs deep, from 5,500 years of human activity on Cairnpapple Hill to the Renaissance palace above Linlithgow Loch, and the gala days and the Linlithgow Marches in June bring the towns out onto the streets. Edinburgh, the Kelpies and the Forth bridges are all a short drive away.
Kids love it here. Five Sisters Zoo, the farm animals and tractor rides at Almond Valley and the adventure play park at Beecraigs will fill a week, while the Scottish Owl Centre at Polkemmet is a big hit with younger ones. Here's what to throw in the car.
Dogs are welcome on the county's woodland trails, and The Four Marys on the High Street is dog friendly in the bar, so you can both refuel after a lap of the loch. Keep a lead handy at Beecraigs, where sheep and cattle graze parts of the park.
| Route | Distance (miles) | Scenery | Postcode |
|---|---|---|---|
| Almondell & Calderwood Country Park | Varies | Woodland & River | EH52 5PE |
| Beecraigs Country Park | Varies | Lake & Forest | EH49 6PL |
| Linlithgow Loch | 2.3 | Historic & Waterfront | EH49 7AL |
| Polkemmet Country Park | 4 (marked trails) | Green Space & Woodland | EH47 0AD |
| The John Muir Way | Varies | Coastal & Countryside | Varies |
Some parks below have their own bar and restaurant, so nobody has to drive after a long day. The Bridge Inn on the canal at Ratho, just over the Edinburgh border, welcomes children until 8pm. Couples might book the Champany Inn near Linlithgow, famous for its Scotch beef steaks.
The Low Port Centre on Linlithgow Loch runs sailing, windsurfing, kayaking and open canoeing from April to October, with a children's activity programme in the school holidays.
| Name | Type | On Offer | Postcode |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Centre, Livingston | Shopping Centre | High Street Brands | EH54 6HR |
| Livingston Designer Outlet | Outlet Mall | Designer Discounts | EH54 6QX |
| Linlithgow High Street | Local Shops | Gifts & Antiques | EH49 7ED |
| Almondvale West Retail Park | Retail Park | Electronics & Homeware | EH54 6RQ |
| Howgate Shopping Centre, Falkirk | Indoor Mall | Local Brands | FK1 1HG |
There's no big holiday village inside the county. These are the closest parks you can book with us, with drive times from Livingston.
| Holiday park | Drive (mins) | Sleeps | Hot tubs | Pets | Pool |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hideaway Lodges | 22 | 4 | No | Yes | No |
| Mortonhall | 28 | 8 | No | Yes | No |
| Drummohr Lodges | 36 | 4 | Yes | Yes | No |
| The Woods | 42 | 8 | No | Yes | No |
| Glentress Forest | 63 | 10 | Yes | Yes | No |
Birkhill, near Linlithgow - 22 minutes from Livingston - sleeps up to 4 - pets welcome
Broad-leaved trees line the Avon Gorge around these lodges, and otters live in the river below. Each one has a double and a twin bedroom, an open-plan lounge and a verandah with a barbecue.
Stirling is 19 miles away.
Edinburgh - 28 minutes from Livingston - sleeps up to 8 - pets welcome - rated 4.6
Mortonhall holds a David Bellamy Gold Award for Conservation, and it's a rare thing: a private 200-acre estate inside Edinburgh's city boundary, looking south to the Pentland Hills. Wander through the Arboretum, eat at the Stable Bar, then catch a bus into the city centre. There's a games room and a playground too.
Musselburgh, East Lothian - 36 minutes from Livingston - sleeps up to 4 - hot tubs - pets welcome - rated 4.9
These hot tub lodges sit on the coast with partial sea views towards Fife, and most take up to two dogs for an extra cleaning charge. Musselburgh is in East Lothian, not West Lothian. Heading that way for the beach at Seton Sands or Belhaven Bay near Dunbar? See our East Lothian holiday parks.
Alva, near Stirling - 42 minutes from Livingston - sleeps up to 8 - pets welcome - rated 4.7
These lodges look out over the Ochil Hills, with a restaurant and bar, a shop and a playground on site. There's fishing too (charges apply). Edinburgh is about 45 minutes' drive.
Peebles - 63 minutes from Livingston - sleeps up to 10 - hot tubs - pets welcome
Cabins and treehouses perch among the pines, each with its own hot tub under wide-open skies. Glentress is home to one of the 7stanes mountain bike trail centres, so bring the bikes! There's a Forest Ranger station and a nature play area too. Our Edinburgh & the Borders holiday parks page has more like it.
All of these attractions are an easy run from the parks above, but check opening times before you set off.
Over 160 species live at this zoo in Polbeth, West Calder, including rescued brown bears and Scotland's only cheetah. When it rains, head for the Leaping Lemurs soft play or the Lost Kingdom reptile house. The Illuminations light trail runs on selected evenings in late November and December.
Phone number: 01506 870000 | Web: fivesisterszoo.co.uk
This is the classic family day out in Livingston. A working farm sits alongside the Museum of the Scottish Shale Oil Industry, and the new Ruined Peel play tower copies a medieval tower house that once stood nearby.
Phone number: 01506 414957 | Web: almondvalley.co.uk
Mary Queen of Scots was born here, and the roofless ruins still stand high above the loch. Climb to Queen Margaret's Bower for the view, then find the three-tiered fountain in the courtyard. The king's bedchamber and the court kitchen are closed for conservation work for now.
Web: historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/linlithgow-palace
Beecraigs covers 913 acres of hillside, with trails for walking and cycling, mountain bike routes, archery, orienteering and a big adventure play area. Go in autumn, when the trees turn gold, and grab a coffee at the Hideaway Cafe afterwards.
Phone number: 01506 284516 | Web: westlothian.gov.uk/beecraigs
Near Whitburn, Polkemmet has over 6.5km of waymarked trails, an adventure play area and a 9-hole golf course. The Scottish Owl Centre moved here from Argyll in 2012.
Web: westlothian.gov.uk
Just over the border in Falkirk, the Kelpies are two 30-metre steel horse heads, best seen lit up at night.
Web: thehelix.co.uk
Nicknamed the ship that never sailed, this 15th-century fortress juts out into the Firth of Forth. Outlander, Mary Queen of Scots and Outlaw King were all filmed here. Climb the towers and curtain wall for views of the Forth bridges.
Web: historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/blackness-castle
The Linlithgow Canal Centre runs public boat trips on the Union Canal from Easter to the end of September, with Santa cruises on December weekends.
Whichever month you pick, the parks above make a comfortable base for camping holidays in West Lothian without the tent. Browse every holiday park in Scotland or filter for hot tub accommodation on Book Holiday Park.
Are there holiday parks in West Lothian?
The county has camping and caravan parks such as Beecraigs, Linwater, Loch House Farm and Mosshall Farm. For a lodge or caravan holiday, the closest parks we list are Hideaway Lodges near Linlithgow, about 22 minutes from Livingston, and Mortonhall in Edinburgh, about 28 minutes away.
This is our first stay on a holiday park, what will it be like?
Expect your own lodge or caravan with a kitchen. Facilities vary: Mortonhall has a bar and playground, while Hideaway Lodges is quiet.
What should I pack when visiting West Lothian?
Waterproofs, layers, wellies and midge repellent. Check whether bed linen is supplied.
Is West Lothian a good place to visit off-season?
Yes. Five Sisters Zoo and Almond Valley open nearly every day of the year, and the zoo's Illuminations brighten December. Cairnpapple Hill and the canal boat trips are summer only.
Can we bring our pets to the holiday park?
All five parks above welcome pets in some holiday homes, so check the rules before you book.
What's the best family day out in Livingston?
Almond Valley Heritage Centre, with farm animals, tractor and train rides and soft play. Five Sisters Zoo is a short drive away at West Calder.
