Reviews
Acceptable camping site, but not many places to pitch and no room for large tents. Facilities were basic (a bit old and in need to replacement) and for the prices they are charging really should invest back into upgraded toilets and showers. The real reason for coming here though (other than it being one of only two campsites on Islay) is because the views are spectacular.
We stayed in Muran Cottage for two nights - it was more expensive than other places we stayed on our Scotland trip, but I guess it's a question of supply and demand. The cottage was fine - we had a great view over the dunes to the sea. We found Mrs Mctaggart to be perfectly friendly. Charging extra for electricity when the cottage was already expensive was maybe pushing it a bit. Be aware that the farm is at the end of a pot-holed track.
Basic site in a stunning setting. Pitches on flat grass right on the beach. Our visit was spoiled by the old woman owner who gave us a 5 minute rollicking for knocking her door at 9pm. The sign said you must register before putting up a tent and the sign for reception pointed towards her door. We followed instructions but she still kept growling at us and followed us into the toilets to demand payment.
There is not much competition on the south of the island so this woman clearly gets away with being rude and unpleasant towards paying customers. We wild camped on a nearby beach to avoid paying her for a second might.
Decided to try this campsite because the pictures looked fabulous, we have an extra long wheel base campervan & its very rare we stop at campsites, but this one was beautiful sat ontop of a dune looking out to sea, it was that great we stopped another night, even managed to do some washing & drying! We would definately stop here again & the host couldn't be more helpfull what a lovely lady!
We had read some of the reviews regarding the owner and the beautiful setting of the site. My wife and I absolutely loved our 9 night stay in a tent. We can happily state that this is our kind of site. Simply stunning. We camped high up on the high ground with a tent which was a little bit risky but the tent is quite sturdy. We did experience c45mph winds and some tents on the site, even though more sheltered, did not survive.
The toilet and shower area for campers is very much acceptable and fulfilled our needs. Nothing fancy just clean and tidy. Showers are free.
The issues some reviews mention surrounding the owner of the site I have to say had us on our toes. We took a deep breath and respected the whole of the site and the owners many requests dotted around the facilities. My wife and I both bumped into Mrs Mactaggart on several occasions briefly. No issues for us and neither did we hear any problems. On our last day Mrs Mactaggart caught us as we used the toilets before we left. I gulped thinking we had done something wrong.....she held out her hand for me to shake and thanked us for being considerate campers! I duly replied that we truly appreciated the use of their special place they had allowed us to stay on.
We noticed whilst there people :
Left stones from the beach on the grass when asked not to.
Lit barbecues on the grass when asked not to.
Camped in the "no camping" area. (map clearly shows this)
Left the shower area filthy and floor wet. (mop and bucket provided)
I suspect if you know how to behave this site will be a peaceful retreat. If you are unable to follow requests then beware.
Personally I like to see site owners taking the rules seriously and they do, to the utter delight of those that appreciate both the site and owners.
We will be back.
Really nice place for camping next to port Ellen.
This place is as close as you can get to wild camping...without actually wild camping. There are awesome seaside beach campsites. I wish I could get a site like this more often. The one downside is if you don't have a bike or a car, it's a bit out of the way.
Convenient amenities such as wash up area, showers and toilets. Laundry available, although pricey.
Camping rates are tough to determine, but they seem to be trying to make them clearer. We paid £16 per night for two ppl plus 2 person tent with no awnings.
To the reviewers who complain about the rules, if you don't like them don't stay. If you follow them and treat the owners respectfully, they are incredibly friendly.
Fantastic place and ohh what stunning views.Like with visiting countryside locations, you expect to see various warning signs, sadly the most import one is missing "Beware of Owner" I will leave this for you to experience yourself. As a tourist visiting here for the first time you are not aware of her strick and regimental procedures. On arrival before you do anything including breathing. Park in the specific designated parking only,the rest must have preasure sensors under the gravel as she some how knows if you have not. The reception is at the back of the farm house on the left hand side. Likeyhood there will be no one there. So just go in sign the registration book and for goodness sake place a pin on her map with your car registration place you are going to put your tent and duration of stay. Do not under any circumstances use the electricity in the reception to charge your now dead phone. She will turn into a gremlin and blow a head gasket. Showers are available which is great especially after a long days drive. There is no check in times etc so you can just turn up and pitch your tent at anytime. I minimised my encounters with the owner which made my stay even better. She looks an ever so sweet lady until she barks at you. If they had the sense to develop customer skills I would rate this a 5 , It still deserves a 4 based on views. Anyone looking for an aternate to a hotel and enjoys nature...look no further. Enjoy, I did.
A stunning location, despoiled on this our second visit by the owners wife who summarily decided on day two that our and three other family's large tents had to be moved at once to the other end of her site for the astonishing reason that those staying in her holiday let wanted an uninterupted view of the bay. We complied, upon threat of a refund (unfortunately there are too few other sites on Islay). Visit only if you want basic, wild camping (we do!) and are prepared to be spoken to very curtly and on occasion aggressively by this elderly ex-school mistress if you step out of line.