by Chris Jefferies
When it was acquired from the local council two years ago, Lochside Caravan Park in Forfar became something of a pet project for The Caravan Club.
Setting itself a challenge of making this a truly top-class site, The Club set about renovating and upgrading this mid-size park with a budget of more than £1m, and on April 6th of this year, that ambitious project came to its conclusion.
So this week, CaravanTimes has been north of the border to investigate and see the fruits of their labour.
Upon visiting the park, it is immediately obvious that this is one of the most immaculate sites in The Club’s collection, with neatly trimmed grass verges providing delightful scenery and freshly laid tarmac driveways making for easy access.
All 15 of the existing hard-standing pitches have been re-laid, while 28 new hard-standings have been put in, including eight serviced pitches.
The reception and amenities block also been completely refurbished, while the toilet and shower facilities are just as pristine as you would expect from a Club site.
Nature on your doorstep
However, The Caravan Club hasn’t tampered with the many things that made Lochside such an appealing destination in the first place.
For starters, its location is highly convenient – Forfar town centre is just a short stroll away, with several shops, supermarkets and restaurants close by.
What’s more, anyone visiting Lochside will find Forfar Country Park literally on the doorstep, something that is particularly appealing for dog-owners, as the site’s wardens Gordon and Christine Milne told CaravanTimes.
“The loch is right there and it’s part of the reason that we attract so many dog owners. I’d say that 50% of the people staying with us have a dog, and we don’t charge them any extra for the privilege.
“The walk around the loch takes about an hour, which is usually enough to tire out most dogs, let alone their owners!” Gordon tells us.
And for those who are serious about their walking Lochside is definitely the place to go this summer, as the Angus Glens Walking Festival is taking place next month.
It’s not just walking that makes the loch a big draw, with fly fishing also very popular among caravanners visiting the site, Gordon adds.
Lochside is just as accommodating for families, with a small children’s play area on site and a much larger one, just the other side of the park’s fence.
Once the kids get tired of that, there’s a leisure centre, swimming pool and a small skate park nearby, while budding golfers can visit Carnoustie, with its 18-hole championship golf courses under half an hour’s drive away.
Or if you’re more Rory McGrath than Rory McIlroy, then there’s both crazy golf and pitch & putt in the local town centre.
Those looking to soak up a bit of culture can take the short drive to Glamis Castle, the childhood home of the Queen Mother and the current home of the Highland Games. There’s even a local bus service to this popular country house, making for an effortless day out.
Everything you need
Facilities on-site include an immaculate shower and toilet block, while Wi-Fi internet is due to be rolled out later this year.
“The Caravan Club tries to ensure that all of their sites are up to the same standard, and to us it’s definitely a five-star site,” says Gordon, who has worked at plenty of sites across the UK in his time with The Club.
Nine tent pitches are also available, but as Gordon tells us, they are generally used by friends and family of caravanners.
In many ways, Lochside offers the best of both worlds – the convenience of having a town centre close-by, as well as the remote Angus countryside (and all that comes with it) well within striking distance for a day trip.
If you’re looking to explore the heartlands of Scotland this summer, then you’ll be hard pressed to find a better base camp from which to do so.
Site Fact File:
- 70 pitches in total (including 43 hardstanding and 8 serviced)
- Pitches available from just £5.25 per night (excluding per capita charges)
- Open to non-members, with a £10/night surcharge
- Town centre within walking distance, including pubs, restaurants and a choice of supermarkets
- Open this year from 6th April to 5th November
*For more details see the Caravan Club website.
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