Looking for a peaceful, family friendly and dog friendly caravan site in Scotland with plenty of space for the kids and pups to run wild? As a family of four (plus two excitable dogs), we stayed at Nethercraig Holiday Park near Alyth—and here’s our honest review. From spacious hardstanding pitches,enclosed dog areas to sandpits and nearby waterfall, there’s a lot to love (and a few things we’d tweak!). It’s very family friendly and of course dog friendly too!
Getting There and Check-In
We travelled from Newcastle, taking the M9 then merging with the M90 before turning off onto the scenic A94. The drive was smooth and straightforward, with no hair-raising bends or pinched country lanes to battle through. As we approached the B954 near Meigle, the landscape opened up into classic Scottish countryside—green, quiet, and filled with promise. The final approach to Nethercraig is a short single-track road with passing places. It felt remote but safe, and we arrived with no dramas. Check-in was friendly and fuss-free. We were handed a map with our pitch clearly marked and a barrier card for access (which took a few seconds to register, but it worked eventually). The boys were already craning their necks to spot the play areas, while the dogs were sniffing the air like they knew they were in for a treat.
Touring and Tent Pitches
First impressions? Space. Lots of it. We had ample room for the caravan, awning, and car, plus a lovely grassy area perfect for tying up the dogs, parking bikes, or letting the kids lounge with their snacks. The touring and camping section was separate from the statics, which gave it a lovely community feel without being cramped. The hardstanding pitches were well-maintained and level. The electric hookup worked without issue, and even though we didn’t spot any super pitches, it was all simple to set up and get comfy. Grass tent pitches looked lush and green—ideal for summer camping. This was immediately looking to be a clean, well laid out, family friendly site.
Facilities and Amenities
Toilets and showers were functional, if not fancy. The main blocks were clean, but the water pressure left a bit to be desired—especially for my husband, who struggled to wash his hair under the low-mounted shower head. I gave the family/accessible room a go, and while the shower itself was much better (good pressure and heat), the room had a musty smell, and unfortunately someone had left behind an unwelcome surprise in the toilet. Not the end of the world, but not ideal. The laundry was decent—£3 for a quick wash. Dryers weren’t amazing, but did the job eventually. Bonus points for an iron and board being available, even if I personally avoid anything that requires ironing on holiday.
Kids’ Play Areas and Large Field
There are two play areas on-site. One larger one near the main entrance and a smaller one—complete with playhouse, frame and an actual sandpit—tucked in near the tourer section. This sandpit turned out to be a hit. Our boys, aged 7 and 9, aren’t usually into younger-style play equipment, but they happily spent an hour or more digging, building, and finding random plastic toys other kids had left behind. That was a first for us at a site. Even better was the big field nearby, with two fixed football goals and loads of space to run, race and be noisy without bothering anyone. The lads had a ball (literally), and it gave us the chance to kick back in the sun while they wore themselves out.
Dog Friendly Features
Nethercraig is properly dog-friendly—not just ‘dogs allowed’ but dogs welcomed. There’s a lovely enclosed dog park just a short walk away via the woodland trail. It’s got agility tyres, toys and shaded areas. Our two, Buster and Wolfe, went wild. Buster bolted from one end to the other like it was his own private racetrack, while Wolfe made friends with a spaniel and chased tennis balls until his tongue was hanging out. The woodland walk itself is peaceful, lined with cherry trees and picnic spots. We even spotted a red squirrel!
WiFi and Essentials
WiFi is technically available, but we found it spotty at best. Even parked beside a transmitter, we had dropouts. There’s no paid upgrade, so come prepared to go semi-offline. Mobile signal was also weak for us, although that might depend on your provider. The on-site shop is more of a kiosk—don’t expect bread, milk, or wine. We drove about 12 minutes into Alyth for essentials at the Co-op. Top tip: stock up before you arrive if you don’t fancy a daily shop run.
Things to Do Nearby
Walks and Nature:
- Loch of Lintrathen: A serene loch with a Scottish Wildlife Trust reserve, offering opportunities for birdwatching and scenic walks.
- The Cateran Trail: A long-distance, 103km circular walking route that passes near the holiday park, perfect for hikers and walkers.
Reekie Linn waterfall is just a 10-minute drive and totally worth it—an easy stroll from the car park to a thundering waterfall tucked in a wooded gorge. It felt like finding a secret spot. Keep dogs on a lead for safety as there are sheer drops from the cliff. It’s also unsuitable for pushchairs, wheelchairs and small children. The river up by the car park is a great place to swim and splash about for kids, dogs and adults.
Historical and Cultural Sites
- Glamis Castle: A magnificent and historic castle with beautiful gardens. It was the childhood home of the Queen Mother and the birthplace of Princess Margaret.
- J.M. Barrie’s Birthplace: Visit the childhood home of the creator of Peter Pan in the nearby town of Kirriemuir. The cottage is now a museum managed by the National Trust for Scotland.
We travelled an hour to Balmoral to visit the palace and Prince Albert’s Cairn.
Final thoughts
Gallery
Verdict
★★★★
Kids? Absolutely loved it—they’re still talking about the sandpit. Dogs? Had the time of their lives. My husband’s already hinted at returning. As for me? I’d love a few tweaks to the showers and maybe something extra for kids aged 7+, but all in all, Nethercraig is a lovely peaceful base with lots of space and freedom. We’d definitely go back—with extra loo roll and a stocked fridge. All in all this sites gets the thumbs up from the whole family including the dogs!
Pros
+ Spacious Hardstanding pitches
+ Beautiful Site with Woodland walk
+ Sandpit
+ Enclosed Dog Field
+ Lovely Helpful Staff
+ Close to Reekie Linn
Cons
– Showers aren’t great
– Poor WiFi Signal
– No Onsite/Local Shop
FAQ
Is there wifi?
Yes, free WiFi is available but we found it to be intermittant
Is there an onsite shop
We are open from 8 AM to 6 PM, Monday to Saturday. We’re closed on Sunday. Holiday hours may vary, so please call or check our website for specific information on those dates.
Are the pitches level?
Ours was, and the ground felt firm and even.
Is the site dog friendly?
Yes, with the enclosed dog park this is a very dog friendly site.
Do I need tokens for the Laundry?
The washers and dryers accept coins but do not take the new £1 coins. However you can go to the reception to swap to some old coins.
Check out our other reviews here
