Five of the best top-rated camping, clamping and touring sites in Scotland have been revealed in time for the start of the summer holiday season.

A survey by an outdoor booking platform, Pitchup.com, ranked thousands of sites across the UK with marks out of 10 based on customer reviews for location, value for money, quality of accommodation, activities and cleanliness.

Incredibly, 74 locations in Scotland ranked 8/10 or above. These included  Barstobrick Holiday Lodges, Castle Douglas in Dumfries and Galloway.

According to the organisers of the survey it was tricky to decide which is more attractive - the stunning scenery of the Dumfries and Galloway countryside or the stylish interiors of the holiday accommodation.

It turns out visitors love the large windows, specially designed to make the most of the gorgeous views towards the Galloway Hills, and the site’s proximity, about 10 minutes’ drive, from both Castle Douglas and Kirkcudbright. 

The outdoor table was praised for making a fine setting for an alfresco breakfast, which guests can have delivered to the lodge in a hamper for an extra charge. Or, if a cooked breakfast is preferred, on-site coffee shop can cater for demand.

Each lodge has a king size bed, kitchenette, Smart TV and an ensuite shower room. Overall the site scored an overall 10 out of 10 rating across 24 reviews.

Another top scoring destination was North Muasdale Farm, Muasdale in Argyll.

Guests can cosy up in the comfy cabin and soak up the spectacular scenery as the farm sits on a hillside above Muasdale village and has views out over the Scottish islands of Islay, Jura, Gigha and Cara.

The retreat is close to the Kintyre peninsula’s beaches, walking paths, bike trails and wildlife in Argyll and Bute. It also has all the useful facilities like a kitchen, an ensuite and access to Freeview and wifi making it a great base from which to experience the scenic Kintyre 66 route, as the accommodation is just off the A83.

The friendly host, the “unrivalled location and views”, and the complimentary fresh eggs from the farm were all a hit with visitors, who gave it a perfect 10 rating in 2021.

A picnic bench for eating alfresco and a hot tub are placed outside the cabin so that visitors don’t miss sunset, as the views at that time of day are especially beautiful.

Across the country Law Farm Campsite, at Dechmonth, Lothian was another perfect scorer.

This pop-up site is only open from July 22 to August 5, but last year’s visitors were so impressed it scored 10 out of 10.

“Lovely scenery all around us, miles away from the rat race,” was how one reviewer described the nearly-wild camping experience at Law Farm.

A 20-minute drive from the Forth Bridge and half an hour from Edinburgh, this working farm has views of the Pentlands, Arthur’s Seat and Binnie Craig.

The farm field is very grassy and spacious, so there's plenty of room between plots. The site has simple facilities like portaloo toilets, meaning that this is a place best-suited to self-sustaining travellers who appreciate the chance to build a campfire or cook their own dinner over a barbecue.

Further north, Macbeth’s Hillock at Forres, Moray also scored 10 out 10 for its clean facilities and beautiful location.

‘Tis said that Macbeth’s Hillock, half an hour’s drive from Inverness, is where the future King of Scotland met with the three witches and first learned his dreadful destiny.

While the witches might not have existed, Macbeth certainly did and the coastline of the Moray Firth is dotted with reminders of Scotland’s proud and sometimes turbulent history - it's a 15-minute trip to the seat of the real Thanes of Cawdor.

This peaceful site has country views, comfortable accommodation in pods with ensuite bathrooms, and friendly flocks of chickens and sheep next door. 

Sea fishing, dolphin spotting and Loch Ness cruises are all within half an hour and many famed whisky distilleries are within an hour's drive.

Narrowly missing out on the perfect score Castle Point Caravan Site, at Rockcliffe in Dumfries and Galloway was given an overall rating of 9.8 from a staggering 114 reviewers in 2021.

Within walking distance of three sandy beaches, the caravan and camping site was loved by guests for its clean facilities, beautiful walks and stunning views.

Visitors were impressed by the facilities, including a laundry room, washing up areas, a drying room for wet clothes, lockable bike shed, play area, barbecue area, excellent showers.

For provisions, a well-stocked food shop is about a mile away at Colvend and a couple of small supermarkets are around six miles away.