Scotland’s best and worst holiday parks named, with one beating Center Parcs

Consumer organisation Which? has named the best and worst holiday parks in Scotland.

Scots across the country are keen to enjoy a few days of fun in the sun with their families. However, it can be difficult to know which holiday parks and resorts are worth a visit.

A new report from Which? has ranked holiday parks in Scotland and the UK based on their customer satisfaction scores. Looking at the results, a lesser-known brand with parks in Scotland is more popular with visitors than heavyweights such as Center Parcs or Butlin’s.

According to experts, Forest Holidays is the most popular holiday park operator in Scotland. The brand, which has Scottish locations in Ardgartan in Argyll, Glentress Forest in Peebles and Strathyre in Stirling, has an overall customer score of 80 per cent.

Customers surveyed gave Forest Holidays an average rating of four out of five for overall customer service, cleanliness, quality of accommodation, facilities and communication. Meanwhile, a stay at one of the parks will cost you an average of £63 per person per night.

Which?’s overall verdict described Forest Holidays as “perfect for a relaxing nature break”, although it was noted that the “hot tub accommodation does push up the cost.” One guest said: “It may not be a holiday for someone looking for constant entertainment and activities such as [at] Center Parcs. But if you enjoy long walks with your dog through forests and quiet paths, mountain hiking, cycling or just a bit of peace and quiet, then this is ideal.”

In second place for Scotland in Which?’s summary is Hoseasons, which received a customer score of 74 per cent. The holiday provider, which has dozens of parks and lodges across the country, was awarded four out of five stars for value for money, cleanliness and quality of accommodation.

On the other hand, Largo Leisure Parks and Away Resorts were both named the worst in Scotland with customer ratings of just 64 percent. While the former did not receive specific ratings, the latter was given a three out of five score for cleanliness, quality of accommodation and communication, and two out of five for entertainment, facilities, food and drink, value for money and overall customer service.

Meanwhile, Haven Holiday Parks and Park Holidays came in third and fourth with customer ratings of 69 per cent and 66 per cent respectively. Haven Holiday Parks, which has two sites, Craig Tara in Ayr and Seton Sands near Edinburgh, was awarded two stars for food and drink and complimentary facilities, and three stars for everything else.

Park Holidays has four holiday parks in Scotland, in Burghead, Lossiemouth, Silver Sands and Turnberry. According to the Which? survey, it was rated three out of five for cleanliness, quality of accommodation, entertainment and communication, and two stars for complimentary facilities, food and drink, overall customer service and value for money.

For a full list of the best and worst holiday parks in the UK, visit the Which? website.

Holiday parks in Scotland ranked by customer rating

1. Forest holidays — 80 percent
2. Hoseizoenen — 74 percent
3. Haven Holiday Parks — 69 percent
4. Park holidays — 66 percent
5. Away Resorts — 64 percent
6. Largo Leisure Parks — 64 percent

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