Auchengillan Outdoor Centre
BEST FOR
Ages 5+
ENTRY
from £30
WHERE
Glasgow
What it’s like
A residential outdoor centre near Glasgow where groups climb a 60ft tower, raft build, fire air rifles and sleep over in cabins or lodges.
This is a place you book as a group rather than turn up to for an afternoon. Think school trips, scout camps, birthday groups or a family reunion that fancies something more energetic than a picnic: the activity list runs to nearly thirty things, from high ropes and a 60ft climbing tower down to gentler stuff like orienteering and the sculpture trail. Archery, axe throwing and air rifle shooting sit alongside canoeing and kayaking on the water, and there's a proper dose of daft fun too, with body zorbs, sumo suits and grass sledges down a three lane track.
The Cave, a tunnels-and-slides set-up with a ball sump, looks like the one the younger end of the group will drag everyone back to, while older kids and the grown-ups will probably end up queuing for the climbing tower or the crate stack instead. It's set up for ages 5 and up, so it spans a decent range of a family or troop, though the higher-adrenaline stuff (paradrop, the pole climb) is obviously going to suit the ones who aren't scared of heights more than the ones who are.
Accommodation is part of the deal here rather than an add-on: cabins, lodges and group camping are all listed, with Glengoyne Lodge singled out as the accessible option at £30 per person per night. That lodge has bedrooms built to take mobility equipment and a mobile hoist on site, plus there's an accessible toilet and Changing Places facilities. Staying over is really what makes the activity list worth it, since a single day would barely scratch the surface of what's on offer.
It's set up for group bookings rather than solo family visits, so this is one to organise with a school, club or a few other families rather than book on a whim for one child.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- Ages 5 and up, especially groups staying more than a day
- Wheelchairs
- Glengoyne Lodge has accessible bedrooms designed to accommodate mobility equipment, with a mobile hoist available on site
- Book as a group rather than expecting to turn up solo
- Glengoyne Lodge is the accessible accommodation, at £30 per person per night
- Staying overnight makes far more sense of the activity list than a single day would
- Higher-adrenaline options like the pole climb and paradrop suit confident heights-lovers more than nervous ones
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
The figure they give is £30 per person per night for the Glengoyne Lodge accessible accommodation. Other accommodation and activity packages aren't broken down beyond that.
Do we need to book ahead?
It's set up around group bookings, so this isn't a walk-in venue. You'd organise dates and numbers with them directly.
What age is it suitable for?
Five and up is the minimum age they list. The activity range covers gentler options for younger kids and full-on stuff like the climbing tower for older ones.
Can wheelchair users stay and take part?
Glengoyne Lodge has bedrooms designed for mobility equipment and there's a mobile hoist on site. There's also an accessible toilet and Changing Places facilities across the centre.
What kind of accommodation is there?
Cabins, lodges and group camping are all options, alongside the dedicated accessible lodge.
What activities are actually on offer?
High ropes, a 60ft climbing tower, archery, axe throwing, air rifle shooting, canoeing, kayaking and raft building are all listed, plus lighter stuff like orienteering, the sculpture trail and body zorbs.
Is it only for big groups like schools?
The set-up leans heavily towards group bookings, so it suits school trips, clubs and larger family groups rather than one family turning up alone.
Is there something for a nervous or younger child while others do the big stuff?
The Cave, with its tunnels, slides and ball sump, and gentler activities like orienteering give a lower-key option alongside the height-based challenges.
Do they do laser tag or anything indoors for a wet day?
Yes, laser tag and the Sports Barn are both on the activity list, along with an indoor climbing wall, so there's cover if the weather turns.
Is there first aid cover on site?
First aid is listed among the amenities, alongside accessible toilets and group booking support.
What's the one activity to save until last?
The 60ft Climbing Tower looks like the standout, it's the tallest single feature on the list and the one that'll get talked about longest.
See all Holiday Clubs & Camps in Glasgow · Things to do in Glasgow
MAKE A DAY OF IT
