Camping Gluten-Free in FouldenCoastal Towns, Old Haunts, and a Proper Cup of Tea
Shepherd’s Rest, just outside the village of Foulden in the Scottish Borders, turned out to be the perfect quiet base for a short family trip. It’s a small, peaceful campsite surrounded by gently rolling hills and the kind of stillness that makes you breathe a little deeper without realising. No frills, no fuss—just the sound of crows overhead and the occasional sheep adding commentary.
For us, travelling as a family with one of the kids having coeliac disease, we’ve learned that a bit of forward planning makes all the difference. And that started before we even got on the road.
Setting Up Camp – and a Better Kitchen Setup
After years of juggling pans on wobbly plastic tables, we finally upgraded to an Outsunny 4ft Folding Camping Cupboard Kitchen [affiliate link]. It gave us a decent-sized, stable surface for food prep (including the essential kettle station), and the adjustable legs meant no more clattering around on uneven grass. It’s not glamorous, but it meant we could cook standing upright like civilised folk—not hunched over like gremlins in a gale.
Dinner that first night was a camping classic: pre-made chilli (gluten-free, of course) and boil-in-the-bag rice. Simple, filling, and even better when eaten out of bowls balanced on knees while the sky fades to purple.
Day One: Memory Lane in Berwick-upon-Tweed
Berwick’s only a short drive away, and for me, it was more than just a pretty place—it was a return to where I lived for a few years as a kid. So naturally, I bored the family to tears with tales of “when this used to be a Woolworths” and “there used to be a shortcut through here, honest!” I took them on at least three detours chasing old paths that almost definitely never existed outside my imagination.
We walked the old town walls (still impressive), wandered along the river and up to the lighthouse, and made a few detours to check if any of the shops or cafés had changed (most had, but that didn’t stop me pointing them out anyway).
For lunch, we found a coeliac-safe haven at The Mule on Rouge. It’s a quiet little place with plenty of clearly marked gluten-free options and staff who didn’t bat an eye at our questions. Toasties, soup, decent coffee, and cake to finish—just the ticket after a blustery walk.
Day Two: North Berwick – Puffins, Castles and Coastal Breezes
It’s a longer drive, but we fancied stretching our legs further afield and heading up to North Berwick. The Scottish Seabird Centre was a hit with the kids—live camera feeds of puffins and seals, interactive displays, and a handy café. (Gluten-free options were limited here though, so don’t bank on a big lunch.)
Instead, we carried on to Drift Café, just outside town. It’s perched above the sea in a converted shipping container, with panoramic views and gluten-free cakes that were generous in both portion and flavour. The millionaire’s shortbread got a rare five-star rating from the kids.
Later we explored Tantallon Castle, half-crumbled into the cliffs. The wind whipped through the turrets as we clambered about. The girls staged a mock battle. I pretended not to worry about twisted ankles. Everyone was happy.
Dinner that night was back at the site—burgers cooked on the gas stove, some toasted gluten-free rolls, and a quiet evening watching the sky darken.
Day Three: Holy Island and Quiet Reflection
Our final morning was all about timing the tides. A trip to Holy Island (Lindisfarne) is only possible if you get the causeway right, and we’re not daft—we checked the times twice and left a healthy buffer.
Once across, we parked up and wandered through the village. The Lindisfarne Priory ruins are as atmospheric as ever, and we took a quiet moment in the cemetery down the lane. The girls became obsessed with the names on the gravestones, delighted to find surnames they recognised from home. We’re from the North East, and seeing those familiar names carved into stone made it feel less like a tourist stop and more like a quiet connection to something deeper.
We stopped for a drink in one of the smaller pubs tucked off the main path—nothing fancy, but a solid pint and a place to rest our legs before the drive. Gluten-free options on the island are pretty limited, so we were glad we’d packed lunch. Wraps, fruit, crisps, and a couple of Kind nut bars that had been crushed into unrecognisable shapes but still tasted as good as ever.
Gluten-Free Notes from the Field
- Supermarket supplies: Co-op in Berwick is your best bet. Reasonable range of gluten-free staples and bread that isn’t like eating bricks.
- Cafés & restaurants: The Mule on Rouge (Berwick) and Drift Café (North Berwick) both excellent for coeliacs. Friendly, knowledgeable, no awkwardness.
- Snacks to pack: Kind bars, rice cakes, wraps. We kept a stash in the glove box just in case.
- Cooking kit to consider: The Outsunny Camping Kitchen made all the difference. Solid, adjustable, and saved my back.
Final Thoughts
This trip was never about squeezing in as many sights as possible. It was about slowing down, reconnecting, and showing the kids a few bits of where I came from. It was about late night star-watching, morning coffee on a cold stove, and that lovely silence you get when everyone’s happily fed and has nowhere else to be.
And for any families camping with coeliac in the mix—yes, it takes a bit more planning. But no, it doesn’t mean missing out. With a few good cafés, a solid kitchen setup, and a stash of snacks in the backpack, you’ll be just fine.
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