A Largs campsite is branching out into the glamping world as it looks to benefit from the staycation boom during the pandemic.

Katie Lindsay-Brown moved with her partner Chris Dewsnap and three sons Miles, Marcus and Max to South Whittlieburn Farm on the Brisbane Glen Road back in 2019.

The family came here from Edinburgh for a change of life after running a successful Airbnb and have been thriving as campsite owners despite the challenges of the pandemic.

Katie admits the family had to plough a lot of money into the farm to get the business started, but now have more than 40 pitches and space for as many tents as required.

She told the News: “We moved here in April 2019 when it was only a small caravan site, but we didn’t really realise the potential it could have.

“The farm was pretty rundown to start with, so we had to spend a lot of money on things you wouldn’t necessarily see.

“We were able to keep people coming in at certain times during the pandemic which was good, and when the summers came obviously the staycation boom was huge.

“We have 40 pitches for caravans and motorhomes or more if they don’t need electricity, with our own toilets and showers on site too over about 150 acres in total.”

Katie said a new luxury bell tent has been installed, and plans are already under way to increase their glamping offering to cater for the popularity of comfort holidays.

She said: “We’re improving our facilities all the time, and we are always coming up with new ideas and things we’d like to do.

“We’ve just put in a large bell tent and a hot tub, because that’s what everyone is wanting from their stays these days.

“We would love to put in more glamping tents, as well as offering a small shop or maybe even a food trailer on the busiest weekends.

“A big plus of us being on a farm is that children can see our animals - we have a couple of pygmy goats, two highland cows, some lambs and horses.”

Katie believes tourists staying at the campsite are vitally important to the Largs area, and says the majority of visitors are Scots looking to discover their own country.

She said: “We’ve got such a beautiful area for people to come and visit, so it’s vital we have different kinds of accommodation to suit everyone’s needs.

“It’s great for the area overall, with taxis being booked, supermarkets and restaurants getting more money in and lots of people going day trips to Cumbrae or other local spots.

“We get some people from down south and abroad, but the majority of visitors are actually from this area or elsewhere in Scotland.

“For people coming from England to do the North Coast 500, this is a great stop-off point before they head north because there is so much to do here and everyone is so welcoming."