Glasgow Herald 29th January 2007

"Hair straightener's?" squeals my husband in ironic delight, as he spots the modern girl's essential accessory sticking out the pocket of my rucksack.
Anyone would think we were going away to a posh hotel or something"
But I'm in weekend break denial. While the holiday documents detail a caravan park in Dumfriesshire, I'm hoping for sudden snowstorms en route and a forced detour to solid-brick accommodation.
In my dream, my family has to abandon the opportunity to spend two nights in a small, mouldy metal box, finding ourselves instead at a chanced-upon country house hotel where electricity, running water and central heating come as standard.
Unfortunately, luck did not appear to be on my side as we set off one cold but clear Friday in January. Within 90 minutes of leaving Glasgow, a straightforward, seamless drive brings us to the dreaded Brandedleys holiday park at the village of Crocketford between Dumfries and Castle Douglas. Heading reluctantly to the reception, I am surprised to enter a bright, modernised building where the friendly park warden David Marshall greets me.
(I could only wonder at the whereabouts of the typically gruff and off-hand caravan park owner I so clearly recall from my childhood holidays).
Further confounding my ingrained views of depressing, time warped caravan sites, my family is led through the grassy, landscaped grounds of The Park of Brandedleys.
Chatting animatedly, David reels off "extensive on-site facilities at the four-star park", including a swimming pool and sauna, tennis courts, bar and restaurant.
The biggest shock, however, comes as we walk up the curved, gravelled driveway to our "holiday home", where I am stunned to find a patio, barbecue area and smart wooden decked steps, which lead to front door that would not look out of place on a new-build show home.
Inside, where I'd contemplated a smelly galley and cramped, damp living space, there is a spacious open-plan lay-out with new fitted kitchen and breakfast bar, a dining area and a lounge, the latter furnished with a smart three-piece suite, flat-screen TV and DVD player.
"Cool. So much better than our own home", remarks my delighted eight-year-old daughter Havana. (Yeeah, thanks for that darling)
Along a narrow corridor, we discover three bedrooms, each with twin or double beds and fitted wardrobes, plus two bathrooms, one with a high-powered shower. Double glazed windows are decked out in bright, pretty curtains while bedding and towels are included in the package.
We're told that hot and cold running water and central heating do, indeed, come as standard in the park's 16 rented holiday homes. As do proper flushing toilets, gas hobs, electric ovens, fridge/freezers toasters, cafetieres, CD players - and mains three-pinned plug sockets (the kind that will happily operate a pair of GHD straighteners).
It turns out I'm not the only one that has been impressed by the 21st century "caravan. The Park of Brandedleys, a member of the VisitScotland Thistle Holiday Home Parks that provides 76 four or five star sites across Scotland, has been awarded the AA's coveted prize of Scottish Campsite of the Year.
It appears standards have progressed considerably since my formative experiences in various dreary English and Scottish caravan parks.
In more general terms, caravanning has never been more popular, accounting for almost a Fifth of all holidays now taken in the uk. The Caravan Club, which celebrates its centenary this year, is also enjoying its highest levels of membership.
These days the tourism machine is also a great deal more sophisticated. At the 1970's campsite, holidaymakers were lucky if the entertainment
stretched to a couple of battered novels left by the
previous residents.
At Brandedleys in 2007, guests receive a welcoming pack detailing a staggeringly
wide range of things to do in the area. It seems that whichever direction you drive or walk from
Crocketford, numerous brown tourist signs beckon visitors towards castles, museums, public gardens
and galleries.
At the end of each packed day I was amazingly
content to come "home" to our warm and welcoming caravan, to linger in the hot shower, before relaxing
in the lounge with a glass or two of chilled white
wine. With great platefuls of freshly-prepared food
on offer at the park's restaurant just yards from our accommodation, there seemed little point in staying
in to cook each evening or roaming further afield in search of other restaurants.
But perhaps the most satisfying part of our whole
holiday was the sound as the plug on my hair straighteners sunk firmly into a socket on the wall
of our bedroom

Practical Caravan Great Escapes park March 2006

It’s hard to believe that Brandedley’s is right next to the busy A75 Euroroute. This elevated site has been cleverly developed over the years so that, once in the park, you are almost unaware of this busy road. The other good thing is that you don’t have to endure miles of winding country roads to get here.
There are two pitching areas to choose from, both enjoying their own first-class toilet facilities. Most pitches have open views of the countryside and the majority of them are hardstanding. This site has first-class leisure facilities, with indoor swimming pool, a sauna, a tennis court, a games room and an adventure playground. After a busy day of activity and sightseeing, you can relax over a drink in the stylish, recently refurbished bar, followed up by a meal
in the adjoining informal restaurant. During the summer, there can be few more satisfying ways to spend an evening than to watch the sunset over Auchenreoch Loch from the bar patio.
Brandedley’s is on the edge of the village of Crocketford, which has
a useful village shop. There are no less than 25 golf courses within a short distance, excellent trout and salmon fishing, and superb country walking. The splendid Solway beaches are within 30 minutes drive as is the town of Dumfries.

Practical Motorhome Independent Site Reviews.

It's hard to believe that this park is next to the A75 Euroroute. This elevated site has been cleverly developed over the years so that once inside you are almost unaware of the existence of this busy road (and you don't have to endure miles of winding roads to get here).
There are two pitching areas from which to choose and each has its own first-class toilet facilities. Almost all pitches have open views of the surrounding countryside and are arranged around the roadways that wind throughout the site. The majority of pitches are hardstanding.
This site has first-class leisure facilities, with an indoor swimming pool, sauna, tennis court, adventure playground, and a games room.
After a busy day of activity or sightseeing there's nothing better than relaxing over a drink in the recently refurbished, stylish bar, followed by a meal in the adjoining, informal restaurant. In summer, there can be few more satisfying ways to spend an evening than to watch the sunset over Auchenreoch Loch, from the bar patio.
Brandedleys is on the edge of the village of Crocketford and the village shop sells just about everything you might want on a motorcaravan holiday.
Away from the park there is more than enough to do for all the family. There are no less than 25 golf courses within a short distance, excellent trout and salmon fishing and superb walking. The splendid Solway beaches are within 30 minutes' drive and Dumfries, the shopping centre for the area, is only nine miles away. Dumfries is also the final resting place of Scotland's National Poet, Robert Burns, and the Robert Burns Heritage Trail is worth exploring.
• NOTE This park has been undergoing development during the past few years. The work has still some way to go before completion and although effort has been made to minimise disruption to site facilities, the landscaping is difficult to disguise until fully completed and given time to mature.
Our view is that this site will be a contender for top awards in the future.