AN EAST Lothian caravan, camping and glamping site has new owners – their first leisure venture into Scotland – after being run by the same family for more than 30 years.

International real estate advisor Savills, on behalf of private clients, has completed the sale of Drummohr at Levenhall, Musselburgh, to employee-owned leisure, retail and distribution specialist WCF Ltd for an undisclosed amount.

Jo Ritzema, managing director of WCF Ltd, said this was the company’s first caravan, camping and glamping site in Scotland, with the nearest being a five-star facility at Herding Hill Farm near Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland.

She stressed that the company hoped to go on to increase its portfolio of camping and glamping sites in southern Scotland and the north of England.

The site is developed to accommodate 12 luxury holiday letting lodges, seven of which have hot tubs, 155 touring caravans, tents and motorhomes, together with 20 glamping units.

The site also includes a storage area for up to 40 touring caravans, a three-bedroom bungalow with hot tub, two amenity blocks and a shop.

The 10.74-acre (4.35 ha) site is situated in the formerly walled gardens of a monastery and was converted to a holiday park in 1981. It has been owned and run by the same family since 1988.

Mrs Ritzema first visited Drummohr as a camper herself, saying it benefited from the draw of Edinburgh and the “beautiful coastline and countryside” of East Lothian.

She said that the company, which has its registered office at Brampton, near Carlisle, had started an external refurbishment programme at Drummohr involving painting and decorating, with further plans to “update and upgrade” the facilities such as lodges and glamping units.

She said that the site had a large touring area for tents and caravans which would also be improved, with the amenity blocks, accommodating showers, toilets and laundry, refurbished. It was also planned to add an indoor area including a kitchen for campers.

Mrs Ritzema added that, given the “significant growth” in glamping, additional units would be provided subject to consultation and the necessary planning consents.

She added that the seven staff members, one of them part-time, who worked at the site had been retained, with a recruitment process under way for a further three or four new employees.

They either live on-site or in the local area, including Angie Purves, an East Lothian resident who has been promoted from office manager to take over the running of Drummohr.

Mrs Ritzema said that everyone involved in the venture was “madly excited by it all” and added that a new website for the site would highlight local visitor attractions.

Richard Prestwich, director in the leisure and trade team at Savills, said: “Holiday parks have become exceptionally sought-after due to the growing trend for staycations. It is encouraging to witness new entrants, such as WCF, targeting the holiday parks market and competing with the existing multi-park owners that have traditionally dominated the marketplace.”