Tips for wild camping in Scotland when planning an unforgettable outdoor vacation

By Alina GoncharovaOct 6, 2023 15:56 PMScotland
Share:
Tips for wild camping in Scotland when planning an unforgettable outdoor vacation
Camping on the picturesque shore. Source: Image Jason Parker/Pixabay

Camping is a great way to explore the country, discover unexplored corners and get closer to nature. Immerse yourself in an unforgettable journey that will help you rejuvenate among mountain ranges, remote rural landscapes, birdsong, and shady trees. However, before you set off, we recommend that you read the following tips for wild camping in Scotland. Thanks to the Land Reform Act passed in 2003, most of the most picturesque parts of the country are open to everyone, unlike in England and Wales.

Where you can set up a wild camp

This type of camping involves placing a tent as far away from the infrastructure as possible. At the same time, tourists carry all their equipment with them, leaving no traces or even garbage after the vacation.

In Scotland, almost all lands, even those that are privately owned, are open to wild tourists, except closed fields. In addition, camping is laid out as far as possible from any buildings, historical structures, and roads. Restrictions due to overuse include the following areas:

  • Loch Lomond area;
  • Trossachs National Park.

It should be borne in mind that accommodation there is as limited as possible. In any case, Scotland has plenty of beautiful places for outdoor recreation from beaches and forests to incredible valleys and lakeshores.

Do I need to apply for a permit?

In most cases, you can set up a tent without permission. However, if you plan to stay in the Trossachs National Park or in some parts of the Loch Lomond area, you will need a permit between March and September to avoid excessive tourist traffic and damage to the unique landscape. You can get permission to set up a tent on the park's official website if the chosen location is part of the campsite management area.

How to choose a suitable place

Tips for wild camping in Scotland when planning an unforgettable outdoor vacation
The perfect place for wild camping. Source: Image Pawel Grzegorz/Pixabay

It is best to set up your tent on a dry, level area protected from the wind. However, you should not camp directly under a tree where branches can fall, especially in bad weather.

Another tip for wild camping in Scotland is not to set up a tent near water, no matter how beautiful the lake, river or other body of water is. When it rains, your camp can be flooded, so give preference to slightly higher ground. Also, don't camp between two hills, because such an area can easily become waterlogged and turn into a real wind tunnel during strong winds.

In any case, the choice of location depends on personal preferences. It can be either a beach or a secluded valley as far away from people as possible.

Rules to follow

One of the main tips for wild camping in Scotland and in any other area is not to leave any traces. It is necessary to minimize your impact on the natural environment:

  • take all garbage with you and dispose of it only in designated places;
  • do not make a fire, use a portable stove instead;
  • do not stay in one place for more than one or two nights to avoid damaging the ground cover;
  • do not pollute water sources with chemicals and use environmentally friendly products;
  • bury any human waste.

In addition, we advise you to leave early in the morning and set up your tent in the evening to avoid disturbing other tourists and avoid crowds.

What you need to take with you

When it comes to wild camping, you're likely to carry all your gear on your back. That's why you should choose a lightweight and comfortable kit that will still contain everything you need for a successful trip in nature.

Beginner wild camping in Scotland will not be complete without a quality tent. It's better not to skimp and choose a reliable and waterproof model with good fasteners that won't be blown away by the slightest gust of wind.

Another equally important component of a hiking kit is a sleeping bag. The weather in Scotland is changeable, especially at higher altitudes, where it can suddenly get cold. Therefore, you should make sure that the sleeping bag can withstand the temperature range possible in a particular season. Other things you should bring with you include:

  • a folding and lightweight camping mat;
  • a portable tourist stove, matches or a lighter, and utensils;
  • a basic set of products that will be enough for your trip;
  • a garbage bag;
  • a small shovel;
  • water filter;
  • toilet paper (biodegradable);
  • first aid kit, sanitizer;
  • flashlight.

You should also take care of your clothes, which should be multi-layered and waterproof in case of rain. All things should fit in a backpack. Choose an option that will be convenient for travelling and carrying equipment. For short one-day trips, a backpack with a volume of 40-50 liters is enough, for longer trips it is 60-70 liters.

Travelling by campervan

Tips for wild camping in Scotland when planning an unforgettable outdoor vacation
Comfortable travelling by campervan. Source: Image M W/Pixabay

Unlike pitching a tent, there are slightly different rules when using an RV. For example, it is forbidden to park a campervan on private land without obtaining prior permission. According to the Scottish Land Reform Act, parking overnight in a motorhome is not wild camping. This applies only to hiking and travelling on any non-motorized vehicle, such as a bicycle.

In Scotland, there are special overnight parking lots, and there are also various campgrounds where you can park your RV. In particular, there is a network of Brit Stops, which offers free accommodation for one night in a motorhome on the territory of vineyards, farms or other places on the list. The service provides more than 110 places for free overnight stays in the UK and Ireland.

Another way to find a location to stay in an RV is Wild With Consent. This is a service for finding and booking camping spots in the wild. Each place is a separate plot of private land where only one camper can stay, which guarantees maximum privacy and peace. As in the case of wild camping, the main condition is not to leave any traces and not to harm nature.

Wild camping in Scotland is a great way to see unexplored parts of the country that cannot be reached by public transport or car. With a minimal set of things that you can carry on your shoulders, you can spend the night in the most beautiful places without spending money on accommodation.

Top Articles
Popular Napa Valley hotels: top 14 places to stay

Popular Napa Valley hotels: top 14 places to stay

Dec 2, 2023 08:55 AM
Top-rated resorts with bungalows over the water: top 14 places for a paradise vacation

Top-rated resorts with bungalows over the water: top 14 places for a paradise vacation

Dec 1, 2023 18:25 PM

Top 5 Montana resorts that combine luxury vacations and wilderness adventure

Dec 1, 2023 13:16 PM

Best resort hotels in the Caribbean, Bahamas and Bermuda: top 13 hideaways amidst lush nature for exclusive paradise vacations

Nov 30, 2023 21:55 PM
More News
Night buses will run again between Liverpool and Wirral

Night buses will run again between Liverpool and Wirral

Dec 2, 2023 09:35 AM
A green and comfortable place 40 minutes from London: what tourists need to know about Letchworth

A green and comfortable place 40 minutes from London: what tourists need to know about Letchworth

Dec 2, 2023 09:17 AM

Paris is going to double metro fares for the Olympic Games

Dec 2, 2023 08:34 AM

5 facts to dispel popular myths about travel insurance

Dec 2, 2023 08:19 AM
5 good reasons to visit Goa in high season

5 good reasons to visit Goa in high season

Dec 2, 2023 07:56 AM
Stansted Airport: record holder for the fewest canceled flights

Stansted Airport: record holder for the fewest canceled flights

Dec 2, 2023 07:36 AM
A traveler tells about a "catastrophic" mistake in his passport made at the airport

A traveler tells about a "catastrophic" mistake in his passport made at the airport

Dec 2, 2023 07:19 AM
From walking barefoot to smoking on the plane: the worst things you can do as a passenger

From walking barefoot to smoking on the plane: the worst things you can do as a passenger

Dec 2, 2023 06:54 AM
Life in travel: a man bought an apartment on a cruise ship

Life in travel: a man bought an apartment on a cruise ship

Dec 2, 2023 06:24 AM

Flight attendants of American Airlines were not allowed to strike during the Christmas and New Year holidays

Dec 1, 2023 23:41 PM

Stray cats in Puerto Rico near a famous tourist attraction are targeted for capture, but animal rights activists are not thrilled

Dec 1, 2023 23:29 PM
Travel Tuesday: an expert advised on how not to miss discounts and advantageous offers

Travel Tuesday: an expert advised on how not to miss discounts and advantageous offers

Dec 1, 2023 23:08 PM
What is most often stolen in five-star hotels: it's not cosmetics

What is most often stolen in five-star hotels: it's not cosmetics

Dec 1, 2023 22:08 PM
Lufthansa plane made an unexpected landing due to a couple's quarrel on the board

Lufthansa plane made an unexpected landing due to a couple's quarrel on the board

Dec 1, 2023 21:43 PM
Economic crisis: why tourists aren't returning to China and who benefits from it

Economic crisis: why tourists aren't returning to China and who benefits from it

Dec 1, 2023 21:22 PM

Why you shouldn't take a hot shower after a flight and why you shouldn't bathe before a trip: when and how to cleanse your skin

Dec 1, 2023 20:53 PM

The world's tallest skyscrapers and snow in the desert: how the craziest projects of Saudi Arabia look

Dec 1, 2023 20:41 PM
Dubai Airport is preparing for the 'busiest winter in its history': tips for passengers

Dubai Airport is preparing for the 'busiest winter in its history': tips for passengers

Dec 1, 2023 20:26 PM
One of the rarest mammals in the world was born in England. Photo

One of the rarest mammals in the world was born in England. Photo

Dec 1, 2023 19:32 PM
Malaysia will allow a 30-day visa-free regime for Indian visitors from December 1

Malaysia will allow a 30-day visa-free regime for Indian visitors from December 1

Dec 1, 2023 19:18 PM
A journey through time in a few minutes from Liverpool: how the village of Downham attracts tourists to itself

A journey through time in a few minutes from Liverpool: how the village of Downham attracts tourists to itself

Dec 1, 2023 18:59 PM
Sunny beaches, lively parties, and affordable prices: why Phuket continues to attract tourists

Sunny beaches, lively parties, and affordable prices: why Phuket continues to attract tourists

Dec 1, 2023 17:56 PM

Unwanted neighbors: what you need to know about bedbugs to avoid ruining your vacation

Dec 1, 2023 17:34 PM

Cruise liner or "all-inclusive": 7 tips to help you determine the best option for your trip

Dec 1, 2023 17:18 PM
The train connecting Madrid to Lisbon may make a comeback: it was canceled in 2020

The train connecting Madrid to Lisbon may make a comeback: it was canceled in 2020

Dec 1, 2023 16:54 PM
The Minnesota National Park has made it to the top 50 best travel destinations in 2024

The Minnesota National Park has made it to the top 50 best travel destinations in 2024

Dec 1, 2023 16:33 PM