If you’re planning to wild camp in Scotland, Bradly of “Dream Big, Travel Far” shares his 15 high ideas and methods to make your expertise safer and extra nice. They’ve been driving all over the world since 2020 and have professional ideas for wild tenting in Scotland and past.
How to Wild Camp in Scotland
Since changing our van (who is named Helen), we’ve pushed to dozens of nations throughout Europe, in addition to to North America & South America. However, Scotland stays very near our hearts as we spent greater than 4 months there, residing in our van and driving round this spectacular nation.
It is hands-down certainly one of our private favorite locations to go to wherever on the planet. Particularly for vanlifers, because of the many wonderful spots for wild tenting in Scotland. Teeming with extraordinary nature and wildlife, there’s no higher method to discover the nation than in your personal car. Without additional ado, let’s get proper into it!
1. Understand what wild tenting is
But first… what is wild tenting?
Also often called free tenting or boondocking, it’s primarily tenting in a single day exterior of registered campsites, or at a location the place you don’t must pay for.
Wild tenting shouldn’t be the identical as tenting generally. While establishing tents in wilderness areas is a type of wild tenting, so is sleeping in an RV, campervan, or motorhome! Some examples embrace parking in a discipline, close to a lake, or in a public automotive park.
As the latter is what we’re finest accustomed with, our solutions in the present day are for vehicle-based wild tenting. However, most of the factors truly apply to the opposite type of wild tenting, comparable to in a tent. Check out a Scotland highway journey at: North Coast 500 – The Ultimate Trip Guide to Scotland’s Epic Drive
2. Choose the correct motorhome or campervan
The very first thing it’s best to do earlier than beginning your journey is to decide on the proper car. Whether you’re shopping for your personal or renting a campervan, it’s necessary to choose the very best one in your wants. Some options to consider embrace:
- Size – Are you travelling alone or with another person? Make positive which you can confidently drive your chosen car. While a bigger motorhome could also be extra snug to stay in, they’re more durable to navigate tough terrains and off-the-beaten observe. This is crucially necessary to recollect, as most roads in Scotland are very slender; even alongside the NC500 and significantly in cities.
- Number of beds – Likewise, take note of the variety of berths or passengers {that a} car can accommodate.
- Budget – Don’t neglect to find out your funds, which is able to have an effect on the kind of car you will get and its situation.
- Full service historical past – This final one shouldn’t be a problem in case you’re renting from a dependable rental firm, however essential in case you’re shopping for your personal car. Ideally, you need it to come back with a full service historical past to make sure that it’s well-maintained.
When contemplating which camper or motorhome to get, keep in mind that it’s going to not solely be a car, but in addition the place you’ll sleep, prepare dinner, eat, and calm down all through your journey.
We noticed every kind of campers throughout Scotland. Some travellers have been even in giant transformed 4×4 ex-military autos that may be pushed onto seashores. You can hire all types of autos from giant rental companies like McRent.
Or even from native Scottish individuals via websites like Outdoorsy. It actually does rely in your private choice; although I’d suggest the smaller the higher if you’re unfamiliar driving within the UK, and on smaller slender roads.
3. Know the wild tenting legal guidelines in Scotland
Make positive you’ve learn up on all of the wild tenting legal guidelines in Scotland. Is wild tenting authorized in Scotland? The quick reply is not any, however it’s tolerated and customarily allowed, so long as you do it responsibly.
Land Reform Act 2003
This Scottish land reform act doesn’t take into account parking in a single day in a motorhome as wild tenting. While it’s positively simpler to wild camp in case you’re on foot or bike, as you don’t have to fret an excessive amount of about the place you possibly can or can not park, it’s usually fairly simple to get permission.
The Scottish Outdoor Access Code
The Scottish Outdoor Access Code grants you accountable entry to the Scottish open air. This consists of forests, hills, seashores, rivers, lochs, parks, and a few farmlands.
Respect others, take care of the surroundings, and be accountable for your actions. Basically, present widespread sense and decency whilst you’re wild tenting. More on Scotland Travel at: 7 Crazy Adventures in Scotland
While this legislation provides entry to all unenclosed land and inland waters in Scotland, it doesn’t truly embrace vehicular entry. It does, nonetheless, permit wild tenting so long as it’s “lightweight and done in small numbers”.
Road Traffic Act of 1988
The Road Traffic Act of 1988 acknowledges most roads as non-public land, which implies it’s crucial that you simply ask for permission earlier than parking your car wherever.
Loch Lomond Byelaws
Wild tenting is usually potential in most locations inside the nation, apart from one: the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park. Between March and September, tenting is simply allowed on official campsites or when you have a tenting allow.
This byelaw goals to guard the National Park from environmental harm, which is smart as a result of Loch Lomond is likely one of the high vacationer locations in Scotland!
Overall, the overall rule of thumb when wild tenting is to respect any “No overnight parking” signal. And so long as you park someplace distant and smart, you have to be effective.
We will cowl extra ideas under that it’s best to observe to have a protected and enjoyable wild marketing campaign expertise in Scotland. But lengthy story quick, we by no means as soon as had any issues wild tenting in Scotland after dozens of nights in each single a part of the nation.
4. Download Park4Night
Park4Night is by far the very best place to search out wild tenting spots all throughout Scotland (and Europe). It’s a free cell app accessible on each iPhone and Android that reveals you all of the spots the place you possibly can park up in a single day.
Whether you’ve lived in a van earlier than or that is your first-time wild tenting, that is significantly such a helpful app that can make your journey much less aggravating. No extra hours of researching on-line simply to find {that a} parking spot feels dodgy and unsafe.
I really like that the database is made by fellow van lifers and that it’s all the time updating every single day. Plus, you possibly can share private experiences and ideas a few spot, and studying updates from different customers provides you with insightful info.
The interface itself is tremendous easy and straightforward to make use of. My favorite perform is the short search, which helps you to browse particular factors like nature spots or water refill stations, and filter solely 5* areas.
5. Use Google Satellite to search out new areas
Another useful gizmo for locating new areas is Google Satellite. You can use the satellite tv for pc view on Google Maps to search out giant open automotive parks or areas the place you would probably keep the evening.
Or merely search “parking” in any space of the map, which is able to then listing parking spots and you’ll zoom in to verify if it’s viable.
Alternatively, if you have already got a selected spot in thoughts, that is nonetheless an effective way to scout the world and see what it appears to be like like.
When you’re wild tenting in Scotland or wherever else, all the time attempt to be as ready as potential. This consists of having an thought of what the location you’re planning to sleep in appears to be like like.
- Read extra journey guides in Scotland
6. Ask at pubs & eating places in case you can keep there
For occasions if you’re wanting to remain close to the town, it’s value asking at pubs and eating places in case you can park your car close by and keep the evening. We have accomplished this a couple of occasions ourselves and persons are typically very good about it. Just make certain to ask prematurely.
On an identical be aware, asking locals can be an effective way to search out the right tenting spot. This approach, you’ll find locations that aren’t even talked about in guidebooks and on-line databases. A pleasant hi there may take you to a hidden gem or two!
7. Buy the Brit Stops e book
This one is a extremely cool idea. You purchase a bodily Brit Stops e book for the 12 months (it’s launched on a yearly foundation) which is able to then provide you with entry to over 1000 wild tenting spots throughout the UK, together with Scotland, the place you possibly can keep at free of charge.
It was impressed by the corporate Harvest Hosts within the USA (which we additionally love), so that is just like the UK model. The listing options numerous distinctive spots, from nation pubs, wineries, and fruit farms to vacationer points of interest, vintage centres, and extra.
The e book itself prices £32 and offers you the possibility to remain in some actually cool areas. You may buy some native goodies in order for you while visiting.
What’s extra, they now provide a model new app with the acquisition that you should utilize to satisfy native hosts. It’s positively an effective way to satisfy new individuals and get native suggestions of issues to do across the space!
8. Don’t depart any mess (Leave no hint coverage)
Following Covid lockdowns, van site visitors and wild tenting in Scotland has exploded. And the poor behaviour of many of those new van lifers has actually upset locals. As a consequence, most of the finest wild tenting spots have began to shut down and now have limitations, indicators and police patrols to cease the observe. Be part of the answer, not the issue.
The Scottish Outdoor Access Code encourages campers to keep away from inflicting issues for native individuals and animals, therefore the “leave no trace” coverage.
This consists of issues like:
- Removing all of your litter
- Keeping fires small and placing them out fully afterwards
- Not inflicting any type of air pollution
- Travelling and tenting on sturdy floor, comparable to rock, gravel, dry grasses and snow
- Not damaging what you discover (flowers, vegetation, outdated archaeological constructions, and so on)
In common, attempt to minimise any lasting impression on the grounds!
9. Be respectful in different methods
In addition to cleansing up after your personal mess, it’s additionally good to be respectful in different methods. This is related irrespective of the place you’re wild tenting, and being thoughtful whereas tenting out in nature or public locations goes a good distance.
For instance, don’t be noisy, particularly as soon as evening falls. Noise might disturb different campers within the space or worse, drive away surrounding wildlife from their pure habitat! I all the time go about it by remembering that I’m merely a visitor and to maintain quiet as a lot as I can.
I’d additionally suggest shopping for domestically each time potential. Whether which means going to native pubs and eating places or buying from native shops, you’ll be serving to increase the native economic system whereas being extra supportive to the observe of untamed tenting.
Also, don’t go establishing such as you’re at a campsite. This actually winds individuals up, particularly if it appears to be like such as you intend to remain in the identical spot for a lot of days! As a rule of thumb, I’d say that staying for less than an evening or two is finest.
10. Avoid ingesting alcohol
If you might be requested to maneuver on by police and you might be over the alcohol restrict, there’s a probability you’re going to get fined and prosecuted for driving below the affect. So, it’s all the time finest to keep away from ingesting, particularly if you’re shifting to a brand new metropolis or space.
We personally haven’t had this downside, however have heard horror tales of this taking place to individuals in Scotland and different international locations. If you might be in your car with the keys accessible, and you’re the driver and over the restrict of alcohol, then it’s classed as an intention to drive drunk.
Your name; however in my view, the dangers merely don’t outweigh the prices. If you intend on having a couple of drinks one evening (which, let’s face it, you’re in Scotland so why not?!) then keep in a campsite.
11. Be ready for temperamental climate
Here’s the factor about Scottish climate: it’s virtually solely unpredictable, and you’ll’t depend on forecasts. This dramatic local weather and shifting climate is, partly, what has helped make Scotland so wild, rugged and delightful.
The local weather additionally varies between areas, however it’s usually fairly changeable. For instance, the West will get twice as a lot rainfall because the East.
As you would possibly count on, summer time is the very best time for wild tenting in Scotland when it comes to climate, although the site visitors might get intense. Despite the sunshine, it’s best to nonetheless put together for cloud, wind, and rain all in the identical day! As properly as midges, that are famously horrendous to take care of so you will want bug spray in case you go to on this time interval.
Winter within the Highlands means snow and ice, with the temperature reaching as little as minus 4 at evening. It’s all a bit overwhelming in case you’re unprepared, however actually, I feel the changeable skies add to the expertise…
12. Pack blackout curtains in summer time or headlamps in winter
Scotland is kind of far north and the hours of daylight will be fairly an excessive throughout peak winter and summer time months.
You can rise up to 18 hours of daylight in June within the Northern Highlands, which is loads of alternative to discover the wilderness! But that additionally means sleeping could be a little bit of an issue.
I like to recommend utilizing blackout curtains that may maintain the within of your car (or tent) tremendous darkish. Oh, and don’t neglect numerous sunscreen too!
On the opposite hand, you would possibly get daylight solely from 9am to 3pm in December. Pack sufficient headlamps and flashlights so you possibly can nonetheless do stuff exterior. Otherwise, you’ll simply be caught inside your van all day, which isn’t an thrilling method to camp.
While it’s in all probability not the very best time for wild tenting, the snowy panorama of the winter months does have its personal attraction…
13. …what concerning the rest room state of affairs?
One of the most typical issues individuals have when wild tenting is the toilet state of affairs. This shouldn’t be an issue if you’re staying near civilization. And in case your car has a rest room, it’s all a matter of accountable waste disposal. If not… Well, time to study the artwork of doing your enterprise open air.
In the wilderness, it’s sometimes okay to decide on any spot that’s properly away from trails. Avoid waterways and sapling bushes, although bigger established bushes and bushes are okay. Don’t go straight in small our bodies of water, however larger lakes or rivers can dilute any urine. In alpine areas, it’s beneficial to do it on a rock floor.
Now, when doing quantity two, you have to be extra cautious. Walk a minimum of 200 ft away from a path or water supply, then dig a gap of round 6 to eight inches deep. This is an efficient depth that can nonetheless decompose the waste whereas stopping others from stepping on it.
Once accomplished, it’s best to cowl the opening with the unique dust. If you utilize any bathroom paper, make certain to convey it again with you and eliminate it correctly!
14. In busy season, plan forward
Many of the very best wild tenting spots in Scotland will refill very early on, particularly within the busy summer time months of June, July and August. In some instances, chances are you’ll wish to arrive at your location by round 2 or 3pm to have a greater probability of securing a spot to arrange in a single day.
Better but, take into account visiting in the course of the off season! We did North Coast 500, a 500-mile journey across the Highland space of Scotland, again in November 2020. It was improbable as a result of we just about had the route all to ourselves.
15. Try The 2:1 Rule
Intimidated by the thought of untamed tenting for the whole thing of your journey? There’s no cause you possibly can’t method it slowly. For loads of first-timers, it’s an incredible thought to interrupt up the journey with extra snug campsites.
You’ll be wild tenting for 2 nights and staying on a campsite for one evening. This is a pleasant method to benefit from the pleasure of untamed tenting whereas nonetheless having fun with the advantages of a campsite’s amenities. A pleasant bathroom, scorching bathe, stocking up on necessities, and extra.
All in all, wild tenting is really among the best methods to expertise Scotland. You can cease wherever and don’t must depend on registered campsites, so in a approach it’s way more releasing.
The Scottish countryside is certainly an oasis of breathtaking sceneries and numerous wildlife. I hope the following tips will assist make your upcoming journey go extra easily.
If you keep in mind just one factor from this huge listing, it’s to be respectful and thoughtful all over the place you go!