If you’re planning to wild camp in Scotland, Bradly of “Dream Big, Travel Far” shares his 15 prime suggestions and tips to make your expertise safer and extra nice. They’ve been driving world wide since 2020 and have knowledgeable suggestions 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, dwelling in our van and driving round this spectacular nation.
It is hands-down one in every of our private favorite locations to go to wherever in the world. Particularly for vanlifers, as a result of many superb spots for wild tenting in Scotland. Teeming with extraordinary nature and wildlife, there’s no higher strategy to discover the nation than in your individual car. Without additional ado, let’s get proper into it!
1. Understand what wild tenting is
But first… what’s wild tenting?
Also referred to as free tenting or boondocking, it’s primarily tenting in a single day outdoors of registered campsites, or at a location the place you don’t need to pay for.
Wild tenting will not be the identical as tenting in normal. While organising 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 options right this moment are for vehicle-based wild tenting. However, lots of the factors really apply to the opposite type of wild tenting, similar 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 fitting motorhome or campervan
The very first thing it is best to do earlier than beginning your journey is to decide on the fitting car. Whether you’re shopping for your individual or renting a campervan, it’s necessary to choose the very best one for your wants. Some options to consider embrace:
Size – Are you travelling alone or with another person? Make certain 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 monitor. This is crucially necessary to recollect, as most roads in Scotland are very slim; 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 can have an effect on the kind of car you may get and its situation. Full service historical past – This final one shouldn’t be a problem in the event you’re renting from a dependable rental firm, however essential in the event you’re shopping for your individual car. Ideally, you need it to return 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 loosen up 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 corporations like McRent.
Or even from native Scottish folks by means of websites like Outdoorsy. It actually does rely in your private choice; although I’d advocate the smaller the higher in case you are unfamiliar driving in the UK, and on smaller slim roads.
3. Know the wild tenting legal guidelines in Scotland
Make certain you’ve learn up on all of the wild tenting legal guidelines in Scotland. Is wild tenting authorized in Scotland? The quick reply isn’t any, however it’s tolerated and usually 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 undoubtedly simpler to wild camp in the event 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 straightforward to get permission.
The Scottish Outdoor Access Code
The Scottish Outdoor Access Code grants you accountable entry to the Scottish outdoor. This contains forests, hills, seashores, rivers, lochs, parks, and a few farmlands.
Respect others, care for the surroundings, and be accountable for your actions. Basically, present frequent sense and decency when you’re wild tenting. More on Scotland Travel at: 7 Crazy Adventures in Scotland
While this legislation offers entry to all unenclosed land and inland waters in Scotland, it doesn’t really embrace vehicular entry. It does, nevertheless, enable 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 suggests it’s crucial that you simply ask for permission earlier than parking your car wherever.
Loch Lomond Byelaws
Wild tenting is mostly doable in most locations throughout the nation, besides for one: the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park. Between March and September, tenting is barely allowed on official campsites or when you’ve got a tenting allow.
This byelaw goals to guard the National Park from environmental harm, which is sensible as a result of Loch Lomond is among the prime 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, try to be high-quality.
We will cowl extra rules beneath that it is best to comply with to have a secure 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 seek out wild tenting spots all throughout Scotland (and Europe). It’s a free cellular app accessible on each iPhone and Android that exhibits 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 critically such a helpful app that may make your journey much less disturbing. 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 at all times updating daily. Plus, you possibly can share private experiences and ideas a couple of 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 operate 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 seek out new areas
Another useful gizmo for discovering new areas is Google Satellite. You can use the satellite tv for pc view on Google Maps to seek out giant open automotive parks or areas the place you can doubtlessly keep the night time.
Or merely search “parking” in any space of the map, which can then listing parking spots and you’ll zoom in to test if it’s viable.
Alternatively, if you have already got a particular spot in thoughts, that is nonetheless an effective way to scout the world and see what it appears like.
When you’re wild tenting in Scotland or wherever else, at all times attempt to be as ready as doable. This contains having an thought of what the location you’re planning to sleep in appears like.
6. Ask at pubs & eating places in the event you can keep there
For occasions whenever you’re wanting to remain close to the town, it’s price asking at pubs and eating places in the event you can park your car close by and keep the night time. We have accomplished this a couple of occasions ourselves and persons are typically very good about it. Just ensure to ask in advance.
On an identical be aware, asking locals can be an effective way to seek out the proper tenting spot. This means, yow will discover locations that aren’t even talked about in guidebooks and on-line databases. A pleasant good day might 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 can then provide you with entry to over 1000 wild tenting spots throughout the UK, together with Scotland, the place you possibly can keep at for free.
It was impressed by the corporate Harvest Hosts in 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 sights, vintage centres, and extra.
The e book itself prices £32 and provides you the possibility to remain in some actually cool areas. You can even buy some native goodies if you would like while visiting.
What’s extra, they now supply a model new app with the acquisition that you should utilize to satisfy native hosts. It’s undoubtedly an effective way to satisfy new folks and get native suggestions of issues to do across the space!
8. Don’t go away any mess (Leave no hint coverage)
Following Covid lockdowns, van 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 outcome, lots of the finest wild tenting spots have began to shut down and now have boundaries, indicators and police patrols to cease the follow. Be part of the answer, not the issue.
The Scottish Outdoor Access Code encourages campers to keep away from inflicting issues for native folks and animals, therefore the “leave no trace” coverage.
This contains 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, similar to rock, gravel, dry grasses and snow Not damaging what you discover (flowers, vegetation, outdated archaeological buildings, and so on)
In normal, attempt to minimise any lasting impression on the grounds!
9. Be respectful in different methods
In addition to cleansing up after your individual mess, it’s additionally good to be respectful in different methods. This is related regardless of the place you’re wild tenting, and being thoughtful whereas tenting out in nature or public locations goes a great distance.
For instance, don’t be noisy, particularly as soon as night time falls. Noise could disturb different campers in the world or worse, drive away surrounding wildlife from their pure habitat! I at all times go about it by remembering that I’m merely a visitor and to maintain quiet as a lot as I can.
I’d additionally advocate shopping for regionally each time doable. Whether which means going to native pubs and eating places or procuring from native shops, you’ll be serving to enhance the native economic system whereas being extra supportive to the follow of untamed tenting.
Also, don’t go organising such as you’re at a campsite. This actually winds folks up, particularly if it appears such as you intend to remain in the identical spot for many days! As a rule of thumb, I’d say that staying for solely an evening or two is finest.
10. Avoid consuming alcohol
If you’re requested to maneuver on by police and you’re over the alcohol restrict, there’s a likelihood you’re going to get fined and prosecuted for driving beneath the affect. So, it’s at all times finest to keep away from consuming, particularly whenever you’re shifting to a brand new metropolis or space.
We personally haven’t had this drawback, however have heard horror tales of this occurring to folks in Scotland and different nations. If you’re 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 opinion, the dangers merely don’t outweigh the prices. If you propose on having a couple of drinks one night time (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, in half, what has helped make Scotland so wild, rugged and exquisite.
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 season is the very best time for wild tenting in Scotland in phrases of climate, although the visitors could get intense. Despite the sunshine, it is best to nonetheless put together for cloud, wind, and rain all in the identical day! As effectively as midges, that are famously horrendous to cope with so you will want bug spray in the event you go to in this time interval.
Winter in the Highlands means snow and ice, with the temperature reaching as little as minus 4 at night time. It’s all a bit overwhelming in the event you’re unprepared, however actually, I believe the changeable skies add to the expertise…
12. Pack blackout curtains in summer season or headlamps in winter
Scotland is kind of far north and the hours of daylight could be fairly an excessive throughout peak winter and summer season months.
You can rise up to 18 hours of daylight in June in the Northern Highlands, which is a variety 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 preserve 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 outdoors. Otherwise, you’ll simply be caught inside your van all day, which isn’t an thrilling strategy to camp.
While it’s most likely not the very best time for wild tenting, the snowy panorama of the winter months does have its personal attraction…
13. …what concerning the toilet state of affairs?
One of the most typical issues folks have when wild tenting is the toilet state of affairs. This shouldn’t be an issue whenever 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 what you are promoting outdoor.
In the wilderness, it’s sometimes okay to decide on any spot that’s effectively away from trails. Avoid waterways and sapling bushes, although bigger established bushes and bushes are okay. Don’t go immediately in small our bodies of water, however greater lakes or rivers can dilute any urine. In alpine areas, it’s really helpful to do it on a rock floor.
Now, when doing quantity two, try to be extra cautious. Walk at the very least 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 may nonetheless decompose the waste whereas stopping others from stepping on it.
Once accomplished, it is best to cowl the opening with the unique dust. If you employ any rest room paper, ensure to carry 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 replenish very early on, particularly in the busy summer season months of June, July and August. In some circumstances, it’s possible you’ll wish to arrive at your location by round 2 or 3pm to have a greater likelihood 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 strategy it slowly. For a variety of first-timers, it’s an important thought to interrupt up the journey with extra snug campsites.
You’ll be wild tenting for two nights and staying on a campsite for one night time. This is a pleasant strategy to benefit from the pleasure of untamed tenting whereas nonetheless having fun with the advantages of a campsite’s services. A pleasant rest room, sizzling bathe, stocking up on necessities, and extra.
All in all, wild tenting is actually top-of-the-line methods to expertise Scotland. You can cease wherever and don’t need to depend on registered campsites, so in a means it’s far more releasing.
The Scottish countryside is certainly an oasis of breathtaking sceneries and numerous wildlife. I hope the following pointers 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!