In case you’re planning to wild camp in Scotland, Bradley of “Dream Large, Journey Far” shares his 15 prime suggestions and methods to make your expertise safer and extra nice. They’ve been driving around the globe since 2020 and have skilled suggestions for wild tenting in Scotland and past.
How you can Wild Camp in Scotland
Since changing our van (who is known as Helen), we’ve pushed to dozens of nations throughout Europe, in addition to to North America & South America. Nevertheless, 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’s hands-down one in every of our private favorite locations to go to wherever on the earth. Notably for vanlifers, because of the many superb spots for wild tenting in Scotland. Teeming with extraordinary nature and wildlife, there’s no higher solution to discover the nation than in your personal automobile. With out additional ado, let’s get proper into it!
1. Perceive what wild tenting is
However first… what is wild tenting?
Also referred to as free tenting or boondocking, it’s basically tenting in a single day exterior of registered campsites, or at a location the place you don’t need to pay for.
Wild tenting just isn’t the identical as tenting typically. Whereas organising tents in wilderness areas is a type of wild tenting, so is sleeping in an RV, campervan, or motorhome! Some examples embody parking in a subject, close to a lake, or in a public automotive park.
Because the latter is what we’re greatest accustomed with, our strategies as we speak are for vehicle-based wild tenting. Nevertheless, most of the factors truly apply to the opposite type of wild tenting, akin to in a tent. Take a look at a Scotland street journey at: North Coast 500 – The Final Journey Information to Scotland’s Epic Drive
2. Select the appropriate motorhome or campervan
The very first thing you must do earlier than beginning your journey is to decide on the proper automobile. Whether or not you’re shopping for your personal or renting a campervan, it’s necessary to choose one of the best one in your wants. Some options to consider embody:
- Measurement – Are you travelling alone or with another person? Just be sure you can confidently drive your chosen automobile. Whereas a bigger motorhome could also be extra snug to dwell in, they’re tougher to navigate tough terrains and off-the-beaten observe. That is crucially necessary to recollect, as most roads in Scotland are very slim; even alongside the NC500 and significantly in cities.
- Variety of beds – Likewise, take note of the variety of berths or passengers {that a} automobile can accommodate.
- Price range – Don’t overlook to find out your price range, which is able to have an effect on the kind of automobile you will 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 personal automobile. 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’ll not solely be a automobile, but additionally the place you’ll sleep, prepare dinner, eat, and chill out all through your journey.
We noticed all types of campers throughout Scotland. Some travellers have been even in giant transformed 4×4 ex-military automobiles that may be pushed onto seashores. You possibly can hire all kinds of automobiles from giant rental companies like McRent.
And even from native Scottish folks by websites like Outdoorsy. It actually does rely in your private desire; although I’d advocate the smaller the higher if you’re unfamiliar driving within the UK, and on smaller slim roads.
3. Know the wild tenting legal guidelines in Scotland
Be sure to’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 contemplate parking in a single day in a motorhome as wild tenting. Whereas 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 may or can not park, it’s typically fairly straightforward to get permission.
The Scottish Outside Entry Code
The Scottish Outside Entry 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, look after the surroundings, and be liable for your actions. Principally, present frequent sense and decency when you’re wild tenting. Extra on Scotland Journey at: 7 Loopy Adventures in Scotland
Whereas this regulation provides entry to all unenclosed land and inland waters in Scotland, it doesn’t truly embody vehicular entry. It does, nevertheless, permit wild tenting so long as it’s “light-weight and accomplished in small numbers”.
Highway Visitors Act of 1988
The Highway Visitors 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 automobile wherever.
Loch Lomond Byelaws
Wild tenting is usually doable in most locations inside the nation, aside from one: the Loch Lomond and Trossachs Nationwide Park. Between March and September, tenting is simply allowed on official campsites or if in case you have a tenting allow.
This byelaw goals to guard the Nationwide Park from environmental harm, which is sensible as a result of Loch Lomond is among the prime vacationer locations in Scotland!
General, the overall rule of thumb when wild tenting is to respect any “No in a single day parking” signal. And so long as you park someplace distant and wise, you need to be effective.
We’ll cowl extra rules under that you must comply with to have a protected and enjoyable wild marketing campaign expertise in Scotland. However 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. Obtain Park4Night
Park4Night is by far one of the best place to seek out wild tenting spots all throughout Scotland (and Europe). It’s a free cell app out there on each iPhone and Android that reveals you all of the spots the place you may park up in a single day.
Whether or not you’ve lived in a van earlier than or that is your first-time wild tenting, that is severely such a helpful app that may make your journey much less hectic. No extra hours of researching on-line simply to find {that a} parking spot feels dodgy and unsafe.
I like that the database is made by fellow van lifers and that it’s at all times updating day-after-day. Plus, you may share private experiences and ideas a few spot, and studying updates from different customers will provide you with insightful info.
The interface itself is tremendous easy and simple to make use of. My favorite operate is the fast search, which helps you to browse particular factors like nature spots or water refill stations, and filter solely 5* areas.
5. Use Google Satellite tv for pc to seek out new places
One other useful gizmo for locating new places is Google Satellite tv for pc. You need to use the satellite tv for pc view on Google Maps to seek out giant open automotive parks or areas the place you may doubtlessly keep the night time.
Or just search “parking” in any space of the map, which is able to then listing parking spots and you may 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 realm and see what it appears to be like like.
If you’re wild tenting in Scotland or wherever else, at all times attempt to be as ready as doable. This consists of having an concept of what the location you’re planning to sleep in appears to be like like.
- Learn extra journey guides in Scotland
6. Ask at pubs & eating places in the event you can keep there
For instances whenever you’re wanting to remain close to town, it’s price asking at pubs and eating places in the event you can park your automobile close by and keep the night time. Now we have accomplished this a couple of instances ourselves and persons are typically very good about it. Simply ensure that to ask upfront.
On the same observe, asking locals can also be an effective way to seek out the right tenting spot. This manner, you could find locations that aren’t even talked about in guidebooks and on-line databases. A pleasant howdy may take you to a hidden gem or two!
7. Purchase the Brit Stops ebook
This one is a very cool idea. You purchase a bodily Brit Stops ebook for the yr (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 may 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 sights, vintage centres, and extra.
The ebook itself prices £32 and provides you the possibility to remain in some actually cool places. You may as well 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 need to use 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 depart any mess (Depart 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. Because of this, most of the greatest wild tenting spots have began to shut down and now have boundaries, indicators and police patrols to cease the observe. Be part of the answer, not the issue.
The Scottish Outside Entry Code encourages campers to keep away from inflicting issues for native folks and animals, therefore the “depart no hint” coverage.
This consists of issues like:
- Eradicating all of your litter
- Preserving fires small and placing them out fully afterwards
- Not inflicting any type of air pollution
- Travelling and tenting on sturdy floor, akin to rock, gravel, dry grasses and snow
- Not damaging what you discover (flowers, vegetation, previous archaeological buildings, and many others)
On the whole, attempt to minimise any lasting affect on the grounds!
9. Be respectful in different methods
Along with cleansing up after your personal mess, it’s additionally good to be respectful in different methods. That is related irrespective 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 within the space 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 domestically each time doable. Whether or not meaning going to native pubs and eating places or procuring from native shops, you’ll be serving to enhance the native financial system whereas being extra supportive to the observe of untamed tenting.
Additionally, don’t go organising such as you’re at a campsite. This actually winds folks 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 under an evening or two is greatest.
10. Keep away from ingesting alcohol
If you’re requested to maneuver on by police and you’re over the alcohol restrict, there’s a probability you’re going to get fined and prosecuted for driving underneath the affect. So, it’s at all times greatest to keep away from ingesting, particularly whenever you’re transferring 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 international locations. If you’re in your automobile 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. In case you plan 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
Right here’s the factor about Scottish climate: it’s nearly totally unpredictable, and you may’t depend on forecasts. This dramatic local weather and shifting climate is, partially, what has helped make Scotland so wild, rugged and delightful.
The local weather additionally varies between areas, but it surely’s typically 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 one of the best time for wild tenting in Scotland when it comes to climate, although the visitors could get intense. Regardless of the sunshine, you must nonetheless put together for cloud, wind, and rain all in the identical day! In addition to midges, that are famously horrendous to cope with so you’ll need bug spray in the event 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 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 time 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 time months.
You possibly can stand up to 18 hours of daylight in June within the Northern Highlands, which is a number of alternative to discover the wilderness! However 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 automobile (or tent) tremendous darkish. Oh, and don’t overlook numerous sunscreen too!
However, you would possibly get daylight solely from 9am to 3pm in December. Pack sufficient headlamps and flashlights so you may nonetheless do stuff exterior. In any other case, you’ll simply be caught inside your van all day, which isn’t an thrilling solution to camp.
Whereas it’s in all probability not one of the best time for wild tenting, the snowy panorama of the winter months does have its personal allure. Learn easy methods to organizer your packing higher with these Journey Organizers for Smarter Packing
13. …what in regards to the toilet scenario?
One of the crucial frequent issues folks have when wild tenting is the lavatory scenario. This shouldn’t be an issue whenever you’re staying near civilization. And in case your automobile has a rest room, it’s all a matter of accountable waste disposal. If not… Properly, time to be taught the artwork of doing your online business open air.
Within the wilderness, it’s usually okay to decide on any spot that’s properly away from trails. Keep away from waterways and sapling timber, although bigger established timber and bushes are okay. Don’t go instantly in small our bodies of water, however larger lakes or rivers can dilute any urine. In alpine areas, it’s really useful to do it on a rock floor.
Now, when doing quantity two, you need to be extra cautious. Stroll a minimum of 200 toes away from a path or water supply, then dig a gap of round 6 to eight inches deep. This can be a good depth that may nonetheless decompose the waste whereas stopping others from stepping on it.
As soon as accomplished, you must cowl the outlet with the unique filth. In case you use any rest room paper, ensure that to deliver it again with you and eliminate it correctly!
14. In busy season, plan forward
Most of the greatest wild tenting spots in Scotland will refill very early on, particularly within the busy summer time months of June, July and August. In some circumstances, you could 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.
Higher but, contemplate visiting throughout the off season! We did North Coast 500, a 500-mile journey across the Highland space of Scotland, again in November 2020. It was unbelievable as a result of we just about had the route all to ourselves.
15. Strive The two:1 Rule
Intimidated by the thought of untamed tenting for everything of your journey? There’s no purpose you may’t method it slowly. For lots of first-timers, it’s an excellent concept to interrupt up the journey with extra snug campsites.
You’ll be wild tenting for 2 nights and staying on a campsite for one night time. This can be a good solution to benefit from the pleasure of untamed tenting whereas nonetheless having fun with the advantages of a campsite’s amenities. A pleasant rest room, scorching bathe, stocking up on necessities, and extra.
All in all, wild tenting is actually among the finest methods to expertise Scotland. You possibly can cease wherever and don’t need to 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.
In case you keep in mind just one factor from this huge listing, it’s to be respectful and thoughtful in every single place you go!