If you happen to’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 around the globe since 2020 and have skilled ideas for wild tenting in Scotland and past.
The way to 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, dwelling in our van and driving round this spectacular nation.
It’s hands-down certainly one of our private favorite locations to go to anyplace on the planet. Significantly for vanlifers, because of the 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 automobile. With out additional ado, let’s get proper into it!
1. Perceive what wild tenting is
However first… what is wild tenting?
Also called 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 will not be the identical as tenting basically. 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 automobile park.
Because the latter is what we’re finest accustomed with, our recommendations at present are for vehicle-based wild tenting. Nevertheless, lots of the factors truly apply to the opposite type of wild tenting, similar 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 proper motorhome or campervan
The very first thing you need to do earlier than beginning your journey is to decide on the proper automobile. Whether or not you’re shopping for your individual or renting a campervan, it’s vital to select one of the best one to your wants. Some options to consider embody:
- Dimension – 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 vital to recollect, as most roads in Scotland are very slender; even alongside the NC500 and notably 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 finances, which can have an effect on the kind of automobile you may get and its situation.
- Full service historical past – This final one shouldn’t be a problem for those who’re renting from a dependable rental firm, however essential for those who’re shopping for your individual automobile. 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 automobile, but in addition 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 massive transformed 4×4 ex-military automobiles that may be pushed onto seashores. You may lease all kinds of automobiles from massive rental companies like McRent.
And even from native Scottish folks by means of websites like Outdoorsy. It actually does rely in your private desire; although I might 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
Ensure 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 contemplate parking in a single day in a motorhome as wild tenting. Whereas it’s undoubtedly simpler to wild camp for those who’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 typically fairly straightforward to get permission.
The Scottish Outside Entry Code
The Scottish Outside Entry Code grants you accountable entry to the Scottish outdoor. 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 widespread sense and decency when you’re wild tenting. Extra on Scotland Journey at: 7 Loopy Adventures in Scotland
Whereas this legislation 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 “lightweight and done in small numbers”.
Highway Site visitors Act of 1988
The Highway Site visitors Act of 1988 acknowledges most roads as personal land, which implies it’s crucial that you just ask for permission earlier than parking your automobile anyplace.
Loch Lomond Byelaws
Wild tenting is usually potential in most locations throughout the nation, apart from one: the Loch Lomond and Trossachs Nationwide Park. Between March and September, tenting is barely allowed on official campsites or when you have a tenting allow.
This byelaw goals to guard the Nationwide Park from environmental injury, which is sensible as a result of Loch Lomond is among the high vacationer locations in Scotland!
Total, the final rule of thumb when wild tenting is to respect any “No overnight parking” signal. And so long as you park someplace distant and wise, you ought to be nice.
We’ll cowl extra ideas beneath that you need to comply with to have a secure 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 search out wild tenting spots all throughout Scotland (and Europe). It’s a free cellular 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 or not you’ve lived in a van earlier than or that is your first-time wild tenting, that is significantly such a helpful app that may make your journey much less annoying. 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 all the time updating day-after-day. Plus, you possibly can share private experiences and ideas a few spot, and studying updates from different customers offers you insightful data.
The interface itself is tremendous easy and straightforward 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 search out new places
One other useful gizmo for locating new places is Google Satellite tv for pc. You should use the satellite tv for pc view on Google Maps to search out massive open automobile parks or areas the place you possibly can doubtlessly keep the evening.
Or just search “parking” in any space of the map, which can then record parking spots and you’ll zoom in to verify if it’s viable.
Alternatively, if you have already got a particular spot in thoughts, that is nonetheless a good way to scout the realm and see what it appears like.
While you’re wild tenting in Scotland or anyplace else, all the time attempt to be as ready as potential. This consists of having an concept of what the location you’re planning to sleep in appears like.
- Learn extra journey guides in Scotland
6. Ask at pubs & eating places for those who can keep there
For instances whenever you’re wanting to remain close to the town, it’s price asking at pubs and eating places for those who can park your automobile close by and keep the evening. We’ve executed this a couple of instances ourselves and individuals are usually very good about it. Simply ensure that to ask prematurely.
On an identical observe, asking locals can be a good way to search out the proper tenting spot. This manner, you will discover locations that aren’t even talked about in guidebooks and on-line databases. A pleasant hiya might 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 12 months (it’s launched on a yearly foundation) which can then offer you entry to over 1000 wild tenting spots throughout the UK, together with Scotland, the place you possibly can keep at without spending a dime.
It was impressed by the corporate Harvest Hosts within the USA (which we additionally love), so that is just like the UK model. The record options a lot of distinctive spots, from nation pubs, wineries, and fruit farms to vacationer points of interest, vintage centres, and extra.
The ebook itself prices £32 and provides you the possibility to remain in some actually cool places. You may also 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 undoubtedly a good way to satisfy new folks and get native suggestions of issues to do across the space!
8. Don’t depart any mess (Go away 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. In consequence, lots of the finest wild tenting spots have began to shut down and now have limitations, indicators and police patrols to cease the follow. 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 “leave no trace” coverage.
This consists of issues like:
- Eradicating all of your litter
- Preserving fires small and placing them out utterly 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, crops, previous archaeological buildings, and many others)
Generally, attempt to minimise any lasting impression on the grounds!
9. Be respectful in different methods
Along with cleansing up after your individual 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 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 every time potential. Whether or not which means 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 follow of untamed tenting.
Additionally, 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 a lot of days! As a rule of thumb, I might say that staying for under an evening or two is finest.
10. Keep away from consuming alcohol
If you’re requested to maneuver on by police and you’re over the alcohol restrict, there’s a probability you’ll get fined and prosecuted for driving beneath the affect. So, it’s all the time finest to keep away from consuming, 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 taking place to folks in Scotland and different nations. 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. If you happen to plan 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
Right here’s the factor about Scottish climate: it’s virtually fully 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 exquisite.
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 season is one of the best time for wild tenting in Scotland by way of climate, although the visitors might get intense. Regardless of the sunshine, you need to nonetheless put together for cloud, wind, and rain all in the identical day! In addition to midges, that are famously horrendous to take care of so you’ll need bug spray for those who 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 for those who’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 sort of far north and the hours of daylight could be fairly an excessive throughout peak winter and summer season months.
You may rise up to 18 hours of daylight in June within the Northern Highlands, which is a whole lot 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 hold the within of your automobile (or tent) tremendous darkish. Oh, and don’t overlook a lot of sunscreen too!
Alternatively, 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. In any other case, you’ll simply be caught inside your van all day, which isn’t an thrilling strategy 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 attraction…
13. …what in regards to the rest room scenario?
One of the crucial widespread 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 bathroom, it’s all a matter of accountable waste disposal. If not… Nicely, time to be taught the artwork of doing your small business outdoor.
Within the wilderness, it’s sometimes okay to decide on any spot that’s properly away from trails. Keep away from waterways and sapling bushes, although bigger established bushes and bushes are okay. Don’t go instantly 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, you ought 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. It is a good depth that may nonetheless decompose the waste whereas stopping others from stepping on it.
As soon as executed, you need to cowl the opening with the unique grime. If you happen to use any rest room paper, ensure that to convey it again with you and get rid of it correctly!
14. In busy season, plan forward
Most of the finest wild tenting spots in Scotland will refill very early on, particularly within the busy summer season 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 through the off season! We did North Coast 500, a 500-mile journey across the Highland space of Scotland, again in November 2020. It was implausible as a result of we just about had the route all to ourselves.
15. Attempt The two:1 Rule
Intimidated by the concept of untamed tenting for the whole thing of your journey? There’s no motive you possibly can’t strategy it slowly. For lots of first-timers, it’s an important 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 evening. It is a good strategy to benefit from the pleasure of untamed tenting whereas nonetheless having fun with the advantages of a campsite’s amenities. A pleasant rest room, sizzling bathe, stocking up on necessities, and extra.
All in all, wild tenting is actually the most effective methods to expertise Scotland. You may cease anyplace and don’t need to depend on registered campsites, so in a means it’s far more liberating.
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 happen to keep in mind just one factor from this large record, it’s to be respectful and thoughtful all over the place you go!
