If you dream of heading off on an outdoor adventure with your tent, where you can be away from crowds and choose your own views, wild camping in Scotland could be the perfect holiday for you.
Scotland offers the opportunity to set up camp almost wherever you like, which is ideal for those hoping to be at one with nature for the duration of their break. Here, we share some of the best places for wild camping in Scotland, and some of the dos and don’ts associated with this type of holiday.
What is wild camping?
To put it simply, wild camping is finding your own spot outside of a campsite to pitch your tent. Although this isn’t legal in England (apart from in Dartmoor), wild camping in Scotland is perfectly acceptable as long as you abide by these rules:
- Leave no trace – When you wild camp you have to leave everything exactly how you found it. This means taking all rubbish with you, ensuring there’s no evidence that your tent has been there, and leaving all natural objects as you found them.
- You mustn’t camp within 100m of a road and should try to stay away from enclosed spaces that are home to either animals or crops. It’s also advised that if your ideal spot happens to be near a house, you should ask for their permission before you set up camp.
- Don’t start an open fire. There are just too many risks associated with these, and leaving burn marks on the ground goes against rule number one!
- You should only wild camp in very small groups and stay no longer than 2 or 3 nights in one place.
Wild camping in Galloway Forest Park
Thinking that the north of Scotland will provide a more isolated wild camping experience is all well and good, but you could be missing out on some great opportunities in the south of the country. In particular, wild camping in Galloway Forest Park will offer an experience like no other due to its Dark Sky Park status.
Dark Sky Park status is awarded to places where the sky is so dark that thousands of stars and planets are visible, and people commit to controlling light pollution so that it stays this way. Wild camping here will give you access to some of the best stargazing in Europe, and you’re sure to love the mountainous backdrop, picturesque loch, and fabulous Scottish wildlife too.
With miles and miles of forest and rolling hills to discover, you’re sure to be able to find a camping spot where you’re completely isolated, despite not being up in the wild Scottish Highlands.
Wild camping on the Isle of Skye
Famed for its stunning landscapes and striking scenery, the Isle of Skye is the perfect place for wild camping with a view. Boasting rugged natural beauty, wonderful little fishing villages, and impressive castles, you’re guaranteed to find somewhere truly amazing to pitch your tent before exploring everything from woodland and waterfalls to beaches and mountain ranges.
During your time on the Isle of Skye, pay a visit to the charming natural harbour town of Portree. Surrounded by cliffs and hills, this town offers a number of outdoor activities, including boat trips and pony trekking, which are sure to keep you entertained. This is also a great place to pick up anything that you may have forgotten, or to replenish any supplies that you’ve used up.
Some other amazing places to visit while wild camping on the Isle of Skye include the Quiraing, an almost supernatural landscape that was a filming location for a number of movies (including The BFG, Stardust, and Snow White and the Huntsman), and Neist Point – home to one of Scotland’s most photographed lighthouses.
Wild camping in Glen Coe
Glen Coe’s impressive valley and mountains offer the perfect place to set up camp, and you can learn about how the area was created by volcanic eruptions and travelling glaciers by following the Glen Coe geotrail. Once voted as Scotland’s most romantic glen, this is a great place to head if you’re wild camping as a couple, and can offer complete isolation if you’re on a solo trip.
The ideal place for hiking and mountaineering, Glen Coe is home to plenty of wildlife that you might be lucky enough to spot, including sheep, goats, and even red deer. There are loads of walking routes to choose from, so you can feel free to wander at your leisure in the knowledge that everything you see will be simply beautiful.
One of the most striking places in Glen Coe is Coire Gabhail, also known as the Lost Valley. The approach to this natural wonder is just as impressive as the valley itself, and you’ll find yourself among the mountains with steep climbs all around you. This can be a great place to camp as you’ll find shelter behind various boulders, although you may want to arrive late and leave early as it can be quite a popular route with hikers.
Tips for wild camping in Scotland
- Choose a convenient tent – For the best wild camping opportunities you’ll be parking up and then carrying your things until you reach a desirable spot. For this reason, you’ll be happier with a small, light tent rather than a bulky option. As long as it’s big enough for both you and anything else you’ve packed, you’ll be fine!
- Take a camping stove – As mentioned previously, lighting an open fire is prohibited, so you’ll need a handy camping stove in order to cook food and heat water. Remember, you’ll have to carry this too, so try to find one that’ll be easy to transport.
- Pack dry or tinned food – Dry and tinned foods are the easiest to prepare when wild camping, and you can eat them straight from the pan once you’ve finished cooking so won’t need to pack plates or bowls.
Now that you know where to go wild camping in Scotland, and the rules behind it, you’re ready to plan your trip! Travelling from Northern Ireland? Book a ticket for our Larne to Cairnryan crossing and you’ll reach this beautiful country in just 2 hours on board our ferry to Scotland.
