How to plan a wild camping adventure in Scotland

Apr 27, 2024

Sleeping beneath the stars between the lochs and the pines is an immersive way to reconnect with nature. From where you can camp to what you need to bring with you, here's how to pitch your tent responsibly.

Pitching a tent far from civilisation, where the only sounds come from the birds and the whistling of the wind through the trees, makes for a restorative break for anyone who enjoys spending time in nature. But wild camping is for the most part illegal in England and Wales without the landowner’s permission — save for in Dartmoor National Park, where access rights were recently restored.

One place where you are generally free to pitch up where you please is Scotland as, thanks to the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003, the bulk of the highlands, islands and wildest reaches are generally open to all. Here’s what you need to know to plan an adventure.

(Why wild camping on Dartmoor has been restored.)

Wild camping involves pitching your tent away from all infrastructure, carrying all your equipment and leaving no trace. All land, even if it’s privately owned, is open so long as it’s not an enclosed field and wild campers pitch up away from buildings, roads and any historic structures. Areas of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park are an exception, as due to overuse they’re now subject to wild camping bylaws that mean pitching up here is more restricted. Other than that, it’s completely up to you, whether you want to sleep on a beach, in the woodlands, a tranquil glen or on the windswept shores of a loch.

Generally, you don’t need a permit, but you will need one if you intend to camp in specific areas of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park between March and September. These are Camping Management Zones and exist to protect the areas from overcrowding and damaging the natural landscape. Check whether your chosen site is part of a Camping Management Zone and get a permit on the park’s website.

The golden rule of wild camping is to leave no trace, and that means camping in small numbers to minimise your impact, not spending more than a night or two in the same location, packing away all rubbish and other evidence of your presence and using a stove to cook on instead of a campfire. Use environmentally friendly products so as not to contaminate water sources, and bury any human waste thoroughly. It’s also good practice to set up your tent at twilight and leave early in the morning, to avoid impacting hikers and others.

As a rule, look for flat, dry ground and a pitch that offers some shelter from the wind, but not directly beneath a tree where branches can fall. Avoid camping beside water sources, no matter how picturesque they are, as when it rains it’s possible the water could rise and flood your tent — opt for slightly higher ground instead. It’s also best not to camp between two hills, as this area can become boggy and also turn into a wind tunnel in foul weather. Somewhere with a light breeze can also keep the midges at bay. Other than that, the best place to pitch your tent is down to personal taste, whether you decide to set up in a secluded glen or on a beach in time for sunset.

If you’re wild camping you’ll more than likely be carrying your kit on your back, so think lightweight and minimal if you’re planning on heading deep into the wilds. Don’t skimp on your tent — cheaper models that aren’t up to scratch are liable to be blown away here — and make sure it’s fully waterproof and that you have good pegs to secure it.

The next most important piece of kit is your sleeping bag. Scotland can become cold suddenly, especially at higher altitudes, so ensure your sleeping bag is rated warm enough to tackle all possible temperatures you might encounter. A lightweight sleeping mat is also worth taking, as is a small travel stove, fuel and a basic cooking set.

And don’t forget to bring a water filter, or the means to boil water, as well as a bin bag, toilet roll, a shovel and a good head torch. In terms of clothing, lots of layers are best, with waterproofs to protect you from the rain.

(Travel kit list: the best gear for campsite cooking.)

Parking up in a campervan in Scotland is a bit different to pitching a tent. It’s not legal to park on privately owned land without permission, and according to Scotland’s Land Reform Act of 2003, overnight parking in a motorhome is not considered wild camping (wild camping is allowed when on foot, bike or some other form of non-motorised transport).

Your safest bets are small campsites or designated overnight parking areas (for example, some Scottish Forestry car parks allow overnight van parking and the Brit Stops scheme advertises free overnight stays across the country.

Wild With Consent also offers exclusive campervan pitches on private land with pre-arranged landowner permission. Don’t forget that away from established campsites, you won’t have access to water, electricity or waste-water disposal, so you’ll need to have your own facilities, and be aware that the same guidelines to leaving no trace apply.

(6 of the best places for wild sleeping in England and Wales.)