Camping in Scotland

[wonderings]

Going to be renting a car end of august, driving from Gatewick north to Scotland. I am going with 3 friends and we want to camp for a week. Are the authorities pretty tight on where you camp? I was thinking (if possible) to just pull over somewhere at the end of the day and set up camp. I would use camp grounds when available, but its kinda nice to be just on your own rather then with other campers nearby. Are there lots of open spaces I could do this? Or is everything pretty much owned by farmers and the like?

Any tips or advice for camping in Scotland would be appreciated. We will be there from Aug 27  till Sept 2.

thanks

[Martin Barrett]

My understandings - based from RAF training more than 20 years ago. There is no law of trespass in Scotland so you can pitch up where you like. We're talking the wild areas.

Just use a bit of common sense, don't make a nuisance and tidy up - probably open fires are best avoided.

[mr moto]

here is all you need to know . www.mountaineering-scotland.org.uk/leaflets/wildcamp.html   try not to camp too close to any body of water or the midgies will eat you alive !

[Snowdog]

try not to camp too close to any body of water or the midgies will eat you alive !

Unless there is too much breeze for the midges - then the horse files will get you.

[Bug R]

Unless they drown in the rain  

[wonderings]

My understandings - based from RAF training more than 20 years ago. There is no law of trespass in Scotland so you can pitch up where you like. We're talking the wild areas.

Just use a bit of common sense, don't make a nuisance and tidy up - probably open fires are best avoided.

Thanks, can anyone else confirm this?

[Cpl Punishment]

Whenever I've camped in Scotland, I've camped wherever I felt the need to stop. Usually camped away from a road, and, of course, tidied up afterwards. There was once a time, though, when a Scottish Wold Cat spent several hours walking around my tent after bacon.....

[BossBob]

Thanks, can anyone else confirm this?

MrMoto has provided an excellent link ...... all the FACTS
very informative

[Ant]

Whenever I've camped in Scotland, I've camped wherever I felt the need to stop. Usually camped away from a road, and, of course, tidied up afterwards. There was once a time, though, when a Scottish Wold Cat spent several hours walking around my tent after bacon.....

Did you ride and camp in this instances? I've been intrigued by the idea of wild camping in Scotland or Wales but the only concern I have is the relative insecurity of a motorbike and the pain in the arse involved with walking to a suitably remote camp site away from the road. Where do you leave the bike etc?

[Cpl Punishment]

Did you ride and camp in this instances? I've been intrigued by the idea of wild camping in Scotland or Wales but the only concern I have is the relative insecurity of a motorbike and the pain in the arse involved with walking to a suitably remote camp site away from the road. Where do you leave the bike etc?

there's loads of little gravelled paths-eg Forestry Commission roads-that you can use to get to a good spot.

[Orson]

I'm new to this Welsh-English animosity thang but don't English campsites get attacked during the night by roving bands of Welsh marauders?

That's what I heard anyway

I could be wrong.

[Ant]

I'm new to this Welsh-English animosity thang but don't English campsites get attacked during the night by roving bands of Welsh marauders?

That's what I heard anyway

I could be wrong.

Are you just spreading vicious rumours here? Never heard of the Welsh being that upset about campers, they get quite upset about rich people buying holiday/weekend homes in their quant little villages though... And with good reason in my book!!

I'm safe anyway since I'm half Welsh, not sure how I can prove it except for my correct pronunciation of Llangollen  

[Orson]

and another thing...

what's with those stoopid ski poles those trekkers are using these days?

that's almost reason enuff to attack them  

[Cpl Punishment]

Don't use walking poles on a bike, could cause misery and great amusement...

[Ant]

Don't use walking poles on a bike, could cause misery and great amusement...

Modern day jousting perhaps!?

[Cpl Punishment]

Modern day jousting perhaps!?

[BossBob]

I'm new to this Welsh-English animosity thang but don't English campsites get attacked during the night by roving bands of Welsh marauders?

In Scotland??

nae need, we jocks can tak care o' oor ane patch