Wild Camping in Scotland
We at Lowland Motorhome Hire Ltd frequently get customers coming to holiday in Scotland, aside from the beauty, for the appeal that they can enjoy Wild Camping in our wonderful country
Please note that if you are planning to do a spot of wild camping while you are in Scotland, immediately familiarise yourself with the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.
We want you to enjoy your holiday but be extremely mindful there are other travellers doing the same and always be respectful to the environment around you.
The rules (and your responsibilities) are quite simple.
You should follow a strict policy of ‘leave-no-trace’. So, in short that means take your rubbish away with you, or use the bins provided. In remote areas there will not be bins, so take the rubbish with you until you find a suitable place to dispose of it in the correct way.
Never throw rubbish away, in fact it is mannerly to pick up other litter as well. Leave no trace of you ever being there.
Privacy – try to not impede on other travelling families, couples. Avoid overcrowding by moving on to another location if it’s already a busy spot. Scotland has many beautiful stopping spots.
Please note…
As part of Scotland’s access legislation, the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003, you can camp on most unenclosed land.
However, due to overuse and often sadly misuse, East Loch Lomond is subject to wild camping byelaws.
Always take note of the signage, if somewhere is clearly marked as ‘no overnight parking’, then please abide by these rules and move on to another adequate spot.
Please bear in mind…
As much as wild camping in exciting and often of the beaten track. It is nice to visit a campsite. We are privilege members of the Camping and Caravanning Club. We have books in all our motorhomes for reference to some campsites in your area.
We advise our customers that it is advantageous to go onsite for a night, then wild camp another and so on…never let the toilet overfill and NEVER empty it anywhere other than a chemical toilet waste point.
The chemicals although we use green environmentally friendly, can be harmful to some wildlife and not to mention other humans. It can find its way into streams and water supplies if not disposed of correctly and the toilet roll can be extremely harmful to animals who try to digest it!
Throughout Scotland there are some amazing camping parks/sites in some of the most stunning locations.
Campsites offer you the advantage of hooking up to 240v systems (charging iPads, mobile phones, laptops, cameras), recharging your motorhome’s leisure battery and of course giving you the opportunity to use the facilities without thinking about water levels and hot water. This also gives you the chance to empty your toilet cassette in the chemical toilet and fill up with some fresh water.
As adventurous as it is to wild camp, be respectful and never drive onto campsites in a quest for fresh water or/and use the chemical toilet point unless you are looking to stay overnight or are offering to pay for the services.
It is NOT acceptable to ‘sneak’ on and use the facilities without prior authorisation. We also would advise to be careful of your water supply and only EVER fill up with fresh drinking water. If you wish to use their facilities, be prepared to pay.
While wild camping, do not use any water facilities that you are unaware of where the supply is being collected. Not all water is drinking water.
Also, please use common sense and think whether the spot you have found is suitable for a vehicle.
Never drive down to beaches or onto grass verges as it destroys the habitat and is often unstable ground. Choose your spot carefully. Please do not block access tracks to estates and field or light BBQs or fires unless it is safe to do so, and you can supervise it properly. They should be fully extinguished when finished and no evidence left behind.
OK, now that you know some of the rules, lets get you on the road and enjoying your trip.
As we say, ‘LMH, where every day is a new adventure’….
Some wild camping spots you will stumble across by pure chance, however, other spots are advertised. Obviously, you can locate information from our old faithful friend ‘google’, there are also reference books you can buy prior to you holiday.
A popular book out there being used is ‘Brit Stops’. This provides you with information on locations (mostly public house/hotel car parks where most stopovers offer hardstanding safe places to park up for the night). Your book is your membership to free overnight stays and parking in some stops where food and beverages will be available for a cost. Take the night off from cooking and get a home cooked meal.
There are some Brit Stops Rules:
• Always display a valid Brit Stops windscreen sticker. This shows you are members of the scheme and reassures hosts that you have read and accepted the Code of Conduct.
• Arrive during working hours. You will not be welcome in the middle of the night and gates may be locked.
• Remember you are not camping, so no awnings, picnic tables, small tents, etc.
• Only park only in the areas indicated by your host.
• Do not turn up with empty water tanks and full waste tanks. Many hosts do not provide facilities for filling up or emptying.
• Never light fires or barbecues, or use generators, and avoid making too much noise – remember you are the guests of the family who live and work on the site.
• Your overnight stay is free, but do not expect to use any extra facilities if you are not spending money at the venue. In any case, do not use water taps, drains or electricity without the host’s permission.
• Keep children with you at all times. Remember that many of the sites are work premises, not playgrounds.
• Note that dogs may not be allowed inside the buildings. If this is important for you, please phone first to check. Dogs must always be kept on the lead.
• Sometimes for personal or work-related reasons, a host will be unable to welcome visitors. Please respect this.
• Please accept any restrictions imposed by the host.
• Do not overstay your welcome. The Brit Stops scheme allows for a stay of 24 hours.
Important! Always take your book into the venue to show, when you introduce yourself to the host. Oh, and enjoy your stay!
If you prefer to just drive then chance a stop, there are many places that will be suitable for you. Just be mindful if travelling in our peak summer season, there will be many motorhomers on the road doing the same as you!