Wild Camping in Scotland: Essential Tips

Scotland's breathtaking landscapes, rugged mountains, and pristine lochs make it a paradise for wild camping enthusiasts. If you're planning to experience the thrill of wild camping in this beautiful country, we've got you covered. In this comprehensive guide, we'll provide you with essential tips and advice to ensure a safe, enjoyable, and eco-friendly wild camping experience in Scotland.

What is wild camping?

Wild camping is setting up a temporary campsite away from any built up areas, either in a tent, shelter or a plain old sleeping bag. Purists believe you shouldn't even drive to where you're camping. Here at wildway we think wild camping is different for each individual. If you want to take your car then go for it!

Know the Scottish Outdoor Access Code: Check out the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. TL;DR is that you can wild camp just about anywhere in small groups as long as you leave no trace, stay away from built up areas or roads and that you're not simply parked in a vehicle in a layby. The leave no trace part is very important. Scotland's beautiful scenery and wildlife need to be protected. If you see any other careless campers litter left from when they stayed, consider being a good picking it up. It goes a long way for keeping the NC500 a great experience for all and makes sure it doesn't become an issue for the locals. Check out the wildway app for wild camping spots along the NC500 and across Scotland.

Choosing the Perfect Wild Camping Spot

Research camping locations: Check out wildway for camping spots. When people find a good wild camping spot, they tend to try to hoard it so that it doesn't get overrun. However, it's actually far more beneficial to the wild camping community to share the spots you find. While Scotland is a small country, there is plenty of space to wild camp. If you find a good spot, add it to the app to help explorers like you and build your reputation on the app.

Check local regulations: There are some areas, such as Loch Lomond that dont allow wild camping. Check the Scottish Outdoor Access Code for more info.

Consider terrain and water sources: Choose flat, well-drained ground, away from water sources, to minimize environmental impact and maximize safety.

Essential Gear and Equipment

Camping essentials: Create a checklist of must-have camping gear before you go:

• A sturdy tent
• Sleeping bag
• Camping stove
• Map (Consider using wildway for this)
• Compass
• Suitable clothing for Scotland's unpredictable weather.
• Midgie net (Trust us, they're a terror)
• First aid kit
• A phone in case you need to call for help
• Torch
• Entertainment (Books, playing cards, travel chess etc)
• Sturdy boots
• Matches or a lighter
• Fire lighters (If you're a seasoned pro you could probably start a campfire without one of these but it's hard to know if the rain will have made all the natural kindling nearby wet so it can't hurt to have a backup)

Campfire and Cooking Tips

Campfire guidelines: Campfires can be essential on cold Scottish nights but it's important to do it safely and respectfully. Make sure to only light a small fire in a clear area where nothing else might catch alight. You could make a stone circle to avoid the fire spreading. Alternatively you could use a camping stove if you only need it for cooking. Food storage: When storing food, use sealed containers to avoid ants and wildlife being attracted by the smell.

Leave a Positive Impact

Scotland's natural beauty needs to be protected while you're out there. Please cleanup after yoursleves and if you find the last people there left a mess, I know it's not ideal, but helping to clean it up goes a long way.

Use wildway on your next trip

wildway is available for iOS and Android.

Conclusion:

Wild camping in Scotland offers unparalleled opportunities to connect with nature and create unforgettable memories. By following the tips outlined in this guide, you can ensure a safe, respectful, and eco-friendly experience. Remember to always prioritize Leave No Trace principles and respect the natural environment so that future generations can enjoy the pristine wilderness of Scotland. Happy wild camping!