If grabbing some gear, hopping a train to nowhere, and escaping from all life and amenities doesn’t sound enticing to you, read no further! However, if you’re the outdoorsy type, and fancy a holiday away from it all, wild camping is for you. And since it’s legal in most of Scotland, why not book a train ticket to the furthest reaches of Scotland, grab some gear, and go live off the land for a bit?
How to plan a wild camping trip in Scotland
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Choose your destination.
It’s legal to wild camp in Scotland on most unenclosed land that is uninhibited or not in use – i.e. anywhere that is not near buildings or on a golf course.
Pick a place that has plenty of open land (not hard to find!) and consider what type of camping you’d like to try: mountainous? Beach camping? Hiking between camping spots? Whatever suits your fancy!
Beach wild camping spots in Scotland:
A few of the top options for wild camping on the beach include Vatersay and Sandwood Bay, which are well known for their sandy beaches and dunes to keep you sheltered.
Glen camping in Scotland:
If you fancy finding some firewood, enjoying a walk with views, and sleeping on a meadow, find a glen (or valley). Spot red deer at Glen Feshie or visit the 120-m Steall Falls at Glen Nevis!
Wild camp near a loch:
Take in the views over the enchanting lochs of Scotland: search for the ‘Mermaid of Assynt’ at Loch Assynt in Sutherland, or keep an eye out all night for Nessie!
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Gather your gear.
You’ll need to supply your own tent, sleeping bag, food, sanitary products, water, and items to make a fire if you wish. Feeling adventurous? Grab a map and some train tickets and hike from the nearest train station until you find a comfortable spot! You’ll also need to do some research on the rules of wild camping.
The main thing to remember is not to leave a trace after you leave – you’ll need to take all of your litter with you and follow the rules for lighting fires… oh yea, and do some reading on how to ‘go’ outdoors!
The Outdoor Access Scotland site has loads of information on how to plan for wild camping.
Ready to plan your wild camping trip? Get your train tickets to Scotland and get ready to go wild!
