Top 10 Tips for Camping in Scotland
Know the Code
Scotland has The Scottish Outdoor Access Code which gives everyone the right to hike or camp on all public and most private lands, with the exception of crops and house gardens. The right must be used responsibly and under certain guidelines. The Scottish Outdoor Access Code website has a ton of information about the code and how to access the land responsibly.
Don’t Limit Yourself to Just Wild Camping
Give yourself a break and stay at a campground or a B&B in between wild camping nights. Wild camping is a fun adventure, but sometimes it’s nice to have a hot shower & a toilet. The B&B owners we met were all so incredibly kind and welcoming. One of the biggest perks to camping is getting away from everyone else, but staying at a B&B every once in awhile will give you the opportunity to socialize with some locals and other tourists.
Come Prepared with the right gear
Our tent & sleeping pads were lifesavers on such a long camping trip! Camping gear can get outrageously expensive - so proceed with caution! But really consider what a good night’s sleep is worth. We flew thousands of miles to go to Scotland, so the last thing we wanted was to not get enough sleep each night and then feel groggy & exhausted every day when we had so much exploring to do.
Any last minute gear you might need can be bought at Go Outdoors stores throughout the UK.
Rent a car
If you’re from the US and have never driven on the left side of the road before - don’t be scared. Once you get started, it doesn’t feel that weird. Then once you’re used to it, it’s a piece of cake!
Having a rental car gives you the freedom to explore as much of Scotland as you want. If you don’t have a car then you’re really limiting yourself with where you’ll be able to go and what you’ll be able to see.
There are so many multi-day hikes throughout Scotland that would be incredible to do. But if you’re traveling abroad to go to Scotland, I think your time is best spent seeing more of the country than just one small piece of it.
Do Your Research & Have a Plan
Take some time to figure out your must-see towns & cities, or top restaurants & attractions. You don’t need to plan out every detail of your trip, but it’s always good to have a basic idea of what you absolutely want to do or see.
Walk Highlands is a fantastic resource for finding hikes, camping spots, other lodging, and more tips about camping in Scotland. They have breakdowns of hikes with pictures and tons of great information on all things outdoors.
… And a Backup Plan!
The weather & outdoor conditions are notoriously fickle in Scotland. It can be gorgeous one minute and then a torrential downpour the next. For some people, wild camping in Scotland is an “all in” kind of adventure. Where no matter what, they’ll keep going - even if it means they’re completely miserable. For us, we wanted an adventure, but we also take our comfort very seriously. Especially when we had 10 days of camping in a row. So we always had a back up plan - at least an idea of lodging options in the area. Just in case the weather wasn’t cooperating, we knew we’d be able to find a warm bed to sleep in for the night.
Mentally prepare yourself
News flash - it rains a lot in Scotland. So be mentally prepared to be wet a lot. And for your clothes & gear to be wet. Very wet. Being prepared mentally ahead of time really helped us stay upbeat throughout our trip, even when we didn’t see the sun for days at a time.
Pick your ideal season
I would recommend spring or fall for camping trips in Scotland. The summer season is the busy season and places could get over crowded. Plus, summer is prime midge season! Avoid those midges at all costs! Also, camping in a tent in the summer heat is not so pleasant. If you like winter camping, Scotland looks absolutely gorgeous in the winter months. If we were going back, I’d probably want to go in the winter. Camping when it’s cold out is my favorite. Plus - you might have a chance of seeing the Northern Lights!
Bring Yahtzee
Yahtzee was the perfect small game for us to bring with and play in a tent with limited space & lighting.
Be flexible
With any travel adventure, there needs to be some flexibility. Things will go wrong. Your beautiful & meticulous plan will inevitably fail because that’s life. And that’s how travel works sometimes. But that’s the beauty of travel! Things will happen that will push you out of your comfort zone and you learn new things about yourself.
Adventure Always.
Mary Kate
Check out my Ultimate U.K. RoadTrip Itinerary for an epic 17 day adventure through England & Scotland!
