Wild camping near Glentrool
© Forestry and Land Scotland
Here are some top points to follow:
- Avoid overcrowding by moving on to another location if it's already a busy spot
- Wherever possible, use a stove rather than an open fire. Never light an open fire during dry periods or in sensitive places like forests or peaty ground
- Take away your rubbish and consider picking up other litter as well
- If in doubt, ask the landowner. Their advice just might help you find a better camping spot
Read the Scottish Outdoor Access Code to find out more
Wild camping is legal in Scotland but there are guidelines that all campers should follow. Respecting the countryside + being safe = happy wild camping!
Glen Dye Cabins and Cottages in Banchory, Aberdeenshire
© VisitScotland / Luigi Di Pasquale
As part of Scotland's access legislation, the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003, you have the right to roam and are allowed to camp on most unenclosed land.
However, due to overuse, areas of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park is subject to wild camping byelaws. This means that camping is only permitted within campsites or with a camping permit.
Find out more about the wild camping byelaws
Be a responsible camper
Getting away from cities and civilisation to spend some quality time on your own or with a few others often makes for a great holiday in Scotland. However, it is essential to be responsible and considerate of your surrounding in doing so.
Make sure you read up on the Scottish Outdoor Access Code before you go, and make yourself aware of the dos and don'ts of wild camping in Scotland.
Guidance on lighting fires
Lighting a fire is a good source of heat and way to cook food when wild camping, but there are ways to do this that ensure safety for you and the surrounding landscapes.
- Where possible, use a stove rather than an open fire
- If you light a fire, keep it small, controlled and supervised
- Never light an open fire during prolonged dry periods or in areas such as forests, woods, farmland, or on peaty ground
- Make sure the fire has been properly extinguished and remove all traces of an open fire before you leave the area
Glenshee Camping, Perthshire
© VisitScotland / Kate Abbey
Wild camping top tips to remember
- Leave camp as you found it
- Avoid digging or removing vegetation and boulders; choose a flat, dry area to pitch your tent
- Ask nearby residents if you wish to camp near houses
- Wild camping access rules do not apply to motorised vehicles. Learn more about parking in the outdoors
- Avoid sites that are at risk of overuse
- Take care with toilet hygiene. Use public toilets where possible
Read our guidelines for camping and caravanning
Don't forget
Across the length and breadth of Scotland there are some really fantastic camping parks in stunning locations, from beachside crofts to wooded areas lined with ancient pines. By pitching up at a proper campsite, it means that our natural environments and their often fragile ecosystems remain intact. As we like to say, considerate campers are happy campers!
