Scotland is one of the few places in Britain where you can legally camp in the wild, thanks to its enlightened access laws. The right to roam lets you pitch a tent on most unenclosed land, away from buildings and roads, which opens up extraordinary possibilities: a night beside a remote loch, high on a hill, or in a glen far from anywhere. With that freedom comes responsibility, and a few rules worth knowing.
The rules in brief
The Scottish Outdoor Access Code allows responsible wild camping on most unenclosed land. The key principles are to camp in small numbers, stay only a night or two in any one spot, keep well away from houses and roads, and leave no trace whatsoever when you go. There are exceptions; parts of the popular Loch Lomond area have seasonal byelaws requiring permits, so check before you pitch there.
Camping responsibly
- Take everything away with you, including all rubbish; leave the spot exactly as you found it or better.
- Use a stove rather than lighting fires, which scar the ground and pose a real wildfire risk in dry spells.
- Toilet well away from water, and bury or pack out waste; clean water is everyone's to protect.
Where to go
The Highlands and islands offer endless possibilities, from lochside pitches to high mountain camps for those with the skills and kit. For something gentler, established campsites across the country give you facilities and a warm welcome without the commitment of going wild. Beginners are wise to start at a campsite or a low-level spot before heading into the remote hills.
The midges are the famous menace from late spring to late summer, so a head net and repellent are essential in season, and a breezy or higher pitch helps. Weather can turn fast, so good kit and sound judgement matter. But the reward, a night under huge skies in genuinely wild country, with the freedom to roam that few other places allow, is one of the great experiences Scotland offers.