Caledonian wildcamping !! (1 Viewer)

[Stephen & Jeannie]

We are off to Scotland at last in September after various probs oh: We are looking at going all the way round from East to West !! Whilst I know of many wildcamping spots on the West coast but I have no knowledge of places on the East and Northern coast !

So, any advice would be great, I know that Ray and Geri are always out and about in Scotland , there must be other funsters who do the same:Blush: We look forward to some great spots from you !:thumb::thumb::thumb:

I have pen and paper to hand !!!!!!!

 

[bryandh]

GeoGlasgow has a great thread running......... follow link and maybe PM him

Broken Link Removed

Regards, Bryan

 

[geo glasgow]

no probs pm me il sort out apprx 50 wildcamp

very cool places some remote some not so, let me know if yo cycle or canoe , also theres loads of hill and coastal walks,, came across a couple of good paying sites handy for a night for a clean up and emptying the motorhome toilet etc,, anyway in my opinion there is no bad areas only if theres heavy rain or miges ..

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[lorger]

We are off to Scotland at last in September after various probs oh: We are looking at going all the way round from East to West !! Whilst I know of many wildcamping spots on the West coast but I have no knowledge of places on the East and Northern coast !

So, any advice would be great, I know that Ray and Geri are always out and about in Scotland , there must be other funsters who do the same:Blush: We look forward to some great spots from you !:thumb::thumb::thumb:

I have pen and paper to hand !!!!!!!

We have done some of the east coast mainly from Edinburgh to St Andrews and like the rest of Scotland if your sensible you will have no problem finding somewhere to stay. If you would like any info please feel free to ask. We are more versed on the south west though, have also done a wee bit round Loch Lomond and up to Glen Coe.

 

[old-mo]

We spent six weeks going up the west coast... over the top and right the way down the east to Durham...

Even tried on the way down to get the royalty`s owed me for the bridge they named after me "Kessock".... but told to sod off... :Sad: It was my father who gave them permission to name it that... :Angry:

Taking in a couple of islands... One of the best trips we have done.. :thumb:

But you would have to ask Judy.... cos I remember some of the trip but not how we got there... :thumb:

She is the navigator..... I just do as she say`s...

 

[WynandJean]

Any chance of some info? We're off to Scotland next week with no idea where to go, what to see, where to stay etc.

All suggestions welcome.

Wyn

We spent six weeks going up the west coast... over the top and right the way down the east to Durham...

Even tried on the way down to get the royalty`s owed me for the bridge they named after me "Kessock".... but told to sod off... :Sad: It was my father who gave them permission to name it that... :Angry:

Taking in a couple of islands... One of the best trips we have done.. :thumb:

But you would have to ask Judy.... cos I remember some of the trip but not how we got there... :thumb:

She is the navigator..... I just do as she say`s...

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[Mags52]

I'm told that the Forestry Commission staff are quite easy going about motorhomes parking up on suitable car parks as long as you are sensible and don't leave stuff outside the van.
One place we've seen but not used yet is on the forest drive in the Trossachs. Go from Aberfoyle towards Loch Katrine and a couple of miles outside Aberfoyle follow the sign towards the Three Lochs Forest Drive http://scotland.forestry.gov.uk/forest-parks/queen-elizabeth-forest-park/three-lochs-forest-drive
It's a one way route (7 miles) with loads of stopping places. We saw several spots suitable for wilding. The gates are closed early evening and it's only open in the summer months.

Enjoy your trip!
Mags

 

[Puddleduck]

Anyone crossing the border on the A68 or A697 and looking for a night stop before Edinburgh send me a pm and I will try to help.

 

[Rayb182]

Going to Scotland via Ai(M) & A68 In England
Off A1/A47 nr Wansford
52°34'59.43"N
0°24'37.12"W
Been told this sleepyspot is a bit iffy

A151/A1
52°48'11.94"N
0°36'19.75"W
dead end road off A151

A1/B6326 near Fernwood
53° 2'15.75"N
0°46'11.54"W

Layby off A68
54°34'8.66"N
1°36'29.27"W

Off A68
54°36'33.46"N
1°40'57.94"W

Byrness off A68
55°19'7.32"N
2°22'25.63"W


Fuel Off A1(M) And in Scotland
Tesco's Carlisle off M6 junc 43
54°53'46.09"N
2°53'44.70"W
Asda Dunfermline
56° 4'49.31"N
3°24'40.04"W

Get fuel at Tesco’s Wick or at Thurso
As fuel further on get rather expensive
Asda Dyce Aberdeen
57°12'16.86"N
2°10'23.85"W

Sleepyspots in Scotland
By golf course Montrose
56°43'10.48"N
2°27'35.01"W

Magbrin Nursery
57°19'50.79"N
4°13'17.62"W

Carpark on seafront at Tain
57°49'1.35"N
4° 3'14.94"W
Right on the waters edge Helmsdale 0ff A9
58° 6'54.23"N
3°39'3.15"W

Layby off A836
58°36'33.56"N
3°20'34.87"W

Bettyhill
58°31'30.72"N
4°13'22.62"W
Behind the toilets outside tap


Kyle of Tongue
58°29'59.75"N
4°26'57.51"W

58°29'47.37"N
4°27'15.79"W

Shieldaig off A896
57°31'31.61"N
5°38'53.30"W
Honesty box on fence Picnic on road to Plockton
57°18'53.36"N
5°41'22.93"W

Off A87 Nr. Inverinate
Between Inverinate and Shiel Bridge, for the graveyard
57°14'7.25"N
5°24'17.57"W

Off A87
57° 9'56.76"N
5°19'20.13"W
2 miles past petrol station @ Shiel Bridge
Reverse in

Off A887
57° 9'44.99"N
4°53'15.49"W
Glen Nevis Campsite
56°48'18.60"N
5° 4'25.01"W
Best campsite in Scotland IMHO

Loch Awe upper dam only smallish vans for this one
56°24'20.85"N
5° 6'39.19"W

Off A816 nr Oban
56°21'41.82"N
5°26'48.01"W

Nr Oban on A816
56°21'10.60"N
5°29'33.27"W

Gruinard Bay off A832
57°51'8.03"N
5°27'7.38"W

There are lots of sleepyspots on the Moidart Peninsular off A861
old bit of road A861
56°41'5.63"N
5°21'14.49"W

Off A861
56°42'47.77"N
5°17'50.20"W

Cowal Peninsular
Nice quiet campsite Glendaruel Caravan Park off A886

Pub at Otter Ferry allows parking overnight on Loch Fynne
Nr Kames
55°52'50.15"N
5°13'51.36"W

Portavadie off Loch Fynne
55°52'38.67"N
5°18'48.35"W

Hope some of these help :thumb:

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[WynandJean]

Thanks. This will be most useful in planning our trip.

In addition to campsites, are there any places to fill/empty, I wonder?

Wyn

 

[paul rimmer]

calerdonian wildcamping

Dumfries and Galloway. Solway coast, Kipford area. Nice canoeing/walking. Great is Raiders Road, Galloway forest. Stroen Loch on Black Dee is great for canoeing and lovely wild camp spot. Good alternative to battering up M74 to get to highlands!

 

[lorger]

We actually have 6 Motorhomes in tonight at the local park beside the river. After a horrible day its now turned out lovely for them.

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[paul rimmer]

calerdonian wildcamping

sorry Lorger

where about?

 

[lorger]

Hi Paul I live in Dumfries and we have a few car parks around town where over nightingale is fine, the main one is the Dock park in the town right next to the river if you need directions or info just ask.

 

[lorger]

Forgot to mention we have about 8 in tonight, a couple of Dutch ones and a French one the rest from the UK

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[paul rimmer]

calerdonian wildcamping

Ah right useful, great ta

thinking about going to kirkcrubright Jazz festival this weekend.... look good?

Paul

 

[lorger]

Haven't been to the jazz festival but you can park up at the harbour next to the tourist info office and toilet block and should be ok overnight. If not and your not drinking loads of wilding place just out of town.

 

[DBK]

Just arrived in Fort William to stay with my brother. Would strongly advise against driving up the A82 past Loch Lomond. There are major road works north of Tarbet, been going on for months apparently and no sign of completion. Expect long, long delays. A82 also a lethal road south of Tarbet, frequent accidents and road closed today for several hours following bad accident near Luss. We just got past before it was closed and saw them cutting people out of a car. Horrible, but apparently no deaths reported.

The signs at Glasgow push the tourists up past Loch Lomond but my brother recommends going via Stirling then cut across via Callander to Crianlarich A84 then A85 rather than by Loch Lomond. Only a few miles further and much better road.

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[lorger]

Although I love LL we tend to go the way your brother advises lot safer and probably quicker in the long run.

 

[icantremember]

Where?

Just arrived in Fort William to stay with my brother. Would strongly advise against driving up the A82 past Loch Lomond. There are major road works north of Tarbet, been going on for months apparently and no sign of completion. Expect long, long delays. A82 also a lethal road south of Tarbet, frequent accidents and road closed today for several hours following bad accident near Luss. We just got past before it was closed and saw them cutting people out of a car. Horrible, but apparently no deaths reported.

The signs at Glasgow push the tourists up past Loch Lomond but my brother recommends going via Stirling then cut across via Callander to Crianlarich A84 then A85 rather than by Loch Lomond. Only a few miles further and much better road.

Can anyone tell me please exactly where the road works are on the A82.

 

[DBK]

Can anyone tell me please exactly where the road works are on the A82.

They are at a place called Pulpit Rock, between Tarbet and Ardlui. Been at it 18 months and still haven't finished putting the piles in. On a weekend I suspect you could be held up for at least 30 minutes, possibly an hour. We were delayed a good 20 minutes on a wet Monday.

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[jb0371old]

If you join this site you can download poi, we used it for our trip around dumfies and galloway last year, scotlands laws actually allow wild camping so the forestry guys dont care. lots of nice places.

 

[scotjimland]

Does anyone ever pay for camping in Scotland ?

Tourism in Scotland, especially in the Highlands, is a major employer and without it many would be unemployed..

So next time you drive by a nice wee camp site.. think about the family who lives there trying to scrape a living from a few acres of moorland or rough farm land..
Do you go in and enjoy their hospitality or drive on a bit a find a nice wee lay-by that Mr Strangeways had the No Overnight Camping sign removed from..

I appreciate there are many lovely free spots, motorhomes are designed to make use of them, and a night or two free hurts no one.. but if you don't support the small sites, CLs and CSs ... don't moan when they close..

 

[icantremember]

They are at a place called Pulpit Rock, between Tarbet and Ardlui. Been at it 18 months and still haven't finished putting the piles in. On a weekend I suspect you could be held up for at least 30 minutes, possibly an hour. We were delayed a good 20 minutes on a wet Monday.

Many thanks Beekeeper, we are currently at Inverinate working our way South so will make a point of missing that area.

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[DBK]

Does anyone ever pay for camping in Scotland ?

Tourism in Scotland, especially in the Highlands, is a major employer and without it many would be unemployed..

So next time you drive by a nice wee camp site.. think about the family who lives there trying to scrape a living from a few acres of moorland or rough farm land..
Do you go in and enjoy their hospitality or drive on a bit a find a nice wee lay-by that Mr Strangeways had the No Overnight Camping sign removed from..

I appreciate there are many lovely free spots, motorhomes are designed to make use of them, and a night or two free hurts no one.. but if you don't support the small sites, CLs and CSs ... don't moan when they close..

Couldn't agree more. Currently at the community run site at Johnshaven, just north of Montrose. £16 a night with EHU, cheaper without leccy I think. Very well kept site, free, untimed hot showers and Eider ducks 50 yards away on the rocks. Pubs and shop within an easy walk. What more do you want?

I would wild camp up here if that was the only option to have access to a specific place such as a mountain, loch or village without a campsite, we are doing that in a couple of days time, but otherwise we choose sites.

 

[icantremember]

Does anyone ever pay for camping in Scotland ?

Tourism in Scotland, especially in the Highlands, is a major employer and without it many would be unemployed..

So next time you drive by a nice wee camp site.. think about the family who lives there trying to scrape a living from a few acres of moorland or rough farm land..
Do you go in and enjoy their hospitality or drive on a bit a find a nice wee lay-by that Mr Strangeways had the No Overnight Camping sign removed from..

I appreciate there are many lovely free spots, motorhomes are designed to make use of them, and a night or two free hurts no one.. but if you don't support the small sites, CLs and CSs ... don't moan when they close..

We pay for some sites and we also use some free spots. If we want to stay and explore a particular area in the toad then we will pay for a site, but if just travelling we will find a wild free spot.

 

[jb0371old]

scottish law allows wild camping, so very few no overnight camping signs. We buy our food and petrol locally etc, and why would I pay for ehu when i dont need it and its uch nicer to camp out in themiddle of nowehere with just the stars for company. we pay a small fee at the campsites to off/on load water etc.

plus we have three dogs (very welbehaved) and most campsites look down there noses and want extra money, why?

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[scotjimland]

[HI]scottish law allows wild camping, [/HI]so very few no overnight camping signs. We buy our food and petrol locally etc, and why would I pay for ehu when i dont need it and its uch nicer to camp out in themiddle of nowehere with just the stars for company. we pay a small fee at the campsites to off/on load water etc.

plus we have three dogs (very welbehaved) and most campsites look down there noses and want extra money, why?

sorry.. you are misinformed.. not in a motorhome ..

You refer to the The Land Reform Act 2003 , more common known as 'right to roam act '?

This law covers people wishing to walk or have access to land that is not under cultivation and allows them to camp under canvas while hiking or walking.

Wild camping does not include any kind of motorised vehicle or caravan. "Vehicular access is not part of your rights under this law"

ALL land belongs to someone and you need permission to camp.
The Caravan Act 1960 applies equally to Scotland ..

Full Code here http://www.snh.org.uk/pdfs/publications/access/full%20code.pdf

7 Access rights do not extend to:
• being on or crossing land for the purpose of doing anything
which is an offence, such as theft, breach of the peace,
nuisance, poaching, allowing a dog to worry livestock,
dropping litter, polluting water or disturbing certain wild
birds, animals and plants;
• hunting, shooting or fishing;
•[HI] any form of motorised recreation or passage[/HI] (except by
people with a disability using a vehicle or vessel adapted for
their use);
• anyone responsible for a dog which is not under proper
control; or to
• anyone taking away anything from the land for a commercial
purpose.

 

[jb0371old]

Fair enough.

But nobody official has ever said eanything negative to us.

We dispose of waste responsibly, even the dog muck (we have a sealed box in the garage). We buy food locally, we even paid for a 24hr ticket along some toll road where we camped overnight (the forestry guy even waved to us as he went by).

I just cant see the point of paying for something when I can do it for free.

We setup our mh to be able to survive without ehu, we did a 2 week holiday in dumfries and galloway wild camping evey night, with nobody else around not having to be 6m away from another van, with screamiong kids playing football and nobody having a drunken sing song.

If thats what other people want then crack on cos if we where all the same life would be boring

 

[scotjimland]

I just cant see the point of paying for something when I can do it for free.

you've answered my question.. "Does anyone ever pay for camping in Scotland"

fair enough

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