So I’m still a little confused 🤦‍♂️

[keithpaw]

So doing the NC 500 we are starting off in South Wales on the 12th July.
We are hoping to stay at the mumbles for two nights then make our way to north wales and stay a couple of nights.
We will then make our way up to Inverness.
Luckily we have no time constraints so it doesn’t matter how long this all takes.
We will stay on campsites now and again to take on water and empty waste.
My question is can I wild camp throughout our trip?
I can’t seem to get a straight answer some have said yes and some have said no.
Any advice would be great thanks in advance..

 

[ambulancekidd]

I don't see an issue with wilding now, its exactly the way it was before lockdown, so not technically legal but, quite acceptable.

Go for it & have a great time.

 

[Langtoftlad]

Legally probably not - in reality probably.
"As part of Scotland's access legislation, the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003, you are allowed to camp on most unenclosed land. "
But it is my understanding that 'camping' doesn't include the use of a motorhome.
Additionally, in some areas there will be bye-laws to forbid it.

 

[Grianan]

I think you probably can without the police moving you on - the RYA have said that you can stay overnight in your boat after 3rd July so they’re obviously reading the rules in the same way.
I’m anticipating some ‘reticence’ oe even ‘hostility’ up north to be honest. Our neighbours in Torridon comment in campervans in the area now. There’s a genuine concern about the virus and waste disposal. Non motorhomers may not make the link between self contained accommodation and motorhomes.
When we go up to our second home in Torridon we will take the van so we don’t need to use motorway services but are prepared for raised eyebrows.

 

[Chris]

Keith please don’t start your sentences with “ So”.

It does my head in.

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[phillipsheila]

so are we sometime in near future

 

[Figaro]

It`s journalists favourite way to start a sentence in reply to anything these days.
Agree, very annoying

 

[steve 6644]

I totaly agree Chris.

 

[Crazylegs]

There are moves afoot to ban wild camping in parts of Scotland.

NRS Web Continuity Service

www.parliament.scot

The popularity of the 500 route is starting to cause friction.

 

[tonyidle]

So what?

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[tonyidle]

There are moves afoot to ban wild camping in parts of Scotland.

NRS Web Continuity Service

www.parliament.scot

The popularity of the 500 route is starting to cause friction.

Quite hard to ban something that is already banned I would have thought?

 

[AXO66]

I have come to the conclusion you can park up and sleep in the van anywhere.
Don’t think there is a general law to say you can’t

Unless, of course, there are any signs notices yellow lines etc that say you can’t.

there is then the be considerate to the local community As to where you park.

personal security is of course an issue, but we have slept on ordinary town roads with lots of houses around, without any incidents at all .

slept around Scotland.and the Ncc three years ago late sept, without any issues, (plus sites.) useing camper contact app.

it might have changed now of course.


And of course what actually happens if someone asks you to move on..apoligse and drive away politely.

 

[Crazylegs]

Quite hard to ban something that is already banned I would have thought?

Fair point, perhaps the law needs more clarity as wild camping in tents in Scotland is fine, but us guys in the motorhomes assume we have the same rights.

 

[ManTheVan]

There are plenty of places where it‘s possible to park up discreetly and sleep in peace.

 

[keithpaw]

Thanks for all the replies
They were so so

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[tonyidle]

Fair point, perhaps the law needs more clarity as wild camping in tents in Scotland is fine, but us guys in the motorhomes assume we have the same rights.

I think we like to make that assumption . The last post describes exactly how we should behave however he's wrong about the law. It has been discussed at great length in the past on here but basically camping is forbidden other than on designated sites. The exception being tents in Scotland.

 

[Vipar]

So what’s the answer?

 

[irnbru]

I just thought Id throw this back up. Its relating to these signs. The email is a year old.

Thank you for your email of 15 March about ‘No overnight parking’ signs.

I am assuming your enquiry relates to laybys which are regarded as part of the road and to which traffic legislation could apply.

The reason for providing laybys is to allow drivers to make short duration stops, either for meal breaks, short rest periods or to take exercise during long journeys.

If vehicles park in a layby for long periods, such as overnight, they may prevent or discourage drivers from taking a short break at a point on their journey when they need it most. Litter or lack of toilet facilities can also create other problems where there is long term or overnight parking.

Signs like the one you have photographed may be erected at such locations to discourage overnight parking in an attempt to reduce or eliminate such problems, but the signs are advisory and not mandatory. There is no specific definition of ‘overnight’ in the relevant legislation. Such signs are used by many roads authorities throughout the country.

For your background information, the management and maintenance of roads in Scotland are the responsibility of the relevant roads authority – either Transport Scotland for Trunk Roads which include motorways or the relevant local government Council for other roads. Roads authorities in Scotland and other parts of the UK, are bound by the legislation which regulates road signs - the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016 which can be seen at http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2016/362/contents/made .

If the signs you are referring to are not on the road network and are on private land I cannot be specific as the signs could be indicating that there is some enforceable legal provision in place possibly for example to prevent nuisance to neighbours or damage to the environment.

I hope this is helpful.

 

[peterc10]

Keith please don’t start your sentences with “ So”.

It does my head in.

So, why does it cause you a problem Chris? Does the comma make it better?

 

[Potty]

See here for the Scottish Government‘s references to campervans under the Access Code



Have been doing the NC500 since well before it got a name, using both sites and wild camping. Might do it later this summer but a bit worried about the reception we will get from the residents. If you haven’t been there before, don’t expect to travel far each day and make sure you know how to use the passing places on single track roads, use them to allow others to overtake. Going at the time you are, get plenty of midge repellent. If you use refillable gas cylinders, lpg is not widely available so fill up when you can. Enjoy!

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[Potty]

I just thought Id throw this back up. Its relating to these signs. The email is a few yrs old.

View attachment 403586

Thank you for your email of 15 March about ‘No overnight parking’ signs.

I am assuming your enquiry relates to laybys which are regarded as part of the road and to which traffic legislation could apply.

The reason for providing laybys is to allow drivers to make short duration stops, either for meal breaks, short rest periods or to take exercise during long journeys.

If vehicles park in a layby for long periods, such as overnight, they may prevent or discourage drivers from taking a short break at a point on their journey when they need it most. Litter or lack of toilet facilities can also create other problems where there is long term or overnight parking.

Signs like the one you have photographed may be erected at such locations to discourage overnight parking in an attempt to reduce or eliminate such problems, but the signs are advisory and not mandatory. There is no specific definition of ‘overnight’ in the relevant legislation. Such signs are used by many roads authorities throughout the country.

For your background information, the management and maintenance of roads in Scotland are the responsibility of the relevant roads authority – either Transport Scotland for Trunk Roads which include motorways or the relevant local government Council for other roads. Roads authorities in Scotland and other parts of the UK, are bound by the legislation which regulates road signs - the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016 which can be seen at http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2016/362/contents/made .

If the signs you are referring to are not on the road network and are on private land I cannot be specific as the signs could be indicating that there is some enforceable legal provision in place possibly for example to prevent nuisance to neighbours or damage to the environment.

I hope this is helpful.

This is not now the case. Overnight parking in lay-bys is now legal and has been for some years even if the old signs haven’t been taken down. But make sure it is a proper lay-by and not a passing place!

Removal of overnight parking signs

Removal of overnight parking signs - Removal of overnight parking signs.

www.highland.gov.uk

 

[frogijock]

you must seek landowners permission if you are going to wild camp in your MH in Scotland, tents are a completely different matter

 

[irnbru]

Hi Sandra. I'm definitely going. Subs now paid. How do I pay for the weekend? Thanks. Ian

This is not now the case. Overnight parking in lay-bys is now legal and has been for some years even if the old signs haven’t been taken down. But make sure it is a proper lay-by and not a passing place!

Removal of overnight parking signs

Removal of overnight parking signs - Removal of overnight parking signs.

www.highland.gov.uk

Have you actually read the whole post, Your link is from 2012 which I was well aware of at the time and is NOT applicable to ALL the signs. Sorry but my email is from Transport Scotland March 2019 so I would doubt you know better than them.

 

[poppycamper]

We did NC500 nearly 40 years ago and barely saw another vehicle for a whole week... Ah them were the days

 

[ambulancekidd]

I'm hatching a cunning plan here.
Why don't we get a nice big sticker for our motorhomes & name them all as TENTS????
I think this plan has legs?

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[Mark and Mindy]

In this month's camping and caravanning club magazine of July 2020 there is a a mailbag letter titled Wild Camping Rules which is in response to to a letter from the previous June issue.

An excerpt from the letter reads as follows

There seems to be confusion regarding the 2003 land reform act Scotland which you refer to. The act had nothing to do with motorhomes or other vehicles, except that they were not included within the act. The act was enabled to facilitate freedom for people to pitch tents on private land. It did nothing to remove our rights to park legally where we are permitted to, within car parks where there is no signage preventing overnight parking.

Mark

 

[ChrisL]

I'm hatching a cunning plan here.
Why don't we get a nice big sticker for our motorhomes & name them all as TENTS????
I think this plan has legs?

But would you risk being arrested for loitering with intent

Sorry i'll get my coat

 

[phillipsheila]

might see you in mumbles we often park there for a joes ice cream as only 3 miles away for us.

 

[Nasher]

might see you in mumbles we often park there for a joes ice cream as only 3 miles away for us.

Me too, I'll be the one on a skateboard, unicycle, penny farthing or my Royal Enfield.....

 

[phillipsheila]

we hopefully be in a chausson if not in camper on left eating ice cream.

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