"Wild" camping in the Scottish Highlands.

Nick555

Nick555

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We now have the funds for a PVC from RP. They are extremely expensive, we are sure about the model, but both of us are getting slightly cold feet about the hatred shown to Motorhomes stopping in the Highlands. There are specific FB groups with people pouring hatred on all campers. What we don't want is to be parked up somewhere out of the way, to be woken up in the middle of the night to be told we can't stop there.

We'd welcome any comments from "wild" campers who have been to the Highlands.
 
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We have just returned from staying in a cottage - but planning our next van trip and saw many Motorhome parking spots for £10 a night with facilities … incredible. The locals want mobile home and campers to invest in the local economy so buy in the village shops and try and frequent the pubs. We free camped all over the Cairngorms last year and even Balmoral has overnight camping for Motorhomes! Be respectful and discreet…. We have never had a problem! Enjoy its gorgeous!!
 
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Nick555 said:
I've not seen evidence of any support from local authorities. Mostly places have a "no overnight parking" notice. Are you sure there are Aires in the Highlands? I've never seen one, we travel the Highlands extensively.
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There has been a major change over the last 18 months in overnight stop accommodation, particularly in Scotland. Mainly driven by the Campaign for Real Aires CAMpRA All of the newly designated aires are on https://www.searchforsites.co.uk/ Have a look, you will see that many local authorities and parish councils now support the overnight stop development and offer grant aid to land owners to create the facility. MF is also involved as we have the legal ability to authorise new overnight stops and have done so for many new sites.
 
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I’m up in the highlands right now in my tag axle. No problems whatsoever. Just be respectful of where you are and where people live. As mentioned before plenty of places on the searchforsites website. I also go by the great phrase “ leave no trace “. Can’t go wrong. (y)
 
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Purchase your van and enjoy I live in Scotland and travel most weekends in the motorhome around my beautiful country at holiday times they are also spent in the highlands , the local councils are creating aires for overnight stops to welcome van folks to the areas there are loads of wild camping spots , just treat them with respect and you will have no issues at all , and as for the minority who do sound their horns at you , well you will find they are folks who are not locals but have moved up here and don't like the idea of anyone else seeing how beutifull Scotland is . So enjoy 😊

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Nick555 said:
We would hate campsites. The whole point of getting an RP is to not use campsites. We want to be far away from other people, not squashed up with them.
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Yes but you will need somewhere to get fresh water dump waste and empty toilet legally and responsably.
 
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Trout bum said:
Yes but you will need somewhere to get fresh water dump waste and empty toilet legally and responsably.
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Indeed but our plan is to be away for up to 3 nights. The RP has 200 litres fresh water & space to store 2 toilet cassettes under the van. If we needed to stay away longer - say 7 nights, then we'd pay to use a campsite facilities, but not stay there.

Although there is only one Aires in a pretty stupid place (Struie - aka Lorry shortcut), there is mention as though they are perfect stopping places. We absolutely do not want to stay where there are any other people, no other vans & definately no towns or villages. We love the solitude & silence of the Highlands.
 
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There’s facilities to empty chemical loos and get fresh water in Portree on Skye. Plus there are plenty of other sites that do the same. Again, searchforsites has them listed. (y)
I can also see more and more councils putting these types of facilities in because they don’t want a repeat of what happened a couple of years back where the dickheads were tipping out toilet cassettes In lay-bys.
 
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Nick555 said:
Indeed but our plan is to be away for up to 3 nights. The RP has 200 litres fresh water & space to store 2 toilet cassettes under the van. If we needed to stay away longer - say 7 nights, then we'd pay to use a campsite facilities, but not stay there.

Although there is only one Aires in a pretty stupid place (Struie - aka Lorry shortcut), there is mention as though they are perfect stopping places. We absolutely do not want to stay where there are any other people, no other vans & definately no towns or villages. We love the solitude & silence of the Highlands.
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St Kilda is nice this time of year:ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO:
 
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Nick555 I think perhaps wild camping and motorhoming are not for you?

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Nick555 said:
We now have the funds for a PVC from RP. They are extremely expensive, we are sure about the model, but both of us are getting slightly cold feet about the hatred shown to Motorhomes stopping in the Highlands. There are specific FB groups with people pouring hatred on all campers. What we don't want is to be parked up somewhere out of the way, to be woken up in the middle of the night to be told we can't stop there.

We'd welcome any comments from "wild" campers who have been to the Highlands.
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Possibly worth checking Cameron Mcneish
 
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A S R said:
There’s facilities to empty chemical loos and get fresh water in Portree on Skye. Plus there are plenty of other sites that do the same. Again, searchforsites has them listed. (y)
I can also see more and more councils putting these types of facilities in because they don’t want a repeat of what happened a couple of years back where the dickheads were tipping out toilet cassettes In lay-bys.
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There arenow 62 CAMpRA aires listed on Search for Sites mostly in Scotland
 
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Excellent. It can only get better now. Shame it’s come about in this way but about blooming time. (y)
 
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Considering that Scotland it the most beautiful part of Gods earth,,I’m suprised people feel that way 👍

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Kups said:
There arenow 62 CAMpRA aires listed on Search for Sites mostly in Scotland
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Thanks, there are 4 in the Highlands. Falls of Shin is only a few miles from us & located in a busy car park. Golspie is in a car park & only a few miles from us. The two in the North look ok though, although photos show a line of motorhomes parked up -which is not what we want. Although those two may be ok in the winter.
 
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Nick555 said:
I wonder why you would say that. Because I don't like campsites?
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There was no logic in Stonemags76 post so I assumed that it was meant sarcastically.

We are of the same ilk as you, and have enjoyed some wonderful wild spots in Scotland, one of which was waking up to the view of the Cuillins of Skye, nobody about till the farmers came to enter the gate just behind us and we got a cheery good morning from them.

A pity Scotland is now 1,600 miles from us.
 
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Sorry, I wasn’t trying to be sarcastic! I just meant that given the OPs initial concerns, & the fact that they haven’t really liked any of the other suggestions on the last three pages, that perhaps they should try hiring or something before spending so much on a new Motorhome? 🤷🏻‍♀️

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The video posted above seems to explain most things. In it he says "No overnight Parking" signs are advisory unless they have the official reference. I had a look on Google Earth and could see many potential stops that are remote. As you are in a PVC these may be more accessible than my 8m motorhome. As many people say give it a try, you will find those remote spots you will like. If you can probably best to go out of season. I have toured the highlands many times (went last year) and have always found the people welcoming, I have done it as a hiker and a small tent, in a car and tent and in a caravan. Much prefer the comforts of my MoHo now I am a little older which limits my choice of stops. I worked at Vulcan nr Thurso for a while loved exploring around, Ben Loyal and Ben Tongue good for skinny dipping in ice cold burns. Most of all just enjoy.
 
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Nick555 said:
Thanks, there are 4 in the Highlands. Falls of Shin is only a few miles from us & located in a busy car park. Golspie is in a car park & only a few miles from us. The two in the North look ok though, although photos show a line of motorhomes parked up -which is not what we want. Although those two may be ok in the winter.
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Falls of Shin must vary with time of year. I was there just about three days/two night a couple of weeks ago and it was very quiet. Car park never got anywhere near half full and most in motorhome bit I think was 4 vans. Saying that the visitor area was still shut so presumable out of season still.

By chance before I left I think it was a Morello that visited for a couple of hours, presume they are a member here as reg plate was something that spelt OI00 FUN 👍
 
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Never had any problems done the NC500 The last two years as long as common sense and courtesy applies it’s always been fine. I will say that I have seen some places where rubbish has been left and that has the tar brush effect, I always use and pay various campsites to dump grey and black water plus fill up with fresh. I did hear one of the locals having a moan in a shop I was using but the shop keeper soon put him in his place pointing out that they need the passing trade.

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BOWHOUSE52 said:
Been there many times never had a problem it's the idiots that couldn't give a toss about what they do and sh** every where that cause us the problems be respectful to were you park and the locals you will have no problems and enjoy some magnificent times there Go for it
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Absolutely agree with you about the idiots.
 
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Nick555 said:
We now have the funds for a PVC from RP. They are extremely expensive, we are sure about the model, but both of us are getting slightly cold feet about the hatred shown to Motorhomes stopping in the Highlands. There are specific FB groups with people pouring hatred on all campers. What we don't want is to be parked up somewhere out of the way, to be woken up in the middle of the night to be told we can't stop there.

We'd welcome any comments from "wild" campers who have been to the Highlands.
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Can’t say we’ve ever had any bother, as long as your not parking in front of folks houses, blocking turning circles or passing bays or anything equally ridiculous why would anyone bother you 😀
 
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