The Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 establishes a statutory right of access to land for recreational purposes, with the Scottish Outdoor Access Code including wild camping as an activity coming under these access rights. SOAC also describes the responsibilities and best practice guidance that should be followed when exercising your right to camp wild, for example not camping in enclosed fields of crops or farm animals.
Wild camping is usually done well away from roads and buildings, is lightweight, done in small numbers and only for a few nights at most in any one place.
Wild camping has a more adventurous ring to it than roadside camping or staying on a campsite, and for many it is the only true form of camping.
Roadside camping is not usually considered wild camping, although it does take place and is lawful. Following our considerate camping guide below to reduce the impact from informal roadside camping.
With a bit of planning and thought, camping responsibly should leave your camping place so the next person would not even know you have been there!
Be a considerate camper and think about the following:
You can share your photos of considerate camping with us using the hashtags #ConsiderateCamping and #TakItHame
#TakItHame is our anti-littering campaign. Our message is simple - if we don’t pick up our litter, who will?
Camping stoves cook food quickly, efficiently and cleanly and are to be preferred to campfires. A stove is light, easy to pack away and carry. Make sure you have spare fuel with you.
Camping stoves don’t cause environmental damage whereas camp fires can easily scorch the ground and damage grass, heather and trees, sometimes leading to wildfires that burn woods and hillsides, especially in dry weather.
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