Is Wild Camping in Scotland ILLEGAL??
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ก.ย. 2024
- Is "wild camping" with a motorhome or campervan ILLEGAL in Scotland?
Most people know there have been growing tensions between Scottish locals and campers over the past few years. There are too many vehicles (and visitors in general) and not enough spaces to put them. But is staying off-grid with your vehicle actually ILLEGAL? Let's find out.
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Just a small correction, it wasn't the Scottish tourist board that promoted the NC500. It was an unrelated independent company called the North Highland initiative. It was done without any consultation or thought for infrastructure, which is where the local tensions were born.
Please use designated places to stay!
“Wild camping” in Scotland is for small tents and generally people who like walking in remote, beautiful countryside in Scotland. Motorhoming/ Campervanning Is “off grid” and NOT wild camping. I am a campervanner and respect my country and also follow the country code, leave no trace and, do not park just anywhere but choose where it’s safe to do so with regard to local residents etc. Be responsible, people and enjoy travelling/ visiting🤗.
Never seen any litter bugs camping but some have totally ruined the NC by parking up in PASSING PLACES. Either respect the rules of the road or stay in your own back yard and out of the Highlands!
It needs to be stressed that the right to wild camp relates only to walkers, cyclists and horse riders in small groups setting up their tent for a maximum of a three night stay. Emphatically, it does not apply to motor homes, camper vans or caravans which have no special access rights at all and must seek the landowner's permission if they want to park other than in a designated parking area. The NC500 has been an unmitigated disaster for the north of Scotland where so many incompetent and irresponsible drivers have no clue how to drive single track roads correctly, park responsibly, nor dispose of their waste in a proper and environmentally friendly way. We now need an advertising campaign aimed at deterring camper van owners for coming anywhere near this route such has been the damage caused.
Pretty sure that’s exactly what I said
We need Aires just like they have in mainland Europe here in the UK too.
Our council (Hawick)have put in a free motorhome park up in our town with an elsan and water, close to town/pubs/supermarkets etc
That’s great news.
Just got back from Scotland and found few things. There are first come first serve campsites. You can't book them you take a chance and turn up. Search for sites and park 4 night are useful. Also used pub stopped. The main thing is ask permission. We found locals very accommodating. One lady let us park in her reserved parking space. Good enough for one night. Also found few private land areas which let us park for a donation. Dunbeath Harbour brilliant. Maintained by Preservation charity just put donation in honesty box. We asked and got good advice and had a blast. Also always carry litter picker and bin bags.
Been doing the NC500 for the past 6 years in May each year. This last trip saw a massive increase in the amount of motorhomes on that route and around Scotland in general. You used to be able to pull up and enjoy the views but we found found most places of beauty had full lay-by's so the chances to stop were very limited. We also book camp sites well in advance as we know the route want to take and the driven times between them. We are going to Ireland in September and hoping it is less busy? If so that may well be our "new" Scotland trip in future. Not that it bothers me in the slightest, but when we first started motorhoming you got a wave off 90% of other motorhome drivers but that was definitely less than 50% this last trip. Maybe a sign of all the new motorhomes or more significantly motorhome drivers on our roads recently.
Can’t understand all the fuss ove nc500 lol it’s been there for years just make up your own route as there’s loads more to see in our lovely country 🏴🏴🏴🏴
Thanks. For me, it’s one of your best videos. I’ve toured a few countries in recent years including Cymru for a month this year. Alba was always high on my bucket list, but I’d heard the stories, like you fleshed out so well. After your video I’ll forget Scotland. Not because I like wild camping, but who wants to go where they’re not wanted? I could just go to Barcelona and have water guns ruin my paella ! You’ve earned a coffee. Best.
Did the nc500 a few months ago. Found a couple of things… camp sites and council dump sites don’t often have grey waste disposal that can be driven over. Locals don’t differentiate between vans and fully self contained moho’s the assume all are bad. Locals don’t understand grey v black water. Some areas were very good others were very bad at providing services. Parking was more of an issue at any of the tourist spots. In a few places we were forced just to drive on as car parks were full.
A great video, Kat, thanks.
We live in Southern Spain but are Scots with family in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Stirling. We would love to bring our wee VW and big Belgian Shepherd to the motherland but have 'the fear'! Fear of where to camp en route between Dover and central Scotland, fear of the cost of campsites when you can find them, fear of overcrowded, pot holed roads (is that just a media scare story?). In the Haut Pyrenees at the moment, on a municipal site...16€ a night! Doing a van trip to the UK is looking ever more distant! 😢
Thanks Kat!
Perhaps there shouldn't be companies hiring out motorhomes?
Touching on "tensions are high" the only experience I've had personally was just outside Fort William where their were a dozen or so Russians camping. Having a good time with guitars and singing. Next thing was some lunatic running down from the road shouting and bawling at them. Now we were miles from anyone so not causing any disturbance at all. On his way back to his car he had a go at me too. Shouting the odds about people abusing his area. Now I'm no racist, live and let live is my motto. However I had to say to him if he wanted perfect peace and quiet to bugger of out of MY country back across the border. Oh the irony 🙄
Very balanced. Ive been using vans for over 10 years and am still yet to 'wild park'. Im just more comfortable paying for a site and staying out of peoples hair. I know some like the freedom but i find the hassle of hotels and cottage rentals too constraining for the itinerant holidays that i like, so i don't mind paying. Nearest ive ever got was staying overnight in the car park at Rosslare (which is still paid and legal!) - hardly adventuruous! Its a shame that there aren't more sites - until there are, I won't be doing the NC500 as i don't really want grief when im on holiday. I think there are some issues around planning consent to overcome - a perception that motorhome sites will spoil the environment. But i feel that a small field/car park with a small number of motorhomes (that will be very seasonal) is no more of a blight than a messy farmyard, and will generate much needed income for land owners, farmers, publicans etc. while reducing the amount of litter and waste elsewhere. The wild atlantic way has similar issues with limited sites, but seems to be more manageable due to the smaller numbers of tourists (at least at the times ive been!) - no doubt someone can correct me on this.
No it's not but there are restrictions around wildlife areas during breeding season.
There are better places around that aren't on the NC500. This was just created for tourism.
🙏
Never seen this so called littering by camper vanners ...... everybody has been respectful of the enviroment........
Kat... long time viewer, first time commenting. Great info and 95% spot on. A few things ... wouldn't even call it Wild Parking.... its just Parking.... and legal within the constraints you mention ... a point some anti-vanners can't grasp. Secondly "No Overnight Parking" signs on public infrastructure are only legally enforceable where they officially reference the full exemption to the relevant road legislation by the local Council as the ONLY authorised body locally to request such exemptions. Common sense is the best guide... don't park near houses... also note that unlike the Continent where people can park in the likes of church and graveyard car parks... they do have issues with that in remote Scotland... might seem unreasonable... but best not to rankle folk... also this point about dumped waste etc... we should be clear that most of that is NOT vanners but anglers, motorcyclists, campers and even just parents with kids...... just as disgusting... but some locals wrongly attribute this to vans. Most site owners will allow you to dump waste, get water etc. Aware of one site owner on the 500 though who perpetuates these stories for his own commercial interests....
Why didn't you mention carbparks?
We've done the nc500 three times and parked in car parks by the sea and in the towns
Completely scotlands fault then if they open driving routes like this and dont provide enough Aires ( which will make them more money which is the point ) in ireland the amount of new aires popping up is brilliant and local football and gaeilge clubs and pubs and restaurants too
We are on the NC touring around at the moment on day 9 only been to one campsite to recharge been useing marinas to empty toilet was free if charge and they is not that many camper vans up here considering the time of year
Some great advice Kat but your getting the Law and legalese mixed up! Acts are not LAW!