The Highlands

[kimbowbill]

We are off to the highlands, west coast round Cape Wrath then on to the Orkneys, i have been looking on street view for various places and i see loads of no overnight signs, is overnighting discouraged up there? there are one or two camp sites which i dont mind going on but i have been told they will all be booked up now, has anyone had any probs wilding up round that area?

J

 

[kangooroo]

I've just been solo wilding there for 2 weeks and used a few sites. There were no problems getting onto box site and view said advance bookings were lower than the same period last year. I'll post one spot once i'm home and have PC access again. I doubt you'll have any difficulties either finding sites or wilding. Enjoy your trip. K-Roo

 

[Samson]

We are off to the highlands, west coast round Cape Wrath J

I've previously posted three good wilding stopovers in between Durness and Bettyhill under 'Sutherland, Scotland. ' There are others if you look for them but not many around Durness.

 

[magbrin]

We are off to the highlands, west coast round Cape Wrath then on to the Orkneys, i have been looking on street view for various places and i see loads of no overnight signs, is overnighting discouraged up there? there are one or two camp sites which i dont mind going on but i have been told they will all be booked up now, has anyone had any probs wilding up round that area?

J

Generally in the Highlands there are plenty of places to wild. Most main roads have old roads beside them and they are good places for stopovers. Also there are lots of viewpoints, in my experience few of them have signs, as well as ordinary laybys. I do not have experience (in the van) of the north coast or Orkney, but from what I have heard there should not be a problem. The main area I have come across signs and height restrictions is the Lochaber area (around Fort William).

If you are near Inverness do come & see us - will post website if you have not already found it.

 

[Braighe]

We are off to the highlands, west coast round Cape Wrath then on to the Orkneys, i have been looking on street view for various places and i see loads of no overnight signs, is overnighting discouraged up there? there are one or two camp sites which i dont mind going on but i have been told they will all be booked up now, has anyone had any probs wilding up round that area?

J

I wouldn't worry too much - there are plenty of wild places to stop over. Not many supermarket carparks that seem to be so popular with some on this site.

A word of warning about Durness. When I was up that way last November travelling up the East coast over the top and down the West. I was informed by a resident that the reason for all the No Overnight signs was the work of a local councillor from south of the border who owns a campsite there. Nothing changes.

As an aside Orcadians don't generally use the term Orkneys preferring Orkney or Orkney Islands. Enjoy your trip - I know you will.

 

[Boxerman]

We are off to the highlands, west coast round Cape Wrath then on to the Orkneys, i have been looking on street view for various places and i see loads of no overnight signs, is overnighting discouraged up there? there are one or two camp sites which i dont mind going on but i have been told they will all be booked up now, has anyone had any probs wilding up round that area?

J

We've toured the Highlands every year for the last 20 or so - we never book anywhere, we either wild camp or just turn up at a site on spec, never had a problem.

Frank

 

[kimbowbill]

Generally in the Highlands there are plenty of places to wild. Most main roads have old roads beside them and they are good places for stopovers. Also there are lots of viewpoints, in my experience few of them have signs, as well as ordinary laybys. I do not have experience (in the van) of the north coast or Orkney, but from what I have heard there should not be a problem. The main area I have come across signs and height restrictions is the Lochaber area (around Fort William).

If you are near Inverness do come & see us - will post website if you have not already found it.

thanks for the info, we will be passing through inverness, (i think) we will pop in, please post me your website, wont be able to make the gathering tho, sorry

Jenny & Ants

 

[sparrks]

With reference to the site at Durness, I was wilding back in march and looking for a suitable place to stop, when I drove past the camping site and noticed a few campers in there. I went to the reception and there was a notice explaining that they were shut for the winter, but you were free to camp for Free of charge.

Only one toilet block open and cold running water. However I spent a very pleasant 2 nights, all be it around freezing and no heating.

Also I found the same at Sligachan on Skye, no toilets or water at the site, only in the pub - shame(not) .

So a Big thank you to the Owners/Wardens, bet it wouldn't happen in England

Paul

Back up in September - assuming Diesel will be cheaper than Gold bullion weight for weight

 

[kangooroo]

I visited both of those sites - purely because each are in 3G phone reception areas and I needed to keep in touch with home.

The Durness site is worth a visit if only for its access to the clifftop footpath and superb beach below - definitely worth the £5.75 fee.

If you prefer to avoid sites then there is a spot just a few miles away along the A838 on the banks of the Kyle of Durness at Keodale Farm. There's a local history information board but no overnight parking prohibitions:

The view you'll wake up to:

As for Sligachan on Skye, this had the feel of a 'real' campsite - friendly, informal, unregimented and with a very friendly, helpful owner/warden living on site in his caravan. Highly recommended - but watch out for the water: there's a warning of bacterial contamination!

 

[magbrin]

thanks for the info, we will be passing through inverness, (i think) we will pop in, please post me your website, wont be able to make the gathering tho, sorry

Jenny & Ants

Brin Herb Nursery - Highland home of herb plants and wild flowers.

References available from Guernsey Donkey and Kangooroo amongst others

 

[Brandyman]

wild camping orkney

When in the Orkney's wild camping all over the Island is-possible find a nice spot pull in for the night most beauty spots/views have toilets
Hope to see you there.
Orkney or Orkney's never heard anything BUT we are ORCADIANS