Wild camping advice

[ianf66]

Hi all,

I have been motorhoming for about a year now and i am going to scotland for 2 weeks in August and want to do some wild camping. Can anyone advise me on locations and anything that might come in handy for my first wild camping tour. I have been told that all the laybys have signs saying no overnight parking, is this correct? Any comments will be helpfull.

Thanks

Ian

 

[roifromnwales]

we spend 6 weeks in scotland every year and have no problems finding places to overnight [or even longer.
No overnight parking signs do appear in some places but tend to be on tourist routes only [like the Great Glen] and should be observed as they have a local byelaw in force. if you look in the Scotland section on here you will find plenty of ideas.
basically most areas of Scotland are Ok due to their law being 'criminal trespass' not mere 'trespass'
the definition of which I have no idea but I haven't had a problem finding places to overnight.
One thing to be aware of. there is still a large population of "Travellers" in Scotland. Many of them from families that date back to the land clearances. Most are ok but some it is unsafe to share with. you might find that you are up on bricks in the morning.
when exactly are you going?
If you are going to be there for the last weekend in aug then don't miss the cowal games Dunoon.
contact me thru the site e-mails and send me you e-mail address if you want any further info
roi

 

[jann]

We don't have many problems wild camping in Scotland. The west coast is the best place Particually Ardnamurchan but spots can be found all over. As Roi says if there is a sign saying no overnigthing then don't!!! There is a good area at Glen Etive off A82 south of Fort William where wild camping is the norm.South of Campbelltown is another area where you see a few motorvans and caravans parked up.Start looking for your place early in the day then you can go back to it later on, instead of waiting till later[not that it goes dark early in summer!!

 

[Long time dreamer]

We have just come back from 3 weeks on the South side of Loch Ness, staying in a cottage. (Haven't got the RV yet!) and saw a couple of nice spots on this route between Fort Augustus and Inverness. (B862) One especially at the far end of Loch Tarff, camper parked there most nights. Most of the Highlands are so empty of people and traffic that quiet off-road spots can be found in all sorts of places. In August the Midges are going to be bad...... nothing can quite prepare you for the ferocity and single-mindedness of their attacks! You just cannot flick them away if you get caught out at the wrong time (Dawn and dusk) or the wrong place (Forests and under shady lochside trees). We were told last year by the people we were staying with up there, (confirmed by a consensus in the local pub) of a really effective deterrent - Avons 'Skin so soft' and it seems to work, although when we were there we only saw the odd early-bird midge (May) If nothing else it is a really good moisturiser!!! Anyway have a great trip .. We did 3000 miles travelling back and forth, it would have been so nice to put down roots at some places we visited .. Love Scotland ... specially the Highlands.

 

[roifromnwales]

don't forget that wonderful beach on the Moray. a must for any wilder
Findhorn
where the locals actually smile at you and say hello and direct you to the shops even tho they know you are wilding it on the beach
and there's no midges
and there are toilets and water available on the beach
even seen a caravan with awning up and left all week while they went home and came back next weekend
roi

 

[ianf66]

Hi, Thanks you all for the advice, I am getting a bit nevous about these midges We are going the first two weeks of August, when does the sunset this time of year? i have heard it is very late in the day. I forgot to mention that i have an RV that is 35' long, is this going to be a problem in respect to overnight stops and the road systems of west scotland?

Ian

 

[Long time dreamer]

Dont let the midges put you off enjoying the last unspoiled area of Britain. During the heat of the day, and when there is a breeze you will not be bothered... the sea-shore and high open places are also usually midge free, so you just have to do a bit of forward planning before going for an evening stroll! BBQs in the woods are probably a no-no ! A lot of pub gardens now have Gas midge busters, which apparently started coming in a couple of years ago .. pump out CO2 to attract them and then zzap or trap them. These clear an area of a couple of acres over a few seasons and are already starting to have an impact. Not much use if you're mobile though! (I suppose you could park in a pub car park and enjoy their 'protection'!)
As for 35' length all A and B roads we've travelled on would be ok, although you will have to be prepared to pull in sometimes to allow 'local' traffic to pass, especially on the single track roads, of which there are lots. (Even A roads sometimes) These should not be a problem for you as the passing places are every 20 yards or so.... Although I wouldnt advise anyone towing a vehicle, as you do sometimes have to reverse a bit. The unclassifieds can sometimes be very twisty/steep/narrow etc sometimes all at the same time, and maybe should be avoided unless you read or hear otherwise.. Tourist info places are all over Scotland, they are really helpful and stock lots of guides to local areas, I cannot recommend them highly enough. Hope that is useful. MH

 

[roifromnwales]

as long time dreamer says "don't let the midges worry you"
buy up all your local citronella candles. they are available up north but they are a quid round here but 3-4 up there.
and get friendly with your local Avon lady. buy all her stock of Avon skin so soft original
that deters the midges
and buy a ludo board [or something similar] we have ludo championshiops in the van [wearing the avon and with a candle burning at either end of the van] for bad midge times. usually evening as we sleep in in the mornings and then have breakfast so we dont get out till they've gone.
they are bad this year but heat deters them as does rain and wind and you are sure of 2 out of 3 in Scotland [sometimes all together]
another deterent is to mix vinegar with olive oil if no avon etc and wipe all over you with it [last resort if no avon]
roi

 

[draaiorgel]

Hey Roi,
Haven't you realised that's why the locals smile to you and direct you to the shops.
Olive oil and vinegar? (ho ho he he) They think your trying to get deodorant. Still nothing like being as happy as a pig in s--t.

With friendly greetings,
Ian

 

[roifromnwales]

I was up there a few weeks back and got out of the van to say bye to friends without putting my avon on.
I was bitten to pieces in seconds,
they itch like mad and last for days
I would have put the olive oil and vinegar on if that was all I had mate
not going to itch like that again.

 

[draaiorgel]

Hi Roi,
It's just my twisted sense of humour, at least it gave me a laugh.
The bonus for you is you can get your new wife to give you a massage with the olive oil and vinegar. (the ulterior motive)

Just kidding Roi, yes I agree it can be most uncomfortable.
We are proud of our midges, they're world famous.

Best wishes and friendly greetings,
Ian

 

[roifromnwales]

but why did you have to cross some of them with sharks

delete Avon skin so soft
new name is
avon skin so fresh or similar.

 

[draaiorgel]

Hi Roi,
That's why we canny Scots have skin like leather, of course it's hereditary. (don't know what it means, but it sounds good)

Bye the way, best wishes to you and Michelle for a long life and every happiness.

With friendly greetings,
Ian

 

[roifromnwales]

thanks Ian.

we were looking forwars to battling with the midges again in a few days but it might have to be postponed or even cancelled. Our daughter Kirsty, decided to have an argument with a wall, she lost and her arm is now in plaster so we have appts with the plaster clinic.
we will know more next friday and will find out if we can get away for 6 weeks or just a couple.
can you believe it. I wk before the hols.
Roi

 

[JohnSandyWhite]

Poor Kirsty. Right at the start of School Holidays' Hope she is soon fit and well. Happy Motoring. B)

 

[nomads]

hello ian and everyone,like roi we use avon skin so and citronella candles my wife really attracts these biters.(cos she's a welsh princess i suppose)we visited some freinds of ours in scotland and when they saw a nasty bite my wife had won they gave her a tub of odourless 1 a day garlic as that is all they ever use so together with the other things ,like belt and braces twicewe are winning the battle.

 

[roifromnwales]

I believe that eating marmite has the same effect on the midges.
I love it but it keeps the wife at bay so it might well work for midges too

 

[jann]

We were told that a course vitamin B tablets taken a month before you go works.It didn't for us , but it might for some. .

 

[draaiorgel]

Hi Roi,
Sorry to hear that and such a rotten time as well.
The only good news is there are always people in a worse situation, but I know what a disappointment it is.

The other good thing is, when everything is ok you can be away at a moments notice.
(The beauty of a camper van.) No booking required.

Sympathetic and friendly greetings,
Ian