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Scotland : wild camping Scotland : wild camping
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Photo by Alessio Corradini, on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia, of two locals

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Alessio Corradini,
on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia,
of two locals



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  • 2 Post By beady
  • 2 Post By brads
  • 1 Post By beady
  • 1 Post By Default
  • 1 Post By Shugs

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  #1  
Old 21 Aug 2020
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Scotland : wild camping
If you want to wild camp in scotland then great news it's legal anywhere..
But... you may not be able to park next to were you camp :-(


off road tracks in Scotland are everywhere and amazing BUT not legal :-( they are mostly owned by corporations or rich people that don't want you on there land.
However there are a few about and here is a peach of a track down to a beach.


enjoy the video



Scottish Wild camping in a 4x4 - BeaDy



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  #2  
Old 21 Aug 2020
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Where abouts in Scotland?
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  #3  
Old 25 Aug 2020
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Nice Video!

Wildcamping is not really legal in Switzerland. But we do it often

Surfy
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  #4  
Old 29 Aug 2020
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I ride offroad in Scotland using road legal enduro bike.
The law against doing so is a Civil law so cops are not really interested and most of the time no one cares.

Basically if someone moans, I go elsewhere. Other than that I ride where I like.
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  #5  
Old 31 Aug 2020
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I don't see any issue with breaking this stupid law. Who is going to check the surroundings if anyone is wild camping. Same thing with sleeping in a car. Mind your own business. I prefer to save money for gas than spending more on a hotel!
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  #6  
Old 2 Oct 2020
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Slaggan bay
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  #7  
Old 4 Oct 2020
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Trespass (Scotland) Act 18
Wild camping is illegal in Scotland and it is not covered by civil law but by criminal law. It may be that the police in general terms do not bother enforcing the legislation but if a landowner calls them, they will generally enforce it.

The legislation can be found here for anyone who is interested.

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/Vict/28-29/56
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  #8  
Old 21 Nov 2020
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Not true

Wild camping is legal in Scotland.
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  #9  
Old 21 Nov 2020
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Madbiker View Post
Wild camping is illegal in Scotland and it is not covered by civil law but by criminal law. It may be that the police in general terms do not bother enforcing the legislation but if a landowner calls them, they will generally enforce it.

The legislation can be found here for anyone who is interested.

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/Vict/28-29/56

brads (post 8) is correct.

The legislation you quote has been superceded by Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003

Unless otherwise specified by local ordinance or signalled by way of public signage, bounded area ( ie fenced off ) you can wild camp in Scotland.

There is some confusion as to where you can park a car or motorcycle , but in general if you follow
https://www.outdooraccess-scotland.s...de-all/camping

You will be fine.

The general rule of thumb is Leave no trace, Do not obstruct others and don't be a nuisance.

These rules are specific to Scotland.

England and Wales have different rules, for a starter see Paul Messners guide.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mxSEOAFE_Y
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  #10  
Old 10 Jun 2022
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I've been recording some of my Scottish off-road / wild camping routes on Wikloc.
https://www.wikiloc.com/wikiloc/user.do?id=9907802

Not had any negative encounters with people I've met on these routes.

Most reactive gamekeepers at Leithenwater Forest North of Innerleithen, and Hope's Estate in the Lammermuirs but all they've done is asked me to leave.

If you want to ride in stealth mode I suggest you keep your exhaust quiet, cover your number plate and headlight.

Sent from my SM-G998B using Tapatalk
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  #11  
Old 10 Jun 2022
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Loch Rannoch to Glen Lyon last week

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  #12  
Old 10 Jun 2022
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Thanks for sharing - nice camp & picture!

Camouflaged - cool idea :-) Be careful with the red elements, if you "need" to keep hidden.

Surfy
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  #13  
Old 10 Jun 2022
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Wild camping is legal in Scotland on land that is not obviously privately owned (fenced or no camping signs). So enjoy!

Although you can ride off road for a short distance to pitch a tent, Scotland has no public rights of way cross country or "green lanes" like England, which are unsurfaced public roads. Some locals do use the trails but this is generally with landowners permission or they know from experience where they can ride without upsetting anyone. There are plenty of wonderful roads to ride in Scotland without needing to ride illegally.
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