Wild camping in Scotland

[Tony50]

Of course I would, the same as I empty mine into our toilet. Mind you the chances of a stranger rocking up to the door and asking to empty their cassette …………

Perhaps when we are down your way we could carry on this conversation live ,and perhaps empty my cassette at yours
Just joking

 

[poppycamper]

Public information broadcast
How to poo in the park?!

OK not a subject we often want to think or talk about but for wild campers and backpackers this is a serious part of planning a great 'wild adventure'.

Many people enjoy backpacking and wild camping in the Cairngorms National Park, most visitors leave behind no evidence of their visit but the issue of toileting in the wild is an increasing problem in some hotspot areas.

Like any trip away planning is key and by being prepared and following some simple steps you can do your bit to act responsibly and help us to protect this special place.

Prepare a poop-kit before you leave home including a trowel, toilet paper, small plastic bags and hand sanitiser.

When you need to go follow these simple steps:

Dig a hole 30m away from water, buildings or other people and animals*

Do your thing and bury your poo in the hole and cover

Bag up toilet paper or sanitary items. These can go in a bin when you get to one.

*Be prepared by taking extra small plastic bags in case you cannot find a suitable place to dig a hole. Do your thing into the bag, tied bag up and carry it out. Dispose of it responsibly in a bin or toilet when you get to one.

For more information on how to wild camp in the park visit https://cairngorms.co.uk/discover-explore/enjoying-the-park/planning-a-visit/camping-in-the-park/

#CairngormsTogether
#mountaineeringscotland
#wildcamping
#visitcairngorms

Why are you quoting me?????

 

[coroner]

Just following on the conversation sorry if I offended.

 

[Stealaway]

As Tam says, what’s the problem IF you leave a toilet as you found it. Subject to that condition I woudn’t refuse someone using my toilet.

I can't see any problems with emptying toilet waste down a toilet.
I'm public so it's my toilet as well as anybody's

 

[The general]

If you are not sure book into a campsite every few days.

Ex point , too easy

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[BusyBuilder]

please check the toilet before you empty the cassette down it, some are compost toilets and some cannot take chemicals.

 

[Stealaway]

please check the toilet before you empty the cassette down it, some are compost toilets and some cannot take chemicals.

We moved away from chemicals years ago. Only bio liquids now

 

[poppycamper]

Just following on the conversation sorry if I offended.

No fine.. you did not offend... just intrigued why you quoted me... more interest than anything else

 

[Northernraider]

You missed the point, Public Toilets are used by the Public , you are the Public, what's the difference ? No, like me you wouldn't let a friend or stranger empty a cassette in your home

Actually i would as would many .

 

[Northernraider]

please check the toilet before you empty the cassette down it, some are compost toilets and some cannot take chemicals.

I never use chemicals. Nor do i use washing tablets etc. All that goes in my toilet is waste and paper . So it can be emptied anywhere or even burried if need be . But i prefer to just use the bag n bin option if i know beforehand i cant empty it.

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[bigtwin]

Wild camping does not involve motorised vehicles.

It does when a Motorhomer is actually referring to off-grid parking when using the term ‘wild camping’. Too many folks assign the SOAC definition of wild camping to Motorhomers using the term in a different manner.

Ian

 

[weemalkie]

What if you can afford to pay but simply refuse? Most of the land in Scotland and indeed the rest of the uk was at somepoint stolen or simply aquired.

Theres zero excuse for dumping waste in a layby but there is also no harm whatsoever emptying a cassette down a public toilet if leaving it in the same state you found it.

There are also many other ways of disposing of waste without doing harm

This question is asked time and time again on here im sure if you put a question in the search you will find the answer .or even read some of the previous replies.

I've just been to Tayinloan Ferry terminal where overnight camping is no longer allowed. And it is policed as a warden has been hired to check at night. The reason it was stopped was because people were using the public toilet and leaving it in a right mess. So my take is not to do it unless in extremis - and you should hopefully not get to that stage with some planning. As always its the few who spoil it but would you like to use a public toilet after someone had dumped their cassette?

 

[Northernraider]

I've just been to Tayinloan Ferry terminal where overnight camping is no longer allowed. And it is policed as a warden has been hired to check at night. The reason it was stopped was because people were using the public toilet and leaving it in a right mess. So my take is not to do it unless in extremis - and you should hopefully not get to that stage with some planning. As always its the few who spoil it but would you like to use a public toilet after someone had dumped their cassette?

I have used a public toilet after dumping a cassette many times.

Id rather that than use it after some dirty coach traveller had left big greasy streaks up the back of the pan.

Like i said most that empty a cassette in a loo leave no mess.
Im sick of this country punishing the many for the actions of the few. And fed up with short sighted folk backing them up and accepting it too. Thats how youve less and less rights these days because its a nation of snowflakes who allow stupid rules and laws to be passed without question.

 

[Gina M]

I have used a public toilet after dumping a cassette many times.

Id rather that than use it after some dirty coach traveller had left big greasy streaks up the back of the pan.

Like i said most that empty a cassette in a loo leave no mess.
Im sick of this country punishing the many for the actions of the few. And fed up with short sighted folk backing them up and accepting it too. Thats how youve less and less rights these days because its a nation of snowflakes who allow stupid rules and laws to be passed without question.

Thanks for the comments on the big greasy streaks, I laughed so much I nearly choked on my sandwich even the dog came running in to see if I was OK.

Gina

 

[Stealaway]

I've just been to Tayinloan Ferry terminal where overnight camping is no longer allowed. And it is policed as a warden has been hired to check at night. The reason it was stopped was because people were using the public toilet and leaving it in a right mess. So my take is not to do it unless in extremis - and you should hopefully not get to that stage with some planning. As always its the few who spoil it but would you like to use a public toilet after someone had dumped their cassette?

As you said a few spoiling it for many.
You would never know I had been in any of the public toilets I've used because I make sure to leave no evidence +-++ It's not hard.
Using bio liquids there is very little smell and certainly no toilet chemical's smell.

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[bobnick]

Oh bugger.
After my one night stay on a camp site on Skye it was my intention to take a couple of days touring around nowhere special on the mainland hoping to find quiet spots to WILD, MH, FLT, whatever, but reading above i think i'll look for a B&B with parking for the MH.

I did a proper FLT last night.
Came off the motorway just after the Tebay services south. Turned left onto a country lane, climed up a narrowish lane for about 3 miles, nice space so parked ans settled. Loverly views. 8pm farmers tractor passed, nowt else till 6.15am Nice.

 

[Tony50]

I've just been to Tayinloan Ferry terminal where overnight camping is no longer allowed. And it is policed as a warden has been hired to check at night. The reason it was stopped was because people were using the public toilet and leaving it in a right mess. So my take is not to do it unless in extremis - and you should hopefully not get to that stage with some planning. As always its the few who spoil it but would you like to use a public toilet after someone had dumped their cassette?

No I would not

 

[The general]

I did a proper FLT last night.
Came off the motorway just after the Tebay services south. Turned left onto a country lane, climed up a narrowish lane for about 3 miles, nice space so parked ans settled. Loverly views. 8pm farmers tractor passed, nowt else till 6.15am Nice.

That’s the way to do it

 

[Northernraider]

No I would not

You must put different stuff in your cassette from the rest of us when you are so repulsed by it.

Where do you empty it at home?

 

[bobnick]

Not read all above.
Just back from a Scotland trip.
Wildcamping legal or not there are plenty doing it.
And literally 1,000s of spots to do just that.

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[Stealaway]

I've just been to Tayinloan Ferry terminal where overnight camping is no longer allowed. And it is policed as a warden has been hired to check at night. The reason it was stopped was because people were using the public toilet and leaving it in a right mess. So my take is not to do it unless in extremis - and you should hopefully not get to that stage with some planning. As always its the few who spoil it but would you like to use a public toilet after someone had dumped their cassette?

Should we be making an application to the local council to install French type service point.
Or just a simple Elsan empty sink outside next to the toilet block.
There is obviously a great demand for one .
It would also be cheaper than employing that chap to police the toilet block.

 

[bigtwin]

Should we be making an application to the local council to install French type service point.

Many locals are not in favour of Council money being used for the sole benefit of tourists.

However, CampRA have a fund available for this purpose.

Ian

 

[Stealaway]

Many locals are not in favour of Council money being used for the sole benefit of tourists.

However, CampRA have a fund available for this purpose.

Ian

There seems to be lots of people/tourist's spending money on ferry's and the local/island economy.
Very short sighted attitude IMHO

 

[bigtwin]

There seems to be lots of people/tourist's spending money on ferry's and the local/island economy.
Very short sighted attitude IMHO

Indeed, but I think that it’s probably a very vocal minority who are anti-tourist.

Ian

 

[Geistguy]

where do you empty your toilet holding tank

Loads of places offer facilities in Scotland, a small charge at some but free at others. Scotland is beginning to recognise what value we are as tourists. Just respect the locals, drive thoughtfully on single track roads and everyone will benefit in the long term.

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[Potty]

What if you can afford to pay but simply refuse? Most of the land in Scotland and indeed the rest of the uk was at somepoint stolen or simply aquired.

Theres zero excuse for dumping waste in a layby but there is also no harm whatsoever emptying a cassette down a public toilet if leaving it in the same state you found it.

There are also many other ways of disposing of waste without doing harm

This question is asked time and time again on here im sure if you put a question in the search you will find the answer .or even read some of the previous replies.

Sorry, but emptying in public toilets is not always OK, unless you are 100% sure that it is connected to a sewer. Many public toilets in rural areas are not. One place we parked at on the North coast the toilets had to be closed because emptying of toilets had caused the septic tanks to overflow.

 

[Potty]

I can't see any problems with emptying toilet waste down a toilet.
I'm public so it's my toilet as well as anybody's

See my post re rural public toilets.

 

[Northernraider]

Sorry, but emptying in public toilets is not always OK, unless you are 100% sure that it is connected to a sewer. Many public toilets in rural areas are not. One place we parked at on the North coast the toilets had to be closed because emptying of toilets had caused the septic tanks to overflow.

Why would emptying a cassette cause a tank to overflow anymore than 10 people going to the toilet in succession?

Sorry but thats nonsense

 

[Stealaway]

Sorry, but emptying in public toilets is not always OK, unless you are 100% sure that it is connected to a sewer. Many public toilets in rural areas are not. One place we parked at on the North coast the toilets had to be closed because emptying of toilets had caused the septic tanks to overflow.

One in a thousand?
How would I know?

 

[bigtwin]

One place we parked at on the North coast the toilets had to be closed because emptying of toilets had caused the septic tanks to overflow.

Why would emptying a cassette cause a tank to overflow anymore than 10 people going to the toilet in succession?

Sorry but thats nonsense

Yes, it is a fallacious argument. For the one public toilet that has a cassette emptied into it, that’s nine public toilets that they didn’t visit. There would only be a problem if you had an extreme statistical anomaly that resulted in a single toilet attracting a skewed number of toilet dumpers rather than them being distributed across the available public toilets.

BTW, I am not advocating this practice but rather pointing out the fallacy of the argument blaming cassette emptiers for filling septic tanks.

A further argument that I don’t agree with/understand is the oft repeated claim that cassette dumpers cause blockages. In my experience, the only thing that comes out of our cassette is liquid and I’ve yet to see a liquid cause a blockage. Is this another fallacious argument or is the typical content of my cassette anomalous?

Ian

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