"Wild" camping in the Scottish Highlands.

[Nick555]

We now have the funds for a PVC from RP. They are extremely expensive, we are sure about the model, but both of us are getting slightly cold feet about the hatred shown to Motorhomes stopping in the Highlands. There are specific FB groups with people pouring hatred on all campers. What we don't want is to be parked up somewhere out of the way, to be woken up in the middle of the night to be told we can't stop there.

We'd welcome any comments from "wild" campers who have been to the Highlands.

 

[Nick555]

I can only comment on the local feelings at Ferrycroft Lairg I live there .

Heehee, I'm from Rogart!

 

[CazPaul]

The Rebel yes. Although RP don't seem to be interested in selling one.

Seriously? At around 100 grand mark I thought you would have had the red carpet laid out.

 

[Nick555]

Seriously? At around 100 grand mark I thought you would have had the red carpet laid out.

£150k with all the options, they're not interested. They said they might call this week.....

 

[WillH]

We would hate campsites. The whole point of getting an RP is to not use campsites. We want to be far away from other people, not squashed up with them.

I fully understand and we occasionally 'wild' camp, in very remote areas. I cannot, however, get it out of my head that a man was murdered just a few miles from me doing just that, albeit in 1993 when few people did this.

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[CazPaul]

£150k with all the options, they're not interested. They said they might call this week.....

Incredible, I know they have plenty of work and orders in but nevertheless they should be advance planning and asking you to come over for a coffee, biscuits, free gifts etc.

 

[nabsim]

I am just back from 6 weeks wandering around Scotland, most in the Highlands and didn’t come across any negativity at all. No problem finding somewhere to stay a night without being in anyones way. Didn’t stop on a site at all but did the odd donations welcomed place to either overnight or fill/empty water and waste.

I hardly ever stay overnight in towns/villages though and not at all on the last trip. Just use common sense and don’t make a mess, seems to work for me all over the U.K.

 

[Nick555]

Incredible, I know they have plenty of work and orders in but nevertheless they should be advance planning and asking you to come over for a coffee, biscuits, free gifts etc.

Indeed. I've just bought a new Jeep & the services & on-going contact was excellent - pretty well daily messages pre-sale. The salesman just called to check everything was ok with the car.

 

[Andy MacD]

I think it’s sad that, generally speaking, the UK has not taken to the concept of Aires. They are starting to spring up in some areas, NC500 one of them, but not extensively. The main clubs CAMC and CCC will not support them as they risk losing income both for themselves and CLs. CAMpRA has been doing excellent work and get support from many local authorities. If you don’t know about them check out their web site which makes a sound financial case for the benefits an Aire can bring a community. If the faculties exist there will be very little misbehaving by wild campers as they will be able to dispose of waste responsibly..

Ferryhill is an ideal site for an Aire and those visiting would bring extra business and cash into the local economy. Badly needed but regretfully not welcomed by some locals who like to keep things as they have always been, except that approach over the last 50 years has seen shops and the garage close. I know some locals might tell me to mind my own business but I was brought up in that area and know it well.

I’m in France just now, week 3 of a 10 week tour using a mix of free and paid Aires, CampingCarPark Aires and small municipal or private sites. Most villages and towns have at least one Aire and there is a steady turnover of vans and visitors using local shops, restaurants etc. That said had to find a boulangerie in Lairg, even in the days when there were a number of shops on Main Street.

For now I’ll continue to come to France, the diesel cost of getting here is high but my average nighty cost is under £10 a night and the temp in the high 20’s compared to friends who stayed at Stonehaven last weekend at £38.50 for the night .

I appreciate others will have the opposite view but I feel if there ware a good number of reasonably priced Aires across the NC500 it would be problem solved (apart from the traffic, I’m not getting into that one!).

 

[Andy MacD]

Are you sure there are Aires in the Highlands? I've never seen one, we travel the Highlands extensively.

If you use searchforsites in the Menu go to Advanced Search, Pricing and Partners. Check the box against CAMpRA Accredited Aire and you should find some then.

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[Scotch mist]

Sorry you will need to point me in the direction where he states "going to the highlands"
His concerns are quite clearly his concern about wild camping.

i Think we will agree to disagree ,we clearly see Things differently
conversion finished

 

[Nick555]

If you use searchforsites in the Menu go to Advanced Search, Pricing and Partners. Check the box against CAMpRA Accredited Aire and you should find some then.

Thanks, there are 4 in the Highlands. However we'd prefer to park up somewhere remote & on our own.

 

[Puddleduck]

Is the forest scheme still in operation?

Also in Ireland we would ask about overnight parking at tourist info, shop, pub, petrol station and were always pointed to a good spot.

Be courteous and leave no trace when you leave. I always do a litter hunt even if only stopped for a break - and take the rubbish away with me for proper disposal

 

[The Lobster]

I fully understand and we occasionally 'wild' camp, in very remote areas. I cannot, however, get it out of my head that a man was murdered just a few miles from me doing just that, albeit in 1993 when few people did this.

The homicide rate in Scotland is extremely low - much lower than in England, for example. There are many other ways you are more likely to get injured and killed than this.

 

[poppycamper]

Is the forest scheme still in operation?

Yes it is indeed but only some locations.. check web site for list of participating forests.!!

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[Conniedriving]

We now have the funds for a PVC from RP. They are extremely expensive, we are sure about the model, but both of us are getting slightly cold feet about the hatred shown to Motorhomes stopping in the Highlands. There are specific FB groups with people pouring hatred on all campers. What we don't want is to be parked up somewhere out of the way, to be woken up in the middle of the night to be told we can't stop there.

We'd welcome any comments from "wild" campers who have been to the Highlands.

 

[Conniedriving]

We now have the funds for a PVC from RP. They are extremely expensive, we are sure about the model, but both of us are getting slightly cold feet about the hatred shown to Motorhomes stopping in the Highlands. There are specific FB groups with people pouring hatred on all campers. What we don't want is to be parked up somewhere out of the way, to be woken up in the middle of the night to be told we can't stop there.

We'd welcome any comments from "wild" campers who have been to the Highlands.

 

[Conniedriving]

Yes it is indeed but only some locations.. check web site for list of participating forests.!!

I’ve just returned from a 3 week tour around the Scottish highlands in my tax axle. Some wild camping some on site I never had any issues on the road or with any local people. Just go for it and enjoy your selfs

 

[poppycamper]

I’ve just returned from a 3 week tour around the Scottish highlands in my tax axle. Some wild camping some on site I never had any issues on the road or with any local people. Just go for it and enjoy your selfs

I was replying to Puddleduck question "is forest scheme still in operation?" !!

 

[Nick555]

Is the forest scheme still in operation?

Also in Ireland we would ask about overnight parking at tourist info, shop, pub, petrol station and were always pointed to a good spot.

Be courteous and leave no trace when you leave. I always do a litter hunt even if only stopped for a break - and take the rubbish away with me for proper disposal

Any forest or woodland I've visited always has a notice about no overnight parking. In fact I'd say I've not in the past 3 years seen any forest of woodland in the Highlands which allows it.

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[Nick555]

There is only one "Stay the night" location in the Highlands & that's on the Struie road near Tain.

Stay the Night | Forestry and Land Scotland

Everything you need to know about FLS' Stay the Night scheme where self-contained campervans can park overnight in some of our forest car parks.

forestryandland.gov.scot

 

[Nanniemate]

Hi there,
We have been doing what is now called the NCR 500 every year since 2009 without any problems whatsoever, using a combination of sites and wild camping. Don’t believe half of what you hear, far to much exaggeration in my opinion. We’ve been made extremely welcome absolutely everywhere.
May and September are the best times, just our opinion. ENJOY

the NC500 was brilliant until they gave it a name and became to many a must do tick box exercise , it was beautiful and welcoming far before than the 'NC500' existed
The product of it own publicity sadly

Campervan, Motorhome & Caravan Holidays in Scotland

Get inspiration for a caravan, motorhome and campervan holiday in Scotland. Including responsible travel advice, hiring, routes, camping spots and more!

www.visitscotland.com

 

[poppycamper]

There is only one "Stay the night" location in the Highlands & that's on the Struie road near Tain.

Stay the Night | Forestry and Land Scotland

Everything you need to know about FLS' Stay the Night scheme where self-contained campervans can park overnight in some of our forest car parks.

forestryandland.gov.scot

What do you define as highlands? There are a lot more than one location for overnight stays in the link you posted.

 

[bigtwin]

What do you define as highlands? There are a lot more than one location for overnight stays in the link you posted.

I’d say that there’s one on the NC500 and only two (in total) in the Highlands. If you draw the boundary down the Great Glen then it rises to eight but I don’t think that’s really the Highlands (will need to Google it now! ).

Does your definition include the Cairngorms?

Ian

Edit: It seems that the Highland Council Area is a little more extensive than I suggested!

Highland Council Region

 

[Dramfineday]

If you are at all worried use campsites. Many, many years ago, over 30 as I remember, a German van was wild camping a few miles from us here in Scotland and someone tried to rob him. The camper tackled the thief and was shot dead for his troubles. The murderer was found, arrest and tried. This is so rare I don't think most will have heard of it, but it can happen. I can't forget it.

Oddly enough, the last time I was down at Stranraer, as I passed the spot where it happened, the memory of that incident came flooding back. As a community, everyone was outraged and quite stunned that it happened here. A sizeable sum was raised for the family. A sad period indeed.

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[TinaLes]

Reading this thread with interest, as we love Scotland, have family up there, and have toured extensively with car & tent, now with 7.4 mtr motor home.
I feel I must add to the conversation in saying that if the "Wild" location is listed on Park4Nite, and most it would seem are, you will not be our own for long, especially in the summer months.
Good Luck.
LES

 

[Catpirate]

Love Scotland, always met friendly people loads of places to park just ask the locals. As other OPs have said the NC500 is a victim of its own success, plenty of other places with stunning views without the pain of a single track road.

 

[arthur49]

As far as off grid camping is concerned Cameron McNeish is probably as educated on this as anyone

 

[NoName]

We now have the funds for a PVC from RP. They are extremely expensive, we are sure about the model, but both of us are getting slightly cold feet about the hatred shown to Motorhomes stopping in the Highlands. There are specific FB groups with people pouring hatred on all campers. What we don't want is to be parked up somewhere out of the way, to be woken up in the middle of the night to be told we can't stop there.

We'd welcome any comments from "wild" campers who have been to the Highlands.

I spent 3 months last year travelling around the uk and part of that time was spent in Scotland. I parked at a camper site (paid) in Edinburgh and wild camped everywhere else and found no animosity at all. I’ve never used FB, as I’ve been told that it’s full of moaners and trolls. Use Park4Night and I doubt you will find any problems.

 

[Nick555]

What do you define as highlands? There are a lot more than one location for overnight stays in the link you posted.

Highland is the Highland council area. Inverness & North. But I like anywhere North of Tain.

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[EuroTrotters]

in 20 years, not had too many problems.

I have had 3 drivers overtake and then slam their brakes on though. I was lucky not to hit any pot them mind.