Scotland has some of the most gorgeous and open lands for camping. You can camp almost everywhere; there only are few places in which the camping is prohibited. The weather can be very unpredictable; if you’re not turned off by it, you will catch some amazing sceneries. I picked out five of my favorites, so if you are around, be sure to check them out.
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1. Sandwood Bay, Sutherland
One of the Britain’s most famous wild beaches, reachable only by foot, located in north west Sutherland. You will be amazed by the pinkish sand and cliffs that hug the beach. The pink glow of the sand is from the erosion of the sandstone cliffs. The whole area feels enclosed, the dunes are behind and the ocean in front. If you’re a climber you will most certainly like Am Buachaille, the 240-foot sea stack separated from the rest of the shore.
A lot of stories are being told about this bay. Ghost stories and legends, most of them are the tales of mermaids and a haunting bearded sailor with a peaked cap who drifts the beach claiming it’s his own. Of course like any other story of the type is debunked, but some older people choose to believe in them.
Most of the visitors claim that it’s the most beautiful beach in the UK, even during the winter period. But, remember when you reach the beach you will be around 4 miles away from your car, there is no road access what so ever. And that’s what I like the most; it gives an extra adventure flavor.
2. Loch Beinn a’Mheadhoin, Glen Affric
Located east of the Glen Affric, Beinn a’Mheadhoin is a peaceful freshwater loch hemmed by rugged mountains and ancient pine. There are many small beaches suitable for camping, and numerous little islands for fun swimming. The best thing about this place are those small islands; I recommend you get a canoe and camp on one of them. The feeling of isolation is unmatchable.
It’s a very peaceful and calm place, the only things you will hear are the birds and the wind, I could just sit and stare at the surroundings for days. Most of the people come here for wild swimming adventures, so I suppose it will be more crowded during the summer. Although, it’s a semi-remote location, so you can never expect it to be flooded with people.
3. Kilmory Bay, Isle of Rum
Via ellyseyeland.com
A bay with a truly stunning scenery on the wild northern coast of Rum. It has a sandy beach with a beautiful skyline. Don’t be surprised if you come across a few deer; some can be found wandering the beach there, especially in late September and early October.
To get there, you can catch a train from Glasgow to Mallaig, and while traveling, you will be crossing the famous Harry Potter bridge. If you get a car, you can drive there and leave it at the ferry car park. The drive should take about 4 hours.
Keep in mind the unpredictable Scottish weather; it’s even more so around and on the islands. If you get a wish to visit the Isle of Rum, you can do so via ferry. You can also go to the Isle of Muck by the same ferry; it is a secret paradise that you should check out if you plan on exploring the entire area.
The Isle of Rum is a great place for biking and hiking. A lot of cyclists can be found exploring the trails. The hiking is a great experience especially for wildlife watching; there are numerous trails of varying difficulty. I enjoyed walking along the coast the most.
4. The Lost Valley, Glencoe
Guarded by the mountains on all sides, The Lost Valley makes a perfect place to camp. Flat high meadow, winding stream, and giant boulders create a great shelter. This region is available for some of the finest hiking and climbing trails through the fantastic peaks.
The valley is the best place to set your camp up and start a hiking adventure on the mountains that surround it. Glencoe has the weather of its own, different from the rest of the surroundings – be well prepared for the rain. The place tends to be very crowded in high season; you will have to put a serious effort in finding solitude here. A lot of the people come to check out the monument where the MacDonald massacre occurred.
You will most certainly be pleased with the scenery and landscapes of the Glencoe. There is enough to explore for more than three days. The best way to complete the exploring is by hiking the entire area around.
5. Glen Nevis, Lochaber
Featuring the tallest mountains in Britain, Glen Nevis offers a breathtaking scenery in the heart of the Highlands. It is very easily accessible, and there is a designated camping site for you to stay if you got some friends along that are not into wild camping as much. It’s set in the midst of incredible scenery at the foot of the Ben Nevis mountain.
One of the best examples of a Scotland’s glaciated valley is Glen Nevis. You can see the erosion on work as the water cascades over and down through the rocks pools. On your way of exploring the Glen Nevis, you will come across several spectacular waterfalls. There is a gorge that provides an easy walk through to Steall Falls.
If you already didn’t know the movie Braveheart was filmed here, you can leave your car in the Braveheart car park and set off on foot along the forestry paths or take the main road to explore further. If you are interested in details of Glen Nevis’ history, you can do so in the Glen Nevis visitor center.
Scotland Camping Roundup
For the best combination of the mountains and shores, Scotland provides the best picturesque landscapes you will ever see. A lot of peaceful places can be found to rest your body and your soul while feasting your eyes on unique skylines that can be seen in fairy tale movies.