Legal camping in Scotland?

Question

I was told by a tour guide that you can legally camp on any ground in Scotland. She just recommended asking permission from whoever owned it. Is this true? Can you just set up camp in someone's field or park?

Answer 1

Scotland, like the rest of the UK is almost all privately owned, even the remotest places and highest mountains.

There has always been an informal arrangement between landowners and those who use the land for recreation that access is permitted to remote areas. At times there may be restrictions due to stalking or other activities. This arrangement has worked well due to goodwill on both sides.

Scotland was unique in that no such arrangement existed elsewhere in the UK. Recent legislation passed by the government now grants more rights to access the remote areas.

Turning to the question of camping. Strictly you do need the permission of the landowner but in remote areas very few landowners will mind if you camp on their land.

By remote areas I'm referring to the predominantly upland areas, away from towns and villages thet aren't used for agricultural purposes.

You specifically mentioned fields and parks and these wouldn't be classed as remote areas. In parks you would need the permission of the owner (normally the local council) and they will probably say no. In fields you would need permission from the farmer and they may well agree to you camping provided it wasn't interfering with their farming activities.

One drawback of camping in lowland and cultivated areas is the lack of a safe water supply. In the hills the water in the burns (streams) is quite safe to drink but at lower levels it's often contaminated with animal waste, pesticides etc.

There is a network of buildings in Scotland that are available free of charge for walkers, cyclists, climbers etc. They're basic and in remote areas but they can be far preferable to a tent especially in bad weather. This isn't the place to go into details as locations aren't widely broadcast so e-mail me if you want more details.