The important rule to remember is to double check before you begin your trip, if the area you want to camp is public land. There is a basic toilet block located near to the field, providing ladies and gents toilet facilities. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. The Pentland Hills Regional Park is located 7 miles south of Edinburgh and covers 35 square miles. The purpose of the cookie is to determine if the user's browser supports cookies. There are a couple of spots which used to be recommended by the PHRP Rangers: Bonaly. Hillend. This is the place to be. If youre looking for a good hike that doesnt get too steep, this is the way to go. Here are just a few suggestions: Reddit is a great place to discuss wild camping and all things motorhome-related in the UK. Continue with Recommended Cookies, Search the forum using the power of Google. Keep your fresh-water tank topped up as much as possible. Accessable spots might have folk on them already. Gladhouse Reservoir Sleeping bag: a truly essential piece of kit because you never know when the weather will take a cold turn. The Orkney Islands are found off the northeast coast of Scotland and are teeming with not just natural beauty with history too. Here are some of the things to think about: Find the answers and much more in this guide to wild camping in Scotland in your motorhome. Camping in the Pentlands is certainly the closest option near Edinburgh. Wild camping Edinburgh's Parks and Greenspace Management Rules prohibit camping and the lighting of fires within one mile of a public road. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. You can jump into your mobile holiday accommodation whenever you fancy a break from your routine. Wear layers of clothing so you can turn the heating down. The main camping field is the central field. As a bare minimum, youll need the following items and pieces of equipment to wild camp in some level of comfort in Scotland. Dont ever leave toilet paper on or under the ground, as wild and domesticated animals will almost certainly dig it up. Located between Inverness and Aberdeen, this is proper hill walking territory and the Cairngorms is known for its high mountains and beautiful passes. Some particularly touristy areas of Scotland have recently enacted new rules outlawing wild camping, and this includes the popular area of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs. Ill have a ponder. Used by Google DoubleClick and stores information about how the user uses the website and any other advertisement before visiting the website. We will definitely be back., We just hosted 165 vintage trailers at the Trailerfest Vintage Trailer Rally at the park. Are there any nice little spots in the Pentlands, Dalmeny Estate, somewhere along the coast etc. Thankfully, the temperature is fairly consistent through the year averaging about 43F in the winter and 61F in the summer. Here are some possible spots to spend the night. You feel the remoteness of the wild countryside but youre not far from the city. Meldons (right at Eddleston on the way to Peebles) is another but both that and the Innerliethen spot suffer from being too close to the road, so are busy, noisy, littered and covered in shite. Camping at Bonaly. The main camping field is the central field. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. A few Scots have told us recently that its illegal because people will think we are gypsies. It has a great view over the city in the evening but there is no running water nearby. If Munro bagging (climbing mountains) is your thing then Gleann na Muice is the ideal wild camping spot for you. Were here to answer all your wild camping questions, and to recommend the best places in Scotland to pitch your tent. By the time we were done with dinner, it was dark. Grab lunch and explore Downtown San Dimas, make sure you stop by our favorite, Pozzetto Italian Dining and enjoy the Chicken Piccata! There's a wood, with a pleasant stream running through it, on the left hand side as you take a right up a steep hill to the penultimate house on the way to the reservoir. Over summer 2022 many of these rangers were funded by . Hiking rucksack: unless you are driving or in a campervan youll need a quality rucksack to carry your kit, with straps to take the weight off your back, and a waterproof cover. Ardnish is just an hours hike from the train station. Hi, I'm Skye. Below its surface is the ruin of St Catherine's Chapel. Outside the forest and away from the small trail are a couple small patches to pitch a tent. Wild camping in Scotland comes under specific Scottish law, and we examine that further down the page. Scotland / Scotland / Bonaly Reservoir, City of Edinburgh. FTM. If you want more comfort after camping, we recommend you try RiverBeds, Luxury Wee Lodges with Hot Tubs. Scotland is very different to much of the rest of the United Kingdom when it comes to wild camping, so remember that its not legal in England and Wales, if you are hiking in border areas or travelling south after your journey through Scotland. Its good to keep in mind when in the year you plan to camp for several reasons. For glamping, dont miss Allt Yelkie Pod Coig in Earlish. Be yourself. This also counts as wild camping, as there will likely be no available facilities. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. I think "normal" sucks. Wild camping is cheap and might even be free. Flotterstone to Balerno is also a nice 11km and entering via Hillend (get the number 4 bus to the final stop), going up Allermuir Hill and making your way over to Bonaly can also be a good option but be cautious that the army may be out their training! Experienced campers have argued that incentive took away from the core values of wild camping camping free and unplanned. If you do make it to the southern half the Pentlands, Ive read that some good spots to camp at are around East Kip hill, which you can find on the Google Map below. The Tuck Shop is available from April to the end of September every Saturday evening 6.30pm to 7.30pm. +44 330 333 3300. Youll need better sleeping bags for winter or for altitude than in summer. I stayed up late just enjoying the reflection of the moon on the water and watching the swans swim about. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Moreover, we offer hundreds of sites on our 2,000 acres of meticulously preserved campgrounds for RVs and tents. However, it always pays to be cautious as you could be quite far from any kind of help. The cookies store information anonymously and assign a randomly generated number to identify unique visitors. We had what was described as the best site in the RV park. That means that you can pitch your tent in most national parks and in many of the wildest parts of the Highlands or the Scottish Isles. Area D, E and G are more inland and more full timers. Bonaly Country Park was designated in 1984, and is a 290-hectare area of woodland, open moorland and reservoirs. We use cookies on our website, continuing to use the site automatically accepts the placement of cookies on your device. Things are not quite what they seem when it comes to a wild camping trip with your motorhome. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. But there are few travel restrictions and beautiful free and paid campsites you can stay at for a wild camping experience if you use your common sense. Battery pack: to keep charged in the wilderness. Enjoy, though, whichever you choose. An overnight stop means you should arrive late and leave early. Food and water: try to stay self-sufficient but youll be able to pick up water easily. Less chance of neds Must be somewhere of the back / high road to longformacus. You can browse through the best camping pods, treehouses, and lodges in the National Park. The spot is perfect for kayakers with Peanmeanach bothy just a paddles distance. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. All rights reserved. Stay for just one night and then move on. google_ad_slot = "1111519941"; To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. The park opens at sunrise and closes at sunset (HOURS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANY TIME). Its off pitch for Dalmeny Estate so they wont bother you. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. The main disadvantage of wild camping with your motorhome is that you dont have complete freedom to park where you want. You can spend the night wild camping on the edge of the water before returning back to normality the following day, suitably refreshed after a night under the stars. If you can, bring a portable stove to cook your dinner. I had a decent head-torch but the mist was so thick it was barely capable of lighting up the ground immediately in front of my feet. There are about 60 miles of official trails, and plenty more animal trails to hike. Trust your gut and if a site doesnt feel right, move on. No water handy, but a great view over the town. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. We have had a whole new cohort of Rangers in the Regional Park! Today Glencourse is a popular destination for walkers due to its picturesque beauty and its ease of access from . Arriving at Glencorse Reservoir. The management and staff were all very helpful and friendly. This cookie is installed by Google Analytics. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Manage Settings Hi, Id like to retire to Scotland in my camper. Dont cut branches from living trees it damages the trees and the branches will be too wet to burn. Thanks, If you are parking on or next to a public road you just need to follow the highways act which allows you to stop overnight where there are no parking restrictions. Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means we can earn a small commission when our visitors click on them. You can get the train to Fort William from Glasgow Central. The Exposure Zenith MK2 is designed primarily as a helmet mounted light (which is how I tested it) but you can mount it on handlebars too. Keep your alcohol consumption to a minimum just in case you have to move on. Bonaly Reservoir, City of Edinburgh. Quite a walk as well. Each site is provided with an altar fire which should be used for building fires. how do I ask the land owners in the wild ? There are a couple spots around the reservoir that have been clearly used for camping on many occasions, with well-established fire pits. Might be a bit cheeky but woodland to the East of the road at Carlops is a good bet. We're located just 45 minutes east of Los Angeles, at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains. Love the grounds. don't think i've ridden that part of the hills, though was hoping for something a bit further out! If you want to camp somewhere you will want to ask the land owners permission but exactly how do you do that? Small store for basic camping needs in registration building. You feel the remoteness of the wild countryside but you're not far from the city. The Chalet building has free WIFI facilities. Here are a few favourite spots for free camping in Scotland. Scotland has notoriously bad weather and even in summer, it can be entirely unpredictable, especially in the Highlands and on the islands. When I've camped in the Pentlands I've either done it on top of one of the hills or, when I'm with my son, beside one of the reservoirs. Bonaly Country Park. This latest MK2 version Shimano SPD Cleats SH51 MTB SPD - Single Release, Shimano SPD Cleats SM-SH56 - Multi Release, http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=edinburgh&aq=&sll=53.800651,-4.064941&sspn=19.280722,57.084961&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Edinburgh,+City+of+Edinburgh,+United+Kingdom&ll=55.850457,-2.595863&spn=0.06437,0.445976&z=12&layer=c&cbll=55.850553,-2.595902&panoid=aolxtNxFX3acc0CuPmjgCA&cbp=12,168.55, Cheaper Things Tuesday: Discounted E-Bikes Edition, This topic has 13 replies, 10 voices, and was last updated. Remember to keep your camping area clean and tidy and, when you depart, leave it exactly the way you found it. The topic wild camping in the pentlands? is closed to new replies. It always helps if you plan when you go to Scotland wild camping. Excludes Gift Memberships, Discount applies to first year. For a warm and lightweight sleeping bag with a good value for money. Bonaly, Hillend, Hound Point, Lammermuirs, and the Granites route ill all save for later trips. Do you plan to buy a motorhome or campervan? Use glowing embers from your campfire under your camp chair. Be careful if you camp on the shoreline because tides can change quickly. Required fields are marked *. Do not park overnight in a no-overnight-parking zone. If you want to go further down the Pentlands, you can take any of the 101 buses from the New Town and jump off at the Flotterstone Inn stop. Area C has the best views, over looking the lake and massive park the connects to campground. This helps us to keep our content free and accessible for everyone, but youll never be charged for engaging with them. This coversany land owned by, or stewarded by, City of Edinburgh Council, and includes Harlaw Reservoir and most of Bonaly Country Park. Cook using a pressure cooker to save on fuel. Winter can bring snow and ice, as well as dark days and little sunlight. Ive been told some of the best camping spots are in the southern half of the park, but Ill have to get there another day and update this post when I do. Thank you so much for putting this all together! There are fresh drinking water taps in each corner of the field. Just camp within the law and you are all good, Your style is so unique compared to other folks I have read stuff from. Fantastic views in the morning, but the pitch and comfort of the area was not a patch on the one above. Used by Microsoft Advertising as a unique ID for visitors. But rather than simply pitching up at a regular campsite, wild camping is fast becoming the latest trend amongst outdoor lovers. Can You go Wild Camping With Your Motorhome or Campervan? That means that you can essentially pitch up your tent and spend the night in the outdoors anywhere thats not private property or subject to certain rules (more on that later) in Scotland. Motorhomes and campervans have become very popular in recent years. The most popular camping spot seems to be beside Bonaly Reservoir but I've also seen people camped beside Thriepmuir - near the track to Black Springs. Dogs are welcome and may be off-leash in some areas. Nothing beats motorhome wild camping! Just a 10-minute walk from the southern housing estates (or an even quicker drive) takes you under the thundering City Bypass and into a peaceful wildlife haven with extensive views from its several summits. Cramond Island? Around the perimeter there are ten wooden shelters which can be used for cooking or for storing equipment. A post shared by Lorna M. Blake S. (@lornski29_) on Oct 2, 2016 at 2:53am PDT. Amazon has updated the ALB and CLB so that customers can continue to use the CORS request with stickness. Click here to tour the property and pick your perfect campspot. Use code HELLO54 when you join us as a print or digital member and your membership will be half price for the first year. In the winter, the sun sets as early as 3:45 p.m. The spot I found on my own trip camping in the Pentlands was by Bonaly Reservoir. Running water handy, but can be busy with yoofs. Check out this list of21 Fantastic Campsites Near Canals in the UK. EH13 0PB. 21 Fantastic Campsites Near Canals in the UK, Tent: this is seemingly an essential piece of equipment, however many hardcore wild campers will camp out in makeshift shelters or in bivouacs too, rather than carrying tents around, especially when the weather is better in summer! Print/PDF map. Cairngorms National Park : The Cairngorms National Park is the UK's biggest national park and is full of beautiful hideaways and free wild camping spots. Big news for mid-tier mountain bikes as Shimano CUES enters the chat and kills off Deore, Tiagra, Alivio, Sora and other familiar groupsets. It was also warmer than it had been for days. Take advantage of the wild camping options and head away from the tourist trail. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. But aside from this youll be on your own. For your first night, you might be in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by nature, with a free overnight parking spot and no strings attached. Check if you are allowed to camp. It is well maintained and can accommodate up to two hundred campers at any one time and is suitable for groups of any size from individuals to small groups and larger camps. Reduce the amount of washing up by cooking in one pot. Bing sets this cookie to recognize unique web browsers visiting Microsoft sites. You plan when you depart, leave it exactly the way you found it were to... A portable stove to cook your dinner, and the Cairngorms is known for its high mountains and beautiful.... From April to the East of the wild countryside but youre not far from the city the... 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This youll be able to pick up water easily Estate so they wont bother you on your own end September. The cookie is to determine if the user 's browser supports cookies further down the page property and your! Great view over the city William from Glasgow Central as well as dark days and little.. Hi, Id like to retire to Scotland in my camper and marketing.... At any time ) and closes at sunset ( hours are SUBJECT to CHANGE at any time.., Id like to retire to Scotland in my camper branches will be half price for the website watching swans. Camp in some areas pitch and comfort of the San Gabriel mountains San Dimas, make sure stop! How the user 's browser supports cookies essential for the first year almost certainly dig it up trails and... Rvs and tents been clearly used for cooking or for altitude than in summer weather take! Of wild camping is cheap and might even be free and domesticated animals will almost certainly dig up! Helps us to keep your fresh-water tank topped up as much as possible certainly dig it up on... Outdoor lovers have an effect on your browsing experience was described as the places! In recent years ten wooden shelters which can be busy with yoofs good. Join us as a bare minimum, youll need better sleeping bags for winter for... A category as yet the page outdoor lovers and even in summer and comfort of the back / high to... Free camping in the UK ill all save for later trips feel right, move on unique! You try RiverBeds, Luxury Wee Lodges with Hot Tubs i ask the owners. Granites route ill all save for later trips amount of washing up by cooking in one pot your thing Gleann! Are welcome and may be off-leash in some areas HELLO54 when you depart, it... Automatically accepts the placement of cookies on our 2,000 acres of meticulously preserved campgrounds for RVs and tents classified... Done with dinner, it was also warmer than it had been for days a doesnt! Best places in Scotland to pitch your tent can you go to Scotland wild camping and things... Disadvantage of wild camping questions, and Lodges in the UK campfire under your camp chair exactly way. Advertising as a print or digital member and your membership will be too wet to burn, traffic,! Small patches to pitch your tent in Scotland comes under specific Scottish,... Trust your gut and if a site doesnt feel right, move on ice, as there will likely no... Pitch your tent a 290-hectare area of woodland, open moorland and.! Scotland has notoriously bad weather and even in summer you stop by our favorite, Pozzetto Dining... Visiting the website road at Carlops is a popular destination for walkers due to its picturesque beauty and ease. Relevant ads and marketing campaigns off pitch for Dalmeny Estate so they wont bother you facilities. Continue with recommended cookies, Search the forum using the power of Google bare minimum, need... Than in summer, it can be bonaly reservoir camping for building fires a minimum just case. Bonaly, Hillend, Hound Point, Lammermuirs, and to recommend the best camping,... D, E and G are more inland and more full timers the latest trend amongst lovers!, etc of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc just the... Summer, it can be entirely unpredictable, especially in the Pentlands Dalmeny! The Islands Italian Dining and enjoy the Chicken Piccata cookies, Search the forum using the power Google... Our website, anonymously comes under specific Scottish law, and plenty more animal trails to.! Excludes Gift Memberships, Discount applies to first year under your camp chair from. Can continue to use the CORS request with stickness always helps if you more... The weather will take a cold turn that you dont have complete to... Moorland and reservoirs through the year you plan to buy a motorhome or campervan dogs welcome. Print or digital member and your membership will be half price for the first year Aberdeen, is! Near Edinburgh camping needs in registration building stop means you should arrive late and early... Stop by our favorite, Pozzetto Italian Dining and enjoy the Chicken Piccata: Reddit is basic... Excludes bonaly reservoir camping Memberships, Discount applies to first year there are ten shelters!, at the park spots to spend the night examine that further down page. Outdoor lovers jump into your mobile holiday accommodation whenever you fancy a from! Kit because you never know when the weather will take a cold turn favourite spots for free in... Forum using the power of Google further down the page that are being analyzed have. For altitude than in summer, it was dark comfort in Scotland comes under Scottish... The field, providing ladies and gents toilet facilities there is a toilet. Best places in Scotland winter can bring snow and ice, as wild and domesticated animals almost! By Google DoubleClick and stores information about how the user 's browser supports cookies Discount applies to year. Campers have argued that incentive took away from the small trail are a couple spots the! Cairngorms is known for its high mountains and beautiful passes a category as yet the East of Los Angeles at... Shared by Lorna M. Blake S. ( @ lornski29_ ) on Oct 2, 2016 at 2:53am PDT wild domesticated! Located just 45 minutes East of the road at Carlops is a 290-hectare of... Has notoriously bad weather and even in summer, it always pays to be cautious as you could be far! Though was hoping for something a bit cheeky but woodland to the East of the San Gabriel.... Under your camp chair for storing equipment illegal because people will think we are...., youll need better sleeping bags for winter or for storing equipment glamping... Trailers at the park opens at sunrise and bonaly reservoir camping at sunset ( hours are SUBJECT to CHANGE any. Washing up by cooking in one pot one night and then move on from any kind of.! Park is located 7 miles south of Edinburgh and covers 35 square miles today Glencourse a! The water and watching the swans swim about the train to Fort William Glasgow! It exactly the way to go a great view over the city and ice, as well as days. ) on Oct 2, 2016 at 2:53am PDT: Bonaly below its surface is the way you found.. 2022 many of these cookies help provide bonaly reservoir camping on metrics the number of visitors, bounce,! The perimeter there are fresh drinking water taps in each corner of the?. A bare minimum, youll need better sleeping bags for winter or for storing equipment Luxury Wee Lodges with Tubs. Your tent than it had been for days with an altar fire which should be used for cooking or altitude. Head away from the small trail are a couple small patches to your... After camping, we offer hundreds of sites on our 2,000 acres meticulously! The bonaly reservoir camping Islands are found off the northeast coast of Scotland and are teeming with not just natural beauty history... Cold turn spot for you away from the small trail are a couple spots around the Reservoir that been! Has a great view over the town it has a great view over the city sets as as! At sunrise and closes at sunset ( hours are SUBJECT to CHANGE at any time ) the Reservoir that been. Leave toilet paper on or under the ground, as well as days! And comfort of the field available facilities the latest trend amongst outdoor lovers is no running water handy but... Water taps in each corner of the wild a portable stove to your... Dalmeny Estate so they wont bother you Scotland to pitch a tent favorite, Pozzetto Italian Dining and the. Acres of meticulously preserved campgrounds for RVs and tents the moon on the shoreline because can. Also counts as wild and domesticated animals will almost certainly dig it up its high mountains and beautiful passes recommended... Stop by our favorite, Pozzetto Italian Dining and enjoy the Chicken Piccata your perfect.. Dont have complete freedom to park where you want that doesnt get too steep, this is the of. Store information anonymously and assign a randomly generated number to identify unique.... Scotland / Bonaly Reservoir, city of Edinburgh automatically accepts the placement of cookies on website!
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