UKC

I thought that when the new(ish) access laws came in to power in Scotland,, that we could camp for short periods anywhere that was not near a property (for privacy reasons) as long as we didnt damage the land or disturb animals and crops. However i have noticed a lot of no camping signs still up most notably in glen nevis. Are we allowed to wild camp in the glen? If not then can anyone tell me why?

In reply to pigeonjim:

I don't know if it has changed since the legislation but previously they'd tell you to get tae if they saw you. Near the river particularly. We ended up walking uphill to a spot out of sight and got away with it. Midgie hell, mind.

Davie

In reply to pigeonjim:
We have been camping next to the river below polldubh for years and have never been moved. I just thought that it was legal to do it now

In reply to pigeonjim:

Legally you can camp where you like now, but this hasnt filtered through to most landowners. As with any wild camp, pitch late out of sight of houses and leave early and you will be fine.

In reply to pigeonjim:
Sorry, forgot to post SMC leaflet link.

http://www.mountaineering-scotland.org.uk/leaflets/wildcamp.html

In reply to newhey:
ty

BTW Most of the signs in the glen bear the Nazi symbol (national trust for Scotland)

In reply to newhey:On the plus side the signs do tend to stop all messy schemie types who leave their crap everywhere and usually build a huge fire with branches hacked off the nearest tree. I've camped right next to one of the signs and never been harassed. You can always contact the MCoS , they managed to get the locked gate in glen etive opened up amongst other things.

In reply to AG:

The big gate at the bridge is now open, but there is a deer fence gate at the back of the house that is firmly locked. It was a least grade III when I climbed it covered in ice back in March!

In reply to AG:

I was up at a crag near Inverness called Duntlechaig a couple of Saturdays ago. When leaving we saw a foursome of neds capming out in the bushes by the loch. When we got out to the car park there was a purple Rover parked right over a sign that says "Please Keep Clear, No Parking". It could only have been theirs. I was back up at Duntelchaig again last Thursday and low and behold there was a bag full of rubbish there. I went to go and pick it up and take it home and bin it. It was a bag full of used toilet roll. Sadly it will probably be there for a very long time now.

Andy

In reply to Mac Ghille Aindrais:
We camped at loch earn recently and the whole loch side is full of numpty deposits. VERY VERY sad

In reply to pigeonjim:

Further thoughts

As these sites are over used already possibly keep a low profile as others have said and pitch late in the evenings when most folk aren’t around get the tent down early by 9.00 at the latest especially in busy areas and if at all possible camp somewhere that is out of site of the road. Leave nothing, don’t have a fire as it will damage the ground unless its on the river bed and unless you are bringing in your own wood you are using dead wood that is a valuable habitat for wildlife or live wood and damaging trees.

The site is a lovely grassy area ideal for a tent by the river but it now has a several huge burnt areas on the ground and often at weekend’s large groups camp there. The no camping sign are very old and should probably come down but people usually ignore them anyway!

So it isn't always climbers who cause the problem but by camping in an obvious place will encourage others to do likewise and they may have less respect for the countryside and just looking for a good booze up.

The same could be said for any camping location through out Britain where wild camping is allowed we need to think what the consequences might be by advertising our camping spots when close to roads.