Wild Camping, Scotland

[Speed Donkey]

Heya

So yeah, I'm from Yorkshire. We don't spend money hear, so when I hear of wild camping, you can imagine the excitement.
Few months ago, I packed my stuff my trusty BMW street bike and went to slay ol' nessy. Had a fantastic run, setting off at 6AM, going through the Lake's, past Lancaster, then into Glasgow. That were a bit of a mistake. It sure as shiz wasn't a highlight of my trip. But I needed some bacon, and some camping gas, so it seemed like reasons for a trip through. But yeah, not the most exciting place. From their, I headed up the truly stunning A82. Had to sneak past a few miles of traffic coming out of Glasgow, but after that, it was amazing. Still a fair bit of traffic, but, been used to the Lakes, where you overtake, only to end up right behind someone ells, it was heaven. Every overtake gave you a nice stretch of road to give the throttle a little twist. Be weary of police though. I say a few marked up bikes in local stops along the way.

Towards the afternoon, I passed Fort William, which had some amazing views, and headed onto Fort August, aside Loch Ness. The road running along Loch Ness is amazing. I was supposed to be looking for a place to pitch up, but got carried away and started to wonder why things had gotten so chilly all of a sudden. Turns out I was near the East Coast. By this point it was getting on for 6pm, so I turned back. After a brief map stop, I figured I'd keep on the A82, back towards August, but turned off at the A87, and try my luck up that way.
Eventually, I came across a lay-by. It was just up from a river, and had a nice sized grass patch, just big enough for my tent. So I got a little giddy, and pitched up.
There's somert about wild camping, that just sparks that sense of adventure in me. Specially after getting a fire going. I was on my own little heaven.
The pitch wasn't perfect. It was right beside a road, and been in a lay-by, I was a bit conscious of someone stopping by and trying to rape me. Kept my trusty axe in my sleeping bag just encase. Also, the ground was inch deep with grass, then was gravel. Not ideal for tent pegs, but I still didn't' care, cause I was out in scotland, on holiday, and it wasn't costing my nutting but fuel money. (I tend to blank that out to help with the depression )
Next morning, I woke up early doors, found my pots and pans cleaned (thanks to the mice) so had a fry up, packed up, then kept heading north. No GPS, or real idea where I was headed, just kept on the A87 for a little while, and it was bliss. No traffic for miles. You'd see the odd car coming at you ever 10 minuets or so, but that was it. And the roads were amazing. I wish I'd not have had so much kit on, but even then I couldn't resist getting my pegs on the floor. Had a few heart brown pant moments, but it was worth it. If there is one place to die riding, it had to be their. The scenery was fantastic, and even after 2 hours of riding, I still could not get over the fact their were still roads in the UK that were so good, yet to empty of traffic.
Later on in the day, the North started to wake up, filling the roads with the odd car and camper van, but still, one overtake, and you'd have 10 minuets of adrenaline fuelled fun before you came across the next. On reaching the port for Skye, I thought fudge to that! I didn't want to pay some £6 to get across the water. And besides, I could not resist going back down that road again.
By about 2pm that day, I was back at Fort William (between Glasgow and Loch Ness) And figured I could make it home in one jump. So I had a quick stop at a MacDevils and headed back, jumping on the motorways at Glasgow. You'd have thought I'd learnt the first time, but yeah, I made the mistake of going back through. What I should have done, was go from the Skye ferry terminal, over to Inverness, then to Aberdeen, Edinburgh, and then through the North Yorkshire Moors and home.

Anyway! A wonderful 2 day trip in all, covering just over 1,000 miles, drying my chain out, and costing about £125 in fuel.
Things to remember for next time? Better frying pan, chain oil, and that the waterproof covers on my Oxford Sports Panniers aren't really designed to go over 100 mph. Not that I really even needed them. England was drenched that weekend, but I was bone dry for my whole trip.

Now, if you've read this far, congrats! And thank you It was a wonderful adventure, and I can't wait for the next, which is coming up soon. This is where i could use some help. I'm riding two up. Me and my America friend who's coming over for to find 'adventure!'
I'll be spending a week up there this time, maybe more, and could do with finding more places to camp. Been on a slick tyre street bike is a bit limiting, but I've found a few spots on google earth, off gravel tracks that might do, but I wondered if anyone ells knew of any other? Preferably beside lochs or fresh water for washing an such. Also, preferably in quite spots. It would be much appreciated!

Thanks for reading ^^ Hope you enjoyed and are inspired! I'd defo recommend a trip up there if you're anywhere in the UK, or even Europe!

Regards
- Speedy D.

[pepperami]

pics or it did`nt happen!
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I am the sum total of my own existence, what went before makes me who I am now!

[Speed Donkey]

[Aff]

Content Unavailable!
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Current Bikes:Honda 929RR Fireblade, Honda CD200 Benly (Project), Stomp Z2 140
Electric Bike Project

[Speed Donkey]

[Aff]

Upload them to Photobucket or similar and link them here. STOP BEING LAZY!

I don't know if you can link off Facebook

You can try it, right click on the photo and click "copy image location" then post it here between the image tags.
____________________
Current Bikes:Honda 929RR Fireblade, Honda CD200 Benly (Project), Stomp Z2 140
Electric Bike Project

[Speed Donkey]

[Asharin]

[moppy]

Yeh I can see them just fine. Maybe you need to be logged in when clicking on the link?

How was the wild camping aspect of it? I travelled around Europe for a month on the bike with a friend and we just had a tent and managed to make the whole trip without paying for accommodation. Thought it was a good way to camp really, you get to sleep in some pretty spectacular places.
Check my photos if you like.

[harscot]

Glad you liked Scotland, If you can make your way up to Kyle of Lochalsh there is a bridge over to Skye, or head up to Inverness and go North, then you have the opptions of some of the greatist bike roads in Europe by far, the best ( personally speaking, cause I live here ) would be, From, Inverness to Achnasheen ( A9 then A835 then the A832 at Garve ), you have a choice then either to continue on the A832 from Achnasheen to Gairloch and on to Ullapool, or ride from Achnasheen to Applecross, to Torridon, to Kinlochewe ( A890 to Lochcarron, A896 Applecross - Kinlochewe ) then on to Gairloch Ullapool, the Roads are fantastic and go from wide sweeping fast bends to single track road, with superb double track twistys in between, the scenery here awesome, ( top of Apllecross Bealoch Pass the best on a good day ) Of course if you Come up to Ft William you can head towards Inverness and turn off at Invergarry for the A87, or further up at Invermorriston turn off at the A887 eventually joining the A87 to Kyle of Lochalsh, then head either to Isle of Skye, or turn off before you reach Kyle at the A890 ( Auchtertyre ) and over to Lochcarron, there are to many numerous places to mention to camp but you won't be dissapionted where ever you decide I'm sure, this is only my part of the Highlands and there are plenty of other maybe not quite as far places which are just as good, Perthshire, Stirling, Abeerdeen shire, or even further north to Thurso, Wick, John O Groats, if I can help you further I will try my best
____________________
First bike R reg Suzuki 125 GT twin in 1978:
2nd bike X reg Honda 650 Deauville in 2011:
Wish bike a Triumph Thunderbird: Dream bike Triumph Rocket........

[Speed Donkey]

[pepperami]

Just remember where-ever you camp,....... leave only footprints.... take only memories
____________________
I am the sum total of my own existence, what went before makes me who I am now!

[harscot]

Hi Speed Donkey going out to work in a mo, will reply here soon or P.M you which ever you want. One thing to think about though is if you camp in a roadside parking layby up here, it is often used as a toilet, get my drift

Don't know what you mean by sports though, could you clarify!

Speak soon

Harry
____________________
First bike R reg Suzuki 125 GT twin in 1978:
2nd bike X reg Honda 650 Deauville in 2011:
Wish bike a Triumph Thunderbird: Dream bike Triumph Rocket........

[moppy]

[pepperami]

[harscot]

[Speed Donkey]

[c-m]

How were the midges? Was it as bad as people make out?

I've always fancied a ride up to Scotland but being bitten to bugary would just ruin the whole experience as I don't react well to them. Fortunately I rarely get bitten when on the continent.
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Motorcycle headlight bulbs and HIDs
Blogging about my bike and trips
https://ridershandbook.com/

[Speed Donkey]

[UnspeedySam]

This trip is right at the top of my todo list. However having just moved house it is pretty difficult to find a weekend free. I've got a week off at the end of the month without any firm plans though so I might strap a tent to the TRX and go for a blast if the weather is reasonable.

to harscot!

edit: Drafted out a route based on some of harscot's suggestions.
____________________
Riding: BMW R1150RT `02 bought mildly crashed
Fixing: Also the BMW as I get less broken bits
Gone: ZZR600 '00, TRX850 '97, RXS100 '93, JS125-6B '07, BMW R1100RS '93, Kawasaki ZX-6R-J2 '01, Honda Bros NT400 NC25 '88

[garth]

[harscot]

I Have just wrote an indepth reply and have lost it, got logged out! so will have to start again...Grrrrrrr
____________________
First bike R reg Suzuki 125 GT twin in 1978:
2nd bike X reg Honda 650 Deauville in 2011:
Wish bike a Triumph Thunderbird: Dream bike Triumph Rocket........

[harscot]

Ok here I go again ( WhiteSnake springs to mind ).

Speedy D and Beechbone ( some route your planning to here good on you )

Midgies:- they are out and making there presence known, not bad as yet ( I'm used to them! ) but bring a midge net and spray or cream.

Camping:- Look up or out for Scottish Natural Heritage areas, some of them have free camp sites ( with some having toilet and hand washing facilities as well ) you can use for a night or two, the same with The Forrestry Commision.

Hostels could be usefull in bad weather or your needing some comfort, Bed and Breakfasts are also an option as well, a night somewhere comfortable can make all the difference when camping, as well as getting a good shower or bath.

Adhoc camping:- In or close to small Villages you should be able to find somewhere, good source of info would be the local shop, cafe or pub. If you see an empty field, ask the farmer/crofter first before pitchin up ( they may take a VERY dim view if he finds you there and haven't asked ) if they refuse you permission they may be able to suggest somewhere, no harm in asking.
The Single track roads up here are great for Adhoc camping, you will always find a burn, river, loch or the sea close by, you could secure your bike to the passing place sign as well ( as long as you don't block the passing place itself ) the main roads are the same albeit fewer places, you should find somewhere though without to much hassel, and a little forethought, give your self time to look for a place though.
I would use an Ordnance Survey map to show you where possible sites are, ie burns, rivers, grass areas, forrestry hill roads, just remember take care with fires in these areas.

Specific areas are difficult but in my area, Kinlochewe, as well as Torridon, Lochcarron, Applecross, Gairloch, Ullapool all have offical, unoffical and plenty adhoc camping in and around them ( I can be more specific in these areas only, if you wish ).

Hope this is of use to you, and if you need anymore help just ask, and if I can I'll try my best.

Not as good as my first one, but as near as dammit!!!

Have fun if you come up here.

all the best
Harry
____________________
First bike R reg Suzuki 125 GT twin in 1978:
2nd bike X reg Honda 650 Deauville in 2011:
Wish bike a Triumph Thunderbird: Dream bike Triumph Rocket........

[Mark 37]

Camping, sorry cant help you with this.

Midges, everyone seems to have there own remedies but here's mine because do they love me. I cut my grass in the garden and can easily count over 200 bites on forearms alone. Avon sell a product called "skin so soft" (£3 last I bought, bottle lasts for years) it's an oily substance (quite well know for preventing bites in camping and fishing circles). The spray bottle is favoured most as it seems to work better than the tubs. It smells a little like wet moss when on. It does not repell the midges as such. You still feel them tickling you as they cross your skin but they can't bite through this stuff for some reason. The second remedie I found is factor 50+ garnier's Ambre Solaire sun barrier (£6-£8 at Boots). I put some on as it was on my hands from covering the kids, cut the grass and not a single bite. Seems to work more as a repellent. I've applied it a few times before doing the grass and not had a bite on covered areas.

Enjoy Scotland, I'll never go abroad untill I see all of my own country.

Awe the best,

Mark
____________________
No matter how fast light travels, darkness was always their first.

[Mark 37]

Camping, sorry cant help you with this.

Midges, everyone seems to have there own remedies but here's mine because do they love me. I cut my grass in the garden and can easily count over 200 bites on forearms alone. Avon sell a product called "skin so soft" (£3 last I bought, bottle lasts for years) it's an oily substance (quite well know for preventing bites in camping and fishing circles). The spray bottle is favoured most as it seems to work better than the tubs. It smells a little like wet moss when on. It does not repell the midges as such. You still feel them tickling you as they cross your skin but they can't bite through this stuff for some reason. The second remedie I found is factor 50+ garnier's Ambre Solaire sun barrier (£6-£8 at Boots). I put some on as it was on my hands from covering the kids, cut the grass and not a single bite. Seems to work more as a repellent. I've applied it a few times before doing the grass and not had a bite on covered areas.

I really enjoyed your write up.

Enjoy Scotland, I'll never go abroad untill I see all of my own country.

Awe the best,

Mark
____________________
No matter how fast light travels, darkness was always their first.