Wild camping with motorhome

Wild camping with motorhome

This is something that initially you can think of as scary and intimidating, however once you have wrapped your head around the fact that you don’t need to be hooked up and you can live off grid it’s both liberating and utterly wonderful. There is nothing better sometimes that just being the only people in your own campsite. Away from that hustle and bustle is often why we pack up on a Friday and head off on an adventure. And embracing and accepting wild camping has made this so much more enjoyable and actually less stressful. You do not need to worry about pre booking, paying and then not using, or getting pitched next to party animals, beside the toilets or getting stuck on grass pitches that are boggy. (yes, we have had all the above). 
Where can you do it?
Literally anywhere you find that is not private nor states you absolutely cannot stay overnight. We use the APP (there is a website too https://www.searchforsites.co.uk/) which gives you some excellent places and although there is small subscription charge this is worth it if you are going to use it. There are quite a few areas around Scotland now where you pay a small fee to park in sheltered and private areas but it is not a campsite. These are what we call our halfway house and some of them are amazing, flat and scenic. Not to mention usually super quiet. Just be mindful not to park over entrances to fields, houses, driveways or emergency access areas. Be respectful and leave only footprints as per all our previous guidance.  There are so many wonderful places to explore like the photo below. 

What do I need to do before we go? 
Wild Camping is a bliss if you are prepared a bit. The bonus being if you rent from Scottish Tourer, wild camping is our favourite thing, so all our motorhomes are capable of this and you really just need to review your own mindset and go. 
•    Ensure you have enough water; this will be full when you leave our depot however being mindful of showers. We tend to for example turn the shower on and off when washing hair to preserve water. Ensuring you look at where the water filling points are near where you are so you aren’t caught short whilst out off grid.
•    Toilet waste, being mindful of when and how much you are using your toilet and knowing when you need to empty it. No one wants an overflowing toilet or not being able to empty for days. All of these must be emptied in designated areas and never by a roadside or into a drain. Please help look after our home country. 
•    Fires, these can be lovely, help keep the midges at bay and create a lovely atmosphere. But please use the little BBQ you are provided with and do not start fires no matter how much you feel you know about them. Campers can get a bad name and fires and the aftermath of them is just one reason. Role model to others how to enjoy but also be responsible about it. No one wants to spoil their holiday by accidently creating a wild fire!
•    Gas and usage, the gas that is provided should last you for a good while, however looking and ensuring you plan ahead for refilling can take the stress out of if you run out halfway through cooking your dinner. Being prepared and if your passing somewhere it may be an idea to top it up. 
•    Charge phones ect whilst you drive as opposed to when parked up. Preserving the battery capacity when you can. Just makes your life somewhat easier and takes away some stress. We try to avoid as much technology as we can as we like the peace and quiet that being away gives us. 
•    Supplies, ensuring you have enough but not overstocked if possible. The fridges are not designed to be ram packed and it actually makes it more stressful. So, meal planning and being organised is essential and although the planning takes some time it saves a lot of it in the longer run. 
The above tips are all super simple but make your trip so much more enjoyable on the while. We also try to:
•    Only stay one night in each place, so we are seeing more and allowing others to enjoy the space we have had. 
•    Keep well away from any entrances, buildings and being mindful of how you park if others are there, no one wants you to block there view with your motorhome. 
•    Ensure you leave the spot like you have never been there. We have often found ourselves tidying up after others and always say we would never want others to have to do this for us.
•    If it states a parking price, pay it! It ensures these areas remain respected, maintained and stay for others to enjoy behind us.