wild camping recommendations

laughing gas

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Hi guys,
I'm going to be making a trip to the Orkney Isles the back end of August. Only solid plan is to stay at Applecross a night or two on the way up.
Does anyone have any recommendations for wild camping spots or small camp sites (preferably near a loch or river/stream, or by the sea)?
 
Hmmm...

Applecross Inn has become a victim of its own success.....often stowed out. Its a great place, but now best visited in December or January....happy memories of last year sitting in the bar with Judy swapping drinks/chat til late! There is a campsite just above the Inn which is supposed to be good.

Potting Shed near the beach good for grub if the Inn is busy.

You can camp a bit north of the village on the beach....a mate did so and got smothered in ticks!!

Other than that there are plenty of wee places by the road all up the coast where you could plonk a tent for the night.

Lots of official campsites .... Gairloch, Scourie, Durness...all up the coast
 
Durness campsite ticks all the boxes in reasonable weather.

1. Good campsite facilities.
2. Stunning sunsets when applicable.
3. Good wee shop and offie a short walk away.
4. Pub right next door..
 
Durness campsite ticks all the boxes in reasonable weather.

1. Good campsite facilities.
2. Stunning sunsets when applicable.
3. Good wee shop and offie a short walk away.
4. Pub right next door..


5. Howling gale straight from Greenland.........
 
NW Scotland

August


Ticks and midges like you have never seen

Buy some smidge repellent. It does both.

Failing that try autan plus ,the red and yellow bottle.

Jungle formula and other deet stuff works but burns skin and melts stuff.

FYI wild camping in Scotland is ok as long as you stay away from buildings or get permission. Nobody can stop you if you are out of sight of ANY structure and are not damaging or interfering with the landowners legal rights.eg stalking.
 
Thanks for all the info guys :thumb2
AberdeenAngus, bought the map. looks very good and will definitely get used :beerjug:
 
The Road that runs out to Glen Etive ticks the boxes:thumb2
 
If you're heading up to Orkney, consider Strath Kildonan off Helmsdale (A9 in Sutherland).

Baile-an-Or to be precise. It's on Kildonan burn, just Google it. It's a nice place to camp (not an 'official site - just a grass area off the road with a bit of parking right next to the burn), so you'll probably get the place to yourselves unless there's some locals doing a bit of gold panning or more savvy tourists around and plus you're only 45 miles-ish from Scrabster or Gills Bay ferries.

You could also nip into Helmsdale (about 8 miles) for a mental sized portion of excellent feesh and chips at the Mirage caff if you don't feel like cooking. Or ride north up the Strath to Melvich to the excellent Halladale Inn.

Glen Loth (just off Strath Kildonan) is one of those small glen roads that gets missed by most visitors, it's a lovely road from the A9 to Strath Kildonan...but blink and you'll miss the junction!

And yes, you can still pan in the burn - and there's definitely gold in it......

:thumb2
 
Loch Rannoch is excellent for wild camping. Plenty of small areas to pitch a tent (or hammock) next to the shore. Not too far of the A9 if you are heading north.

The Marr Estate at Lynn of Dee is also another favourite of mine.

Have a good trip!
 
Recommend the campsite at John o'Groats, Look across the water to Orkney. good food and drink at nearby hotel.
 
We did Orkney in June, spent three days there and should have spent a week. Orkney itself is a bit bleak compared to the beauty of the Scottish coast and the Outer Hebrides, but makes up for it with the sheer number of interesting places to visit.

We stopped at Hamnavoe Hostel, see http://www.independenthostelguide.co.uk/selected-accommodation.php?hostel=612 which was brilliant value with a Coopie just down the road for shopping and lager.
 


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