Wild camping means finding an out-of-the-way place to set up your tent and camp, often in a quiet, rural place. Pitlochry is a beautiful town in the Highland Perthshire area and is known for having many beautiful scenic spots, normally with lochs or rivers nearby, which make it popular for wild camping. It is perfectly acceptable to go wild camping in Pitlochry, but you should familiarise yourself with the rules to follow when participating in this activity.
The main thing you need to remember when wild camping in Pitlochry is to camp as far away from roads, buildings, historic structures, etc., as possible. Camping needs to be enjoyed in out-of-the-way places so that you experience the peace and quiet you deserve.
You should also avoid disrupting the wildlife in anyway - stay away from deer, grouse, and nesting birds – it’s not only wildlife though - do not camp in farmer’s fields that contains livestock. If you have dogs with you, you should always keep then under proper control, keep dogs on leads during the springtime for the bird breeding season or when near farmers livestock.
Although campfires are allowed, these should always be set in a safe space, away from flammable items, you should not light fires or use disposable barbeques in times of very dry weathers. When you leave, make sure your fire or BBQ is completely extinguished and there is no trace left of it.
Scotland’s Right to Roam Act gives you access to most of the country’s land and inland waters, provided you do not encroach on anyone else’s private land or their privacy. Wild campers anywhere in Scotland should follow a policy of 'leave-no-trace', and you must be respectful of those around you, humans and animals alike. When you decide to leave the campsite, regardless of how long you stay there, you must pick up all rubbish and take it home with you.
While wild camping rules allow you to do certain things when you’re camping, the Right to Roam Act also prohibits certain activities. Again, these rules are for the safety and comfort of both the campers and anyone else in the vicinity of the campsite. For instance, the Act disallows walking or camping in areas that include:
And if you’re considering going onto any property that you’re unsure about, it’s best to assume you cannot go there when you’re wild camping. Stick to areas that are away from the public and err on the side of caution. Pitlochry wants to make sure your wild camping adventure is something you won’t soon forget, but for that to take place everyone has to follow the rules, and they are indeed easy enough to follow.
Can you wild camp in Pitlochry?
You can wild camp around Pitlochry, especially if you love getting away from it all and don’t mind following a few simple rules, this type of camping in this amazing town is safe, enjoyable so long as you abide by the rules above.
Can you be charged for wild camping in Scotland?
No, you cannot be charged criminally, as wild camping is legal in most places in Scotland, however you can't just set up camp in someone's garden.
You also should not be charged in a monetary way either, if someone is trying to charge you, you should move further into the wilds!
Is wild camping illegal Scotland?
No, wild camping is legal in Scotland – campers should follow a 'leave-no-trace' policy, ensuring that they take everything home with them again after their stay.