Wild camping in Scotland

Russinating · 2 Jun 2013 at 18:12

I know we've got some Scots here so hopefully I'll get some personal recommendations.

Me and my friend have wanted to go wild camping for 4/5 nights for a while now, but we're thinking about sorting it out for October somewhere in Scotland.

The wild camping aspect seems straightforward, however, if possible, we'd also like to take air rifles with us for shooting pigeon/rabbit/pheasant. As I understand it this can only happen with the express written permission of the landowner. As you can imagine Googling for places to do this just chucks up 'proper' hunt companies where you stay in a hotel and shoot partridge, ya-de-yah. All we'd be looking for is a landowner who doesn't mind the odd thing being shot, which I doubt many would anyway, it's just finding them (in combination with it being a nice/big enough area to camp).

Any ideas?

I guess to start if anyone can even recommend good places to go wild camping then we can try and find out who the landowner is from there.

diamount · 2 Jun 2013 at 18:31

You might find this website useful, they go on multiple trips ranging from a day to 5 days. They also post their routes.

http://www.v-g.me.uk/index.htm

As for that maybe check the land registry.

Raumarik · 2 Jun 2013 at 19:29

October will probably be very cold and wet, just bare that in mind, you'd be far better going July/August.

Maccapacca · 2 Jun 2013 at 19:30

Try NOBS and ask on the forum.

Maccapacca · 2 Jun 2013 at 19:30

Halfmad said:
October will probably be very cold and wet, just bare that in mind, you'd be far better going July/August.

With all the mosquitoes

Draeger · 2 Jun 2013 at 19:39

maccapacca said:
With all the midgies

Fixed.

Russinating · 2 Jun 2013 at 19:44

Halfmad said:
October will probably be very cold and wet, just bare that in mind, you'd be far better going July/August.

I can only do October onwards and I'd much prefer to camp in the cold than the hot anyway. And as has been said, I've heard horror stories about midges.

kkelly · 2 Jun 2013 at 19:50

Oct will be pretty wet tbh

Draeger · 2 Jun 2013 at 19:51

Every likelihood that July/August will be wet too. Or snowy.

kitch9 · 2 Jun 2013 at 19:52

Gotta be honest.

You'd have to be a complete heartless git to shoot anything bigger than a harvest mouse with an air rifle.
Seriously, what's wrong with you man?

You're going to be hard pushed to find a farmer or a landowner to agree to you causing needless suffering to animals with a pathetic pfft gun.

No1newts · 2 Jun 2013 at 20:05

Can I just ask, what's wild camping?

Derek W · 2 Jun 2013 at 20:12

No1newts said:
Can I just ask, what's wild camping?

its like normal camping but in scotland

chances are though he's meaning out in the countryside rather than in a proper caravan / camp site

Russinating · 2 Jun 2013 at 20:20

No1newts said:
Can I just ask, what's wild camping?

Not on a campsite. Doesn't really exist in England & Wales, though, apart from a few national parks.

http://www.visitscotland.com/see-do/activities/walking/wild-camping

kitch9 said:
Gotta be honest.

You'd have to be a complete heartless git to shoot anything bigger than a harvest mouse with an air rifle.
Seriously, what's wrong with you man?

You're going to be hard pushed to find a farmer or a landowner to agree to you causing needless suffering to animals with a pathetic pfft gun.

Have you ever used an air rifle? :confused:

I've never injured and not killed an animal with one.

diamount · 2 Jun 2013 at 20:20

No1newts said:
Can I just ask, what's wild camping?

Lots of walking and camping outside organised sites. It's legal in England in some national parks though like Darthmoor and the Lake District.

Derek W · 2 Jun 2013 at 20:27

In terms of places to go would you be set on the classic 'Highlands' or would you be open to go elsewhere?

I'm quite partial to a bit of rural perthshire down around crieff / stirling / loch lomond.

Russinating · 2 Jun 2013 at 20:29

Anywhere I guess - haven't been to Scotland in years! South would be best though as we'll be travelling from that direction.

Derek W · 2 Jun 2013 at 20:30

This might give you a heads up on shooting as well.

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Justice/crimes/Firearms/safeshooting

Russinating · 2 Jun 2013 at 20:35

Thanks. We used to shoot a lot when we were younger but haven't in a while simply because of now living in cities, really. That's part of the reason for wanting to take them on this excursion.

kitch9 · 2 Jun 2013 at 20:58

Russinating said:
Not on a campsite. Doesn't really exist in England & Wales, though, apart from a few national parks.

http://www.visitscotland.com/see-do/activities/walking/wild-camping

Have you ever used an air rifle? I've never injured and not killed an animal with one.

I grew up on a farm fella. Shooting animals with a pop gun city slicker style causes more harm than good.

Most pigeons will fly away from an air rifle shot apart from it hitting the temple only do slowly die from lead poisoning or a broken wing or something whilst attracting further vermin.

I'll call you sad, because that is what it is.

Richie · 2 Jun 2013 at 21:01

kitch9 said:
Gotta be honest.

You'd have to be a complete heartless git to shoot anything bigger than a harvest mouse with an air rifle.
Seriously, what's wrong with you man?

You're going to be hard pushed to find a farmer or a landowner to agree to you causing needless suffering to animals with a pathetic pfft gun.

^^^ If you don't have a clue about a subject, you should refrain from commenting on it as if you do ^^^

Proper air rifles have enough power to humanely kill all manner of small mammals and birds upto 50yds (albeit always best to stay within 35-40yds)

Edit: Your post above appeared as I was writing this... I also grew up on a farm and shot many things humanely with an air rifle.

Wild camping in Scotland

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