Tennent’s Guide To Camping In Scotland in 2025

With a brief-and-definitely-not-guaranteed summer now upon us, now’s the time to get out the house and into the great Scottish outdoors.

If some camping trips in Scotland are on your to-do list this year, you’ll no doubt already be looking at the basics; tents, hotspots, boots and bags.

But there’s a lot more to it, from little quality of life gizmos and trinkets that make the experience much nicer to the knowledge needed to camp safely and in line with laws.

It’s also very easy to assume that the weather will be nice, but that’s far from guaranteed (trust us, we’ve been Braving the Summer since 1885!).

So, with that in mind, let’s go into the ins and outs of camping prep for a trip in Scotland to ensure that you get the most out of the experience, rain or shine!

Must Have Camping Gear

If you’re wondering what to take camping in Scotland, we’d recommend having a look at this checklist that covers everything from the absolute musts to some bits and pieces that make your life a little easier at the end of this post.

And while that list should cover all your bases, the Tennent’s shop has a few great products that will make your camping trip smooth (and as stylish) as possible.

Tennent’s backpack for camping

The Tennent’s travel backpack has a 50L capacity and is made from 600D ripstop material with mesh padded backing.

That means it’s ready to carry all your bits and bobs for a trip up north and offers good resistance to (hopefully unlikely) mid-summer showers.

While style isn’t a must while camping, it is also a nice added extra that this travel rucksack looks great available in a slick black finish and featuring our iconic red ‘T’.

Keep the maps app alive with a Tennent’s Powerbank

When your battery is getting to that scary point, having a Tennent’s Powerbank to hand can be a major stress burster.

It can charge up most phones in a matter of hours and has a lightweight design, sliding right into most pockets!

Just remember to charge the powerbank before you go!

Bums stay dry when you’ve packed the Tennent’s beach towel

Yes, most won’t be camping at the beach, but a towel comes in handy while on a camping trip.

Whether there is a nearby lake that you plan to take a dip into, or if you’re plotting on a grassy patch and it has rained recently, a towel will keep you dry and comfy.

And there’s loads more!

From playing cards, to extra storage in the form of a bum bag, and a beanie to keep your ears warm at night, there are lots of great camping knick-knacks available in the Tennent’s store.

Where To Go Camping In Scotland

From the Cairngorms and Western Isles to many surprising spots just down the road from major cities in the central belt, there are hundreds (maybe thousands!) of camping opportunities in Scotland.

Scotland’s tourist board, Visit Scotland, has a great list of scenic campsites, and you’ll not struggle to find great spots on campsites.co.uk as well.

Our advice? Start nearby and branch out from there. For example if you live in Stirling or Falkirk try some of the sites near Bridge of Allan.

On a similar note, you might want to try “glamping” (but just don’t tell yer pals) to ease yourself in.

Wild Camping In Scotland

If glamping is not quite your speed, and you’re wondering “is wild camping in Scotland safe?,” the answer is dependent on your preparation.

There are lots of Scots who wild camp along the West Highland Way rather than opting for more traditional camp sites.

Wild camping is most definitely possible and legal, but we’d recommend sticking to the sites until you’re a little more experienced.

Camping Laws In Scotland

For the most part, you can camp on most land in Scotland thanks to the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003, which grants public access rights. Make sure you’re not on a farm where you’d be disturbing animals, but aside from that you are typically able to camp at a spot of your choosing so long as you aren’t littering or damaging the environment with uncontrolled fires.

There are also camping in Scotland ‘rules’ outlined in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. We recommend reading the code in full, but to summarise, here’s a bullet point list:

• Choose small, discreet campsites and don’t overstay your welcome, two or three nights max in any one place
• Avoid enclosed fields with livestock (no matter how friendly those highland coos look!).
• Leave no trace: Take all belongings and litter with you when you leave.
• Avoid open fires during high fire risk, prevent fire hazards and report wildfires immediately.
• Manage human waste correctly: Pack a trowel, toilet paper, hand sanitiser, and sealable bags.
• Use official car parks or public transport; rights to roam do not include vehicle use on private land.
• Observe local restrictions as some areas (like Loch Lomond & The Trossachs NP) have campsite or permit-only regulations so check ahead.

Have fun and stay safe

Hopefully this gives you a good idea of what you’ll need when camping, where to find camping spots, and the rules you’ll need to follow while out in the Scottish outdoors.

Above all else, while camping make sure that you’re keeping safe, having fun, and really taking in all that this beautiful country has to offer,

Once you get more experienced and know the ropes, it’ll soon become second nature and you’ll be able to enjoy safe camping … perhaps with a fresh can of ‘T’ to your side.

Happy camping!