Wild Camping on the West Highland Way: Top 5 Spots

Camping on the West Highland Way is one of the best ways to experience Scotland’s most famous long-distance trail. It gives you the freedom to walk at your own pace, keep costs down, and spend the night close to the landscapes that make the route so special.

This guide covers wild camping on the West Highland Way, the key rules from the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, Loch Lomond camping byelaws, and my favourite places to pitch a tent along the route.

To date I’ve only ever camped on the West Highland Way. The main reasons for this being I like camping and that I prefer to save a little on my overnight accommodation.

If you want to wild camp but don’t have the kit you can always hire it with us.

Is wild camping allowed on the West Highland Way?

Wild camping – the act of not pitching a tent on a campsite.

Thankfully in Scotland wild camping is permitted where Scottish access rights apply, as long as it is done responsibly. Wild camping usually means small tents, small groups, and short stays. This means you’re allowed to put your tent up across most of Scotland. It does come with the expectations that you are respectful of the land and those around. Primarily this means leaving no trace of your campsite and respecting that other people will be using the land around you. The best source of knowledge on wild camping in Scotland can be found in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

Scottish Outdoor Access Code: Key wild camping rules

• Choose your spot carefully: camp away from buildings, roads, busy areas, crops, and fields with farm animals.
• Leave no trace: take all litter, belongings, food waste, and broken glass away with you.
• Avoid fires: don’t light fires during dry weather, or near woodland, farmland, peat, buildings, or historic sites.
• Use a camping stove instead: we hire out Trangias because they allow a controlled flame and are a safer, lower-impact way to cook.
• Protect trees and wildlife: don’t cut, damage, or remove deadwood; it is part of the ecosystem.
• Toilet responsibly: pee at least 30 metres from lochs, rivers, and burns; poo well away from paths, water, buildings, and animals, then bury it or bag it and carry it out.
• Have a backup plan: the route is popular, go elsewhere if an area is busy.
• Check local restrictions: sections of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, require campsites or permits during seasonal byelaws. More on this later.

Loch Lomond Camping Byelaw

From 1 March to 30 September byelaws apply in Camping Management Zones, where you need a permit or campsite booking. These have come about to protect the landscape from degradation by overuse.

Permits are obtainable through the National Park portal – link.

In the modified version of the National Parks map I have highlighted the two sections that are affected for the West Highland Way.

Campsites within the restrictions:

• Milarrochy Bay Camping and Caravanning Club Site
• Cashel Campsite
• Sallochy Campsite

Torin’s Top 5 Wild Camping Spots on the West Highland Way

1. East side of Conic Hill – a useful camp spot for those on their first day of walking. Situated just before the camping byelaw restrictions come into place.
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2. Rowchoish Bothy – whilst actually not a camping location it is definitely recommended to bring a tent along with you in case the bothy is full. Popular with trekkers this is a great place to rest up with a solid roof over your head.
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3. Inveroran – just after the hotel is a bridge which has a fantastic campground. Often visited by the local population of Red Deer.
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4. Devil’s Staircase – after finishing the climb why not stop and enjoy the impressive views of Buachaille Etive Mòr.
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5. Tigh-na-sleubhaich – a derelict house from years gone by situated in amongst the glens of the Mamores. Can be used as a wind break in windy situations.
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_{At the end of the day these are just the spots that I have enjoyed over different adventures. There are plenty of places along the route to camp, many I will have not yet found.}