Lynne Foster from www.polr.co.uk went wild camping on the edge of Loch Voil in Perthshire and sent us this great account.
Wild camping in Loch Voil
As the weather has been pretty good recently we decided to go wild camping. We picked the edge of Loch Voil just past Balquhidder in Perthshire.
About a mile or so after Balquhidder the road becomes single track and if you drive along for another few miles the spots for camping really start to open up.
We had a small group with three cars and still managed to find somewhere to park – although I wouldn’t recommend that as the larger parking areas are few and far between. The road is a little busy and considering it’s a dead-end road it’s quite suprising!
There are signs that a lot of campers set up there and we had to clear up rubbish before we could camp (which we then took home to bin). The police do the rounds at night with plastic rubbish bags and awareness leaflets which is kind of good to see but a shame that they have to.
We found a great spot right at the edge of the loch that was completely secluded and we could easily have gone swimming in if we’d remembered our cossies! It really is a fantastic place to stop for the night with the most amazing views to wake up to.
We’ll be back!
About wild camping
Remember wild camping is legal in Scotland but technically illegal in England and Wales!
For more information on wild camping in Scotland see the Scottish Outdoor Access Code for a general guide check out The Happy Campers guide to wild camping.
Getting there
We’ve plotted the approximate location on Google Maps. If you camp nearby add a tag!
July 15th, 2009 at 12:36 pm
Woah, didn’t realise wild camping was only legal in Scotland. Gives me a good reason to head North. Do you know any other good spots in Scotland?
July 19th, 2009 at 12:18 pm
@Jash Rogers I don’t know Scotland too well but I’ve just found a great resource for Wild Camping with sub-forums for all regions of the UK – http://www.wildcamping.co.uk/
February 23rd, 2010 at 5:57 am
I like wild camping…
June 15th, 2010 at 11:50 am
Just found this site and i think its a great idea to inform people of wild camping. I go fishing to loch Earn, in Perthshire. Although camping is free i think the £9 fishing day permit is a bit steep. I have taken up photography and this place is brill. Ospreys.Pereguines adding to the everchanging weather is awesome.
However i always seem to collect allsorts of rubbish from the southside ot the loch. Water Bailiffs, Police and Countryside Rangers are often seen which is a good thing. Anglers that i have met have been like me, having a responsible attitude to Nature and preserving the area without polluting the soil or water.
The Trossachs is a lovely widespread area,so go wild camping and enjoy the beauty of nature.
July 1st, 2010 at 11:06 am
Jash Rogers:
I recently went wild camping with a mate in Loch Lomond. It’s a gorgeous place, and if you are up on walking the West Highland Way runs along the east side of it – meaning there are loads of good camping spots, and cheap hostels in most of the towns.