Camp up your summer holiday

Camping in the UK has an image problem. But hardy souls we are, we don’t let that stop us. On any given night between May and September, there are around 20,000 Britons heroically camping wild, and thousands more pitching their tents in organised campsites across the country (The Guardian, 31st March 2007). Membership of the Camping and Caravanning Club has – improbably - grown and the club’s general director, Robert Louden, believes that camping in the UK is more accessible than ever [www.CaravanChannel.co.uk]

Camping is…cool?

Associations with sleeping on cold hard ground and surviving on a diet of tinned food have put many people off partaking in any kind of nomadic adventures with canvas. But such misconceptions about camping - usually created by those who have never actually tried it - have given way to romantic notions about getting back to nature and sleeping beneath the stars. Camping in the UK has become more palatable. Some might even say camping is trendy, now that it’s possible to experience living in the great outdoors while retaining a few home comforts. There are hi-tech tents, designer blow-up mattresses and premium comfort sleeping bags: camping doesn’t have to mean ‘roughing it’.

Camp Scotland

It has long been acknowledged that Scotland's great outdoors is one of its biggest visitor attractions - so why not start your camping adventures here? There are plenty of settings to choose from - sites are located on the outskirts of cities, near castles, on beaches, along coastlines and rivers, in forests, on fields, at the foot of mountains. Take to the Highlands for remoteness and a slower pace of life, the Lowlands for gentler beauty, or the islands for a fresh Atlantic breeze (but make sure you pack extra tent pegs).

Where to pitch your tent

Scotland’s campsites satisfy all kinds of camper - from the wild to the wary - and can be found in almost every corner of the country. Some sites have embraced luxury, while others simply offer somewhere to pitch your tent. There are functional sites, which are basic (a patch of grass, shop, toilets and showers) and primitive sites, which are extremely basic (a patch of grass). For campers who don’t want to feel too far from home, there are more sophisticated sites with gas, electricity, a restaurant and bar, mini market and tourist information centre.

Some campsites have a real sense of community. With people from all over the globe huddled together in one small space of land, you never know who you’ll get talking to. One memorable summer’s evening, the owner of the site I was camping at decided on the spur of the moment to hold an open-air ceilidh, all campers invited.

Prices per pitch tend to be dependent upon the campsite and the size of your tent and can range from £5 to £20 per tent per night. Most sites are open all year round and although it’s not always necessary to make a reservation, it’s advisable for larger groups and during the peak summer season.

Wake up in the wild

To truly escape from the cocoon of modern life and wake up on the ‘wild’ side, go wild camping. Wild camping is legal in Scotland when practised away from dwellings and roads so you can pitch your tent almost anywhere, so long as you respect the land and those who live there (if you're near a house or farm, it’s best to ask permission first). For more practical guidelines visit: www.Outdooraccess-Scotland.com

Camping in the wild is the ultimate in budget holidays because it’s free: once you've got to your destination it won't cost you a penny, the only expense will be feeding yourself and getting from a to b. It is also the chance to see unique things in nature that are missed by those who choose indoor accommodation. I have woken up to many wonderful unexpected sights and sounds over the years - a gaggle of geese, a family of ducks, a herd of Highland cattle, red deer, osprey, a beautiful golden sunrise, the thunderous sound of the tide crashing to the shore, rain pit-pattering on the canvas, Britain’s biggest mountain, Ben Nevis, shrouded in morning mist.

Camping is one of the best ways to get away from it all. It’s as unpredictable as the weather but that’s part of the adventure. When things go wrong, you just have to think of all you would’ve missed had you been stuck inside.

Camping kit

• A tent! A sleeping bag and a thin self-inflating mattress/ a roll-up foam mat.
• Waterproof clothing.
• A Swiss Army knife.
• A torch.
• Food, basic utensils and lightweight cooking equipment (a gas bottle, small portable single or double-burner stove, pan, pot, mug and lighter).
• Foil and cling film to keep food fresh.
• A plastic bottle of water (can be filled up and reused as most sites have drinking water taps).
• Loo roll and a trowel (for wild camping in remote locations!).
• A map, guidebook and compass.
• First-aid kit.

Getting to and around Scotland

Scotland has ample transport links with the rest of the British mainland.

By rail

Rail is cheaper and faster than coach. Advance single tickets from London to Aberdeen start at £23.

By road

With careful planning practically everywhere is accessible. In most parts of Scotland - especially if you take the scenic back roads - the low level of traffic in rural regions makes driving wonderfully stress-free.

By bus

All Scotland's major towns and cities are served by long-distance bus services, the majority of which are run by Scottish Citylink. Coaches are cheaper than the equivalent train journey and are, as a result, very popular. For busy routes and travel at weekends and holidays it's a good idea to buy a 'reserved-journey ticket' to guarantee a seat.

By sea

Scotland has over sixty inhabited islands, and nearly fifty of them have scheduled ferry links. Most ferries carry cars and bicycles and the vast majority can - and should - be booked as far in advance as possible. The Caledonian Macbrayne sails to the western isles, and has reduced rates available for multiple trips. Northlink Ferries sail from Aberdeen and Scrabster to Shetland and Orkney.

Further information

Tourist info Scotland
Scotland’s Campsite Directory
Ferries: www.Calmac.co.uk, www.Northlinkferries.co.uk
First Scot Rail
Coaches: www.NationalExpress.com, www.CityLink.co.uk
Car hire companies: www.budget.co.uk, www.easycar.com