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From pitching a tent on a secluded cliff top overlooking the ocean to sleeping beneath the stars on a windswept moor, camping in Scotland is full of opportunities to get up close and personal with Mother Nature. Thanks to its long-standing law of public access to the countryside, almost all of the country’s public land is free to be used by hikers, mountain bikers, kayakers, horse riders and campers, providing they follow a few basic rules.

For adventurous campers, this tolerance for wild camping makes Scotland the ideal destination to get off-the-beaten-track, whether parking up a camper van at the roadside during a long trip, or setting up camp in some of Scotland’s most beautiful destinations on a DIY hiking tour. Wherever you choose to camp, be sure to leave the spot as you found it – pick up your rubbish when you leave, remove all traces of tent pitches and fires, and take care not to disturb crops or wildlife. Think carefully about where you choose to camp, too – Scottish weather can be temperamental and heavy winds, rain and snow are common during the winter months, particularly in the Highlands, so pick a sheltered area, bring plenty of warm clothes and follow local advice on when and where to camp. Of course, you don’t have to fend for yourself in the wilderness to enjoy camping in Scotland – the country is teeming with campsites and caravan parks for all budgets. The cheapest and most basic campsites are often found along the Scotland’s main hiking routes, where simple facilities (water, electricity, shower blocks) are provided for a small fee and the majority of campers are self-sufficient. At the other end of the scale, Scotland’s holiday parks typically provide tents, caravans and cabins for rent, alongside tent and caravan pitches and offer excellent cooking, laundry and shower facilities. Many even offer on-site shops, restaurants, swimming pools and wi-fi internet, but expect larger parks to be busy with families during the summer months. If its privacy you’re after, look out for boutique eco lodges or small, family-run campsites at places like Glencoe, Scotland’s most scenic valley or the Isle of Skye.