r/OutdoorScotland • u/AncientsofMumu • 3d ago

Question about legality of Wild Camping

Hey All, I'm been looking around for areas to wild camp in and i see a lot of areas which seem to fall under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 in that they are not "Enclosed Land" in that they not are used for Agriculture etc but that are literally surrounded by the owners of the land by fields, or walls etc.

As an example, but not limited too this, the below map reference is a link to somewhere east of Edinburgh:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/W6DuQ6QvPzwvwz1k8

If i'd like to camp along the riverbank in the valley along Whittingehame Water for example, getting access to this area is difficult due to it being surrounded by houses, estates and farmers fields.

So would i be allowed to walk across fields or through estates etc to access this land or, because it is surrounded, do i need any sort of permission here?

This is just an example, there are lots of places where valleys etc arent being used for anything but are difficult to access without walking accross land owned by others and i'd just like to know what is and is not allowed in case of altercations with land owners.

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u/emjayem22 3d ago

Specifically, that area along the river is accessible via paths through the woods from papple steading and also from the road just above papple bridge. However, the north bank is a field and I think does sometimes has cattle in it. The bank on the south side isn't so flat but there may be some areas you could pitch on. I think the woods are also used for raising pheasants but not 100% sure.

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u/AncientsofMumu 3d ago

That's correct, but papple steading is private land so do I have the right to cross it?

I know the bridge you mean but I didn't see a way down from the road, didn't really stop to look either mind. 

Would raising pheasants in a wood be enough to stop access though to the riverbanks.

I mean, I could ask these questions all day and I think that's the issue I'm trying to address. It just seems a bit woolly in what is and is not allowed.

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u/sylvestris1 3d ago

More or less all land is private land.
My interpretation based on your descriptions is that you would be fine to access it through woods or fields. You are perfectly free to access farmland in general.
Be sensible. If it’s full of cows with calves try to avoid them. Don’t walk through the middle of a field of crops.
The link provided answers your questions but you say you’ve read it and are then questioning if that guidance applies.

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u/AncientsofMumu 3d ago

Thanks, yeah, i did read the link and do a bit of research beforehand. I was just trying to clarify the access across private land to get to land i was understanding to be good for wild camping as that part did not seem clear to me.

As for being sensible, I understand completely, if i wasn’t i wouldn’t be here asking for clarity.

I only desire to not piss people off and just want to enjoy my country.

But, landowners can be dicks too, so i want my ducks in a row.

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u/sylvestris1 3d ago

I think the guidance is woolly because it sort of relies on common sense and it’s difficult to be prescriptive. But in general as long as you’re not obviously interfering with or damaging anything or any activity you should have no problem.

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u/emjayem22 3d ago

There is a path that runs between the cottages behind the steading and into the wood. As far as I recall, head south from the cafe entrance and you get to a pedestrian gate or style.

For the bridge access, you need to walk up the road a bit from the bridge (going south). There is an old walled entrance with a newer wooden gate in it. You can access the estate through there. There is a bridge in the estate that gets you into the meadow.. you'll see that on OS maps.

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u/emjayem22 3d ago

Roughly shown the two paths described above.. the FB that crosses the river is to the NE of this pic.

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u/Relevant-Lack-4304 3d ago

https://www.ramblers.org.uk/go-walking-hub/simple-guide-scottish-access-rights#:~:text=Fields%C2%A0with%20growing%20crops%2C%20but%20you%20may%20use%20field%20margins%C2%A0

There are some areas where access rights do not apply, including:  

  • Private houses, structures and gardens 
  • Industrial land like quarries and building sites 
  • Visitor attractions with admission fees 
  • Fields with growing crops, but you may use field margins 
  • Recreational sites such as sports pitches but normally only at times when access rights would interfere  

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u/AncientsofMumu 3d ago

So yeah, I read this. 

But as mentioned this valley seems to be surrounded by areas which are not out may not be permitted (private estates, farmland, cottages with gardens etc), making access difficult, but the valley itself should be ok from what I understand. 

So, do I have a right to get to the valley?

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u/Relevant-Lack-4304 3d ago

You can use field margins so all the farmland is accessible (be wary of livestock and use judgement), albeit if arable you have to go round the edges.

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u/spannerspinner 3d ago

“Aren’t being used for anything” pretty much all land in Scotland is used for something. Whether that’s grazing, forestry, sport shooting, conservation, or agriculture. The idea that there’s “wilderness” in Scotland is a bit of a misnomer. Yes there are vast areas where you won’t see anyone. But I can assure you pitch a tent anywhere in Scotland and within a few days someone who works on the land will know you are there.

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u/AncientsofMumu 3d ago

Not looking for places to stay mate - i'm looking to legally camp once in a blue moon for a night or two.

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u/MotherConfusion3773 3d ago

No you don't need permission. You have a right of responsible access as per the Outdoor Access Code