Rules · Scotland
Wild camping and overnight parking in Scotland with a campervan or motorhome: what the law says
Scottish access rights include wild camping, but they do not extend to motorised recreation or passage: the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 excludes being on land in or with a motorised vehicle. So a campervan is not covered by the "right to roam", and staying overnight off the road needs the owner's or manager's permission. In Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, from 1 March to 30 September, an overnight stay in a motorhome at Firkin Point, Inveruglas or Three Lochs Forest Drive needs a permit.[2][1][3]
Last reviewed 14 October 2026 against the primary sources listed below. Covers Scotland. Road traffic rules (the Highway Code) are the same across Great Britain: see the England and Wales page for those. This is a summary of the law, not legal advice: local signs and bylaws can be stricter.
At a glance
| Where | Verdict | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Wild camping with a tent, on foot | Allowed | Wild camping is one of the recreational activities access rights cover.[2] |
| Staying overnight in a campervan or motorhome off the road | Depends on local rules | Not an access right (motorised recreation and passage are excluded): only with the owner's or manager's permission.[1][2] |
| Loch Lomond & The Trossachs permit areas, 1 March to 30 September | Allowed with limits | Firkin Point, Inveruglas and Three Lochs Forest Drive: permit, £4.50 a night, up to three nights.[3] |
| Breaking the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs camping byelaws | Not allowed | Can lead to a report to the Procurator Fiscal and a fine of up to £500.[4] |
| Emptying a chemical toilet in the countryside | Not allowed | The National Park Authority says it is a criminal act with a maximum fine of £40,000.[3] |
Where you can stay and service your van in Scotland
- Aires & motorhome parking
- 16
- Of those, recorded free
- 2
- Campsites
- 826
- Service points (dump stations)
- 57
Counts of places mapped in OpenStreetMap; 13% of aires and parking places are tagged free. Being on the map doesn't make overnighting legal at a spot: check its page and the signs.
Access rights and vehicles
Access rights in Scotland cover recreational purposes such as walking, cycling, horse riding and wild camping, and can be exercised at any time of the day or night.[2]
Section 9 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 says access rights are not exercisable by a person "being on or crossing land in or with a motorised vehicle or vessel", unless it is built or adapted for a disabled person who is using it. The Outdoor Access Code puts it as "any form of motorised recreation or passage" being excluded.[1][2]
Activities outside access rights still require the permission of the relevant owner or manager, so parking up for the night off the road is a matter for them.[2]
Loch Lomond & The Trossachs camping management zones
Between 1 March and 30 September seasonal Camping Management Zones apply in parts of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park. For motorhomes and campervans, permits are sold for Firkin Point and Inveruglas on the west shore of Loch Lomond and Three Lochs Forest Drive north of Aberfoyle: £4.50 per vehicle per night (plus a £3 vehicle access charge at Three Lochs Forest Drive), for up to three consecutive nights, bookable online up to four weeks ahead.[3]
The Park Authority says failure to comply with the byelaws could result in a report to the Procurator Fiscal and a fine of up to £500.[4]
Toilet waste and grey water
The National Park Authority warns that irresponsible disposal of the contents of a chemical toilet in the countryside is a criminal act with a maximum fine of £40,000. Use a service point: see dump stations across the UK.[3]
Fines and penalties
Know before you go
Changes to this page
- 14 October 2026: First published. Checked against legislation.gov.uk, the Outdoor Access Code and the National Park Authority.
Sources
- Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003, section 9, legislation.gov.uk. Accessed 14 October 2026.
- Scottish Outdoor Access Code, Part 2: Access rights, NatureScot. Accessed 14 October 2026.
- Motorhomes and campervans in the National Park, Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority. Accessed 14 October 2026.
- Camping and motorhome byelaw Q&As, Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority. Accessed 14 October 2026.
Written and checked by Campervan Atlas against these sources. Spotted a change in the law? Tell us.