Take your great Scottish outdoor adventure to the next level! Winter camping may not be for everyone, but it offers a new way of experiencing the best wild camping spots in Scotland. Your efforts to brave the cold and frost will be generously rewarded with unforgettable sights, from snow-capped mountains and hills to frozen, winding rivers.
If you believe you’ve got the skills and guts to go wild camping in Scotland during winter, we will share our suggestions on planning and preparing for a safe and enjoyable cold-weather expedition in this article. You will learn the essential things to pack and several tips on how to cook and stay warm despite the extreme conditions.
What to pack for winter camping in Scotland
Careful planning is the key to achieving your dream wild camping adventure, even more so when you intend to do so in winter. It goes beyond wearing extra thermals or bringing more blankets than usual. We’re fortunate to have more choices when it comes to camping gear and supplies designed and made specifically for wintertime use.
However, with so many options, you might forget something that should have been on your list. To avoid common beginner’s mistakes, you will find our recommendations on what to pack for the trip in this section.
Use the right winter camping tent
Winter tents come in all shapes and sizes these days. Whether you plan to travel alone or with a group, select a 3-season or 4-season tent that will not have a large unused space once occupied. That will help keep your tent warm longer. Make sure that your chosen model can be anchored well into the icy ground, especially if you intend to go camping in the windy parts of the Highlands.
Where to pitch your tent
Before sunset, look for a camping spot to shelter you from heavy snow and strong wind—for example, near some trees or beside a hill. Avoid any area where an avalanche or flooding may occur.
Flatten the snow on the ground before pitching your camping tent. Double-check the pegs and clear any nearby debris that might be blown away into your location.
Keeping the winter tent dry inside
It may sound counterintuitive, but keeping the air vents open is one of the best ways to stay comfortable inside your winter tent. Doing so will allow air to circulate, thus preventing condensation from forming and turning into icicles.
Moisture may also originate from melted snow on your camping gear. We suggest choosing a tent with a vestibule, so you won’t sleep surrounded by wet clothes, shoes, and bags.
Sleep in comfort with a sleeping bag and a mat
A 2-season or 3-season sleeping bag is an indispensable companion when wild camping in Scotland in winter. If you’re a first timer, we recommend getting one made of synthetic fabric because it is cheaper and water-repellent. However, backpackers heading somewhere colder should consider investing in the more expensive albeit lighter down sleeping bag.
Packing a sleeping mat for added comfort would be best, regardless of your choice. We often bring a self-inflating mat for winter camping since it is more portable than foam mats.
Keeping warm at night
As part of your preparations for winter camping in Scotland, learn various ways to insulate your tent since the weather can make a turn for the extreme, especially on elevated grounds. Brush off the snow on your clothes before going inside the tent. Change clothes if you get wet.
Insulate the walls and floor with liners and mats. Generate more heat by lighting a tent stove or preparing hot water bottles. Don’t forget to eat well before tucking yourself in for the night.
Pack extra toiletries
Some of Scotland’s best wild camping spots are in remote regions—far from shops, pharmacies, and hotels. Therefore, bring extra soap, shampoo bars, toothbrushes, toothpaste, toilet paper, and other supplies you might need to maintain your hygiene.
Place all your toiletries in a waterproof bag. Avoid liquid-based products that may become frozen during your journey.
Carry enough water
Finding a water source while winter camping in Scotland can be tricky since the streams and rivers can become frozen hard. We recommend having vacuum flasks containing enough water for at least one to two days.
In case you cannot locate liquid water near your campsite, melt ice or snow in a pot, not in a flask. If you must break through the ice on a body of water, do so carefully to avoid falling through the surface.
Bring the right food for camping
Winter camping requires a higher caloric intake to keep you warm and energised. While packing more food will help you achieve this, remember to focus on filling yet portable and easy-to-prepare meals and snacks.
Shop for instant or pre-made food, preferably those high in carbohydrates, protein, and fats. Our camping favourites include instant rice or soup, biscuits, cheese cubes, nuts, and dried meats.
We recommend transferring food in box, can or glass packaging into resealable plastic bags with labels to maximise their portability. Consider portioning them into meal sizes before the trip to make food preparation and reheating more convenient while camping.
Cooking in Scotland in the winter
If you plan to bring a winter tent with a stove, here are some helpful pointers to remember. First, avoid cooking inside the tent. Doing so will put you at serious risk of fire and carbon monoxide poisoning.
Instead, place the stove on a level surface outside where the wind direction blows away from the tent. Place non-combustible objects, such as rocks or metal pots, around the stove to break the wind. Cover what you are cooking with a lid to speed up cooking time.
Try your best to time your dinner preparations before sunset. Have grippers or potholders nearby, and transfer food into a different container after cooking to make the clean-up faster.
FAQs about Wild Camping Scotland in Winter
The answer may vary from person to person since we have different tolerance and camping experience levels. For instance, some beginners feel that temperatures below 50C are too cold for them. On the other hand, advanced campers can brave sub-zero conditions with the right gear and enough supplies. If this is your first time, we suggest doing it in the milder months, such as November or early March.
In general, sleeping in a car feels warmer than in a tent. The latter has fewer layers of insulation, and it cannot retain heat for as long as the interiors of a car. Further, you can prevent chilly wind from entering much easier inside a vehicle than in a tent. Nevertheless, you should not consider any car as completely winter-proof. Be on the lookout for moisture build-up and bundle up with extra cold-weather gear when needed.
That depends on various factors, such as your location, the time of day, and the tent’s size and design. For example, on an average winter day, the temperature inside a small 3-season tent can be higher by fivedegrees than the outside. On the other hand, a similar-sized 4-season tent can further increase the interior temperature by five to ten degrees more.
Achieving and maintaining comfortable heat inside a tent without electricity can be done through a combination of strategies. First, choose a camping spot near trees or anything that can help you break or block winter gusts. Then, insulate the walls and floor using tent liners or insulated floor mats. Finally, set up a portable gas heater, hot water bottles, heat packs, or hot stones to create a cosy, warm vibe inside the tent.
Are You Excited to Try Wild Winter Camping in Scotland?
Camping in Scotland is an unmissable experience for any nature enthusiast. Though many travellers head there during the peak fishing seasons, those seeking greater thrills and challenges choose to explore the Scottish countryside’s snowy Highlands, frozen lochs, and wintry forests.
Since you are better equipped to take on the challenge of cold-weather wild camping, start planning the trip as early as today. Research your preferred destinations and create a checklist of essential camping gear and supplies based on our suggestions. Learn the various techniques and strategies to help you stay safe and warm. Be prepared for anything because winter in Scotland can be wonderfully unpredictable.