Hike Up, Pitch Up, Wake Up in the Clouds
There’s wild camping — and then there’s wild camping on a mountain.
Scotland’s access laws and sprawling landscapes make it the perfect playground for summit sleepovers and starlit ridgelines. Whether you want sunrise over the Cuillin or to unzip your tent and see lochs stretching for miles, these peaks deliver big adventure energy.
This isn’t just a walk — it’s a memory in the making.
So pack your bivvy bag or tent, grab your headtorch, and get ready for some of the best wild camping peaks in Scotland.
1. Sgùrr na Stri – Isle of Skye
- Why It’s Perfect:
Arguably the best view in Scotland, looking straight down Loch Coruisk and over the Cuillin ridge
- Height: 494m (not a Munro, but a legend)
- Distance: ~12km return from Camasunary or Elgol
- Top Tip: Watch out for the midges — spring and late autumn are best
2. Ben A’an – Trossachs
- Why It’s Perfect:
Small peak, big view. You’ll feel like you’re in the Highlands with only a 2-hour walk-in
- Height: 454m
- Distance: ~5km return
- Top Tip: Arrive late afternoon, pitch on the shoulder, and wake up to Loch Katrine wrapped in mist
3. Ben Lomond – Loch Lomond & The Trossachs
- Why It’s Perfect:
Easy to access, summit plateau with space to pitch, and sunset views over the loch
- Height: 974m (Munro)
- Distance: ~12km circular
- Top Tip: Avoid the summit cairn — camp lower down to escape crowds and exposure
4. Loch Etive Peaks – Glen Etive (Beinn Trilleachan Ridge)
- Why It’s Perfect:
Remote, rugged and true Highland vibes. You’ll earn this one — but you’ll never forget it
- Height: 840m
- Distance: ~10km loop
- Top Tip: Pack light — the ascent is steep and the terrain unforgiving. Camp with a view of the loch if conditions allow
5. Ben Starav – Glen Etive
- Why It’s Perfect:
A real Munro mission, and breathtaking camping spot just below the summit
- Height: 1,078m
- Distance: ~15km
- Top Tip: Camp high on the ridge for sunrise over Glen Etive. Water sources can be sparse — fill up lower down
6. Beinn a’ Chrùlaiste – Glencoe
- Why It’s Perfect:
The best view of Buachaille Etive Mòr, with fewer walkers than the big-name peaks
- Height: 857m
- Distance: ~8km return
- Top Tip: Summit camp is exposed — pitch just below the top for comfort (and less wind)
7. An Teallach (Corrag Bhuidhe or Bidein a’ Ghlas Thuill)
- Why It’s Perfect:
Epic ridgeline camp with ridge-top sunrise magic and absolute isolation
- Height: 1,062m
- Distance: ~16–18km full loop
- Top Tip: For safety, avoid camping directly on the ridge — tuck behind a spur or sheltered col
8. Creag Meagaidh Plateau
- Why It’s Perfect:
Huge, sprawling summit area with wide views and grassy pitch spots
- Height: 1,130m
- Distance: ~17km circular
- Top Tip: It’s a big day — but worth it. Camp just below the summit for protection from the wind, and a quick walk up in the morning
What to Bring for Wild Camping in the Highlands
- 4-season or 3-season tent – Scottish weather can bite
- Sleeping bag rated to at least -5°C (year-round)
- Stove, food, water filtration kit
- Headtorch + spare batteries
- Map & compass – don’t rely on phone signal
- Midge net and repellent (summer = itchy chaos)
- Peaky Baggers app – log your peaks offline and track your route
Bonus: Bring earplugs. Sheep don’t respect “quiet hours.”
Wild Camping in Scotland: Know the Code
- Scotland’s right to roam allows responsible wild camping
- Don’t camp in busy spots like near bothies or path junctions
- Leave no trace: pack everything out
- No campfires on peat or near woodland
- Don’t pollute water sources — wash up well away from streams
Final Thoughts
There’s nothing quite like waking up on a Scottish peak with nothing but your boots, your tent, and the wind for company.
Whether you want a quiet lochside pitch or a full-scale Munro bivvy adventure, these wild camping peaks prove that you don’t need a bothy or campsite to sleep somewhere unforgettable.
Just be safe, be respectful, and always leave it better than you found it.
Share Your Summit Sleep
Camping on a peak? We want to see it! Tag #PeakyBaggers with your wild camp setups, sunrise tent doors, and mountain coffee moments.
Photo by Rob on Unsplash
