Wild camping allowed in Scotland, mountain biking also allowed anywhere walkers can go too. However not always the case.During our Munro baggin years we discovered that an awful lot of lot of the privately owned land had access restrictions.One time, on recommendation from the Munro guidebook we were using, we had to phone the glen gate keeper to arrange for her to open the gate giving road access to the glen. When we arrived at this very remote location, she asked what time we would be exiting. We informed her that we intended doing several munro's and wild camping over two nights. She at first told us that the landowner would not allow any overnight camping as it was stalking season. After a bit of sweet talking she, neither permitted nor disallowed it, just saying here's the gate lock combination, be sure to lock the gate behind you when you leave. The estate by the way was owned by an Arabian Prince.
Interesting experience. It is often an interesting to balance the true feelings of the employers of landowners, with their loyalty to the ambitions of their masters. In Scotland last year walking near Loch Awe Mrs BWW acute hearing located falling water, we deviated some miles from the well trodden way to land up in the most magical combination of rapids ravines and falls and we had it all to ourselves. We tried to direct a couple, who expressed interest in our discovery, but though my directions were detailed the land management impediments were too great for them to complete the route. Now my physical abilities are no longer up to Ben Cruachen, but this location was up to that sort of experience and Mrs BWW was thrilled with our find.
In the local Pub, after, we talked with locals, there was no condemnation that we had transgressed, even though they were in the pay of the landowner, a London banker. Sad thing is the location could make a real focal purpose for several possible routes.
Add to this, when The Queen Mothers estate tried to shut off part of the Munroe round, in the ensuing hooha the BSMC quoted official Scottish tourism figures that put the total annual earnings of all field spots at £56 million or so yet the earnings from walking alone of the access dependent pursuits is in the region of £540 million.
Is this the sort of magic lamp that should be polished?