Tight Travellers

Scotland. Right on our doorstep and genuinely one of the most spectacular places we’ve ever been. It tends to get overlooked when folk are planning adventures because it feels too close, too familiar. But if tha’s never wild camped in the Scottish Highlands or scrambled up a Munro with nothing but heather and silence around thee, tha’s missing out on something properly special.

How much does Scotland cost?

Scotland is one of Europe’s great wild camping destinations – and that fundamentally changes the budget maths. The Land Reform (Scotland) Act gives everyone the right to camp on most land in Scotland for free, which means tha can sleep under some of the most dramatic scenery on earth without paying a penny. Combine that with supermarket food, free hiking, and the general absence of tourist infrastructure driving prices up in the wilder areas, and Scotland can be done on a serious shoestring.

In cities like Edinburgh and Glasgow, accommodation costs are more in line with standard UK prices. We use Booking.com for city stays and always check well in advance – Edinburgh in particular during festival season requires booking months ahead. For getting there from Yorkshire, a cheap advance train or a drive up the A1 is the most affordable option.

Where we went

The Highlands – The main event. Vast, ancient and genuinely awe-inspiring. Glencoe, the Great Glen, the Cairngorms, Torridon, any of these areas will make tha feel properly small in the best possible way. Wild camping here is legal, free and an experience unlike anything else in the UK.

The North Coast 500 – Scotland’s answer to Route 66. A 500-mile circular route around the north of Scotland that takes in castles, beaches, mountains and coastline so dramatic it barely looks real. Do it in a campervan or with camping kit and the road trip practically pays for itself. Or follow our less traveled route. Free guide map included.

The islands – Skye, Harris, Lewis, Orkney, Shetland. Each one completely different, each one breathtaking. Skye is the most visited and busiest; Harris has some of the finest beaches in Europe that most people have never heard of. The water is a bit brisk though, you’ve been warned.

Getting around Scotland on a budget

A car is by far the best way to see Scotland beyond the cities – public transport in the Highlands is limited and infrequent. Petrol costs the same as the rest of the UK. Roads are generally excellent though single-track roads with passing places require a bit of patience and a willingness to reverse. Ferries to the islands are run by CalMac and are affordable, though booking ahead in summer is essential.

When to go

May and June for long days, relatively dry weather and manageable midges. September and October for dramatic autumn colours and far fewer tourists. July and August are beautiful but busy and midgey. Winter is spectacular for those who don’t mind the cold — the mountains under snow are extraordinary.

Our Scotland posts — start here