Camping in Gartmore

The hills and forests around Gartmore fall within the area covered by the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, which gives a general right of responsible access to most open land and water in Scotland, including wild camping, provided you camp well away from roads and buildings, keep groups small, and leave no trace. That said, be aware that a seasonal camping management byelaw operates on parts of the east shore of Loch Lomond between March and September, restricting informal camping in specific zones and requiring a permit in season — it is worth checking the current byelaw boundaries before pitching anywhere near the loch itself. Around Gartmore and the wider Queen Elizabeth Forest Park, the rules are more relaxed, though forest tracks, plantation land and anywhere close to the village should still be treated with the same courtesy: arrive late, leave early, and take everything away with you.

The terrain here is proper Trossachs country — forestry plantation, rough hill ground and loch shore rather than manicured lowland, so a decent tent, good boots and a plan for wet weather are essential any time of year. Ground can be soft and midge cover thick close to water and trees in summer, so many campers push a little higher onto more open, breezier ground when the weather allows, both for the views back over Loch Ard Forest to Ben Lomond and to escape the worst of the insects. May, June and September tend to offer the best balance of long days, drier ground and slightly fewer midges than the height of summer, though a midge-proof head net is sensible kit between May and September regardless.

For those who would rather not carry a tent, campsites and glamping options are dotted through the forest park and along the loch, including forestry-run sites offering pitches with a bit more shelter and basic facilities than a wild pitch, plus the odd shepherd's hut or pod for a step up in comfort without losing the sense of being tucked into the forest. Whatever you choose, this is a landscape that rewards a slower pace — a short walk from Gartmore puts you into proper forest and hill country within minutes.