Camping in Glencoe

Glencoe sits within some of the most dramatic mountain scenery in Scotland, and wild camping here can be spectacular, though it needs to be done thoughtfully. Under the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, wild camping is generally permitted on most unenclosed land, including much of the glen and surrounding hills, provided campers follow the principles of leaving no trace, camping well away from roads and buildings, and moving on after a night or two. In practice, a handful of well-known spots, particularly around the Lost Valley car park and popular lochans beneath the Three Sisters, have suffered from litter, human waste and erosion caused by high visitor numbers, and NTS rangers actively manage and, in places, restrict camping in the most sensitive areas of the National Nature Reserve, so it pays to check current guidance before pitching up. For a lower-impact stay, several campsites in and around the glen, at Glencoe village, Invercoe and further along towards Kinlochleven, offer serviced pitches, motorhome hook-ups and facilities, alongside a growing number of glamping pods and safari tents that let you enjoy the setting without carrying a full pack. The best conditions for camping are generally from late May to September, when days are long and the ground has dried out from the winter, though midges can be ferocious on still evenings, particularly close to water and woodland, so midge repellent and a well-sealed tent are essential kit. Weather in the glen changes fast even in summer, and anyone heading up into the surrounding hills to camp wild should be prepared for driving rain, low cloud and sudden temperature drops regardless of the forecast at valley level. Done properly, however, a night under canvas with Buachaille Etive Mor or the Three Sisters looming overhead is as memorable as camping gets in Britain.