Camping in Killin

Killin sits right on the edge of prime wild camping country, with Glen Dochart, Glen Lochay and the slopes below Ben Lawers all offering classic Scottish backcountry pitches. Under the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, wild camping is generally permitted on most unenclosed land, provided you camp well away from buildings and roads, keep to small numbers, stay no more than two or three nights in one spot, and leave no trace. It is worth noting that the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park operates seasonal Camping Management Byelaws (1 March to 30 September) requiring a permit within specific Camping Management Zones around Loch Lomond, Loch Earn and Loch Chon; Killin itself and the Loch Tay shoreline lie outside these designated zones, so the standard Access Code rules apply here, though it is always sensible to check current signage locally.

The terrain around Killin is proper Highland-edge country: steep glens, fast-flowing rivers and exposed high ground on Ben Lawers and its neighbouring peaks, so a good tent, weatherproof layers and basic navigation skills are essential rather than optional. The most reliable camping season runs from May to September, when daylight is longest and the hills are at their most forgiving, though even midsummer nights can turn cold at altitude. Midges are a genuine consideration in the glens from June to August, particularly in still, damp weather near the rivers and lochside woodland, so repellent and a head net are worth packing alongside the usual camping kit.

For those who prefer facilities to a rucksack pitch, Killin has established caravan and camping parks along the River Lochay and near Loch Tay, offering serviced pitches, showers and easy access to the village. Glamping has also taken hold in the area, with wooden pods, safari tents and shepherd's huts available on sites around Loch Tay and further along Glen Dochart, giving a comfortable middle ground between a full wild camp and a hotel stay, and a good option for families or first-time visitors to the Highlands.