Scotland’s Stay the Night Scheme: A Guide for Campervans and Motorhomes

Fancy spending a night surrounded by Scottish woodland, with a forest walk waiting outside your door the next morning? Forestry and Land Scotland’s Stay the Night scheme gives campervan and motorhome owners the opportunity to park overnight at selected forest car parks across Scotland.

From Galloway Forest Park to the Highlands, the scheme offers a straightforward way to include a forest stopover in your travels. Before heading off, there are a few things to know about eligible vehicles, overnight charges and the rules.

All the Stay the Night locations listed below, along with their information, are on The Campervan Bible app, making it easy to find stops and plan your journey.

What is Scotland’s Stay the Night scheme?

Stay the Night is run by Forestry and Land Scotland and allows eligible, self-contained campervans and motorhomes to stay for one night in participating forest car parks.

These are overnight parking areas rather than full-service campsite pitches. They suit travellers who carry their own facilities and want a short stop while exploring Scotland’s forests and surrounding countryside.

Permission applies to the participating car parks and designated areas, so do not assume that every forest car park allows overnight stays.

Who can use the scheme?

Your vehicle must have sleeping accommodation and toilet facilities inside it. Pop-up tents and toilets set up outside the vehicle are not permitted.

Some locations accommodate larger motorhomes or caravans, but many do not. Forestry and Land Scotland identifies vehicles over 7 metres long as large vehicles, so check the information for your chosen stop before travelling. Caravans are only suitable at specifically identified locations, where space is limited.

A car park having no height barrier does not automatically mean it is suitable for your vehicle. Access roads, turning space and the layout of the parking area also matter.

How much does it cost?

The current overnight charge is £10 at most participating locations.

The following locations cost £13:

• Achnabreac

• Bridge of Orchy

• Glen Lochy

• Strone Hill

Chemical waste disposal is provided at Achnabreac, Bridge of Orchy and Strone Hill. The Glen Lochy overnight charge includes use of the disposal facilities at Bridge of Orchy or Strone Hill; there is no disposal facility listed at Glen Lochy itself.

There is also a £5 chemical waste disposal-only option at the locations providing that service.

Blue Badge holders can stay overnight free of charge with a valid badge clearly displayed on the vehicle’s windscreen.

Do you need to book?

Spaces are first come, first served. You cannot reserve a space or book ahead.

Payment is made on arrival through RingGo, using its app or by calling 0131 239 0000. Follow the payment instructions and location code displayed at the car park.

At locations with poor mobile reception, Forestry and Land Scotland allows up to 72 hours after your visit to pay.

It is sensible to have an alternative stop in mind, particularly at smaller locations with only one or two overnight spaces.

When can you stay, and for how long?

The scheme now runs throughout the year, although fewer car parks participate over winter. Locations can also change during the year.

The overnight stay period is 6pm to 10am, for one night only. You must not return to the same car park for another overnight stay within 48 hours.

If you want to visit during the day as well, check the local parking signs for any separate daytime charges or conditions.

Check the current official destination list and any local closure notices before travelling, especially in winter or during forestry operations.

What facilities should you expect?

Plan to arrive with enough fresh water, battery power and space in your waste tanks for your stay. Do not assume that electric hook-up, drinking water, showers, public toilets or waste disposal will be available.

Some forest destinations have visitor facilities, but their opening hours may be limited. Public toilets do not replace the scheme’s requirement to have toilet facilities inside your vehicle.

Use designated disposal points for toilet waste and wastewater. Never empty them onto the ground, into watercourses or into surface-water drains.

Rules for a responsible overnight stay

Help keep these stops welcoming for everyone by following the scheme’s rules:

• Leave at least 4 metres between your vehicle and neighbouring vehicles.

• Park safely, stay off verges and keep gates, trails and access routes clear.

• Do not light fires or use barbecues.

• Do not use generators.

• Take all rubbish away with you.

• Keep dogs on a lead or under close control, and clean up after them.

• Keep noise down, particularly between 10pm and 7am.

• Follow the signs and use the designated overnight parking area.

Forest roads can be narrow, uneven or steep. Take care on the approach, use passing places appropriately and carry levelling blocks if your vehicle needs them.

Is this the same as wild camping?

Stay the Night gives you permission to park overnight in specific locations under the scheme’s conditions.

Scotland’s outdoor access rights do not provide a general right to camp in a motor vehicle wherever you choose. Responsible lightweight tent camping and overnight stays in campervans or motorhomes are treated differently.

Choosing an authorised stopover helps you plan with confidence and respect the land, local communities and other visitors.

All Stay the Night locations

The locations below are grouped by region for easy browsing.

Listing here does not guarantee that a location is open on your travel date. Check seasonal availability, vehicle suitability and current notices before setting off.

Aberdeenshire and Moray

• Back o’ Bennachie

• Cambus o’ May

• Culbin

• Donview

• The Bin

• Quarry Wood

• Torrieston

• Winding Walks

Argyll and the Isles

• Achnabreac

• Bridge of Orchy

• Carradale

• Fearnoch

• Glen Lochy

• Honeymoon Bridge

• Strone Hill

Dumfries and Galloway

• Black Loch, Galloway

• Dalbeattie — 7stanes car park

• Forest of Ae — Naze car park

• Glentrool

• Kirroughtree

• Raiders’ Road — Otter Pool

• Raiders’ Road — Riverside

• Raiders’ Road — Stroan Loch

• Red Deer Range

• Wild Goat Park

Loch Lomond and the Trossachs

• Ardgartan

• Braeval

• Duke’s Pass — Leannach car park

• Garadhban

• Jubilee Point, Loch Eck

• Tarbet Isle

Perthshire

• Allt Druidhe, Loch Rannoch

• Douglas Fir Wood

• Drummond Hill

• Lower Bohespic, Tummel Bridge

• Talladh-a-Bheithe, Loch Rannoch

• Tonguey Faulds, Dunning Glen

Scottish Borders

• Upper Cheviot

• Lower Cheviot

• Innerleithen

• Wauchope

Stirling and Forth Valley

• Pendreich

The Highlands

• Àrd-Àirigh

• Ariundle

• Feshiebridge

• Garbh Eilean Wildlife Hide

• Laggan Wolftrax

• Learnie Red Rocks

• Strome Viewpoint

Where can I find the information for each stopover?

This scheme, all its stops and their information, plus many more schemes and places to stay, are listed on The Campervan Bible app. Whether you are planning a Scottish adventure or looking for somewhere to stop on your next journey, you can explore your options in one place.

Open The Campervan Bible app and find your next stop — or visit our website to get started.

Stay the Night is just one of many schemes and stopover options worth discovering. There are lots more schemes like this, alongside pub stopovers, permitted parking, aires and campsites, to help you explore further.

Scheme information checked on 12 October 2026. Charges, participating locations and access conditions can change. Always check current information and on-site signs.