Wild Camping at the coast

"Simon Mc" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hi,

Does anyone know what the rules are about wild camping on a beach or dunes
in Britain and if there are different rules for England, Scotland and
Wales?

Also, on a related note, what's the law regarding the lighting of

camp-fires

Quoted message said:

on beaches? I'd assume it's legal below the high-tide mark, but I'd
appreciate any firmer info that people have.

I'm not planning a trip at the moment, more just curiosity really. Would
love to spend time up in western Scotland sometime, both in the mountains
and by the sea.

In Scotland, the Scottish Outdoor Access Code now gives a full description
of the legal rights and responsibilities. Start at:
http://www.outdooraccess-scotland.com/default.asp?nPageID=189&nSubContentID=0

As far as lighting fires on the beach, the code says:
Beaches and the foreshore
Access rights extend to beaches and the foreshore. Follow any local guidance
aimed at reducing dune or machair erosion or at avoiding disturbance of
nesting birds. Public rights on the foreshore will continue to exist,
including shooting wildfowl, fishing for sea fish, lighting fires,
beachcombing, swimming, playing and picnicking.

The code does say that you must remove traces of the fire, and of course you
must avoid causing any damage.

Also, have a look at the MCofS advice at
http://www.mountaineering-scotland.org.uk/leaflets/wildcamp.html.

--
Duncan Gray

The Mountaineering Council of Scotland
www.mountaineering-scotland.org.uk

You can get a free copy of the Scottish Outdoor Code from Scottish
Natural Heritage. It has over 100 pages of information.

Lindsay Boyd
www.caledoniahilltreks.com

On 21/6/05 12:14, in article [email hidden],

Simon Mc said:

Does anyone know what the rules are about wild camping on a beach or dunes
in Britain and if there are different rules for England, Scotland and
Wales?

Scotland is as they say. Indeed camping around Sandwood bay/Cape Wrath is a
superb experience.

Elsewhere it is more difficult not least because it is more built up. North
Wales might be easier because you can get away from people easily.

There are lots of people who wild camp on the Cornwall SW path but they must
stop late and choose their sites carefully. I'm sure there was someone here
who walked the whole path, in the last year or two, wild camping all the
way!

--
Andy Howell
Birmingham, UK

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