{"id":18595,"date":"2026-01-24T16:47:46","date_gmt":"2026-01-24T13:47:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hikeriderun.com\/my-first-wild-camping-experience-in-the-cairngorms-%f0%9f%8c%b2%e2%9c%a8\/"},"modified":"2026-03-03T23:37:11","modified_gmt":"2026-03-03T20:37:11","slug":"my-first-wild-camping-experience-in-the-cairngorms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hikeriderun.com\/en\/my-first-wild-camping-experience-in-the-cairngorms\/","title":{"rendered":"My first wild camping experience in the Cairngorms"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"18595\" class=\"elementor elementor-18595 elementor-18572\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-940eb14 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"940eb14\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-347d7bc elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"347d7bc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>There aren\u2019t many places in the world \u2013 even in the UK \u2013 where you can pitch your tent anywhere you like in nature \ud83c\udf3f.<br>But in Scotland, especially in the Cairngorms, it\u2019s not just legal, it\u2019s a free-spirited adventure anyone can experience \ud83d\ude0e.<\/p><p><em><span style=\"color: #333333\">Here, Hasnaa shares her first wild camping experience in the Cairngorms, the largest national park in the UK, and calls for its protection for future generations \u2728.  <\/span><\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f55f139 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"f55f139\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8ab3cfa elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8ab3cfa\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Leaving the city behind is a strange feeling after spending the past six months trapped there \ud83c\udf06.<\/p><p>Aberdeen may not be the prettiest place in Scotland, but over time I grew to love it and looked forward to every semester \ud83d\ude0c. Even after spending time in beautiful London, Aberdeen captured my heart and deepened my love for the north \u2764\ufe0f.   <\/p><p>But the long weekend wasn\u2019t about books, essays, or upcoming exams. It was about disconnecting from the outside world and carrying everything I needed on my back for the coming days, while freely exploring the Cairngorms \ud83c\udfde\ufe0f.    <\/p><p>It\u2019s early May now, which means spring is in full swing and slowly turning into summer \u2600\ufe0f. Technically, the weather should be warm and sunny, but if you know anything about Scotland, you know it\u2019s rare to get what you expect here, especially when it comes to the seasons.      <\/p><p>It\u2019s currently raining and very windy, so the rain isn\u2019t just falling from above\u2014it\u2019s being driven straight into our faces horizontally \ud83d\udca8.  <\/p><p>When we got on the bus back in the city, it was sunny and almost warm enough to take off our jackets. Now, about an hour and a half later, it looks like a storm is rolling in.    <\/p><p>Luckily, Aberdeen is usually so windy that any rain clouds are blown away just as quickly as they appear \ud83c\udf2c\ufe0f.<\/p><p>Usually, that\u2019s true, but today it looks like the rain might stick around for a while. We\u2019d better embrace it and enjoy it \ud83c\udf27\ufe0f.  <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4216081 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"4216081\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">About the Cairngorms \ud83c\udf04<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6274b71 e-grid e-con-full e-con e-child\" data-id=\"6274b71\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-41abc8b elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"41abc8b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/hikeriderun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Adventure0.0.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-18588\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hikeriderun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Adventure0.0.jpg 900w, https:\/\/hikeriderun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Adventure0.0-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/hikeriderun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Adventure0.0-600x800.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f44f08f elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"f44f08f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/hikeriderun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Adventure0.1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-18586\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hikeriderun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Adventure0.1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/hikeriderun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Adventure0.1-768x1024.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1191432 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"1191432\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5472369 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5472369\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Nestled in the heart of Scotland, the Cairngorms National Park is a playground for adventurers and peace-seekers alike \ud83c\udf32.<br>Here, majestic mountains meet ancient forests, welcoming everyone from avid hikers to those who just enjoy a cup of tea with a view \u2615.  <\/p><p>Imagine yourself wandering through whispering pines, spotting wildlife during a tranquil canoe ride, or simply soaking in the beauty of a Scottish sunset from a cosy, fire-warmed pub \ud83d\udd25.  <\/p><p>The Cairngorms remind us that whether you\u2019re scaling the peaks or admiring them from the comfort of a picnic blanket, the great outdoors is a place where the wild meets the whimsical, offering endless adventures for anyone willing to explore \ud83c\udf04.  <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-754101e elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"754101e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The Appeal of Wild Camping in Scotland \ud83c\udfd5\ufe0f\n<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f659206 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"f659206\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1536\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/hikeriderun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Adventure1-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-18584\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hikeriderun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Adventure1-1.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/hikeriderun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Adventure1-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/hikeriderun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Adventure1-1-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1536px) 100vw, 1536px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-af939dd elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"af939dd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The appeal of wild camping in Scotland \ud83c\udfd5\ufe0f<br>Wild camping in Scotland is an adventure that embraces the rugged beauty of nature with a touch of Scottish freedom \ud83c\udf3f.<\/p><p>Thanks to the country\u2019s right-to-roam laws, you can pitch your tent anywhere amid breathtaking landscapes, from misty lochs to rolling Highlands, as long as you follow the \u201cleave no trace\u201d principles \ud83c\udfde\ufe0f.   <\/p><p>Imagine waking up to the sound of a babbling brook or seeing deer grazing nearby \ud83e\udd8c. Spend your days exploring ancient forests, climbing majestic peaks, or simply immersing yourself in the tranquility of untouched nature. Of course, with some unpredictable Scottish weather to accompany your adventure \ud83c\udf26\ufe0f.     <\/p><p>As the sun sets, gather around a small campfire (where permitted) under a blanket of stars, sharing stories or enjoying the peaceful solitude \ud83c\udf0c.  <\/p><p>Wild camping in Scotland isn\u2019t just about finding a place to sleep; it\u2019s about connecting with nature, respecting the environment, and experiencing a sense of freedom and adventure that\u2019s hard to find anywhere else \u2728.  <\/p><p>Just remember to pack your midge repellent! The insects here definitely love anyone wandering into the woods \ud83d\ude05. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4de8092 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"4de8092\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Entering the Cairngorms \ud83c\udfd4\ufe0f\n<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-243dbdc elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"243dbdc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Fast forward 24 hours, and I\u2019m walking through thick undergrowth, trailing along the shores of a small loch \ud83c\udf3f. The rain stopped last night just in time for us to set up our tents and sit under the stars until the mosquitoes became unbearable, and we retreated into our tiny popup tents \u2728.     <\/p><p>When you have to carry all of your supplies, you quickly forget about comfort and prioritize practicality \ud83d\ude0c. Everything I packed had one purpose: it was light and absolutely necessary \ud83c\udf92.   <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0247f51 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"0247f51\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"960\" src=\"https:\/\/hikeriderun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Adventure2.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-18582\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hikeriderun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Adventure2.jpeg 1280w, https:\/\/hikeriderun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Adventure2-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/hikeriderun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Adventure2-600x450.jpeg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2aac1d6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2aac1d6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The night was quiet, although a bit spooky \ud83d\ude05. Of course, logic tells me that Scotland isn\u2019t home to any dangerous animals, but the first night of wild camping in pitch darkness often takes some getting used to, especially if you haven\u2019t done it in a while \ud83c\udf0c.     <\/p><p>I found myself lying awake well past midnight before sleep finally came. Of course, I woke up with the sunrise, so now I\u2019m not only exhausted from yesterday\u2019s trek but also tired from lack of sleep \ud83d\ude34.    <\/p><p>The thin camping mattress was more like a yoga mat and didn\u2019t protect me from the uneven forest ground. I felt like I was sleeping on every rock, stick, and root imaginable \ud83c\udf32. <\/p><p>Even my boots got wet, even though I splurged on the more expensive, waterproof kind, which I now regret. I would have been better off wearing my old, comfy Nike trainers, which are now sitting in my warm, dry bedroom \ud83d\udc5f.    <\/p><p>Yesterday\u2019s rain left the forest damp, and every tree branch I brushed let a small trickle of rain run down my neck and into my jacket \ud83d\udca7. <\/p><p>Camping isn\u2019t always fun and games, but despite the less-than-ideal conditions, I feel more alive than I have in a long time \ud83c\udf3f.  <\/p><p>Being out in the forest does that to you.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a2e387a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"a2e387a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Finding Our Way in the Wild \ud83e\udded\n<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-88f2fef e-grid e-con-full e-con e-child\" data-id=\"88f2fef\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-67908c8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"67908c8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/hikeriderun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Adventure3.0.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-18580\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hikeriderun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Adventure3.0.jpg 600w, https:\/\/hikeriderun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Adventure3.0-768x1024.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-338f611 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"338f611\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/hikeriderun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Adventure3.1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-18578\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hikeriderun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Adventure3.1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/hikeriderun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Adventure3.1-768x1024.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1193153 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"1193153\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0566da3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0566da3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The bus dropped us off in Braemar, about 58 miles west of Aberdeen in the Highlands, and we hadn\u2019t planned much of the trip beyond that point \ud83c\udf04. One of my hiking companions had wild camped in the area before, so we roughly followed their lead as we ventured further into the forest \ud83c\udf32.   <\/p><p>At some point, we decided to leave the trails and find a more secluded spot to spend the night, away from fellow hikers and people walking their dogs in the early morning \ud83d\udc3e. <\/p><p>After a while, cell phone reception disappeared, and we had to rely on the offline maps we\u2019d downloaded in advance, with only a rough idea of how accurate the little blue dot on the map actually was \ud83d\udcf1.   <\/p><p>In most other places in the world, this would have been quite worrying. But the part of the Cairngorms we were exploring isn\u2019t actually that large, and coming across a town was fairly likely \ud83d\udc4d.   <\/p><p>Still, I wouldn\u2019t recommend going on a trip like this without planning, so don\u2019t take my optimism and naivety as a sign that you can just wander through Scotland\u2019s forests without thinking about safety \ud83e\udded. Bring a map and a compass\u2014and most importantly, know how to use them.    <\/p><p>The lack of a plan made the trip feel like a real adventure, not just another hike with a clear start and end point \ud83c\udfd5\ufe0f. <\/p><p>The goal of the trip wasn\u2019t a destination, but a feeling that kept us going and chasing the sense of freedom we had all come here to find \u2728. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f21f157 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"f21f157\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">My thoughts on wild camping in Scotland and the right to roam \ud83c\udf3f\n<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-55082cf elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"55082cf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Before this trip, I had only ever been wild camping in Australia, and as you might imagine, it was a completely different experience \ud83c\udde6\ud83c\uddfa. <\/p><p>In Australia, wild camping isn\u2019t allowed, or at least not in the same way it is in Scotland. In fact, it\u2019s quite frowned upon there \ud83d\ude2c. You feel like you\u2019re on the run, constantly being chased by someone trying to slap you with a hefty fine.      <\/p><p>In Scotland, it feels more like returning home to nature, welcomed into a place you had always belonged to\u2014you just didn\u2019t know it before \ud83c\udf32.<\/p><p>The deeper we ventured into the forest, the more I felt like I was meant to be there, becoming part of the landscape. It might sound strange\u2014especially if you imagine us in neon Decathlon rain jackets, heavy hiking boots, and brightly coloured tents sticking out in the moody forest \ud83c\udf27\ufe0f. But it felt right, completely and undeniably.      <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2328f1d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"2328f1d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Leaving the Woods Behind \ud83c\udf33\n<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-171ebce e-grid e-con-full e-con e-child\" data-id=\"171ebce\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-13bbe7e elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"13bbe7e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/hikeriderun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Adventure3.0.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-18580\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hikeriderun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Adventure3.0.jpg 600w, https:\/\/hikeriderun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Adventure3.0-768x1024.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7ab095c elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"7ab095c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/hikeriderun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Adventure3.1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-18578\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hikeriderun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Adventure3.1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/hikeriderun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Adventure3.1-768x1024.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1b7e4df e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"1b7e4df\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5aa8b24 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5aa8b24\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>After leaving the main trail, we didn\u2019t come across anyone for the entire next day until we looped back and found ourselves near Braemar again \ud83c\udf04. <\/p><p>I\u2019d never felt happier than the moment I laid eyes on the town pub. The Farquharsons Bar and Kitchen wasn\u2019t luxurious, but to us, it might as well have been a Michelin-star restaurant when we stumbled in with our muddy boots and rain-soaked jackets \ud83c\udf27\ufe0f. <\/p><p>We were the only patrons and immediately proceeded to order anything and everything from the menu \ud83c\udf7d\ufe0f.<\/p><p>Over the past few days, we\u2019d mostly eaten bread, cheese, granola bars, and apples, since we had no room in our packs for a gas stove or cooking utensils. The Sunday Roast that followed was one of the best meals I\u2019ve ever had \ud83d\ude0b. Of course, it was accompanied by a pint of Brewdog Punk IPA, the local craft beer of choice.      <\/p><p>Exhausted but happy, we barely managed to catch the last bus back to civilisation in time \ud83d\ude8c. We\u2019d only been gone for four days, but it felt like a lifetime \ud83c\udf1f.   <\/p><p>On the way home, I found myself reflecting on how lucky I was to experience Scotland\u2019s nature with such freedom \ud83c\udf3f. <\/p><p>No tourist crowds, no permits, no national park fees. It\u2019s really as simple as stepping off a bus and wandering into the wild. I just hope we all take care of nature and help it stay that way \u2728.<br>    <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0041792 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"0041792\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-907cf32 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"907cf32\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Top Places and Postcodes on the Trip \ud83d\uddfa\ufe0f<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-59c484c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"59c484c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p data-start=\"131\" data-end=\"244\"><strong><em><a href=\"https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/vSiuE5CHPxsYHyvQA\">\ud83d\udccd Aberdeen \u2013 AB10 1XG : <\/a><\/em><\/strong>The major city closest to the Cairngorms, perfect for stocking up on supplies before heading into the forest \ud83c\udfd9\ufe0f.<\/p><p data-start=\"246\" data-end=\"353\"><strong><em><a href=\"https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/XUjEjNoN2uDzrUgE7\">\ud83d\udccd Braemar \u2013 AB35 5TB : <\/a><\/em><\/strong>The starting point of the trip in the Highlands, a quiet and ideal spot to begin your wild hiking adventure \ud83c\udf32.<\/p><p data-start=\"355\" data-end=\"477\"><em><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/9c2b1wT6BfTPmuEA8\">\ud83d\udccd Farquharsons Bar and Kitchen \u2013 AB35 5QD<\/a> : <\/strong><\/em>A great spot to rest after camping, serving warm and delicious meals after long days of hiking \ud83c\udf7d\ufe0f.<\/p><p data-start=\"479\" data-end=\"628\"><strong><em><a href=\"https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/p89TXGRVtuQnCWSB8\">\ud83d\udccd Cairngorms National Park \u2013 PH26 3HQ : <\/a><\/em><\/strong>The heart of forests and adventure, where you can wild camp and enjoy free hiking, while making sure to follow the \u201cLeave No Trace\u201d principles \ud83c\udf04.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>There aren\u2019t many places in the world \u2013 even in the UK \u2013 where you can pitch your tent anywhere you like in nature \ud83c\udf3f.But in Scotland, especially in the Cairngorms, it\u2019s not just legal, it\u2019s a free-spirited adventure anyone can experience \ud83d\ude0e. Here, Hasnaa shares her first wild camping experience in the Cairngorms, the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":18590,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_coblocks_attr":"","_coblocks_dimensions":"","_coblocks_responsive_height":"","_coblocks_accordion_ie_support":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[62],"tags":[499],"class_list":["post-18595","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-adventure-travel","tag-the-cairngorms"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>My first wild camping experience in the Cairngorms - Hike Ride Run !<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"My first wild camping experience in the Cairngorms, the largest national park in the UK \u2014 a free and safe adventure in nature that encourages its preservation for future generations.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/hikeriderun.com\/my-first-wild-camping-experience-in-the-cairngorms\/\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/hikeriderun.com\\\/my-first-wild-camping-experience-in-the-cairngorms\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/hikeriderun.com\\\/my-first-wild-camping-experience-in-the-cairngorms\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Hasnaa Mohamed\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/hikeriderun.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/5195a50a2aef4d9c9b1297e2bf486d8d\"},\"headline\":\"My first wild camping experience in the Cairngorms\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-01-24T13:47:46+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-03-03T20:37:11+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/hikeriderun.com\\\/my-first-wild-camping-experience-in-the-cairngorms\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":1712,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/hikeriderun.com\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/hikeriderun.com\\\/my-first-wild-camping-experience-in-the-cairngorms\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/hikeriderun.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/01\\\/Adventure-1.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"The Cairngorms\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Adventure Travel\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/hikeriderun.com\\\/my-first-wild-camping-experience-in-the-cairngorms\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/hikeriderun.com\\\/my-first-wild-camping-experience-in-the-cairngorms\\\/\",\"name\":\"My first wild camping experience in the Cairngorms - 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