Mid-Week Missions | Camping Trips On School Nights
Fed up of the gym? Struggling through to hump-day, willing the weekend on? Why not get your outdoor fix sooner?
Whilst we love wild, open places, with long walks, big climbs & hidden valleys, there's often plenty of nature right on your doorstep; all you need to do is find it. Below we've listed 5 locations that are ripe for wild camping in the middle of a working week. Minimal travel, maximum fun, providing the buzz of the outdoors in between your working week. All you need is the will to get out and explore.
The Pentlands
From: Edinburgh | Location: Scald Law & Surrounding Area
A camp in the Pentlands is a cracking night out. Quiet and high enough to be a real wild camp, it's located barely 8 miles from Edinburgh city centre.
Scald Law is the highest hill in the Pentlands and is flanked by East & West Kip in an undulating ridge. There are numerous spots for a tent or bivi round here, with the typical short grassy surface making ideal pitches. If coming by car, park north of Threipmuir Reservoir, or for the full adventure, come by mountain bike direct from the city and take advantage of the great tracks in the Pentlands to ride to your chosen spot. The biggest benefit of this is you get a great downhill ride back to town for work the next day - making it a great way to start the day!
Top Tip: Keep your food simple to avoid carrying too much. If you don't fancy specific camping food, try a dry porridge mix that you can just add water to for breakfast, and a pre-made meal that you can just heat up. This makes dinner a quick & easy event so you can enjoy your night out.
Loch Lomond
From: Glasgow | Location: Beinn Dubh
Loch Lomond offers loads of camping opportunities and is within easy reach of Glasgow in an evening. However, Beinn Dubh offers stunning views over the loch to Ben Lomond, which makes it a great candidate for a mid-week night out.
Starting near Luss, there isn't much route finding on this hill, just straight up the ridge bearing north-east. Turn around when you catch your breath and you'll see the loch opening up below you. Near the summit, the terrain levels off, allowing for a few decent tent pitches with great views to the east. If time permits in the morning, you can continue north-east and round to Mid Hill before turning down Glen Striddle to make a little loop, or retrace your steps watching the sun rise.
Top Tip: Take someone with you! Whether it's a friend, partner, dog or family, you're far more likely to make your mid-week mission happen if someone else is counting on you. Plus, it's nice to have a bit of company and share the great feeling of being outdoors.
Sma' Glen
From: Perth | Location: Meall nan Caorach
The long valley running from Perth to Lochearnhead offers a wealth of great low-level hills in the North & South, that are perfect for smaller days out and simple camps.
The Sma' Glen heads North from Crieff, offering an isolated feeling and access to Aberfeldy & Dunkeld. Parking in the verge or lay-by near Girron, head South-East, up the Girron Burn, before turning towards Creag Ghorm & Meall nan Caorach. Depending on your time constraints, you could link these two tops with Creag Bhiorach for a trio of summits along an easy ridge.
The summits of all of these offer relatively flat camp spots and a real feeling of isolation, especially considering the proximity of Perth & the surrounding area. Distance isn't too far, and as with all of these quick camps, it's really about getting out rather than reaching the top, so tailor the trip to your own preference.
Top Tip: Make sure you're packed and ready to go the night before. Sounds simple, but when time is of the essence, having your kit packed and ready makes all the difference.
Strathdearn
From: Inverness | Location: Carn na h-Easgainn
This is a rounded wee hill not far from Inverness that surprisingly reaches Graham status at 616m. More importantly, it's easily accessible for a quick mid-week camp.
Due to it's proximity to Inverness and a decent track, Carn na h-Easgainn could easily be tackled on a mountain bike from Inverness. However, there is also some limited parking at Lynebeg too. Either way, from Lynebeg the route is obvious: passed the houses, across a cattle grid & follow the track to the top. Other than ease of access, the biggest plus point of this hill is the view. On a good day, you can clearly see back to Inverness and the Moray Firth, over the water to the Black Isle & Glen Wyvis and southwards to the Cairngorms. A sure fire winner and, if done on a bike, offering a lovely downhill ride back to town the next morning.
Top Tip: Check the weather. As always, the weather can make or break a trip in the hills. Doing a little mid-week camp is purely for enjoyment so make sure the weather looks half decent, that way you'll get the best experience rather than coming in to work the next day drookit & miserable!
Fife
From: Dundee | Location: Tentsmuir Forest
Something a bit different this time... Camping on the beach!
Barely 5 miles from the centre of Dundee lies Tentsmuir Forest. This pine forest sits on the shore by the mouth of the River Tay and offers almost 3 miles of uninterrupted beach snaking round to Leuchars airfield, with plenty of options for camping on the beach. The dunes can protect you from the sea breeze and, on a good evening, you'll get lovely views out to sea and along the beach over to St Andrews. Plus, with no elevation to speak of, this is a super easy cycle from the city. As Tentsmuir is maintained by the Forestry Commission, remember no open fires - otherwise, enjoy seaside living for a night!
Top Tip: Just do it! By the time you start the working week, getting organised to go camping can seem like an unnecessary hassle and too much effort. So be prepared well in advance, and get out there! Once you're there, the cares of the week melt away and you can revel in being in nature. Commit, and start your micro-adventure today!
