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If you’re travelling around Scotland, you may have come across Forestry and Land Scotland’s Stay the Night scheme. It’s a great initiative that gives people the chance to stay overnight in certain forest car parks. However, for caravan owners, things are a little different to what those in a motorhome can expect. While the scheme offers flexibility and affordability, caravans are only permitted in a very small number of approved sites - and access to these can often be a bit more challenging. It’s good to know all of this in advance, so let’s find out a bit more!
What the scheme is – and why it’s mostly for motorhomes
The Stay the Night scheme was created by Forestry and Land Scotland to provide safe, legal and environmentally responsible overnight options for touring vehicles. It’s mainly aimed at self-contained motorhomes and campervans - vehicles that have onboard accommodation and a working toilet that can be used inside the vehicle. The purpose of the scheme is to reduce the pressure of informal wild camping, protect Scotland’s beautiful landscapes, and support sustainable tourism across rural areas.
Caravans, however, are treated slightly differently. The vast majority of Stay the Night locations are not suitable for caravans, largely because of access restrictions, the limited space available, and the nature of the car parks themselves. Only a small handful of car parks in the network are marked as suitable for large vehicles and caravans (those vehicles and set-ups deemed to be over 7 metres in length). At those few sites, caravan owners are allowed to stay overnight under the same one-night rule that applies to motorhomes.
How the scheme works for caravanners
The Stay the Night scheme runs from 6 pm to 10 am, and stays are limited to one night only. You must leave by 10 am the following morning, and cannot return to the same car park for another overnight stay within 48 hours. The fee is generally around £10 per night, with some sites offering chemical waste disposal generally charging a little more (in the region of £13, often). Payment is made through the RingGo app or by phone, and some locations allow a short grace period of up to 72 hours if you’re struggling to get a mobile signal…
To use the scheme, caravans must also be self-contained. This means having toilet and waste facilities on board and using them inside the caravan. External toilet tents or camping setups next to your vehicle aren’t allowed. Generators are also prohibited, and all visitors are expected to follow the same code of conduct - keep your noise levels low, leave no litter, avoid lighting fires or barbecues, and respect other visitors and wildlife.
Which sites allow caravans?
While the Stay the Night network has expanded to include dozens of car parks across Scotland, only a few are officially listed as suitable for caravans. Examples include Back o’ Bennachie, Fearnoch in North Argyll, Jubilee Point at Lock Eck, and Innerleithen. These locations are marked on the Forestry and Land Scotland website as being suitable for large vehicles or caravans, but it’s still essential to check individual site details before travelling as things could change!
Many other car parks, even in the same regions, are explicitly marked as unsuitable for caravans due to narrow roads, steep gradients or limited turning space. It’s also worth remembering that in most cases, caravans will take up more than one parking space, so you’ll need to be considerate of others, and arrive early to secure a suitable position. At Kirroughtree, for example, the website advises unhitching and parking your car and caravan within one bay rather than stretching across multiple bays, so do read the small print for each site’s instructions before you get there.
What do I need to know?
If you’re considering using the Stay the Night scheme with a caravan, it’s vital to plan ahead. Always check the suitability of your chosen site in advance - not just for whether caravans are allowed, but also whether the access roads, gradients, and turning areas are practical for your setup. Some forest car parks can be tight, uneven, or heavily wooded, which can make manoeuvring difficult even for experienced drivers.
Because space is limited, aim to arrive in the early evening, and always have a Plan B in case the site is full or unsuitable. Because the car parks operate on a first-come, first-served basis, and you can’t book ahead, it’s definitely wise to have that backup plan in place in case your chosen location is full. If you get to your desired location and find it’s sadly full, you can look at the Visit Scotland website to help you find a local campsite instead.
Make sure your caravan meets the self-containment requirements, with a functioning onboard toilet and proper waste facilities, and remember that you must use the toilet inside the caravan. In sites that allow caravans, be prepared to unhitch if required, and ensure your setup doesn’t block others from parking or using access roads.
Access considerations are especially important in remote areas. Even if a car park is listed as ‘caravan-friendly’, narrow approach roads or uneven ground can still pose challenges. It’s always worth checking online maps or recent visitor reviews before committing to a site, particularly if you’re towing a longer or twin-axle caravan.
Some key points to remember
The Stay the Night scheme can be a lovely way for caravan owners to experience some of Scotland’s most scenic locations without the cost or formality of a full campsite. The overnight fee is affordable, and the locations are often peaceful, surrounded by forests or close to walking trails and lochs. It’s also a more sustainable alternative to roadside parking or wild camping, which helps protect the countryside for everyone.
However, there are clear limitations. Only a handful of sites across Scotland actually permit caravans, and those that do can be tricky to access. Facilities are basic - there are no electric hook-ups, water points, or showers - and you’ll need to be completely self-sufficient. Space can also be tight, especially if you occupy more than one bay, and inconsiderate parking could lead to further restrictions being introduced for all.
For caravan owners touring Scotland, the Stay the Night scheme is a welcome option, but it does require a little extra planning and flexibility than it would if you were in a motorhome, for example. The limited number of suitable car parks means the scheme probably won’t replace traditional caravan sites, but it can complement them beautifully for short overnight stops. By checking ahead, following the rules, and respecting each location, we can enjoy the same sense of freedom as motorhomers - all while helping to keep this brilliant scheme running into the future.
If you’re planning a trip to Scotland, start by checking the latest list of participating sites on the Forestry and Land Scotland website, and perhaps plan your route around those few that do allow caravans. With the right preparation, Stay the Night can be a wonderful way to experience Scotland’s forests and wild places - responsibly, and at your own pace.
Enjoy!
