Camping or stopping on unauthorised land

Anywhere that you camp or stop without the landowner’s permission can be called unauthorised land.

This includes:

privately owned land
council owned land that is not a Gypsy/Traveller site

You have limited rights to stay on unauthorised land.

Speaking to the council

If you stop on unauthorised land, you can contact the local council’s Gypsy/Traveller liaison officer.

They can negotiate for you to stay or help you find somewhere else to camp.

Contact the council's Gypsy/Traveller liaison officer

Your responsibilities if you stop on unauthorised land

Choose a suitable place to stop. The council is more likely to agree to you staying on unauthorised land if they think it’s suitable.

Try to avoid stopping:

on a public road
on the roadside or in a layby
by a railway line
in a public park

When you stop, try to:

look after the land
be respectful of any nearby residents
keep any animals you have under control

Some councils might ask you to agree to a code of conduct. This tells you standards and behaviours they’re asking you to meet. All councils must try to balance what you need with what the local settled community needs.

If you’re being asked to leave unauthorised land

The owner of the land has the right to ask you to leave.

Get advice on your eviction rights on the Shelter Scotland website.

Getting advice and advocacy

You can get free independent advice from:

Thanks for your feedback

Information

Speaking to the council

Your responsibilities if you stop on unauthorised land

If you’re being asked to leave unauthorised land

Getting advice and advocacy