Camping for teens

[Haiku32]

This summer me and some friends are looking to go camping for a weekend in Scotland. There's about 6 of us, all aged between 16 and 18. The problem is we don't have a clue where to go. Since most camp-sites (well, nearly all) won't allow a group of young people to pitch, then we kind of have no place to go. The last camp-site I went to was with my dad, my uncle and my cousin and they were considering not letting us stay cause we were a group of guys, but after some "gentle" persuasion we were allowed to pitch. I've got everything we need since I'm quite a regular camper, but all we need is a place to go.

I've searched the internet and found no camp-sites that would let us pitch. Does anyone know of any places we could camp for 2 nights in Scotland, preferably near Glasgow or accessible by train or bus?

[Whiternoise]

Go "Wild" camping?

http://www.mountaineering-scotland.o.../wildcamp.html
http://www.outdooraccess-scotland.com/default.asp
http://www.thehappycampers.co.uk/campsites/wildcamping/

The benefits are of course, free pitches, but the downside is you might have to live without a shower for a couple of nights and there won't be any toilets. Still, it's a lot more fun!

As for campsites that wouldn't let you and your family go.. are they that hard up in Scotland? Generally you can get a pitch easily just about anywhere else in the country - even if you're a group of guys.

[Haiku32]

I would definitely be up for that, but 2 of the 6 are girls who definitely wouldn't spend more than a night without their precious showers and toilets. But I guess, as a last resort it will do.

I guess we could go camping near Loch Lomond as it's accessible quite easily by train. The only real problem is actually finding some place to camp once we get there. Do we just walk away from civilisation and camp in a field? I've never done wild camping before, so I don't really know what's an acceptable place to camp. Could anyone shed any light on some good wild camping spots, as my google skills aren't working good enough for me today .

[Flibb]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLp4_FAGS2c

First question, is are you up there walking or partying / drinking?

If you want to do some walking etc then join
http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/

its avery good forum for wildcamping and info on where to go, but noisy people are likely to get fed to the midges.

[Haiku32]

Probably do a bit of walking, just relaxing now that we've finished all our exams and it's summer. Definitely no drinking or anything. Just getting away for a bit and enjoying some of the outdoors. I've been searching around and I'm going to try and a phone a few campsites to see if they will allow us to camp, if I approach them in a mature and respectable manner they might let us pitch for a night or 2, if I promise not to be noisy, no drinking, etc. Doubt it will work but it's worth a try. Will check out that website Fibb, thanks.

[Krakkenbus]

How about fort William? Easily accessible by train from Glasgow, perfect!
There is a site there "glen Nevis" right at the foot of ben Nevis, easy access to the hills! Has your shower blocks and whatnot so the ladies can't complain!

[Haiku32]

"EXCEPTIONS

Groups(including Corporate, School, Large Family, and all-male/all-female)are only accepted by prior arrangement.We regret that "Commercial Vehicles" are not permitted."

It doesn't say anything about no teens, and we are half and half. Don't see them having a problem with us there if we phone first and book. Seems quite easy to get there, alot to do, and isn't too expensive. Thanks for that !

[mmh]

I read this earlier...

i was gonna suggest, just find a place and phone them, explain the situation that ur not going to get rowdy and u just want a place to camp, and im sure they'd be fine

[Haiku32]

Well we are going to leave it for a bit (till the end of the month) so we can find a good place and book well in advance. Really liking the look the Ben Nevis campsite, as there seems to be a lot to see and do and they accept groups. I'll take your advance mmh and just try and explain that we aren't just a bunch of hoodies . Thanks for the advice and such, will get back to yous.

[Flibb]

If you or anybody going is has done DofE might be worth mentioning when you book.

[Haiku32]

If you ot anybody going is has done DofE might be worth mentioning when you book.

From what I deciphered, if anybody has a Duke of Edinburgh award I should mention it when I book? No one does, would it really have helped?

[Flibb]

Myself and a few friends had similar problems years back, mentioning that we were walking and that the person booking was DofE got us in on a site that initially refused. Havent been a teenager for a lonnnnggggg time though. Also DofE can get discounts some places
http://www.dofe.org/go/cotswold/