Overnight stopovers in Scotland’s forests for flexible road trippers

Forestry & Land Scotland’s ‘Stay the Night’ scheme

Offers simple one-night motorhome stopovers in selected forest car parks.
Self-contained vans only, with rules on spacing, quiet hours and no fires.
Ideal for flexible travellers exploring Scotland’s Borders, coasts or the NC500

Stay the Night Motorhome Stopovers: Everything You Need to Know

Planning a Scottish road trip in a motorhome or campervan comes with plenty of freedom, but it also raises the question: where do you actually stop for the night? The Stay the Night scheme, run by Forestry & Land Scotland, offers a simple and affordable way to break up your journey in peaceful forest car parks across the country. It’s designed for travellers who prefer quiet, low-key stopovers without the formality of a campsite — perfect for those moving between destinations, exploring the NC500, or enjoying Scotland’s hidden corners at their own pace.

This guide walks you through how the scheme works, what to expect, the rules you’ll need to follow, and how it compares with other overnight options like pub stops, aires, Almost Wild camping and campsites.

Whether you're planning a full Scottish adventure or just want a reliable one-night stopover, you’ll find everything you need below.

Below you’ll find each part of the guide broken down into simple sections, making it easy to understand how the Stay the Night scheme works and how to use it confidently on your road trip. Use the headings to jump to the information you need, whether you’re planning ahead or checking details on the go.

Last updated: 21/11/2025

Part 1: What the Stay the Night Scheme Is All About

If you’re road-tripping through Scotland and prefer quiet, simple places to stop between scenic stretches, the Stay the Night scheme is something you’ll want to know about. Run by Forestry & Land Scotland, it allows self-contained motorhomes and campervans to spend one night in selected forest car parks. No fuss, no crowds — just peaceful woodland, birdsong in the morning, and a safe place to rest before you continue your journey.

It’s a great option for those who enjoy flexible travel without needing full campsite facilities, and it makes exploring Scotland’s lochs, forests and coastline feel wonderfully free.

Part 2: How the Scheme Works

Stay the Night is deliberately straightforward. Here’s how it works in practice:

Self-contained vans only (you must have your own toilet facilities)
One-night stays only, usually between around 6pm and 10am
First come, first served — no booking required
A small fee applies (usually around £10–£13 depending on the location and facilities)
Payments are made via RingGo or by phone
Some car parks operate year-round, though availability may reduce in winter

Each participating car park will display an information board with the rules and payment details.

Part 3: The Rules You Need to Follow

The rules are simple common sense — designed to protect the forests and ensure everyone has a good experience:

Park sensibly and leave at least 4 metres between vehicles
Keep noise low at all times, especially overnight
Use your own on-board toilet facilities
Fires and barbecues are not permitted
Take every bit of rubbish with you
Leave by 10am
Do not return to the same spot within 48 hours
Dispose of grey and black waste only at official sites (CAMPA lists these)

Think of it as a quiet place to sleep, not somewhere to set up camp.

Part 4: Benefits for Road Trippers

One of the biggest strengths of the Stay the Night scheme is how well it fits into the rhythm of a real road trip. These stopovers are simple, quiet and surrounded by nature, giving you a peaceful place to reset between longer driving days. You’re often tucked among tall pines, beside a loch, or close to a walking trail you’d never otherwise find.

Because there’s no need to pre-book, it’s perfect for people who like to keep plans flexible or adjust their route depending on weather, mood or how far they’ve driven. The low overnight fee also makes it a budget-friendly alternative to traditional campsites, especially if you’re mixing different types of overnight stays. Many travellers use these stops when heading to or from the NC500, the West Coast, the Cairngorms or more remote parts of Scotland where campsites can be limited or fully booked in peak months.

Overall, it gives you the freedom to explore Scotland at your own pace while still staying responsible, legal and considerate.

Part 5: Limitations You Should Know

Stay the Night is brilliant for what it is — a quiet, simple place to rest — but it’s not designed to replace full campsites. There are no toilets, no waste facilities (except at a small number of upgraded sites), no water taps and no power points. You need to arrive already prepared, with everything you need on board and enough battery or water for a night.

Spaces can also fill quickly in popular areas, especially along the NC500 or close to tourist hot spots. Because it operates on a first-come, first-served basis, there’s no guarantee of getting a spot, so it’s worth having a backup plan in mind. Weather and access can be a factor too — some forest car parks are on narrow approach roads or uneven surfaces, which may not suit every driver or every vehicle.

It’s also important to remember that this is not wild camping, and it’s not suitable for tents, car sleepers or caravans. It’s intended for self-contained motorhomes and campervans only, and returning to the same spot within 48 hours isn’t allowed to prevent overuse.

As long as you go in with realistic expectations and stay prepared, it remains a very reliable and enjoyable option for overnighting in Scotland’s wild landscapes.

6. How to Find Participating Car Parks

Forestry & Land Scotland provides an up-to-date list and interactive map showing:

Car park locations
Site descriptions
Any access notes
Whether facilities (if any) are available
Payment details

Always double-check the map before setting out, especially in off-season months.

Locate Forestry "Stay the Night" Sites

7. Stay the Night vs Other Overnight Options

Part of smart road-trip planning is knowing your options. Stay the Night works beautifully alongside:

Pub stops (overnight parking with a meal purchase)
Aires-style stopovers
Campsites and holiday parks
Almost wild camping with landowner permission
Car parks that allow overnight stays

Each option has its place:
Stay the Night is ideal for peaceful woodland stopovers between fuller campsite stays.

8. Tips for a Smooth Overnight

A few small habits make the experience much easier:

Arrive later in the day so daytime visitors have cleared
Keep your setup discreet — no awnings or big outdoor areas
Walk the area briefly if you arrive after dark
Bring your own food, water and essentials
Park considerately; forest access is crucial for local workers
Take photos of the signboard so you have the rules and payment info to hand

Travellers regularly comment that a little courtesy goes a long way here.

9. Best Road Trips for Using the Scheme

Stay the Night pairs extremely well with your Scottish routes, including:

Edinburgh & Borders Route
A beautiful mix of rolling hills, abbeys, market towns and easy woodland stopovers.
Fife & East Coast Route
Great for coastal viewpoints, historic villages and peaceful forest edges.
West Coast of Scotland Route
Waterfalls, mountains and dramatic Atlantic scenery — perfect for woodland overnight stops.
North Coast of Scotland / NC500
Stay the Night is particularly useful for spacing out your journey on this iconic route.

Yes. Forestry & Land Scotland continues to run the scheme, and many car parks now operate year-round. A few may close seasonally or have reduced availability in winter, so it’s always worth checking the latest information before you travel.
No. All Stay the Night locations operate on a first-come, first-served basis. There’s no booking system, reservation option or pre-payment. If a car park is full, you’ll need to move on to another location — it’s part of the scheme’s simplicity.
Most sites cost around £10–£13 per night. The fee varies depending on the facilities available, and payment is made through RingGo or by phone. The notice board at each car park clearly lists the correct amount and instructions.
No. Stay the Night is strictly for self-contained motorhomes and campervans with their own toilet facilities. Cars, tents, roof tents, camper trailers and caravans aren’t permitted, as the car parks aren’t designed or serviced for them.
No — stays are limited to one night only, usually between 6pm and 10am. You must also wait 48 hours before returning to the same location, which helps protect the environment and ensures spaces are shared fairly.
Yes, dogs are welcome as long as they are kept under control, don’t disturb wildlife and all waste is cleaned up. Many of the car parks are close to forest trails, making them great for evening or morning walks.
Generally, yes. These car parks are managed by Forestry & Land Scotland and tend to be quiet, peaceful and set away from busy roads. As with any overnight stop, it’s sensible to park with awareness, arrive before dark if possible and follow your usual safety instincts.
Most sites have no facilities at all, which is why the scheme is for self-contained vans only. A small number of upgraded locations offer chemical waste disposal, but the majority are simply parking spots.
No. You must take every bit of rubbish, recycling and waste away with you. Grey and black waste must be emptied only at official disposal sites. CAMPA provides a helpful list of these across Scotland.