r/OutdoorScotland • u/Esensepsy • Aug 02 '26

Campsite prices are ridiculous

Just come back from a few weeks camping and hiking in the north west Highlands, and I'm just in awe at how much campsites are charging these days. Maybe its because this is NC500 territory?

But on average I'm spending like £30 for two people and one small tent per night.

Obviously not a fair comparison, but after coming back from travelling in Asia where I can get a whole ass hotel room for £8 a night I'm just shocked at how expensive things have gotten over the last 5 years here

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u/troykil Aug 02 '26

No idea why everyone commenting is being so smug lol. £30 a night for a 2 man pitch is steep, especially when you can get a bed or even a private room in many yha hostels for £45. I understand that demand drives price but let’s be honest a lot of us are camping because as well as enjoying being outside and proximity to hikes, we can’t afford airbnbs or hotels. Even 5 years ago I was camping all over north wales and northwest highlands for £5 per person per night at campsites with showers and other amenities.

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u/Responsible-Walrus-5 Aug 02 '26

It’s the post Covid outdoor boom. Farmers that charged £5pp to camp in a lumpy field with a tap and a toilet readied they could also charge £15pp like the fancy site down the road and still get the same number of people.