Stray Scotland

May 2021 // Scotland

Defender Camping

As a Scotsman living in England, I usually jump at any chance I get to go back to my home land. So when the opportunity came up to spend 3 days camping with the amazing Stray Scotland Defender I took it with both hands. Starting out from Engine 710 in South Queensferry, we headed west in this beast on our way over to Glen Etive for our first night of wild camping. Our first night was spent on the banks of Loch Etive where we were treated to an incredible sunset while we tested out the mini wood fired stove, and Wolf and Grizzly portable fire pit that were just part of the incredible kit list provided with the Defender. Sleeping on top of a car might not seem like the best way to get a good night sleep, but the sleeping pod on on the roof of the defender was warm and cosy when boosted with a hot water bottle or two, and some thermal clothing!

After a day of touring the west coast, from Arisaig to the Uig Inn, we spent our second night with the Defender just outside Castle Tioram on the banks of Loch Moidart. This might was a lesson in the reality of wild camping in Scotland. We learned this night that finding a good spot to camp off the cuff, with no real planning, doesn't always work out so well. After much searching we finally found this spot on the looking out on the castle, it was late and getting dark so we rapidly set up the tent and made simple but really tasty meal on the stove.

Our final night was to be spent at a pre-booked spot on the stunning Three Loch's Forest Drive in the Trossach's National Park. After a tough second night, we couldn't have asked for more with our final night; beautiful views, a perfect spot, and the most amazing sunset. Looking out on Loch Drunkie, as the sun gave way to incredible dusky tones, we began to realise how much we would miss the Defender, and wondered when we would take it out again