Camping

[classic33]

MSR Multifuel stoves, another option.
Whatever type of stove you end up getting, don't expect to be cooking within the tent itself as a rule.
If you do cook whilst in the tent keep a sharp knife to hand.

 

[hopless500]

Got a set of pans similarish to these, and have been using them for decades (literally). And a small whistling kettle

 

[welsh dragon]

Got a set of pans similarish to these, and have been using them for decades (literally). And a small whistling kettle

Those type of pans are good as they fit into each other so don't take up much space. They are excellent

 

[alans]

Got a set of pans similarish to these, and have been using them for decades (literally). And a small whistling kettle

& a reliable burner of some description...
=
http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/vango-trangia-25-non-stick-camping-kettle-p118414

 

[KneesUp]

I think all our camping stuff came from eBay - from the enormous ply-cotton frame tent to the stove. If you're not cycling I'd recommend taking your duvet and sheets rather than sleeping bags - it's loads cosier and more comfortable.

EDIT - I tell a lie - I bought some 'hard ground' tent pegs from Aldi last week.

 

[Gravity Aided]

Don't cook in the tent, especially starting out. Trangia is a great starter stove, see if this works out before big stove and equipment investments. Also, visit a military surplus store, and see what they may have in lightweight equipment.

 

[sazzaa]

My OH thinks

I think all our camping stuff came from eBay - from the enormous ply-cotton frame tent to the stove. If you're not cycling I'd recommend taking your duvet and sheets rather than sleeping bags - it's loads cosier and more comfortable.

EDIT - I tell a lie - I bought some 'hard ground' tent pegs from Aldi last week.

I've done the duvet thing before with a proper camp bed, it was amazing. Then I left it all at the festival because I was too hungover to care...

 

[raleighnut]

[QUOTE 3026941, member: 9609"]Its got nothing to do with your gear and everything to do with where you go

Knoydart

Fisherfield

Mullardoch[/QUOTE]
That bivvy is even smaller than my Bikamper was anyone in it or kit storage only?

 

[raleighnut]

[QUOTE 3027055, member: 9609"]I have spent many a night in that bivvy bag, they are a bit weird to use at first but brilliant for long distance one night stuff. I like to travel light, extremely light, would keep my entire pack under a stone, usually 10 - 12 lb[/QUOTE]
Ditto for me with the Bikamper, heaviest thing is probably the bottle of single malt and a small glass to drink it from ( mans gotta have some luxury )
Also 10/10 for tent siting (on a high point and not in a midge filled hollow)

 

[classic33]

Hollows also suffer from temperature inversions & the possibilty of an abandoned tent due to flooding.
Milletts at present have a sale on, so some of the everday items could be got there.

 

[fimm]

If camping from a car, something to sit on - those cheap chairs that you get everywhere are fine. I can't sit on the ground for long without getting very uncomfortable - in fact, my luxury when backpacking is a kit to convert my thermarest into a chair.
Other than that, stoves and bedding have been covered already and I don't have anything to add apart from I'm another trangia fan.

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

Another trangia fan here, and I will 2nd getting the bigger version (25 - and getting the one with the kettle as well is really useful) - get the gas adaptor as well (bought as at the same time as the trangia it is much cheaper)... There is also a really useful strainer/chopping board for the trangia's now as well which makes life so much easier and weighs next to nothing and don't cook in the tent for a myriad of reasons not least of all condensation build up, fire risk and carbon monoxide poisoning.

There's some good wild camping available along the shores of Loch Rannoch if you want to stray that 'far' first time around. PM me and I can send you details of exactly where - just thinking it is on your side of Scotland and easily available to you.

As for sleeping bags

Trangia for me too. Although I like petrol stoves more, and let's be honest, they are more "manly", there's always something not working, whilst the trangia always works. I bet you could bash it out and get a trangia working after it being run over by a bus.

Couple of trangia hints - if car camping you can use proper saucepans / frypans on top of it, not just the built in stuff. I've even cooked roast beef on one in a Le Creuset iron pot - though it did use a lot of meths admittedly.

Other hint, is makes sure you've got more than one source of ignition - eg good lighter & matches. Cheap lighters can be marginal in wind.

We have the trangia multifuel burner which burns pretty much anything - unless you try to use it on the smaller trangia that is. It has been great when we have been in countries where gas and meths were not readily available.

 

[sazzaa]

There is also a really useful strainer/chopping board

Ah, yes, basic utensils would be an idea!

Loch Rannoch is a good distance for me, don't know if I'm ready for wild camping yet though, I don't think the kid would be impressed at having no toilet facilities.

 

[fimm]

As to "where to go" - some of the campsites along the West Highland Way might be an idea. By The Way at Tyndrum is nice, there are two good ones at Kinlochleven, and I think there's camping at the Wigwams at Achtertyre as well (though I have not stayed there). People will respond that these sites can get midgy and this is true, but midges are a fact of life if you are going to camp low level in Scotland.

Actually, a small washing up bowl is quite a useful thing to have when camping as you can pile all your dirty plates etc into it, carry them to the campsite washing up facility and then use the (now clean - you've just washed up in it, remember) bowl to carry everything back again. Better than trying to wash up in some massive sink, too. Which reminds me, you'll probably want to invest in some plastic mugs, plates, and bowls.

 

[Profpointy]

one obvious-once-pointed out hint, is, if car-camping, use normal household stuff like pans, plates, sharp knife, wooden spoon, chopping board, collander and the like. No need to make things harder with crappy "camping" versions unless you're actually carrying it on bike or on your back. Even if carrying stuff on my back I still take a small chopping board - an A4-ish piece of 1/4" ply and one or two other items.