Winter Camping Photos

Well bundled up at a bitterly cold camp on the Moine Mhor in the Cairngorms. February 2016.

Last week I had my first camp on snow this winter and it left me longing for more. I love winter camping! Especially when it's really winter, when there's snow and frost. Too much Scottish winter weather isn't that wintry, just grey and wet and windy and cold. I do go camping then but it's not the same as when there's snow.

On Carn na Loine, a local hill in Strathspey. I skied here from my front door. Using skis and ski poles as tent pegs! February 2009

Thinking of the winter to come and hoping for plenty of sharp frosts and snow in the hills my mind drifted back to previous camps in the snow and I started looking through my photos, which made me even more excited. Here's a selection from the last fifteen years.  

Waking up to a view like this is always wonderful. Below Broad Cairn in the Southern Cairngorms. February 2010

I often use a single skin tent with a separate groundsheet in winter and only close the door if the weather is stormy. No midges to worry about. The camp below Broad Cairn again.

Below Orion on a brilliant night just below the summit of Mullach Clach a' Bhlair above Glen Feshie. February 2013.

A breezy site below Bynack More, Cairngorms. November 2013.

Melting snow for coffee as the sun rises. Often an essential winter camping task. November 2013.

Sometimes there's water, which saves time and fuel. By Loch Etchachan, Cairngorms. December 2014.

On the Moine Mhor above Glen Feshie. February 2016.

A hot drink on the Cairngorm Plateau. In an insulated mug. March 2016.

It's not always sunshine and blue skies! Misty on the Moine Mhor above Glen Feshie. December 2016.

A brilliant starry sky above the Shelter Stone Crag in the Cairngorms. The clear weather didn't last. March 2019.

Snow falling the morning after the starry sky. I closed the tent door! March 2019.

Sunrise on Tom Mor, another local hill which I walked up from home. Not enough snow lower down to ski. January 2021

Gentle snowfall in Coire Ardair, Creag Meagaidh. December 2022.

Dawn in the Cairngorms. February 2023.

A frosty night in the Cairngorms. January 2024.

An ice axe is useful for levering out frozen snow pegs. January 2024.