“My nomadic existence was now considered illegal”
Wild camping nomad Stuart Shipp describes how lockdown threatened to make his lifestyle illegal – until a timely message from a friend saved the day
I’M A VAGABOND, navigating my way around and between the mountains of the UK. Travel is my life. I camp when I’m on my own and I stay in ‘regular’ accommodation when guiding groups.
When the first social distancing measures were introduced on March 19, I was in Glasgow, having just taking a group for some snowy fun in the Highlands. I decided to stay in Scotland. I was going to go remote. After all, getting away from people and selfisolating is what I do best! I had two weeks’ worth of freeze-dried food, gas canisters and a stove. I had my trusty tent and sleeping bag. I was good to go!
When I found out about the full lockdown I was camping north of Glen Avon in the Cairngorms and, for the first time in a very long time, I was lost. Not lost in the landscape, but in my head. I had just been told that my nomadic existence, the one I’ve lived for the past four years, was not acceptable – in fact it could be considered illegal.
I collected my kit and headed back to my minibus in the vain hope that a plan would simply come to me. As I approached the minibus I received a message from my good friend, Ewan, who resides in Inveralligin, a small hamlet just beyond Torridon.
Ewan and his wife Claire are currently working overseas and their home – usually let to holidayers – was now empty. They kindly offered it to me to isolate within.
My friends would tell you that I am a rather stubborn person who would usually turn down any offer of help; but on this occasion, with nowhere else to go, I thanked them and made my way to the west coast.
Now I have the mighty Beinn Alligin peering down at me from the front of the house, and the high tide kisses the drystone wall at the far end of the garden. Otters have been playing in the stream, red deer roam the gardens, and the local seal keeps me amused with his intrigue. Frankly, I couldn’t be ‘locked down’ in a much better place.