>>2808634People distinguish "camping" from "wild camping" because there's a big difference between going to a family holiday campsite in the Lake District and sleeping in a bivi in the Cairngorms. Nothing about that isn't comparable to the difference between booking a campsite at Yosemite and sleeping under a tarp on the Appalachian trail.
I would argue there is MORE reason for Americans to use this terminology as your wild camping is far more wild and unrestricted, and your campsite holiday business infrastructure is significantly larger.
>>2808633I love just using a shelter sheet/tarp, but the reality is woodblocks are not a guarantee, especially in Scotland and more than once I've packed a tarp expecting to build a lean-to and found a woodblock on my map be totally deforested. You will absolutely have the shitest experience - its the cheapest but the most will go wrong, and by the time you've bought a good enough sleeping bag/mat/bivi bag you may as well have just bought a bivi tent or a tent.
Your enemy is wet and wind, so a tent is always the safe choice and gives you space for admin/friends/dogs. Bivis are great especially if you're planning on walking due to weight, but next to no admin space. Tents give you space to dry things, change clothes, and stretch-out if you're a few days into walking.
