North Coast 500
Anyone got any advice for doing the NC 500 in a 7.2 metre motorhome? We're planning to go in May.
Do we need to book at that time of year, we'd like to take it as it comes, but nervous of it being busy.
Which is the best way round?
Any 'not to be missed' places?
Any advice welcome
Comments
-
It doesn’t matter which way round you to it. We did from Dingwall to Dunnet Bay across to Durness then down to Ardmair taking in Altnaharra and Scourie on the way in a 6.4 MH with no trouble at all. You need to be a bit sensible and avoid some roads but the main route is easy enough.
We were last in the far NW in June/July 2015 and booked most of the sites. Some were busy, some not. However, since then the NC500 has become the in thing to do and I hear it’s very busy and MHs can be found wild camping all over the place. How true that is, I can’t say.
There are a lot of threads on here about the NC500 if you can find them.
1 -
Hi, we were up at Morvich in May this year (2018) and taken by surprise at how busy the place was. The site was full for a couple of nights and the number if hire motorhome driving around the area was quite a site. Yes I would advise book ahead. We were on Skye a couple of times to walk and finding parking at known walks was also a lucky dip and we were in a car. I don't want to put you off but I think by planing ahead I'm sure you will have a nice holiday.
1 -
My advice is don't do it Wendy. It's busy, the road surfaces are poor in parts, and the locals are getting fed up with motorhomers.
Go to Scotland because it is a beautiful place and spread your itinerary to discover the true Scotland - such as the Strathnaver Valley - but leave the NC500 to the tourists. We've done all the NC500 but in stages over the years; the last visit being 2016.
Clockwise makes sense if the passenger is to benefit from the best views.
We did try the South West Coastal 300 last year but gave up because the road surfaces were so bad.
1 -
All I can add is look at this tourist link HERE and plan your own itinerary well in advance as sadly this route seems to have been over promoted and has become a bit of a tick box area. Late May is a good time to go as the weather is starting to warm up a bit. Hope you enjoy it, there are some very beautiful places in Northern Scotland and it's still possible to find remote spots but you'll need to get off the beaten track if possible.
1 -
Thanks for the comments, very helpful. I've also had some useful info from Inverness Tourist Information.
We are planning to go, probably in early May, we're going to take our time and stick to the safer roads.
I got the NC500 membership as a Xmas present, (and the T-shirt!) so we've now got a few evenings planning to do.
Anyone got any 'don't miss' places or sites?
0 -
It’s pretty much all 'don’t miss' (with the possible exception of shabby John o'Groats) and, without a huge choice of sites, just use those which are in the right places for you.
1 -
Agree with that TW, it's more a place for scenery rather than "sights" although the castles like Mey and Dunrobin are worth a visit and some of the more ancient places that can be dug out on OS maps. Bird watchers would enjoy Duncansby Head LINK and similar, especially in May. Also Chanonry Point on the Black Isle for dolphin watching (C&CC site alongside.)
1 -
Wendy as you have a smallish M/H you might like to think about going over Bealach na Ba from the A896 at Tornpress to Applecross, but it's not for the faint hearted.
1 -
Unfortunately the "bucket list" mentality stops enjoyment of the journey. Go, tour, enjoy: whereever that may be. Please remember wild camping does not include sleeping in any vehicle in a layby or forest park. This is anti social behaviour. Stay overnight in a camp site and pass some benefit on to the local communities.
6 -
Unless you’ve been driving a long distance & are tired with the potential of falling asleep at the wheel. Then I’d say anywhere safe is acceptable to sleep-including a lay-by or a Forest Park. I’ve done just that👍🏻
2 -
John O Groats looks out towards Orkney and there are boat trips from there to see wild life and Orkney itself. There is a camp site overlooking the sea which is quite popular. If you are lucky you might spot Minke whales on a day trip to Orkney (also from Gills Bay etc.)
Ferry LINK
2 -
I have to endorse this ! John O Groats had little to write home about, but we did use this site for a couple of nights - several years back now 😢. Great views, facility block adequate, walk down to the ferry, met by a coach, knowledge driver, various stops including Kirkwall, Churchill barriers, ring of Brogda, Italain Chapel, Skara Brae. We had a glimpse of an orca whale, a very full day but so enjoyable 😀.
We loved the very top of Scotland, didn't do the far west, ran out if time 😢, promised ourselves a return visit but haven't managed it yet!
2 -
There is so much to see up there, we once spent ten days at Dunnet, driving out in all directions, the landscape varies dramatically. I have gaps in places I want to see, Suilven is still on my list LINK.
We'll be returning as soon as we can but it will be back to Orkney, a visit to Westray hopefully. A day trip to mainland Orkney is an excellent taster of what's on offer.
There is no best way round this lovely area of Scotland, I would be zig zagging all over it! I really dislike the words NC500, it reduces everything to a number. But if anyone is thinking of going I'd say do it and enjoy it.
2 -
You don't say how long you have. There is no way I would want to rush it. If only a limited time I would concentrate on one area. In my case the Northwest corner between Ullapool and Durness. Over the years ( long before the catchy name) we have covered most of the route and that corner remains a firm favourite. Particularly the bit mentioned in the link brue posted. Those steep sided sandstone peaks rising from the bare basement rocks half the age of the earth, are truely magical. Suilven is well worth the effort if you are young and fit enough. Did it many years ago and the view from the ridge was breathtaking. Even if I did only get to see it for 30 seconds through a tear in the clouds.
edit Should of have put Suilven is a serious undertaking and should not be considered unless properly equipped.
0 -
The sites will be getting busy before then, if you know your sites get them booked now - we were in Kinlochewe last April and it had a couple of nights during our week that were full, same with Brora.
We are booked mid April for 6 nights in Kinlochewe them over for 6 nights in Brora - our yearly visit up north.
Roads round the northwest are slow and twisty with much of them single track, so expect a fair bit of stop and starting
Check out the chocolate factory in Durness and Old Pultney in Wick(great tour).
Depending on your time, if restricted, I'd cut out north east corner and take the road from Golspie through Lairg(great tweed shop) over to Tongue and Durness - awesome scenery and very limited traffic.
0 -
Too true, Wildwood I've mentioned before that folks travelling from the southern country
need to ensure that the scales of maps of England and Scotland are the same -- occasionally I've found Scotland, being such a large country, can be in a different scale. That can cause folks to rush in order to make up time on roads that may not be "Rushable".0 -
You certainly won't see much doing it in that short a time!!
0 -
It’ll be a non-stop dash!
0 -
We did NC500 back in 2017, 3 nights in tent and 7 nights B/B and as previously said you will need a minimum of 14 days to see and appreciate it all.
0 -
OK, so now we're going for just under 3 weeks, but still aware that it will be a taster trip and that we will find lots of places we will want to revisit.
Sites are booked, route planned, we plan to take lots of tinned and packet foods in case we can't shop, especially as we're vegetarian and don't know how that will work out. Dried milk.
So excited, can't wait to get on the road.
0 -
A basic stock of veggie foods should see you ok, Wendy.
There are Super markets in Fort William, Inverness, etcetera, where you are likely to find what you require, if not the actual labels you are used to !!
BUT PLEASE REMEMBER to let us know how you get on, both with the '500 and with the food. That could be a great theme to start on another thread for other members.
P.S. / Edit -- Not trying to divert you, but there might be more info about the food available on the Clubs Facebook thingummy
1 -
Enjoy it, Wendy.
Fear not, there are plenty of shops up there. No need to carry dried milk or spare rations. Folk live there and they manage to shop and eat.
We carry just one spare meal in case the MH breaks down and leaves us stranded.
1 -
Then Tain has an Asda just off the A9 where you can fill up with petrol, as well as a Lidl and even a Tesco, but that's quite hard to find.
1
