NC500
My wife and I are planning on touring the NC500 next Spring. We would like to engender debate around the topic; of particular interest would be site details - we are keen CL and club site users - also how to prioritise places to visit, there are too many to visit each one whilst there are beautiful places that NC500 do not mention. We are keen birders: we enjoy tranquility: we are too old for high energy activities: we do not drink alcohol: we enjoy a good meal: we enjoy a gentle stroll v a big hike. Starting in Sheffield I thought I might limit any leg of the tour to 150 miles. Ideas, comments, suggestions would be most welcome. Peter and Iola
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The NC500 has been discussed many times. There aren’t many club sites or CLs around the route but consider also C&CC sites and check out UK Campsites for others.
There aren’t too many eateries in the remote areas so be prepared to do at least some of your own catering.
Internet research should answer most of your questions.
https://www.visitscotland.com/inspiration/touring/north-coast-500
Be aware that 150 miles will take a lot longer once you’re way up north. I suggest it’s too much and you will miss a lot by attempting to travel that far between stops.
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Agree with TW, the driver won’t be seeing much doing 150 miles in a day around the north coast route. You take your eyes off the road at your peril. Just as a for instance, the 50 miles from Durness to Altnaharra took us 2 hours and 40 minutes of driving, a few weeks ago, just down to traffic on the single track sections, complicated by a few hundred sheep.😂
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This is one section of the road between Scourie and Durness. Granted, most is easier than this but it gives you an idea.
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Watch out for potholes.
We were travelling towards the Applecross pass and was forced into the side of the road by an oncoming coach. This resulted in a blown front tyre. Cost us £120 to replace and because of the location we couldn't safely change the wheel so has go be flat bedded to the nearest garage.All part of our holiday memories.
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Even where the road has been recently resurfaced the edges can be an issue.The standard resurfacing method seems to be just to stick a layer on top, leaving a distinct step off, which is not always obvious. Not a major issue on the wider dual tracks, but you need to be careful on the narrow ones, which are only just wide enough for two MH’s to pass comfortably.
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I wasn’t actually posting about potholes which are a pain nationwide and that pic is 7 years old. I thought Spanish motorways were purported to be better than the A838/894🤷🏻♂️
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Spanish motorways are very very good and definitely not congested. My comment was just tongue in cheek. I wonder if the road in your picture is still pothole free, even so it looks wider than some of the cart tracks classed as roads in the southwest of England.
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They are more or less pothole free, except the edges, but only because there has been a lot of very recent temporary filling. I suppose the main difference between the roads you describe and this one is that it’s the main A road into the area.
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We have done the NC500 twice. Both times with a caravan, once it was a big 6 berth van.
If you have been used to towing it's not a problem just don't go on a bank Holiday or school holidays and you will be fine.
We have done the route both ways. There are sites but I would encourage you to book in advance as I see you have a caravan.
Doing 150 mls between sites is doable but once on the 500 proper I would aim for less. With a caravan you can have days out in the car which I think is better than using a MH. It's easier on the single roads and easier to get parked to explore towns and scenic areas.
Make sure you take good food supplies to start with and shop whenever you see a good supermarket, as once up north they get few and far between and expensive.
Restaurants as most expect them are not plentiful but lots of pubs do meals. The bigger towns you will be OK.
Don't get low on fuel, the filling stations can be miles apart and towing on the route can eat up fuel more.
It is a well traveled route and a scenic one so take your time and enjoy it. May and June are good months as is September. However be prepared for all 4 seasons, I would also say forget an awning if you normally take one, it get mighty windy on the west and north coast.
Have a good time.
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Just watched the first episode. All very lovely and I am sure anyone wanting to visit the route will find something of interest. Just a warning though this programme deals with a lot more than the camping element and if you were expecting a wall to wall perspective from a motorhome point of view I suspect you will be disappointed? Having said that it does show some really beautiful scenery.
David
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