NC500 advice please...
Hi All, no doubt this has been touched on many times before but has anyone recommendations for sites on part of the NC500 around Durness, Scourie & Ullapool.
I am planning to go up via Loch Lomond & Glencoe to stay at Bunree for a few days& hopefully experience the Jacobite steam railway, then head up to Brora & Dunnett Bay but there the club sites stop until we get to Kinlochewe.
Doing 100 miles a day with photo opportunities will obviously clock up a few hours so would like to add some stops for a night or two.....
Has anyone just 'wild camped' in any of these areas to rest up overnight & go again?
Is it worth visiting Applecross as I plan to return via the A1 through Northumberland.
Thanks in advance,
Paul (Kasspa)
Edit: looking to do this May/June next year if allowed.....
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Check out BJ's Altnaharra thread. I suggested 3 sites and all are fine. You'll find them in UK Campsites or Visit Scotland.
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I wonder why you are crossing over west to east after Bunree? If you want to see Applecross why not stick to the West side and then stop over at Ullapool or nearby after Kinlochewe (via Morvich) before heading north and east? You can then head south on the A9/A1.
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Agree wasn't logical, was just trying to find sites before revising route.
The questions I really wanted answering were is it worth visiting Applecross & any recommendations on 'wild camping'......
Will check out replies, any further recommendations welcome.
Thanks
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Hope your motorhome isn't an RTL otherwise you might have some difficulties on the NC500!
I've stayed once at Brora, a lovely site but I've never dragged the van any further north. Would love to do the NC500 myself someday.
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Kasspa- You are unfortunately too late to really enjoy that area. It is extremely popular not only by us but our continental friends as well .I have seen a convoy of 30 German Motorhomes, blocking the single track road. The locals are totally fed up with the chaos and delays and whereas years ago they were welcoming its not quite the same now. Beware the road surfaces are not good and will take a toll on your suspension. Fuel very expensve and not that many filling stations. I have vanned and fished that area for 40+ years and it is quite stunning. As for wild camping, I have done it in great isolation but today you will find the places already occupied. The 500 is made for unscheduled touring, stop here and there with no defined itinerary. Some superb stops/overnights. Redpoint off the Gairloch road. Mellon Udrigle by Laide. Knochan Crags by Elphin. Tje bone caves by Ichnadamph.but best of all the Causeway at Tongue. Just a few wild suggestions to whet your appetite.
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When? and if ? we get another PVC and we are not to old we are looking to maybe do the NC 500 ,but would not now try it with anything bigger ,our friends did it two years ago with a Bailey coachbuilt and "advised in places it was not a good expirience with how busy it was then
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I'm not sure whether it is a PCV or coach built is going to make much difference on the single track sections. If you end up with to many for the passing places to accommodate, somebody is going to have to do some reversing. Hopefully the continentals will not have returned when we do a fair chunk of it next May.😀
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One thing Covid has done is curtail the overseas section, last year we stopped for a break near Glen Docherty, to admire the view and quiet. A coach party of ******* tourists parked up alongside us. It was an awkward spot to get a coach into but the driver was determined having seen us there already. Instead of taking in the scenery the visitors surrounded our M/H taking photos of it, examining the body work...this year things will have been different and with a bit of luck it might still be quieter next year.
That said, it is a beautiful part of Scotland, it's not a route it's a big area covering Caithness and Sutherland, East and Wester Ross and you'll miss so much by just following a rather artificial tourist route. Do your own thing and explore.
PS can't recommend Applecross as it used to be one of those "phew, we did it" places but now I hear it's very busy.
But I mustn't put anyone off and I hope Kasspa has a great time up there.
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Largely agree with fisherman plus add Gruinard Bay, Flowerdale (Gairloch), Poolewe Gardens, Sandwood Bay.... and do not miss Applecross, or a detour onto the Black Isle. yes it is touristy now but if that is a problem then the whole NC500 should be avoided. The EU visitors have been replaced this year by staycationers in their hired vans and newly acquired caravans. I have been visiting the area for over 60 years and have friends in Gairloch. They are tearing their hair out with the problems created by inexperienced, clueless and selfish tourists which has just got a whole lot worse in the past 3 months.
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Not just in the highlands!Fly campers have been leaving litter etc in every parking space on the coast road from the isle of whithorn north ward.Garlieston is now a complete tip and motorhomes driving slowly are causing impatient motorists (that includes white van man) to take stupid risks to overtake!We came away from Gairloch a couple of months ago because of the clueless people camping there!
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Just a quick update.... & hopefully things may be a little more settled next June....
I have sorted a 25 day, 1500 mile round trip (from home) with varying lengths of stay at strategic locations along the NC500 to allow a leisurely drive & photo opportunities.
Thanks again for any positive inputs.
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" Wild camping" privileges in Scotland were never intended for caravans or motorhomes.
Wild camping is when you carry a small bivvy tent and venture on foot to climb, hill walk, etc.
The Highlands are being ruined by indiscriminate camping and tourists racing to " do " the NC500
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You could find much will change between now and next summer. There is a great deal going on both at local and government level to improve the infrastructure for tourers and put a stop to dirty camping. I think we will see many more official stopping places opening up in the coming months.
peedee
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>Press article< on creation of more official stopping places for motorhomes in Scotland.
peedee
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FLS is juggling the potential move with the desire not to impact upon the profits of local campsites hoping to attract people to pay to stay the night.
I wasn't to enamoured with the above statement. B&B exist side by side with hotels, no reason why Motorhome Stopping places should not exist side by side with campsites. They do on the Continent, in fact some campsites operate an Aire adjacent to the main site.
peedee
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But visitors have to pay at B&Bs, and I guess Aires too, so bringing income into the area, whereas these sites are free so no gain to the area, and a probable cost of ensuring that they care kept, for want of a better word, litter free.
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It also states if they are set up they are "hoping" that those stopping will donate? towards their up keep
I wonder why there is great play on the "professional" organisation? for feed back when it is basically a Hire companies organizationwith no sites but are looking to make it "cheaper" for their hirers and not the major clubs who have sites already in those areas
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It is not only the Professional Association providing feedback. Many are suggesting they charge £5 per night not only to help with maintenance but to accumulate funds for improvements like providing water and grey and black waste disposal after all if you want to get rid of the dirt then there needs to be disposal points.
peedee
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Hi Paul ,We have now decided not to do the full NC500 ,mainly because of the time we would need out of work ,but are doing a couple of areas instead.TW pointed us in the direction of Dunnet Bay so firstly we have booked a week there so that we can cover that stretch of it and also gives us the oppurtunity to visit Orkney,thanks TW.After a week there we have booked a week at Morvich which will enable us to do Applecross and also visit Skye.We are going next August assuming that the restrictions will be eased by then.Whatever you decide on I hope you have a great time .
Brian & Jo
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You're welcome BJ. I'd not really want to be there in August but I guess needs must.
Check out the Chapel built by Italian POWs on Orkney. It's a must see👍.
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Im assuming TW that you dont fancy August because of the midges or is it because of the fact that it is busy then ?
Brian & Jo
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Thanks Brian & Jo, our trip is planned 1st - 25th June.
I have booked Dunnet Bay for 3 nights on our e/b journey....
There have been some interesting POI recommended to factor in so have taken note....
Likewise, enjoy your trip.
Thanks again to all for the +ve inputs
Paul
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Midges can be a factor at anytime between May and Sept, BJ, although they’re less likely at Dunnet than Morvich.
It's become busy in the far north and I think August will be the very busiest time. Last year we spent 2 nights at the Dunnet Bay site in June before heading to Orkney & Shetland and another 2 nights on our return in early July. On both occasions the site was packed and had a lot of newbies and hire vans in evidence. The poor warden was tearing his hair out due to the weird pitching choices. In other years we've found the site comfortably full but still with pitches to spare. From what I hear, the whole of the NC500 and Skye are equally bustling. I'm pleased to have done it before it became popular.
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I would suggest you buy a face net from a fishing/outdoor shop before travelling., especially June/September. Its a godsend against the midges. How times have changed, 50 years ago I could be the only camper van seen most days and wilding was easy. The locals were friendly, one even baked me a loaf in exchange for a few trout in Durness. Not so now as they are frustrated by the inconsiderate drivers, litter and lack of respect.
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