North Coast 500 The Road Trip of a Lifetime – NC500 Guide Book by Robbie Roams

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We originally wanted to drive up to Inverness City but didn’t want to miss out on seeing the Loch Ness so we decided to head here first. For those leaving Edinburgh, just make sure that you cross the main bridge before 4.00pm as traffic starts to pile up then. This means it's sensible to drive, fly, or train into Inverness and bookend your travels with a night or two there. Despite the increasing popularity of this route, we were blown away by the incredible scenery as we were treated to stunning viewpoints, out-of-this-world landscapes, and a wide array of beaches. Caithness: In this part of the road trip, you will pass through the iconic John o’Groats – the most northerly village of mainland Britain. Dunnet Head is the official most northern part of Britain. Many in the media call it 'Scotland's Route 66', but for us you should throw that comparison out the window; this is a road trip withoutcomparison. We've been fortunate enough to road trip together through southern Italy, Morocco, the Faroe Islands, Sweden, the Dolomites and a few other places in the last few years, and we can tell you that this route is very, veryspecial and can stand on its own two feet.

500 Planning your NC500 Adventure - North Coast 500

We spent the night at Lochness Shores which had great facilities, really friendly staff, and of course, stunning views of the Loch Ness. Now for the not so good news. Many businesses along the North Coast 500 have been hit very hard by the cancellations of the last year and ongoing uncertainty. A decent number did not open in summer 2020, with a survey pointing to just 67% of businesses polled saying they anticipated opening their doors. This will obviously affect the availability of certain facilities and your ability to visit certain attractions or establishments this summer (and beyond).If you are looking for the ultimate road trip in Scotland, the North Coast 500 (NC500) should be at the top of your list. However, the inexperienced and those not used to driving on the left should approach this route with caution and the correct mindset. In terms of conditions, we can report that there aren't any dusty roads along the NC500 route, but you will encounter quite a few potholes! But, have no doubt, midges (which are sort of like teeny tiny angry Scottish mosquitoes) can be a major pain in the arse. They swarm around you in a cloud of nuisance at dawn or dusk and make you very uncomfortable - with a group capable of landing around 3,000 bites an hour.Dangerous? Not really. Annoying? Absolutely! That romantic drink on a cool summer night by the water can be ruined by them.

The North Coast 500 Guide Book (Charles Tait Guide Books)

I'm not too fussed about it being rainy or cold, however it would be disappointing if early April was still considered out of season for a lot of the activities I would like to do. Easter Ross: As you wind your way through this next step on your journey, you will drive through many seaboard villages, and its pictish past. There are also several distilleries which are increasingly popular with visitors.Sometimes two vehicles will meet in the middle of the road just through bad timing. In that scenario, the expectation is that the person closest to the nearest 'passing place' on their side of the road should reverse into it, but only if it is safe and sensible for them to do so. Therefore, in the age overtourism, it's more important than ever that each individual and group driving the North Coast 500 practices and promotes the basics of responsible travel. These include: This popularity has not come without its issues however, and these are showing a worrying increase each summer. Please also note that 'passing places' are NOT parking places. Neither are they photo opportunity stops or places to pull over for a rest, a cup of tea and a natter - you can however use them to allow others to overtake you safely. On hills, the custom is that the car going uphill has priority.

North Coast 500 - The ultimate road trip around the North of

We made a couple of other stops along the way by Big Sands Bay before heading to Mellon Udringle Beach for the night. Known as Scotland’s ‘Route 66’, the NC500 is a picturesque 516-mile (830km) route that encompasses stunning coastal views, rugged mountains and spectacular Highland roads. If you want to enjoythe very best ofnorth Scotland, the NC500 should not be missed. There are lots of blind summits and sharp, blind corners - they are usually signposted, but it's your job to anticipate these and approach sensibly. Although there are a lot of itineraries floating around, we had a hard time finding information on how to do this trip on a campervan which is why we decided to write this in-depth article. It would be irresponsible of us not to mention here that travelling outside of the main season does mean some businesses will not be open, that unpredictable weather is more predictably dreich(bleak), and the days are short with late sunrises and early sunsets.If you are in a large campervan, the hairpin turns might be a challenge but to be honest, we had no difficulty driving through it despite being in a 6.1m van. Yes, the roads are narrow but the views from the viewpoint at the top more than makes up for the hassle. Driving for extended periods of time takes a lot of concentration and can make us tired, a state that could lead to an accident. Rotating with one or more drivers will ensure your concentration level remains high and you stay alert. Take regular breaks That's why you've really got to pay attention at all times, and why it should be very clearby now why driving at high speeds on the North Coast 500 is a fool's errand.

500 | VisitScotland North Coast 500 | VisitScotland

All drivers (especially Clarkson types) need to note that driver etiquette and road awareness is hugely importantwhen driving the North Coast 500. The infamous Loch Ness (no Nessie sightings, unfortunately) Day 2: Inverness to Shieldaig (Plus Bealach na Ba Viewpoint) So, don't be surprised if you are met with a blank faced look when you ask somebody for directions to Gairloch or if they know a good restaurant in Torridon - the likelihood is you're saying it all wrong.Although this shows as an eight-day itinerary, we did stop and spend two nights in some places which we loved. I recommend that you go with the flow and drive the NC500 at your own pace. We did a lot of stuff during this trip like boattrip, zipline, walking, whiskytour, culloden battlefield, clava cairns, but most of all enjoying the stunning views you get on the way while traveling. And because of these views, you will definitely stop over more than you planned! :) I suspect that the '500' is marketed for late spring to the end of summer and that's when most people will travel. Autumn and winter not so much although I have been in the Highlands working during the winter and spotted Motorhomes so there are a few hardy souls. Plan | We’ve shared all the key information on how to get to Inverness, plus how to spend your time in the city before or after your North Coast 500 adventure, in this post: Our Wee Guide to Inverness.