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

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If you are arriving elsewhere in Scotland or the UK, you’ll also find plenty of options around Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester, London, etc.

Buchollie Castle– access is across a walkway with sheer 100m drops on each side – don’t try and visit in bad weather! Bringing together just over 500 miles of stunning coastal scenery, the route follows the main roads along the coastal edges of the North Highlands. With ancient castles, glistening sandy beaches and spell-binding heritage, the North Coast 500 has captured the imaginations of thousands of people.However, one of the other results of the above has been the damage to roads – leaving many with potholes and other problems. The RAC Guide to the Great British Pothole and Other Road Surface Defects can help you prepare for your journey Next stop – Caithness. Now don’t let anyone tell you the northeast coast of Scotland is boring. Ok, it might not have white sands beaches and fjord-like sea lochs of the west coast but it is beautiful, wild, remote and full of lots of fantastic hidden gems. Here is what to do on the Caithness section of the North Coast 500. From exploring the interior of the route, to bagging a Munro; snorkelling, white water rafting, canoeing, hiking and camping expeditions; meditation retreats, creel fishing and gourmet foodie experiences; to pottery-making, whisky tasting, tracing your family tree, and even gold panning – there really is something for everyone along the North Coast 500. if you want to rent a campervan for the drive, we recommend using Motorhome Republic, They compare prices across the major rental firms in the UK to find the best price for you. You can book your RV for the UK through them here. If you want to stop, find a safe place to pull off in a designated parking space or lot. Pulling over onto the side of the road or into a field can be unsafe, lead to damage to the fragile environment, cause erosion, and mar someone’s private property. Bealach Na Ba & RVs

Currently few companies are offering NC500 tours, especially group tours, but the options will likely increase as the popularity of the route increases. We’ll try to keep this list updated but if you know of any other group tours, please let us know! However there is no right way to drive the route so head in the direction that makes the most sense for you! Lodging reservations is often an important factor in people’s route. Planning a North Coast 500 itinerary? We noticed a lot of people who were stopping on the road, to the side of the road, or in passing places during our trip. This is unsafe and also illegal in some cases. Looking for the ultimate in NC500 tours? This four day group NC500 tour can be completely tailored to your needs. We haven’t done these tours but have done several tours with Rabbie’s and can definitely recommend the company. They also offer a 5-day Highlands and Isle of Skye tour from Edinburgh (this one we have done).For a smooth and safe drive, it is important to evenly distribute the weight of your items across the car. Many visitors have complained that the infrastructure isn’t there to support the increased popularity the NC500 has experienced in recent years. The route is just over 500 miles and mainly hugs the northern coast of Scotland, hence the name. It was designed to showcase the natural beauty and local businesses in this part of Scotland which has previously received a relatively low level of tourism. It has become a major tourism success in Scotland with tens of thousands of people having already driven the route. Many thanks again for all the wonderful information and links and in advance for whtever advice you may have for us. Following an increase amount of charge stations/charge points along the journey, electric cardrivers can now safely take the trip without fear of running out of battery charge.

Stage 3 – Sutherland & Assynt-Drive the beautiful coast from Durness to Gairloch and visit Scotland’s best beaches. John Lennon Memorial Garden – Durness was a favourite spot of John Lennon and there is a small memorial garden in Durness just past the Smoo Cave. I recommend that your stops are no more than 1-1.5 hours apart unless much of the journey is on a motorway or you know the rules of the road. 2 hours on mountain roads will exhaust even the most patient of drivers. Before you set off on a big trip it’s worth asking yourself: can I share the driving responsibilities with somebody else? Read more: the complete guide to the best beaches on the North Coast 500. My favourite beaches on the north coast 500 are:

Rabbie’s also offers this 5-day Northern Scotland and Orkney Island tour from Edinburgh that both include 2 full days on exploring Orkney and a drive around most of the North Coast 500 so you see many of the highlights and scenery.

Many of the indoor and paid attractions (museums, castles, guided tours, gardens) along the route do not allow pets. If you are traveling with a partner or group, you may want to take turns spending time with your dog and one going inside. Some that you might want to consider visiting along or near the route (all open to the public, although some have seasonal hours) are Cawdor Castle, Dunrobin Castle, Castle SinclairGirnigoeruins, and the Castle of Mey which all lay along the eastern part of the route between Inverness and the small village of Mey. Winter can be a nice time for photography and solitude, although the weather can be bad and certain minor roads (e.g. the Bealach Na Ba) may be closed due to bad weather. If you plan to drive the NC500 out of season (e.g., October to March) just note that many businesses (including hotels, restaurants, tourist information offices, and attractions) in the Scottish Highlands are seasonal or have reduced winter hours. The drink drive laws in Scotland were changed in 2014 and are now very strict with low limits to discourage drinking and driving. The legal drinking limit is now lower than in any other part of the UK. You could still be charged even if you are riding a bike. The best time to drive the North Coast 500 for most people is between May and October as during this period you’ll find most attractions and restaurants open, the greatest variety of lodging, and the best chances for warmer weather. However, this also corresponds with the busiesttime along the North Coast 500 which is from early May to late September.We suggest taking a look at Motorhome Republic as a good starting point for comparing prices on campervan rental in the UK. They have listings for many of the major campervan rental firms in the UK. You can see their UK listings here. Many travelers, especially those who live in the UK, want to do the North Coast 500 with a dog. It is definitely a place that you can bring your dog, but a dog will limit some of the places you can visit or stay. Here are some tips for traveling the North Coast 500 with pets and how to find dog-friendly lodging.