Uk & North Coast 500 recommendations?

[squashedalmondcroissant]

I really want to do the North Coast 500 in Scotland next year and Dp suggested we make it a bit of a road trip since we live in the south west so it's a looong way just to get there 😂

Plan is to go for as long as possible but hopefully at least 14 days, probably no more than 18 due to work, either in April or May (probably May).

We are hoping to camp, mixture of wild camping in Scotland and campsites.

Does anyone have any recommendations for things to see/do either on the NC500 or along the way? I can find a lot for the NC500 itself but not so much for the rest of England and I'd hate to miss something really cool that we drive right past!

Thanks!

I should do a bit of research on wild camping and the NC500 before you go.

I used to “wild” camp with my car in Scotland years ago and nobody batted an eyelid because hardly anybody did it. It’s a bit different now with the massive increase in tourists doing the NC500.

I’m tempted to re do the route, or part of it, but out of respect for the locals I will only be using established camping sites this time.

This might be enlightening…

https://www.facebook.com/groups/595039354532848/

We went September a couple of years ago, plus Isle of Skye in our camper van
We didn’t book anything ahead & took 3 weeks & just stopped when we found interesting things to see & do
Mixture of visited friends, campsites, park4night & wild camping (leave no trace)
We were very lucky with the weather
We met some people that flew to Inverness & we’re doing it in 5 days !
We drove over 2000 miles
You could spend years doing this route, there are some stunning places to visit !
I would suggest picking some of your favourite places to visit along the way
There are lots of Facebook groups to join with hints & tips
You need to allow extra time for road works & delays on the motorways

Glencoe, not that I’m biased or anything 😂.

There’s a couple of nice sites for camper vans, Invercoe is stunning and The Red Squirrel is ok but without the amazing views.

I would avoid Glenbrittle on Skye, the road is atrocious and the toilets are disgusting. It was filthy.

I live right on the NC500, and I would suggest that unless you are genuinely wild camping by walking a good way from habitation and using a backpacking tent, then you really should use campsites. The notion of wild camping up here has been misrepresented on social media, there are no rights conferred to vehicles. It really has got insanely busy compared to what it used to be like, and a lot of areas are under severe pressure. I don't agree with a lot of the pitchfork at the ready types you get on the FB groups, but it is a fact that we have faced unprecedented amounts of disrespectful tourists, and everyone who wild camps in ways that used to be tolerated even if outside the actual Scottish Outdoor Access Code's guidelines is being tarred with the same brush.

I would avoid Glenbrittle on Skye, the road is atrocious and the toilets are disgusting. It was filthy

It doesn’t sound like it has improved since I camped there in 1980. The showers had cold water only and absolutely freezing in April. Reputedly supplied directly from a lochan just up the hill.

An alternative is to buy a Calmac hopscotch ticket and do the length of the Western Isles. Spectacular and so much quieter.

Drive as far north as Ullapool then vear left via ferry to the Western Isles aka Outer Herbrides. End up in Barra and ferry back to Oban.

I have visited the Outer Hebrides too. However, beware that you cannot guarantee the weather, it can be very windy & wet. However stunning scenery if the weather is good. Probably better to prebook accomadation, because facilities are fewer than on the mainland

Thanks for the tips so far!

We do plan on properly wild camping, in a backpacking tent, carrying all our own equipment and following 'leave no trace'. We live in a very touristy area near a very popular national trail and so are very aware of the rise of irresponsible 'campers' and the effect it has on locals so we very much don't want to be one of those people!

We are planning on using some campsites as we will want to use the facilities (showers etc) but we don't have any chemicals toilets to empty etc. One of the main draws of the NC500 for us is the abundance of natural beauty so we want to preserve and enjoy it.

Is Skye worth seeing? I'm thinking I'd like to take at least a day there despite it not being officially part of the NC500.

I'm hoping to spend 4 days driving up to Inverness and another 4 days back which depending on how much time I can get off work either 6 or 10 days to travel around Scotland 😊

I'd love to stop off in the Lake and Peak District, hopefully the Cairngorms too. Is this too much? I don't want to try and cram too much in and end up rushing and not enjoying it but I also want to make the most of the opportunity to visit so many amazing places in the same trip 😁

We loved the Glenbrittle campsite, but we went just after lockdown when the loos were shut, so used our own. Parked up with beautiful loch views and enjoyed the dark skies. Agree that the road was unbelievably long for a single track, and absolutely no phone signal of any kind when there. We would go back though.
Also liked Gruinard Bay caravan park, literally sat in our van and looked at a dozen seals on the rocks in front of us. They had great showers if you need them, and a nice space for tents. We went there as couldn’t get into the site at Mellon Udrigle, amazing beach there that we walked back to.
Sango sands is very busy but a stunning coastline, very windy on the cliff tops and you can walk down to the beach. Maybe spot an orca.
We stayed at Fortrose Bay and walked to Rosemarie for the dolphin spotting. Just glimpsed one so need to go back!
Have been up and done bite, and only did the whole route once, but definitely want to go again to stay at different sites. We live down south too so stop at the lakes on way up and Northumberland on way back.

I call it Glenbrutal - I'm not a fan I find the Cullin landscape quite scary and foreboding.

If you are backpacking have a think about whether you actually need a car or can you use public transport to a certain extent? One of the reasons is that it's actually really difficult to park overnight at a lot of popular places, and it's increasingly getting banned. Also if you are lucky enough to get a space it's easy to get blocked in when you return!
Have a look at the possibility of baggage transfer from various parts of the West Highland Way in Glencoe for a long distance walk, or perhaps connect up campsites by walking in between and using bothies then taxis back to your car?

You can only wild camp if you are hill walking. There is a right to roam not a right to park up.

@Milliways thanks for the tips! I've heard of some of those sites, will look the others up for sure.

I'm well aware of the rules for wild camping. We live near Dartmoor and go wild camping there regularly, it's similar to the issues in Scotland in terms of annoying people trashing the place and not respecting the environment which is very disappointing. The Scottish right to roam is amazing and a huge draw for visiting in the first place so we will make every effort to be responsible wild campers. We've recently even gotten involved in the campaigning to overturn the ruling against wild camping on Dartmoor because we are so passionate about it.

We do definitely need a car though! Not only are some places we want to visit just not easily accessible by public transport (same where we live 😂) but we have to travel almost 800 miles before we even get to the start of the NC500 and we've worked out the other available options and they just aren't workable in the time we have.

Take your time.
The NC500 is not the only wonderful part of Scotland, and I personally think that following just that route misses so much. That and the fact that Scotland is so big and so diverse for scenery and people that it would take a lifetime to explore it all. I have lived here 16 years, hill walk and cycle most weekends and am still discovering places.

Skye (other Islands are better these days IMO) I could spend a fortnight on easily. Scotland, like England, is so big you could easily spend the fortnight driving more than you explore and enjoy. Slow down, breathe deeply, stay a couple of nights, seek out the local places and surprises....

You sound like quite adventurous folk - can I suggest that you look at a few hills en-route. Walk Highlands has a great interactive map when you sign up to a free account. https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/munros/.

I would also suggest some imagination and adventure - I stayed about 5 miles off the NC500 and found that the place I stayed was empty of people - yet just as beautiful as the busier main NC500 route. Look for places away from the crowds. It is worth it.

I think the East Coast Inverness - John o' Groats is less interesting a drive, and in fact would suggest other routes are more interesting. It is almost the 'have to do' bit for much of the rest of the route. That said, many folk would find it lovely and a real change from the north west coast.

"The Scottish right to roam is amazing and a huge draw"
There is no right to roam.
There is a right to responsible access.
This does not apply to any motorised transport.
Your responsibility is to be considerate and caring of the people and land.
This is most definitely not a right to roam.