Has anyone done the North Coast 500

[Cakestandkitchen]

I’d love to hear what you thought, did, stayed, ate etc?!

We did about two thirds of it a couple of yrs ago - missed the north east corner as didn't have time. Absolutely loved it and have been talking about doing the whole thing again. We hired a camper from Inverness and did a loop. Highlights included Applecross, Achiltibuie/Summer Isles, Gairloch. Best seafood restaurant I have ever been to (website here but doesn't seem to be open now sadly). We were not blessed with the best weather but had an amazing time anyway and kids (who were 6 and 8 at time) have learnt to ooh and aah at the views whenever we reach the top of a hill with a nice view, which I consider a win! We started in Inverness and went anti clockwise - first night near Chanonry Point so whole trip began with dolphin spotting which was magical.

Only low point for us was when we dived onto Skye, in the height of the summer, and found heavy crowds and some quite unfriendly locals (I'd have had enough by that point in the season in their shoes too!). I bet it is bliss this year though.

Me 2 weeks ago. Not much was open. John O'Groats was vvvv windy !! A mixed bag of hotels but none awful. It's a long way !! We were in the car a lot. The view when you come round a bend towards Tongue is amazing. The west coast is much prettier than the east coast.

I've not driven the full route but i've been round most of it on various trips. It's a stunning part of the country but very remote and in my opinion, now being ruined by hordes of tourists in campervans and hire cars following each other round like sheep!

I live on the nc500 and have an Airbnb that I rent out
It’s super busy between May to September
It’s starting to look quieter in October
Gorgeous part of the world
I would personally do it in may time it’s my favourite month up north

@emmathedilemma

I've not driven the full route but i've been round most of it on various trips. It's a stunning part of the country but very remote and in my opinion, now being ruined by hordes of tourists in campervans and hire cars following each other round like sheep!

Yes, this.

Use your imagination and chart your own course. These roads are not fit for campers and caravans either, total muppets attempting the pass at applecross towing caravans. You would know bot to if you could read the sign bit said muppets have covered it in stickers.

We did it in May 2017, booked various b&b over 5 nights and had a fantastic time, the weather was fab as it often is in May.

We didn't stop in Inverness at the start as we have holidayed in the area multiple time.

Day 1 we started (anticlockwise) and stopped at the Glen Ord Distillery, in Tain and went to the Tain through Time exhibit, climbed the Whaligoe steps, dinner in Wick then onwards to the John O Groats Guest House.

Day 2 we saw the sites of John o Groats then on across the north coast to Dunnet Head (the most northerly point on the mainland) then on to the Dunnet Bay Distillery (gin and vodka). We drove along the route to Durness where we were booked into the Aiden B&B for 2 nights. In Durness we visited Smoo Cave and the Balnakeil Craft Village (amazing hot chocolate). Dinner at the Smoo Cave Hotel.

Day 3 we took the tiny little 4 man dinghy 'ferry' from Keoldale (a few miles from the b&b) for the Cape Wrath tour. This was absolutely amazing if you enjoy wilderness, scenery and isolation. There's a tiny cafe at Cape Wrath at the lighthouse (no public loos when we went). We stayed at the same B&B in Durness but ate at the Sango Sands that night.

Day 4 was heading down the West coast through some dramatic scenery, we stopped at a tiny tearoom (The Secret Garden tearoom) and at a wee cafe at Achiltibuie. Stopping for the night at Riverside B&B in Ullapool. Fish and chips that night at the Seaforth on the harbour.

Day 5 was heading down through Applecross (lunch there) and over the Bealach Na Ba (fab views of the western isles) before heading back to Inverness!

I would definitely recommend pre peak season. It was one of our favourite holidays!

Watching with interest

I've cycled it over 6 days. It was great - we had hot sunny weather all week (not what I was expecting!) We stayed in air bnbs along the way.

We are doing this at October half term.
We have had to postpone our holiday elsewhere due to Covid but dh and I still want to get away. So this is our new plan.

We are flying to Inverness and have accommodation booked for the route, driving clockwise round. We will be there fo 9 nights.

We booked accommodation a week or so ago and there was already a lot sold out and no vacancies.