NC500 - any tips or recommendations please

[Springersrock]

DH and I are planning to go in early June and we’re looking at a mix of camping and B&Bs so wondered if anyone had any recommendations. We’ve got 7 nights + a couple of days each side for travelling up/home.

I’m a happy (ish) camper - I don’t mind cold/rain but do want toilets and showers so I’m not up for wild camping.

Take doggo or leave doggo? She’s a good girl and loves a road trip so I’d love to take her. Everything I’ve looked at so far seems to be very dog friendly, but I can leave her with my Mum if she’s likely to limit what we can do.

Clockwise or anticlockwise?

Thanks!

The scenery on the west is the most dramatic, so you might want to save that for last, but it's stunning country either way.

Book well ahead because if you get there and places are full there's not a lot of accommodation up there! Personally, I think the "route" has ruined a remote part of Scotland as it's now a constant of tourists and motorhomes.
Take midge repellent, a tick remover and be prepared for all weathers.

Sango Sands campsite in Durness is stunning. You can only book EHU pitches in advance, for others the site opens to new bookings at 12pm (I think?). Dogs are definitely allowed.

Thank you!

Sorry, this thread disappeared from my I Started/I’m On threads and I couldn’t find it again.

Thanks for the suggestions.

I’m actually wondering whether we should rethink our plans. I knew there were issues with the NC500, but thought it was more with wild camping, people chucking shit everywhere, blocking roads with massive motorhomes, parking overnight in places they shouldn’t and behaving like entitled knobs.

Our plans are a mix of camping on camp sites and the odd B&B. We’re going in our car.

I’ve come across a couple of local Facebook groups and I really don’t want to piss anyone off or add to the issues. I also live in a tourist area and experience some of the issues they are (although nowhere near the same extent).

Maybe better to choose 1 area and stick to it?

It’s such a stunning place and exploring the area has been on my list for years, but having read some of the stuff in the groups, I really want to be a bit mindful

Thanks!