NC500 Pocket Map: Plan your adventure on Scotland’s North Coast 500 route official map

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The two stretches of the road that are usually noted as unsuitable for larger caravans and motorhomes are: 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).

But even right along the route, few people get out of their cars to hike around lochs, hills, beaches, or fields so if you get out into nature you’ll probably find yourself relatively alone. Relatively few people even stop to visit the local museums and we’ve often had them to ourselves. You might also consider heading out on a boat to see the coastline from another angle. Buchollie Castle– access is across a walkway with sheer 100m drops on each side – don’t try and visit in bad weather!

Scotland’s ultimate road trip

Anyway, hope the above helps and just let us know if you have any further questions as you plan your trip to Scotland. Wishing you a wonderful trip along the NC500 and return to Skye and Glen Coe! If you are looking to drive the route during a quieter time of year, I’d consider April, early May, late September, or October, avoiding holidays, festivals, special events, and school breaks. If you are not bringing along your own vehicle, you can easily rent one in Scotland. You can also rent motorcycles, bikes, cycling gear, campervans, and camping gear once you arrive. Depending on where you arrive and plan to leave in Scotland, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Inverness, and Aberdeen are the four largest cities and best places for rentals. 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. Drive the Drumbeg Loop to Achmelvich and Clachtoll Beaches– two beautiful beaches well worth an afternoon detour.

Inverewe Garden and Estate at Poolewe– one of Scotland’s most beautiful gardens. Inverewe House has recently been opened to the public for the first time in its history and gives visitors a snapshot of 1930s life in a Scottish estate. Visit Inverewe. Visit the Falls of Shin –next to the waterfalls at the Falls of Shin (famous for leaping Salmon) with a cafe serving tasty food. I would make the walk down to Smoo Cave – it is free to see the exterior. You can also do a tour here but that might be a bit too much for the kids. As noted earlier (worth repeating!), we’d recommended trying to book your lodging 3 months in advance (especially if you are thinking hotels, B&B’s or self-catering options) as the amount of lodging in some areas is currently not sufficient for the demand at the busiest times of the year. Just come prepared for the weather and don’t let it stop you from enjoying your trip! How Many Days Does it Take to Drive the North Coast 500?

Accommodation options

Obviously, the best time to drive the North Coast 500 is the time you have available, and if you need to set out at a less than opportune time of the year, just be prepared and be flexible. Pony trekking is possible at Red Point at the Gairloch Pony Trekking Centre. Need to book in advance. But the North Coast 500 is designed for touring, sightseeing, and taking things slowly. The minimum number of days we’d recommend to drive the North Coast 500 is 5 days, but 7 to 10 days would be ideal. If you plan to speed around, you could do it with 3 full days and night, but we’d recommend more time.

Of course, getting a little lost is just part of the journey! Which Direction Should I Drive the North Coast 500? Climb up to the Fyrish Monument – one of the NC500’s hidden gems, the view from the Fyrish Monument is well worth the 3-hour round trip walk.

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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 We definitely agree with encouraging people to stop and spend money at the local campgrounds, hotels, museums, restaurants, shops, visitor centers, etc. It is the best way to support the local economy, meet people, and get the most of the route. The slower you go, the more you’ll see and the more you are likely to enjoy your trip! For more on castle hotels along the route, you can see our North Coast 500 accommodation guide which has over 25 recommended places to stay along the route, from castle hotels to B&B’s and guesthouses.

Attadale Gardens– where, in the late 19th century a plant collector started a garden on the Attadale Estate, importing rhododendrons from all over the world. Visit Attadale Gardens. Applecross Penisula – To get here, you either need to brave the famous Bealach Na Ba pass or the winding coast road from the neighbouring village of Shieldaig – both of which require nerves of steel from those not used to Scotland’s dramatic west coast roads. For those who do make it, the peninsula is as blissful as it gets – the view across the Inner Sound to Raasay and Skye is mesmerising.

Is the North Coast 500 Suitable for Motorhomes and Campervans?

The Bealach Na Ba stretch as it is steep, narrow, and has a number of sharp bends. This is on the southwestern part of the route over by Applecross. It is easy to avoid as you can take the slip road up to the A896 instead. Looking for the ultimate in NC500 tours? This four day group NC500 tour can be completely tailored to your needs. There are over 10 golf courses in this area but a few golf courses to consider are the Inverness Golf Club in Inverness, The Nairn Golf Clubin Nairn, Nairn Dunbar Golf Club in Nairn, Castle Stuart Golf Links near Nairn, Fortrose and Rosemarkie Golf Clubin Fortrose, Invergordon Golf Club in Invergordon, and the Royal Links Championship Course & Struie Course in Dornoch. Dunnet Head and Lighthouse – the most northerly tip of the UK. There is an RSPB reserve – the Dunnet Bay Nature Reserve which is worth a short walk. You might even spot puffins! At Dunnet there is also the Dunnet Bay Distillery who make gin and whisky. I think if there is one general piece of advice that people who live and work along the NC500 route would give tourists is to slow down, stop rushing, and spend more time helping support the region. We’ve probably heard some version of this hundreds of times and totally agree with it.