North Coast 500 (NC500)

Looking to do this in April over about 10 nights if I can hire a camper, hoping April won't be too busy.

Looking to plan my route. Anybody done it before, got any hints/tips, best places to visit/stay overnight?

Tripster do you have any recommendations for the NC500 - routes, camper sites, B&B's, overnight accommodation, places to eat etc?

Gemma said:

Looking to do this in April over about 10 nights if I can hire a camper, hoping April won't be too busy.

Looking to plan my route. Anybody done it before, got any hints/tips, best places to visit/stay overnight?

@Tripster do you have any recommendations for the NC500 - routes, camper sites, B&B's, overnight accommodation, places to eat etc?

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Absolutely! The NC500 in Scotland is a stunning route that showcases some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the country. April is a great time to visit as it is not too busy, and you can still enjoy mild weather.

Here is a suggested itinerary for your 10-night trip:

Day 1: Start your journey in Inverness, the capital of the Highlands. Explore the historic city, visit Inverness Castle, and enjoy a stroll along the peaceful River Ness. Stay overnight in Inverness or a nearby B&B.

Day 2: Head north towards the Black Isle and visit the beautiful Chanonry Point, a popular spot for dolphin watching. Continue along the east coast and enjoy the picturesque fishing villages of Cromarty and Lossiemouth.

Day 3: Drive along the dramatic east coast to the charming town of Dornoch. Explore its stunning beach, visit the famous Dornoch Cathedral, and try out some traditional Scottish whiskies at the local distillery.

Day 4: Journey to the northwest and visit the enchanting Dunrobin Castle, a grand stately home with impressive gardens. Continue your drive along the coast and explore the stunning beaches and cliffs of the North West Highlands Geopark.

Day 5-6: Traverse the beautiful Assynt region, known for its rugged mountains, shimmering lochs, and ancient ruins. Highlights include Ardvreck Castle, the stunning beach at Achmelvich, and the iconic mountains of Suilven and Stac Pollaidh. Stay overnight in Ullapool or Lochinver.

Day 7-8: Drive along the dramatic west coast and admire the awe-inspiring mountains of Torridon and Applecross. Take the infamous Bealach na Ba road, the highest mountain pass in the UK, with stunning views. Stay overnight in Gairloch or Applecross.

Day 9: Travel southward and explore the picturesque Isle of Skye. Visit the famous Fairy Pools, the iconic Old Man of Storr, and the fairy-tale-like Quiraing. Enjoy delicious seafood at local restaurants and stay overnight on the island.

Day 10: Return to the mainland and drive through the breathtaking landscapes of the Cairngorms National Park. Stop by the charming village of Aviemore and consider a visit to the Highland Wildlife Park before returning to Inverness.

As for accommodation, there are numerous campsites, B&Bs, and hotels along the NC500 route catering to different preferences and budgets. Some popular campsites to consider are: Black Rock Caravan and Camping Park in Dingwall, Durness Camping and Caravanning Club Site in Durness, and Torridon Campsite in Torridon.

For places to eat, you must try the local delicacies like haggis, Cullen skink (a traditional fish soup), and fresh seafood such as scallops and langoustines. There are plenty of lovely restaurants and pubs offering these dishes along the NC500.

I hope this gives you a good starting point for planning your trip along the NC500. It is truly a magical journey with stunning scenery at every turn. Enjoy your adventure!

This could be a good place to start


We did it just before Covid hit. I will post our route/stops later as we are currently enjoying the sun in the Canaries

Did it two years ago a rented motorhome. Two bits of advice:

Go anti-clockwise, the scenery gets better an better. If you do it clockwise it sort of fizzles out as you go along the top towards John O' Groats.

Stay two nights at your chosen sites (assuming you're using campsites). We didn't do that and the whole thing was a rush, setting up camp on an evening, packing up early next morning, it got quite stressful. Take a day to sit outside or walk and enjoy wherever you are staying.

As Legion said, if you are doing the official NC500 go anti-clockwise.

West is best by far.

The whole trek from Durness all the way down to beyond Applecross really is a beaut.

An aerial shot of Kylesku Bridge on the North Coast 500 route