The scenic North Coast 500 and its innovative accommodation, from purpose built caravan parking spots to designer cottages modelled on ancient buildings, makes visiting remote areas easier than ever. The best place to see the dolphins mucking around are Chanonry Point and North Kessock on the Black Isle north of Inverness or take a boat trip out into the Cromarty Firth. This means it's sensible to drive, fly, or train into Inverness and bookend your travels with a night or two there. This interactive, cultural guide helps visitors find the most interesting sights and attractions around the route, as well as detailing the stories and music connected to them. It’s particularly important to note that Scotland has a lower drink-drive limit than the rest of the UK, so make sure you have one member of your group as a designated driver at all times.

500: The Ultimate Campervan Itinerary North Coast 500: The Ultimate Campervan Itinerary

Our suspicion is that its incredible popularity is also due to the fact its creation coincided with the growth of Instagram as a key source of travel inspiration for lots of people. If you are closest to a 'passing place', but it's on the right hand side of the road, then it's your responsibility to wait on the left hand side of the road so that the approaching car can safely arrive and pull into the passing place to let you proceed.The North Highlands abounds with activities that aren’t possible during the warmer months, from kayaking down crisp lochs, to building a snow palace – and did you know that winter is the best time of year for white water rafting? Next head further north, following the coast road as it traverses deeply set lochs, and pass more soaring mountains. Ok, it might not have white sands beaches and fjord-like sea lochs of the west coast but it is beautiful, wild, remote and full of lots of fantastic hidden gems.

Scotland 500 Road trip North Road: Scotlands North Road Trip

Before your trip, take a look at the Scottish Outdoor Access Code to make sure you understand the local laws and best practices. Some of the most picturesque scenery in Europe can be found in the Scottish Highlands and you will devour it all as you travel these narrow, winding roads from Inverness to John O'Groats and back down the coast. For those who are travelling in an electric vehicle, you will find a full list of publicly available charging points here.The best time to see Dolphins is on an incoming/rising tide which brings in the food for the dolphins. You must experience the conservatory, it’s the ideal place to sit and enjoy the stunning vistas after a day on the road. We spent eight days driving the famous 516 mile route (sorry Proclaimers fans, it's not actually 500) and, in this North Coast 500 guide, we've shared some valuable lessons and the really essential things to know in advance so you can prepare perfectly for your own road trip in the Highlands.