North Coast 500 The Road Trip of a Lifetime – NC500 Guide Book by Robbie Roams

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I'm not too fussed about it being rainy or cold, however it would be disappointing if early April was still considered out of season for a lot of the activities I would like to do. If you are in a large campervan, the hairpin turns might be a challenge but to be honest, we had no difficulty driving through it despite being in a 6.1m van. Yes, the roads are narrow but the views from the viewpoint at the top more than makes up for the hassle. All drivers (especially Clarkson types) need to note that driver etiquette and road awareness is hugely importantwhen driving the North Coast 500. Hailed as Scotland’s Route 66, this fantastic road trip has gained popularity over the years and is now being religiously traveled using cars, bikes, campervans, and even motorcycles. As we've mentioned, the North Coast 500 has been wildly successful since its creation in 2014. When we first drove it in 2016, it had some press attention but was still flying under the radar; it’s now busier each year.

NORTH COAST 500: All You Need to Know BEFORE - Tripadvisor NORTH COAST 500: All You Need to Know BEFORE - Tripadvisor

We rented our campervan from the guys at Bunk Campers and couldn’t have been happier with our decision. Established as one of the leading campervan rentals in the UK, we loved our little home on wheels and were pleased by the top-notch quality of the van.

Now, this can rightly be viewed very much as a positive aspect of the NC500 route - a rare chance to disconnect, escape the world for a while and remove the everyday distractions which could detract from your enjoyment of all the beauty of the Highlands. Quite frankly, it’s the best way to do it! We had so much freedom to go wherever we wanted to, allowing us to really explore every nook and cranny of Scotland’s rugged coast.

The Rough Guide to the North Coast 500 (Compact Travel Guide)

We could have had easily spent two weeks on the NC500, especially when the weather was on our side. This would have allowed us more time to discover each place and explore some of its less accessible hidden gems, bag some Munros(a 3,000+ feet Scottish hill if you didn't already know), rush less and enjoy more of what we were there to see. We made a couple of other stops along the way by Big Sands Bay before heading to Mellon Udringle Beach for the night. However, as its popularity has increased, the visitor season on the route has extended closer to seven months. May and September are really great options if you're hoping to share the road with fewer vehicles, whilst the route would still be absolutely beautiful in the early spring months or further into autumn.First of all, if you just happened to stumble across this article and have no idea what the North Coast 500 is, you’re in for a treat. For those who want a bit of a visual, here is an overview of the route that we did. As we get deeper into this NC500 route planner, I will go into our recommendations on what to see, do, and where to stay along the way. Now for the not so good news. Many businesses along the North Coast 500 have been hit very hard by the cancellations of the last year and ongoing uncertainty. A decent number did not open in summer 2020, with a survey pointing to just 67% of businesses polled saying they anticipated opening their doors. This will obviously affect the availability of certain facilities and your ability to visit certain attractions or establishments this summer (and beyond). Therefore, in the age overtourism, it's more important than ever that each individual and group driving the North Coast 500 practices and promotes the basics of responsible travel. These include: Following an increase amount of charge stations/charge points along the journey, electric cardrivers can now safely take the trip without fear of running out of battery charge.

North Coast 500 - Scottish Route 66 - Book Your Tailormade Tour North Coast 500 - Scottish Route 66 - Book Your Tailormade Tour

The beauty of a road trip like this is that anyone can do it - the views are the same if you're in an old banger or a muscle car, on a budget or a billionaire - and if you take the time to do some research beforehand, you will be able toplan a routewhich marries accommodation, facilities and service providers to suit your personal tastes and budget.

Sutherland: As you continue along the north coast, the dramatic scenery is a must-visit for those along the journey. With many harbours, castles, historic monuments andgolf courses– this is an area many visitors tend to stay for a few days. Known as Scotland’s ‘Route 66’, the NC500 is a picturesque 516-mile (830km) route that encompasses stunning coastal views, rugged mountains and spectacular Highland roads. If you want to enjoythe very best ofnorth Scotland, the NC500 should not be missed. Your mobile internet won’t always work! One of the things that surprised us the most was the internet coverage in Scotland. Although we like unplugging once in a while, not having internet (even on our UK phones) was a pain when you are trying to plan out your route.

500 | VisitScotland North Coast 500 | VisitScotland

Although planning your journey may seem overwhelming – no matter where you stop on your journey, there are so many exciting options for you, and you friends and family.On day 4, we woke up early and decided to complete the Mellon Udringle Beach Circuitwhich was around 4km. The walk is gorgeous and takes you up multiple hilltops, showing you the rugged coastline of the area. The official North Coast 500 route suggestions point to five day itineraries for motorists; in our opinion, that should be treated as a minimum. Despite the increasing popularity of this route, we were blown away by the incredible scenery as we were treated to stunning viewpoints, out-of-this-world landscapes, and a wide array of beaches. If you are looking at visiting the distilleries and breweries on the route, please be wary of drink driving limits in Scotland – as they are different from the rest of the UK. . What else does the North of Scotland have to offer drivers?