Sands Beach – voted by Countryfile readers as the Beach of the Year in 2015/16. It is one of my favourite places in Scotland and a gorgeous 10km walk from the village on the Peninsula. The North Coast 500 brings together a route of more than 500 miles of stunning coastal scenery – 516 miles, to be exact. Not only is the NC500 one of the world’s best road trips, but it’s also one of the most beautiful. While the North Coast 500 is an experience in itself, you’ll also find plenty of adventures to be had along the way. We want everyone who visits the North Highlands to have the best time possible when driving the North Coast 500, so, in this article, we’ll bring you some top tips on how to make the very most of your trip.

Driving the North Coast 500 - ALONG DUSTY ROADS Our Tips for Driving the North Coast 500 - ALONG DUSTY ROADS

For the North Coast 500, wewould recommend that you start researching lodging options as soon as you know your dates. I would book at least 3 months in advance if possible. Staff at several of the busiest properties recommended to us that travelers should try to book 6 months in advance to guarantee a room as they had some dates fully booked 6 to 9 months in advance.The NC500 route officially begins and ends in the city of Inverness at Inverness Castle, forming a loop. However, you can begin and end the route anywhere you choose although Inverness, as the largest city along the route, is a convenient place to start and stop. Inverness Castle How Do I Find and Stay on the North Coast 500 route?

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

Dornoch is a perfect place to linger for a while: take a lengthy walk along the expansive beach. Indulge in a little shopping for Scottish crafts. Enjoy a tasting of rare whisky. Dornoch boasts Scotland’s smallest cathedral, and in 1727, it became the last place in Scotland where a witch was burnt. The HistoryLinks community museum is the spot to learn all about local culture and history.if you want to rent a campervan for the drive, we recommend using Motorhome Republic, They compare prices across the major rental firms in the UK to find the best price for you. You can book your RV for the UK through them here. Whenever you drive the route, Scotland’s NC500 will take you on an incredible road trip around Scotlandyou won’t ever forget… Castle of Mey– previously the home of the Queen Mother in Scotland, you can now tour this royal palace. In terms of food, I’d expect fresh, rustic, and homestylemeals that rely on the local produce at most eateries along the NC500. However, whereas there are fewer options than you’d have in a large city like Edinburgh or Glasgow, there is still a wide variety of food stops that range from budget-friendly cafes serving simple salads and sandwiches to Michelin-starred restaurants serving four-course menus. Visit the Falls of Shin –next to the waterfalls at the Falls of Shin (famous for leaping Salmon) with a cafe serving tasty food.

Scotland 500 Road trip North Road: Scotlands North Road Trip

During our 12 day winter trip in February most days were mixed (rain/light snow/clouds/some sun) and it rained at least a little on almost every day of the trip. During that time we had 2 bad days (snowed all day, roads uncleared, stayed inside) and 1 especially nice and sunny day. Boat trip out on Loch Ness to Urquhart Castle –The Loch Ness Monster is a national treasure – and don’t let anyone tell you she isn’t real. Take a leisurely boat trip out on Loch Ness* to the dramatic Urquhart Castle. 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. We have driven Route 66, and we can say that there are a lot of differences between a historic route that spans over 2,400 miles and crosses 8 U.S. states and the North Coast 500. The NC500 is a mainly coastal route that goes through small villages and rural areas in a sparsely populated area of northern Scotland. I recommend that your stops are no more than 1-1.5 hours apart unless much of the journey is on a motorway or you know the rules of the road. 2 hours on mountain roads will exhaust even the most patient of drivers.

Share your NC500 Adventure

Most attractions (from the National Trust or Historic Scotland) close from October to Easter. Many of the grounds are still open. Waligoe Harbour– climb down 250 metres to the tiny Waligoe Harbour. Watch out for the weather – descending the 250 steps into sea haar can feel very spooky indeed. Corrieshalloch Gorge– through which the River Droma falls through a series of waterfalls, including the huge 45 m Falls of Measach. Don’t be scared! 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.” (Lonely Planet, December 2018).