North Coast 500 - Campervan

Some stunning beaches up there in the North West. Coast Road can be busy at times during the summer, passing places seem an unusual concept for a lot of drivers. Beware the sheep that sometimes sleep on the road. If the weather is good, which it can be, some great places for a family to have an overnight stop. Enjoy it, you'll be amazed at some of the views.
 
DCB said:
Some stunning beaches up there in the North West. Coast Road can be busy at times during the summer, passing places seem an unusual concept for a lot of drivers. Beware the sheep that sometimes sleep on the road. If the weather is good, which it can be, some great places for a family to have an overnight stop. Enjoy it, you'll be amazed at some of the views.
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TBH Dave it will be him holding everyone up in his camper van, so that won't be an issue.:rofl::rofl::rofl:

Fab ,my only recommendation would be Durness, great beach.
 
Have a look on pistonheads, there's numerous threads on it there.
There was also a 4 part series on BBC alba recently on it that might still be available on catchup.
Don't try and drive anything bigger than a Volkswagen T5 over beleach na ba. This is the road at Applecross. Take the detour road.Take smidge or avon skin so soft for midges. Keep the van sealed up at night ( windows and doors closed) to avoid midges coming in.
Personally I'd spend much more time in the north west, sheildag, Durness, smoo cave is stunning, Kyle of lochalsh, maybe a trip to the Isle of Skye, Harry Potter train at Mallaig etc. There's not really much right along the north coast and John o groats.
 
Not sure of what the exact plans are yet. Don't expect I will complete the full route and I'm not even sure where I'm staying either. Hoping to play it be ear, enjoy the trip and just rock up to a campsite each night then repeat
 
Farneyman said:
Not sure of what the exact plans are yet. Don't expect I will complete the full route and I'm not even sure where I'm staying either. Hoping to play it be ear, enjoy the trip and just rock up to a campsite each night then repeat
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Take plenty of booze Fabian and be a happy camper van man :D :cheers:.
 
For a 7 day break I would go up the east coast to Inverness then follow at NC500 route anti clockwise.
I think if you go west coast plus NC500 you may be a bit rushed.

The Pie Shop at Kinlochbervie and The Applecross Inn good eating spots.
Good overnight stay at Applecross if you are brave enough to tackle The Bealach:o
Great beach at Gruinard Bay

Good luck and enjoy.
PS walking in the rain is quite good fun.
 
Farneyman said:
Not sure of what the exact plans are yet. Don't expect I will complete the full route and I'm not even sure where I'm staying either. Hoping to play it be ear, enjoy the trip and just rock up to a campsite each night then repeat
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A word of warning, if you go main season and plan a couple of nights B&B you may find most are full. Book in advance is best advice.
Plenty of camp/van sites though.
 
Doon frae Troon said:
For a 7 day break I would go up the east coast to Inverness then follow at NC500 route anti clockwise.
I think if you go west coast plus NC500 you may be a bit rushed.

The Pie Shop at Kinlochbervie and The Applecross Inn good eating spots.
Good overnight stay at Applecross if you are brave enough to tackle The Bealach:o
Great beach at Gruinard Bay

Good luck and enjoy.
PS walking in the rain is quite good fun.
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As Johnnie Ray once sang/whistled :whistle:
 
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Mellon Udrigle beach is lovely and Corrieshalloch gorge is worth the walk, it's a waterfall that drops about 50m.
I'm a wee bit biased on this part of the world, I've got a holiday house in Dundonnell and love coming up here, only about an hour and 15 from Inverness.
Stop at Maggie's tea room in Dundonnell and you'll be well looked after :)
 
I'm off on holiday to do this very route in a week or so. No set schedule but have up to 14 days - will see how long I spend on it. Looking to take it very easy and just enjoy the journey. I read a lot of advice about booking accommodation ahead of time, but given I have no idea where I will be from day to day I am going to take the risk. I don't want that days plans to be restricted by that nights accommodation

I read a few threads where some people have stated that vacancies existed in the places they booked ahead when they arrived (in summer) and they thought the advice of advance booking was too strongly pushed. I need them to be right
 
there are some stunning official campsites, Ardmair, Achiltiebuie, Achmelvich, Clachtoll and lots of places where a discreet overnight stop can be had at the side of the road, some places are just amazing on a good day. However, if it is wet ...........

Spent many summer holidays up in the Assynt area, plenty of outdoor stuff to do and as said before some stunning beaches for the good days.
 
If you've time a 2 day/1 night detour to Orkneys is well worth it, there is loads to see there historically with Scapa Flow naval stuff, Skara Brae, standing stone circles and howes, Kirkwall etc, arguably a lot more to see there than the far north of the mainland which is remote but bleak too. We took the small Gills Bay - St Margarets hope ferry over and the Stromness - Scrabster ferry back. Brilliant place for a short visit. Big swells run through Pentland firth though - had to hang on a bit going over. If you get fed up with scenery this could be an option.
 
jusme said:
I'm off on holiday to do this very route in a week or so. No set schedule but have up to 14 days - will see how long I spend on it. Looking to take it very easy and just enjoy the journey. I read a lot of advice about booking accommodation ahead of time, but given I have no idea where I will be from day to day I am going to take the risk. I don't want that days plans to be restricted by that nights accommodation

I read a few threads where some people have stated that vacancies existed in the places they booked ahead when they arrived (in summer) and they thought the advice of advance booking was too strongly pushed. I need them to be right
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Good luck with that one......I would advise taking sleeping bags.
 
jusme said:
I'm off on holiday to do this very route in a week or so. No set schedule but have up to 14 days - will see how long I spend on it. Looking to take it very easy and just enjoy the journey. I read a lot of advice about booking accommodation ahead of time, but given I have no idea where I will be from day to day I am going to take the risk. I don't want that days plans to be restricted by that nights accommodation

I read a few threads where some people have stated that vacancies existed in the places they booked ahead when they arrived (in summer) and they thought the advice of advance booking was too strongly pushed. I need them to be right
Click to expand...

Be aware that last year there were quite a few times that the Isle of Skye was full. As can places like Oban become full. Second week last August I tried to find one nights B&B accommodation in Oban for the night, I had a 7am ferry departure. Nothing - Oban was full. Ended up staying at my mum's in Glasgow and getting up at 3:30am to drive to Oban.

And you must appreciate that up in north and west of Scotland (basically above Loch Lomond) there is virtually nothing in the way of accommodation in between the villages (there aren't really anything you'd call a town). It's not like England where you can find B&Bs and pubs scattered about the countryside or in hamlets all over the place. the North and West of Scotland is largely empty.
 
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