Planning a street journey to the North Coast 500 in Scotland? Questioning the place to remain or methods to plan your route? This itinerary is the one one it’s good to discover one of the best locations to go to and work out how far to drive every day.
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North Coast 500 Itinerary and route planner
Planning any street journey to a spot you’ve not been earlier than could be daunting, however planning a route and itinerary for the North Coast 500 (NC500) in Scotland usually appears extra overwhelming than most.
There’s a lot to see and do and it’s troublesome to understand how lengthy to allocate to every part. Some individuals drive the NC500 in 3 or 4 days, whereas others can take a number of weeks!
North Coast 500 7 day Itinerary
I’ve simply returned from the NC500 and did the western route in about 7 days. That is what I’m sharing with you on this publish.
I’ve already carried out the east part (which incorporates John o’Groats) in an earlier journey (you may see this Scotland street journey right here)
Nonetheless, there are many different locations to go to on or close to the NC500, such because the Isle of Skye or Orkney. I extremely advocate you go to each when you can- I’ll share extra particulars about them beneath.
I did the route in a motorhome. When you’d love to do the journey in a motorhome or campervan too, you may see your entire route (plus locations to cease) in our North Coast 500 motorhome information.
North Coast 500 Itinerary- The best way to plan your street journey
As you may see within the map beneath, the North Coast 500 is a round route. In some methods, this makes issues simpler, however in some ways it makes it tougher to plan.
In spite of everything, individuals drive at totally different speeds, or wish to have just a few days exploring earlier than shifting on.
Within the steered NC500 7 day itinerary beneath, I’ve break up the ‘days’ into elements. Every half could be pushed in a day, however you may simply spend 2,3 or much more days in every space when you want to discover.
Additionally, I’m assuming a begin an finish level from close to Edinburgh. Clearly, if you must drive from the south-coast of England (like me!) you’ll want so as to add just a few days both aspect of your NC500 street journey to get your self up there are again.
Which route must you drive the NC500?
You’ll be able to drive the North Coast 500 both clockwise or anti-clockwise. I did it clockwise and suppose that’s an incredible route, however you do whichever is sensible for you.
North Coast 500 Route Planner Map
Right here’s a map of the NC500 route in its entirety.
When you’d like an interactive model of the locations I visited on my final journey, you could find it right here.
Day One- Kelpies to Eilean Donan
Driving Distance: 193 miles
Approx Driving Time: 4 hours
Highlights: Kelpies, Highlands, Eilean Donan Fortress
I extremely HIGHLY advocate you go to the Kelpies in Falkirk. These horse statues are so spectacular. Ideally, you wish to spend the evening right here as a result of at evening they’re lit up and look wonderful.
From right here, you’ve obtained a fairly large day of driving forward of you. If it’s too lengthy, be happy to interrupt it up into two days.
There are a few route choices to get from the Kelpies to Eilean Donan. I took the M9 to Stirling, then the A84 to Crianlarich, then the A82/ A85 to Glencoe and Fort William and the A87 to Eilean Donan.
Eilean Donan is an unbelievable fort set in a loch. You’ll be able to go to inside it- when you’d like to do that you’ll most likely want so as to add a day so you’ve gotten time.
The place to remain
When you’re in a motorhome or campervan, it value £15 for an evening within the Kelpies automotive park. You pay the guard on the sales space on the high automotive park (closest to the Kelpies) however the in a single day parking is simply down the street.
Close to Eilean Donan, I wild camped in my motorhome a couple of 10 minute drive away, at a Keep the Night time scheme at Loch Carron Viewpoint. This was free, however there are additionally campsites across the space you should utilize when you choose.
Day Two- Bealach na Ba (The Applecross Street)
Driving Distance (approx): 92 miles
Driving Time (approx): 3h 30
Highlights: Bealach na Ba cross
Bealach na Ba (or the street to Applecross) is usually considered one of many most scenic drives in Scotland. It’s additionally broadly considered one of the crucial harmful!
I made a decision to drive it, alone, in a rain storm and thick fog. As a result of I’m, apparently, insane.
I drove it in a 6.7m motorhome and had little or no hassle. If in case you have a bigger motorhome or campervan, you may wrestle with a few of the bends and I don’t advocate it in any respect for caravanners.
When you’re driving the NC500 in a automotive, you’ll be completely wonderful.
It took me about 90 minutes to stand up to the highest, the place I then stayed for just a few hours while ready for the fog to clear. The route from the highest right down to Applecross is far simpler.
From right here, I drove across the coast from Applecross to Sheildaig, which took about 3 hours when you embody all of the stops for pictures and for highland cows!
The place to remain
I carried on round to Gairloch, and I used to be exhausted once I obtained there. If I hadn’t already booked the campsite I’d most likely have stopped close to Sheildaig. There have been an incredible trying campsites close to there.
Because it occurred, I stayed at Gairloch Vacation Park and it was a beautiful website, with nice sea views. There’s additionally a beautiful chip store simply down the way in which (they fry all the things in beef dripping, which sounds terrible however is scrumptious!)
Half Three- Scotland’s south West Coast
From Gairloch, you may select how far you wish to drive and the way a lot time you wish to spend on the west coast.
For reference, I drove from Gairloch to Ardmair Level simply north of Ullapool in sooner or later. This was about 90 minutes and 60 miles.
I loved trying round Ullapool and stayed two nights on this website. Ullapool is the final massive city earlier than you head North, so remember to refill on the grocery store, refill with gasoline and refill your fuel tanks when you’ve got them.
If you wish to hold going, you may push on to Clachtoll Seaside campsite, which is one other hour and an additional 40 miles, so simply doable in sooner or later.
The place to remain
Each campsites I used on this part have been great. Ardmair Level has unbelievable views throughout the bay, however could be very uncovered if the winds are sturdy (which they have been once I visited.)
Clachtoll Seaside is presumably my favorite campsite alongside the NC500 for motorhomes and campers. It has unbelievable services, together with a canine bathe, laundry, a microwave & toaster (yep, I used to be excited!) and essentially the most golden sandy seashore I’ve ever seen.
It’s not low cost, however it was price each penny and I’d keep there once more in a heartbeat. I stayed there two nights and will simply have spent a 3rd simply lazying and having fun with the surroundings.
Issues to not miss
Positively go to Clashnessie Falls (it’s muddy, however price it!) and Clashnessie Seaside. There’s additionally an incredible chip van close to the campsite on sure days- properly price testing out.
Half 4- Scotland’s north west coast
Driving Distance (approx): 60 miles
Driving Time (approx): 1h 50
Highlights: Kylesku Bridge, Wailing Widow Falls
From Clachtoll, I continued up the A894, previous Scourie and all the way in which to Durness. I took the slower route through Drumbeg. It was driveable in a motorhome however some passing spots have been very tight.
Keep in mind when you do that route, you’ll miss the Wailing Widow Falls until you double again barely. Because it occurred, the climate was AWFUL that day so I made a decision to not hassle, however apparently the falls are properly price visiting if it’s not blowing a gale!
The street from Scourie to Durness is fairly sufficient however not jaw-dropping (or maybe I simply grew to become immune!) so it’s not price spending too lengthy on this part.
Having stated that, when you’ve got time and don’t thoughts driving down small lanes, there are LOADS of pristine white sand seashores to get pleasure from which most individuals don’t go to.
Sandwood Bay is the one you’ll see on postcards everywhere in the place- it seems to be unbelievable however when you solely have 7 days to do the North Coast 500, you’ll most likely should miss it on this event.
The place to Keep
Sango Sands Oasis is one other unbelievable campsite, set proper on the clifftop. Sadly, my expertise there was marred by very unfriendly workers, however I’d most likely nonetheless keep there once more, because the seashores and views have been unbelievable.
Issues to see and do
They make an enormous deal in regards to the ‘greatest scorching chocolate’ on the Balnakeil craft village, which is a couple of 20 minute stroll from the campsite. To be trustworthy, I discovered it too sickly, and I wasn’t an enormous fan of the craft village both.
BUT- when you’re there you could journey the Golden Eagle zipline at Sango Sands. It’s £15 for a go and it’s a lot enjoyable. I additionally liked visiting Smoo Cave. Sadly, the boat tour wasn’t operating as a result of heavy rains, however it was unbelievable to go to contained in the cave anyway.
Half 5- North or center?
The following a part of the North Coast 500 is a alternative. When you solely have a 7 day itinerary, you’ll want to decide on what you do subsequent.
Personally, when you’ve by no means visited John o’Groats earlier than, I really feel you must go there. Sure, it’s touristy, however sure, you want that photograph by the publish.
The street alongside the highest of Scotland is fairly however nothing unbelievable. It’s about 90 miles and can take you round 3 hours.
When you simply wish to drive it, cease for a fast photograph at John o’Groats after which keep on to Shin (see beneath), it should take you about 5 hours (190 miles). You’ll additionally cross Brora Seaside (which is spectacular) and Dunrobin Fortress, which is certainly price a go to when you’ve got time.
When you’d love to do these stopoffs, I’d undoubtedly advocate at the very least two days for this part so you may see all of it correctly.
The place to remain on the north coast
When you’re in a motorhome, cease at Dunnet Bay campsite- it’s great and the seashore there may be additionally unbelievable. Don’t miss the Duncansby Stacks- they make nice pictures.
Additionally, when you’ve got time, I extremely advocate a day journey to Orkney– it’s an interesting place.
The Various route south
When you’ve already been to John o’Groats, you’ve seen one of many main highlights on the NC500 route.
When you’re restricted on time, you may ignore the North East nook and reduce down the center, which is a way more dramatic route with unbelievable surroundings.
I drove from Durness to Tongue, after which down previous Loch Loyal, heading for the Falls of Shin.
The Falls of Shin close to Lairg are well-known for the salmon ‘leaping’ as they swim upriver to spawn. I’d been there just a few minutes once I noticed one, and I noticed a number of over the subsequent half an hour or so.
The place to remain
The automotive park on the Falls of Shin was incredible, stage and FREE when you didn’t want facilities. Alternatively, there are locations round Lairg to remain.
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Half Six- Loch Ness or The Cairngorms
The North Coast 500 technically goes Inverness to Inverness, however my opinion is you must add on a few additional stops (and days, when you can!)
First of those is the Cairngorms. These mountains are house to Aviemore (the UK’s main ski centre) and likewise house to Balmoral.
I stayed in a single day at Balmoral, however it was shortly after the Queen’s dying so the fort wasn’t open. Nonetheless, the stroll as much as King Albert’s Pyramid (yep, an precise pyramid!) was open and that was a incredible expertise (though it was VERY steep!)
In earlier journeys, we’ve visited Aviemore, taken cable vehicles up the mountain and loved lots of the different unbelievable issues to do across the Cairngorms. You could possibly simply spend just a few days to per week right here when you can.
Loch Ness
Nonetheless, when you’ve by no means seen Loch Ness and when you can solely do one or the opposite, the drive down Loch Ness is properly price it, if solely as a result of it’s so well-known and everybody ought to search for Nessie at the very least as soon as of their life.
I’ve by no means been into Inverness Metropolis, however I hear it’s stunning and price a day when you can spare it.
When you drove previous Loch Ness, you’ll find yourself in Fort William once more, which technically closes the loop and now you can proudly show your North Coast 500 street journey sticker in your car.
Half Seven- Loch Lomond
When you nonetheless have time, I extremely advocate visiting Loch Lomond and the Trossachs Nationwide Park.
The entire space is beautiful, however Loch Lomond must be one in all my favourites. Each nook of it has unbelievable views.
The place to Keep
I parked up at Firkin Level, the place motorhome parking is allowed. In excessive season (March- finish September) you want a allow (purchased on-line), however I used to be there first week in October and was capable of keep at no cost.
There was a incredible little seashore and likewise an incredible pedestrian-only walkway which went for about 3 miles and have Mac and I a flat and secure house to run.
I hope you discovered this 7 day North Coast 500 itinerary useful. It’s loads to cowl in 7 days, so ideally when you’ve got 10-14 you’ll discover it way more enjoyable and can have the ability to see and do extra.
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