Planning a street journey to the North Coast 500 in Scotland? Questioning the place to remain or the best way to plan your route? This itinerary is the one one it’s good to discover one of the best locations to go to and determine 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 typically appears extra overwhelming than most.
There’s a lot to see and do and it’s troublesome to know the way 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 accomplished the east part (which incorporates John o’Groats) in an earlier journey (you’ll be able to 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 in the event you can- I’ll share extra particulars about them under.
I did the route in a motorhome. For those who’d love to do the journey in a motorhome or campervan too, you’ll be able to see the whole route (plus locations to cease) in our North Coast 500 motorhome information.
North Coast 500 Itinerary- plan your street journey
As you’ll be able to see within the map under, the North Coast 500 is a round route. In some methods, this makes issues simpler, however in some ways it makes it more durable to plan.
In any case, individuals drive at totally different speeds, or wish to have just a few days exploring earlier than shifting on.
Within the recommended NC500 7 day itinerary under, I’ve cut up the ‘days’ into elements. Every half could be pushed in a day, however you’ll be able to simply spend 2,3 or much more days in every space in the event you want to discover.
Additionally, I’m assuming a begin an finish level from close to Edinburgh. Clearly, if it’s a must to drive from the south-coast of England (like me!) you’ll want so as to add just a few days both facet of your NC500 street journey to get your self up there are again.
Which course do you have to drive the NC500?
You’ll be able to drive the North Coast 500 both clockwise or anti-clockwise. I did it clockwise and assume that’s a terrific 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.
For those who’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 need to spend the night time right here as a result of at night time they’re lit up and look wonderful.
From right here, you’ve received a reasonably large day of driving forward of you. If it’s too lengthy, be at liberty 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 unimaginable fort set in a loch. You’ll be able to go to inside it- in the event you’d like to do that you’ll most likely want so as to add a day so you may have time.
The place to remain
For those who’re in a motorhome or campervan, it price £7 for an evening within the Kelpies automotive park. You pay the guard on the sales space on the prime 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 few 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 in the event you choose.
Day Two- Bealach na Ba (The Applecross Highway)
Driving Distance (approx): 92 miles
Driving Time (approx): 3h 30
Highlights: Bealach na Ba go
Bealach na Ba (or the street to Applecross) is commonly thought to be one of many most scenic drives in Scotland. It’s additionally extensively thought to be some of the harmful!
I made a decision to drive it, by myself, 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 bother. If in case you have a bigger motorhome or campervan, you would possibly wrestle with a few of the bends and I don’t advocate it in any respect for caravanners.
For those who’re driving the NC500 in a automotive, you’ll be completely fantastic.
It took me about 90 minutes to rise 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 way simpler.
From right here, I drove across the coast from Applecross to Sheildaig, which took about 3 hours in the event you embrace all of the stops for photographs and for highland cows!
The place to remain
I carried on round to Gairloch, and I used to be exhausted after I received there. If I hadn’t already booked the campsite I’d most likely have stopped close to Sheildaig. There have been a terrific trying campsites close to there.
Because it occurred, I stayed at Gairloch Vacation Park and it was a beautiful web site, with nice sea views. There’s additionally a beautiful chip store simply down the way in which (they fry every little thing in beef dripping, which sounds terrible however is scrumptious!)
Half Three- Scotland’s south West Coast
From Gairloch, you’ll be able to select how far you need to drive and the way a lot time you need to spend on the west coast.
For reference, I drove from Gairloch to Ardmair Level simply north of Ullapool in in the future. This was about 90 minutes and 60 miles.
I loved trying round Ullapool and stayed two nights on this web site. Ullapool is the final large city earlier than you head North, so make sure to top off on the grocery store, refill with gasoline and refill your gasoline tanks in case you have them.
If you wish to maintain going, you’ll be able to push on to Clachtoll Seaside campsite, which is one other hour and an additional 40 miles, so simply doable in in the future.
The place to remain
Each campsites I used on this part had been fantastic. Ardmair Level has unimaginable views throughout the bay, however could be very uncovered if the winds are sturdy (which they had been after I visited.)
Clachtoll Seaside is presumably my favorite campsite alongside the NC500 for motorhomes and campers. It has unbelievable amenities, together with a canine bathe, laundry, a microwave & toaster (yep, I used to be excited!) and probably the most golden sandy seashore I’ve ever seen.
It’s not low cost, nevertheless it was value 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 value it!) and Clashnessie Seaside. There’s additionally a terrific chip van close to the campsite on sure days- nicely value 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 by way of Drumbeg. It was driveable in a motorhome however some passing spots had been very tight.
Keep in mind in the event 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 nicely value 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 turned immune!) so it’s not value spending too lengthy on this part.
Having stated that, in case you have time and don’t thoughts driving down small lanes, there are LOADS of pristine white sand seashores to take pleasure in which most individuals don’t go to.
Sandwood Bay is the one you’ll see on postcards everywhere in the place- it appears unimaginable however in the event you solely have 7 days to do the North Coast 500, you’ll most likely must miss it on this event.
The place to Keep
Sango Sands Oasis is one other unimaginable 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 had been unimaginable.
Issues to see and do
They make a giant deal in regards to the ‘greatest scorching chocolate’ on the Balnakeil craft village, which is a few 20 minute stroll from the campsite. To be trustworthy, I discovered it too sickly, and I wasn’t a giant fan of the craft village both.
BUT- whilst 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, nevertheless it was unimaginable 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. For those who solely have a 7 day itinerary, you’ll want to decide on what you do subsequent.
Personally, in the event 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 picture by the publish.
The street alongside the highest of Scotland is fairly however nothing unimaginable. It’s about 90 miles and can take you round 3 hours.
For those who simply need to drive it, cease for a fast picture at John o’Groats after which keep on to Shin (see under), it can take you about 5 hours (190 miles). You’ll additionally go Brora Seaside (which is spectacular) and Dunrobin Fortress, which is unquestionably value a go to in case you have time.
For those who’d love to do these stopoffs, I’d undoubtedly advocate at the very least two days for this part so you’ll be able to see all of it correctly.
The place to remain on the north coast
For those who’re in a motorhome, cease at Dunnet Bay campsite- it’s fantastic and the seashore there may be additionally unimaginable. Don’t miss the Duncansby Stacks- they make nice photographs.
Additionally, in case you have time, I extremely advocate a day journey to Orkney– it’s a captivating place.
The Various route south
For those who’ve already been to John o’Groats, you’ve seen one of many main highlights on the NC500 route.
For those who’re restricted on time, you’ll be able to ignore the North East nook and minimize down the center, which is a way more dramatic route with unimaginable 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 after I noticed one, and I noticed a number of over the following half an hour or so.
The place to remain
The automotive park on the Falls of Shin was unbelievable, stage and FREE in the event 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 further stops (and days, in the event you can!)
First of those is the Cairngorms. These mountains are residence to Aviemore (the UK’s main ski centre) and likewise residence to Balmoral.
I stayed in a single day at Balmoral, nevertheless it was shortly after the Queen’s demise 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 unbelievable expertise (though it was VERY steep!)
In earlier journeys, we’ve visited Aviemore, taken cable vehicles up the mountain and loved most of the different unimaginable issues to do across the Cairngorms. You possibly can simply spend just a few days to every week right here in the event you can.
Loch Ness
Nonetheless, in the event you’ve by no means seen Loch Ness and in the event you can solely do one or the opposite, the drive down Loch Ness is nicely value 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 lovely and value a day in the event you can spare it.
For those who 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 automobile.
Half Seven- Loch Lomond
For those who nonetheless have time, I extremely advocate visiting Loch Lomond and the Trossachs Nationwide Park.
The entire space is gorgeous, however Loch Lomond needs to be certainly one of my favourites. Each nook of it has unimaginable 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 in a position to keep without spending a dime.
There was a unbelievable little seashore and likewise a terrific pedestrian-only walkway which went for about 3 miles and have Mac and I a flat and protected house to run.
I hope you discovered this 7 day North Coast 500 itinerary useful. It’s rather a lot to cowl in 7 days, so ideally in case you have 10-14 you’ll discover it rather more enjoyable and can be capable to see and do extra.
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