Planning a motorhome or campervan journey across the North Coast 500 in Scotland? Here are among the finest NC500 campsites for motorhome, campervans, caravans & tents to remain in a single day, together with opening time (some are open all yr), amenities every campsite has, route planning, plus suggestions for wild tenting alongside the NC500 route.
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Can you camp wherever on the NC500 (North Coast 500)?
When you’re planning a North Coast 500 tour in any automobile, however particularly with a motorhome, caravan or campervan, the place to remain is likely one of the largest issues.
Let’s begin with some info.
The North Coast 500 is a collection of public roads in Scotland, which have been there lengthy earlier than the route was created. It’s free to drive the NC500– however you will have to pay for gasoline, meals and campsites.
Because these are public roads, you can not simply camp wherever on the NC500- there are many slender roads with solely passing locations and if you happen to parked in a type of you’d trigger chaos!
There best possibility is to remain in one of many many campsites alongside the route- we listing a few of our favourites under.
Can you wild camp on the NC500 in a campervan or motorhome?
There are some strict guidelines about wild tenting in a motorhome or campervan in Scotland. It’s not as simple as you may assume and it’s definitely not a ‘right’.
The quick reply is you ‘can’ wild camp in some locations alongside the route, however you have to be very cautious to not block the street or entry to buildings or farmland, not trigger harm or depart any hint and also you MUST transfer on if requested.
There has additionally been some stress between the locals and visiting vans, which remains to be simmering. When I drove the NC500 in my motorhome, I wild camped among the nights, however alongside the busy west coast I selected to remain in campsites because it made it much less tense for me.
Best NC500 campsites for motorhomes
Luckily, there are LOADS of campsites alongside or close to to the route of the NC500. Some are open all yr spherical, however many are seasonal, opening solely close to Easter (some don’t open till July) and shut by the top of September.
If you might be planning to drive the NC500 throughout July and August, it pays to do your analysis and guide a web site in advance- particularly one of many ones with wonderful views or good amenities.
If you’re motorhoming in Scotland exterior of peak season (which we extremely suggest), then it is best to have extra flexibility and never have to guide up fairly to this point upfront.
Having mentioned that, if there’s a spot you actually wish to keep at, reserving is all the time a good suggestion.
READ MORE: See our North Coast 500 motorhome itinerary right here
It’s additionally most likely a good suggestion to hitch one of many large motorhome golf equipment in your trip- both the Camping and Caravanning Club or the Caravan and Motorhome Club- or each.
Being a member could make it simpler to guide websites AND may give you a spot to empty waste if you happen to want to- they’re often extra accommodating for members.
Planning a visit to Scotland?
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- Tips, customs and far way more!
Best Motorhome Campsites alongside the North Coast 500 route
It doesn’t matter which approach you go across the NC500- it’s going to all the time be one of many most scenic drives in Scotland.
To make this publish simpler to navigate, I’ve break up the route into sections going clockwise so you could find campsites which could be just right for you.
Of course, I can’t embrace each campsite in right here, so listed below are a few web sites which you may discover helpful to search out different choices:
The completely different sections of the NC500 are:
- WESTER- ROSS – Inverness throughout to the west coast and up the SW nook
- SUTHERLAND- The remainder of the west coast and a lot of the northern coast, aside from the very NE
- CAITHNESS- the highest NE Corner, round John o’Groats
- EASTER ROSS and the Black Isle Peninsula -East coast all the way down to Inverness
- INVERNESS-SHIRE- the world round Inverness
NC500 Route Map
Here’s the map of the NC500 route, with among the most important factors on them.
You can learn extra concerning the factors and the best way to plan your North Coast 500 motorhome tour right here
We’ve damaged this publish up into the next sections:
- finest NC500 campsites on the west coast
- campsites for motorhomes and campers on the north coast
- finest NC500 campervan and motorhome campsites on the east coast and close to Inverness
We’ve picked a number of campsites, from large vacation parks with indoor swimming pools, to smaller websites with fundamental amenities however a extra tranquil setting.
You may also see an interactive map of the most effective campsites alongside the North Coast 500 route right here:
For every, we’ve included the handle, after they’re often open throughout the yr, in the event that they’re canine pleasant, tough costs and if they permit campfires and/ or BBQs.
NC500 Books
If you get pleasure from researching earlier than a visit, you may discover these books helpful:
Don’t overlook to seize your motorhome logbook to file all your wonderful adventures!
Best NC500 campsites for motorhomes on the west coast
The Wee Campsite
The Wee campsite is small however has unbelievable views of the loch. The fundamental amenities embrace showers, bogs, wash-up and electrical hook-ups.
Address: Croft Road, Lochcarron, Highland, Scotland, IV54 8YB
Open (tough information): Usually April till finish of September
Dog pleasant?: Yes
Campfire/ BBQ allowed? Yes
Prices: from £15 per unit (+pp)
Max Van Size: 7.5m
Applecross Campsite
Applecross is a small however standard village, set on the shores of a peninsula proper within the SW nook.
There are solely two routes to get there- one alongside the northern coast of the peninsula and one over the tops of the encompassing hills- often known as the Bealach na Bà- one of many steepest and highest roads within the UK.
The campsite at Applecross has spectacular views of the Isle of Skye and the western shoreline.
Address: Applecross, Strathcarron, Ross-Shire, UK – IV54 8ND
Open (tough information): Beginning March till finish October
Dog pleasant?: Yes
Campfire/ BBQ allowed? Free-standing BBQ allowed, no campfires
Prices: from £13 for a motorhome/campervan/caravan (+pp)
Sands Caravan and Camping Park
Sands Campsite has an enviable location proper on the coast, near the city of Poolewe and the mountains of Wester Ross.
There’s a store promoting contemporary bread, groceries, gasoline and alcohol, laundry facilties, children playground plus an onsite cafe in excessive season and lots to do within the space.
Address: Sands Caravan & Camping, Gairloch • Wester Ross • IV21 2DL
Open (tough information): Usually April till October
Dog pleasant?: Yes
Campfire/ BBQ allowed? Yes
Prices: from £24 for a motorhome with 2 adults
Broomfield Holiday Park
If you fancy a little bit of nightlife, Ullapool is an effective stopping level and Broomfield Holiday Park is likely one of the few campsites close to Ullapool. It’s additionally an ideal base if you happen to’re getting a ferry to the Isles. They have electrical hookup, children play space and bathroom blocks.
Address: West Lane, Ullapool, IV26 2UT
Open (tough information): April till finish September
Dog pleasant?: Yes
Campfire/ BBQ allowed? BBQs
Prices: from £24/ night time for a motorhome and two folks
Shore Caravan Site
Shore Caravan Site is family-friendly campsite is on the award-winning Achmelvich Bay and is simply 4-miles from the small village of Lochinver.
The seaside is the primary attraction and you’ll look forward to finding households browsing, swimming and rockpool looking. There are additionally climbing routes close by.
Facilities embrace a bathroom block with showers, launderette, on-site store, chip store and WiFi. They are strict about their amenities being for friends solely.
Address: 106 Achmelvich, Lochinver, Sutherland, IV27 4JB
Open (tough information): Open April- October
Dog pleasant?: No
Campfire/ BBQ allowed? Campfires allowed not on grass
Prices: from £15 (+pp)
Clachtoll Beach Campsite
One of essentially the most iconic seashores on the NC500 is Clachtoll beach- and you’ll keep in a single day proper subsequent to it.
The campsite has electrical hookup, showers, bathroom blocks (with hairdryers) and laundry amenities. There’s even a merchandising machine and WiFi.
This family-run web site could be very environmentally aware and actively encourages campers to make use of eco-friendly chemical substances in waste tanks when disposing of onsite as effectively.
Address: Clachtoll Beach Campsite, 134 Clachtoll, Lochinver, Sutherland, IV27 4JD
Open (tough information): Open all yr
Dog pleasant?: Yes
Campfire/ BBQ allowed? BBQs
Prices: from £19 for an unserviced pitch (+pp)
Scourie Campsite
Scourie Campsite is on the sting of Scourie Bay, with breathtaking views throughout the bay and islands. They are additionally close to the ferry which runs to Handa Island so you may see the puffins.
They have laborious standing pitches, plus bathroom blocks, dishwashing and waste.
Address: Scourie, Lairg, IV27 4TE
Open (tough information): April to September
Dog pleasant?: Yes
Campfire/ BBQ allowed? BBQs
Prices: from £18 (+pp)
NORTH COAST & CAITHNESS NC500 campsites for motorhomes
Sango Sands Oasis
Sango Sands Oasis campsite is perched above the sandy Sango Sands seaside and is likely one of the hottest campsites on the North Coast 500 route.
Smoo Cave is simply down the street and the views over the North Sea are spectacular. It was voted probably the greatest campsites within the UK by the Times. Ceannabeinne Beach and the Golden Eagle zipline are close by.
Facilities embrace electrical hookup, laborious standing and grass pitches, bathroom blocks, waste disposal, laundry amenities and a restaurant with bar.
You solely have to guide if you would like electrical hook-up. Non-serviced and grass pitches are first come, first served.
Fair warning: it will possibly get windy alongside this coastline- it’s very uncovered. I bought caught in a storm there and it was VERY rocking within the motorhome!
Camping out of season: From mid November to mid March chances are you’ll keep right here in a single day for simply £10 with electrical hookup. You may also use their water replenish. The bogs are closed however there are public bogs obtainable subsequent to the native grocery store.
Address: Sango Bay, Durness, Sutherland, IV27 4PZ
Open (tough information): All yr if you happen to don’t want amenities
Dog pleasant?: Yes
Campfire/ BBQ allowed? No
Prices: From £10pp (further prices for youngsters and electrical energy)
There is an onsite bar and restaurant, stocked stuffed with all the most effective Scotch Whisky, this cosy campsite is right in your keep within the north-west of Scotland.
Dunnet Bay Caravan and Motorhome Club Site
Dunnet Bay is one other campsite with breathtaking views and a close-by seaside. Close to the city of Thurso, it’s in a superb location to go to John o’Groats and Orkney. This is the place we left our motorhome for the day once we visited Orkney on our motorbikes (it’s also possible to take your motorhome or camper to Orkney, even when only for the day.)
Dunnet Bay is a Caravan and Motorhome membership web site and there are amenities to match- bathroom blocks, laundry, electrical hookup and loads of issues to do close by.
Address: Dunnet, Thurso, Highlands, KW14 8XD
Open (tough information): March till finish of October
Dog pleasant?: Yes
Campfire/ BBQ allowed? BBQ
Prices: from £20 (+pp)
John O’Groats Caravan and Camping Site
If you wish to camp proper subsequent to John o’Groats, that is the campsite to do it. The views are great and the amenities are good- electrical hookup, bathroom blocks and laundry amenities.
Address: County Road, John o’ Groats KW1 4YR
Open (tough information): April till finish of October
Dog pleasant?: Yes
Campfire/ BBQ allowed? BBQ
Prices: from £24 for a caravan or motorhome
EAST COAST NC500 campsites for motorhomes and campers (inc BLACK ISLE and Inverness)
Wick River Camptite
The Wick River campsite is a sheltered campsite on the banks of the River Wick and solely a 5-minute stroll into the city of Wick. Nearby are outlets, eating places, swimming, golf and seashores.
Address: Riverside Drive, Wick, Caithness KW1 5SP
Open (tough information): May till finish of September
Dog pleasant?: Yes
Campfire/ BBQ allowed? No
Prices: from £26 for a motorhome and a pair of adults.
Brora Caravan Club Site
The Brora Caravan Club Site is on a reasonably sheltered stretch of shoreline, but is simply 300m from the seaside.
It’s a preferred web site with birdwatchers, because the Arctic Tern nest on the seaside. Nearby are lochs and the ocean for swimming or fishing- you may even see whales, seals or dolphins. Brora village is simply a few miles away and has outlets and a few eating places.
Address: Dalchalm, Brora, Highlands, KW9 6LP
Open (tough information): March till finish of October
Dog pleasant?: Yes
Campfire/ BBQ allowed? BBQ
Prices: from £15 (+pp)
Dornoch Caravan and Camping Park
The Dornoch Caravan and Camping Park sits proper on the award-winning Dornoch seaside and near the small city of Dornoch.
It’s solely a 5 minute stroll to Dornoch Cathedral and there’s Dunrobin Castle (probably the greatest castles on the NC500) and a golf course close by.
Address: The Links, Dornoch, Sutherland-shire IV25 3LX
Open (tough information): April till finish of October
Dog pleasant?: Yes
Campfire/ BBQ allowed? BBQ
Prices: £27 for a unit with 4 folks with electrical
Grannie Heilan Hame Holiday Park
As websites go, it is a good one. There are so many amenities, together with loopy golf, a jacuzzi, children membership, zipwire, bowling, indoor pool, tennis courts- and that’s earlier than you even get to the seaside and the unbelievable views.
The web site sits on the white sand seaside of Embo and is near the historic city of Dornoch.
Onsite there’s a store, bar and restaurant. It’s a Park Dean resort, so it’s not quiet- or low cost, however if you would like leisure, that is the place for you.
Address: Dornoch, Sutherland, IV25 3QD
Open (tough information): Feb till October
Dog pleasant?: Yes
Campfire/ BBQ allowed? BBQ
Prices: from £16 pp
Dingwall Camping and Caravanning Club Site
This Dingwall campsite overlooks the well-known Cromarty Firth and is a peaceable place to unwind. Pitches are stage and there’s a mixture of grass and hard-standing, many with electrical. There are bathroom blocks and washing amenities.
It’s near the market city of Dingwall which has a variety of outlets, a grocery store and eating places.
It’s additionally an excellent place to go away the motorhome and catch a practice into Inverness or to Kyle of Lochalsh on the West coast; a surprising route taking in a few of Scotland’s most stunning surroundings.
The Dingwall Heritage climbing Trail passes the campsite and follows the River Peffery to a picnic space on the Cromarty Firth.
Wildlife lovers can hopefully spot dolphins at Cromarty, or see Red Kites on the Black Isle. Ospreys could be seen in close by Udale Bay. For native tradition, go to the Victorian village of Strathpeffer or go to the Black Isle Brewery, Munlochy for excursions and tastings.
NOTE: TV and Wifi indicators could also be poor.
Address: Jubilee Park Rd, Dingwall IV15 9QZ
Open (tough information): April till finish of October
Dog pleasant?: Yes
Campfire/ BBQ allowed? BBQ
Prices: from £9.25pp
Black Rock Campsite
Black Rock campsite is near the Black Rock gorge- a 120 deep chasm carved by the River Glass.
The park is near the village of Evanton, simply 15 miles north of Inverness and Dingwall (with the practice station) is simply 4 miles west. There is a bus service to succeed in each of those locations.
There are 33 gravel touring pitches, all stage with water drainage, electrical hook up and an aeriel socket. There are additionally bathroom and washing amenities, plus freezer packs, a store and a pub simply exterior, which provides 10% low cost to campers.
Address: Balconie St, Evanton, Dingwall IV16 9UN
Open (tough information): April till finish of October
Dog pleasant?: Yes
Campfire/ BBQ allowed? BBQ
Prices: from £25 per night time
Ardtower Caravan Park- close to Culloden
If you wish to go to Culloden, Ardtower Caravan Park is a superb possibility. 95% of pitches have an uninterrupted view in direction of the Black Isle and the views past. There is first rate wifi in most areas and fashionable amenities.
Address: Culloden Road, Inverness, IV2 5AA
Open (tough information): All yr (might shut in February/ March for upkeep)
Dog pleasant?: Yes
Campfire/ BBQ allowed? BBQ
Prices: from £28 for a grass pitch with 2 adults.
Planning a visit to Scotland?
We’ve achieved the laborious be just right for you!
Grab our full Scotland journey planner and get:
- 80+ concepts for locations to go to
- Maps and itinerary strategies
- Routes and issues to see alongside the best way
- Tips, customs and far way more!
NC500 motorhome campsites open all yr spherical
Here are just a few campsites we all know of alongside the NC500 that are open all yr. (Please do examine in advance- simply in case they’ve modified their phrases since we wrote this).
Waste Disposal factors for motorhomes and campervans on the NC500
It sickens me how ceaselessly the information has tales of idiots who’ve determined to only dump their waste (human or in any other case) together with the street, or in a nook of a automotive park- with completely no regard for the harm their actions are having each on the setting and on the general public notion of motorhomers and campervanners.
WARNING: Locals have began a NC500 ‘watch’ to report troublemakers and individuals who depart behind harm or waste- and you can end up banned from another campsites on the route, so please act responsibly.
It is true that the NC500 route has some areas the place disposing of waste could be tricky- particularly out of season when many locations are closed.
However, there are alternatives round, and the federal government is working to place extra choices in place, so please do use them. The best possibility is to guide right into a campsite and use their waste disposal factors and replenish on freshwater.
There are even a few campsites alongside the route the place you may get rid of gray and black waste hygienically, even if you happen to select to not keep on that campsite (you will have to pay a cost for utilizing their facilities- as they should pay to get your waste handled and eliminated.)
A few these are:
If you understand of any extra NC500 motorhome campsites you’d suggest, be happy to go away them within the feedback so others can profit. Safe travels!