The ONLY North Coast 500 Itinerary & Route PLANNER You Need (2022 replace)

Planning a highway journey to the North Coast 500 in Scotland? Wondering the place to remain or plan your route? This itinerary is the one one it is advisable discover the perfect 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 highway 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 tough 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. This is what I’m sharing with you on this put up.

I’ve already completed the east part (which incorporates John o’Groats) in an earlier journey (you may see this Scotland highway journey right here)

However, there are many different locations to go to on or close to the NC500, such because the Isle of Skye or Orkney. I extremely suggest you go to each for those who can- I’ll share extra particulars about them beneath.

I did the route in a motorhome. If you’d love to do the journey in a motorhome or campervan too, you may see all the route (plus locations to cease) in our North Coast 500 motorhome information.

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North Coast 500 Itinerary- How to plan your highway journey

As you may see within the map above, 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.

After all, individuals drive at totally different speeds, or prefer to have a couple of days exploring earlier than shifting on.

In the prompt NC500 7 day itinerary beneath, I’ve break up the ‘days’ into components. Each half could be pushed in a day, however you may simply spend 2,3 or much more days in every space for those who want to discover.

Also, I’m assuming a begin an finish level from close to Edinburgh. Obviously, if you need to drive from the south-coast of England (like me!) you’ll want so as to add a couple of days both aspect of your NC500 highway journey to get your self up there are again.

Which route must you drive the NC500?

You can drive the North Coast 500 both clockwise or anti-clockwise. I did it clockwise and suppose that’s an awesome route, however you do whichever is smart for you.

North Coast 500 Route Planner Map

Here’s a map of the NC500 route in its entirety.

If 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

I extremely HIGHLY suggest you go to the Kelpies in Falkirk. These horse statues are so spectacular. Ideally, you need to spend the evening right here as a result of at evening they’re lit up and look superb.

From right here, you’ve acquired 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 can go to inside it- for those who’d like to do that you’ll in all probability want so as to add a day so you might have time.

Where to remain

If you’re in a motorhome or campervan, it value £7 for an evening within the Kelpies automobile park. You pay the guard on the sales space on the high automobile park (closest to the Kelpies) however the in a single day parking is simply down the highway.

Near Eilean Donan, I wild camped in my motorhome a couple of 10 minute drive away, at a Stay the Night scheme at Loch Carron Viewpoint. This was free, however there are additionally campsites across the space you should utilize for those who favor.

Day Two- Bealach na Ba (The Applecross Road)

Bealach na Ba (or the highway to Applecross) is usually thought to be one of many most scenic drives in Scotland. It’s additionally broadly thought to be some of the harmful!

I made a decision to drive it, by myself, in a rain storm and thick fog. Because I’m, apparently, insane.

I drove it in a 6.7m motorhome and had little or no hassle. If you might have a bigger motorhome or campervan, you may battle with a few of the bends and I don’t suggest it in any respect for caravanners.

If you’re driving the NC500 in a automobile, you’ll be completely positive.

It took me about 90 minutes to rise up to the highest, the place I then stayed for a couple of 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 for those who embrace all of the stops for photographs and for highland cows!

Where to remain

I carried on round to Gairloch, and I used to be exhausted once I acquired there. If I hadn’t already booked the campsite I’d in all probability have stopped close to Sheildaig. There had been an awesome trying campsites close to there.

As it occurred, I stayed at Gairloch Holiday 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!)

Part Three- Scotland’s south West Coast

From Gairloch, you may 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 Point 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 be sure you replenish on the grocery store, refill with gasoline and refill your fuel tanks if in case you have them.

If you need to hold going, you may push on to Clachtoll Beach campsite, which is one other hour and an additional 40 miles, so simply doable in sooner or later.

Where to remain

Both campsites I used on this part had been fantastic. Ardmair Point has unimaginable views throughout the bay, however may be very uncovered if the winds are robust (which they had been once I visited.)

Clachtoll Beach 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 seaside 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.

Things to not miss

Definitely go to Clashnessie Falls (it’s muddy, however value it!) and Clashnessie Beach. There’s additionally an awesome chip van close to the campsite on sure days- properly value testing out.

Part Four- Scotland’s north west coast

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.

Bear in thoughts for those who do that route, you’ll miss the Wailing Widow Falls until you double again barely. As it occurred, the climate was AWFUL that day so I made a decision to not hassle, however apparently the falls are properly value visiting if it’s not blowing a gale!

The highway from Scourie to Durness is fairly sufficient however not jaw-dropping (or maybe I simply grew to become immune!) so it’s not value spending too lengthy on this part.

Having mentioned that, if in case you have 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 all around the place- it appears unimaginable however for those who solely have 7 days to do the North Coast 500, you’ll in all probability need to miss it on this event.

Where to Stay

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 in all probability nonetheless keep there once more, because the seashores and views had been unimaginable.

Things to see and do

They make a giant deal in regards to the ‘best hot 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 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 beloved 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.

Part Five- North or center?

The subsequent a part of the North Coast 500 is a selection. If you solely have a 7 day itinerary, you’ll want to decide on what you do subsequent.

Personally, for those who’ve by no means visited John o’Groats earlier than, I really feel it is best to go there. Yes, it’s touristy, however sure, you want that picture by the put up.

The highway alongside the highest of Scotland is fairly however nothing unimaginable. It’s about 90 miles and can take you round 3 hours.

If you simply need to drive it, cease for a fast picture at John o’Groats after which stick with it to Shin (see beneath), it is going to take you about 5 hours (190 miles).

Where to remain on the north coast

If you’re in a motorhome, cease at Dunnet Bay campsite- it’s fantastic and the seaside there may be additionally unimaginable. Don’t miss the Duncansby Stacks- they make nice photographs.

Also, if in case you have time, I extremely suggest a day journey to Orkney– it’s an enchanting place.

The Alternative route south

If you’ve already been to John o’Groats, you’ve seen one of many main highlights on the NC500 route.

If 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 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 ‘jumping’ as they swim upriver to spawn. I’d been there only some minutes once I noticed one, and I noticed a number of over the following half an hour or so.

Where to remain

The automobile park on the Falls of Shin was incredible, stage and FREE for those who didn’t want facilities. Alternatively, there are locations round Lairg to remain.

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Part Six- Loch Ness or The Cairngorms

The North Coast 500 technically goes Inverness to Inverness, however my opinion is it is best to add on a few further stops (and days, for those who 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, nevertheless it was shortly after the Queen’s demise so the fort wasn’t open. However, 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 unimaginable issues to do across the Cairngorms. You may simply spend a couple of days to per week right here for those who can.

Loch Ness

However, for those who’ve by no means seen Loch Ness and for those who can solely do one or the opposite, the drive down Loch Ness is properly value it, if solely as a result of it’s so well-known and everybody ought to search for Nessie no less than as soon as of their life.

I’ve by no means been into Inverness City, however I hear it’s stunning and price a day for those who can spare it.

If 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 highway journey sticker in your car.

Part Seven- Loch Lomond

If you continue to have time, I extremely suggest visiting Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.

The complete space is gorgeous, however Loch Lomond needs to be one among my favourites. Every nook of it has unimaginable views.

Where to Stay

I parked up at Firkin Point, 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 without cost.

There was a incredible little seaside and likewise an awesome 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 quite a bit to cowl in 7 days, so ideally if in case you have 10-14 you’ll discover it far more stress-free and can be capable of see and do extra.

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