North Coast 500

A couple of comments from someone who lives in the Highlands and has many weeks holidaying on the west coast.

Absolutely definitely do it anti clockwise. There are more ‘attractions’ on the east side, but the scenery on the west coast is like nowhere else in the UK

Leave time to get out of the van and do some walking or just admiring the view when on the west coast or you will miss some of the best parts of the trip.

I can’t help with campsites but will try to help with walk suggestions of places to eat/drink
 
Captain Mainwaring said:
A couple of comments from someone who lives in the Highlands and has many weeks holidaying on the west coast.

Absolutely definitely do it anti clockwise. There are more ‘attractions’ on the east side, but the scenery on the west coast is like nowhere else in the UK

Leave time to get out of the van and do some walking or just admiring the view when on the west coast or you will miss some of the best parts of the trip.

I can’t help with campsites but will try to help with walk suggestions of places to eat/drink
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Thanks for the tip and any walk options (we have an 11 year old) and suggestions for food appreciated!! I think we are likely to zip up the east coast with a possible overnighter on Orkney and then take a few days to get down to Skye etc... want to do the Talisker Tour and would love to do the Lagavulin but i think it is a pain to get to...
 
Brilliant weather here just now as well, would have been awesome. We were supposed to be going a tour on the bikes as well
 
shropschris said:
I was due to be up there now ,oh well another time
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I’ve got 2 weeks off work in September and was hoping to have bought a van and had it converted in time to spend the fortnight up there. Looks like it’s going to have to be 2021 now.:(
 
Ali-G said:
I’ve got 2 weeks off work in September and was hoping to have bought a van and had it converted in time to spend the fortnight up there. Looks like it’s going to have to be 2021 now.:(
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Had mine bought and converted to do this at easter just past... ho hum...
 
Hi Guys,

We are thinking of doing most of the North Coast 500 from Friday...but we may have a problem...Nicola Sturgeon 's not getting Scotland out of lockdown for tourism until Wednesday and then the thought of campsites opening for those without toilet and shower facilities on board, may mean you can't use the toilets or showers if you camp....bit of a no no in our household!!

So...what I think I am asking is, do any of you have recommendations of campsites on route that we may use...or at least phone up to see if they are opening up the facilities in the campsites from Friday (for us) onwards)?

We have family in Stornoway, so will be aiming for Ullapool and get the ferry across, but the thought of going from Inverness around the top of Scotland to Ullapool intrigues us....we should be going to the Alps on Friday for 2 weeks, but have decided to stay in the UK this year....so a road trip suits us :)

So far our itinerary is as follows, so if you have any campsite recommendations that would be lovely....if we do it, we will photo everywhere and add some lovely pictures to this forum.

Home - Fortrose
Fortrose - Dornoch
Dornoch - Wick
Wick - Portskerra
Portskerra - Durness
Durness - Ardmair
Ardmair - Stornoway
Stornoway - Gairlock
Gairlock - Applecross
Applecross - Glenbrittle
Glenbrittle - Fort William
Fort William - Home

Hope to hear some help soon.

Thanks in advance....Matt
 
Gairloch is a lovely part of Scotland. I've been here a few times climbing and have used both campsites. The one in the village center was good for the pub, and other amenities, but the one further along the coast was great for views, nice and quiet, very big, windy enough to keep the wee bastards away. I'd recommend both but the one out of town is better.

Glenbrittle has the obvious choice, amazing views of the cullin, a bit far from civilization but that's skye! We stayed in the campsite near Dunvegan and it was brilliant. Awesome views and good facilities i remember.

Enjoy.
 
I have a trip booked for the end of august and I've been checking the toilet situation, my sites that now have open toilets/showers bunchrew inverness, Kinloch campsite skye, ardmair point ullapool, the wee campsite lockcarron. Fingers crossed more open up as they plan too if not we will be stuffed too.
 
Right....after many hours on the net and phoning campsites.....we will start our epic journey northbound on Sunday from Daventry. Our journey is as follows;

Bunchrew Caravan Park, Inverness IV3 8TD, Grannie's Heilan' Hame Holiday Park, Dornoch, IV25 3QD, 2x nights at Kyle of Tounge Hostel & Holiday Park, Lairg IV27 4XH, Port A Bhaigh Campsite, Altandhu, IV26 2YR, over to Lewis to see the family for 4 days, then, Ardmair Holiday Park, Ullapool, IV26 2TN, Loch Ness Shores Camping And Caravanning Club Site, IV2 6YH and finally Achindarroch Touring Park, Argyll, PA38 4BS

We cannot wait.....its not the Alps holiday we planned...but for a last minute, COVID campsite operation, I think we've done well.....I will obviously report back once done....

We never thought the day would come when we would be soooo looking forward to seeing the other end of the UK.....We're climbers, mountain bikers and a car/ van lovers.....now is the time to enjoy all of these in the UK.

I must update you @Hickey you are lucky, by the end of August most of Skye will be open (not now...cannot find anything at all)...... @drew_greenday all of the site around Gairloch are closed to those without toilets or showers onboard (puts the breaks on that side)......I have found this experience quite tricky....but boy....I am going to make the most of it ;)

Take care and stay safe all....Matt
 
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My first observation would be.... Ferries! Most are fully booked and only take cancellations on the day. I have heard rumours of campervans sitting in Stornoway for 3 days awaiting a space to get back to the mainland!!
 
saxoboy said:
Right....after many hours on the net and phoning campsites.....we will start our epic journey northbound on Sunday from Daventry. Our journey is as follows;

Bunchrew Caravan Park, Inverness IV3 8TD, Grannie's Heilan' Hame Holiday Park, Dornoch, IV25 3QD, 2x nights at Kyle of Tounge Hostel & Holiday Park, Lairg IV27 4XH, Port A Bhaigh Campsite, Altandhu, IV26 2YR, over to Lewis to see the family for 4 days, then, Ardmair Holiday Park, Ullapool, IV26 2TN, Loch Ness Shores Camping And Caravanning Club Site, IV2 6YH and finally Achindarroch Touring Park, Argyll, PA38 4BS

We cannot wait.....its not the Alps holiday we planned...but for a last minute, COVID campsite operation, I think we've done well.....I will obviously report back once done....

We never thought the day would come when I would be soooo looking forward to seeing the other end of the UK.....We're climbers and mountain bikers and a car/ van lovers.....now is the time to enjoy all of these in the UK.

I must update you @Hickey you are lucky, by the end of August most of Skye will be open (not now...cannot find anything at all)...... @drew_greenday all of the site around Gairloch are closed to those without toilets or showers onboard (puts the breaks on that side)......I have found this experience quite tricky....but boy....I am going to make the most of it ;)

Take care and stay safe all....Matt
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Enjoy mate Welcome - Kinloch Campsite Skye these on skye are open if your desperste
 
@Hickey phoned them today mate....the website is not up to date....they have gone too early...they are saying that by the start of August they will take a van without washing facilities....i.e there facilities will be open.....just not yet, they will only take those with wash facilities on board....in fact the only one that we may have got, was up at Uig...but he couldn't confirm anything until 2 days before we arrived.....well that wasn't pleasing someone!....SWMBO!!!!!....it will be trying in these days....I'm sure it will get better.....my headache was trying to find campsites where we wanted to be or get to and the website said....no bookings till either after Sept or....next year FFS....its carnage.......I was stuck coming off Lewis.....Its a beautiful part of the world that I think we UK'ers take for granted.....I've never been North of Inverness.......now I am wanting to put the key in the van and go......its exciting :)
 
saxoboy said:
@Hickey phoned them today mate....the website is not up to date....they have gone too early...they are saying that by the start of August they will take a van without washing facilities....i.e there facilities will be open.....just not yet, they will only take those with wash facilities on board....in fact the only one that we may have got, was up at Uig...but he couldn't confirm anything until 2 days before we arrived.....well that wasn't pleasing someone!....SWMBO!!!!!....it will be trying in these days....I'm sure it will get better.....my headache was trying to find campsites where we wanted to be or get to and the website said....no bookings till either after Sept or....next year FFS....its carnage.......I was stuck coming off Lewis.....Its a beautiful part of the world that I think we UK'ers take for granted.....I've never been North of Inverness.......now I am wanting to put the key in the van and go......its exciting :)
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I feel your pain mate I've just cancelled the ferry from Uig to Lewis as couldn't find sites on the island and rearranged going all the way up the west, plenty of good sites but like you say lots closed or with toilets closed, hope the weather and midges are kind for you
 
You’ll love it - Lewis is great for wild camping... try Botha beach (not sure if open atm but usually has toilet) or Ardroil (normally has both showers and toilets)... both part of the Lewis trust so a fiver a night donation in an honesty box. If the weathers bad, just head to the other side of the island. Just north of Stornaway is good for whale watching.

If you get chance, Harris is a couple of hours drive and on the right day, it’s like the arctic Caribbean. Luskintyre is the most infamous beach - one of the top 10 in the world - pics from October last year

Personally, I’d not go back to Loch Ness shores... sites ok, near by pub is ok but the scenery just doesn’t cut it given what you’ve come from - stick to the coast.

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For mountain biking - at grannies hielan hame , you're close to the fantastic golspie mountain bike trails which take you up Ben bhraggie. Also at bunchrew you are really close to some brilliant trails too ( bit harder to find but loads )
Have a great trip !
 
Also planning North Coast 500 in late August in our new (to us) T6. She became ours less than 2 weeks ago and we’ve been to Bridlington and Muker (both local in Yorkshire) and loved the feeling of freedom.
Appreciate the guidance on this thread so far, thanks. We’re taking from it that booking ahead is wise, but may be difficult? Grateful for Scottish Outdoor Access Code for wild camping, as hard to predict how much travelling we will want to do day after day, and when we might want a ‘stay put and chill out’ day.

Any recommendations for the anti-clockwise Coastal trip from Inverness to Fort William appreciated. Best sites, scenery, routes or other tips?
To those with experience, is 10 nights sensible to do this anti-clockwise trip round the coast, taking in a 3 night stop on Skye, then to Fort William? Don’t want to feel like we’re constantly on the move (hence stop on Skye).
Any advice regarding midges also appreciated - best repellent? Already suffering after one night away in Swaledale!

Thanks and enjoy your camper!
 
Nicky P said:
Also planning North Coast 500 in late August in our new (to us) T6. She became ours less than 2 weeks ago and we’ve been to Bridlington and Muker (both local in Yorkshire) and loved the feeling of freedom.
Appreciate the guidance on this thread so far, thanks. We’re taking from it that booking ahead is wise, but may be difficult? Grateful for Scottish Outdoor Access Code for wild camping, as hard to predict how much travelling we will want to do day after day, and when we might want a ‘stay put and chill out’ day.

Any recommendations for the anti-clockwise Coastal trip from Inverness to Fort William appreciated. Best sites, scenery, routes or other tips?
To those with experience, is 10 nights sensible to do this anti-clockwise trip round the coast, taking in a 3 night stop on Skye, then to Fort William? Don’t want to feel like we’re constantly on the move (hence stop on Skye).
Any advice regarding midges also appreciated - best repellent? Already suffering after one night away in Swaledale!

Thanks and enjoy your camper!
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Most of the nice views and campsites are on the north and west coast we're taking 2 weeks to go up to inverness then across to skye then all the way up the west then back down, hopefully the back end of august the midges will lay off but i find stick to the coast and avoid the lochs, avon skin so soft citronella is supposed to be the best.

Might see you up there :)
 
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