North coast 500

[Kenny-55]

Looking to try the north cost 500
Have 10 days 22nd July I know there are itineraries on line but most for driving by car
We will be doing it in a 7.4 m motorhome
I imagine lots of funsters have done this route
So looking for sites and stopovers that can be recommended the 2 of us like walking and cycling and like outdoor things to do and see
Any help would be appreciated
Happy to do sites and stopovers be it paid or of grid
Thanks in advance

 

[CWH]

Miss judged one of the U bends on the 1 in 3 gradient bit and had to reverse a bit to get round.

Were you the one that hit all the local fb pages?

 

[poppycamper]

solo in a Cortina which did require a fair bit of concentration

Everything in a Cortina "required a fair bit of concentration"

 

[Bobbydaisy]

Everything in a Cortina "required a fair bit of concentration"

Aye except the one that knocked me off my Honda 400 Four and broke my leg

 

[David BW]

How does Applecross compare with the Hardknott pass in Cumbria for difficulty? Has anyone done both? I did the Hardknott years ago solo in a Cortina which did require a fair bit of concentration.

I've done both several times - Hardknott in a VW T4 Autosleeper Trident. Enjoyed it evrytime. The worst bit is the single track at the bottom of Wrynose Pass as there aren't really any passing places. I've only done Applecross in a car, which was no problem. I'd happily do it in our 6.4m PVC, but with the success of the NC500 marketing, there's probably much more traffic using it than when I last did it, in 2013.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Don Campbell]

How does Applecross compare with the Hardknott pass in Cumbria for difficulty? Has anyone done both? I did the Hardknott years ago solo in a Cortina which did require a fair bit of concentration.

Done both in a motorhome. I would say the Hardknott required more concentration than the Applecross road as I think a couple of the bends were a bit tighter and possibly steeper.

 

[cyberyacht]

More or less confirms my thoughts. I've looked at it on Street(!) view and didn't seem too bad.

 

[CWH]

More or less confirms my thoughts. I've looked at it on Street(!) view and didn't seem too bad.

As said above, it's the range of users on the Bealach that cause most of the issues, along with many simply not understanding that the verges aren't safe to accommodate passing. Reversing to the last passing place - either uphill, or downhill towards a precipice - seems beyond many people.

 

[David BW]

Done both in a motorhome. I would say the Hardknott required more concentration than the Applecross road as I think a couple of the bends were a bit tighter and possibly steeper.

I'd agree with that.

 

[David BW]

More or less confirms my thoughts. I've looked at it on Street(!) view and didn't seem too bad.

There's plenty to see on them on You Tube.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Fast Eddie]

Hi Kenny as somebody has already said 10 days is not long enough as there are so many beautiful sites along the route that you will just have to drive past.
OK that said, we drove from Co Durham to Pitlochry where we wild camped overnight With several other MoHo owners, as this was our first time we felt safe and relaxed.
We Then drove to Brora and stayed on the caravan and motorhome site, lovely site close to the beach clean and very friendly helpful staff.
We then drove to John’O’Groats and wild camped in the carpark. There is a small fee on £2 a day so if stopping overnight well worth the £4.
We then did Dunnet Bay, fantastic campsite and again really nice friendly staff with spotless facilities.

We then moved on to Durness and Stayed at Sango Sands. Probably the worst experience I have had as member of the staff was extremely rude to me, allowed another MoHo to park within 1 meter of us and When we left the chemical waste drain was blocked and overflowing and the length of pipe on the drinking water supply was touching the ground within about 6 foot of the contaminated area. I raised my concerns with the management and was basicall to to go Fk yourself. AlI I can say is I’m please I already had water on board, I would recommend you wild camp close by As the staff we rude, unhelpful, unpleasant and basically could not care.
That experience ruined the whole trip for us so we returned home, and I reported the site for breach of both hygiene and safety rules.

Really? your whole trip was ruined by one rude member of staff? You are now trying to destroy a business for this? You sound very vindictive. No such thing as wild camping in a motorhome in Scotland, the locals call it dirty camping due to the problems this causes.

 

[IanFraser]

I've done both several times - Hardknott in a VW T4 Autosleeper Trident. Enjoyed it evrytime. The worst bit is the single track at the bottom of Wrynose Pass as there aren't really any passing places. I've only done Applecross in a car, which was no problem. I'd happily do it in our 6.4m PVC, but with the success of the NC500 marketing, there's probably much more traffic using it than when I last did it, in 2013.

With fuel prices the way they are hearing from folks recently back that it’s not so busy

 

[frenchie 79]

Really? your whole trip was ruined by one rude member of staff? You are now trying to destroy a business for this? You sound very vindictive. No such thing as wild camping in a motorhome in Scotland, the locals call it dirty camping due to the problems this causes

Really? your whole trip was ruined by one rude member of staff? You are now trying to destroy a business for this? You sound very vindictive. No such thing as wild camping in a motorhome in Scotland, the locals call it dirty camping due to the problems this causes.

We stayed at sango sands last year for 2 nights.Loved it.Right on the beach.Sorry to hear you had a bad experience.Just one thing to point out tho,it’s not a 5* hotel.It’s a motorhome & caravan site.You just book in find your pitch & left to get on with it.Which we like.

 

[Billylou]

Has anyone attempted the NC500 in January? If yes was it a good experienc?

 

[Don Campbell]

Haven't done it but lived in the Highlands for many years. It won't be crowded, but for sure it's going to be cold and windy and maybe even icy. Good luck.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[CWH]

The days are quite short... night drops very quickly...
Many campsites are closed, as are "attractions" and cafes
You need to plan ahead for lpg, diesel, etc
Though it's unlikely, be prepared to be snowed in or iced in - I've had some hair-raising drives in the hills

 

[Bobbydaisy]

Make sure your van is winterised , freezing nights mean freezing pipes

 

[Littlewheels]

Has anyone attempted the NC500 in January? If yes was it a good experienc?

All weather conditions are possible in Scotland on the same dayHowever,it’s worth remembering that it doesn’t snow as much on the coast as inland. My son did it last year over this period and had some really good days, we are intending to do it in January also.

 

[arthur49]

There are quite a few stopovers open year round on or near the NC500 - there are others

Silver Wells

Details for Silver Wells a Overnight parking - no services Culbokie, Highland Council, Scotland, United Kingdom, IV7 8JR

www.searchforsites.co.uk

Falls of Shin Visitor Centre

Details for Falls of Shin Visitor Centre a Overnight parking - with services Lairg, Highland Council, Scotland, United Kingdom, IV27 4EX

www.searchforsites.co.uk

North Keiss Camper Site

Details for North Keiss Camper Site a Overnight parking - no services Keiss, Highland Council, Scotland, United Kingdom, KW1 4XF

www.searchforsites.co.uk

Sango-beag Motorhome Stopover

Details for Sango-beag Motorhome Stopover a Overnight parking - no services Durness, Highland Council, Scotland, United Kingdom, IV27 4QD

www.searchforsites.co.uk

Durness Motorhome Stopover

Details for Durness Motorhome Stopover a Overnight parking - no services Durness, Highland Council, Scotland, United Kingdom, IV27 4QB

www.searchforsites.co.uk

Croft 148 Oldshoremore Campervans

Details for Croft 148 Oldshoremore Campervans a Overnight parking - no services Oldshoremore, Highlands, Sutherland, United Kingdom, IV27 4RS

www.searchforsites.co.uk

Kinlochbervie Loch Clash Campervan Stopover

Details for Kinlochbervie Loch Clash Campervan Stopover a Overnight parking - with services Lairg, Highland Council, Scotland, United Kingdom, IV27 4RR

www.searchforsites.co.uk

Auchtertyre Farm

Details for Auchtertyre Farm a Overnight parking - with services Balmacara, Highland Council, Scotland, United Kingdom, IV40 8EG

www.searchforsites.co.uk

If you want EHU this is open all year

Sango Sands Oasis

Details for Sango Sands Oasis a Independent Campsite Durness, Sutherland, Scotland, United Kingdom, IV27 4PZ

www.searchforsites.co.uk

................ and if you're looking for autogas these are available. Further north there is nothing on east coast.

Skiach services

Details for Skiach services a LPG station suitable for motorhomes Evanton, Highland Council, Scotland, United Kingdom, IV16 9XH

www.searchforsites.co.uk

Evelix Service Station

Details for Evelix Service Station a LPG station suitable for motorhomes Dornoch, Highland Council, Scotland, United Kingdom, IV25 3NG

www.searchforsites.co.uk

On the west coast I believe this is the only one

Lochbroom Garage Services

Details for Lochbroom Garage Services a LPG station suitable for motorhomes Ullapool, Highland Council, Scotland, United Kingdom, IV26 2SR

www.searchforsites.co.uk

 

[Billylou]

There are quite a few stopovers open year round on or near the NC500 - there are others

Silver Wells

Details for Silver Wells a Overnight parking - no services Culbokie, Highland Council, Scotland, United Kingdom, IV7 8JR

www.searchforsites.co.uk

Falls of Shin Visitor Centre

Details for Falls of Shin Visitor Centre a Overnight parking - with services Lairg, Highland Council, Scotland, United Kingdom, IV27 4EX

www.searchforsites.co.uk

North Keiss Camper Site

Details for North Keiss Camper Site a Overnight parking - no services Keiss, Highland Council, Scotland, United Kingdom, KW1 4XF

www.searchforsites.co.uk

Sango-beag Motorhome Stopover

Details for Sango-beag Motorhome Stopover a Overnight parking - no services Durness, Highland Council, Scotland, United Kingdom, IV27 4QD

www.searchforsites.co.uk

Durness Motorhome Stopover

Details for Durness Motorhome Stopover a Overnight parking - no services Durness, Highland Council, Scotland, United Kingdom, IV27 4QB

www.searchforsites.co.uk

Croft 148 Oldshoremore Campervans

Details for Croft 148 Oldshoremore Campervans a Overnight parking - no services Oldshoremore, Highlands, Sutherland, United Kingdom, IV27 4RS

www.searchforsites.co.uk

Kinlochbervie Loch Clash Campervan Stopover

Details for Kinlochbervie Loch Clash Campervan Stopover a Overnight parking - with services Lairg, Highland Council, Scotland, United Kingdom, IV27 4RR

www.searchforsites.co.uk

Auchtertyre Farm

Details for Auchtertyre Farm a Overnight parking - with services Balmacara, Highland Council, Scotland, United Kingdom, IV40 8EG

www.searchforsites.co.uk

Thank you very much, that is very kind of you.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[The general]

I always look at the weather reports , especially kinbrace , that’s seems to get the cold weather first . A fantastic remote location ,

 

[The general]

As with the rest of the British Islesand Scotland, Kinbrace experiences a maritime climate with mild summers and cool winters. It is nonetheless one of the more frost prone locations in the country, with notable temperatures including a minimum of −21.7 °C (−7.1 °F) during March 2001,[5] and a daytime maximum of −10.5 °C (13.1 °F) during November 1985,[6] when a temperature inversion persisted throughout the day.

A wee bit cold

 

[arthur49]

The Highlands are magnificent in the winter with the obvious caveat of possible snow/ice so I would say GO GO GO! Check conditions if you decide to tackle the Bealach na Ba (Pass of the Cattle) to/from Applecross



Its a lot quieter, the crowds have gone.

With dark winter skies, and no cloud cover, there is a chance of seeing the Auroa Borealis / Northern Lights / "The Lichties"