North Coast 500 The Road Trip of a Lifetime – NC500 Guide Book by Robbie Roams

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For those who want a bit of a visual, here is an overview of the route that we did. As we get deeper into this NC500 route planner, I will go into our recommendations on what to see, do, and where to stay along the way. We opted to take out the Aero campervan which comfortably sleeps two people. It has a bathroom, shower, kitchen, heater, bed, table, as well as camping outdoor equipment. Lastly, it's always a very good idea to bring a thermos (we use this oneon our travels) for spontaneous cups of tea or coffees with a view along the way!

North Coast 500 - Scottish Route 66 - Book Your Tailormade Tour North Coast 500 - Scottish Route 66 - Book Your Tailormade Tour

Drink driving limits in Scotland are strict, different to the rest of the UK, and strictly observed - as a guest in the country, you have to observe them too. You can find the specific limits here, but the best rule of thumb is to just leave the drinking until you're done with your driving for the day (and ensure that you have given your body ample time to process the alcohol before setting off again in the morning). Please also note that 'passing places' are NOT parking places. Neither are they photo opportunity stops or places to pull over for a rest, a cup of tea and a natter - you can however use them to allow others to overtake you safely. On hills, the custom is that the car going uphill has priority. Driving for extended periods of time takes a lot of concentration and can make us tired, a state that could lead to an accident. Rotating with one or more drivers will ensure your concentration level remains high and you stay alert. Take regular breaks Many in the media call it 'Scotland's Route 66', but for us you should throw that comparison out the window; this is a road trip withoutcomparison. We've been fortunate enough to road trip together through southern Italy, Morocco, the Faroe Islands, Sweden, the Dolomites and a few other places in the last few years, and we can tell you that this route is very, veryspecial and can stand on its own two feet. Following an increase amount of charge stations/charge points along the journey, electric cardrivers can now safely take the trip without fear of running out of battery charge.The beauty of a road trip like this is that anyone can do it - the views are the same if you're in an old banger or a muscle car, on a budget or a billionaire - and if you take the time to do some research beforehand, you will be able toplan a routewhich marries accommodation, facilities and service providers to suit your personal tastes and budget. Although there are a lot of itineraries floating around, we had a hard time finding information on how to do this trip on a campervan which is why we decided to write this in-depth article. However, as its popularity has increased, the visitor season on the route has extended closer to seven months. May and September are really great options if you're hoping to share the road with fewer vehicles, whilst the route would still be absolutely beautiful in the early spring months or further into autumn. I'm not too fussed about it being rainy or cold, however it would be disappointing if early April was still considered out of season for a lot of the activities I would like to do. How many days does it take to drive the North Coast 500?' is a very different question to 'How many days should you spend on the North Coast 500?'

North Coast 500 - The ultimate road trip around the North of

Therefore, if you are able to squeeze in a few more days and go a little slower, then you absolutely will not regret it - it’s the best way fully drink in the world class beauty all around you.Now for the not so good news. Many businesses along the North Coast 500 have been hit very hard by the cancellations of the last year and ongoing uncertainty. A decent number did not open in summer 2020, with a survey pointing to just 67% of businesses polled saying they anticipated opening their doors. This will obviously affect the availability of certain facilities and your ability to visit certain attractions or establishments this summer (and beyond). The reason some of the names here in the Highlands may seem a little different is because most are anglicised from the Gaelic spelling and pronunciation - a language which has, thankfully, undergone a bit of a recent revival in Scotland. In fact,you will see many signs along the NC500 with the place names and welcome greeting in both English and Gaelic. For a smooth and safe drive, it is important to evenly distribute the weight of your items across the car. Your mobile internet won’t always work! One of the things that surprised us the most was the internet coverage in Scotland. Although we like unplugging once in a while, not having internet (even on our UK phones) was a pain when you are trying to plan out your route.

Driving the North Coast 500 - ALONG DUSTY ROADS Our Tips for Driving the North Coast 500 - ALONG DUSTY ROADS

On day 4, we woke up early and decided to complete the Mellon Udringle Beach Circuitwhich was around 4km. The walk is gorgeous and takes you up multiple hilltops, showing you the rugged coastline of the area. There are stunning deserted sandy beaches with Caribbean blue waters (seriously), artisan gin and whisky distilleries, delicious fresh seafood, picturesque lochs, historic golf courses and beautiful castles, proper Scottish hospitality, wonderful walking routes, a diverse array of wildlife and enough outdoor activities to tire out even the most active of adventurers. Now, this can rightly be viewed very much as a positive aspect of the NC500 route - a rare chance to disconnect, escape the world for a while and remove the everyday distractions which could detract from your enjoyment of all the beauty of the Highlands.The guide has also been updated with incredibly important information about responsibly travelling the North Coast 500 in 2022 and beyond. Now before I get into the itinerary, first things first — let’s talk about transportation. As mentioned, we opted to do the North Coast 500 with a campervan. You can also opt to do a regular car rentalthen stay in Airbnb’s along the way. If you're visiting Scotland and need to rent a car to do the North Coast 500, this post tells you nine ways to save money on car rental + car rental insurance. But it also makes it all the more important than ever to support these businesses and keep the NC500 alive!

Best North Coast 500 Campsites in 2022 Complete List of the Best North Coast 500 Campsites in 2022

Unlike the American Route 66 – the NC500 is not a single road or highway – but a series of roads the hug the coastline. We did a couple of whiskey flights and even ended up buying a limited edition bottle of a peaty whiskey that we really liked. The cyclist James McCallum managed to peddle it all in 31 hours a few years ago - and then did the loop twice in less than 95 hours in 2018!. You could easily, theoretically at least, drive it comfortably in two days...but what would be the point in that? Trust us, once you've made it up to this part of the world, you'll want to have more than 48 hours in it. At over 500 miles long, it is advised that the NC500 journey should be spread across fiveto sevendays – with multiple stops along the way to take in the local scenery,culture andfood.We rented our campervan from the guys at Bunk Campers and couldn’t have been happier with our decision. Established as one of the leading campervan rentals in the UK, we loved our little home on wheels and were pleased by the top-notch quality of the van. Many visitors have complained that the infrastructure isn’t there to support the increased popularity the NC500 has experienced in recent years. Most accommodation was clean if dated, some was old and dirty and these were among the most expensive; take note Ferry Boat Inn, Ullapool ! Planning a successful road trip isn’t as easy as it might sound, even if you’re remaining in the UK. Share the drive on your road trip We spent eight days driving the famous 516 mile route (sorry Proclaimers fans, it's not actually 500) and, in this North Coast 500 guide, we've shared some valuable lessons and the really essential things to know in advance so you can prepare perfectly for your own road trip in the Highlands. Aside from practical tips about driving these remote country roads, designing your itinerary, avoiding the crowds, and personal accommodation recommendations for your Scottish staycation, we've also shared plenty of inspiration on the best North Coast 500 places to visit.