Another NC500 thread

[toon10]

My brother and I are thinking of doing the NC500 in a campervan next year. I've not seen any holiday companies organising an itinerary and booking camp sites so it looks like we will have to arrange it ourselves. Has anyone done a 5 day road trip who can suggest campsites to look at for each day? We don't mind one or two nights in a pub car park but would prefer proper sites.

Once I know where to stay, I can look into what sights to see and what roads to use.

[Riley Blue]

You might be better off asking here: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/forum.asp?h=0&...

or having a look here: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[towser]

A few suggestions :

Ardmair (near Ullapool)
Halladale Inn Camping Site (Melvich on North coast)
Dornoch Campsite (East Coast Sutherland)

In general pitching up in a car park, lay by or a field somewhere is hugely frowned upon these days along the NC500 due to the sheer volume of campervans that have been doing this with no regard for parking restrictions or folks who live nearby.

[toon10]

towser said:

A few suggestions :

Ardmair (near Ullapool)
Halladale Inn Camping Site (Melvich on North coast)
Dornoch Campsite (East Coast Sutherland)

In general pitching up in a car park, lay by or a field somewhere is hugely frowned upon these days along the NC500 due to the sheer volume of campervans that have been doing this with no regard for parking restrictions or folks who live nearby.

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll have a look. Just to clarify, when I said I'd be happy with a pub carpark if needed, I meant the ones that permit campers as long as you use their pub for food and drink (which I'd plan to!) Still, the sites are more what I'm after so thanks again for the tips.

[towser]

toon10 said:

towser said:

A few suggestions :

Ardmair (near Ullapool)
Halladale Inn Camping Site (Melvich on North coast)
Dornoch Campsite (East Coast Sutherland)

In general pitching up in a car park, lay by or a field somewhere is hugely frowned upon these days along the NC500 due to the sheer volume of campervans that have been doing this with no regard for parking restrictions or folks who live nearby.

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll have a look. Just to clarify, when I said I'd be happy with a pub carpark if needed, I meant the ones that permit campers as long as you use their pub for food and drink (which I'd plan to!) Still, the sites are more what I'm after so thanks again for the tips.

Yeah understood.....didn't want you to fall victim to the pitchfork brigade ;-)

[Riley Blue]

towser said:

A few suggestions :

Ardmair (near Ullapool)
Halladale Inn Camping Site (Melvich on North coast)
Dornoch Campsite (East Coast Sutherland)

In general pitching up in a car park, lay by or a field somewhere is hugely frowned upon these days along the NC500 due to the sheer volume of campervans that have been doing this with no regard for parking restrictions or folks who live nearby.

Wild camping in a motorised vehicle is a total no-no, isn't it?

[toon10]

Riley Blue said:

Wild camping in a motorised vehicle is a total no-no, isn't it?

Yes wild camping is not permitted but I believe there are some pubs that allow motorhome\campers to stay over on their carpark land with the understanding that you use their facilities (meal and a few beers).

[GreatGranny]

All the information is here for access to land in Scotland.

https://www.outdooraccess-scotland.scot/

[classicaholic]

We are thinking of doing it in our camper mid March, is it a bit wet and windy in March or reasonable?

[towser]

classicaholic said:

We are thinking of doing it in our camper mid March, is it a bit wet and windy in March or reasonable?

You may be lucky in March and get a decent stretch of dry, clear weather but still there's still a decent risk of late snow or a week of rain. Having lived on the north coast for 50 years+ I'd say the sweet spot is usually April / May time - longer days, not midgie season, not peak tourist season and a better chance of better weather.

Edited by towser on Friday 4th March 20:43

[classicaholic]

towser said:

classicaholic said:

We are thinking of doing it in our camper mid March, is it a bit wet and windy in March or reasonable?

You may be lucky in March and get a decent stretch of dry, clear weather but still there's still a decent risk of late snow or a week of rain. Having lived on the north coast for 50 years+ I'd say the sweet spot is usually April / May time - longer days, not midgie season, not peak tourist season and a better chance of better weather.

Edited by towser on Friday 4th March 20:43

Thanks Towser,
I suspect its too much of a gamble - We will look at later spring or Autumn.