Towing a caravan on the NC500

Thanks Brue. I should have said I am thinking of staying at Gairloch and Scourie.

We were near Gairloch, over a year ago now, and used the Kinlochewe route. So I expect it then depends on which place you are heading for first. 

Thank you everyone for your advice, all really useful.

We have come up with a plan, where we will stay on a private site in Ullapool for 4 days, and travel the west side of the route (and elsewhere because why should you stick to a prescribed route!) in one car, then move and use the CMC site at Brora, again as a base for 4 days.  We have also planned stops on the way up and back (We've stayed at Culloden Moor site a few years ago so are aware of how long it takes to travel to Inverness from home)

harryb pointed out about the short length of the passing places on the route and that was a concern of mine about towing two caravans, although we would have planned to leave a 5 minute gap between the cars out of consideration for others. The new plan removes that stress! Also in reply to ABM, my father is in his mid 70's. There will be 3 adults that can tow, and I'm insured on my father’s car so whenever we go away together I make sure I share the towing for both outfits, especially the post lunch drive when my Dad likes to have a snooze.  He is happy to caravan on his own, and will be taking a leisurely, multi-stop drive up there and back.

Unfortunately we are restricted by taking the maximum annual leave permitted so can’t take our time (2 weeks) and we can’t go away until the youngest does his A'levels, so yes, it will be prime midge season..... Smidge will be needed in vast quantities.  I'm happy I have a plan and can help my Dad fulfil his dream, let's hope the weather is kind too.

This the option we are going with, set up a base and explore from there which is what caravanning is more suited to.  It also allows us the freedom to go elsewhere too.  

Fingers crossed we can do the trip in 2021.

Go to an outdoor/fishing shop and buy Midge Nets/hats.  Much better than the sprays. Also some latex gloves and you will be OK> This from someone who has fished that area for 50+ years.

We did this trip in June, had amazing weather (only a couple of rainy/dull days which does mean no midges....) and saw some beautiful sights.  Using the caravan as a base gave us much better flexibility to drive everywhere with the car. We travelled all bar 30 miles of the "route" but visited many other areas too. We were fortunate as the roads were not massively busy as people "report" they were later in the summer and the locals were lovely.

The midges were out but we had nets and spray, plus one person managed to pick up a tick, so tick removing devices are a must (I took a kit with 3 different sizes)