Scottish North Coast 500, novice needing advice!

It sounds a great idea!  I have travelled most of that route with a caravan.  One of my favourite places is the other club's site at Rosemarkie - which can get quite busy - depends on the time of year - but you can almost guarantee seeing the dolphins play if you stay a few days.  I haven't found difficulty with other site availability - and much prefer to travel as and when I please - moving on when I have seen all I want to see - or when the weather dictates.  I wouldn't want to miss a few days on the Orkneys - the historic sites there are stunning with many standing stones not to mention Scara Bray etc.  A day trip wouldn't even scratch the surface.  The Outer Hebrides are wonderful too - and I will return one day when I have visited all the other islands I want to see!  I hope you get more help with a MH on the route but have a wonderful time. 

I first did this trip two years ago in May and will be doing a similar route this year (up the east coast, along the top and down the west coast). As a solo traveller and a wimp I like to prebook my sites so that family know my itinerary. Two years ago a number of the CC sites - Brora, Dunnet Bay and Bunree were fully booked / almost fully booked. I also recommend Rosemarkie. The commercial site at Durness has amazing views but the facilities although perfectly adequate are a little tired. You don't mention what time of year you are intending to travel but later in the summer beware of the midges. I did a day trip to the Orkneys from John O Groats which covered all of the main tourist attractions and suited my tight timetable and was well worth the expense. The cable car trip up Ben Nevis was also very good. Make sure that you take a decent camera!!! Pack clothes for every possible weather condition - I froze at John O Groats and paddled in sunshine at Dunnet Bay on the following day! I am sure that whichever route you take you will have a wonderful trip.

Yes I got caught out in the Shetlands - where the tourist stuff said "Summer Clothes" for June - er nooooo I got really cold - so lots of layers is a great idea! 

Can recommend the site at Clachtoll Beach, north of Lochinvar.  Just don't go in to the peninsula by the Northern route. Very unsuitable for larger vehicles. Other roads are fine, if slow, because of being single track with passing places for some of their length.  If you are not used to that type of road make sure you allow faster following vehicles to pass easily. 

On the East coast Wick caravan site is a gentle stroll from the town which has an interesting museum  about the fishing industry.

Thanks for all your advice!  we ar planning to go mid may for 3 or 4 weeks so hope to avoid midge open season.  Planning on getting a Snooper Ventura 9020 with all the camp site and stop over info built in...hope this is a reasonable choice!

hope to see you on the road somewhere

Nick

We live near Dumfries and did a tour with our motorhome. We went acress to the Isle of Skye by ferry, stayed one night at a site, can't remember its name, and then left Skye over the bridge. Then we went to Ullapool and on round the coast to John O'groats. From there we went down the east coast and back home. Enjoyed every bit of it and only used the one site for one night, the rest was wild camping!

In Scotland wild camping is quite acceptable and there are some great places to stop overnight. Avoid anywhere it says 'no overnight camping' though these are few. We've even seen caravans all set up with awnings etc in laybye's and no-one seems to bother them. Just remember one or two nights and then move on is the best rule. Avoid the midgy season [usually July/August] as the Scottish midges are quite fierce!

Hope you have a great trip, we certainly did.

Hi Davie, 

we plan on doing this in April this year in our Motorhome,we are doing it anti clockwise , many recommend doing it this way Think the most scenic parts are on the west coast. Will let you know how we go.

Carol

Carol, there is a letter in the latest Practical Motorhome mag giving a few route ideas.

Hi guys.

We hope to tour Scotland this April May and June.  We thought of a week here and then a week there so we cna base the caravan and get set-up etc.  We're going to go clockwise as I've been advised the midges are fiercer on the west coast.  I was thinking of staying on club sites and camping and caravan club sites but if anyone has a reccomendation please let me know.  Our van is 8 metres long and wondered if that would cause me any problems etc.  Pub sites are especially welcome if anyone knows good ones but we dont tow with a 4x4 and dont want to get stuck.  Can anyone reccomend a good map too please.  I don't trust my snooper sat nav its go me into trouble a few times with narrow roads etc.  thanks in anticipation. Neil

Just put this on another thread earlier, try www.northcoast500.com for loads of interactive maps and ideas .