Anyone done the NC500?

[Chris51]

Fancy visiting the Pre-65 Scotish m/c trial start of May and thought about trying to fit in a tour of top end of Scotland (NC500) .Are there any places to camp en-route in M/H and what is the weather likely to be like (mid April/May ?) No midges at that time of year?

 

[klaatu]

That time of year can often produce pretty good weather in those parts, and you are unlikely to have too much trouble with the wee beasties. Also quieter, as the NC500 is becoming very busy in peak season.

Quite a few camp sites should be open, and lots of wild camping opportunities.

 

[Barbie and Ken]

One we want to do sometime don't know when

 

[RowleyBirkinQC]

We did it a couple of years ago going clockwise, if I were to do it in full again I'd go anti-clockwise, as the West coast is more spectacular than the East coast. We didn't book anywhere on the NC500, just took our chances each day and had no problems.

 

[gerry mcg]

my wife did it at end of Sept - she said deffo go anti clockwise - the E coast would be a disappointment after the majesty of the W coast. by doing it anticlockwise, the views just get better and better.
she highly recommended getting the Lonely Planet NC500 ebook (i think it might be a print edition now too)

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[Ralph-n-Bev]

We did it over 21 days September . We even cancelled a 5 Star trip to Santorini that we’d booked for Ralph’s 50th Birthday to do it.
It was great. Here’s a link to our travels and experiences that we did for funsters on here.
There’s lots to see on the East coast if you plan them out before hand we found too.

https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/threads/north-coast-500-with-whisky-detour.138281/

We never saw all we wanted , and plan to go around again and do the bits we missed. We had a great time.
AND no midges !

 

[BusyBuilder]

Sites open Easter. I live on it and its very busy. Plenty of places to free camp, but even we have trouble getting in sometimes for the night.

 

[angusboy]

enjoyed it that much went round twice over 5 weeks

 

[Baileysbus]

You should be fine in May. There's always 2 good weeks of weather up there in May, you just don't know which 2 however the midgies shouldn't be active at that time of year.
We did a whizz round earlier this year. Did it anti-clockwise as others have suggested. There's an "aire" at Kinlochbervie harbour with electric/water/rubbish dump and there's a site run by the local Crofters above Shieldaig village. Donations only on that one. No electric or water though but public toilets down the bottom of the hill. Shieldaig is a lovely wee village. Go do it and pick up on @Ralph-n-Bev review of the trip. Plenty wild camping spots to be found. Bob.

 

[AXO66]

We did it, well half of it in May this year. Got to loch lomand , weather so bad we went east and travelled up the coast before cutting inland and north to the top. Then went west and down the coast taking in skye. Wild camped up north easily and used caravan and motorhome cls in various places. Wild camped laybys, pull ins, on the road, carparks at tourist places with no trouble at all. However we were out of season and dread to think what it’s like the in summer hols given reports.
We had glourious days of sun followed by glorious days of horizontal rain.
But fantastic will go again as wild and spectacular.

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[Kingham]

Fancy visiting the Pre-65 Scotish m/c trial start of May and thought about trying to fit in a tour of top end of Scotland (NC500) .Are there any places to camp en-route in M/H and what is the weather likely to be like (mid April/May ?) No midges at that time of year?

I loosely followed it a few months ago and there are loads of wild camp spots I could have used.

If you're not bothered about taking your moho down single track roads (with plenty of passing places) I stayed at a basic site overlooking the beach at Melon Udrigle in Highland and I have every intention of going back to it.
No EHU, but fresh water, waste & chemical emptying at £10 per night and any subsequent nights at £8.

I came across the site by accident and obviously hadn't booked it, but if you want to check it's going to be open, the owner's numbers are 01445 731665 and 07776 238650.

With views like this of and from my pitch, you'd need a good excuse not to go....

 

[Teuchter]

Fancy visiting the Pre-65 Scotish m/c trial start of May and thought about trying to fit in a tour of top end of Scotland (NC500) .Are there any places to camp en-route in M/H and what is the weather likely to be like (mid April/May ?) No midges at that time of year?

Often (but not always) the best time of the year to visit the North West of Scotland is April/May - reasonable weather and usually no midgies!!

 

[DJA]

Hi Kingham

We also found Mellon Udrigle by chance and were lucky enough to get the following picture. Apparently the previous night was even better.

We did a fair bit of the Western part of the NNC500 but turned south at Tongue stopping off at the Club campsite at Altnaharra. The following is the view from our van there.

A couple of places well worth visiting again.

You would need to check when the Club site at Altnaharra is open as it is not open all year round. There is no Toilet/Shower block there but you can have electric if available and there are disposal facilities as well as water. Booking advisable.

 

[Euphony]

We did it over 3 weeks in April this year and it was superb. The weather was great (mainly), too early for midges and we did it clockwise, next time, and there will be a next time, we’ll do it anti-clockwise.
It’s becoming incredibly popular now so best to book in advance to ensure at least recharging batteries, water etc. occasionally. Lots of wild-camping places and you’ll never be bothered.
Enjoy. But, spend a couple of nights in most places as an overnight throughout feels like you’re on the road constantly and missing out on the beauty, tranquility and majesty of it all.

 

[Kingham]

Hi Kingham

We also found Mellon Udrigle by chance and were lucky enough to get the following picture. Apparently the previous night was even better.

View attachment 201782

We did a fair bit of the Western part of the NNC500 but turned south at Tongue stopping off at the Club campsite at Altnaharra. The following is the view from our van there. View attachment 201790

A couple of places well worth visiting again.

You would need to check when the Club site at Altnaharra is open as it is not open all year round. There is no Toilet/Shower block there but you can have electric if available and there are disposal facilities as well as water. Booking advisable.

Wow, beautiful sky, even better than when I was there

My original plan as I travelled north from Bunree, was to base my travels around three C&MC sites, except they all closed on the same day that I left Bunree.

Every cloud has a silver lining (or gold in your pic).... I wouldn't have found Mellon Udrigle if they'd been open.

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[DJA]

Hi Ken

We found the site because the Club site at Poolewe was full and seeking somewhere else spotted a small sign at the side of the road and followed on the off chance. Good Move.

 

[Kingham]

Also stayed at Sango Sands site at Durness, nice beach, but the site was too crammed for me and as I left early the next morning, I drove past a couple of vans wild camping near Sangobeg, overlooking a beach.... and I couldn't resist parking up to grab a pic....

 

[Stretto Boy]

We did the Western part last year and it’s fabulous. Plenty of nice quiet sites and wilding spots. My avatar picture was taken from our pitch at the Scourie site.

 

[Baileysbus]

Also stayed at Sango Sands site at Durness, nice beach, but the site was too crammed for me and as I left early the next morning, I drove past a couple of vans wild camping near Sangobeg, overlooking a beach.... and I couldn't resist parking up to grab a pic....

View attachment 201803

That beach is well worth going down to look at

 

[Kingham]

That beach is well worth going down to look at

Next time, I'll be parking my van in the same spot and staying a night or two, so the beach will be looked at closely.

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[spitfire]

I loosely followed it a few months ago and there are loads of wild camp spots I could have used.

If you're not bothered about taking your moho down single track roads (with plenty of passing places) I stayed at a basic site overlooking the beach at Melon Udrigle in Highland and I have every intention of going back to it.
No EHU, but fresh water, waste & chemical emptying at £10 per night and any subsequent nights at £8.

I came across the site by accident and obviously hadn't booked it, but if you want to check it's going to be open, the owner's numbers are 01445 731665 and 07776 238650.

With views like this of and from my pitch, you'd need a good excuse not to go....

View attachment 201774

View attachment 201775

View attachment 201777

Is an amazing spot . We were all alone there !

 

[BusyBuilder]

There are 14 days of good weather but unfortunately they are not consecutive.

Don't ask...........DO IT

 

[Bobby22]

You should be fine in May. There's always 2 good weeks of weather up there in May, you just don't know which 2 however the midgies shouldn't be active at that time of year.
We did a whizz round earlier this year. Did it anti-clockwise as others have suggested. There's an "aire" at Kinlochbervie harbour with electric/water/rubbish dump and there's a site run by the local Crofters above Shieldaig village. Donations only on that one. No electric or water though but public toilets down the bottom of the hill. Shieldaig is a lovely wee village. Go do it and pick up on @Ralph-n-Bev review of the trip. Plenty wild camping spots to be found. Bob.

Water available at Shieldaig (see photo) 20 m left of the gate on the outside.

The Kinlochbervie aire has become a bit expensive for what it is. There is plenty of camping places on the 500 and most of them are free.

 

[The Wino]

Nice to see this thread as we are looking at doing the same at a similar time next year probably stop in Edinburgh near our son for a night on the way up then ant-clockwise see friends in Glasgow on the way back. How long did people allow for the actual 500?

 

[Fragle]

Also stayed at Sango Sands site at Durness, nice beach, but the site was too crammed for me and as I left early the next morning, I drove past a couple of vans wild camping near Sangobeg, overlooking a beach.... and I couldn't resist parking up to grab a pic....

View attachment 201803

Great photos. Looks like we now have the same van I’m very interested in the roof bars you have and how they fix ?

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[Kingham]

Great photos. Looks like we now have the same van I’m very interested in the roof bars you have and how they fix ?

Thanks. It's the AS Kingham.

Rather than hijack the thread, I've PMd you regarding the rails.

 

[Fragle]

Thanks Kingham

 

[Reallyretired]

Very nice, but living where we do Durness is the same mileage as Montpellier and I'd rather have the better weather. Not that Montpellier is a particularly nice place, it's just the same distance for an example.

 

[bigtwin]

Very nice, but living where we do Durness is the same mileage as Montpellier and I'd rather have the better weather. Not that Montpellier is a particularly nice place, it's just the same distance for an example.

If you’d left two years ago, you could have visited Durness and Montpellier a few times and been back home in time for this Christmas.

Ian

 

[Geistguy]

Definitely recommend East to West against the flow of any traffic, loads of places to park up and public toilets available but not as many as in the past, enough to be useful though. Most places welcome motorhomes and in May ( our favourite month ) midges should not be a problem. Plan ahead and search the various web sites for places to park up.

Have a great trip and make sure to divert from the NC500 route and explore some of the small fishing villages on the east coast.

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