NC 500 Scotland best time to go?

[Chris51]

Thinking of doing the above (and an organised tour of Orknies ) .What is best time to go and are there any campsites as SWMBO is coming with me?

 

[icantremember]

What is best time to go

About five years ago ... before it got so busy.

 

[Riverbankannie]

Thinking of doing the above (and an organised tour of Orknies ) .What is best time to go and are there any campsites as SWMBO is coming with me?

Plenty of campsites. We used C&MC Brora and Dunnet Head plus independent site at John o’Groats and a nice one somewhere near Loch Ness where we had our own toilet/shower cabin on pitch.
There is another C&MC site in a lovely location just outside Oban but we wildcamped.
We went first two weeks in September and only had a midge attack once at a CL in shores of Loch Eribol.

 

[lorger]

Hopefully this Friday for the next 2 weeks as thats when we're doing it.

 

[Northernraider]

Best get in before brexit

I heard we are gonna target English vehicles for speeding fines etc as punishment for dragging us out the eu

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[WESTY66]

When it’s slashing it down, there won’t be as many bikes to battle with

 

[Geistguy]

Between April and early May or mid September to October. You will avoid the crowds and the pesky midges .

Whenever you go it is busier than 5 years ago so be cautious on single track roads.

Lots of campsites all around the NC 500 but some may be closed early or late season. Considerate off site camping is allowed in Scotland. Pubs and Inns usually allow you to use their car parks if you support the restaurant

Try doing the route anti - clockwise, just as good and you will miss the traffic doing the route the popular clockwise direction.

 

[Jenka]

Thinking of doing the above (and an organised tour of Orknies ) .What is best time to go and are there any campsites as SWMBO is coming with me?

We went last April and enjoyed great weather and the route was fairly quite. There are campsites and a few MH stopovers cropping up however part of the enjoyment of the NC 500 is the beautiful views you get by responsible wild camping!

 

[Viennese]

I've taken the van to Scotland 3 times and always in May - weather is good then! We did the NC500 the 'wrong' way round, I think that way the roads are quieter.

 

[Grianan]

May

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[ctc]

There'll be a small charge for that.

 

[Dognewf]

if you have to do it avoid mid may to mid september. but there are lots of other and better roads in Scotland.

 

[Bognor Saint]

We're planning on doing it in September so I shall keep an eye on this thread for more info and advice.

 

[MO2HOM]

On our way home from doing the NC500 plus the Isle of Skye in our 7m motorhome. We went anti-clockwise. We’ve had the most amazing time, all weathers thrown at us every day. The scenery and wildlife is superb. For us this was the time to go, whilst quiet and few others on the road. Have taken two weeks to do it, so very relaxed. Finding a good choice of campsites that are open at this time of year was more challenging. Plenty of wild spots if you want them.