Scotland 2 and 1/2 week trip recommendations?

[Jac Sprat]

Hi. We have about 18 days to tour scenic Scotland in May. (From Norwich)
We've already seen a lot of the cities and towns and climbed Ben Nevis and Glencoe and skied in the Cairngorm's. We'd like to do a coastline. Is the NC500 what its cracked up to be?
What the coastline like above and below Skye?
Any ideas welcomed plus campsites and aires. / stopovers appreciated.

 

[Riverbankannie]

Hi. We have about 18 days to tour scenic Scotland in May. (From Norwich)
We've already seen a lot of the cities and towns and climbed Ben Nevis and Glencoe and skied in the Cairngorm's. We'd like to do a coastline. Is the NC500 what its cracked up to be?
What the coastline like above and below Skye?
Any ideas welcomed plus campsites and aires. / stopovers appreciated.

Yes
It’s wonderful. We mainly used CL s and CAMC sites when not wild camping.

 

[WillH]

NC500 is getting busy, think about the western isles.

 

[Kirsten]

Did NC 500 last year June- with friends who followed in a tent. We wild camped mostly,had THE most amazing weather( one day of rain rest sun! But been to Scotland many times that is q an exception.) Everywhere past the Black Isle was stunning, the coast beaches sunsets unforgettable. We went to Orkney as well for 3 days( not long enough)You dont need to follow the official route- lots of lovely meanders to the roads less travelled. I did loads of research re wild camping spots and petrol stations ( Tesco’s a great waymarkers) loved every moment. Friends hiring a van in May we are off to the East Coast 250 can’t wait! There are lots of f book forums re camping in Scotland and NC500 dedicated ones. We stayed for free in car park at Falkirk to see the Kelpies on the way up. Coast near Skye is stunning, my family come from there so it was not such a mind blowing experience . Don’t visit Cape Wrath unless you enjoy the worst 2 hour drive over mudflats with a loon driving the jeep who doesn’t stop blathering. Sanyo Sands campsite FAB.As was the Applecross trip ( we have a small van) Sands campsite Gairloch also lovely .... enjoy xx

 

[Jac Sprat]

Brilliant cheers!

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[Riverbankannie]

There is a campsite at John o’Groats and we had a lovely day trip to Orkney.
Something to whet your appetite.

 

[ambulancekidd]

Whatever you do please enjoy yourselves & as @Kirsten says try turning off the main routes, Scotland has a great deal of undiscovered & unadvertised places which can blow your mind.

In May you should miss the dreaded midges but, towards the end of may they do begin to appear.

Hope the weather is good for you & please hurry back.

Robert.

 

[Gellyneck]

OK all sites and all on the sea.

C&MC Dunnet Bay

Part of the beach next door to the site.

Brora C&MC

The beach across the golf course from the site.

Fortrose Bay Caravan Park

Photo of a dolphin off the point a 10 minute walk along from the site.

Findochty Caravan Park

The harbour at the entrance to the site.

Kinlochewe C&MC

View from one of the pitches.

Bunree C&MC

View from our pitch.

 

[MillieMoocher]

IMHO the NC500 has become a victim of its own success.

To follow a quieter coastline, how about the South West of Scotland, following the Solway coastline, maybe branch off into the Galloway Forest, then you can go down the Machars peninsular to Wigton/ Isle of Whithorn (see avatar), up towards Stranraer, down that peninsula to Drummore, bit further down to the lighthouse,back up towards Ayr via Govan, consider a trip over to Arran, then back across country or retrace (ish) your steps taking in bits you didn’t do on the way.

I can well recommend the area, but I’m sure you’ll have a great time whoever you decide. If you want some other ideas for this (SW) trip, feel free to PM me

 

[Rapido925M]

We "did" NC500 in 18nights, including 2 days at Dad's in Teesside on the way up and back each time.
1917 miles, £171.20 overnighting despite some wilding and a CCC THS.

Some roads were decidedly narrow, but at least everyone accepted that.
Some roads were less narrow and cars would often try to "get through", so be prepared to pull in close to a stone wall.

Enjoy - Gordon

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[Richard Stainthorpe]

We love Scotland and spend three weeks every May up there. Some spectacular scenery on the NC500 but as mentioned earlier it’s a victim of its own success and very busy. Other areas well worth spending time are Loch Tay & Ben Lawyers, Cairngorms we especially like the Braemar area the outer Hebrides are also a favourite it ours

 

[Speve]

I would certainly recommend Orkney we spent three weeks there in May a great place and lots to do and see

 

[Lanerboy]

We loved Scotland but what spoilt it for us were the Clegg or horse flies they were unbearable

Did the nc500 in a fashion but branched off to see other places didn't take the motorhome over applecross path as was worried about the narrow steep road with hair pin bends so parked in the laybye at the bottom just up from the cafe and biked to the summit (which about killed me)

You will love Scotland we wild camped about 80% of the time bongo sands was a nice site I think that's what it's called right on the north coast

THIS was a nice spot but can't remember where it was there was a trust box on the gate we put £5 in it as advised by a local dog walker the money is used to preserve the dunes

Sorry picture ended up at the start of my post lol



Enjoy I know you will

 

[CazPaul]

View attachment 280808 There is a campsite at John o’Groats and we had a lovely day trip to Orkney.
Something to whet your appetite.
View attachment 280806 View attachment 280807 View attachment 280809 View attachment 280810 View attachment 280811 View attachment 280812 View attachment 280813
View attachment 280815 View attachment 280816

How did you get to Orkney, did you leave your van on the campsite or take it with you?

 

[irnbru]

Too many great places in Scotland to mention if you get the weather. The Western Isles are stunning and get my vote.

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[Grianan]

We live in Ayrshire and have a house in Torridon, just off the NC500.
May is a great month to visit. For the best views in the world NW coast of Scotland. For my money travel up NW coast from Loch Lomond ... diversion to Arisaig / Morar, (or take ferry Mallaig to Skye and bridge back over to Kyle of Lochalsh), head to Shieldaig, Diabaig on Torridon then keep heading north as landscape changes past Ullapool - Ardvrek Castle etc

 

[Riverbankannie]

How did you get to Orkney, did you leave your van on the campsite or take it with you?

We left the van behind and went on a day trip that includes the ferry and a coach tour. We booked it at John o Groats. It was a lovely day but most on the trip had come by coach from Inverness and would have had a very long day. £68 each
However the cost of taking the van over was not so great over than doing the day trip, there are 3 options with Pentland ferries the cheapest at about £172 return this May for a Ducato PVC.
We were happy with our choice of letting the coach take the strain and then carrying on with our coast trip.

 

[BigStevie]

Mentioning that the NC500 is a victim of it's own success... This winter I've seen vans every day doing the route, this is a first! It has certainly become very popular, but worth doing, find the hidden beaches!
A word of advice to prospective NC500ers; Buying fuel isn't that easy after five or six in the evening, to add to the mayhem the pumps at Tongue on the north coast have now closed.
Another mention, make sure your spare tyre is up to spec and inflated etc, the single biggest problem is punctures and you can be the thick end of a hundred miles away from a new tyre! Damaged side walls are the main problem, pull over to squeeze past on oncoming vehicle and the tyre wall can get damaged on the edge of the tarmac.
Lastly, many of the single track roads are A-roads, so for those of us who live and work in the far north, please please please do let us pass! I've struggled to get an ambulance on blue lights past a slow moving vehicle, sad but true.
Having said all this, use your noggin and enjoy the europe's last wilderness!

 

[The Wino]

We did the nc500 last year well worth it but would try to avoid/be booked on a site for the bank holiday. This year we are hoping to do this https://www.visitnorway.com/places-...west/activities-and-attractions/atlanticroad/

 

[34127]

Ullapool is always extremely busy during the early May bank holiday as it is when the Feis Rois music festival is held.

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[Gooney]

Went up to Scotland in an April (Honeymoon) and was advised to take a peek at the Trossacks whilst up that way. After driving around for a while I asked a local where the Trossacks were,he told me I’d just driven through them. Perhaps too early in the year to see them in their full glory.

 

[TheAleMan]

We live in Ayrshire and have a house in Torridon, just off the NC500.
May is a great month to visit. For the best views in the world NW coast of Scotland. For my money travel up NW coast from Loch Lomond ... diversion to Arisaig / Morar, (or take ferry Mallaig to Skye and bridge back over to Kyle of Lochalsh), head to Shieldaig, Diabaig on Torridon then keep heading north as landscape changes past Ullapool - Ardvrek Castle etc

I totally agree with that, stunning part of the UK, We can't wait to get back up there in early May. We have been going in early May for the last couple of years, and the weather has been just fantastic.

 

[BigStevie]

If you're doing the the far north/north-west, check out the Am Bratach website to check for local events. Most of the northern communities have their local 'village' halls, there are some great events going on!

Stevie

 

[TheAleMan]

View attachment 281010 We loved Scotland but what spoilt it for us were the Clegg or horse flies they were unbearable

Did the nc500 in a fashion but branched off to see other places didn't take the motorhome over applecross path as was worried about the narrow steep road with hair pin bends so parked in the laybye at the bottom just up from the cafe and biked to the summit (which about killed me)

You will love Scotland we wild camped about 80% of the time bongo sands was a nice site I think that's what it's called right on the north coast

THIS was a nice spot but can't remember where it was there was a trust box on the gate we put £5 in it as advised by a local dog walker the money is used to preserve the dunes

Sorry picture ended up at the start of my post lol



Enjoy I know you will

Sango Sands.