The nightly fee for Mellon Udrigle Beach is £10, which is steeper than a free wild camping spot, however, if you are looking for somewhere to dump your toilet waste then this is perfect for you. First and foremost, if you are camping in Scotland, you are going to need a waterproof jacket. Thank you so much! Never-ending back roads, wide meandering country tracks and beautiful bends through some of Scotland's finest coastal scenery are just a few things you can expect along the North Coast 500.Strap yourself in for the road trip of a lifetime. Maybe even inspire them to visit the NC500 castles themselves! You will explore the best parts of the North Highlands via wild coastal roads, seaside villages and historic towns. It is up to you whether you wish to rent a car and pack a tent for this trip to the highlands, or whether you wish to rent a campervan for a more comfortable trip. If you fancy a break from the tent and need something more solid over your head then check out the hotel options in the nearby area right here. We recently came across this brilliant map containing wild camping and pub stopovers for campervans doing the North Coast 500. Best Campsite at Strathy Point Lighthouse. When it comes to wild camping near Ullapool, it was a bit harder to find a flat spot to wild camp on that was far enough from the town. Now that the NC500 is an official route there’s plenty of books, guides and maps that you can pour over. Throughout our North Coast 500 road trip, we camped wild as much as we could. This is obviously so long as you follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, such as the “leave no trace” rule, and respect the beauty of the area so that other campers can continue to enjoy this incredible place. We can’t wait to get to Scotland and these locations are definitely ones I am going to look out for! Looking to wild camp with my dog round..." | Check out answers, plus see 705 reviews, articles, and 842 photos of North Coast 500, ranked No.3 on Tripadvisor among 288 attractions in Inverness. Plus, North Coast 500 camping is economical, for the most budget-friendly option adhere to Scotland’s wild camping rules. Jan 19, 2020 - In depth guide to the best wild camping spots on the North Coast 500. This site has room for about 60 tents, allows for campervans and caravans and even has glamping huts available to rent. The scenes looks absolutely spectacular – I hope the weather plays along when I am there. Most campsites along the North Coast 500 allow pets so camping is a pretty popular for pet owners who want to drive the NC500. It starts and ends at Inverness Castle, close to Loch Ness. Hidden away from the main road near Thurso is the road leading to the Strathy Point lighthouse. You can no longer wild camp on Dornoch beach sadly. Catch up with us on social media and see what we are currently up to. We pitched up on the other side of the town, within walking distance to the pub! The Bealach Na Bah pass is a winding, hair-raising, jaw-dropping experience that must be seen in person to be believed. A camping and touring site with a golf course and access on foot to a sandy beach, by the Sutherland Coast. There are utilities such as toilets and water taps in the town centre, just a quick walk away, so these spots really are ideal. As for campsites, the Inverewe Gardens Camping and Caravanning Club Site is within walking distance of the town centre. The best way to use this camping spot is to arrive lat at night and leave early in the morning, therefore minimising the disturbance of the locals who use this area regularly. NOTE – It has recently been brought to our attention that this spot is within a fenced area and is therefore not acceptable for wild camping. We saw plenty tents pitched along the beach that looked set up to be spending at least a few days there, so it is a very casual affair. Wild Camping Tips for Campervans/Motorhomes. Check out some of the best views in Scotland, all from the comfort of your hotel room at John O’Groats. We recommend starting on the East coast and saving the incredible West coast for last. If you are in the mood for another one of the best campsites on the NC500 near a beach and don’t mind the lack of mobile reception, the Ceannabeine Beach is perfect for you! If you are stuck for the night with a spot to pitch up, then have a look at the local accommodation and treat yourself to a roof over your head for the night. Our top recommendation is the John O’Groats Caravan and Camping Site, situated right on the northern tip of John O’Groats. Thank you so much for the feedback! Any tips? I didn’t know that Scotland was so well known for its wild camping. When you’ve driven your camper through the inland to the coast, you drive towards Skye: one of the most beautiful islands perhaps in the world. Main Photography Camera – Sony A7 Mirrorless Camera. Absolutely love the NC500 and cannot wait to do it again. I organised a 4 night trip from Norfolk to Lochinver last year and we spent a night at Ardvreck castle Loch Assynt. When you are wild camping in Scotland, the most important thing to remember is Leave No Trace. Dog friendly and 15-30 mins from Inverness and Loch Ness. The site overlooks the bay and is a beautifully peaceful spot to finish your NC500 adventure. Here’s how t… North Coast 500 – Wild Camping. Save money on accommodation and experience Scotland's true beauty. As for campsites, Broomfield Holiday Park sits right in the centre of town, the perfect spot to pitch up and head to the local pub. As it is further back from the road, you shouldn’t be bothered by the traffic too much, leaving you to enjoy the serenity of the Scottish highlands all around you. The North Coast 500 is Scotland’s answer to route 66 and one of the most beautiful coastal touring routes in the world (well, we think so, anyway!). I just stumbled upon your article and wished to say that I’ve really enjoyed browsing your article. Whether in a tent or a camper van, there’s simply no more authentic way to experience the highlands than to wild camp north coast 500. Are you planning an NC500 camping trip? Because you can! Get your FREE 30-day trial and choose from hundreds of different Scotland guidebooks. In this day and age, the time of sleeping on an uncomfortable, paper-thin roll mat and waking up with a broken shoulder, neck and back is over. These campsites near the North Coast 500 make great rest stops. Previous Post Previous The Jurassic Coast. The secret to any camping trip is of course preparation. Renting a vehicle is, therefore, the most popular way of touring this epic road trip for overseas visitors. If you are looking for stunning landscapes, fascinating history, endless horizons, ancient castles, golden beaches and crystal-clear water, all wrapped up in a 500-mile road trip, then the NC500 is for you. Stunning North Coast 500 Campsites and Wild Camping Spots. There were a few campervans parked up just before the car park, showing us its a perfect spot to pitch up. Get your quote before you leave on your trip right here. You can see individual campsites mentioned throughout our suggested 1 week NC500 itinerary and you can also see our NC500 camping guide for more information on camping along the route. To sum up services such as Search for sites and Park4Night are good resources for finding camping spots. As a South African, Wild Camping is usually my preferred mode of sleeping when moving around, and I was worried that wild camping might be a big No-No, but now I am happy to see that this is not the case! Given the beautiful sights and scenery that you are no doubt going to see around Scotland, we highly recommend packing a good camera for your trip. Just to let you know though, you’ve mis-spelt Duncansby (missed out the second n). 15. This saved us an incredible amount of money, which was better spent on more important things (aka beer). North Coast 500 Hotels. We have outlined all of this for you in our complete guide to wild camping, which also lists all of the essentials you will need for your next trip. Wild Camping North Coast 500 – The Best Places to Wild Camp, Best Wild Camping Spots on the North Coast 500, Durness Wild Camping Spots – Ceannabeinne Beach / Village Trail. And its free which is an added bonus haha. Ensure you’re out of sight of any residences, or at least 200m away from them. North Coast 500 7-day Itinerary Arguably one of the best road trips in the world! Save this image to your Scotland Pinterest Board for later, Heart 200 Road Trip – Five Day Itinerary to the Heart of Scotland, A Guide to Wild Camping – Everything You Need to Know. I will be going to the UK Next month and was thinking to visit Scotland from Whales. As far as the en-route North Coast 500 campsites go, Gairloch’s Sands Campsite is one of the best about. The North Coast 500 is, without doubt, the road trip everyone wants to do right now - and it isn't really that much of a surprise why. If you find a spot and there is someone else there, move onto another location and leave this one for the night. You can pitch up in a spot here and explore the surroundings for two of three days before moving on, or you can make some quick pit stops at each one and get going. Castles of the North Coast 500 | highlands2hammocks, 8-Day North Coast 500 Itinerary – Road Trip Along Scotland's North Coast, Wild Camping Essentials - A Complete Guide to Wild Camping | highlands2hammocks, Easy Camping Food List and Cooking Hacks | highlands2hammocks, North Coast 500 Budget - How Much Does It Cost? That is really good to know, thanks for sharing! Top 10 tips for driving the North Coast 500 in a campervan 1 – plan your route. Depending on how you plan on getting to your camping spot, you can either go for a large, spacious tent, or a small and lightweight one. With ultra-compact, easy to inflate and unbelievably lightweight roll mats now available, camping is almost luxurious! Due to how remote the area is around Dornoch, Dornoch Beach wild camping spots are relatively easy to find. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. There are no campsites near to this exact location, however, on the main road before you turn north to Strathy Point Lighthouse, you have the Strathy Inn. 7-day North Coast 500 Itinerary – FREE, Detailed and Unforgettable! North Coast 500 Apartments. Beside this hut is a generous area for parking up with plenty of space for motorhomes and tents alike. Follow along on this couple’s round the world trip and get inspired to make every day a wonderful adventure. Can you Wild Camp on the North Coast 500? Logistically, Gairloch is a sensible base and the campsite has coastal views, first class shower facilities and an on-site restaurant. This campsite is right on the seaside, with stunning views of the nearby beach and harbour. We would recommend that you make use of the wonderful camping … Thanks for the article and tips. Durness – Ceannabeine Beach / Village Trail. eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'highlands2hammocks_co_uk-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_8',121,'0','0'])); If you want to enjoy the small-town nightlife without having to drive back to your tent, have a look at the hotels in the area and bunk down on the harbour side. eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'highlands2hammocks_co_uk-box-4','ezslot_4',116,'0','0'])); When you are looking for a spot to pitch up for the night, you cannot just choose anywhere you wish. Don’t pitch up right beside a campsite, this is seen as quite rude. What were your favourite sights? If you want to read more about the cameras we use and why we love them, check out the link below. This is the accommodation that we would recommend, especially if you are on the go and love a bit of adventure. Glad to see such a great post, reflecting the ability of a good content writer. Wild Camping Along the North Coast 500. Scotland’s access legislation (the Land Reform act 2003), permits wild camping … Since you guys are now permanent nomads, and might want to Wild Camp in different places I would recommend the open source app ‘ioverlander’. If you are planning a full trip to Scotland, make sure you check out the rest of our guides and Scotland content to ensure a stress-free adventure. Enjoy the beautiful west coast nature: Munro’s, Skye and awe-inspiring roads. We slept on these roll mats during our three month camping trip in Europe, and honestly they are comfier than my bed at home. The silver lining for foreigners is that since Brexit the British pound has taken a hit so your home currency is sure to go further than previous years. Car, Camper, Bike, or Walk. So there you have it, your ultimate guide to the wild camping spots on the North Coast 500. Learn how your comment data is processed. Scotland’s incredible road trip takes in 500 miles around the north coast of Scotland taking in some of the most spectacular scenery in the world – there’s no wonder they call it Scotland’s Route 66. Do not overstay in one spot, or if you wish to use the same site make sure you leave and return to prevent the beauty of the highlands being ruined. Check out these recommended guidebooks for your road trip! Safe Travels! Get planning your ultimate Scotland Road Trip with our 7-day North Coast 500 itinerary. eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'highlands2hammocks_co_uk-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_7',118,'0','0'])); For wild camping overlooking Sandy Bay,  John O’Groats, the best spot sits right on the edge of the world. Best of luck to you guys. Coordinates are below. It was completely free! If you’re really up for a cheap adventure it’s possible to cycle the North Coast 500, wild camp, and cook all your food. #freeyourlifetraveleval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'highlands2hammocks_co_uk-box-1','ezslot_3',114,'0','0']));report this ad. Also Read – Heart 200 Road Trip – Five Day Itinerary to the Heart of Scotland. For example, it is not legal to camp on the western shores of Loch Lomond due to overuse and lack of respect. Check out all of the best choices for your stay in Dornoch right here. Post navigation. Lovely post. If you are looking for a caravan and camping site, further East of the Strathy Inn is the Hallandale Inn, which hosts its own touring park. Hey, thanks for the blog article. Bit embarrassing but all fixed now haha. North Coast 500 route maps are made easily available online plan your route around Scotland's Route66 NC500 with google maps & plan your route around the Coasts of the Northern Scottish Highlands as you drive through some of the most beautiful scenery in the world, visit famous location made popular by movies like Braveheart filmed in Glen Nevis by Fort William The 500-mile long route runs along Scotland’s northern coast, starting on one side of the country and finishing on the other. If this one isn’t for you, you can browse a huge range of mats of all shapes and sizes right here. If beach camping is something that you are looking for on your NC500 road trip, then the Mellon Udrigle beach is the perfect place for you. Download an easy to use, NC500 map and North Coast 500 Itinerary right here. The islands (except Skye) are in level 3 restrictions as per the 5-level Covid-19 restrictions. Another stunning sea view along with a beautiful walk to the lighthouse in the morning. Arrive after dark and leave before light. Amazing location. Beautiful scenery, amazing roads and wildness, and like Wales on steroids. That is our dream one day! This blog is for you guys, highlighting our wild camping NC500 spots around the northern coast of Scotland! I’ve added this to my bucket list! We are just about to embark our adventure of full time van life and a UK tour. The pinks and blues dancing across the surrounding mountains, coupled with the stillness of the water make for a magical evening. In this post you probably noticed that we have listed a fully serviced campsite for every night of the trip. ‘Wild Camping’ under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 is only allowed when camping by foot, bike or other non-motorised transport. [affiliate links]. They combine ultimate beauty with road-trip convenience whether you’re in a motorhome, car, or wild camping … In the morning, get up early and walk over the hill behind this view to watch the sunrise over the magnificent Duncansby Stacks. We also made sure that we were away early enough in the morning before any visitors came. Then, after that, head to the local pub for some casual live music with the locals. Why Wild Camp North Coast 500? This also allowed us to plug into electrics and charge up our many devices. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. This article may contain affiliate links that provide us with a small income. Tage us in your Instagram stories and pictures and we will share them with the rest of our community! Just make sure that when you do head off you are well equipped, well planned out and well prepared for the drive of your life. Be sure to share this article with your family and friends to let them know all about your big plans. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Please be advised that Mainland Scotland is now in a temporary lockdown, meaning everyone is being asked to stay at home except for essential purposes. Due to how quiet this spot is, Dornoch beach is one of the best campsites in Scotland near the beach. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. For us, 8 days was the answer, with no two nights spent in the same place, although plenty of time to see lots of sights. Your email address will not be published. Check out our videos of different groups heading out in our motorhomes or campervans on the North Coast 500. Fail to prepare and prepare to fail. The NC500 route starts and ends at Inverness, then you spend your time traveling around the coast of northern Scotland taking in locations such as John o Groats, the furthest point in the UK! There should be no evidence that you were there, apart from footprints and good memories! For one of the most stunning drives in Scotland, a trip through to Applecross is a definite on your NC500 itinerary. Book your stay in advance to avoid disappointment. This cosy B&B is not the grandest accommodation in the world, however, it is the perfect place to rest your head for the night. We recently came across this brilliant map containing wild camping and pub stopovers for campervans doing the North Coast 500. The North Coast 500 is a roughly 500-mile road trip around the far north-west of Scotland. Choose a spot that is that isn’t going to have people walking past your tent regularly. About 4 miles north of Poolewe we managed to pull in down an old, dead-end dirt track and find a flat bit to pitch our tent with another spectacular sea view. I’m glad you found this useful! 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