NC500 - Sites - Book Ahead or Freestyle?

[Devon Dave]

Hello, All.

We are planning our first long trip in our T6.1 by exploring the NC500 next month. Is it best to book sites in advance or make it up as we go along?

Any recommendations for sites also welcome.

Many thanks

 

[Princess Doris]

We are going to do the NC500 next April. We have started planning and booking already.
Next month is really last minute. I recommend you make a plan and start booking now.
Lots of guide books available. We bought Robbie Roams North Coast 500
Full of excellent information.
We are realising just how sparse the very far north is and finding places to eat and drink could be a challenge. Looks like we will be carrying lots of provisions.

 

[KevH]

If you want to use camping sites on the top road, rather than wild camp, I’d recommend booking. We found the main sites to be heaving in early June last year, though Sango Sands were managing to squeeze late comers in.
Be prepared for relatively barren towns that are past there best and offer few facilities beyond the basics, and expect a keen breeze with a good slice of midges.
We loved it

 

[BeagleMum]

Hello, All.

We are planning our first long trip in our T6.1 by exploring the NC500 next month. Is it best to book sites in advance or make it up as we go along?

Any recommendations for sites also welcome.

Many thanks

We did the NC 500 6 years ago but before that we were regularly visitors to Wester Ross and beyond beyond the 500 became a thing. We always go up there March/April and October so have never pre booked sites as we prefer to have a flexible itinerary. The popular sites are Sango and Scourie but there re a few decent ones on route depending on which direction you travel, although they all seem to be a lot more expensive now. Red Squirrel, Glen Nevis, Ben Nevis, Clachtoll, Sheildiag, Applecross, Fortrose, Dornoch Beach to name a few are all decent stops.

 

[Hawthorn37]

We did most of the route in early May a couple of years ago. We booked ahead, but it wasn’t necessary. There was plenty of free pitches. I think if you avoid July and August you should be fine.

 

[Rubinstein]

Hello, All.

We are planning our first long trip in our T6.1 by exploring the NC500 next month. Is it best to book sites in advance or make it up as we go along?

Any recommendations for sites also welcome.

Many thanks

Hi, I did it September/October time 2 yrs ago, didn’t book anything just wild and freestyle no campsite, good tip is not to stick to the 500, plenty of park ups just around the corner if you turn off and explore a bit, you’ll love it

 

[dspuk]

We booked ahead apart from one site which was full but had a policy of squeezing people in, which they did.

 

[Devon Dave]

Many thanks to all for your prompt and helpful replies.