North West Scotland Tips

[derek_j_buchanan]

This.

Wild camping in a motorised vehicle is illegal in Scotland and why would you rather than supporting the local economy with their great campsites.

They are some of the cheapest and friendliest I have used on the west coast.

You have your pick really but we enjoyed Port A Bhaigh and Shieldaig Camping & Cabins.

There are plenty of spots to stop in a van overnight. Increasingly with local support. Always be respectful. Plus just ask at hotels and pubs if you can stop in their car park. They are great full for the trade.

 

[dspuk]

There are plenty of spots to stop in a van overnight. Increasingly with local support. Always be respectful. Plus just ask at hotels and pubs if you can stop in their car park. They are great full for the trade.

There are. They are called camp sites. Locals love them. Because they support the local economy. Some councils have locally run ones with less facilities and a nominal charge.

I’ve seen no evidence locals support campers and whales, especially in summer, illegally littering their roads at night. Quite the opposite. Happy for you to point me to it.

Easy to write be respectful but most campers doing the north coasts are rentals. These campers have zero idea and show it.

As for pub car parks. Not my cup of tea. Many now charge because of the amount of britstop moaners who want to stop there for free but not buy a meal.

Quite why people go to these lengths to avoid paying 30 quid for a very cost effective campsite is beyond me.

 

[Aidy P]

Thanks everyone for your advice. Van is packed ready for tomorrow. Let’s see where we end up!

 

[KevH]

Thanks everyone for your advice. Van is packed ready for tomorrow. Let’s see where we end up!

So, where did you end up? Or is that in another thread? Hopefully you had a great time.
Based partly on your thread we have today completed the NC500 using traditional campsites at Rosemarkie, Montrose, Portsoy, Dunnet, Durness and Poolewe…we took our time and had a blast.
Given that this is mid-June, the roads were not busy, everybody (bar a couple of nutters) respected the passing place rules and the locals have been fantastic.
We have never eaten so many fantastic scones (pronounced scons of course, but you know this).

 

[Aidy P]

So, where did you end up? Or is that in another thread? Hopefully you had a great time.
Based partly on your thread we have today completed the NC500 using traditional campsites at Rosemarkie, Montrose, Portsoy, Dunnet, Durness and Poolewe…we took our time and had a blast.
Given that this is mid-June, the roads were not busy, everybody (bar a couple of nutters) respected the passing place rules and the locals have been fantastic.
We have never eaten so many fantastic scones (pronounced scons of course, but you know this).

I had a lovely week with my daughter and dog. 1250 miles covered from North Yorkshire to the north coast, so not for the faint hearted if you don’t have time to spare.

First and last nights of the trip were in sites near Loch Lomond. We then travelled up through snowy Glencoe on the way to Skye where we stayed in Portree Campsite. From there we headed up to Poolewe and then Scourie (where we stayed the longest).

The further north we travelled, the more stunning we found it. Would have loved more time. Only disappointment was not being able to camp on the north coast (as it was Easter weekend, so places were booked up). The more people that I spoke to as a we travelled it became clear that wild van camping is not liked by local communities so we decided to respect that.

 

[RockinNRollin]

The more people that I spoke to as a we travelled it became clear that wild van camping is not liked by local communities so we decided to respect that.

Great attitude I wish more would think this way; it would remove a lot of tension in some of these remote communities

 

[The Zigster]

Just back from a 3 week trip around the north west in a hired van. As a result we’re now looking to buy our own van, and have already made an enquiry through drive the deal (as nearly new prices are weirdly high)..
Scenery around Westeross, and further north was stunning, and much less traffic than around Glencoe area. We stayed on campsites for the entirety to try to avoid annoying the locals and to support the local economy as much as possible.
Will definitely return to the area once we have our own van

 

[Hawthorn37]

Just back from a 3 week trip around the north west in a hired van. As a result we’re now looking to buy our own van, and have already made an enquiry through drive the deal (as nearly new prices are weirdly high)..
Scenery around Westeross, and further north was stunning, and much less traffic than around Glencoe area. We stayed on campsites for the entirety to try to avoid annoying the locals and to support the local economy as much as possible.
Will definitely return to the area once we have our own van

Welcome to the Cali fraternity

 

[KevH]

Just back from a 3 week trip around the north west in a hired van. As a result we’re now looking to buy our own van, and have already made an enquiry through drive the deal (as nearly new prices are weirdly high)..
Scenery around Westeross, and further north was stunning, and much less traffic than around Glencoe area. We stayed on campsites for the entirety to try to avoid annoying the locals and to support the local economy as much as possible.
Will definitely return to the area once we have our own van

IMHO a Cali is as near as you can get to perfection for a Scottish touring holiday and I totally agree with your stance on respecting and supporting the locals.
Hope to meet you on the road some day.