Tips for Planning a Trip along the North Coast 500
We teamed up with Independent Travel Cats last year who were lucky to have had the experience of driving the North Coast 500. They loved their trip so much that they are planning to return again next month to drive it again!
roJessica Norah is a cat-loving American travel blogger who is currently based in Scotland. Her favorite road trip companion is her husband Laurence who is also a travel blogger and photographer. The traveling duo share their adventures on their two popular travel blogs, Independent Travel Cats and Finding the Universe.
Jessica will highlight some of their top tips and advice for those planning to drive the North Coast 500 for the first time!
I am an American travel blogger who has been living in Scotland for the past 2 years with my British husband Laurence. We were lucky to have had the experience of driving the North Coast 500 and exploring this beautiful area of northern Scotland last year. We loved our trip and are planning to return again next month to drive it again!
We wanted to outline some of our tips and advice for those planning to drive the North Coast 500 for the first time. You can also check out our more comprehensive North Coast 500 planning guide for even more in-depth planning advice.
Plan Ahead
The North Coast 500 is becoming more popular each year and it is wise to plan ahead to make the most of your trip. We recommend first figuring out when you want to visit, how many days you have, and what your sightseeing priorities are for the trip. We’d recommend booking a car and accommodation in advance, especially in summer, to have more options and to take advantage of better rates. Many hotels book out in advance during the busy summer months and over holidays.
Most people visit between May and September, with the summer months being the busiest. The advantages of visiting during the summer are that the most businesses and attractions are open, it’s the best time for wildlife viewing, and the weather is likely to be better. However, going off-season has the advantage of fewer crowds and off-season hotel rates.
Determine How Many Days
The North Coast 500 is not a route to be driven quickly. Not only would it be unsafe to race along it, but you’ll want to drive it at a relaxed pace to take in the wonderful scenery! Our advice is to allow at least 5 days to drive the full route round-trip, although more days will obviously allow you to see more. If you have less than 5 days, we’d recommend focusing on a section of the route or a region or two in the area. You can also choose to more thoroughly explore a section of the route by choosing a base along the route and taking day trips.
If you are flexible with how long you spend on the North Coast 500, I’d recommend 7 to 10 days. This is a good amount of time to see all the main highlights and not have to rush too much. If you have 2 weeks or more, this would give you time to do more hikes, see more lesser known attractions, and really get to know some of the little towns and regions.
Figure Out What You Want to See
The North Coast 500 offers a lot of opportunities for sightseeing and you can see and do a lot along the route. The best way to plan your itinerary is to focus on the things(s) you really want to see and what you really want to do. You can’t do everything so I’d narrow it down by your interests and those of any of your travel companions.
Some of the highlights are beaches, wildlife (particular birds and sea animals), museums, castles, distilleries, and historical sites. Activities might include hiking, fishing, golfing, whisky tastings, whale watching, kayaking, or searching for the top photography locations.
Use these interests to help you plan your itinerary and decide when would be the best time to visit as some activities are seasonal or best in a certain season. For example, some museums have seasonal openings and the best chance to see many whale species are in the late Spring and Summer months.
You may also want to consider becoming a member of the North Coast 500 club. Annual membership includes access to several themed itineraries, a discount card, a monthly newsletter, a map, and other freebies depending on your membership level.
Choose your Lodging in Advance
As noted above, the biggest thing we’d recommend doing in advance, especially if there are specific properties you want to stay at, is to book your accommodation in advance. Popular hotels and B&B’s can book out 3 to 6 months in advance, especially during the summer season and around holidays and special events. Prices also rise if you wait until the last minute to book and we saw some prices triple for same-day bookings!
Lodging can be found along the North Coast 500 at almost any budget as the options range from hostels and campsites to luxury hotels. The average hotel costs based on our experience are in the £70-£100/night for 2 persons sharing a double room. But you can spend much less if you stay in simple B&B’s, hostels, or campsites with hostels along the route averaging from £17-£25/person. You can check out some our favorite NC500 hotels and B&B’s to get you started.
Pack Well for your Trip
For the most part, what you’ll want to pack for the North Coast 500 is the same as what you’d pack for another road trip or trip to Scotland. No matter when you come to Scotland, be prepared for variable weather and rain, and check the weather forecast before you leave.
Pack clothes you can layer, a fleece, a waterproof jacket, and water resistant or waterproof shoes. If you are visiting from May to September, you’ll want to pack (or purchase once you arrive) something to deter the midges (annoying mosquito like insects) such as a midge repellent lotion or spray.
In terms of preparing for your North Coast 500 drive, I’d recommend downloading the North Coast 500 phone app and downloading a digital copy of a NC500 map. You might also want to check out the Rough Guides North Coast 500 guidebook and some official clothing items, both available in the online store. A GPS is also really handy for navigation.
Be a Safe Driver
As you would in any country, take a look at the driving laws for Scotland before you go. A few things to highlight are that people drive on the left, the drink driving laws are strict, and you must have insurance coverage to drive.
The things that are often new or challenging to drivers not familiar with rural roads include using passing places along single track roads, watching for deer and unfenced livestock (particularly sheep), and navigating narrow bends.
If you are planning to drive a caravan or motorhome, these vehicles are not suitable on some roads. We recommend taking a look at these road safety guidelines for the NC500.
Be a Responsible Traveler
Be a respectful traveler along this route and keep this area of Scotland beautiful and a pleasant place for both residents and future tourists. Before your trip take a look at the Scottish Outdoor Access Code and road safety guidelines to make sure you understand the local laws and best practices.
Do your part to leave “no trace” and encourage your travel companions to do the same!
Have Fun!
The main thing is to have fun! The North Coast 500 is a route that is meant to be taken at a relaxed pace so one can take the time to stop off in little villages, learn about prehistoric ruins, taste the local food and wine, and admire the beautiful coastal scenery.
We recommend planning ahead to make the most of your trip (e.g., booking hotels, a rental car, and checking on opening times), but leave your day-to-day itinerary flexible to let yourself enjoy the places you discover along the way.
We hope this has helped give you some ideas about planning your own road trip, and you can read more in our comprehensive North 500 road trip planning guide!
Also don’t forget to check out all the NC500 online resources!
