fbpx
CLOSE

Sign In to Your Account

Visitor Sign In

Visitors please sign in here to access your membership benefits.

MEMBER SIGN IN

Business Sign In

Business members please sign in here to access your membership benefits.

BUSINESS SIGN IN
*
By North Coast 500
Published: 7th May 2021

Your guide to wild camping on the NC500

The North Coast 500 is well known for it’s beautiful rural landscapes, and so it’s no wonder that it has become a popular destination for those wanting to spend a night or 2 under the stars.  Whether you are looking to keep things minimal by wild camping on the NC500 or stay at the many available sites with full facilities – there is something for everyone. All we ask is that you “tread lightly” and familiarise yourself with the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

Scottish Outdoor Access Code

Scottish Outdoor Access Code Campaign Artwork created by Nature Scotland, Scotland’s Nature Agency.


Camp Sites on the NC500

Use campsites when possible, to access appropriate facilities and have the best experience. By pitching up at an official campsite, it means that our natural environments and their often fragile ecosystems remain intact.

The North Coast 500 is home to many awe-inspiring, remote campsites – in some sites, you’ll feel as though you’re wild camping, although you’ll have all the facilities of a fully maintained camp site. Whether you are looking to keep things minimal or stay at sites with full facilities – there is something for everyone. Our campsites welcome tents, campervans and motorhomes etc unless stated otherwise.

You will find a full list of amazing campsites along the route here.

Wild Camping on the NC500

If you are planning a wild camping trip on the North Coast 500, be sure to familiarise yourself with the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. It’s simple – all campers should follow a policy of ‘leave-no-trace’.

Here are some top points to follow:

For more information download Nature Scots leaflet on Camping in Scotland.

Campfires

Scottish Outdoor Access Code

Scottish Outdoor Access Code Campaign Artwork created by Nature Scotland, Scotland’s Nature Agency.

Please do not light campfires, use a stove for cooking it is the best way to prevent wildfires and avoid destroying our woodlands, trees and peatlands.

Campfires on peaty ground or near trees can cause major damage to both local communities and our wildlife. Much of the North Coast 500 landscape is made up of peatlands and forests, meaning there is a high risk of wildfire.

Never light a fire anywhere when there is a high fire risk.

What to do when you need to go!

Scottish Outdoor Access Code

Scottish Outdoor Access Code Campaign Artwork created by Nature Scotland, Scotland’s Nature Agency.

Of course when you are out in the wilds you don’t have the convenience of toilet facilities. So what do you do when you need to go? Lets face it, nobody likes to talk about poo, and nobody wants to see it either, so make sure you know what to do when you need to poo in the great outdoors as outlined in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

If you do need to poo when you’re out and about, please do the following:

Leave no trace

Scottish Outdoor Access Code

Scottish Outdoor Access Code Campaign Artwork created by Nature Scotland, Scotland’s Nature Agency.

Whether you are travelling by car, bicycle, motorcycle, campervan, motorhome or foot, it is your responsibility to dispose of your waste responsibly. Not only can litter ruin the amazing views along the North Coast 500, it can also pose a hazard to wildlife and the environment. Clearing up discarded litter can also be difficult, dangerous and expensive to clean up.

If you find that there are no bins, or that the bins provided are full, DO NOT leave your waste at the roadside or beside a bin, take it with you and dispose of it responsibly, recycling where you can.

Points to remember…

What to read next...

Personal Membership From £15/Year

NC500 Champions

Our Corporate Partners

Singleton Clynelish Dunnet Bay Distillers Arnold Clark
Item added to favourites
Click here to view all your favourites.
Item removed from favourites
Click here to view all your favourites.