Planning a motorhome or campervan journey across the North Coast 500 in Scotland? Listed below are among the greatest NC500 campsites for motorhome, campervans, caravans & tents to remain in a single day, together with opening time (some are open all yr), amenities every campsite has, route planning, plus ideas for wild tenting alongside the NC500 route.
Don’t overlook to seize your FREE Scotland guidelines that will help you keep organised.
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Are you able to camp anyplace on the NC500 (North Coast 500)?
If you’re planning a North Coast 500 tour in any automobile, however particularly with a motorhome, caravan or campervan, the place to remain is likely one of the largest issues.
Let’s begin with some info.
The North Coast 500 is a sequence of public roads in Scotland, which have been there lengthy earlier than the route was created. It’s free to drive the NC500– however you’ll need to pay for gasoline, meals and campsites.
As a result of these are public roads, you can not simply camp anyplace on the NC500- there are many slender roads with solely passing locations and for those who parked in a kind of you’d trigger chaos!
There best choice is to remain in one of many many campsites alongside the route- we record a few of our favourites beneath.
Are you able to wild camp on the NC500 in a campervan or motorhome?
There are some strict guidelines about wild tenting in a motorhome or campervan in Scotland. It’s not as simple as you would possibly assume and it’s definitely not a ‘proper’.
The brief reply is you ‘can’ wild camp in some locations alongside the route, however you should be very cautious to not block the street or entry to buildings or farmland, not trigger injury or depart any hint and also you MUST transfer on if requested.
There has additionally been some stress between the locals and visiting vans, which remains to be simmering. After I drove the NC500 in my motorhome, I wild camped among the nights, however alongside the busy west coast I selected to remain in campsites because it made it much less hectic for me.
Greatest NC500 campsites for motorhomes
Fortunately, there are LOADS of campsites alongside or close to to the route of the NC500. Some are open all yr spherical, however many are seasonal, opening solely close to Easter (some don’t open till July) and shut by the tip of September.
Right here’s how one can discover motorhome campsites close to you.
If you’re planning to drive the NC500 throughout July and August, it pays to do your analysis and e book a web site in advance- particularly one of many ones with wonderful views or good amenities.
When you’re motorhoming in Scotland outdoors of peak season (which we extremely suggest), then it is best to have extra flexibility and never have to e book up fairly thus far upfront.
Having mentioned that, if there’s a spot you actually wish to keep at, reserving is all the time a good suggestion.
READ MORE: See our North Coast 500 motorhome itinerary right here
It’s additionally most likely a good suggestion to affix one of many large motorhome golf equipment on your trip- both the Tenting and Caravanning Membership or the Caravan and Motorhome Membership- or each.
Being a member could make it simpler to e book websites AND can provide you a spot to empty waste for those who want to- they’re normally extra accommodating for members.
Planning a visit to Scotland?
We’ve accomplished the laborious give you the results you want!
Seize our full Scotland journey planner and get:
- 80+ concepts for locations to go to
- Maps and itinerary strategies
- Routes and issues to see alongside the way in which
- Suggestions, customs and far far more!
Greatest Motorhome Campsites alongside the North Coast 500 route
It doesn’t matter which approach you go across the NC500- it should all the time be probably the most scenic drives in Scotland.
To make this publish simpler to navigate, I’ve break up the route into sections going clockwise so you could find campsites which could give you the results you want.
In fact, I can’t embrace each campsite in right here, so listed here are a few web sites which you would possibly discover helpful to seek out different choices:
The totally different sections of the NC500 are:
- WESTER- ROSS – Inverness throughout to the west coast and up the SW nook
- SUTHERLAND- The remainder of the west coast and a lot of the northern coast, aside from the very NE
- CAITHNESS- the highest NE Nook, round John o’Groats
- EASTER ROSS and the Black Isle Peninsula -East coast all the way down to Inverness
- INVERNESS-SHIRE- the world round Inverness
NC500 Route Map
Right here’s the map of the NC500 route, with among the most important factors on them.
You possibly can learn extra concerning the factors and how one can plan your North Coast 500 route right here.
When you’re travelling in a motorhome or camper, learn our NC500 motorhoming information too
We’ve damaged this publish up into the next sections:
- greatest NC500 campsites on the west coast
- campsites for motorhomes and campers on the north coast
- greatest NC500 campervan and motorhome campsites on the east coast and close to Inverness
We’ve picked a number of campsites, from large vacation parks with indoor swimming pools, to smaller websites with fundamental amenities however a extra tranquil setting.
You may also see an interactive map of one of the best campsites alongside the North Coast 500 route right here:
For every, we’ve included the deal with, once they’re normally open throughout the yr, in the event that they’re canine pleasant, tough costs and if they permit campfires and/ or BBQs.
NC500 Books
When you get pleasure from researching earlier than a visit, you would possibly discover these books helpful:
Don’t forget to grab your motorhome logbook to record all of your amazing adventures!
Greatest NC500 campsites for motorhomes on the west coast
The Wee Campsite
The Wee campsite is small however has unimaginable views of the loch. The essential amenities embrace showers, bathrooms, wash-up and electrical hook-ups.
Handle: Croft Street, Lochcarron, Highland, Scotland, IV54 8YB
Open (tough information): Often April till finish of September
Canine pleasant?: Sure
Campfire/ BBQ allowed? Sure
Costs: from £15 per unit (+pp)
Max Van Dimension: 7.5m
Applecross Campsite
Applecross is a small however well-liked village, set on the shores of a peninsula proper within the SW nook.
There are solely two routes to get there- one alongside the northern coast of the peninsula and one over the tops of the encircling hills- generally known as the Bealach na Bà- one of many steepest and highest roads within the UK.
The campsite at Applecross has spectacular views of the Isle of Skye and the western shoreline.
Handle: Applecross, Strathcarron, Ross-Shire, UK – IV54 8ND
Open (tough information): Starting March till finish October
Canine pleasant?: Sure
Campfire/ BBQ allowed? Free-standing BBQ allowed, no campfires
Costs: from £13 for a motorhome/campervan/caravan (+pp)
Sands Caravan and Tenting Park
Sands Campsite has an enviable location proper on the coast, near the city of Poolewe and the mountains of Wester Ross.
There’s a store promoting contemporary bread, groceries, fuel and alcohol, laundry facilties, children playground plus an onsite cafe in excessive season and many to do within the space.
Handle: Sands Caravan & Tenting, Gairloch • Wester Ross • IV21 2DL
Open (tough information): Finish of March till finish of October
Canine pleasant?: Sure
Campfire/ BBQ allowed? Sure
Costs: from £24 for a motorhome with 2 adults
Broomfield Vacation Park
When you fancy a little bit of nightlife, Ullapool is an efficient stopping level and Broomfield Holiday Park is likely one of the few campsites close to Ullapool. It’s additionally an ideal base for those who’re getting a ferry to the Isles. They’ve electrical hookup, children play space and bathroom blocks.
Handle: West Lane, Ullapool, IV26 2UT
Open (tough information): April till finish September
Canine pleasant?: Sure
Campfire/ BBQ allowed? BBQs
Costs: from £24/ night time for a motorhome and two folks
Shore Caravan Website
Shore Caravan Site is family-friendly campsite is on the award-winning Achmelvich Bay and is simply 4-miles from the small village of Lochinver.
The seaside is the primary attraction and you may anticipate finding households browsing, swimming and rockpool searching. There are additionally mountaineering routes close by.
Services embrace a rest room block with showers, launderette, on-site store, chip store and WiFi. They’re strict about their amenities being for friends solely.
Handle: 106 Achmelvich, Lochinver, Sutherland, IV27 4JB
Open (tough information): Open April- October
Canine pleasant?: No
Campfire/ BBQ allowed? Campfires allowed not on grass
Costs: from £15 (+pp)
Clachtoll Seashore Campsite
One of the crucial iconic seashores on the NC500 is Clachtoll beach- and you may keep in a single day proper subsequent to it.
The campsite has electrical hookup, showers, rest room blocks (with hairdryers) and laundry amenities. There’s even a merchandising machine and WiFi.
This family-run web site could be very environmentally acutely aware and actively encourages campers to make use of eco-friendly chemical compounds in waste tanks when disposing of onsite as nicely.
Handle: Clachtoll Seashore Campsite, 134 Clachtoll, Lochinver, Sutherland, IV27 4JD
Open (tough information): Open all yr
Canine pleasant?: Sure
Campfire/ BBQ allowed? BBQs
Costs: from £19 for an unserviced pitch (+pp)
Scourie Campsite
Scourie Campsite is on the sting of Scourie Bay, with breathtaking views throughout the bay and islands. They’re additionally close to the ferry which runs to Handa Island so you may see the puffins.
They’ve laborious standing pitches, plus rest room blocks, dishwashing and waste.
Handle: Scourie, Lairg, IV27 4TE
Open (tough information): April to September
Canine pleasant?: Sure
Campfire/ BBQ allowed? BBQs
Costs: from £13 (+pp)
Gairloch Vacation Park
The stunning web site, Gairloch Holiday Park overlooking Strath Bay with gorgeous water views. The small village has some retailers, pubs and a leisure heart. This space is a dream for all out of doors and water adventurers, like canoeing, dolphin / whale cruises, mountaineering and extra.
Handle: 1 Mihol Street, Gairloch, Ross-shire IV21 2BX
Open (tough information): Begin of April to finish of October.
Canine pleasant?: Sure
Campfire/ BBQ allowed? BBQ
Costs: £14 per grownup per night time / kids (4-15years) £5 per night time. Seafront pitches an additional £5 cost.
Gruinard Bay Caravan Park
The seaside entrance web site, Gruinard Bay Caravan Park set on the water’s edge, Gruinard Bay Caravan Park sit with the city of Gruinard Bay. The village gives a variety of actions and companies. An excellent location to both be as chilled or as lively as you need.
Handle: Laide, Wester Ross IV22 2ND
Open (tough information): Begin of April to finish of October.
Canine pleasant?: Sure
Campfire/ BBQ allowed? Ask at Reception
Costs: 2 adults £27 per night time
NORTH COAST & CAITHNESS NC500 campsites for motorhomes
Sango Sands Oasis
Sango Sands Oasis campsite is perched above the sandy Sango Sands seaside and is likely one of the hottest campsites on the North Coast 500 route.
Smoo Cave is simply down the street and the views over the North Sea are spectacular. It was voted among the finest campsites within the UK by the Instances. Ceannabeinne Seashore and the Golden Eagle zipline are close by.
Services embrace electrical hookup, laborious standing and grass pitches, rest room blocks, waste disposal, laundry amenities and a restaurant with bar.
You solely have to e book if you need electrical hook-up. Non-serviced and grass pitches are first come, first served.
Honest warning: it could actually get windy alongside this coastline- it’s very uncovered. I received caught in a storm there and it was VERY rocking within the motorhome!
Tenting out of season: From mid November to mid March you might keep right here in a single day for simply £10 with electrical hookup. You may also use their water refill. The bathrooms are closed however there are public bathrooms out there subsequent to the native grocery store.
Handle: Sango Bay, Durness, Sutherland, IV27 4PZ
Open (tough information): All yr for those who don’t want amenities
Canine pleasant?: Sure
Campfire/ BBQ allowed? No
Costs: From £10pp (further prices for kids and electrical energy)
There may be an onsite bar and restaurant, stocked stuffed with all one of the best Scotch Whisky, this cosy campsite is right on your keep within the north-west of Scotland.
Dunnet Bay Caravan and Motorhome Membership Website
Dunnet Bay is one other campsite with breathtaking views and a close-by seaside. Near the city of Thurso, it’s in a wonderful location to go to John o’Groats and Orkney. That is the place we left our motorhome for the day once we visited Orkney on our motorbikes (you can too take your motorhome or camper to Orkney, even when only for the day.)
Dunnet Bay is a Caravan and Motorhome membership web site and there are amenities to match- rest room blocks, laundry, electrical hookup and loads of issues to do close by.
Handle: Dunnet, Thurso, Highlands, KW14 8XD
Open (tough information): Begin of March to start out of November
Canine pleasant?: Sure
Campfire/ BBQ allowed? BBQ
Costs: from £24 for two adults
John O’Groats Caravan and Tenting Website
If you wish to camp proper subsequent to John o’Groats, this is the campsite to do it. The views are fantastic and the amenities are good- electrical hookup, rest room blocks and laundry amenities.
Handle: County Street, John o’ Groats KW1 4YR
Open (tough information): April till finish of October
Canine pleasant?: Sure
Campfire/ BBQ allowed? BBQ
Costs: from £24 for a caravan or motorhome
EAST COAST NC500 campsites for motorhomes and campers (inc BLACK ISLE and Inverness)
Wick River Camptite
The Wick River campsite is a sheltered campsite on the banks of the River Wick and solely a 5-minute stroll into the city of Wick. Close by are retailers, eating places, swimming, golf and seashores.
Handle: Riverside Drive, Wick, Caithness KW1 5SP
Open (tough information): Could till finish of September
Canine pleasant?: Sure
Campfire/ BBQ allowed? No
Costs: from £26 for a motorhome and a pair of adults.
Brora Caravan Membership Website
The Brora Caravan Club Site is on a reasonably sheltered stretch of shoreline, but is simply 300m from the seaside.
It’s a preferred web site with birdwatchers, because the Arctic Tern nest on the seaside. Close by are lochs and the ocean for swimming or fishing- you would possibly even see whales, seals or dolphins. Brora village is simply a few miles away and has retailers and a few eating places.
Handle: Dalchalm, Brora, Highlands, KW9 6LP
Open (tough information): Begin of March to the beginning of November
Canine pleasant?: Sure
Campfire/ BBQ allowed? BBQ
Costs: £11 per pitch + £8.50 per grownup (per little one £2.20)
Dornoch Caravan and Tenting Park
The Dornoch Caravan and Camping Park sits proper on the award-winning Dornoch seaside and near the small city of Dornoch.
It’s solely a 5 minute stroll to Dornoch Cathedral and there’s Dunrobin Fort (among the finest castles on the NC500) and a golf course close by.
Handle: The Hyperlinks, Dornoch, Sutherland-shire IV25 3LX
Open (tough information): Finish of March till finish of October
Canine pleasant?: Sure
Campfire/ BBQ allowed? BBQ
Costs: £27 for a unit with 4 folks with electrical
Grannie Heilan Hame Vacation Park
As websites go, this is a good one. There are such a lot of amenities, together with loopy golf, a jacuzzi, children membership, zipwire, bowling, indoor pool, tennis courts- and that’s earlier than you even get to the seaside and the unimaginable views.
The positioning sits on the white sand seaside of Embo and is near the historic city of Dornoch.
Onsite there’s a store, bar and restaurant. It’s a Park Dean resort, so it’s not quiet- or low cost, however if you need leisure, that is the place for you.
Handle: Dornoch, Sutherland, IV25 3QD
Open (tough information): Feb till NovemNovember
Canine pleasant?: Sure
Campfire/ BBQ allowed? BBQ
Costs: from £16 pp
Dingwall Tenting and Caravanning Membership Website
This Dingwall campsite overlooks the well-known Cromarty Firth and is a peaceable place to unwind. Pitches are degree and there’s a mixture of grass and hard-standing, many with electrical. There are rest room blocks and washing amenities.
It’s near the market city of Dingwall which has a variety of outlets, a grocery store and eating places.
It’s additionally an incredible place to go away the motorhome and catch a practice into Inverness or to Kyle of Lochalsh on the West coast; a shocking route taking in a few of Scotland’s most lovely surroundings.
The Dingwall Heritage mountaineering Path passes the campsite and follows the River Peffery to a picnic space on the Cromarty Firth.
Wildlife lovers can hopefully spot dolphins at Cromarty, or see Crimson Kites on the Black Isle. Ospreys could be seen in close by Udale Bay. For native tradition, go to the Victorian village of Strathpeffer or go to the Black Isle Brewery, Munlochy for excursions and tastings.
NOTE: TV and Wifi alerts could also be poor.
Handle: Jubilee Park Rd, Dingwall IV15 9QZ
Open (tough information): April till finish of October
Canine pleasant?: Sure
Campfire/ BBQ allowed? BBQ
Costs: from £9.25pp
Black Rock Campsite
Black Rock campsite is near the Black Rock gorge- a 120 deep chasm carved by the River Glass.
The park is near the village of Evanton, simply 15 miles north of Inverness and Dingwall (with the practice station) is simply 4 miles west. There’s a bus service to achieve each of those locations.
There are 33 gravel touring pitches, all degree with water drainage, electrical hook up and an aeriel socket. There are additionally rest room and washing amenities, plus freezer packs, a store and a pub simply outdoors, which gives 10% low cost to campers.
Handle: Balconie St, Evanton, Dingwall IV16 9UN
Open (tough information): April till finish of October
Canine pleasant?: Sure
Campfire/ BBQ allowed? BBQ
Costs: from £25 per night time
Ardtower Caravan Park- close to Culloden
If you wish to go to Culloden, Ardtower Caravan Park is a superb choice. 95% of pitches have an uninterrupted view in direction of the Black Isle and the views past. There may be respectable wifi in most areas and fashionable amenities.
Handle: Culloden Street, Inverness, IV2 5AA
Open (tough information): All yr (might shut in February/ March for upkeep)
Canine pleasant?: Sure
Campfire/ BBQ allowed? BBQ
Costs: from £28 for a grass pitch with 2 adults.
Planning a visit to Scotland?
We’ve accomplished the laborious give you the results you want!
Seize our full Scotland journey planner and get:
- 80+ concepts for locations to go to
- Maps and itinerary strategies
- Routes and issues to see alongside the way in which
- Suggestions, customs and far far more!
NC500 motorhome campsites open all yr spherical
Listed below are a couple of campsites we all know of alongside the NC500 that are open all yr. (Please do examine in advance- simply in case they’ve modified their phrases since we wrote this).
Waste Disposal factors for motorhomes and campervans on the NC500
It sickens me how regularly the information has tales of idiots who’ve determined to simply dump their waste (human or in any other case) together with the street, or in a nook of a automotive park- with completely no regard for the injury their actions are having each on the setting and on the general public notion of motorhomers and campervanners.
WARNING: Locals have began a NC500 ‘watch’ to report troublemakers and individuals who depart behind injury or waste- and you would end up banned from another campsites on the route, so please act responsibly.
It’s true that the NC500 route has some areas the place disposing of waste could be tricky- particularly out of season when many locations are closed.
Nevertheless, there are alternatives round, and the federal government is working to place extra choices in place, so please do use them. The best choice is to e book right into a campsite and use their waste disposal factors and refill on freshwater.
There are even a few campsites alongside the route the place you may get rid of gray and black waste hygienically, even for those who select to not keep on that campsite (you’ll need to pay a cost for utilizing their facilities- as they should pay to get your waste handled and eliminated.)
A few these are:
If you realize of any extra NC500 motorhome campsites you’d suggest, be at liberty to go away them within the feedback so others can profit. Protected travels!
