I didn’t know that Scotland was so well known for its wild camping. Make sure you subscribe to our Youtube channel for more! Scotland is very well known for its brilliant wild camping spots, as well the fact that it is legal to do so. Around the NC500 you will see many campervans pulled over in various locations. You can no longer wild camp on Dornoch beach sadly. This was a really informative post, and I enjoyed your video! Then, after that, head to the local pub for some casual live music with the locals. This wild camping and traditional self-catering hybrid is the perfect option if you’re looking to spend a few nights in various locations along the route. This is proving to be quite a problem along the North Coast 500, as popularity increases. We have outlined all of this for you in our complete guide to wild camping, which also lists all of the essentials you will need for your next trip. There should be no evidence that you were there, apart from footprints and good memories! | highlands2hammocks, Isle of Skye - The Best Things to Do in Skye | highlands2hammocks, Durness – Ceannabeine Beach / Village Trail. FAQs on Wild Camping the NC500 Is Wild Camping Allowed in Scotland? The sunset over Ullapool Harbour is definitely one of our North Coast 500 highlights. So there you have it, your ultimate guide to the wild camping spots on the North Coast 500. If you find a spot and there is someone else there, move onto another location and leave this one for the night. This tent provided us with a large interior for a double airbed, storage space for essentials and a small porch to cook under shelter. Amazing location. You can set up your tent or motorhome and enjoy the beautiful Scottish outback. Isle of Skye Why Wild Camp North Coast 500? Save this image to your Scotland Pinterest Board for later, Heart 200 Road Trip – Five Day Itinerary to the Heart of Scotland, A Guide to Wild Camping – Everything You Need to Know. Read more about the best guidelines and practices for wild camping before your trip and get wild camping savvy. Dornoch Beach is also a great place for wild camping – just make sure to follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code rules and regulations and leave no trace. This campsite is right on the seaside, with stunning views of the nearby beach and harbour. You can read what else we keep in our camera bag over here. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. I’ve added this to my bucket list! There is absolutely no hurry, just pull up when you see a spot. However, if you fancy the wild side to life, there are lots of beautiful spots around this area for wild camping Durness. It was completely free! I organised a 4 night trip from Norfolk to Lochinver last year and we spent a night at Ardvreck castle Loch Assynt. nice post. As it is further back from the road, you shouldn’t be bothered by the traffic too much, leaving you to enjoy the serenity of the Scottish highlands all around you. Required fields are marked *. Wild camping’ is an amazing way to experience the North Coast 500 Roadtrip, whether it’s watching the sun rise or backpacking your way along the famous Northern Coast of Scotland in the Highland's version of the world famous Route 66. The scenes looks absolutely spectacular – I hope the weather plays along when I am there. There were a few campervans parked up just before the car park, showing us its a perfect spot to pitch up. It will cost you a very reasonable £20 for 2 people, one car and an electrical hook-up. Durness – Ceannabeine Beach / Village Trail. Camping in the wild, with no access to some of the home luxuries we are all used to can still be a comfortable and incredibly enjoyable experience, as long as you pack appropriately. Learn how your comment data is processed. Scotland's route 66 is the most popular roadtrip in Scotland. Download it for FREE HERE! If you find an ideal spot, head around the corner out of sight of the campsite and you will be fine. Tag us in your photos from your North Coast 500 adventure on Instagram so that we can share them with the rest of our community. Just to let you know though, you’ve mis-spelt Duncansby (missed out the second n). For wild camping overlooking Sandy Bay,  John O’Groats, the best spot sits right on the edge of the world. All of these will be discussed in greater detail later in this article, including how to get to them and pictures of the sites. Much obliged. There were a few campervans parked up just before the car park, showing us its a perfect spot to pitch up. Northern Scotland. Hey, thanks for the blog article. Check out some of the best views in Scotland, all from the comfort of your hotel room at John O’Groats. We walked to beside the lighthouse and started the day off with some morning, cliffside yoga. It is, of course, is entirely up to yourself where you wish to join the circle, so long as you make sure you see as much of it as possible. Our last piece of advice is the most important to ensure everyone can continue to enjoy the beauty of the highlands: Don’t overstay your welcome. Given our experience with camping, travelling all of the UK, most of Europe and now wild camping our way around Australia, we have learnt the most important pieces of equipment to pack for an epic trip. This is proving to be quite a problem along the North Coast 500, as popularity increases. We can’t wait to get to Scotland and these locations are definitely ones I am going to look out for! It also meant we could enjoy a pint at the onsite pub and relax on an actual sofa for the night, out of our tent. I will be going to the UK Next month and was thinking to visit Scotland from Whales. Although this brings an incredible amount of freedom, there is an etiquette that you should really follow when doing so. Clashnessie Bay: There’s a tiny car park across the road from Clashnessie beach, suitable for overnight parking for around 4-6 motorhomes. The camping spots around this area are also amongst the best campsites on the west coast of Scotland, so don’t miss out! Camping in the wild, with no access to some of the home luxuries we are all used to can still be a comfortable and incredibly enjoyable experience, as long as you pack appropriately. If you are looking for a caravan and camping site, further East of the Strathy Inn is the Hallandale Inn, which hosts its own touring park. How Long Does it Take to Drive the NC500? We pulled over onto a flat bit of grass just before that and spent the night. A very popular and important question when it comes to the Nc500 driving experience. then i advise him/her to pay a visit this weblog, Keep up the good work. Best way to see the raw side of Scotland! Thanks for the article and tips. What is the North Coast 500? Best of luck to you guys. Check out the best sights around the North Coast 500 in our Photo Guide to the NC500. [affiliate links]. Given the beautiful sights and scenery that you are no doubt going to see around Scotland, we highly recommend packing a good camera for your trip. Best of luck to you guys. If this one isn’t for you, you can browse a huge range of mats of all shapes and sizes right here. Maybe even inspire them to visit the NC500 castles themselves! Check out what other waterproofs are available and compare prices right here. Where does the North Coast 500 start and finish? eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'highlands2hammocks_co_uk-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_5',120,'0','0'])); Ullapool harbour at sunset. As always, we as that you act responsibly and leave no trace in the area you camp in. Bit embarrassing but all fixed now haha. What were your favourite sights? This was a stunning place for a view of the sea and a perfect sunset. If you fancy a break from the tent and need something more solid over your head then check out the hotel options in the nearby area right here. Dornoch Caravan and Camping Park Dornoch, Highlands . eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'highlands2hammocks_co_uk-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_6',118,'0','0'])); For wild camping overlooking Sandy Bay,  John O’Groats, the best spot sits right on the edge of the world. We pitched up late enough at night that there didn’t appear to be anyone coming to do the village trail. When you are wild camping in Scotland, the most important thing to remember is Leave No Trace. These will provide the perfect R&R from the wild camping life to refresh your sense of adventure and set you up for the rest of your trip. With ultra-compact, easy to inflate and unbelievably lightweight roll mats now available, camping is almost luxurious! Below is a list of all of the best spots for wild camping the North Coast 500. About 4 miles north of Poolewe we managed to pull in down an old, dead-end dirt track and find a flat bit to pitch our tent with another spectacular sea view. If camping isn’t your deal or the weather turns on you for the night, then there are plenty of last-minute accommodation choices available around Dornoch town. Book your stay in advance to avoid disappointment. It is, of course, is entirely up to yourself where you wish to join the circle, so long as you make sure you see as much of it as possible. We saw plenty tents pitched along the beach that looked set up to be spending at least a few days there, so it is a very casual affair. The camping spots around this area are also amongst the best campsites on the west coast of Scotland, so don’t miss out! This was definitely one of my favourite spots on the trip. Best Campsite at Strathy Point Lighthouse. The hut is still in use, however, so it is essential that if you choose to park here, you do so respectfully. Come along on our roadtrip with us on our NC500 compilation video. Just to let you know though, you’ve mis-spelt Duncansby (missed out the second n). This is perfect for motorhomes, caravans, tents, and even glampers, as it has its own glamping pods available to rent. It’s like google maps, but with wild camping and paid camping spots indicated on it. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. We love wild camping and since our campervan is fully self contained (shower and everything), we took advantage of the beautiful wild camping spots along the NC500! Wild Camping UK- How to find free places to stay with a motorhome. Wild Camping Along the North Coast 500. I just stumbled upon your article and wished to say that I’ve really enjoyed browsing your article. NC500 Official Facebook Page Please share, advertise and recommend stops AROUND the route ONLY for fellow travellers. eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'highlands2hammocks_co_uk-leader-1','ezslot_8',119,'0','0'])); When we were choosing an area around here we wanted one that wasn’t too far a walk from the car as it had started raining, and also a spot with mobile reception. Due to how remote the area is around Dornoch, Dornoch Beach wild camping spots are relatively easy to find. For those who are not such a huge fan of the wild side of Scotland, we will also list the best NC500 campsites for motorhomes, caravans and tents in this article. Get the best and cheapest coverage out there with World Nomad’s Travel Insurance. Also Read – Best Sights on the North Coast 500. If you are looking to rent a cosy, reliable and luxurious campervan for your trip along the NC500, we highly recommend hiring through Bunk Campers. Absolutely love the NC500 and cannot wait to do it again. For example, it is not legal to camp on the western shores of Loch Lomond due to overuse and lack of respect. Planning a trip abroad to Scotland? If you are stuck for the night with a spot to pitch up, then have a look at the local accommodation and treat yourself to a roof over your head for the night. NOTE – It has recently been brought to our attention that this spot is within a fenced area and is therefore not acceptable for wild camping. Our top recommendation is the John O’Groats Caravan and Camping Site, situated right on the northern tip of John O’Groats. eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'highlands2hammocks_co_uk-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_7',121,'0','0']));Although there are not many Applecross campsites, there are loads of wild camping spots on the outskirts of the town. We slept on these roll mats during our three month camping trip in Europe, and honestly they are comfier than my bed at home. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Another stunning sea view along with a beautiful walk to the lighthouse in the morning. Your email address will not be published. Due to the remote location of the NC500, the only way to get around is to drive. This spot is in high demand, however, as we had about 3 people coming looking after us. Make sure you are fully insured for the epic adventure ahead. About 4 miles north of Poolewe we managed to pull in down an old, dead-end dirt track and find a flat bit to pitch our tent with another spectacular sea view. Check out the best sights around the North Coast 500 in our Photo Guide to the NC500. Nice to share your camping gems. A 5-minute drive from the small town of Dornoch lies the beautiful white sand beach of Dornoch Beach. Take a look at our guide to wild camping in your motorhome for more information. North Coast 500 Budget – How Much Does the NC500 Cost? Three friends bikepacking around the Scottish NC500, Wild camping along the way. We camped here (along with around 20 motorhomes) a few years ago with no issues, however, if you choose to wild camp here you may face confrontation from locals. ... so here we will add in just those items you may specifically want for a NC500 camping trip: Sunscreen; Midge repellent – absolutely essential if travel from late May through to the end of September. We slept on these roll mats during our three month camping trip in Europe, and honestly they are comfier than my bed at home. Wild Camping The NC 500 Wild camping is legal in Scotland on the North Coast 500 so feel free to do so but there are a few guidelines that all campers should follow when wild camping. For our 8-day itinerary of the route, download our quick, infographic guide to the NC500 completely free right here. Absolutely love the NC500 and cannot wait to do it again. As a South African, Wild Camping is usually my preferred mode of sleeping when moving around, and I was worried that wild camping might be a big No-No, but now I am happy to see that this is not the case! This spot is right beside the main road so it can be quite noisy during the night, however, it is very hidden so you won’t be bothered. © 2021 highlands2hammocks. ... is increasing pressure to shut down even more places- especially in the heavily congested areas of the Isle of Skye and NC500. In a normal year the off-season is just about do-able but stray onto Skye or the NC500 or other "routes" any other time and you are seen as part of some kind of plague sadly. This was a popular overnight stop for wild motorhome camping spots on the NC500 and we were the only tent here. When you are wild camping in Scotland, the most important thing to remember is Leave No Trace. Once again, early mornings here pay off with stunning sunrise views over the sea. Safe Travels! If camping isn’t your deal or the weather turns on you for the night, then there are plenty of last-minute accommodation choices available around Dornoch town. It’s still allowed, but there are definitely fewer options than before. It also meant we could enjoy a pint at the onsite pub and relax on an actual sofa for the night, out of our tent. I met many people overlanding Africa using it, but it’s relevant for the whole world I think. 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