Helping to connect you to the best campsites on the NC500, making planning that next highland road trip a walk in the park.
The North Coast 500 is a must-see 500-mile scenic driving route (or cycling) in the Highlands of Scotland. It features stunning landscapes, charming villages, historic sites and stunning beaches. Created in 2015 to promote tourism, it starts and ends in the city of Inverness and takes in coastlines, ruins, castles, beaches, lochs, and mountains. With thousands of visitors each year, it is rapidly becoming one of Europe’s trendiest road trips and the perfect kind of trip to camp! There are many campsites scattered along the route but we want to share the best ones along the way along with five of our favourites. Be aware that the NC500 has some tight corners, narrow roads and uneven surfaces making it best tackled in a car or small camper van.
Midges & Ticks (essentials)
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The Scenery
I’m not going to go into a huge amount of detail on what there is to do on the NC500, there’s plenty blogs out there that give some really good detailed guides. But, what I will do is list some places I think should be on your NC500 bucket list.
- The Bealach na Ba road to Applecross
- Corrieshalloch Gorge
- Kayaking to Summer Isles
- Ardvreck Castle
- Handa Island (Amazing Beach)
- Sandwood Bay
- Smoo Cave
- Sango Sands
- Durness Zipline
- John O Groats
- The ruins of Old Keiss Castle
- Dunrobin Castle
- Visit a distillery (all them all)
The best campsites on the NC500
Here at CampingScotland.com we only list the best campsites in Scotland with a focus on those who offer the best camper van or tenting experiences. We have over 20 campsites scattered along the North Coast 500 route where you can learn more about each (including how to book) by clicking on the icons on the map.
Our Favourite Campsites on the NC500
Wither your doing the full NC500 or just a small section of the road trip we highly recommend you visit one of these six campsites. These are our personal favourites along the route, click on each to find out more (including contact details and how to book).
Sands Caravan And Camping
Situated on the beautiful west coast of the Highlands on the NC500 with unsurpassed views of the Isle of Skye and Outer Hebrides. This site caters for campervans, tents and has a selection of glamping cabins for rent. On arrival, you can choose a sheltered spot amongst the sand dunes or a raised pitch with spectacular views. This is a large spacious site with a modern shower and toilet block and café onsite.
Shore Caravan Site
Family run informal campsite located on one of Britain’s best beaches where pitches are all on flat grass with no set pitches and a more informal open site where you can choose where to pitch. The site has a toilet and shower block and an onsite fish and chip takeaway serving local produce as well as a small shop selling essentials. Bonfires are not permitted however BBQ’s and fire pits are permitted so long as they are raised of the ground. Please note this site operates a strict NO DOG’S policy and anyone turning up with a dog will be turned away. The local beach is perfect for water sports including wild swimming, there are plenty of coastal walks nearby with additional sandy beaches dotted along the coastline.
Clachtoll Beach Campsite
Clachtoll Beach Campsite is a quiet family run touring caravan and camping site in Sutherland, in the North West of Scotland. It’s beach is made of golden sands with wooden walkways through the dunes to the safe shallow beach. Along with the geological wonder of Split Rock it is a truly stunning location. The beach is one of a select few on the award winning snorkel trail hosted by the Scottish Wildlife Trusts with a clarity of water that has to be experienced to be believed. It is also on the whale and dolphin trail as well as sitting directly on the North Coast 500 route.
Sango Sands Campsite
Sango Sands is a popular campsite for those on the NC500 and it is easy to see why! Located on the cliff tops above award winning beaches, Sango Sands Oasis Camping and Caravan site provides amazing sea views on the North-West tip of Scotland in the village of Durness. Beside the campsite you will also find the Oasis restaurant and bar where you can get a food and a dram whilst enjoying the stunning views (you may even see some Dolphins). There is plenty to do nearby from wild swimming, surfing, zip wiring, sea life spotting or just quiet walks. The site caters for tents and campervans with electrical hook up requiring pre-booked, smaller non-electric pitches are on a first come first serve basis.
Dornoch Caravan And Camping Park
Large family run campsite located on the stunning Dornoch Coastline with direct access to a golden sandy beach. This is a large campsite with campervan and tent pitches on flat open grass, some with electrical hook up some without. Dornoch beach is a short walk from the bottom of the campsite where you will find golden sandy beaches and clear swimmable (cold) water. The town centre is also only a short walk away where there are a selection of bars, restaurants and shops, if you’re a whisky fan be sure to visit Dornoch Castle Hotel’s famous whisky bar where you will find a vast selection of old and rare drams. The Dornoch Championship links golf course is also a short walk away for those who play golf, slightly further you will find The Glenmorangie Distillery where tours are available daily.
Broomfield Holiday Park
Loch side campsite located within the village of Ullapool looking out to Loch broom (sea loch) on the NC500 route. A short 2-minute walk into the village where you will find pubs, restaurants, shops and the ferry terminal. Spacious site with various pitches on hard standing and grass available for campervans and tents.
Whisky Distilleries Along The NC500
There is an abundance of whisky distilleries scattered along the east coast from Inverness to Wick where any whisky fan will be spoilt for choice. We highly recommend a visit to at-least one of these distilleries or even all of them if you have time!
Have you recently completed the NC500 or visited any of the Campsites / Distilleries in our list? Lets us know in the comment section on your experience and if we missed any must see places.
