Your trip planner
WHEN TO GO
This is the north of Scotland we’re talking about here! June to August will be warmer, but April to early June can be really good, and late September might be fine.
In this part of the world, you can wake up to the sunniest morning, then by afternoon, be in the grip of a freezing gale. As the saying goes, “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong clothes!”
WAY TO GO
We took three weeks to make the journey; some do it in five days, others do a bit each year. Inverness to Thurso is straightforward, but over the top from Thurso to Durness involves some tight bendy roads and single-track with passing places. Most of the NC500 is on good roads, although you might want to avoid taking your caravan over the pass to Applecross.
FOOD AND DRINK
There are many food outlets, cafés, coffee shops and restaurants. Our favourite venues were: The Anchorage Bar, Scourie Tel 01971 502 217 Poolewe Hotel Tel 01445 295 056 The Shieling Restaurant, Gairloch Tel 01445 712 888 Applecross Inn Tel 01520 744 262
FIND OUT MORE
n North Coast 500 www.northcoast500.com
OUR OUTFIT
We tow with a 2012 BMW X5 40D M Sport. She doesn’t even really notice the 2007 Elddis Crusader behind!