NC500 road trip- what it's REALLY like!

[@hozzer68]

As someone who lives in the West Highlands and lived next to Loch Torridon, my suggestion for anyone traveling from South of Glasgow would be - travel up to Glasgow, then go Loch Lomond - Crainlarich - Glen Coe - Fort William - Ktle of Lochalsh - Applecross, taking the coast road to Sheidaig - Glen Torridon - Kinlochewe then turn left to Gairloch and take the rest of the NC 500 clockwise. My reasoning is you’ll be pretty tired by the time you get to John O’ Groats, the road south is proper main roads and a easy back to Inverness . taking in places like Helmsdale - Dornoch - Cromarty and the Black Isle on route.

[@tommo9757]

That's the way I did it and I would agree. 👍

[@Jazzidoodle]

we always do this route

[@noelenehazell8454]

Great advice, thank you 😊

[@solcasared]

That IS the way to do

[@ivovanderwerff6401]

Thanks

[@3hh73ya6]

Just come home from a tour of the NC500. More through luck than judgement we did the first week of september 24 . The weather was glorious( made better by reports from down south of torrential rain....hehe) With the schools back , the traffic was very manageable. In high summer, I imagine the Bealach Na Ba would be a challenge at the restricted passing places. We went anti clockwise but either way seemed fine. What is a revelation is how pleasant courtesy feels both to the giver and receiver when making way, both at passing places and for faster traffic. A joyous journey.

[@GreyGhost.]

Loved it ..... leaving for that run tomorrow .... cheers from Cornwall.

[@chrisbaker2558]

Clachtoll beach site is great..very welcoming and hard to leave..

[@OMOLvideos]

It's good to see you using camp sites and not illegal wild camping. Just reading a report where the Scottish government are trying to ban motor homes because they don't give way to faster vehicles wild camping and not disposing of their waste properly. It's good to see your respect for other drivers and Scottish laws. keep the videos coming and help to educate other camper van drivers. In the end we are all effected great videos

[@mikeg4791]

Amazing 🤩 brings back memories of our recent trip around the NC500 and the west coast down to Campbeltown. We stayed at Clachtol Beach too and it was stunning (apart from the rain). Would love to go back there. For anyone else going there, the fish and chips were delicious ! 100% recommended.

[@elpresidente8730]

Nothing smells quite like a wet spaniel 🙂 I'm planning to do the NC500 in spring 2023 hopefully avoiding the idiots which seem to flock there in summer.

[@saraeb59]

Me too.

[@micheallangdon7673]

Glad I did it 45yrs ago never saw another caravan or campervan only locals.

[@ScottishVanTrips]

Now THAT'S a Scottish Van Trip! The world's best hot choc defo lives up to its name! Its awesome!

Fantastic views. Wasn’t sure what to expect with that saucy thumbnail in which it looked like you were about to say: “Matron!”

[@paulchallinor5013]

A super video, it really looks like you are enjoying yourself I’m getting confident. We visited many of these places with friends in a car never had much opportunity to fully explore as we usually do on the road. We are picking up our first motorhome next week and this is on the list for next year when I retire. Thank you keep on making these videos.

[@brentonl2631]

Thanks for the amazing video really miss the Scottish coast.

[@mc4269]

Thanks for the video. I did this trip solo at the end of October'22. Great to see some of the places I also visited, an absolutely stunning trip. Look forward to seeing your next instalment.

[@porscheminormechanicsrando8394]

Fantastic video. I’ve not been Campervaning for long and have only done the New Forest and Canterbury Kent so far. I did the NC500 in my 911 a couple of years ago. You’ve inspired me to take the Motorhome next time. Can’t wait to watch more of your videos before I plan my trip and I’m also planning to visit Europe this summer. Many thanks Andy.

[@WanderingBird]

Thank you. Hope you have an epic summer 👍

[@philipbramley2327]

Stayed at Ardmair Piont camp site 30 years ago, great to see it's still much the same !!

[@viv-i-vangoesforth]

gotta love satnavs. I remember ours sending us down a narrow road near Knock Hill where a tree ripped off our fiamma awning and sent it flying over a five foot hedge in the field to the side, and then told me I'd reached my destination-which should have been St Andrews to meet up with a mate of mine who was in the RAF.. not a pleasent thing especially as it was supposed to be a camper van satnav. what a beautiful adventure you had this time Kat. No wonder you were so enthralled. I'm deffo putting those places on my "to go to" list for Viv-i-van now I've got her back and can drive her. A most glorious adventure you shared with yourself, Max the furbie guardian and us. Thank you. Bessy regs-Kenny

[@t2themaxproductions864]

Thanks for the video. Taking my family in April and a little nervous. I have your guides etc, but the videos will help too

[@alankendrick-dv2wp]

Kettles'on. We are planning on doing this exactly the same way next month (April) and both of us are well over 70.

[@brianwebster6018]

First time on your channel very much enjoyed it

[@WanderingBird]

Welcome aboard!

[@jennyappleby5895]

Thank you for this, it looks amazing.

[@andrewgent9334]

Doing it alone is the best way. Nobody to ask, just do your thing. Must go again in the van, but last year it was rammed, even in late September.

[@tommo9757]

Awesome! Just awesome! 👍😀

[@1tonyboat]

We did our 1st trip to Scotland in September , can`t wait to go back I've` booked the same motorhome ..

[@alberttickle1106]

Stunning..... south west Ireland has some great beaches as in your video. X

[@WanderingBird]

I’m hoping to go there next year if I can. Any recommendations?

[@karlenadail]

Love scotland

[@rvrebel2209]

Hi. Just found you Great video. Did not know Scotland was so good on Dec Like the places you go. Love you attitude, Happy ❤❤

[@WanderingBird]

Thank you. And this was in October 🙃

[@gillnicholls9665]

All i can say is WOW.xx

[@garykirkham2972]

Hello you. Great video of your epic road trip. What advice would you give to anyone hoping to do this adventure? Thanks for sharing

[@davidmbell]

We’re thinking of the NC500 in 2026, hiring a m/h a similar size to yours. Did you find it ok in your size van? (Caravanner normally but being sensible and doing it in a m/h).

[@AbdulAbulbulAmir]

Beautiful

[@a-bloke-a-lady-and-two-hounds]

Great great .. :) loved it

[@stepheneckerlsey]

hello enjoy scotland. lovely place live in scotland as well. special place for one. if i know you were here i would of loved to have gone with you. time of year it will be empty. take care steve

[@ebzZzZ]

I prefer going anti clockwise, for someone who hasn't done it before it just gets bigger and bigger all the way around, clockwise, it gets flatter. I joked when i lived in America, how many lanes do you think the main road along the north coast scotland has, they say 6 or 8, and I'd say one lol

[@docbarham2431]

Mellon Udrigle is my favourite place in Scotland

[@kumasenlac5504]

As a teenager, two weeks in a caravan (and incessant rain) rather spoiled it for me.

[@nicholasclark4984]

I am planning a trip next May for 7 days probably on my own, should I hire a motorhome our drive and stay in hotels or B/B????

[@sharonmayer7572]

Stunning 👍🏻☺️

[@derekfarnworth1855]

Hi there, great videos you've posted, some good tips and ideas, with your experience doing the NC500 what's the average mileage you can safely/easily do in a day. Never been that far up Scotland but hiring a campervan in early September this year to do the trip then. Trying to plan stopovers, many thanks.

[@WanderingBird]

Good question. Because of the small roads it’s not as far as you’d think. Maybe 150 miles- which will take about 4-5 hours. But if you do that every day without breaks you’ll be exhausted

[@pghoward]

When you said earlier in the year that you were planning this trip I was inspired to try it myself. I'd not had the van long and this was my first lengthy trip, on my own but with a cocker spaniel! It turned out I was up there much the same time as you were but unfortunately I didn't spot you. What an absolutely brilliant place to visit and as well as all the stunning beaches and campsites I experienced true wild camping for the first time. Although many of the roads were "exciting" I was pleasantly surprised how thoughtful and friendly the vast majority of other road users were. Next time I go, I think I'll not be quite so ambitious in how far I want to travel on those single track roads! Looking forward to the next episode.

[@stevengovaert3048]

Great

[@Chris_Carini]

Nice Bongo at 09:45. 😀

[@richardgiles2484]

Done Scotland no end of times on my motorcycle and never get sick of it. Biggest problem is it 500miles from my home in South Wales which is no fun on a motorway 🤣

[@ttxela]

Scotland is great isn't it! 👍

[@LoftechUK]

Those roads look so tight

[@alexn5648]

What time of year did you do this please? Interested because of the midge situation Thank you

[@WanderingBird]

Late September/ Early October. No midges at all!

[@peterkirton4580]

How do you cope with bouquet of wet dog? When we had our two labradors in our van air fresh thingies were essential

[@WanderingBird]

It’s a challenge! One of those dog bags helps loads!

[@carybarrettwildlifeandtrai3261]

wow

[@micheallangdon7673]

Love yer painted nails.

[@WanderingBird]

Thanks ☺️

[@carybarrettwildlifeandtrai3261]

stunning lets go the shetland for 4 wks in june 2024 ill pay a lot to the trip ? id get a one man tent or sleep in the frint in a sleeping bag

[@paulholt1526]

Are there any pubs near the campsites?

[@WanderingBird]

Some of them, sure. I focus more on the fish & chips 🙈

[@manaledo]

I always thought it would be clogged with loads of vans?

[@WanderingBird]

So did I to bring honest. I wouldn’t want to do it in Summer

[@z0n0ph0ne]

Too many motorhomes on the N500

[@robjamessolo]

Hi I’ve been watching your vids for ages now - have you gone solo? What happened to your partner ?

[@WanderingBird]

He got really poorly earlier this year & decided he didn’t want to travel for a while.

[@DomingoDeSantaClara]

Looking at the amount of motorhomes on the road makes me happy I did the NC over winter, I wildcamped everywhere and almost never had to share with anyone.

[@mowdiewart3110]

No contact with anyone, bit of a pity, people called Scots live up there, wouldn't mind a chat wi' a sonsie wumman.

[@cityzens634]

Midges are a nightmare. AVOID. Maybe visit Yorkshire or Wales instead.

[@dushyantparihar]

Hello...Love your videos...Could you please check your email...?