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Topic: north coast 500 in a campervan

Kim123

26/2/2019 at 2:59pm
Location: Gloucestershire
Outfit: Ford firefly

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Hi, planning to 'do' the north coast 500 beginning the middle of May-we intend to take about three days to get to inverness (from Gloucester) then travel the route over 10-12 days. We then intend to make our way home over the following week or so taking in some of northern England before getting ourselves home-any tips would be gratefully appreciated-we are retired and although we will be away over the first may bank holiday we want to be home before the End of May bank holiday so about 4 weeks in all.
thankyou
Kim

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Rob and Tina

26/2/2019 at 4:20pm
Location: Royal Forest of Dean
Outfit: Swift Major 4SB

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Have you looked at the previous threads on the NC500? There is also a good website for the NC500.

Rob

Capt Lightning

26/2/2019 at 4:48pm
Location: Turriff Aberdeenshi
Outfit: Romahome R30 Dimens

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I must admit to avoiding the West coast during the summer - too busy and too many midgies. You seem to be planning a leisurely trip to Inverness. You can take the motorway as far as Dunblane and then the A9 straight to Inverness, however I would add a small diversion.

At Aviemore (just a modern holiday village) turn for Grantown on Spey which has a top class site. Then follow the Spey valley north to the coast. This is the heart of Whisky country with countless distilleries along the way.
The Woolen mill at Knockando and the Speyside cooperage at Craigellachie are well worth a visit.

At Elgin (nice in places, but a rather run down centre), turn west for Inverness.

If you simply want a stopover about half way there or back, I can recommend the site at Abington, just off the M74. (Only one small shop in village)

Post last edited on 26/02/2019 16:52:04

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Two drifters off to see the world.

I'm tired of reality, so I'm off to look for a good fantasy.

kenles

via mobile 26/2/2019 at 5:06pm
Location: Gloucestershie
Outfit: Fiat Ducato campervan

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We had two days in Edinburgh then went up to Inverness it's a nice run up from Gloucester we love Edinburgh always stop at mortonhall caravan site 30 minutes into Edinburgh

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Lorfal

via mobile 26/2/2019 at 5:15pm
Location: Rannoch Scotland
Outfit: autosleeper fairford

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Book your pitches in advance once you have chosen your route. Yep it’s not so spontaneous, but it will avoid disappointment. As mentioned, there is a thread already.

The direction of travel is a personal one. I prefer anti-clockwise as I think it offers the wow views on turning bends etc.

As to sites, there are reviews on the camp site search facility. Again these can be down to personal choice.

Make sure you are comfortable using single track roads with passing spaces, are confident in reversing narrow roads too.

You have set a good amount of time aside for doing it and by planning your route and stops spending more than one night in a site allows you take side trips , enjoying these trips in the knowledge that you are booked in somewhere fir the night.

It’s amazing how busy it has become. Enjoy your trip

Fiona W

via mobile 26/2/2019 at 8:06pm
Location: Ayrshire
Outfit: Auto-Sleeper MHs

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Hmm. I wouldn't book. Why? because we got to sites where we'd expected to stay, by mid afternoon. Felt too soon. It's about an hour or max 2 hours between sites, and we moved on. Had had no problem finding pitches in mid summer, arriving 5pm or so.
Whatever makes for a relaxing holiday, however!
You can dash around the NC500 in 2 days in a car, but 10 days is good. Stay longer where it's especially enjoyable (another reason for not booking).

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2024 = 20 sites / 41 nights. 2023 = 9/23. 2022 = 13/35. 2021 = 11/29. 2020 = 4/20. 2019 = 13/35. 2018 = 20/33. 2017 = 10/22. 2016 = 19/33. 2015 = 15 sites / 27 nights. Didn't count 1976 to 2014.

ficklejade

28/2/2019 at 1:03am
Location: Isle of Mull
Outfit: 2 x Outwells Kairos 400 Caranex

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Whilst I agree with Lorfal on anti-clockwise (and ensuring you're familiar with the rules of driving on single tracks and being able to reverse), I'm inclined to agree with FionaW on flexibility, as you're clearly not that time pressured. You've said you need to be home by the end May Bank Holiday (one of the times you probably need to book in your chosen time slot), so just work out what you want from your holiday; check out all the sites en route; look up the NC500 website and check out some of the numerous videos on YouTube (though I cringe at some of the driving behaviour shown!!).

Don't just rely on the NC500 website - check out local websites as well.

Other things to be aware of:

1) Beware free-ranging sheep and lambs - lambing can be quite late up here and they haven't yet learned sense.
2) If the weather stays okay, then the deer will have moved up the hill, but if it's been dubious over the next couple of months there may still be some hanging around the roads morning and evening. And if there's one animal, there's like to be more!
3) Filling stations aren't that frequent - watch the fuel gauge!

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" When I die I don`t want my life to flash before me in an instant, I want it to be a 3 hour epic !"

Don't forget to leave a review of the campsites you have visited this year or last!

Fiona W

via mobile 28/2/2019 at 3:13pm
Location: Ayrshire
Outfit: Auto-Sleeper MHs

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And don't take a mobile signal for granted. Ullapool didn't have 4G last year. Plenty of large not-spots have zero signal. Free Wifi in supermarkets - OH shopped while I caught up on the essential business emails.
It's great to be without the techy stuff unless you actually do need to be in touch with someone. So if your family expect a daily call or text or email to know you're safe, tell them not to worry if they don't hear from you for maybe 3 days.

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2024 = 20 sites / 41 nights. 2023 = 9/23. 2022 = 13/35. 2021 = 11/29. 2020 = 4/20. 2019 = 13/35. 2018 = 20/33. 2017 = 10/22. 2016 = 19/33. 2015 = 15 sites / 27 nights. Didn't count 1976 to 2014.

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