Hi Michelle, Yes, I think if you enjoyed your prior trip to the Scottish Highlands, you would really enjoy the North Coast 500. Drive Route 66 for American roadside culture and drive NC500 for Scottish Highlands culture, historical sites, and scenic coastal views. For those interested in sea mammals or seabirds I’d recommend the section between Inverness and Thurso. The second day, head north to visit Dunrobin Castle and explore more of the east coast up to Wick (or perhaps John O’Groats depending on your timing) and then head back to overnight a second night in Dornoch. Many of the scenic sites along the North Coast 500 don’t have any fences or safeguards and most beaches have no lifeguards, so always keep little ones in sight. Thanks for the very helpfull info. This probably doesn’t apply to you, but just note that if you plan to take any ferries or cross any borders on your trip (e.g., to France or Ireland) there may be a restriction on flammable gases. Don’t forget to ENJOY!!!!!!!!!! This is amazing article, thanks so much. There are also some detours you’ll probably want to avoid, but these are not part of the official route. So glad you are finding our NC500 road trip guide useful, just let us know if you have any questions. We were thinking we would set up a few home bases, and stay 3 nights each. We’ve driven this route several times now and happy to try to help! Please use the email address that you use to receive our newsletter. Be sure to check the weather before you go and pack for Scotland’s notoriously fickle and damp weather (e.g., rain gear, layers, warm coat). :D like reversing into a trailer. Many of the indoor and paid attractions (museums, castles, guided tours, gardens) along the route do not allow pets. Back a day and already planing how and when to go back and revisit the west in spring. Luckily most nesting birds will be gone by October and lambs will be larger, which are 2 of the biggest issues with dogs in this area. Definitely want to experience the NC500 when we make it to Scotland! You’ll find interesting cultural and historical sites throughout the route, although you’ll find a higher concentration along the eastern coast between Inverness and Thurso as it is (and probably always has been) a more populated area than the north and west coasts. The North Coast 500 is an epic 516-mile (830 km) scenic route around the north coast of Scotland, which starts and ends at Inverness Castle. Most of these we’ve stayed at ourselves. ), we’d recommended trying to book your lodging 3 months in advance (especially if you are thinking hotels, B&B’s or self-catering options) as the amount of lodging in some areas is currently not sufficient for the demand at the busiest times of the year. Hope that helps, and just let us know if you have any other questions. The peninsula is a wonderful collection of ecological and archeological treasures. First, you may want to invest in a guidebook for the North Coast 500 or if your travels are taking you elsewhere in Scotland, a Scotland guidebook. This 500 mile coastal route spans the north coast of the Highlands taking in the best bits of this glorious region. It is probably more similar to Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way but every route has its own unique personality and charm! This post may contain affiliate links. Wishing you a wonderful trip next year, and feel free to reach out if you have other questions as you plan your trip. Because I’ve seen a couple of spots already I’m doing some research on the NC500 with kids, maybe in combination with 1 or 2 islands. Hope that helps and just let us know if you have more questions as you continue planning your trip! We are doing the trip, starting the 4th October for 10 nights and haven’t planned any stops yet along the way. It is not uncommon to see animals, especially sheep, on or right next to the road. ), Subscribe to our monthly Newsletter where we share our latest travel news and tips. Things to See & Do Along the North Coast 500. But you can spend less if you stay in simple B&Bs (£40-£80 per night for 2 people), hostels (£17-£25/person), or campsites (£5-£30). Also many of the lodging providers we recommend have already told us they are mostly booked or fully booked for 2020 so planning your trip for 2021 or going during the off-season may be a good idea , Wishing you safe and happy travels, How long is the North Coast 500? April and May is lambing season in Scotland so lots of baby lambs will be around and you’ll want to keep dogs away from the sheep as they can scare and hurt the lambs. I usually have a fairly flexible style to travel but a little worried about a lack of facilities in the busy season would mean no availability. 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