Driving along the NC500 you will be able to see the most magnificent views and maybe even lucky to spot wildlife in their natural habitat.
To get the most from the experience you’ll want to take a few days – and maybe even stop over at certain points to explore the local area, find hidden gems and eat some amazing food.
To save you some time, we’ve gathered together our recommendations for six of the best caravan and camping spots to try out.
1) John O’Groats Caravan Site
John O’Groats Caravan Site is situated at the end of the A99 on the seafront overlooking the Pentland Firth and Orkney Islands.
The facilities on the site are ladies and gents toilets, showers, laundrette, washing facilities, disabled toilets, hand driers, shaver points, hairdryers in ladies toilet block. Waste disposal/chemical disposal points.
The site has hard surfaced roads with hard standing pitches with electricity points.
There is a bistro and two cafes close by and a post office/general store/petrol station within 1/2 mile. There is also a hotel which is open to non residents for lunches and evening meals.
The booking office for day trips to Orkney and wildlife trips is on the site. The wildlife trip offers magnificent cliff scenery and various seabirds including puffins and guillemots. The Castle of Mey and gardens are only 6 miles from the site.
The contact details for John O Groats Caravan and Camping Site are 01955 611329.
Visit www.johnogroatscampsite.co.uk for more information.
2) Dornoch Caravan and Camping Site
The royal burgh of Dornoch can be found just off the A9 in Sutherland, between Tain and Golspie.
From the town’s caravan and camping site, you can explore the award-winning beach (which is right on the site’s doorstep), visit Dornoch Cathedral – where Madonna got married – or show off your skills at the Royal Dornoch Golf Club.
Is visiting a Scottish castle on your list? Dunrobin Castle is nearby in Golspie while whisky lovers could take a trip to Tain, around 10 miles south, and find out more about the Glenmorangie Distillery.
3) Sango Sands Oasis
When you reach the north-west tip of the NC500 route, you might want to take a rest – and The Sango Sands Oasis site is a great place to relax.
With its amazing clifftop spot, the area’s stunning beaches are within walking distance where you can do a spot of sunbathing (if the Scottish weather is on your side) or check out local attractions including Smoo Cave, the largest sea cave in Britain.
For outdoors and sport lovers, the world is your oyster with hiking, kayaking plus much more on offer. And at particular times of the year, this is a great spot to experience the spectacular Northern Lights.
4) Shore Caravan Site
This picture alone will make you want to visit this stunning area in the west Highlands.
The caravan site can be found in Lochinver and from here, you can enjoy a leisurely walk along Achmelvich beach – voted one of the best in the whole of the UK.
In the local area there are plenty of restaurants and shops to peruse. Also worth a visit is the Ben Mor Coigach Wildlife Reserve and Culag Woods.
5) Bught Park Caravan and Campsite
The NC500 route begins and ends at the Highland capital so if you want to explore Inverness, Bught Park is a good place to stay.
It gives you easy access to north and south of the city – and has plenty of attractions nearby to keep you entertained if you don’t want to stray far. Whin Park and Ness Islands are close by while Eden Court Theatre always has a packed schedule of great events.
There’s Inverness Castle, a boat trip on Loch Ness and if you are willing to travel a little further, the Highland Wildlife Park at Kincraig.
6) Broomfield Holiday Park
Stay here and you can enjoy views of the Summer Islands and Hebrides all day long. The Highland village has lots going on and is a hive of activity when it hosts the Loopallu festival every year. There’s also a a book festival, guitar festival, beer festival through out the year.
And if you want to extend your Highland holiday, you can jump a ferry from Ullapool to Stornoway and explore the Western Isles.