The NC500

Travel Scotland’s most popular route in a motorhome rental.

Exploring the NC500 in a motorhome

For the Scottish road trip of a lifetime, nothing beats the North Coast (NC) 500. With over 500 miles of coastal routes to explore, at least a week is recommended to fully appreciate this stretch of breath-taking Scottish scenery. What better way to travel than in a hire motorhome from Dicksons of Perth? Explore the meandering coastline at your own pace and in your very own hotel on wheels. Split into six regions, there are things to see and do all along the route, from the cultural hub of Inverness to the incredible wilderness of Sutherland.

Inverness

Start (and finish) your adventure in Inverness, home of Inverness Castle and rich in ancient history. Named the capital of the Highlands, this is where you will find traditional live music and rich Scottish heritage throughout the city. Soak up the culture before heading off track to the Black Isle. Neither black nor an island, the Black Isle is actually a peninsula on the north west coast, ideal for dolphin spotting and enjoying local craft beer from the comfort of your hire motorhome.

Sutherland and The North West

Further up the north west coast, Sutherland makes up the largest proportion of the NC 500 route. This is the place to head to if you are looking for unspoilt, natural landscapes to explore; think long coastal walks with your dog or hillside treks to find that perfect viewpoint. It is in this northernmost region of Scotland that you will also find Dunrobin Castle, a picturesque Castle in the style of a French chateau, dating back to the early 1300s and still inhabited to this day. Mountains meet the sea along this stretch of the NC 500, and coastal villages and quaint harbours are dotted along the route.

Wester Ross

Down the eastern coast of the NC 500, you will find Wester Ross, an unspoilt region of northern Scotland where extravagant landscapes are the norm. Each twist and turn of this winding coastal route will have you gazing upon snow-capped mountains, misty lochs and secretive bays, ready and waiting for you to explore. Although secluded and peaceful, Wester Ross is still home to vibrant local communities rich in history all the way back to the Neolithic ages. Some routes through Wester Ross, such as the Bealach na Ba, are especially narrow and steep, however there are plenty of motorhome and campervan friendly alternatives via the fishing village of Shieldaig that offer peaceful views across expansive lochs.

Attractions galore

When returning to Inverness and back to Dicksons of Perth, head through Inverness-shire and down the A9 for an easy route south. There are hundreds of potential attractions along the NC 500, including John O’Groats, miles of sandy beaches and a myriad of opportunities for spotting local wildlife including deer and seabirds.

The trip of a lifetime

The NC500 is a popular route among our motorhome hire customers, whether from Scotland or further afield. For more information, be sure to check the availability of our hire motorhomes and rental campervans, using our online motorhome hire booking service to help you plan your next trip.

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