Travelling along the North Coast 500 (NC500) is one of the best ways to explore the Scottish Highlands. It’s even better when you have a motorhome or campervan to travel in.
As this is one of the more popular ways to travel the NC500, there are some rules and regulations you should adhere to, in order to avoid any complications during your trip. Read this guide for more NC500 campervan advice.
Although the NC500 is perfect for the best road trip of your life, driving on some of the country roads that make up the route is completely different from driving on the highway. You need to be aware of so much more when driving on country roads. Encounters with wildlife, pedestrians, adverse weather conditions and oncoming vehicles happen every day along the NC500.
Motorhome advice stipulates that you should reduce your speed when driving. As you’re travelling with a larger vehicle, it can be more difficult to stop when moving at speed. Larger vehicles like motorhomes and campervans should travel slowly, and certainly adhere to the speed limits and signage.
You should also be aware of the route permissions on the NC500. Some vehicles are prohibited from driving on certain roads. For example, if the vehicle you’re driving exceeds a standard VW T5 conversion, then you’ll need to map out an alternative route for your trip.
On top of the legal requirements one must adhere to, you’ll need to also ensure the following:
Following this advice along country roads will ensure you enjoy your trip when travelling in a motorhome or campervan.
Along the NC500, overnight parking regulations are strict, particularly for motorhomes and campervans. Here’s what to take special note of when stopping for the night:
If you’re unsure whether or not wild camping is allowed in your intended area, it’s better to find somewhere that certainly takes campervans and motorhomes. The best advice for these types of vehicles, therefore, is to stay in one of the designated campervan or motorhome parks along the way. These are usually situated in beautiful settings along lochs, in national parks, or amongst mountains, so you won’t be deprived of any views or experiences.
For general NC500 motorhome advice, use the below points for travel etiquette do’s and don’ts:
Because the NC500 is known for its natural beauty, you want to leave as small a footprint as possible. Modern motorhomes are designed to be more fuel-efficient, which reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Motorhome users often generate waste, including food scraps and packaging.
By minimising single-use plastics and implementing effective waste disposal strategies, such as using biodegradable products and recycling, travellers can reduce the amount of waste in landfills.
When exploring the stunning North Coast 500 in your motorhome or campervan, practising responsible waste disposal and recycling is essential to protect the beautiful environment around you.
Always use designated chemical waste disposal areas at campsites or service points, and never empty your chemical toilet or grey water into public drains or natural spaces, as this can harm local ecosystems.
To minimise waste, pack reusable containers and cutlery, and use recycling facilities at campsites to reduce landfill contributions. Before you leave a campsite, do a quick litter pick to ensure you take all your rubbish with you, and if you spot any litter left by others, pick it up too!
The increasing popularity of the route has led to significant congestion and disruptive behaviour, with some visitors treating it like a racetrack rather than a shared space where people live. This has raised concerns among residents who feel their homes are being overrun by tourists without any tangible benefits.
By respecting local guidelines and driving responsibly, visitors can help create a more harmonious relationship with the communities they pass through while maintaining the stunning ambience of the natural surroundings.
At Compass Campers, we have years of experience in NC500 travel and adore where we work. If you want any NC500 motorhome advice or just want to enquire about our luxury vehicles, then feel free to reach out! Our friendly team would be more than happy to help!