Child Friendly Activities on the NC500

Page Updated 3rd May 2025

Child friendly Activities on the NC500

After putting together a list of pet friendly pubs and places I thought we could do with having a list of places that children would enjoy. I have three children of my own and have spent many holidays up here in the Northern Highlands so I will add a few to get us started. 

If you can think of more to add, please send me a message and I will update this list for all the parents looking for helpful ideas to keep their little monkeys happy around the NC500 route. I am happy to answer specific questions in the FB group so post away if you want to know more.

Pony Trekking

We have done this a few times with the Gairloch Trekking Centre. They are now based at Red Point beach and I can highly recommend them. They cater for all ages and abilities and my kids have had many wonderful rides on the ponies at Flowerdale. They relocated in 2015 to be able to offer amazing beach rides.  There are other trekking centres on the route so check out the list below.

Pony Trekking near Gairloch 

 https://www.gairlochtrekkingcentre.co.uk/

Pony Trekking near Inverness

https://www.highlandponytrekking.com/

Pony Trekking near Sheigra https://freespiritklb.weebly.com/trekking.html

Zip Wire at Ceannabeinne Beach

Do you want to jump off from the top of the 37 meters high coastal cliff and enjoy the flight next to the Atlantic Ocean high across one of the most beautiful beaches in Northern Highlands with speeds up to 40 mph? 

It is a fun and thrilling zip lining experience in really unique and spectacular location. The cost is £15 per person and anyone can have a go at this, the youngest so far was three years old! There is a minimum weight of 23kg

No booking is required. Just come and have a go during their opening hours 10AM-6PM. Although please remember that all zip line operations are extremely weather dependant so they can open the site only then the weather conditions allow. You can follow them on their Facebook Page www.facebook.com/goldeneagleziplines/ to check the daily updates about opening. If it is raining or too windy they post on Facebook to let you know when they are opening etc and they respond really quickly to messages too.

Personal Review: My kids went on the Zip wire and absolutely loved it! The staff were great and very friendly too. I cannot recommend this activity highly enough. What a fantastic way to get a birds eye view of the stunning Ceannabeinne beach below!  They voted it the best activity on the NC500 in 2018. 

Smoo Caves Durness

Smoo Cave is fully accessible 365 days a year public access with a walkway into the waterfall chamber, free of charge.  The cave is unique within the UK in that the first chamber has been formed by the action of the sea, whereas the inner chambers are freshwater passages, formed from rainwater dissolving the carbonate dolostones. Partway through the cave the waters of Allt Smoo also drop in as a 20 metre high waterfall.

This cave is not far from Ceannabeinne Beach where the zip wire is located so you can do both these activities in one day. The Smoo Cave is free to enter but if you want to take a boat further into the caves then you will have to pay a fee. 

We stayed at Sango Sands camp site and did a few activities in the area. You will need to book a pitch as it is a very popular site with families. The beach below the camp site is perfect for body boarding and surfing and we ended up staying two nights here as the kids loved this part of the NC500 so much.

Surfing and Body Boarding

There are endless beaches on the route as you are never far from the coast so if you have room, take a couple of boards with you and the kids can spend hours in the water splashing around. 

For safety reasons with younger children I would recommend choosing a beach with flat shallow sand that gently slopes into the sea. Big Sand Beach near Gairloch is a favourite of ours, and Durness had the "best waves" according to Harry who was ten when he surfed there last year. We no longer bother with wetsuits as our kids are now used to cold Scottish waters!

Animals and Farm Activities

Tour a farm in an off road buggy! Launched last year in April at Kirkton farm in Melvich is an activity with a difference. Tour a Highland Farm in an off road buggy where you will get an opportunity to see sheep, highland cows, deer, grouse and other native wildlife. Keep an eye out for that lesser spotted haggis!  Lambing takes place in March, April and May and the reviews for
this tour are very good. We are hoping to stop here soon.

The tour lasts for around an hour and a half and the buggy can seat four passengers. 3 adults and one child.  All the seats have safety belts and helmets are provided and must be worn. Warm clothing recommended. They do provide light waterproof clothing if needed and the tour is fully insured. For more information or to book a tour please telephone 07857 423843.  They also have a Facebook Page so read the excellent reviews for yourself. Looks like a lot of fun! 

Puffin Croft is at John O Groats. It is a Petting Farm where you can meet the friendliest animals in the Highlands! It costs just £3 for children and £3.50 for adults to visit. In the spring you may get a chance to bottle feed one of their adorable lambs. 

They are are open everyday between 10am and 5pm in summer and in winter they close at dusk. They also have a lovely farm shop selling home baked cakes, jams and chutney as well as farm fresh fruit and vegetables. 

Puffin Croft, John O'Groats, KY1 4YS 

Telephone - 01955611775

Dolphins at Chanonry Point

This is another excellent highlight for kids doing the NC500.  If you time your visit right you will see the dolphins coming in on the tide to feed.  

If you come from Inverness take the A9 and cross the Kessock Bridge, then follow the signs for Black Isle and Fortrose. In Fortrose follow the signs for Chanonry Point and Golf Club. The funny thing is that you actually have to drive over a golf course (beware of golf balls) to get to the end of this spit of land extending into the Moray Firth. 

The Parking area near the lighthouse is extremely limited which causes congested roads and occupied parking spaces.  Chanonry Point is easily accessed from both Fortrose and Rosemarkie by foot along the shore (with paths if the tide is in.) Both villages have parking and facilities. So it’s better to leave the car at the beginning of the road and either walk to Chanonry Point along the shore.

Museums

There are some great museums along the route and if you check their events you can often find activity days that are great for kids. 

This is a picture of my daughter Isabelle at the Gairloch Heritage Museum. They had a lovely lady from Applecross, Margaret who showed our children how to spin wool.  This  museum takes you on a journey through time showing how local people lived and worked in Gairloch through the ages.

I have found that the staff in most of these little museums are more than happy to help offer advice on the local area that you are visiting. They have a wealth of information to share so do pop in and support them with a visit and get to know more about each area you visiting. Most places have special areas and activities for children to explore.  Check out the list below for links to some of the museums along the route.

Gairloch Heritage Museum - http://www.gairlochheritagemuseum.org/

Ullapool Museum - http://ullapoolmuseum.co.uk/

Timespan Museum in Helmsdale - https://timespan.org.uk/

Inverness Museum and Art Gallery - https://www.highlifehighland.com/visitor-attractions/

Strathnaver Museum - https://www.strathnavermuseum.org.uk/

Tarbert Discovery Centre near Portmahomack - http://tarbat-discovery.co.uk/

Historylinks Museum in Dornoch - http://www.historylinks.org.uk/

The Screen Machine

The screen machine is a cinema that visits rural locations including a few villages on the NC500 route. If you are lucky enough to be in one of these places when it visits then I highly recommend this for an evening activity with the kids. Screen Machine is an 80-seat air conditioned, digital mobile cinema which brings the latest films to rural area of the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. 

We took our three children to see Incredibles 2 at the screen machine when it stopped in Lochinver Harbour last August and we had a fantastic evening. It was a packed house and a great experience. Screen Machine is funded by Creative Scotland and Highlands and Islands Enterprise, and is further supported by Caledonian MacBrayne.

The screen machine stops in Balintore, Golspie, Lairg, Bettyhill, Durness, Kinlochbervie, Lochinver, Achiltibuie, Ullapool, Gairloch, Torridon, Lochcarron and Dornie near Eilean Donan Castle.

https://www.screenmachine.co.uk/listings/

Wyvis Natural Play Park

Find tranquility at Little Garve, wander through the gentle woodland beside the swirling Black Water river and remember that this peaceful place once pulsed with the sounds of cattle and soldiers.

One of the two arched stone bridges on the circular trail was built by the army, and drovers (cattle herders) later rested thousands of animals here on the long walk to southern markets. Today only birdsong and river music break the peace.

Just across the bridge you’ll find a fabulous new play park, looked after by the Wyvis Natural Play Park Group.  

To get to the play park from the south: Take A835 towards Ullapool, go past the village of Garve, past the left A832 turning to Kyle & Gairloch, PAST the 1st right turning to Little Garve and continue on the main road until you see the large Forestry Commission Scotland sign to Little Garve, PICTURED TOP LEFT. 

Turn right here and follow the signs to the car park. Walk over the old bridge, turn right and the park is a few yards down on your left. 

Alternatively, those wanting to take in the spectacular 2 mile circular walk can park at the larger Silver Bridge car park (with toilets) just a few minutes further north on the A835 and take the path (east side has been upgraded so is better for buggies).

You can park and picnic at both ends of this circular trail, in Little Garve and in Silverbridge. There are public toilets at nearby Garve village hall and also at Rogie Falls (summer only). You'll find other toilets, shops and places to eat in Strathpeffer and Dingwall.

Swimming Pools

If the weather is too cold or too rough for swimming in the sea then why not take the kids to an indoor  swimming pool on the route.

We are including a list of small local swimming pools here to help you find one on your travels.  Check the map bottom left to see the locations where you can find a swimming pool (click to enlarge the map)

Poolewe Swimming Pool


Loch Broom Leisure Centre in Ullapool

North Caithness Leisure Centre in Bettyhill


East Caithness Community Facility in Wick


Sutherland Swimming Pool in Golspie


Inverness Leisure Centre

Gold Panning in Helmsdale

The technique of gold panning requires some skill and a lot of patience but it is fairly easy to pick up the basics and start your hunt for treasure. You are unlikely to pay off your mortgage with your findings as nuggets are extremely rare and, if you do find gold, it is most likely to be in the form of specks and very small flakes.  However, for most, the fun is in the process of looking for gold and we’re sure that you and your family will enjoy sploshing about in the burn, regardless of whether you strike it lucky!

A gold panning outfit including gold pan, riddle, trowel, instruction leaflet pipette and canister for the findings costs just £5 per day to hire from the visitor centre, pans can be bought outright as well. This activity is particularly popular with children.From 2018 permits have been introduced. Permits may be purchased from The Garrison in Helmsdale Harbour and The Belgrave Arms. The fee is £10 per day per person for a permit.  Children under 16 free of charge.  16 to 18 yrs and concessions £5. More information is available on our Helmsdale Page.

Kayaking

There are many places where you can do this and some are suitable for children or beginners. We have our own inflatable Kayak but you can hire better ones in the larger towns around the route or even take a class or a day trip with an organised provider.

When out sea kayaking, under the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, you must take responsibility for your own actions on and off the water.

For those who have no experience or looking at venturing into unknown waters, a professional guiding service is advisable. Below are a few links to get you started.


Gairloch Canoe and Kayak Centre

Liquid Footprints

Sea Kayak Plockton

Ridgway Adventure Ardmore

Explore Highland

Boat Trips and Wildlife Cruises

There are many opportunities to get on a boat and see some wildlife on the NC500 route. Some species are more likely at certain times of year than others but there are a wide variety of boat trips, cruises and even shellfish safaris throughout the year and children will definitely enjoy these.

Hebridean Whale Cruises in Gairloch

Shellfish Safaris Badachro near Gairloch

Calum's Seal Trips in Plockton

Caithness Seacoast in Wick

Kylesku Boat Tours

Seascape Summer Isles Expeditions in Ullapool

Shearwater Summer Isles Cruises in Ullapool

Ice Skating

At Inverness Ice Centre public skating sessions are available all year round. They have over 300 pairs of skates available in a wide range of sizes to suit the smallest of feet to the largest!

Adults - £10 or £14.50 with skate hire
Children - £8.25 or £12 with skate hire
Under 5's - £3.75 or £7.50 with skate hire
Family - 4 all with skate hire £39.00

Penguin - Skating Aids are available. 'Henderson & Bishop' are kid friendly skating  companions which are available to hire - 30 minutes - £3.00.

Hunt for the Loch Ness Monster

Discover the history of Loch Ness from the ice age to the third millennium in a seven room, themed, automated walk through. Explore the history of the loch and the many mysteries and explorations that have surrounded its past.  Learn about the rumours, the hoaxes and the truths and discover what may really live in Loch Ness.

Using a highly effective mixture of animations, lasers and special effects, visitors can experience the history of the monster by exploring Scotland’s geological past and folklore.  Find out what has been discovered and what research has been done and view some of the actual equipment used to explore and navigate the Loch.

During the summer season, book a boat trip aboard the Deepscan and begin your own adventure of discovery to see what lurks beneath the water.

http://www.lochness.com/cruises.aspx

The Loch Ness Centre & Exhibition,
Drumnadrochit,
Inverness,
Highlands,
IV63 6TU

Fishing

Scotland’s reputation as an excellent fishing destination dates back to at least the 19th century, when it became fashionable for wealthy English tourists to come up to Scotland on their holidays for a bit of hunting, shooting and fishing. Today, the fishing in Scotland is still world class – but it is no longer the preserve of the wealthy alone.

Although there is plenty of good coarse fishing in Scotland, it is really the fly fishing that attracts most people. There is superb fishing for salmon and then there is the wild brown trout found in rivers and lochs throughout the country. Some of the camp sites on the route with rivers running through them will even allow you to fish for free if staying with them.

Ice Cream!

No trip around the NC500 would be comlete without an ice cream from Capaldi's in Brora and Golspie. Alfredo Capaldi came from Picinisco in Italy in the 1920's. His father Barnardo Capaldi had an ice cream cafe in Kingussie. 

Alfredo ventured further North to Brora where he met his future wife, Bertha, and they began the business in 1929.  In the early 1950's Alfredo's wife Bertha swapped it with her brother in law Victor Capaldi who moved the shop into its present location on the A9.

The Brora shop is open from 10am to 9pm in the summer months. You can find the Brora shop on Fountain Square, Brora KW9 6NX. The luxury dairy ice cream is made locally in Brora and is available in 24 delicious flavours! We haven't tried them all yet, but we're trying our best! 

There is another shop in Golspie called "The Wee

Pink Shop" where you can get a Capaldi's ice cream too. You can find it on the left side of the A9 as you drive North through Golspie. 

They also sell tray bakes, milkshakes, brownies and waffles. 

You can get more up to date information on their faceboook page - The Wee Pink Shop

...And lots more too!

This is just a taste of what is available and there are many more activities which are entirely free like rock pooling, building sand castles, snorkelling and hill walking.  There are lochs, mountains, beaches and waterfalls to explore.

There is an abundance of wildlife on the route and as a family we have seen hundreds of seals, many golden eagles, two pine martens and even a white tailed sea eagle which was magnificent!  The highland rangers regularly run walks and activities and you will find these listed in the events in our facebook group.

I hope that we have given you a few ideas to keep your children happy on the route and please do leave a comment if you know of other activities that I haven't included as I am happy to update this list with new recommendations. Above all, have fun on your family adventure, take only memories and leave only footprints...

This page was updated on 8th August 2023

Clockwise or Anticlockwise?

This is one of the most common questions I have seen come up in forums online, so I though maybe I would post in our blog about the pro's and cons of doing the route in each direction.  The NC500 is a circular route, therefore there is no real start or finish, however most people start in Inverness, especially those renting a car or motorhome, as well as those flying in from around the world.

Inverness is the gateway to the Highlands and it is as good a place to start as any. The fuel here is less expensive, and there are great shops for stocking up before you get going, or for picking up that essential item you really need but forgot to pack. Once you are ready to start, you can either go anticlockwise and head for the east coast, or head over to the west coast and take the clockwise route.

If you are travelling in a motorhome you have the freedom to make this choice at the last possible moment, unless you are booking sites ahead. The only site we booked ahead was Sango Sands in Durness, which we booked for the middle of our trip to enable us to approach from either direction. 

The other advantage of a motorhome is that you can take into consideration the current weather forecasts for both east and west. This is crucial, as your adventure will be so much better if you have great weather, if the sun is shining in Scotland, do not drive the opposite way! The last thing you want is to drive into the rain or thick haar (Sea fog) on the east coast if it looks like it will improve in the east later on in your trip? Take advantage of your freedom and follow the sun for stunning sunsets in the west and sublime sunrises in the east. 

Do I have to start in Inverness?

The answer is No, you do not.  If you are travelling up from the south, I would highly recommend that you ignore Inverness as a starting point altogether, keep to the left of Scotland on your way up and go clockwise if the weather is on your side. This is because of the spectacular "West Highland Way".

This route will take you along the banks of Loch Lomond (East or West) through the wild landscape of Rannoch Moor and through the magnificent mountain range in Glencoe, into Fort William and on to beautiful places beyond.  It will add an extra large dose of breathtaking scenery to your trip.  There is ample shopping and fuel in Fort William so that is just as good a place to begin your adventure.  The scenery is better and you can avoid the A9. 

If you are travelling from even further south as we were and fancy a "wild camp" near Loch Lomond and the trossachs then you can book a "camping permit" for your motorhome or tent. We booked two permits, one for the way up and another for the way back. The cost of a permit is a mere £4.50 per night so it is great value for money and the funds go to maintaining the park for the benefit of everyone. To book a permit just follow this link to the park authority website and Book A Permit 


Three Options from Fort William to the NC500

Option 1: From Fort William you can take the A87 up through Spean Bridge and Invergarry, along the banks of Loch Cluanie towards Shiel Bridge, passing the Five SIsters of Kintail (above). Head onwards on the A87 to begin your route by taking the A890 (West Highland Way) after Auchtertyre which heads towards Plockton, Applecross and Locharron. It is worth continuing the short distance to Loch Duich and the Kyle of Lochalsh to see Eilean Donan Castle. Then just double back the short distance to the A87 West Highland Way and begin  the NC500.

Option 2: A second alternative route from Fort William is also fantastic and includes a crossing over the sea to the Isle of Skye. After Fort William take the A830 along the banks of Loch Eil, past the Glenfinnen Viaduct (above) and towards the stunning white sandy beaches of Arisaig (below). This is a fabulous place to stop for the night and explore. Then from Arisaig head to Mallaig and take the Calmac Ferry from Mallaig to Armadale. It is not a long crossing and I would book ahead and get the first ferry in the morning having stayed the night in Arisaig. 

Once on Skye you can drive along the A851 towards Broadford. At the Junction with the A87 you can either turn right and head back towards mainland Scotland over the Skye bridge, passing Eilean Donan Castle at Dornie. If time allows I would explore Skye, if only briefly. Just 16 miles from Broadford in the opposite direction is Sligachan with its famous bridge and the magnificent views of the Black Cuillins of Skye. 

Option 3: Thirdly, if you are in Fort Wlliam and decide you want to go anti-clockwise and start the route in Inverness, just take the A82 after Invergarry all the way to Loch Ness and into Inverness.  At that point you can take the anticlockwise route by heading to the East Coast.  I wouldn't go that way but I wanted to include all the options!  Loch Ness is not my favourite loch, in fact the first time I saw it I was rather disappointed and decided that the reason Nessie exists is to encourage people to visit. It may be big, but it is not the most beautiful of Scotland's Lochs.  Loch Maree is my favourite, it has a stunning backdrop, ancient woodland and the most amazing sunsets.

Ready to start the NC500 and still don't know which way to go?

Anticlockwise - East First

Driver gets the better view during the journey

Coastal views are obscured by oncoming traffic on the opposite side of the road

West is best so do the "worst bit" first - you see this a lot?! 

Get used to driving the vehicle before heading to narrower roads on the west coast

East has the best sunrises
Less midges in the East
East has the best harbours, castles and distilleries

Clockwise - West First

Passenger gets the best views during the journey

No oncoming traffic to obscure the coastal views on your left

Head straight for the rural roads and stunning scenery

West has the best sunsets
West has the worst midges (May to September and varies depending on weather)
West has the best beaches and mountains

There are pro's and cons to both routes but which ever way you decide to go you are in for a treat. The route is circular so you will see it all at some point? The difference is that when driving anticlockwise you will have to look backwards to get those great views of the mountains in the west so if the west really is best, try and view it from the best perspective by driving up and into the mountains, and not down and out of them?  

The east may not be as spectacular or mountainous, but when it comes to activities, it has a lot to offer that the west cannot. If you love whisky, castles, fossils, fishing villages, harbours and history, then the east will keep you happy for weeks on end. 

Most visitors only come for a week or so, so try to think of the NC500 as more of an exploration. We first explored the Northern Highlands in 2007 and after ten years of returning to cottages, campsites, hotels and in motorhomes, we still haven't seen everything.  We came back again in May 2018 and explored further, finding more new places we want to return to and enjoy at length.  The NC500 is a road, it has been there for a thousand years and it isn't going anywhere. You won't see everything on your trip, but you will go home with a long list of places that you want to return to.

"Off Grid" Camping for Beginners

As a few people have joined the Facebook group who haven't used motorhomes before, I thought I would write a little about the essentials for beginners when renting a motorhome and taking it wild camping. We did our first trip back in 2007 and there are a few things I wish I had thought of before we left, and a few things I wish I had known about "wild camping" or "free camping" as some people refer to it. Others call it "Parking" but we won't ignore them, let's talk about the negative press that "wild camping" gets and then we can get on with the good stuff...


The Negatives

First, lets get the negatives out of the way. While most of us respect the countryside and leave only our footprints, there are without a doubt, a few very selfish people who are ruining some locations.  They can be seen in the same spot for a days at a time, in large groups and with rubbish bags, loud generators, awnings, washing lines and chairs set up around a camp fire. This makes local people angry and ruins wild camping for the rest of us. They are in a minority, but as visitor numbers increase, so the number of ignorant campers increases.

Over the past few years I have noticed more and more “No Overnight Camping”  signs appearing, and this will get worse if people don't treat places with respect.  You may also hear comments in Facebook Groups telling you to use camp sites, or calling you a cheapskate for not wanting to use sites. People do not wild camp to save money. They do it because they are seeking a place of solitude and don't want to park in a neat row on hard standing with Joe Bloggs a few feet away. Enough of the negatives because "Wild" camping can be a fantastic experience. 

The Positives

Think about how it would feel to be the  only person seeing the sun rise over a beach, or the early morning light dancing on a lake?  Wild camping is exactly what motorhomes were designed for, so ignore the sometimes rude comments you might hear and give it a go. When you find a perfect spot, there is just nothing like it!  There really is nothing to worry about. Even if you discover that you have stopped somewhere that is not really suitable, it really isn't the end of the world, just apologise and move to another spot? Easy!  As more people travel the NC500 finding good places will become more difficult.  

If you are doing the NC500 in summer then the view can become important when the midges are rampant! I remember finding a lovely spot on Loch Maree, we parked up and got out to check the level of the motorhome, only to be surrounded by thousands of midges!  There was no going outside that night! We moved on to Gairloch where the wind was effective at keeping the wee midges away. We always choose a MH with a rear lounge as those three back windows give you a great panoramic view wherever you stop, and I do love a brew with a view!

Am I Ready to Wild Camp?

So what do you need to know before you stop? Before you "wild" Camp anywhere you need to ask yourself if you are ready to go "wild"? 

Is your grey waste empty enough?
Is your chemical toilet empty enough for the amount of time you want to stop?
Do you have at least 1 full gas bottle?
Is your leisure battery fully charged?

The more days you plan on wild camping, the more water, gas etc you will need. Also, a working toilet and ample fresh water will play a big part in enjoying your adventure so always try and arrive with empty toilets and grey waste, but with a full water tank of fresh water. In the past we have always managed to get water from Petrol Stations but I have heard that the introduction of water meters has made this difficult. Most ferry ports have water available, some cemeteries also have a tap for flowers. 

You will need to empty your waste too so you will probably mean that you will need to spend every third or fourth night on a site with facilities. This will be dependent on how many of you there are staying in your vehicle, how many times you shower, use the toilet, and what toilet system you have on board etc. A full tank of water is usually around 70 litres so will weigh 70kg. That is roughly the same weight as one person. In a large vehicle that percentage is small so the extra fuel consumption you use to carry it is not that much. 

Having a full tank means you can afford to enjoy your stop and have a hot shower. If you don't have enough water when you stop, you could run out. If your toilet won't flush, you can't shower or wash up, then your holiday will not be much fun. On a trip to Cornwall in 2008 we ran out of water as Sean didn't want the extra weight. We ended up walking to a shop to buy bottled water but we never made that mistake again!

Where Should I Camp?

If you are definitely ready then you need to think about where you are going to stop. Location is key, and I do not like the idea of sleeping next to a road or a car park, so ideally you want to find somewhere that meets your requirements. Most people are looking for somewhere quiet and beautiful but please use common sense. 

This picture is from May 2018 and as the car park was full Bob decided that to park across the gate?! The workers can't get home, emergency services have no access? Don't be like Bob, if the place is full, go somewhere else.

It is not a good idea to park on grass, especially if it has been raining. This unlucky camper has found out the hard way that heavy vehicles sink on wet ground. A lot of the ground in the Northern Highlands can be boggy so try and stick to safer territory especially if heavy rain is forecast!  

Treat wet grass and mud as you would snow. Select a higher gear and pull away gently, use momentum to keep going and NEVER accelerate on the mucky stuff - try to use momentum to coast over.

Just to complete this trio of disasters and for amusement I will add this last picture with the advice not to park on beaches. Two vehicles became stranded on Brean beach in Burnham on Sea in January 2018.  They both had to be rescued by the local Coast Guard after their wheels sank into the sand that had been softened by the tide and heavy rain. 

The BARB search and rescue team used ropes and vehicles to rescue the driver - how embarrassing would that be?!

Follow the Motorhome Code

Don't camp where you are visible to houses 

Never camp in passing places or in turning places

Never park on Machair 
Don't block gates or slipways

Keep a low profile by arriving late and leaving early
Keep the noise to a minimum

Always take your rubbish with you and store it inside your motorhome to keep it away from animals

Do not light fires - save them for the beach and keep them below the tide line
Do not chop down trees or damage the area

Be discreet - don't hang out your washing or put up your awning

If other people are in a spot, try and find somewhere else instead

If there are no other spots leave a reasonable distance between vehicles (two car widths apart)
Don't be Greedy - If at a viewing point leave room for other vehicles and limit your stay

Don't empty grey waste (washing up water/shower water)

Don't empty Chemical Toilets in public toilets (SOG are not chemical)  Cassette or Chemical Toilets

I Found a Spot, What Next?

The first thing to do if you have a three way fridge after stopping is to switch your fridge over to gas so that your food stays cool. When the engine is running and you are driving, the fridge is powered by the battery. When you stop you will need to switch this so it runs from your gas bottle instead.  You should have two of these in a standard Motorhome so always keep the spare one full if you can.  These fridges can be tricky and won't run on gas unless you have parked somewhere level.  If you don't have levelling ramps you will need to move. If you need to use your leveling ramps but don't know how Here is a great video showing you how to use them.  If you are on a camp site you can use hook up to power your fridge.

Now all you have to do is to sit back, relax and enjoy yourself! On the NC500 there is a lot to see and do. I have based my itinerary around beaches, well it is the North Coastal Route. 

Every beach on the route is listed in anticlockwise order. Click on the ones I have completed for information on where to park, where to fuel up, where to shop, where to camp etc.  I have also included links to activities in each area like the Highland Games so you can see what is on when you are visiting. Links to local activities are also included. CLICK HERE to view the beaches itinerary

Is there anything else I need to know?

If it is your very first trip I would advise that you spend your first night on an official camp site to ensure you are fully familiar with your vehicle. On a site you will have a lot of people at hand to help you with getting set up.  If you are without electrical "hookup" then you are essentially "wild camping".

Your leisure battery does power the lights, toilet pump etc but the three pin plugs in the motorhome will not function without "hook up" so items like a microwave will not work. To make the most of your leisure battery power you want to ensure that any electrical gadgets like phones and cameras are charged when you are driving and not when you have stopped.

You can purchase electrical inverters that plug into the 12v cigarette lighter points in the cab and in the rear of your motorhome. These have a three point plug and a couple of USB ports. If you use this when you are driving you can charge your laptop, camera, mobile etc without draining your leisure battery. When you stop, this will run from your leisure battery but that 3 pin socket will be handy!


Here is a list of handy items to pack for the NC500 that you wouldn't necessarily think of!

Gaffer Tape -  I have seen no end of motorhomes lose a wing mirror, this stuff fixes anything temporarily! Better than superglue!

Small Spirit level to assist when leveling your fridge

Water Hose Mains Adapter - for taking on water from different sized taps. This is so handy, bought one on our first trip and have used it regularly in petrol stations and public toilets etc

Head Torch in case you need to change a gas bottle at night.

Rope - always handy, numerous uses.

Tick Twister - Wish I'd had one of these back in 2007!  It is the green thing on the left and I recommend you have one in your first aid kit. Not just for the dogs, used it on my kids!

Thermos Flask - When you boil the kettle, fill a flask with boiling water. There are so many places you will want to stop and this saves you boiling the kettle every half an hour.

Collapsible Water Carrier/watering can - sometimes you can’t connect to or get near enough to the tap to use your hose.