NC500 Do’s & Don’ts: Avoid These 7 Common Mistakes
The North Coast 500 (NC500) is, without exaggeration, one of the world’s best road trips. It’s a 516-mile circuit of epic mountain ranges, dramatic sea cliffs, and impossibly beautiful beaches. For most, it’s the trip of a lifetime.
However, the NC500’s massive popularity has created a few pitfalls. Every year, thousands of eager travellers make the same rookie mistakes that turn a dream holiday into a stressful, crowded crawl.
We’re here to help you avoid the fabled “NC500 Fails.” Drawing on local knowledge and traveller feedback, we’ve compiled the seven most common blunders and, more importantly, how to ensure your Highland adventure is the pure, authentic escape you’re dreaming of.
Ready? Let’s get started.
Table of Contents
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Mistake #1: Rushing the Route
The Mistake?
Trying to complete the 516-mile route in 3 or 4 days. This forces you into a relentless cycle of driving, quick photo stops, and stress. You’ll be constantly looking at the clock and fighting for parking spots at the main attractions, transforming the stunning journey into a high-speed checklist. You’ll see the Highlands, but you won’t feel them.
The Fix!
Slow down and dive deeper.
The optimal time for a relaxed, activity-based NC500 trip is 7-10 days. We say give yourself two nights in key regions like Wester Ross (Torridon/Ullapool) and Assynt (Lochinver) to properly explore these iconic spots.
Travel Tip!
Don’t measure success by miles covered, but by activities completed.
Instead of racing from A to B, spend a morning kayaking on Loch Maree, an afternoon hiking Stac Pollaidh, or a whole day surfing in Thurso. This is how the Highlands should be experienced – by immersion, not observation.
Mistake #2: Driving Clockwise (Following the Herd)
The Mistake?
Most first-timers start in Inverness and drive the route clockwise. This creates a predictable bottleneck, especially on the narrow, challenging roads of the west coast (like the Bealach na Bà). You’ll find yourself trailing a convoy of slow-moving campervans, making overtaking difficult and parking competitive.
The Fix!
Go anti-clockwise – be bold!
Simply reversing the route can instantly improve your experience. Starting anti-clockwise means you hit the less populated East Coast (Caithness and Eastern Sutherland) first, allowing you to settle into the driving pace before tackling the serious mountain passes. You’ll be driving against the flow of traffic, resulting in quieter roads, easier access to viewpoints, and often more available accommodation.
Travel Tip!
If you’re renting a large motorhome, start with the flatter East Coast to get comfortable with the vehicle before attempting the steeper ascents and tighter turns of the West Coast.
Mistake #3: Ignoring the “Passing Place” Etiquette
The Mistake?
Many of the most beautiful coastal sections of the NC500, particularly in Assynt and Wester Ross, use single-track roads. The most common mistake tourists make is treating the “Passing Places” as their own personal parking bay for photos, or simply ignoring the car behind them. This can quickly frustrate locals (who are often in a hurry) and create dangerous traffic jams.
The Fix!
Be courteous, be quick, and use your mirrors! The rule is simple: Passing places are for passing.
- Pull over immediately when a vehicle behind you wants to overtake, or when you see an oncoming vehicle.
- If the passing place is on your left, pull into it. If it’s on your right, stop opposite it, allowing the oncoming vehicle to pull in.
- Always use your signals.
- NEVER park in a passing place to take photos, no matter how quick you think you’ll be. Park safely off the road in a designated layby!
Travel Tip!
A quick wave (just lifting your hand off the wheel) is the universal sign of thanks in the Highlands. Use it generously!
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Mistake #4: Not Booking Accommodation
The Mistake?
Assuming you can just rock up and find a room or a campsite, especially between May and September. The NC500 passes through extremely remote, sparsely populated areas. B&Bs, hotels, and established campsites are scarce and book up months in advance.
Relying on finding a last-minute spot often leads to long, frustrating drives back to larger towns, or (worse) illegal and irresponsible wild camping.
The Fix!
Book your accommodation at least 3-6 months ahead.
- Hotel/B&B Stay: Book 6+ months in advance, and focus on and around key hubs like Thurso, Durness, Lochinver and Ullapool.
- Campervan/Tent: Book 3+ months in advance, and remember that wild camping requires self-sufficiency and strict adherence to the Scottish Outdoor Access Code (Leave No Trace).
Travel Tip!
Do not park overnight in passing places or lay-bys in campervans. Use established campsites or look for accredited ‘low-cost overnight parking’ spots, often offered by local pubs or community groups.
Mistake #5: Underestimating the Midges
The Mistake?
Arriving in summer (especially late May to September) without proper midge defence. These tiny, biting insects can ruin a beautiful sunset, a riverside picnic, or a peaceful evening outside your tent. They are a genuine phenomenon that thrives near still water and in calm air (dawn and dusk).
The Fix!
Equip yourself for war – those midges show no mercy!
- Chemical Defence: Buy local, tried-and-tested repellent. Smidge and Avon Skin So Soft Dry Oil Spray (the green bottle) are the legendary Highland favourites. Apply liberally.
- Physical Defence: Wear long sleeves and trousers at dawn and dusk. A simple midge net (a fine-mesh hat that covers your face) is a lifesaver when sitting outside.
- Time and Place: Plan outdoor activities for the breezy midday. Seek out open, windy areas (like coastal cliffs) where midges struggle to fly, and avoid still areas like forests, marshes and dark glens.
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Mistake #6: Driving a Vehicle That’s Too Big
The Mistake?
Renting the largest, flashiest motorhome you can find, while luxurious, can be a genuine hazard on the most challenging sections of the route, particularly the Bealach na Bà (Applecross) and the tight, undulating roads of Assynt.
Accidents involving large vehicles on these roads are regrettably common.
The Fix!
Think David, not Goliath.
If you want the freedom of a campervan, opt for a smaller, more easily manoeuvrable model (think small van conversions, not coach-sized RVs).
Travel Tip!
The Bealach na Bà, explicitly signed as unsuitable for learner drivers, towing vehicles, and large goods vehicles, is a key example of why you should respect the signs: if your car is very long, it will struggle with the tight hairpins.
Take the gentler (but still beautiful) route via the A896 instead!
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Mistake #7: Relying Solely on Tourist Hotspots
The Mistake?
Only stopping at the places you see repeatedly on Instagram: Smoo Cave, Kylesku Bridge, Achmelvich Bay. These spots are fantastic, but they can be crowded, especially during peak times.
The Fix!
Embrace the detour!
The true magic of the NC500 is found when you venture 10 minutes off the main route. The Highlands are vast, and solitude is there for the taking.
- Swap Suilven for Foinaven: Head further north for an equally dramatic, but far less-trodden mountain climb.
- Swap Achmelvich for Oldshoremore: A white-sand coastal gem with easier parking and far fewer people.
- Embrace the East Coast: Spend time exploring the rugged coastline and ancient history of Caithness, which sees less traffic than the west.
NC500 Advice: Respect The Route
The NC500 is not a race to be run, or a tour to be ticked off – it’s an opportunity to explore another world.
When you hit the road, adjust your internal clock to a more relaxed rhythm. Be patient, be prepared, and be respectful of the environment and the local communities.
Pack your waterproofs, bring your midge repellent, slow down, and book that room or space well in advance. By avoiding these seven simple fails, you won’t just drive the NC500 – you’ll truly conquer the ultimate Scottish adventure.
Happy travels!
Useful Links
- The North Coast 500 official site – for local info!
- CalMac Ferries – book well in advance!
- Met Office – check the weather!
- Traffic Scotland – for route changes and updates.
- WalkHighlands – the best hiking trails and tips.
- Scottish Outdoor Access Code (SOAC) – be informed!
- Highlands2Hammocks (That’s us!) – for our online shop, other blogs, and brand-new campervan rental service.
