The NC500: The Best Beaches along the West Coast
Whilst the NC500’s East Coast is known for its gentle beaches and the Northern stretch for its untamed beauty, the West Coast (running roughly from Kinlochbervie down through Assynt and Wester Ross to Poolewe and beyond) is the reason the NC500 is so popular. It’s a spectacular, jagged landscape where the mighty Atlantic Ocean has carved out a thousand tiny coves, dramatic sea stacks, and, most famously, a collection of some of the best beaches we’ve ever seen!
For the campervan traveller, the West Coast is where the adventure truly begins. The roads are tighter, the climbs are steeper, and the distance between services is greater. But the reward is parking up your on-road abode beside the most pristine white sands you will ever see, watching the sun set over the distant Hebrides.
This guide focuses on the absolute must-visit beaches of an NC500 road trip, providing essential tips for navigating this incredible landscape in a campervan while keeping an eye out for local hidden gems.
Ready? Good.
Let’s jump in.
Table of Contents
Planning Your Trip
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NC500’s West Coast: A Campervan Reality Check
Before we dive into the turquoise waters, let’s talk logistics. The West Coast is known for the A894 and the infamous Bealach na Bà (Applecross Pass). While the Pass is an optional, stunning detour (and large vehicles should avoid it entirely!), the general driving conditions here require focus and patience.
- Roads: Expect single-track with passing places to be the norm, not the exception. The streets often hug the coastline, offering incredible views but demanding slow, deliberate driving.
- Fuel & Services: This is the most remote section of the entire North Coast 500 road trip. Fuel stations are few and far between. Villages are small. Always stock up in Ullapool or a major centre before heading north/south through Assynt and Wester Ross.
- Parking: Beach access is often via small, private roads or gravel tracks. Parking bays are typically much smaller and less formal than on the East Coast. Arrive early for the most famous spots, especially in the shoulder seasons (May/September).
- Be a Good Guest: Adhere to the Scottish Outdoor Access Code (SOAC): respect the limited infrastructure. If a car park is full, move on. Never park overnight in a passing place, and use official sites for waste disposal.
- Dress Well: The sun might be shining, but the wind can be brutal – pack layers, hats, and waterproofs. The cold water won’t diminish the panoramic glory, but staying warm makes the experience far more enjoyable!
- The Vibe: This coast is about solitude. You’re trading reliable amenities for raw, beautiful wilderness. Embrace the elements, and the quiet – out there, it’s truly yours.
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The NC500: The Western Coast
1. Sandwood Bay, Sutherland
This legendary beach is the type of place that defines the Scottish Highlands – it requires the most effort to reach, but the rewards are immense!
- The Appeal: Often cited as the most beautiful beach in Britain, Sandwood is a mile-long stretch of pinkish-gold sand backed by colossal dunes and featuring the dramatic sea stack, Am Buachaille. It feels utterly mythical.
- Campervan Accessibility: Here’s the catch: you can’t drive to it. Access is via a four-mile (6.4km) walk from the nearest parking at Blairmore (near Kinlochbervie). The walk is straightforward but can be boggy.
- Travel Tip: Park responsibly at the Blairmore car park – it can get jam-packed! The trek is worth it, but be prepared to burn a day visiting. This is your chance to stretch those legs and earn the view!
2. Clachtoll Beach, Assynt
A gem in the Assynt region, Clachtoll offers a spectacular combination of sand and geology. It’s easily accessible, offering stunning coastal beauty and tangible ancient history.
- The Appeal: Get ready for a glorious white sand beach, crystal-clear water, and a truly unique feature: the Clachtoll Broch (an Iron Age stone tower) overlooking the bay, plus the iconic split rock known as the Clachtoll Stone.
- Campervan Accessibility: Access is via a minor road off the A837/A894. There is a popular campsite here, as well as a dedicated parking area near the beach. Due to the area’s popularity, parking is tight but manageable.
- Travel Tip: The little headland separating Clachtoll from the neighbouring Bay of Stoer offers excellent views back towards the mountains of Assynt (Stac Pollaidh and Suilven).
More from the NC500!
3. Achmelvich Bay, Assynt
A personal favourite of ours – any Achmelvich beach deserves its place high on the list of Scotland’s must-visits.
- The Appeal: A series of tiny, perfectly formed coves with dazzling white sand and shallow, emerald-green water. It’s perfect for watersports like kayaking and paddleboarding (if you can brave the cold!).
- Campervan Accessibility: This road is single-track, extremely twisty, and often busy because of a popular campsite, so exercise extreme caution. Large vans (over 6m/20ft) will find manoeuvring difficult.
- Travel Tip: Arrive early. Seriously. By 10 am, the small car park is often full. If you are staying at the local campsite, you’re already winning, but if you’re passing through, be prepared to treat it as a quick, spectacular photo stop before moving on!
4. Mellon Udrigle Beach, Wester Ross
As you head south into Wester Ross, Mellon Udrigle offers perhaps the most picturesque setting of all: an easy-to-access beach with phenomenal views, and a slightly quieter, more contemplative atmosphere than the northern hotspots.
- The Appeal: A relatively sheltered horseshoe bay with an immaculate white sandy beach. What sets it apart are the incredible, cinematic views it offers across the sea towards the mountains of Assynt (especially Suilven and Stac Pollaidh) and the Summer Isles.
- Campervan Accessibility: Access is via a small road leading through the village. There is a small car park, and parking is often available by the beach access, though it’s unstructured.
- Travel Tip: This beach rarely gets the same foot traffic as Durness or Achmelvich, giving it a much more tranquil feel, especially in the shoulder seasons. The low, golden light of April or September here is phenomenal, so don’t forget your camera!
5. Gruinard Bay, Wester Ross
South of Mellon Udrigle, Gruinard Bay is a vast, open beach perfect for stretching the legs and letting the dog run wild.
- The Appeal: A vast, curving stretch of red-tinged sand that meets the open Atlantic. It’s exposed, dramatic, and often less crowded simply due to its scale. The backdrop of heather-covered hills adds to the drama!
- Campervan Accessibility: The A832 runs right along the bay, and several pull-offs and lay-bys offer excellent, safe parking for large vehicles. Some of these are famous for their sunset views.
- Travel Tip: Be aware of the history of Gruinard Island, located just offshore, which was famously used for biological warfare testing during WWII (long since decontaminated). This history adds a fascinating, sombre layer to the area.
6. Gairloch Beach (Big Sands), Wester Ross
Closer to the civilisation of Gairloch, this is a great chance to resupply and relax!
- The Vibe: A vast, family-friendly beach with clean sands and spectacular views towards the Isle of Skye. It’s backed by a well-established campsite, providing fantastic facilities nearby.
- Campervan Accessibility: The road is good, and the campsite’s presence means the area is well-equipped to handle visitor traffic. Ample parking is usually available near the beach access point.
- Travel Tip: Gairloch is a proper hub on the West Coast, offering shops, fuel, and the chance to jump on a wildlife boat trip, making it an ideal place to pause and recharge both the van and the travellers!
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The NC500: The Best Beaches Yet
Touring the NC500’s West Coast by campervan isn’t a race or a rush; it should be a chance to truly immerse yourself in the Scottish wilderness. The roads demand your respect, but the beaches offer incomparable serenity.
The West Coast of the NC500 delivers on every promise of the Scottish Highlands. It requires more effort, a slower pace, and a keener eye for logistics, but when you step out onto that brilliant white sand, gazing out at the vast, wild ocean, you’ll know exactly why you brought yourself here. For us, it is the heart of the NC500 route, and a stretch of coastline that we fantasise about returning to time and time again.
It’s gems like these that truly define our love for Scotland.
Happy travels!
Useful Links
- The North Coast 500 website – 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.
