Not only is the NC500 one of the world's best road trips, but it's also one of the most beautiful. On the minus side, it rained quite a bit, but that's a hazard any time of year in Scotland. . There's a good chance the official (free) car park will be full. While lying awake at 5am with the tent being battered by the wind & rain I looked at the weather radar and decided to try and beat the worst . On average, the wettest parts of Scotland experience 5 rainy days a week, while the driest experience 3 days a week. Alongside Suilven and the mighty mountains of Torridon, Quinag is easily one of the best hikes on the NC500 route. Golspie, United Kingdom 0 Votes Any time May - late September is midge time, especially near water. The advantages of visiting during the summer are that the most businesses and attractions are open, it's the best time for wildlife viewing, and the weather is likely to be better. Cairngorms National Park is Britain's largest national park and by driving through it, it has some amazing roads and scenery. Most people visit between May and September, with the summer months being the busiest. However, I strongly recommend driving in a counter-clockwise direction starting up the eastern coast, then across the top of Scotland and then back down the western coast. The best time of year to visit the north of Scotland is between May and July, during the "dry season" (a term used very loosely), and before any "midges" wake up to haunt every Scottish local's nightmares. Midges are small flying insects that nip the skin and leave a visible mark. Hi Laurence, It's recommended to allow a minimum of 5-7 days to explore the NC500 route, although there are plenty of potential stopping points . If it is, there's another lay-by slightly east, which is also free. Time for its own thread I think. Some of the best roads to ride in Scotland include: The NC500. A little tip to bear in mind is that midges don't fly if the wind is over 5 miles per hour, thus the windier the better from the perspective of not getting bitten to death. A day trip along Scotland's NC500 (Durness and Helmsdale) Another day trip along part of the NC500 took place a few weeks back. However, with every wildlife experience, patience is key. You actually picked the best time to do the 500 nae midges. This spot is popular with both locals and tourists. When is the Best Time to Tour the NC500? Scotland midge free in August? Home. This was by far the furthest north we had come, driving . 1. Every time we do a road trip around these remote northern Highlands, we are reminded on how blessed we are to be living in such a stunning part of the world. It pissed with rain the entire time and . The midges bothered my husband a bit, but not all the time, like they might in summer. However, there's quite a bit of weighing up to do before you decide when the best time is for you to go. Best Motorcycle Routes in Scotland. Some of the best places to see on the NC500 motorhome route include: Inverness- the most northerly city in the UK Smoo Cave Corrieshalloch Gorge Clashnessie Falls Bealach Na Ba- the UK's steepest road. If you're visiting Scotland we'd highly recommend adding the North Coast 500 to your itinerary. Given that the NC500 is growing in popularity year on year, it is also . . Tip 5 - Drive the NC500. Shoulder season on the NC500 is quieter and midge free. The absolute minimum length of time we'd advise is five nights for the NC500. Summer also brings midges. Top tip: Midges are no laughing matter and can seriously ruin your trip. Ullapool - The Big Village in Ross-shire Ullapool is the biggest village on the west coast of the North Coast 500, 1500 inhabitants call this place home and many of them have not so hidden talents. The plan was to ride the top & east side of the NC500 then south to the youth hostel at Braemar, stay the night then head to Edinburgh in the morning. Summer is the ideal time to do the NC500 route because you have long daylight hours and the best chance of good weather. Now, that isn't something to fret about too much. Laurence. The North Coast 500 is very much a combination of hairpin bends, rises and dips, plus around 200 miles of single track roads. CannonDale; May 27, 2019; UK; 2 . 1. Best places in the Scottish Highlands to avoid midges Experience Scotland July 1, 2021 no Comments . . One of the world's most beautiful road trips, the North Coast 500, which launched in 2015, highlights the very best of the north Highlands, from mountains and lochs to woodlands and seaside towns, allowing drivers to discover all of its beauty with one amazing trip. Oh and another thing don't go in August, every man and his dog turns up and moans about the rain and the midges. Obviously the worst place as we had no shelter and completely exposed to the elements. 1. Touring routes. Read More Read Less. The best time to go would be between March and May just before midge season. The fuel here is less expensive, and there are . How long does it take to do the North Coast 500? 20/09/2020. Be prepared to be sharing the road with other cars, bikes and motorhomes. But in general one of the best months to visit, and would definitely go again, still some midges though. The hottest month is July with temperatures of 13.9°C. I've booked up hotels for an NC500 run in mid february. Accommodation can be an issue . The. This 'box gorge' appeared in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. The prevailing wind on the west coast comes from the south west so doing the route clockwise is a sensible idea. When is the Best Time to Tour the NC500? Best time to tour Scotland is early spring or after late Sept for traffic & Midges. The days would be longer in summer. It's an epic trip & something perfect to do with kids in a campervan. Yes, Loch Ness and all the hype that goes with it is worth experiencing, but . The roads are open & winding, the scenery spectacular with the number of awesome places to stop off being seemingly endless. and quite a few hired motorhomes (beware!!). The best you can do is pick a date and hope for the best! Book your accommodation as soon as you know your route, or consider camping. Inverness is the gateway to the Highlands and it is as good a place to start as any. . Launched in 2005 by the North Highland Initiative the route attracted over 29,000 visitors in its first year. Cairngorms National Park is Britain's largest national park and by driving through it, it has some amazing roads and scenery. Midges. Touring The NC500 after lock down in 2021 . Built in 1798 on Fyrish Hill, it offers visitors a magnificent view over the Cromarty Firth and across to Ben Wyvis (one of Scotland's popular Munros). Quinag is a phenomenal mountain complex with three Corbetts to climb and conquer. On the minus side, it rained quite a bit, but that's a hazard any time of year in Scotland. Looking to do NC500 in September, is this a good time to do it ? I have just returned from an epic 9 day road trip around Scotland. If time permits, sample the A939 high road through the Cairngorms too. Stac Pollaidh is 614 meters high, and the hike takes about 2-3 hours. The NC500 is certainly an adventure but completely accessible to all. Reactions: tribute11. As one of the top things to do in Durness, this is also probably one of the most touristy attractions on the whole North Coast 500 circuit. The highest sunshine months are May - July, and from my own personal experience the lowest midge months are probably May and September. So I'm going to list all the best things to do on the NC500, as done by us on our North Coast 500 road trip! The NC500 route delivers dramatic roads with spectacular views and is one of the must do motorhome routes in the UK . Typically the best to do this hike is in the spring, once the snow has melted, but before the midges arrive. Posts 11,457 Likes 10,870. North Coast 500 is Popular, Like Rome Popular One of the most visited cities in Europe is Rome. Better still, do it sideways in the Winter. The ultimate North Coast 500 route Duncansby Head Richard Gaston STAGE 1 - INVRRNESS AND EASTER ROSS Day 1 6. Throw in the odd sheep, cow or deer at the side or in the middle of the road, and, of course, increased traffic, with a mixture of cyclists, motorbikes, cars, and campervans, and it is certainly a . Will it be busy? If you are looking for the short answer, most votes on the best time to do the NC500 goes to April/May time. . It goes without saying that you should take extra care when driving on country roads. Pretty midge free up to the end of may, depending . Small biting insects which are prevalent in the highlands and can make life quite unpleasant. Be prepared for busy traffic in the peak summer months. When we first drove it in 2016, it had some press attention but was still flying under the radar; it's now busier each year. After weekend in Northumberland to learn the ropes we are about to head off to do the NC500 for our first big trip. 1. This means that choosing the right time for a road trip as epic as the NC500 requires some care and consideration. For me, the lack of crowds is critical so I wouldn't do this route in high summer. Summer also brings midges. Skip the Popular Instagram Attractions. Regardless of your wheels, here's some things to bear in mind before you set off. Our advice - go in June or September. Spring (March, April, May) - 5-10 degrees C. Summer (June, July, August) - 15 degrees C. Scottish Midges are immune to any poison. Sep 18, 2019 #2 . June-August sees the summer sunshine in Scotland and although the sun may appeal, there are what could be considered as a couple of drawbacks to visiting during this season. Another spectacular ruin not far off the NC500 route is Urquhart Castle, on the banks of Loch Ness. The best time to come is May to June, it's dryer and the midges aren't out in full force. This spot is popular with locals and tourists alike. Best time to climb Suilven. We also go in the summer, but keeping doors and windows closed to keep the midges out is a pain. Midges will vary day to day depending on the weather. The parking areas are generally small. Sep 22, 2019 #13 Wully said: Welcome along . a myriad of incredible things to do. Only method of control is to leave out a saucer of whiskey (Highland Malt of course) with a tray of sand, when they get drunk they stone each other to death! Advreck Castle, Loch Assynt. The best you can do is pick a date and hope for the best! Many people visit the Isle of Skye because they have seen beautiful pictures on social media and they want to get those same pictures. Summer is the ideal time to do the NC500 route because you have long daylight hours and the best chance of good weather. Quinag is a phenomenal mountain complex with three Corbetts to climb and conquer. We drove the A95 due to more impressive scenery - the slower road, and a stop at Balmoral Castle. Driving Time: 3 hours 30 minutes. What's the best time of year to do the North Coast 500? Explore the crumbling ruins of Ardvreck Castle on the edge of Loch Assynt, just north of Inchnadamph. We drove the A95 due to more impressive scenery - the slower road, and a stop at Balmoral Castle. The female midges bite and they are most active during the summer months or in humid weather. As stated by others, there are some great driving sections on the NC500 route but there are some awesome diversions off it that shouldn't be missed. The drive from Edinburgh to Inverness is 156 miles taking the A9, or 171 miles taking the A95. Iconic historic… Continue Reading. Ardvreck Castle, Sutherland. The best time to see dolphins is 1-2 hours before high tide. Cali's For Sale . The Best Time to Camp on the North Coast 500. . In summary, probably the best time to do the route would be April - July ish. Time to head down… Then the rain started! Motorcycle John oGroats Scotland. To get down it involved taking the path along a ridge at the top. It is very easy to plan normally…let alone when you're retired. The North Coast 500 brings together a route of more than 500 miles of stunning coastal scenery - 516 miles, to be exact. The nc500 brings together a route of 516 miles / 830 km, to be exact. You would be very unlucky to get snow/ice although there is an outside chance, and its going to be quieter on the roads than June to September.. Forums. It's the best . Tain Tain has a lot of history, this is reflected in its quaint "oldy-worldly" architecture. The days would be longer in summer. Keep in mind that the car park is small, and there are very few alternative options for parking nearby as it . No Midges The Scottish midges, known for all the wrong reasons don't come out until late May and the biting species don't hatch until even later, which makes the Spring the best time for hiking, biking and paddling with the dryer, bite free weather. When to visit Scotland for: Sunshine (and pesky midges)Average daytime temperature: 15°C-17°C. Reply. I had to do a bit of jogging on the spot to keep warm waiting for Jack. Make sure you pack a couple of bottles of insect repellant and if you do get nibbled upon, tiger balm is pretty soothing. For me, the lack of crowds is critical so I wouldn't do this route in high summer. The North Coast 500 is a circular route that begins and ends in Inverness and obviously can be driven in either direction. yorkslass. Enlarge Image. Make sure you're experienced in driving a motorhome and you hire one equipped for cold or snowy weather. It is no secret that the weather in Scotland is a rather fickle thing. In the summer months you can get a lot of midges near the loch, so take midge repellent with you! The more I researched, the more I wanted to do the NC500, and I soon found that it was becoming extremely popular and best to be completed sooner rather than later as it may well become congested and participants becoming less popular with the local population. The drive from Edinburgh to Inverness is 156 miles taking the A9, or 171 miles taking the A95. The NC500 Route. Clachtoll Beach Kylesku Bridge John o'Groats Dunrobin Castle Planning a trip to Scotland? This peninsula is one of the best places in Scotland to see dolphins. Mostly I prefer the idea of getting lost in Scotland and seeing . Have a wonderful time on the NC500 and do pop back to tell us your experiences . Reply. Fyrish Monument was one of the first stops on our North Coast 500 trip. . Easter is good, and the time quite a few scots, who know about the midges, take their hols in the highlands. While the North Coast 500 is an experience in itself, you'll also find plenty of adventures to be had along the way. Loch Ness might be the first thing that comes to mind for many when the Scottish Highlands are mentioned, but one of the best tips for visiting Scotland is to go beyond this. NC500 and Midges. Midges are a huge issue . Single track road in Scotland with passing place ahead. Full Member. You can see/hear her sing here! We were lucky enough to arrive on a gloriously sunny July day, making for a pleasant climb (despite the midges). The Spring flowers were in full bloom making for stunning backdrops and the midges were non-existant! Ideally, you should have 7-10 days, but 2 weeks up here would be amazing, especially if you love the outdoors, isolation, the sea, and slow travel. BEST TIME OF YEAR TO DO THE NC500. I will be honest, I really didn't want to like this route, mostly because I am not a huge advocate of set routes. If you MUST do the NC500 then fill your boots, but there are as nice, far quieter roads up there. In the winter the elements are very harsh and only experienced alpine climbers should attempt to do this hike. Scotlands Midges. Yes the NC500 is spectacular in places BUT its also bloody busy most of the time.. We took our transit camper up a year or so back (out of midge season) . April or May are usually the best months for weather. We did the bulk of it on the NC500 but took a few diversions, including Skye and the Black Isle. Scotland is more than Loch Ness. The NC500 (North Coast 500 mile) route along the North Coast of Scotland is being hailed as the new Route 66. 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