Seen lots of 7m+ and don't forget coaches, buses and lorries use the route for their daily business too.
If you drive with care then it's not a problem, the only part I would maybe consider is Applecross pass. Many will say that isn't suitable for motorhomes and would tend to agree but also know many people who have driven it and said it's fine.
In summer if you want campsites you might need to book ahead for the more popular ones.
It's a beautiful route but very busy. Don't think it's a difficult or bad road, just slow with the amount of traffic.
Check out https://www.northcoast500.com/2022/04/driving-nc500-in-a-motorhome/
The dedicated website also has useful information about the different sections.
Personally, I wouldn’t get to Applecross over the pass - seen too many photos of long MHs stuck across a hairpin bend, which blocks the road for the emergency services. You do need to book to stay there as there have been so many problems with MHs parking up on the verges overnight that they had to dig ditches.
Read up on the courtesies of single track roads, downhill should give way to uphill (we had several steep hill starts, smell of burning clutch), stop on your side even if the passing place is on the opposite site, stop early if there’s a MH in the next passing place because there might not be enough room for you. And most of all, pull in to let vehicles behind you get past - they may be getting to a doctors appointment. Or be one of the cars doing the whole thing as a race… The single track that’s steep & bendy is all on the west coast, north of Lochinver and south of Gairloch.
We did it in a <6m MH before it got popular; didn’t see full size buses on the single track sections of it, but plenty of Tesco delivery vans. Lots of mobile phone Not-Spots. Lots of threads on the NC500 too. My favourite areas are the GeoPark north of Ullapool and the NTS gardens at Poolewe or Inverewe, but everyone has their favourite beach. East coast, north coast, west coast - they’re very different from each other.
To conclude, take it steady & you’ll be fine. Don’t rush, the scenery is to savour.
Roads are narrow, some are single track (especially north of Ullapool to north coast and some around Gairloch) so you need to know how to drive on them and always be mindful that whilst you are on holiday, dozens of others aren't.
Let anyone who looks like they are trying to get past do so at the earliest opportunity.
On single track roads pull over in passing places to let others pass, on two way if you can see ahead is clear slow slightly and indicate left and locals will know its clear.
The above means you may make slower progress than expected so allow plenty of time for the trip.
The Russian Arctic Convoy Museum near Loch Ewe is fascinating.
I have a friend who lives on the West Coast and the NC500 goes straight past the end of his drive. He says the most annoying things are people dumping their waste into his bin on bin day, and people emptying their loos wherever they stop. The Highland council has put emptying points in along the route for rubbish and loo waste disposal.
It takes him a lot longer to get to the shops these days as well.
Just finishing the NC500 today not over busy but some of the single tracks are pretty hard on suspension and tyres other parts have obviously been resurficed and are great.
We have spent 4 weeks doing the route and have thoroughly enjoyed it we have stopped the night in the many pull ins that dont disallow overnighting and used the dumping points supplied by councils or other groups, I have seen no signs of the behaviour Jax talks about and with planning there is certainly no excuse for it.
Done carefully and with respect for locals this is a spectacular trip on a par with the wring of Kerry route in Ireland and everyone we met friendly and helpful, GO FOR IT
Regarding Fiona W---"downhill should give way to uphill ". It's a pity people don't remember that in snow! Ignorance, arrogance and impatience makes people forget the simple courtesies that we all learned before passing our tests.
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: N500 in a 7m m/h
via mobile 09/5/2022 at 2:02pm
