# Scottish Highlands and Skye

> The North Coast 500 loop around Inverness and the Isle of Skye offer single-track roads, steep passes and wild coasts. Plan for narrow roads and slow progress

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/destinations/scottish-highlands/

The North Coast 500 loop around Inverness and the Isle of Skye offer single-track roads, steep passes and wild coasts. Plan for narrow roads and slow progress in a motorhome.

- **Region:** Highland, Scotland
- **Length:** NC500: 516 mi (830 km)
- **Passes:** Bealach na Bà, about 630 m
- **Best season:** Late spring to early autumn
- **Start / end:** Inverness

## Before you go

- The NC500 is 516 miles (830 km) and starts and ends at Inverness Castle. Many stretches are single-track roads with passing places.
- Bealach na Bà rises to about 630 m with gradients near 20 percent and is considered unsuitable for very large vehicles. It is often impassable in winter.
- Skye is linked by the Skye Bridge, which has been toll-free since 2004, and by ferries such as Mallaig–Armadale and Glenelg–Kylerhea.

## The drive

The NC500 runs clockwise or anti-clockwise through Applecross, Gairloch, Ullapool, Durness, Thurso, John o' Groats and Wick. Growing traffic has caused problems on single-track roads: drivers not using passing places, convoys and damaged road edges. Use passing places to let others overtake, and allow more time than the distance suggests. Skye covers 1,656 km² and has many single-track roads as well.

## Camping

Scotland's access rights allow wild camping on most unenclosed land under the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. The code describes it as lightweight camping by small numbers of people for no more than two or three nights in one place. Access rights do not include motor vehicles, so they do not cover motorhomes and campervans. Landowners, councils and Police Scotland can restrict parking, so use campsites or follow local signs. Popular Skye sites such as the Old Man of Storr attract over 250,000 visitors a year.

## FAQs

**Can I take a large motorhome over Bealach na Bà?**
The pass is single-track with tight hairpins and is considered unsuitable for very large vehicles. Check the current advice before setting out, especially in winter.

**How do I get to Skye with a camper?**
By road over the Skye Bridge, toll-free since 2004, or by ferry from Mallaig to Armadale or Glenelg to Kylerhea. Vehicle size limits and booking rules differ by operator, so check with the ferry company.

**Is wild camping allowed in Scotland?**
On most unenclosed land, yes, for lightweight camping under the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. Access rights do not include motor vehicles, so they do not cover motorhomes. Parts of Loch Lomond require permits in camping management zones in season. Use campsites or follow local signs.

## Places to see

- [Eilean Donan](https://camping-spirit.com/places/eilean-donan/)
- [Plockton](https://camping-spirit.com/places/plockton/)
- [Bealach na Bà](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b15-bealach-na-ba/)
- [Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b15-beinn-eighe/)
- [Glenfinnan Viaduct](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b15-glenfinnan-viaduct/)
- [Commando Memorial](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b15-commando-memorial/)
- [Camusdarach Beach](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b15-camusdarach/)
- [Fairy Pools](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b6-fairy-pools/)