NC500 2020 Day 13, Final Day.

17 September 2020 mark

We left Loch Tulla Viewpoint heading towards Killin, we had breakfast before we left but did find an American Diner on route that had a great breakfast menu and coffee.

We arrived in Killin and managed to find a space in the small car park, not many places you could fit a 7.1m Motorhome but we were lucky.

The Village is beautiful and definitely worth a wander, food, coffee and gift shops.

The Falls Of Dochart were truly spectacular, we even watched salmon jumping.

We were supposed to stay here but decided to start the long drive home and ended up at the Forestry Commission Car Park at Ae-Naze, £3 to stay the night with no Services.

This was virtually the end of our NC500 Tour, just driving and sleeping left now, we had an incredible time and will definitely return, we personally preferred the Lochs and the East side and would concentrate on those areas when we return, possibly 2021.

NC500, UK, Wild Camping

NC500 2020 Day 12

16 September 2020 mark

We left Inverness heading south along Loch Ness, this day mostly consisted of amazing views as we drove towards Killin and The Falls of Dochart.

We stopped at Lidl in Fort William for supplies, lots of parking so no probs for Motorhome’s, we then carried on stopping for photos.

We arrived at our stop for the night, Loch Tulla Viewpoint, Lots of hard standing parking with gorgeous views, no bins or services but worth it.

Campsite, NC500, UK

NC500 2020 Day 11

14 September 2020 mark

Wooot, No rain, it was dry all day, this makes Motorhome life so much easier, we left Black water falls after a photoshoot of our gorgeous cockapoo “Treacle”

You have no idea how long it took to get her to look forward, still she is so adorable.

Heading towards Inverness we stopped at Rogie Falls, after the rain they were just as spectacular as Blackwater.

Decent size car park and toilets that were open.

Another suspension bridge, Karen really does not like them.

We had some lunch then headed towards Tore Service Station to get some refillable LPG, all filled up and heading to Inverness for our overnight stop tonight – Bught Park Caravan Park and Camping Site.

Not busy at all, lovely hosts, all the services, CDP, waste emptying, fresh water, hot free showers, toilets, washing up and laundry – £26 per night with EHU inc our dog.

NC500, UK, Wild Camping

NC500 2020 Day 10

13 September 2020 mark

It was a very rainy day today, we woke to rain, it stayed most of the day and only brightened up a little nearer the end of the day.

Our first stop was Corrieshalloch Gorge, the car park (paid) was full but there was a few stops on the way there, we turned around and headed back to park up in one and even though it was raining decided to walk back along the road and visit the gorge by foot, as it turned out, a great idea 🙂

A nice steady path down to the swing bridge over the falls, just breathtaking, amazing views especially after all the rain we have had.

The bridge was limited to 6 people and did actually swing 🙂

A very deep ravine, the photo does not do the drop justice.

Once over the bridge we headed left down to another viewing platform.

We then moved on to our stop for the night, Black Water Falls, a free car park set back along way from the road and almost right by the water/falls.

Lovely woodland walk both sides of the water.

Campsite, NC500, UK

NC500 2020 Day 9

12 September 2020 mark 4 Comments

We left early as no phone connection heading south towards Ullapool, we stopped for a coffee on route in a little tearoom called “ The Elphin Tearooms”, nice coffee but a bit bleak inside.

So many amazing views out of every window.

We arrived in Ullapool and headed to Tesco car park, we needed to stock up and have a walk around the town, the lorry park adjacent to the Tesco car park takes plenty of Motorhome’s and is free.

On walking to Tesco we noticed a laundry service establishment just off to the left, we enquired and was amazed at the price of £10 a bag of washed, dried and even folded cloths, so popped back to the van and dropped that off while we had a walk around.

Ullapool Laundry Services
7a Latheron Centre, Latheron Ln, Ullapool IV26 2XB
01854 613217

We then grabbed a coffee and some great scones from “The Tea Store” on the road parallel to the harbour road, headed back to the van and waited for the laundry to finish.

By the time that was all done it was time to heard to our stop for the night, a camp site we passed as we came down into Ullapool called Ardmair Holiday Park.

Great hard standing pitch overlooking the bay.

We paid £26.50 for a hard standing pitch with EHU per night, services include, CDP, waste emptying grill, fresh water fill up, showers (hot and free), toilets and a laundry room if you want it, shop at reception with a friendly host to give you all the info.

NC500, UK, Wild Camping

NC500 2020 Day 8

12 September 2020 mark

We left Kinlochbervie and carried on south along the west coast, no real agenda except driving, stopping to take photos and keeping an eye out for off site parking to stay overnight.

We did find a ruined castle, well worth a stop and cup of tea.

We picked a spot using SearchforSites (app) and started off on a winding road with good passing places.

We ended up at Loch Lurgainn, a very popular car park for walking up a stunning outcropping.

We had to wait for a space to get the Motorhome in but once settled it was very quiet and a lovely spot to spend the night.

NC500, UK, Wild Camping

NC500 2020 Day 7

11 September 2020 mark

We left Rispond car park on the beach and headed west, we found Smoo Cave, the car park itself was very small but we did manage to find a space.

Boat tours are available on some days but not the day we visited 🙁

We then headed on and found CoCo Mountain on the right, a craft village and cafe renowned for its Hot Chocolate, decent car park even for Motorhome’s.

We then carried on to our night stop at Kinlochbervie, we stopped right on the harbour itself called Loch Clash, it was £15 with EHU but only £5 without, full use of water, waste and Chemical toilet emptying, the view was amazing with another seal in the harbour as a bonus.

You pay at the spar just as you enter the harbour, good selection of food and drinks, very pleasant owners.

Although it says 5 vans plenty of room for more

As a bonus Karen made a cake while we enjoyed the view, win win.

NC500, UK, Wild Camping

NC500 2020 Day 6

10 September 2020 mark

We left Dunnet Head and headed west, we had booked a visit to the Dunnet Bay Gin Distillery, it was very interesting , you sit in a small boat shed arranged in a semi circle (4 sheds) facing the host, 3 tastings of Gin and Vodka with folklore and distillery facts, worth the £10 each, we booked on line.

We then headed slightly back on our selfs to empty at the Ferry View Nightstop, full waste empty and water top up for £5, well worth it.

Our plan was to head towards Durness and sango sands camping with some tea stops on route.

As we drove through Castletown we noticed a lovely stop on the right just past a ruined building overlooking the bay, great spot for a bit of lunch.

We finally found a spot for their night at Rispond in a set back lay-by, amazing views of the bay with a lot of people camping by the beach.

NC500, UK, Wild Camping

NC500 2020 Day 5

9 September 2020 mark

We left Helmsdale harbour and headed north again with a bearing of John o Groats, we stopped at another lovely little harbour called Lybster Harbour.

It’s a long winding road down with plenty of passing places and parking at the bottom even for my 7.1m Motorhome.

As with a lot of these places the cafe, information centres and toilets were all closed so after a walk around the harbour wall we carried on with our journey.

We then carried on, we arrived at a very busy John o groats, we managed to find a place to park and paid the £2 donation for parking (per day) then went for a walk around the shops and take some photos.

All the stickers have been removed from the sign post and a separate board erected just for stickers 🙂

After having some lunch we headed to Dunnet Head for our free night stop. They have stopped parking on the actual car park at Dunnet Head but we managed to get a space just before you enter on the right hand side.

NC500, UK, Wild Camping

NC500 2020 Day 4

8 September 2020 mark

We left Fortrose and headed north, we diverted off to the Falls of Shin.

Large car park with plenty of spaces for Motorhome’s, coffee shop and usually a visitor centre open but Covid has currently closed it.

There are a few walks around the woods and one that takes you along the falls, not a great view of the actual water as you walk through, such a shame, but pleasant enough for a wander.

There was a platform for salmon watching, large enough for 6-8 people to watch them jumping up the falls, we watched a couple of small ones but not much activity.

We then headed to Brora Harbour for some lunch, an old fishing hamlet but very pretty and worth a visit.

We then headed on to our stop for the night, Helmsdale, you can park in the harbour if space or the pub allows stopover if you eat in, we were lucky to find a lovely spot overlooking the water and watched a seal 10-15ft in front us pop up every now and again for air, we did the try the fish and chips from the village as they come very highly rated, big portions but Karen said the fish was a little over cooked, the fish cakes however were great and did i mention the portion sizes!

I only ordered singles but for some reason got double of everything.