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Scottish Highlands camping

Best campsites on the NC500

Campsites are the heart of a North Coast 500 trip, and the best ones put you right on the beach or beneath the mountains. This guide covers the best NC500 campsites around the loop — from the far north at Durness to the west coast at Applecross and Gairloch — and explains how wild camping works in Scotland.

Campsites listed
8 sites
Best time
May, June and September give the best balance of long daylight, open campsites and fewer midges. July and August are busiest, so book popular west-coast sites well ahead.
Campervan and tent pitched on grass above a white-sand beach on the NC500 in the Scottish Highlands at sunset
Campervan and tent pitched on grass above a white-sand beach on the NC500 in the Scottish Highlands at sunset.

Why camp on the NC500?

  • Clifftop and beachfront pitches on the far north coast
  • Mountain and sea-loch settings through Assynt and Wester Ross
  • Handy stops for the Durness to Ullapool leg
  • A mix of full-facility parks and simple back-to-nature sites

Best campsites on the NC500

Tents pitched beside a white-sand beach and turquoise sea below a Highland mountain in Assynt on the NC500
Tents pitched beside a white-sand beach and turquoise sea below a Highland mountain in Assynt on the NC500.
  1. 1.

    Sango Sands Oasis

    Durness, far north coastTouring & camping

    Famous for its clifftop pitches above Sango Bay's golden sand, this is one of the most scenic campsites on the entire NC500 and a natural overnight at the top of the loop.

  2. 2.

    Clachtoll Beach Campsite

    Assynt, near LochinverTouring & camping

    A community-run site beside a beautiful white-sand beach in Assynt, with views to Suilven and easy access to the coastal detour between Durness and Ullapool.

  3. 3.

    Scourie Caravan & Camping Park

    Scourie, north-west coastTouring & camping

    A friendly, well-placed site on the wild stretch between Durness and Kylesku, handy for breaking up the far north-west coast.

  4. 4.

    Ardmair Point

    Near UllapoolTouring & camping

    Set on a pebble beach just north of Ullapool with mountain and sea views, a great base for the Ullapool area and the ferry to the Outer Hebrides.

  5. 5.

    Broomfield Holiday Park

    Ullapool seafrontTouring & camping

    Right on the seafront in Ullapool, within walking distance of the village's pubs, restaurants and harbour — convenient if you want amenities on the doorstep.

  6. 6.

    Applecross Campsite

    Applecross peninsulaTouring, camping & cabins

    The reward at the end of the Bealach na Bà mountain pass, with a renowned on-site café and a remote west-coast setting.

  7. 7.

    Sands Caravan & Camping

    Gairloch, Wester RossLarge beachside park

    A big, well-equipped park spread along the sands near Gairloch, with full facilities and watersports — a good family base on the west coast.

  8. 8.

    Dunnet Bay (Caravan and Motorhome Club)

    Near Dunnet Head, north coastTouring & camping

    Behind the dunes of Dunnet Bay near the true northernmost point of mainland Britain, well placed for Thurso, Dunnet Head and the north coast.

Wild camping on the NC500

A single tent wild camping beside a calm Highland sea loch at dusk on the North Coast 500
A single tent wild camping beside a calm Highland sea loch at dusk on the North Coast 500.

Scotland allows responsible wild camping under the Scottish Outdoor Access Code — but this means lightweight, leave-no-trace tent camping, not parking a campervan or motorhome overnight in a layby. The NC500's popularity has put real pressure on verges and beauty spots, so use campsites or designated motorhome stopovers wherever possible, never light open fires in dry conditions, take all litter home and follow any local restrictions. Treating the route with care keeps it open and welcoming for everyone.

Campsite FAQ

What are the best campsites on the NC500?

Standout NC500 campsites include Sango Sands Oasis at Durness, Clachtoll Beach in Assynt, Ardmair Point and Broomfield near Ullapool, and Applecross Campsite on the west coast.

Do you need to book NC500 campsites in advance?

In July and August, yes — popular west-coast sites fill quickly. In May, June and September you have more flexibility, but it is still wise to book the best-known sites ahead.

Can you wild camp on the NC500?

Responsible tent wild camping is allowed in Scotland under the Outdoor Access Code, but it does not cover sleeping in a campervan or motorhome in laybys. Use campsites or designated stopovers and always leave no trace.

Are there campsites for motorhomes on the NC500?

Yes. Most NC500 campsites take motorhomes and many have hook-ups and services. Book ahead in summer and avoid overnighting in laybys, which is discouraged along the route.