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Pick up your camper from just south of Lancaster, and waste no time heading north and over the border.
You need to pick up your campervan after 3pm, so we would recommend breaking up the 5 hour 30 minute drive with a night in Edinburgh or Glasgow.
That way you can set off nice and early the next day, to make the most of your time on the NC500.
We are a family run business created in the summer of 2020. Growing up, we spent years exploring the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales. We combined our love for the outdoors and passion for Classic VW Campervans and bought our very first van, Daisy in August 2020.
Having worked in the travel industry for 10+ years, we live by providing outstanding customer service and providing lifelong memories to our customers.
We look forward to welcoming you to the family and Daisy, Winne & Heidi can’t wait to get exploring!
We are a family run business created in the summer of 2020. Growing up, we spent years exploring the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales. We combined our love for the outdoors and passion for Classic VW Campervans and bought our very first van, Daisy in August 2020.
Having worked in the travel industry for 10+ years, we live by providing outstanding customer service and providing lifelong memories to our customers.
We look forward to welcoming you to the family and Daisy, Winne & Heidi can’t wait to get exploring!
The pick up and drop off point for the campervans is in Lancaster, just off the M6 and en route to the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales, and Scotland.
Pick up is between 3pm and 7pm , and drop off on your return date is between 8am and 11am.
Above is an example seven night itinerary, starting in Inverness and running clockwise around the NC500, with night stopovers at Applecross, Poolewe, Ullapool, Kinlochbervie, Thurso, and Glen Morangie. Of course, as wild camping is legal in Scotland, we would actually recommend just driving and finding the most picturesque spots you can!
Drivers:
1. Must be 23 years of age or older
2: Must have at least 2 years driving experience (Full UK or EU Licence)
3: Maximum of 6 points on your driving license.
4: No more than one fault or outstanding accident/claim/incident in the last 3 years
5: We will need valid id and documentation for proof of address.
Once you have collected your VW Campervan there is secure parking ready for you onsite for you to safely leave your vehicle whilst on your trip. The storage facility is secure and monitored with 24/7 cctv but please note we hold no responsibility for your vehicle during this period.
Pick up days are on Monday and Friday only. You can drop the campervan off at any time of the week.
Pick up is between 3pm and 7pm , and drop off on your return date is between 8am and 11am.
Some choose to wild camp for a few nights, but there are many great campsites located near most villages on the NC500 which can be ideal for the campers.
Wild camping can be tricky, as there are certain rules to abide by. Make sure wherever you park up for the night you have permission, only stay for two nights maximum and always use common sense and show courtesy towards the locals.
There is a a £25 flat fee for cleaning if you bring a dog. We do our best to accommodate all pets but there are limitations. Small, medium and large dogs are okay. XL - St Bernards are a no no. Even 2 dogs can be accommodated if they are well behaved.
However we ask guests to bring their own blankets to put over the vinyl seats to avoid scratches and marks. Please note any rips or damage will result in loss of some deposit so we can repair, so the risk is up to you, but we do try to be as accommodating as possible.
We have our own dogs (Lucy & Jessie) so we know how enjoyable bringing them along can be.
Yes a £500 deposit is required before or on the day of your hire. You can pay this by bank transfer. Please allow us 48 hours after your booking to return this to allow us time to check over the vehicle for any damages.
The excess is £500 if a full claim were to be made. This can be reduced depending on the circumstances and note it's the same amount as the deposit.
To add you to our insurance policy we will need the following:
1. Copy of your drivers’ licence
2. Online DVLA Check code (you will need your driving licence and national insurance number to get the code)
3. Two forms of proof of address
4. Cleared a traceable security deposit of £500
5. Signed rental agreement featuring all drivers wishing to drive the vehicle, which we'll send you ahead of your booking.
Yes. Our vans are 4 berth and we have 3 point seat belts so child seats can be fitted securely.
Yes. If you stay at a site our vans have hook up which power domestic plug sockets and usb ports, lights etc. We also have a leisure battery which powers the lights and USB ports if you decide to wild camp. This vans battery will charge up as you drive around and all have a usb port for charging phones.
In the unlikely event of a breakdown, all of our vans are covered with 24/7 RAC national breakdown cover. We also include a box of emergency spares which can be used to fix common problems. Hopefully the breakdown mechanic can fix a possible issue and you can be on your way.
There are no official rules prohibiting wild camping in the UK, but it tends to be up to each local government and law enforcement.
These tend to follow the unofficial rule of allowing it unless it’s on private property.
Staying in a public lay by or car park most likely won’t get you in any trouble.
But if you stayed on someone’s property or the car park of a business then you’ll likely be asked to move on.
If you follow the general rules of the trucker, parking just overnight, take up one spot, be respectful and courteous then there shouldn’t be any issues.
Car parks can be practical but don’t always make for the most scenic of spots to wake up to.
Please always ''Leave only Footprints, Take only Photographs''
Plan ahead and prepare.
-Dispose of waste properly - leave no trace!
-Avoid overcrowded spots. If there’s already too many campervans find somewhere else.
- Respect others - Keep noise to a minimum
-Take care of the environment
-Be prepared to moved on if asked and always be polite
-Always use a stove and leave no trace of a campfire
-Chose your toilet carefully, especially away from any open water
-Always camp away from houses, public pathways or farms
You should bring bedding for the double bed and also for the extra bed if you are using it
You will need mattress protector or topper if you want to be more cosy, sheets, duvets and pillows.
The Heidi has 6 seats/seatbelt points, so if the kids don't mind sharing - go for it!
Yep! You absolutely can bring your kids along for the trip! There’s no shortage of activities for children, whether that’s adventure activities, nature & wildlife, arts & crafts, history, or even play parks. You can even go sea glass hunting on the beaches across the NC500, there’s plenty to be found and it’s a great activity for little ones.
Believe it or not, the North Coast 500 Route is home to loads of excellent places to eat and drink - a foodie’s dream. Here are some of the most-loved restaurants and eateries on the northern Scottish coast:
John O’Groats: Stack’s Coffee House & Bistro
Balnakeil: Cocoa Mountain
Ormiscaig: The Isle of Ewe Smokehouse
Inverness: The Mustard Seed Restaurant
Ullapool: The Seafood Shack
Doornoch: The Courtroom Bar and Brasserie
Plus, if you like a tipple, this route has plenty of breweries and distilleries for you to whet your whistle.
You can take a tour of some of the breweries and distilleries on the route, or just stop off for a drink or two. (Psst! These could be great souvenir stops, too!). Here are our recommendations:
Glenmorangie Distillery
Old Pulteney Distillery
Clynelish Distillery
Dunnet Bay Distillery
Cromarty Brewing Company
John O’Groats Brewery
Black Isle Brewery
To really make the most of your NC500 road trip, we recommend giving yourself at least 7 days. You can do it in 5 days if you’re stuck for time, but the longer the better (or at least we think so!).
There’s no one way to do the route - you could go clockwise or anticlockwise. It’s up to you.
Research in advance to find the activities and sights that are most exciting to you. And you don’t just have to stick to the NC500 Route! There will be so many fantastic attractions off the beaten path.
Make sure you allocate enough time for driving each day. It’s so easy to get wrapped up in all the adventures you’re having out of your vehicle, but it can be really stressful if you’re racing against the clock to get to your next location.
Similarly, don’t always rely on your SatNav for journey times. Single-track roads can take a while to drive through.
Pack mindfully. The weather in Scotland can turn on a sixpence, so make sure you have plenty of layers, waterproofs, and clothes for all weathers. Comfortable shoes are a must and, if you’re going in the summer, remember to pack insect repellent.
There isn’t really a bad time to visit Scotland. Throughout the year, it’s a strikingly beautiful country and there are pros and cons to visiting in each season.
If you choose to go in the spring or summer months - especially during the school holidays - then you can expect it to be busy and crowded at times. But the weather will be on your side and you’ll have longer periods of daylight to go out to explore.
If you choose to go in the autumn or winter months, you’ll have shorter days and colder weather, but it will be quieter.
In whichever season you visit, the views will be spectacular (including amazing views of the Isle of Skye). The most popular time to do the NC500 Route is between May and September.
Get off the beaten track and support local communities that you visit.
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