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Category: Rentals

Scotland NC500 in a Campervan. A 7-Day Route Guide

If you’re thinking about hiring a campervan for the ultimate UK road trip, the NC500 (North Coast 500) is hard to beat.

Often described as Scotland’s Route 66, this 516-mile circular route takes you through dramatic mountain passes, white sandy beaches, remote fishing villages and some of the most breathtaking scenery in Europe.

Here’s a practical, realistic 7 day NC500 campervan itinerary, designed for comfort, scenery, and proper exploring, not rushing.

🚐 Why the NC500 Is Perfect in a Campervan

  • No daily hotel check-ins
  • Wake up to loch views and ocean sunrises
  • Stop whenever the view demands it
  • Total freedom (especially with unlimited mileage 😉)

The route officially starts and ends in Inverness, but you can join it from anywhere.

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📍 Day 1 -> Inverness to Applecross (via Bealach na Bà)

Distance: ~80 miles

Highlights:

  • Lochcarron views
  • Bealach na Bà mountain pass (one of the UK’s best driving roads)
  • Applecross coastal sunsets

The climb over Bealach na Bà is narrow and dramatic but absolutely worth it. Take it steady and enjoy the switchbacks.

Overnight: Applecross Campsite or nearby coastal stop.

📍 Day 2 -> Applecross to Ullapool

Distance: ~85 miles

Highlights:

  • Torridon mountains
  • Shieldaig village
  • Gruinard Bay

This stretch feels wild and cinematic. Pull over often as you’ll want photos.

Ullapool is a great overnight stop with facilities, fuel, and food.

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📍 Day 3 -> Ullapool to Durness

Distance: ~70 miles

Highlights:

  • Ardvreck Castle ruins
  • Kylesku Bridge
  • Sango Bay

White sand beaches up here feel almost tropical on a sunny day.

Overnight: Sango Sands campsite overlooking the cliffs.

📍 Day 4 -> Durness to Thurso

Distance: ~65 miles

Highlights:

  • Smoo Cave
  • Strathy Point Lighthouse
  • Dunnet Head (most northerly point of mainland Britain)

This section feels remote and peaceful.

📍 Day 5 -> Thurso to Wick

Distance: ~25 miles

Short driving day — more exploring.

Highlights:

  • Castle of Mey
  • John O’Groats
  • Coastal cliff walks

Perfect day to slow down and enjoy coastal stops.

Duness beach
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📍 Day 6 -> Wick to Golspie / Dornoch

Distance: ~90 miles

Highlights:

  • Whaligoe Steps
  • Dunrobin Castle
  • Dornoch beach

The east coast feels calmer and more open.

📍 Day 7 -> Return to Inverness

Distance: ~50 miles

Final scenic drive along the Moray Firth. If you’re lucky, you might spot dolphins.

🗺️ Total Distance

Approx. 516 miles

This is where unlimited mileage matters. Some hire companies cap daily mileage which can make you constantly check your numbers.

With Camper Camper Hire, you just get in and drive.

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🛑 Where To Stay?

Options include:

  • Campsites (best for facilities & electric hook-up)
  • Certified locations (CL sites)
  • Some permitted overnight stops

🎒 Essentials To Pack

  • Waterproofs (even in summer)
  • Midges spray (super essential!)
  • Walking boots
  • Camera

🔑 Ready to Drive the NC500?

With Camper Camper Hire you get:

🚐 Unlimited Mileage
🛡️ Fully Comprehensive Insurance Included
🔧 Free Breakdown Cover
💷 Only £100 deposit to secure dates

The NC500 isn’t just a road trip. It’s one of those journeys you’ll talk about for years.

👉 Secure your Scotland dates now at campercamperhire.co.uk

Try Before You Buy

Thinking of Investing in a Campervan Conversion?

Try Before You Buy

Buying a campervan conversion is a big decision. Not just financially. It changes how you travel, how you spend weekends, even how you experience freedom. It’s exciting. But it’s also real life.

A lot of people fall in love with the idea of campervan life. They scroll social media. They picture the sunsets, the coffee with the doors open, the freedom. Then they invest in a build… and only afterwards realise it doesn’t quite fit how they actually live.

That’s exactly why Try Before You Buy is one of the smartest decisions you can make.

Loving the Idea vs Living the Reality

Campervan life can be incredible. But it’s different when:

  • It’s your bed, your storage, your kitchen, your toilet
  • It’s raining
  • It’s cold
  • You’ve been driving for hours an hours

Things people often only realise after using a camper properly:

  • How much storage they really need
  • Whether the bed layout works
  • If they prefer cooking inside or outside
  • Whether they really need a shower
  • What comforts from home matter most
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You simply cannot learn that from photos or floor plans.

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Why Hiring First Is the Smart Move

Hiring a campervan lets you experience campervan life properly. Not the Instagram version. The real one.

You get to:

  • Sleep in it for multiple nights
  • Cook proper meals
  • Live with the layout
  • Pack and unpack properly
  • Drive it on motorways and country roads
  • Use it in different weather

After just a few days you’ll know if campervan life is for you and you’ll already be ahead when designing your own build.

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Try a Camper That’s Actually Built by Us

Here’s the important bit.

Many people Try Before They Buy in a van that’s nothing like what they actually want to build.

At Camper Camper Hire, you’re hiring vans designed and built by us.

That means:

  • You experience our layouts
  • You use our storage solutions
  • You live with our craftsmanship
  • You see how our electrics and systems perform
  • You test real-world usability

If you later decide to commission a build, you’ll already know what works for you. You’ll Design a Better Campervan Because of It.

Customers who hire first always make better design decisions.

They come to us knowing:

  • What worked
  • What didn’t
  • What they would change
  • What they absolutely want again

That means fewer compromises, a smoother design process and a campervan that genuinely fits your life.

Final Thought

Campervans are incredible.

Try Before You Buy gives you clarity.

Even if you’re slightly unsure, a short hire could save you thousands and give you total confidence.

And if you fall in love with it you’ll know you’re building the right van.

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Ready to Experience It for Yourself?

🚐 Unlimited Mileage
🛡️ Fully Comprehensive Insurance Included
🔧 Free Breakdown Cover
🍳 Fully Stocked Kitchen
🌍 European Travel
❄️ Winter-Ready Comfort
✅ Fully Certified & Road Legal

👉 Book your Camper Camper Hire today

Experience it properly. Then build it with confidence.

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Thinking of Hiring a Campervan? Ask These Questions First

cosy campervan interior

Hiring a campervan should feel exciting, not stressful.

But too often people book a campervan based on a few nice photos, only to realise later there are hidden costs, missing essentials, or limitations they were never told about.

Before you book, here are the most important questions to ask when hiring a campervan and what a good hire setup should actually include.

Is There an Extra Charge for Mileage?

This is one of the biggest things that catches people out. Some campervan hire companies include a daily mileage allowance and then charge per mile once you go over it. That can add up very quickly on a road trip.

Our Recommendation:

  • You want unlimited mileage, so you can relax and enjoy the journey.
  • No need to constantly calculate how many miles you’ve done.

At Camper Camper Hire:

We Offer Unlimited Mileage. That’s for all UK and European trips. No caps, no surprise charges, just drive.

Is the Insurance Fully Comprehensive?

Insurance is not something you want to find out about after something goes wrong.

Always check:

  • Is fully comprehensive insurance included?

With Camper Camper Hire:

Fully comprehensive insurance is included in the price.

Is Breakdown Cover Included?

Even the best maintained vehicles can have issues. What matters is what happens if they do break down.

You should confirm whether:

  • Breakdown cover is included?
  • Will you be looked after quickly if something goes wrong?

With Camper Camper Hire:

Full 24-hour breakdown cover is included, giving peace of mind wherever your trip takes you.

Does the Campervan Come With Everything I Need to Cook?

A campervan can have a kitchen and still not be ready to use. Photos rarely show what is actually inside the cupboards.

Always Ask whether everything is included to be able to make a cup of tea or cook and eat a meal.

With Camper Camper Hire:

Each campervan comes with a fully stocked kitchen, so you can cook proper meals wherever you stop — whether it’s a quick breakfast, a picnic lunch, or a relaxed evening meal. Just bring the food.

Doris Campervan. Interior image of kitchen and bed
Can I Take the Campervan to Europe?

If you are planning to head across the Channel, this needs to be confirmed before booking.

Always check:

  • Is European travel allowed?
  • Is the required safety kit supplied?

With Camper Camper Hire:

European travel is allowed for a small additional fee and includes a full European travel kit, such as light deflectors, UK stickers, breathalysers, spare bulbs, hi-vis vests and more. One less thing to think about.

Is the Campervan Suitable for Winter Use?
  • Not all campervans are built for colder months.
  • A summer-only campervan can be uncomfortable and impractical once temperatures drop.

Check that the campervan you are hiring is:

  • Fully insulated against the cold
  • Has a diesel heater
  • Frost protection on the water system

With Camper Camper Hire:

All vans are fully insulated, fitted with diesel heaters, and have frost protection on the water tanks, making them suitable for year-round adventures.

Does It Have All the Relevant Safety Documentation?

This is often overlooked but incredibly important. A professional hire company should have no issue confirming safety compliance.

You should expect:

  • A valid MOT
  • Gas safety certification (where applicable)
  • Electrical safety checks
  • Fire extinguisher and carbon monoxide alarm

With Camper Camper Hire:

We have all relevant and up to date safety documentation.

One Final Thought

Hiring a campervan should be about freedom, not fine print. Asking these questions before you book can save you money, stress, and disappointment once your trip has already started.

A good hire company will happily answer all of them clearly. If they don’t, you probably want to hire a campervan elsewhere.

At Camper Camper Hire You Get

🚐 Unlimited Mileage
🛡️ Free Fully Comp Insurance
🔧 Free Breakdown Cover
🍳 Fully Stocked Kitchen
🌍 European Travel
❄️🔥 Winter-Cosy Ready
✅ Fully Certified for the Road

Book Your Next Adventure Now

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Have your own campervan escape.

Get An Extra 10% Off

Get an Extra 10% off Campervan Hire on trips taken between Now and the end of April 2026.

What’s Included:
🚐 Fully equipped van with heating, cooking facilities & comfy sleeping
🛻 Free Insurance and Breakdown Cover
🎉 Festival Friendly
🐕 Pet Friendly
🏕️ Unlimited UK and Europen miles.
 
Go to Camper Camper Hire to book your adventure now
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Camper Camper Hire Launches to Redefine Adventure Travel in the UK

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For those yearning to explore the UK’s stunning landscapes with the freedom and comfort of a home on wheels, the wait is over. Camper Camper Hire is excited to announce its official launch, offering fully equipped, stylish, and affordable campervans for hire across the UK.

Available now at www.campercamperhire.co.uk, Camper Camper Hire is all about making travel simple, memorable, and stress-free. Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway, a coastal road trip, or a festival experience, Camper Camper Hire provides top-quality vans that combine practicality with personality.

What Sets Camper Camper Hire Apart?

  • Fully Equipped Vans: All vans come complete with comfortable beds, cooking facilities, and off-grid capabilities — ready for any adventure.
  • European Travel: You’re not limited to the UK — Camper Camper Hire vans are ready for European adventures too. Whether it’s the Alps, the Amalfi Coast, or the beaches of Brittany, the road is yours to explore.
  • 24-Hour Roadside Assistance: Travel stress-free knowing comprehensive 24-hour roadside assistance is included with every hire. Help is always just a call away, wherever your journey takes you. 
  • Simple Booking Process: An easy-to-use website, transparent pricing, and flexible rental terms.
  • Pet-Friendly Options: Because adventures are better shared with four-legged friends.
  • Personal Touch: As a small, independent business, Camper Camper Hire prides itself on personal service and attention to detail.

“We believe that the best way to see the UK is at your own pace, with the freedom to go wherever the road leads,” said Tom Davies founder of Camper Camper Hire. “We’ve built Camper Camper Hire to make that dream accessible and enjoyable for everyone — whether you’re a seasoned camper or trying van life for the first time.”

With growing demand for unique, flexible holiday options, Camper Camper Hire aims to help people rediscover the joys of spontaneous adventure — and make memories that last a lifetime.

Book Your Adventure Today Explore available vans and start planning your next journey at www.campercamperhire.co.uk.

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