North Coast 500

Albrecht

We are planning a holiday along the North Coast 500 in Scotland next year, but are appalled by the lack of information on the NC500 website and the number of weblinks that no longer work.Accommodation which turns out to be up for sale and other web sites with no useful informatio

We will be travelling with a dog which seems to further complicate matters.

Sites of interest do not specify whether or not they are dog friendly.

It's no point travelling with a dog if when you get there they are not allowed in. You can't leave dogs in cars any more.

Has anyone else had a similar experience? 

Do you have any recommendations which can help us in our quest?

Many thanks.

JGB1955

We drove the NC500 about 5 years ago, with our English Springer Spaniel. We did it over 16 days, including a week in Orkney. Booked B&Bs and 3 night self catering accommodation in Kinlochbervie and Strathcarron. Don't remember the dog being g a particular problem....he certainly enjoyed the trip to Cape Wrath! He had to stay in the car on the Orkney ferry, but is happiest in his 'safe place' anyway.

comeandgo

I think you will get more information if you ask this on trip advisor.  

daveyjp

I assume you are looking for bed and breakfast stops?  If so there are plenty of other resources, Visit Scotland website is a good starting point.

My top tip is don't see the NC500 as a 'challenge' which has to be finished.  Take it slowly and if you only do a quarter of it so what?  I'd need a month to do it justice, otherwise its just ticking off a bucket list experience.

Also avoid the main holiday season as you will end up following dozens of camper vans and motorhomes all doing the trip.  My ideal time would be about now.  Weather still decent, still plenty of daylight and not too busy.

Upsidedownandaround

Look at the map and decide the areas your are likely going to stop overnight. Do a search on booking.com, google, Visitscotland.com for accomodation in the area. The information on booking.com or the accomodation's website should say if they are dog friendly or at the very least give contact details to find out.

Regarding sites of interest have you tried to contact them to ask them?

Given the popularity of the NC500 this year I doubt it's a priority to have people contacting all the accomodation providers in the area to get up to date information from them about what form they exist in after Covid.

It's not surprising the NC500 website is out of date given what has been happening to the tourism industry in the last 18 months.

Being a bit more realistic given what has happened in the last 18 months may assist you in your quest.

sheramber

I lived 4 miles off the NC500. The are is generally dog friendly but irresponsible dog owners can change this.
 Many pubs allow dogs on lead in.

Visitor attractions usually allow dogs on lead  outside but not indoors.

Be aware there are free roaming sheep and cattle everywhere, especially on the moors. This is a working croft area.  So dogs have to be mostly on lead , apart from on the many beaches which are often deserted. We regularly had the beach to ourselves. 

 .Midges can be a problem from May to September, depending on the weather and be prepared for your dog to acquire ticks. Pack a tick remover. 

Your are more likely to find dogs allowed in hotels rather than B&Bs.

pogofish

Also be aware that many Scottish B&B owners took themselves out of the Visit Scotland booking system a couple of years back when they did some deal with a private company to take it over, closed the local offices and sacked their staff. 

Many moved to Airbnb or Booking .com instead.

And what Sherambler says is quite right - Most sites/places are pretty good about dogs but all too many people think the NC500 is some kind of playground where all can run free, never mind all that livestock on the hills and moors and that loch/burn they dump their waste-in might be somewhere's water supply and show no consideration to the local residents in a lot of other ways.  Showing some consideration goes a long way up there!