Durness Campervan VisitScotland Airborne Lens
Know before you go – travelling by caravan and motorhome in the North Highlands
Caithness and Sutherland welcomes thousands of visitors each year travelling by caravan and motorhome – it’s a great way to get up close to our rich landscapes while leaving nothing but footprints. You will find plenty of amenities across North Highland to keep you warm, dry and safe. To ensure you enjoy the best possible visit, here are our top tips for caravanning holidays on the north coast:
Plan ahead
Campsites can be busy, especially in peak season. Research your route before you set off, and book in advance wherever possible.
Understand access rights
The Scottish Outdoor Access Code provides access for walking, cycling and wildlife spotting, but this does not extend to motorised vehicles. Always check permissions before driving or parking in the countryside. Wild camping regulations do not apply to motorised vehicles.
Drive courteously
The North Highlands has beautiful, scenic roads, many of which are single track. Remember to drive on the left, pull over in passing places and allow overtaking. Do not park on verges, private property or anywhere that could cause an obstruction.
Support local
Tourism supports the Highland economy and allows us to reinvest in better facilities. On your visit, do take advantage of our excellent local shops, cafes, bars and restaurants. Take time out to explore and ‘live like a local.’ Check out our Things To Do pages for inspiration.
Leave nothing but footprints
The North Highlands offers designated campsites, public conveniences and waste disposal to support responsible visitor behaviour. See our FAQs for guidance and useful links.
Advice for Happy Campers
Camping in tents is a great way to get close to nature without breaking the bank. For your safety and convenience, we recommend planning ahead to find suitable overnight camping spots – ideally designated campsites. ‘Wild camping’ involves camping for a few nights outside of a campsite, in a tent (not a motorised vehicle). The North Highlands welcomes wild campers but asks visitors to be sensitive to local landscapes and communities:
Do – plan your route to stay safe and travel responsibly
Do – shop local
Do – pack warm clothes and essentials e.g. midge repellent!
Do – get to know the outdoor access code
Don’t – light open fires
Don’t – drop litter or leave waste
Don’t – disrupt livestock or privacy
Loch Assynt – VisitScotland / Airborne Lens
Ceannabeine Beach Durness
Get ready for an adventure in the North Highlands that takes you off the NC500 beaten track, with activities that combine adrenaline and authentic outdoor experiences amid some of the UK’s most stunning natural scenery. Discover hidden trails and remote lochs by cycling, hiking, or paddle boarding, or enjoy the quiet challenge of fly fishing in pristine rivers. Join local guides for hands-on activities and learn new skills such as axe throwing, clay pigeon shooting, or mountain biking.
Follow our four-day itinerary designed to help you discover the very best adventure activities on the NC500. Reconnect with family and friends, and at the end of each day, you’ll be ready to do it all again tomorrow.
Wild camping means camping in a tent for a short number of nights in one place. Overnight stays by caravan or motorhome are not considered wild camping – this also applies to rooftop tents. Visitors travelling by caravan or motorhome should park in designated campsites or overnight carparks. Laybys can be used only where safe, unoccupied and within the confines of the vehicle – please do not place awnings, chairs or other equipment on the roadside.
The Scottish Outdoor Access Code provides reasonable access to outdoor spaces for walkers and cyclists, but does not extend to motorised vehicles. Offroad access to private property by caravan or motorhome can only take place with the landowner’s permission. Please respect others’ privacy at all times.
Wherever possible, drivers should park in designated campsites and overnight car parking bays, for the safest and most convenient visitor experience. If parking in a designated carpark, please comply with the advertised restrictions including payment of any parking charges. Do not park on roadside verges, private property (without consent) or in a manner that blocks entrances and exits. More info on overnight parking can be found on the Highway Code website.
Many Highland roads are winding and single-track, so drivers should exercise caution, especially if they are unfamiliar with the area. Remember to drive on the left, and also keep to the left on single track roads, pulling into designated passing places if you meet oncoming traffic. Campervans and motorhomes often drive more slowly than other vehicles, so check mirrors regularly and allow for overtaking to prevent frustration. In winter weather, always drive to the conditions, not to the maximum speed limit. More advice can be found at https://roadsafety.scot/road-user-advice/
Public toilets and washing facilities are available in many areas of North Highland, and at designated campsites. Members of the Highland Campervan and Motorhome Scheme can also shower and change at High Life Highland facilities across the region.
Please dispose of caravan and motorhome waste at one of our many publicly-available waste disposal facilities – a list of which can be found at www.campa.co.uk/waste-disposal Do not use public toilets to dispose of ‘black waste’ – the rural sewage system cannot cope with multiple toilet cassettes and this can cause toilets to become blocked and inaccessible.
Litter bins are available in the vast majority of public spaces, campsites and carparks across the North Highlands. If a bin is full, store the litter until you have the opportunity to dispose of it responsibly. The Highlands also has high levels of recycling, with more than 200 recycling centres available. Find your nearest on the Highland Council directory. https://www.highland.gov.uk/directory/12/recycling_sites/category/483
