The North Coast 500, Scotland: a road trip like no other! Join us for some vanlife fun on the NC500

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Join us on a road trip around the North Coast 500 right at the top of the Scottish mainland. This trip was made the very day lockdown was eased in Scotland and we were encouraged to get out and travel. Heading out straight away on this first day of freedom meant the roads were quiet and even though the weather was a bit dodgy, we still had a fantastic time in the van.

I really hope you enjoy the video and that it maybe gives you a wee taste of what this epic road trip is like if your planning to go, or even if you'd just like to see it from the comfort (and dry!) of home :)

Any questions, please ask below - I try my best to respond to every one!

Hi, I’m Steve. I am a travel reviewer and post my trip reports here on YouTube. I pay for my own travel and produce my own videos. If you have any questions about my journeys or travel advice in general, please drop me a comment - I do my best to respond to every single one. I’d also love to hear any recommendations you may have for future content, or why not challenge me to try something a little out of the ordinary! If you are looking to collaborate on any type of project, I’d love to hear from you - email me your ideas and hopefully we can work together in the future.

Music courtesy of Epidemic Sound, thanks as always!

#SteveMarsh

[BillyBones]

Summer is my favourite day of the year in Scotland. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[jackwatsonepic]

Steve " you never cease to amaze, what a brilliant vlog this is

[ublart]

this is the best NC500 trip I've seen. Loved the rain, the deer and sheep, forgotten matches, dropped camera, all so human and real, fabulous scenery. Good interesting commentary, lovely music. thank you.

[craigdavidson]

I am from just outside loch rannoch, now live a lifetime away. I miss Scotland with every heart beat, these roads are the very same ones I took with grandad yo see cousins and friends.
I am saddened to see many scots never leave their homes and take a trip into the backlands.
Thank you for the journey.
"From the lone shieling of the misty island
Mountains divide us, and the waste of seas-
Yet still the blood is strong, the heart is Highland,
And we in dreams behold the Hebrides"

[mtssman]

Watching your video brings back so many fond memories. I did a solo motorcycle tour back in 2013 in Scotland, came all the way up from Exeter. A few years later I learned my route plan was then promoted as NC500, guess I was a bit ahead the trend. Since then I did another 3 Scotland tours. One focused on the entire outer Hebrides, one all over Skye and west highlands, and the last one around Cairngorms NP. Scotland is such an amazing and impressive place, and I will never forget how friendly and welcoming local folks are. I visited a little hidden gem called Whaligoe Steps. After I return to my motorcycle a local gentleman insisted inviting me in to have some tea, and showed me his family photo album because his great uncle was the last fisherman who witnessed the final days of the tiny fishing port. I wish you good fortune, safe travelling, and above all, endless beautiful encounters.

[kevinmcdonald]

Hi Steve its people like you that make Scotland, PROUD 👏👏

[jenniferlevine]

I don't think there can be more beautiful countryside anywhere! Thanks for taking us with you on this journey.

[marcy]

Thank so much for this, I'm a Scot living in NZ and was supposed to be back home in May but cancelled cos of Covid. I went up Stac Pollaidh when I was was there in 2018 (not right to the top unfortunately!) and seeing it again was great. Lots of the scenery in Scotland is so much like the South Island of NZ, those lovely beaches you visited are reminiscent of the Otago Peninsula. But there's no place like Scotland and hopefully we'll all be able to travel overseas sometime soon. Best wishes from NZ.

[muchasgracias]

This had everything- stunning scenery, epic weather, beautiful wildlife, treacherous roads, and....a race against a train! Thanks Steve 👍

[BibTheBoulderTheOriginalOne]

Love the NC500. I have now done it 9 times, most enjoyably by motorbike. Intending to do it in 2021, pox you enjoyed this video I can highly recommend 'The Arctic Circle" by 'The Missenden Flyer'. Awesome.

[lauraautry]

Absolutely beautiful country and I found many places to build my cottage ❤️. I love how you brought your cooking gear to Sandwood beach and no matches 😂. The sheep who stopped by on your way out from Sandwood beach to say hello or bye was precious. Yes the small view of the castle was beautiful as well as the whole trip. Thank you 🤗

[jackyyuen]

I never think of such a spectacular route of NC500. This is one of the things you must do before you die. I wish I could visit Scotland again in the near future. Thank you very much, Steve.

[craiga]

The Stag is called Callum, the locals look after him as he is very friendly and old! Or so I was told when I done the NC500

[kristiancdf]

Best thing to come out of Covid, a tourist free drive round the NC500. :) looking forward to coming back up in October, Outer Hebrides for us for two weeks then over to see the family in Inverness via Applecross. Great vid. 👍🏻

[bmos]

Thank you so much for this video. I'm a Scot who lives in America and I can't tell you how great it was to see some of my favorite places in your video. I'm not able to travel to Scotland at the moment because of the restrictions so it was wonderful to see your trip. I loved your excursion to Sandwood Bay - can't wait to go there again! I'd trade all this desert heat for some Scottish rain in a heartbeat. Oh and that is a nice set up in your van! Thanks again!

[ΓιώργοςΓλήνης]

Amazing places.
Sometime in the future i will visit Scotland.
Greetings from Greece 🇬🇷

[munnjean]

I keep coming back to this video, ,, absolutely love it, , so well made, great atmosphere, ,

[Livie]

I can’t wait. Just confirmed yesterday that my wife n I are doing this in 6 weeks

[annescarlett]

Would love to do this trip one day. I’m from Scotland but live in England now. I do miss Scotland so much and your video reminded me why. Amazing scenery and people.

[spudmurphy]

What a fantastic film - well-worthy of mainstream TV. Great camera-work and editing, excellent commentary, appropriate humour here and there, just the right length - brilliant!