The best time of year to drive the NC500

The Best Time of Year to Drive the NC500

There is no single best time to drive the NC500. Every season has a case for itself. Late May to early July is the window most seasoned visitors aim for, because of long daylight and generally settled weather. September is an under-rated alternative with autumn light and quieter roads. Winter offers empty landscapes, the possibility of aurora, and a set of logistical problems you need to respect.

This guide walks through the year month by month, so you can choose based on what you actually want: weather, light, crowds, midges, wildlife or the aurora. Use it alongside our how long does the NC500 take guide and the full North Coast 500 when planning.

The short answer

·        Best for long daylight: late May to mid-July.

·        Best for weather: May, June and September.

·        Best for quiet roads: April, October, early November.

·        Best for autumn colour: late September to mid-October.

·        Best for aurora: mid-September to late March.

·        Avoid if possible: peak July and August, when accommodation is hardest to find and midges are fully active.

Month by month

January and February

Peak winter. Most accommodation on the route either closes or cuts back. Bealach na Bà can close at short notice because of snow or ice. Daylight is limited to roughly 9am to 4pm. Everything feels harder. The reward: completely empty roads, dramatic winter light, and one of the best aurora windows in the UK on clear nights.

We would recommend this only for experienced winter drivers who are comfortable with snow chains, who do their own mechanical checks, and who accept that plans may change at short notice.

March

A transitional month. Weather is variable, often cold and wet, sometimes beautifully clear. Lambing starts in the Highlands, which means sheep on the road. Most campsites and smaller B&Bs are still closed. Hotels in the larger towns (Inverness, Ullapool, Thurso, Dornoch) are open year-round.

April

April is excellent. Most accommodation re-opens around Easter. Roads are quiet. The light is sharp. Wildflowers start appearing in the verges from mid-month. Midges are not out yet. The trade-off is weather: April in Scotland is genuinely four seasons in a day, and wind off the Atlantic can be serious.

May

Arguably the best month for the NC500. Daylight is long. Weather is as settled as Scotland ever gets. Midges are stirring but not yet in numbers. Accommodation is busy but not yet full. New leaves and growth are everywhere. Seabird colonies at Duncansby Head and Handa Island are in full swing.

If you can only drive the NC500 once and you have a choice of month, choose May.

June

The solstice month. Daylight runs from about 4am to 11pm in the far north. The so-called 'simmer dim' means it never gets truly dark. Weather is usually reasonable, though storms are possible. Midges arrive properly by mid-June. Crowds build, but the route is long enough to absorb them if you plan accommodation carefully.

July

Peak season. Accommodation is fully booked months ahead. Midges are out in full force if you are camping or walking, particularly in still weather and near water. Weather is at its warmest, though 'warm' in the Highlands means 17 to 20 degrees, not Mediterranean heat. The roads are busy and can feel crowded.

We would avoid the last two weeks of July if you can. If you must drive in July, book everything well in advance and consider anti-clockwise to avoid some of the tour-bus traffic.

August

Similar to July. Slightly less daylight, slightly cooler. Heather blooms in the hills from mid-August, which turns the landscape purple and is one of the finest sights of the Scottish year. The Applecross Sportive cycling event runs in early September, so book accordingly if you are staying in Applecross or on the Bealach around then.

September

The other candidate for best month. The first two weeks of September hold most of the summer's advantages (long daylight, settled weather, green landscapes) with far fewer crowds. Midges thin out as temperatures drop. Autumn colour starts in the trees from mid-month. Roads feel empty after the August crush.

If you have to book late, September is the single best option.

October

Autumn proper. Colour is at its peak in the first half. Weather becomes less reliable. Midges have gone. Accommodation starts closing for the season from mid-month, particularly smaller B&Bs and campsites. The light is golden and low, which photographers love.

November and December

Winter sets in. Many places close until Easter. Hotels in the bigger towns stay open. Daylight shortens rapidly. Weather becomes serious. The aurora season is at its strongest in December. Christmas markets in Inverness and Dornoch have their own charm.

Similar notes to January and February: drive only if you are experienced in winter conditions and flexible about plans.

Midges: an honest assessment

Highland midges are a fact of life on the west and north coasts from mid-June to mid-September, peaking in July and August. They are small, they bite, and in still weather near water they can be genuinely unpleasant. They do not bite when it is windy, when it is cold, when it is raining hard, or in the middle of the day with direct sunlight.

Practical midge notes: carry Smidge or Avon Skin So Soft (both work), eat dinner indoors if you are camping, close windows on vehicles at dusk, and don't worry about them in May, early June, late September, October or in the winter months.

Aurora on the NC500

The NC500 sits at around 58 to 59 degrees north. The aurora is a realistic possibility from mid-September to late March on clear, dark nights. You need low light pollution (plenty of that here), clear skies, and solar activity. My aurora forecast app is very good.

Good aurora spots on the route: Dunnet Head, Strathy Point, Sango Sands at Durness, and Gruinard Bay. Thurso and John o' Groats often have clearer skies than the west coast in winter.

What to book first

Regardless of when you travel, some parts of the route book out earlier than others:

·        Applecross Inn: books up six to nine months ahead for May to September.

·        Torridon and Gairloch hotels: book four to six months ahead for summer.

·        Ullapool: slightly more flexible, but still book three months ahead for peak.

·        Durness and north coast: fewer options, so book early.

·        East coast (Dornoch, Brora, Golspie): generally easier last-minute, though slightly less accommodations.

See our NC500 accommodation guide, and our campsites along the NC500 guide if you are camping.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best time of year to drive the NC500?

May and September are the strongest candidates. Both offer reasonable weather, long daylight and quieter roads. July and August are warmest but busiest.

When are midges worst on the NC500?

Mid-June to mid-September, peaking in July and August. They are especially bad in still conditions near water or forest. Repellent, wind and rain all help.

Can you drive the NC500 in winter?

Yes, if you are comfortable with winter driving and flexible about plans. Many smaller places close for the season. Bealach na Bà can close at short notice. The reward is empty roads and aurora possibilities.

When is the weather best on the NC500?

May, June and September statistically see the most settled weather. That said, Highland weather is famously variable. Plan for rain in any month and be pleasantly surprised when it doesn't.

When is the NC500 least busy?

April and October for shoulder season, when the route has reopened for the year but before the main crowds arrive. Mid-September is the sweet spot for good weather with fewer people.