10-Day West Coast Scotland Motorhome Tour Pt1
This route is a suggestion and is not cast in stone. It works in either direction and is, in part, a section of the famous NC500.
Make your road trip around Scotland your own and stop where ever takes you fancy (just not in a passing places😊), take you time and enjoy the stunning scenery and local fare👍
Tarbet, Loch Lomond → Durness
Best overall period: May–June or September
Motorhome: 8 m
Style: Scenic rather than rushed, with two nights on Skye and two nights in Durness.
Day 1 — Tarbet → Loch Lomond → Glencoe
Approx. 70 miles | 2–2½ hours driving
Route
Tarbet → Crianlarich → Tyndrum → Bridge of Orchy → Rannoch Moor → Glencoe
This is a superb opening day because the scenery gets progressively more dramatic.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/id7HVptLyQBWNmfa7
Stops
Loch Lomond
Start slowly and enjoy the northern end of the loch.
Falls of Falloch
A worthwhile short stop just north of Crianlarich.
Tyndrum
Good place to stock up before heading into the more remote country.
Bridge of Orchy
Excellent viewpoint.
Rannoch Moor
Don't rush this section. There are numerous viewpoints and lay-bys where you can stop safely.
Buachaille Etive Mòr
One of Scotland's most recognisable mountains and an essential photograph.
Glencoe
Spend the late afternoon exploring the village and valley.
Overnight
My first choice:
Invercoe Caravan & Motorhome Park
An alternative is:
Glencoe Camping and Caravanning Club Site
I'd choose Invercoe for the scenery and location.
Day 2 — Glencoe → Fort William → Glenfinnan
Approx. 55 miles | 1½–2 hours driving
Don't rush away from Glencoe.
Morning
Drive through the valley and stop at:
- Three Sisters
- Glencoe Lochan
- Ballachulish
- Loch Leven
Then continue to Fort William.
Fort William
Allow a couple of hours.
Things to see:
- Neptunes Staircase
- Fort William High Street
- Loch Linnhe
- Ben Nevis views
Then drive west towards Glenfinnan.
Glenfinnan
This is a major highlight.
Visit:
- Glenfinnan Viaduct
- Glenfinnan Monument
- Loch Shiel
- Glenfinnan railway station
Glenfinnan Viaduct is the famous railway bridge seen in the Harry Potter films.
The viaduct and monument are particularly atmospheric late in the afternoon.
Overnight
I'd stay at:
Glen Nevis Caravan & Camping Park
It's a little back towards Fort William, but gives you excellent facilities and a beautiful setting.
Day 3 — Glen Nevis → Glenfinnan → Mallaig → Skye
Approx. 100 miles | Allow 4–5 hours with stops
This is one of the best driving days of the whole trip.
Route
Fort William → Glenfinnan → Arisaig → Morar → Mallaig → Kyle of Lochalsh → Skye
Don't simply drive straight through.
Arisaig
Stop around:
- Loch nan Uamh
- Arisaig harbour
- Silver Sands
- Camusdarach Beach
Camusdarach Campsite is actually a beautiful place to stop if you ever decide to extend the trip.
Mallaig
Have lunch around the harbour.
Then continue towards Kyle of Lochalsh.
Eilean Donan Castle
Allow at least an hour here.
Then cross the bridge onto Skye.
Overnight — Skye
I'd choose:
The location is fantastic, particularly with the Cuillin mountains surrounding you.
Two nights here.
Day 4 — Full Day on the Isle of Skye
Keep the motorhome parked for part of the day if possible.
Morning — Portree
Drive to Portree.
Spend an hour walking around the harbour.
Then head north.
Old Man of Storr
This is one of Skye's absolute essentials.
You can either:
- admire it from the viewpoints, or
- do the walk up towards the Old Man.
Kilt Rock & Mealt Falls
Short stop.
Quiraing
My number-one Skye recommendation.
The landscape is extraordinary.
You don't need to complete the entire walk to enjoy it.
Afternoon
Continue around the Trotternish Peninsula.
If you have time:
Fairy Glen near Uig.
Then return south.
Alternative Skye day
If the weather is poor, I'd switch the day around and visit:
- Dunvegan Castle
- Neist Point
- Fairy Pools
- Carbost
rather than committing yourself to exposed mountain walks.
Overnight
Second night:
Day 5 — Skye → Applecross → Torridon
Approx. 100 miles | Allow 4–5 hours
https://maps.app.goo.gl/TwQZSUhicJBdYRWc6
This is your big scenic driving day.
Route
Sligachan → Broadford → Kyleakin → Kyle of Lochalsh → Lochcarron → Applecross → Shieldaig → Torridon
And yes — I'm keeping Applecross/Bealach na Bà in the itinerary as requested.
Bealach na Bà
This is the section where your 8 m motorhome matters most.
I'm not removing it, but I'd make it weather-dependent.
If conditions are good, take it slowly, use the passing places correctly and expect some very tight sections.
If there's poor visibility, ice, snow or strong winds, postpone it rather than forcing the issue.
Applecross
Stop for lunch.
Then continue around the peninsula.
Shieldaig
A lovely little village and a good place for a break.
Then into:
Torridon
The mountains here are spectacular.
Overnight
Shieldaig, the ideal playground for the outdoor enthusiast! Whether you're here to drive the stunning roads of the North West Highlands, bag Munros on the world famous Torridon Mountains, explore the landscape on two wheels or via the sea - you'll find the perfect activity just for you right here in Wester Ross.
Day 6 — Torridon → Loch Maree → Ullapool
Approx. 75 miles | 2½–3 hours
https://maps.app.goo.gl/1VhmtVxX7rosahiQ7
A deliberately relaxed day.
Morning — Torridon
Take a walk around the area.
Good possibilities include:
- Torridon village
- Loch Torridon
- Beinn Eighe
- Glen Torridon
Then head north/east.
Loch Maree
One of the great Highland lochs.
Stop at viewpoints along the A832.
Corrieshalloch Gorge
Another worthwhile stop before Ullapool.
Ullapool
Arrive mid-afternoon.
Walk:
- Ullapool harbour
- waterfront
- village centre
There are shops here, so this is a good resupply point.
Overnight
For convenience:
Or, if you want scenery over convenience:
Ardmair Point Holiday park & Camping Park
I'd choose Ardmair Point.
Day 7 — Ullapool → Assynt → Clachtoll
Approx. 65–80 miles | Allow the whole day
https://maps.app.goo.gl/kbzYXzyupA7Yk4y28
This is probably my favourite day of the trip.
Ullapool → Knockan Crag
Stop at Knockan Crag.
It's an excellent introduction to the extraordinary geology of Assynt.
One warning for your motorhome: some informal overnight facilities in this region explicitly exclude vehicles over 6 m, so don't assume that a scenic car park is suitable for an 8 m vehicle.
Stac Pollaidh
Stop for photographs or take the walk if the weather is suitable.
Ardvreck Castle
Continue towards Loch Assynt.
The ruins beside the loch are fantastic for photographs.
Kylesku
Stop at:
Kylesku Bridge
Then continue towards Lochinver/Clachtoll.
Achmelvich Beach
Absolutely worth visiting.
White sand, turquoise water and dramatic surroundings.
Clachtoll
Finish the day here.
Overnight
I'd definitely book this one.
The campsite is very highly rated and the location beside Clachtoll Beach is superb.
Day 8 — Clachtoll → Kylesku → Loch Eriboll → Durness
Approx. 90 miles | Allow 5–6 hours with stops
https://maps.app.goo.gl/DXPHqA6Ko36vPjtQA
Today you're entering the really remote Highlands.
Morning
Clachtoll → Lochinver → Achiltibuie area/Assynt → Kylesku.
I'd revisit Kylesku Bridge if you didn't spend enough time there yesterday.
Then:
Loch Assynt
Stop for Ardvreck Castle if you missed it.
North towards Durness
Continue through some of the most remote scenery in Scotland.
Watch for:
- Stags
- Red deer
- Sheep
- Highland cattle
- Golden eagles
Loch Eriboll
One of the great views of the trip.
Take your time here.
Then continue towards:
Durness
You've reached the north-west corner.
Overnight
Two nights.
The position above the beach is superb.
Day 9 — Durness, Smoo Cave & Balnakeil
Very little driving
https://maps.app.goo.gl/zxNYuwbnCsKbqtXBA
Today the motorhome stays put.
Smoo Cave
Start here.
It's immediately outside Durness and is one of the area's major attractions.
Then:
Balnakeil Beach
This is one of the most beautiful beaches in Scotland.
Spend a few hours walking.
Then continue to:
Faraid Head
Dramatic cliffs, dunes and views towards Cape Wrath.
Cape Wrath
If the seasonal transport/excursion is operating during your visit, this is an excellent optional excursion.
Otherwise, don't worry—you'll have plenty to do around Durness.
Evening
Return to:
Have a relaxed final evening overlooking the coast.
Day 10 — Durness & the far north
I'd keep the final day flexible.
Option A — Walking
Sandwood Bay
One of Scotland's finest beaches.
It's a substantial walk, so allow most of the day.
Option B — Easy sightseeing
Do:
Durness → Balnakeil → Faraid Head → Ceannabeinne Beach → Loch Eriboll
This gives you a superb final day without a strenuous walk.
Option C — Cape Wrath
If the excursion is running and weather is good, make Cape Wrath the finale.
From here your route home is up to you, personally I would reverse the route because the views are completley different travelling south. You could also follow the A838 & A836 from Durness, along the northcoast to Thurso and from there the A9 south. I will cover this route starting from Dingwall near Inverness to Durness in another blog very soon.
Your complete itinerary
| Day | Journey | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tarbet → Crianlarich → Rannoch Moor → Glencoe | Invercoe |
| 2 | Glencoe → Fort William → Glenfinnan | Glen Nevis |
| 3 | Glenfinnan → Arisaig → Mallaig → Skye | Sligachan |
| 4 | Full Skye day | Sligachan |
| 5 | Skye → Applecross → Bealach na Bà → Torridon | Torridon |
| 6 | Torridon → Loch Maree → Corrieshalloch → Ullapool | Ardmair/Ullapool |
| 7 | Ullapool → Knockan Crag → Stac Pollaidh → Assynt → Clachtoll | Clachtoll |
| 8 | Clachtoll → Kylesku → Loch Eriboll → Durness | Sango Sands |
| 9 | Smoo Cave → Balnakeil → Faraid Head → Cape Wrath | Sango Sands |
| 10 | Durness → Sandwood Bay/Faraid Head/Loch Eriboll | Durness / journey ends |
🚐 A few important motorhome notes
This route is very do-able in an 8m motorhome Some roads are single track with passing places. Always remember to pull in and allowlocal traffic to pass. Do not park in passing places!
There are a few things I'd build into the trip:
Book the key campsites. Skye's tourism organisation specifically recommends advance booking.
Don't rely on random overnight parking. Highland Council currently lists designated overnight motorhome locations, including Durness Village and Ullapool Latheron Car Park, but private campsites are preferable when available.
Allow considerably longer than Google Maps suggests on single-track sections. Passing places are for passing, not parking, and the official NC500, of which this route is part of, guidance also advises taking care on single-track roads.
March/early April: I'd be particularly cautious about Bealach na Bà and high-level roads because winter conditions can persist. An alternative route is around to the north via Inverbain and Ardheslaig
July/August: book Sligachan, Clachtoll and Sango Sands well ahead.
September: potentially the sweet spot—fewer visitors, beautiful light and generally a more relaxed experience.
One thing I'd change from my earlier answer
I would not use Glen Nevis as the Day 2 overnight if your priority is being beside Glenfinnan early the next morning. There are good alternatives around Arisaig/Mallaig, such as Invercaimbe Caravan & Camping or Camusdarach Campsite, which would make Day 3 considerably more relaxed. The choice depends on whether you want mountains (Glen Nevis) or sea/beach (Arisaig).
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