The North Coast 500 was one of the most phenomenal experiences I’ve had in the UK so far, and one trip that definitely should be on your bucket list. However, you will need to do some prep before you go!
This trip takes you to some of the most remote places in Scotland—there might not be big supermarkets, outdoor gear stores, or even shops in some of the towns/villages you visit! There’s a lot of things you should know before you go on the North Coast 500. Regardless of whether you’re camping or staying in accommodation, hiking or not, there are a lot of things I recommend packing for this trip. Having the right gear before you set off will help keep costs down on this trip. Here’s what you should pack for the North Coast 500!
EDIT: I took this trip in August-September 2020, and this post was written and ready to publish before my marriage ended. I have decided not to edit the original post.
What To Pack For The North Coast 500
Rain Jacket (waterproof)
You should never go on any trip to Scotland without a waterproof rain jacket. I have a thin rain jacket (Peter Storm)—it’s compact and foldable, and it dries out fast. The weather can change by the minute in these areas of Scotland, so do not forget a rain jacket!
Rain Pants (waterproof)
If you’re planning on doing any hiking, waterproof rain pants are also a must for a trip to Scotland. Even if you aren’t interested in hiking, you’ll be getting out of the car and walking to attractions, beaches, historic sites, etc. Having a pair of rain pants to throw on will really help keep you dry. I have a thin pair of rain pants by Peter Storm.
Layers!
The key to packing for a trip to Scotland, or the North Coast 500 itself, is to pack layers. T-shirts, light fleeces, jacket, rain jacket—you get the idea. If it’s warm, you can peel everything off. If it’s not, you’ll thank yourself for packing plenty of layers to keep yourself dry and warm.
Hiking Boots
While you should have (waterproof) hiking boots on any hike you do, I actually recommend having hiking boots for any trip on the North Coast 500. They are sturdy and will keep your feet dry. I absolutely love my Scarpa Mistral boots—they are the best hiking boots I’ve ever had, and worth every penny of investment. I also recommend bringing a pair of flip-flops, especially if you’re camping (for showers) or going to the incredible beaches and planning on wading or swimming.
Buy the Scarpa hiking boots on Amazon here.
Buff + Hat and Gloves
I love my buff and bring it (and wear it!) on most hikes in the UK. It’s small and light to pack, but very versatile—it’s great for keeping my hair in place when it’s windy. Regardless of the time of year you’re doing the North Coast 500, you should also bring a hat and gloves. Whether you’re camping or not, the temps will dip in the evening once the sun goes down. I used my hat and gloves at the end of August!
Buy on Amazon here: buff // hat // gloves.
Swimsuit/Towel
Maybe you’re braver than me… but if you think you’ll be braving the North Sea and going swimming at any of the amazing beaches along the North Coast 500, you’ll need a swimsuit and a towel!
Buy a travel towel on Amazon here.
Midge Spray
Do not visit Scotland in summer or attempt to do the North Coast 500 without midge spray. Midges are evil and so annoying. Midge spray will help you keep the nasty fuckers at bay—I recommend Smidge and have been using it on my Scotland trips for several years.
Midge Headnet
It might not be cute or fashionable, but having a midge headnet will ensure the midges can’t bite your face or get in your eyes/mouth/up your nose. I only used mine once, but I was glad I had it as a last resort on some hikes.
Atlas/Road Map
There isn’t going to be phone signal everywhere you go on the North Coast 500. I strongly recommend having an atlas or a road map for either Scotland, or the North Coast 500 itself. I had my UK atlas for this trip, and I also printed out a North Coast 500 map which I wrote notes for stops I wanted to make!
Portable Charger/Car Charger
Having a portable charger (or at least a car charger) is important regardless of whether or not you’re camping. If you’re using your phone for offline maps, or just taking a lot of pictures, you’ll want to make sure your devices are charged! I love this Anker portable charger, it is a beast and well worth the money. You can also get a cheap car charger to use while you’re in the car.
Buy the Anker portable charger on Amazon here.
Buy a car charger on Amazon here.
Headlamp
This is a must if you’re camping on the North Coast 500, but a headlamp also good to have just in case. It can get dark pretty early on the northern edges of Scotland in the winter months, and you’ll never know when you might need it. There also aren’t many streetlights or lights on the roads, so if you’re walking anywhere in the evening it’ll probably come in handy.
Water Bottle
I never travel anywhere without a refillable water bottle. First of all, it’s better for the environment than getting plastic water bottles all the time Second of all, it saves you money. You might not always be near a shop or somewhere to buy a drink due to the remoteness of the North Coast 500, so having a water bottle with you (that you can easily fill up) is a must.
Camera
Of course you don’t want to drive all this way and not take any pictures!! The North Coast 500 is a photographers dream as the dramatic scenery in Scotland wows just about everyone who sees it. I use a fairly basic point-and-shoot Canon camera (looking to invest and upgrade!), but either way I’d make sure you have a good camera or a good phone camera. Don’t forget chargers!
Miscellaneous Items
In this time of the coronavirus pandemic, there are a few additional items I recommend packing on your North Coast 500 trip. Bring your own mask (with a spare), and hand sanitizer. Although it rains a lot, the sun does shine sometimes in Scotland! Don’t forget sunglasses and sunscreen. And I always pack a small first-aid kit on all my travels!
All Necessary Camping Gear (Optional)
If you are camping on the North Coast 500, you’ll need quite a lot more gear. You can check out my outdoor gear guide for what I recommend you bring with you on any outdoor trip in the UK! Make sure you have a backpack, waterproof backpack cover, tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, stove and gas, cooking gear, water carrier, and trowel and toilet paper.
How I Packed For The North Coast 500
Essentially, I traveled the North Coast 500 with three different bags. Adam and I shared one large duffel bag that had all of our clothes in it. This lived in the trunk of the car and we never took it out, we only got out the clothes we needed the next day. I had my Osprey backpack for all of our wild camps. This had toiletries, clothes for the next day, my sleeping bag/sleeping pad, a headlamp, book, midge spray, toilet paper and trowel, extra plastic bag for garbage, etc. When I hiked out to some of our wild camping spots (like Sandwood Bay), I brought all this with me.
I also had a small backpack for our day hikes on the North Coast 500 (like Ben Hope). This had the gear we needed for the hike such as rain jacket and rain pants if we weren’t wearing them, hat, gloves, snacks, water, maps, etc. This system worked out really well for us as we were camping!
Whether you’re camping on the North Coast 500 or staying in accommodation, I hope this packing list helps you determine what you should pack! There are a lot of little things to think of and remember for a trip like the North Coast 500, so make sure you pack these things to have the best trip!
Have you done the North Coast 500? What were the most important things you packed?!
You might also like my posts:
What You Need To Know About The North Coast 500 In Scotland Before You Go
A 7-Day Itinerary For Scotland’s North Coast 500 Road Trip
How Much Does It Cost To Do The North Coast 500 In Scotland?
The Best Beaches On Scotland’s North Coast 500
Hiking Ben Hope: Scotland’s Most Northern Munro
Sandwood Bay: Hiking To Britain’s Most Beautiful Beach
What To See And Do In And Around Inverness
12 Tips For Planning Your Scottish Highlands Road Trip
My Outdoor Gear Guide For Hiking And Camping In The UK
All of my Scotland posts!
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