The direction makes little difference and we’ve driven it from both directions with no difference in our trip experience. For those who are travelling in an electric vehicle, you will find a full list of publicly available charging points here. Hope you have a great trip around the NC500, and you can certainly still see a lot if you have 5 days but you do need to be a bit more selective.

I was not sure what you meant by “rent a car with a roof top” but thinking you maybe meant to rent a convertible car with a removable roof (or maybe you just meant you wanted to rent a luggage rack?I’d also consider going to spots just off the route, such as Nairn and the Black Isle, spots along the minor roads of the interior like Lairg, a visit to the Summer Isles, and harder to reach spots that require some hiking such as Sandwood Bay or one of the munros. If you see a vehicle coming towards you, or the driver behind you wants to pass, pull into a passing place on your left, or wait opposite a passing place on your right until the car goes past you. In terms of making reservations, very few attractions take reservations or pre-sell tickets, but I’d strongly recommend booking your lodging in advance and also any special dinners.

Your guide is very informative and we will be following and using lots of your tips and recommendations. Of course, if you drive the route between November and March, you’ll find few visitors along the entire route except for during holidays and special events.The first is that if you are not used to single track roads, driving the route counterclockwise helps ease you into them better than driving it clockwise. The hike up to ruined Castle Varrich or Caisteal Bharraich (hike starts near the Ben Loyal hotel) is a great short hike for anyone looking for something to do outside for a couple of hours in Tongue.