Best Time to Do the NC500: A Month-by-Month Guide

The best time to do the NC500 is from May to September. May and June give you the longest days and the most sunshine, July and August are the warmest months, and September brings mild weather with fewer midges.

This month-by-month guide covers the weather on the NC500, daylight hours, midges and what is open, so you can pick the right time for your North Coast 500 road trip.

Best Time to Do the NC500 at a Glance

• Best overall: May, June and September

• Warmest: July and August, with average highs of about 16°C at Wick

• Sunniest: May, with around 191 hours of sunshine at Wick

• Longest days: June, with around 18 hours of daylight

• Fewest midges: before late May and from mid to late September

• Wettest: October and November on the north coast

What Is the Best Month to Do the NC500?

For most people, May or June is the best month to do the NC500. You get long, light evenings, the sunniest weather of the year and the full route open, with campsites, cafés and attractions back to their summer hours.

If you would rather avoid midges, go in May or September. If you want the warmest weather and the best chance of a swim at the beaches, choose July or August and book ahead.

NC500 Weather Month by Month

The figures below are Met Office long-term averages (1991 to 2020) for Wick, on the east coast of Caithness. The west coast is usually a little milder and wetter.

January

Average January weather at Wick: highs of 6.4°C, lows of 1.6°C and 72 mm of rain. The darkest month of the year, with around 6 to 7 hours of daylight. Snow and ice can close high roads such as the Bealach na Bà for a time, so plan a flexible route.

February

Average February weather at Wick: highs of 6.7°C, lows of 1.4°C and 63 mm of rain. Still short days and cold nights, with the driest weather of the winter months. A good time for clear, frosty days and a chance of the northern lights on dark nights along the north coast.

March

Average March weather at Wick: highs of 8.1°C, lows of 2.3°C and 57 mm of rain. Days lengthen quickly and the clocks go forward at the end of the month. Many seasonal campsites and cafés reopen around Easter, so check before you go.

April

Average April weather at Wick: highs of 10°C, lows of 3.9°C and 47 mm of rain. One of the driest months on the north coast. Lambs in the fields, longer evenings and fresh light make April a lovely time for walking and photography.

May

Average May weather at Wick: highs of 12°C, lows of 5.5°C and 50 mm of rain. The sunniest month of the year, with Wick averaging about 191 hours of sunshine. Long evenings and dry weather make May one of the best months for the whole route. Midges usually start to appear towards the end of the month.

June

Average June weather at Wick: highs of 14.3°C, lows of 8.2°C and 55 mm of rain. The longest days of the year, with around 18 hours of daylight in Inverness and even more on the north coast. Perfect for long driving days, late sunsets and evening walks.

July

Average July weather at Wick: highs of 16.2°C, lows of 10.1°C and 62 mm of rain. The warmest stretch of the year, with highs in the mid-teens. Scottish school holidays run through July, so book campsites and accommodation well ahead. Midges are at their peak.

August

Average August weather at Wick: highs of 16.3°C, lows of 10.4°C and 70 mm of rain. As warm as July, with a little more rain. Heather turns the hills purple from mid to late summer. Scottish schools go back in mid-August, which makes late August easier for last-minute bookings.

September

Average September weather at Wick: highs of 14.7°C, lows of 8.9°C and 66 mm of rain. Mild days, calmer evenings and fewer midges as the month goes on. Autumn colours start to show and many campsites stay open until the end of the month.

October

Average October weather at Wick: highs of 11.8°C, lows of 6.5°C and 93 mm of rain. Wetter and windier, with the clocks going back on the last Sunday of the month. Some seasonal businesses close for winter, so book ahead and check opening times.

November

Average November weather at Wick: highs of 8.9°C, lows of 3.9°C and 88 mm of rain. Short, wet days and quiet roads. Pack for wind and rain and plan shorter driving days around the daylight.

December

Average December weather at Wick: highs of 6.8°C, lows of 1.7°C and 70 mm of rain. The fewest daylight hours, around 6 hours on the north coast at the winter solstice. Cosy pubs, winter light and a slower pace if you are well prepared.

NC500 Weather in September

September is one of the best months for the NC500. Average highs at Wick are about 15°C with lows of around 9°C, and rainfall is about 66 mm for the month, similar to August.

Midges are fading by mid-September, the light is soft and golden, and the days are still long enough for a full day on the road. Pack layers and a good waterproof, as the weather can change quickly on the west coast.

Accommodation is easier to book from late August, once the Scottish school holidays end, so September suits travellers who like a little flexibility in their plans.

The NC500 in October

October is a good month for autumn colour and dramatic skies, with average highs of about 12°C at Wick. It is wetter than the summer months, with around 93 mm of rain, and the clocks go back on the last Sunday of the month.

Some seasonal campsites and cafés close for the winter during October, so check opening times and book accommodation before you set off. Plan shorter driving days so you are not on single track roads in the dark.

Can You Do the NC500 in Winter?

Yes. The NC500 is open all year, and winter brings quiet roads, snowy mountains and the chance of the northern lights. Days are short, with only 6 to 7 hours of daylight in December, and snow or ice can affect higher roads. Read our guide to the NC500 in winter before you go.

Midge Season on the NC500

The Highland midge is the one thing that can spoil a summer evening. Midges are usually out from late May to early September, and they are at their worst in July and August, especially on still, damp evenings.

Pack midge repellent and a head net if you are travelling in summer, and choose breezy spots by the coast for camping. Travelling in May or late September is the easiest way to avoid them.

Daylight Hours on the NC500

Daylight changes a lot through the year this far north. Around the June solstice, Inverness gets about 18 hours of daylight and Thurso about 18 hours 20 minutes. At the December solstice, that drops to around 6 hours 35 minutes in Inverness and 6 hours 20 minutes in Thurso.

Plan your driving days around the light, especially from October to March, as many of the best stretches of the route are single track roads.

Plan Your NC500 Road Trip

Once you have picked your dates, our 7-day North Coast 500 itinerary maps out the route day by day, and our NC500 packing guide covers what to bring for every season.

Travelling by tent? See our 10 best places to wild camp on the NC500. Touring in a motorhome? Read about the Highland Campervan and Motorhome Scheme, which gives overnight parking at 12 car parks around the Highlands.

For every stop, viewpoint and campervan facility on the route, take our Destination NC500 guidebook with you.

Best Time to Do the NC500: FAQs

What is the best month to do the NC500?

May or June for long days and the most sunshine, or September for mild weather and fewer midges.

What is the weather like on the NC500 in September?

Mild and fairly settled. Average highs at Wick are about 15°C, lows are about 9°C and rainfall is around 66 mm for the month.

Is October a good time to do the NC500?

Yes, if you are prepared for wetter weather and shorter days. Expect highs of about 12°C, around 93 mm of rain and some seasonal businesses closing for winter.

Can you drive the NC500 in winter?

Yes. The route is open all year, but daylight is short and snow or ice can affect higher roads such as the Bealach na Bà, so plan a flexible route.

When is midge season on the NC500?

Usually from late May to early September, with the worst of it in July and August.