No one would begrudge this spectacular stretch of sand taking the title. Scotland is a very hospitable place to visit. North Coast 500 Route Map. and never miss out again. Brilliant places to stay on the North Coast 500. I completely agree! Or you could simply park up and enjoy the beautiful views of Shieldaig Island from the shore of the loch. This NC500 tour includes two nights stay in an NC500 accommodation, easy level guided nature walks and the following North Coast 500 itinerary: Day 1: Inverness to Ullapool Leaving Inverness Bus Station at 8 am, the first-day route may include a stop at the National Nature Reserve , Corrieshalloch Gorge (weather permitting) with an easy walk to one of Scotland’s waterfalls. I recommend you do the same. The counties of South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, North Yorkshire and East Riding of Yorkshire all have their own delights to offer, including Leeds, York, Scarborough and Beverley. Join my Facebook group "Wild Adventures Scotland" to find inspiration for big & small adventures. PS: We used the OS North Scotland Road Map to find and navigate these detours! Ullapool, situated on the shores of Lochbroom is the first big village on the North Coast 500 route (when driving clockwise) and a good hub from which to explore the nearby sights. There is plenty to keep anyone entertained in and around Dornoch for a few days. We’ve put together this comprehensive North Coast 500 guide to help you plan the perfect North Coast 500 road trip in Scotland. Leaving the coast and driving inland to loop around to Ullapool felt a bit like a disappointment – where are the views? Home Blog North Coast 500 Highlights (The Best Places to Eat on the NC500 Route) Blog Scotland. The Most Spectacular Places To Visit On The North Coast 500 wanderlust.co.uk - Kav Dadfar | 05 January 2021. There are plenty of things to see in the city and in the surrounding area. At John O Groats you can visit the famous signpost point out Land’s End, New York, Edinburgh, Orkney and Shetland. I would like to know if this particular trip is wheelchair accessible or could modification be made . Their 5-day Highland Explorer tour from Edinburgh also takes in the southern part of the NC500. If you are lucky, you can even spot puffins here! Due to its fame, unfortunately this is not somewhere you will find solitude. If you are looking for stunning landscapes, fascinating history, endless horizons, ancient castles, golden beaches and crystal-clear water, all wrapped up in a 500-mile road trip, then the NC500 is for you. Soon you will get your first glimpse of Thirle Door and the Stacks of Duncansby. There is a visitor centre and you can either walk the field by yourself or participate in a guided tour. If you prefer to just enjoy the views, keep driving along Loch Maree until you reach Slattadale and make your way along the narrow road through the forest to the Loch Maree picnic site. The North Coast 500 is a 516-mile (830 km) scenic route around the north coast of Scotland, starting and ending at Inverness Castle. So I prepared myself for a quick and uneventful drive back to Inverness. The unmistakable shape of Suilven mountain seems to make an appearance wherever you look when you are in this part of the highlands. The circular route starts and finishes in Inverness, the unofficial Capital of the Highlands. You might also meet some of the resident scientists who spend all summer on the island to research different species of plants and birds. The volunteer guides will give you a little map, but the path is very easy to follow. Britain’s first National Nature Reserve, Beinn Eighe offers a host of trails to suit everyone. Home. Check my Disclaimer for more information. Before setting off on your North Coast 500 road trip, make sure you have a valid travel insurance policy. You can return the same way or take the slightly longer ¾ mile route back to the car park. Sitting beside the River Ness, and dominated by the towering Inverness Castle, there is plenty to keep you occupied for a day or two. View from the top of the pass (Kav Dadfar). A sign at the beginning of the road warns drivers of the notorious single-track road that climbs up to 626 metres (2,054 ft) above sea level and has several hairpin bends. As you make your way along the A835 west, be sure to stop at Rogie Falls. Cairns mark the trail from here and they can be a little hard to spot sometimes – keep your eyes peeled. 10 minutes, £15 per person) where they are greeted by a welcome committee of volunteer guides. Take a string of whitewashed cottages, place them next to a gorgeous loch with a backdrop of imposing mountains and you have Shieldaig. The first glimpse of the wild North Atlantic crashing onto the shores of this incredible 1.5-mile-long secluded pink sand beach comes as you pass Sandwood Loch. The shop is on the A836, on the most northerly section of the North Coast 500, the touring route launched in 2015 to promote less-visited parts of the northern Highlands. Travelling to Scotland? Experience it on our small guided tour from Inverness. Overlooking Moray Firth, it was once the home of the Earls and later Dukes of Sutherland – one of the most powerful families in Scotland. In fact if you park at the roadside without the owners permission, you are breaking the law, please amend. The town was only on my radar because we spent a night at Helmsdale Youth Hostel to break up the drive back. All hostels on the North Coast 500 have shared kitchen facilities making these the perfect place to stay if you are on a budget or need to prepare your own food for dietary requirements. The North Coast 500 is a 516-mile scenic route along Scotland's northern coast, offering drivers rugged landscapes, sandy benches, wildlife, museums, castles, whisky distilleries, and so much more! On the first day, we drove from Edinburgh to Inverness with a few stops along the way. You have to email, check for availability and then there is the thing with the weather – no one enjoys sea kayaking when it’s rainy or windy, so your trip might have to be cancelled. The Ultimate Roadtrip! Explore Sutherland. Some people we met on the road had suggested that the east of the North Coast 500 was not quite as scenic and exciting as the west. I also offer trip planning services to ensure that you have a great time here and an epic itinerary. Couples should note that not all hostels have private rooms available and some only have bunk or twin beds instead of double beds. Here are the ones I found useful on our trip: Make sure to pick up the official North Coast 500 tourist map along the route as well (for example at the VisitScotland Inverness iCentre, 36 High St). Gardens on the Scottish west coast are fascinating. There is an easy walk out a rocky headland across the road from the shop. Scotland's 'Route 66' is a roller-coaster road of ruined castles, pristine beaches, dramatic cliffs, and charming villages. However, keep in mind, that being the only car that goes against the stream can be annoying and tiring on single track roads. The Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve is the UK’s oldest and also one of its largest. For more information read our Affiliate page. It is possible to drive the NC500 anti-clockwise too. Let me help you plan an itinerary that is 100% YOU. The walk from the car park is easy along clear paths. There is also an excellent tourist information centre, a small supermarket and cash machines. There are many places to camp along the North Coast 500 route, but you should not just take up your temporary residence anywhere. TOP TIP From Ullapool you can catch the Calmac ferry to Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis to spend a few additional days exploring the Outer Hebrides. It then turns north towards Gairloch, Ullapool and the mountainous Assynt region. Helmsdale is one of them, a lovely small seaside town which is surrounded by gorse-covered hills and isolated beaches. Look closely enough and you will also be able to spot the top of Stac Pollaidh and An Teallach to the east. As you reach the huge sand dunes just before the beach, you know you have arrived somewhere extraordinary. Absolutely! A brief half-a-mile walk through the woods will bring you to a suspension bridge over the Black Water river with remarkable views of the falls. Route Overview The NC500 starts in the northern city of Inverness, weaves along the west coast to Applecross and then northwards towards the towns of Torridon and Ullapool. The walk to the falls from the car park is around 7km and is mostly flat with an easy terrain up to the fork in the path that leads down to the falls. Wildlife watching at Chanonry Point. Or book a private walking tour in Glasgow with me! Neither will you be able to explore independently or stop at multiple sites each day, as bus services might not be frequent enough. It is a combined sea and freshwater cave which means it has been formed from two sides at the same time. It's a spectacular coastal route on winding, often narrow, but very well maintained roads, populated by courteous drivers. However, in my opinion, I don’t see the point and would argue that if you only have 2-3 days, choose one area of the NC500 and explore that more in-depth. Explore the Route. Managed campsites or caravan parks should always be your first choice. As we had the luxury of travelling with a kitchen on board, you can expect to find a real mix of places. We only had a week and it felt rushed – there are so many places I missed and I wanna go back to all the places we saw – how is that even possible You’re lucky to live up that way! Top seafood experiences around the route! There are a few shops and restaurants – I recommend Stacks Bistro for vegan options – and several boat tours leaving from the little harbour. Speaking of paradise beaches – Handa Island should definitely be on any beach lover’s NC500 bucket list! Along the North Coast 500 there are many wonderful places to visit, have a bite to eat, or find something fun to do for the whole family. The castle looks like it has been plucked from Southern France with its towering spires and perfectly manicured gardens. I loved the selection at Ullapool Bookstore, including the children’s book The Guillemot Who Wouldn’t Jump which is written and illustrated by a local artist Jenny Rant. Even if the two could not be more different! Smaller villages usually have shops too, such as small Spar shops or village shops run by the local community. The Most Spectacular Places To Visit On The North Coast 500 wanderlust.co.uk - Kav Dadfar | 05 January 2021. Handa is a small uninhabited island near Scourie that is managed by the Scottish Wildlife Trust. How many days for the North Coast 500 road trip? There is No “Right Time” To Drive Scotland’s North Coast 500. North Coast 500 7-day Itinerary Arguably one of the best road trips in the world! The far north-west of Scotland is very sparsely populated and the small and winding country roads connect one natural spectacle with the next. The North Coast 500 is mostly a coastal route and therefore there are numerous breathtaking beaches. 5 Day North Coast 500 Itinerary. North Coast 500, Inverness: "What is the best time of year to experience the..." | Check out answers, plus see 705 reviews, articles, and 842 photos of North Coast 500, ranked No.3 on Tripadvisor among 288 attractions in Inverness. There are no shortages of stunning beaches vying for the title of the “best beach in northern Scotland” on the NC500. It is not for the faint-hearted, learner drivers or those with large vehicles such as caravans and requires absolute concentration. I’ve STILL never done the west coast, so that’s on the list for this year. Wild camping is legal in campervans as long as you stick to the rules of the Scottish Outdoor Access Code regarding the duration of stays and waste disposal. The North Coast 500 is one of the most popular road trip destinations in Scotland. I want my readers to be realistic and prepares for their trips! So, clearly, it is now possible to visit the North Coast 500 and the summer season may just be salvaged. Next to the lighthouse, you can walk along the cliffs and spot sea birds nesting at these soaring heights. Continue on the path instead of heading down to the falls and you will eventually reach Fionn Loch where you can admire Suilven in all her glory. The official start is at Inverness but there are many areas you might want to explore before you go such as Glenfinnan (Harry Potter train viaduct), Kyle of Lochalsh (Eilean Donan Castle) and the Cairngorms. There are not many parking places on this single track road, so take it slow and enjoy the view. One of my personal favourites was Achmelvich Beach. Like most places, the summertime is going to be the ideal time to travel the North Coast 500 in terms of weather. Fancy visiting the northernmost point of mainland Britain? A highlight on the NC500 road trip is definitely the hairraising Bealach na Bà road – one of the highest mountain pass roads in the UK and sometimes as steep as 20%. The Black Isle is a lovely final stop before returning to Inverness. Well, that pretty much sums up some of our favourite photography locations on the North Coast 500! There is plenty of parking and easy access to the shore of Loch Maree with possibly the best view of Slioch mountain peak in the distance. Drive slowly or stop your motorhome altogether to avoid spooking them. I am planning a trip to Scotland in May 2020. It closely follows the coastline with its castle ruins and quaint small towns, before offering the option for a detour on the Black Isle peninsula. The reserve is flanked by the impressive Beinn Eighe ridge on one side and Slioch on the other. It has one of the largest sea cave entrances in the UK – over 50 ft high! Hi, I’m Kathi! YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: 20 Beautiful Towns to Visit in Scotland. If you are planning to road trip around this scenic area of the Scottish Highlands, you may be wanting to spend … We only stopped for a few photos, but since the beach is sheltered from the strong winds you could easily bring a picnic and spend a few hours here. Standing at 613 metres, Stac Polly, or Stac Pollaidh as its officially called, means “peak of the peat moss”. The biggest supermarkets can be found in Inverness, Ullapool, Thurso, Wick and more frequently as you near Inverness. Park at the little car park next to a stone mason’s and follow the waymarked trail for Big Burn Falls. Surrounded by beautiful scenery, Ullapool offers great hiking and cycling routes, good accommodation options and has a few pretty cafes. North Coast Discover the stunning beauty, native animals, excellent fishing and surfing heritage that make the North Coast of NSW one of the world’s top holiday destinations. A small passenger ferry takes visitors from Tarbet to the island (approx. 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