Whichever you choose, there are lots to see and do on the way! Then from there, you have a few choices as to which way to go to finish your trip. The route covers 516 miles (the NC516 isn’t quite as catchy though hey?) This was one of my highlights of the NC500 and not to be missed. We ate at the lively Johnny Foxes Pub & Restaurant, followed by drinks and a live Ceilidh band (traditional Scottish music) at the famous Hootenanny Inverness… where we bumped into explorer Levison Wood (and also Don Lawson, the owner of Johnny Foxes). When you are planning your trip, have a read of my Things To Know Before You Drive Scotland’s North Coast 500 post, which also has lots of useful information to make sure you have a safe, epic, and enjoyable trip! Northern Sands Hotel. When we arrived in Inverness, I’d seen on Instagram that Levison Wood was also in the city to give a talk about his new book (coincidence, I swear). I’d like to think it was because he was excited to meet two fellow travel writers and adventurers, but I think it may just have been a coincidence…, We had a little chat at the bar about travelling in Africa, Brenna chatted to him about her book, I introduced him to ‘Johnny Fox’ (“Have you met Johnny Fox?” is the Scottish equivalent of “I carried a watermelon.”), he took the piss out of me for being a Scouser and said he’d give my blog a read…, Although I was too embarrassed to ask him if he’d seen my tweet… . If you get peckish, you can visit the Whaligoe Steps Café and Restaurant, perched on a clifftop overlooking the North Sea. This NC500 tour includes two nights stay in an NC500 accommodation, easy level guided nature walks and the following North Coast 500 itinerary: Driving Scotland’s North Coast 500 – just wow! Have a look at the options below! If you love a bit of history, visit the beautiful ruins of Castle Sinclair Girnigoe, located right on the cliff edge. Just outside of Inverness, ACE Adventures & Hideaways can organise white water rafting trips and other outdoor adventures. Bringing together just over 500 miles of stunning coastal scenery, the route follows the main roads along the coastal edges of the North Highlands. Ride the best sections of the spectacular NC 500 touring route. And if you can be bothered to carry your stuff all that way, this is a great spot for wild camping (and surfing). Where To Stay on Loch Ewe: And if you do decide to stop in Loch Ewe, and you have a big group, consider staying at the absolutely GORGEOUS, Poolewe Beach House (sleeps 9). The traditional start and endpoint is Inverness. Dornoch to Wick. I always thought it was THE most northerly place of the British mainland, but it isn’t… it’s actually Dunnet Head, a few miles down the road and the actual place that is furthest from Lands End is Duncansby Head. Experience and see for yourself the journeys pictured throughout the films. I also love a bit of glamping, so check out the gorgeous Inverness Glamping pods. Where To Stay in Inverness: We stayed at the Royal Highland Hotel, which was right in the centre of town – quite grand, a little bit old school, very Scottish – we loved it. I LOVED it! The campsite is open from the beginning of April until the end of October. I recently took an incredible road trip driving around the Outer Hebrides in North West Scotland. around the remote northern part of the Scottish mainland, traditionally starting and ending in the city of Inverness. It might be run by the Council, a rather lot of … You could easily keep yourself occupied for 1 – 2 weeks! However, if you’re looking for something a little bit more modern, you could try the pentahotel Inverness or Highland Apartments by Mansley. There are also a couple of great little cottages to hire if you’re not camping but would still like to stay right near the beach. Again, you should make a stop at Eilean Donan Castle as you drive through! The Old Pulteney distillery is also in the area if you have the time for a tour or just a stop at the shop! Close by you can also visit the ruins of Urquhart Castle, which can also be seen from the boats if you want to kill two birds with one stone. Which he did. Check out the lovely ones at North Coast 500 Pods. Alternatively, you can head back towards Glasgow or Edinburgh where you can spend a final night or catch your transport home. I’ll need to go back again and hopefully write about the Isle of Skye in the future. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. NORTH COAST 500 ROUTE MAP. Where to Stay in the Cairngorms National Park: There are literally so many gorgeous places to stay in the Cairngorms, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Some may have private bathrooms, others may not. They do day trips from Wick, or shorter tours that leave from Lybster. Discover the coastline on a guided watersports adventure. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Inverness has an airport which has regular flights to other parts of the UK, as well as Amsterdam. Hopefully, you enjoyed your first taste of the North Coast 500 yesterday and are … PI’ve already started planning another trip for next year…. Chanonry Point lies between Fortrose and Rosemarkie on what is known as the Black Isle of Scotland. For more information go to: www.northcoast500.com. The North Coast 500 has become very popular, especially in the summer months. ✨ANNOUNCING✨ I love to share travel tips on my blog, and whilst I love to travel all over the world, it’s Africa that holds a special place in my heart! This website uses cookies to improve your experience. You can easily split this itinerary into smaller chunks, and I’ve recommended a few different places to stay along the route to help you plan in case you have a different timescale to us. The 3-day North Coast Small-Group Tour leaves from the ‘capital of the Highlands’ Inverness. Another cool thing to do in the area is to take the Jacobite Train between Fort William and Malaig, near Skye – aka the ‘Harry Potter’ train which was used to film and I would assume, the inspiration too. Happy New Year everyone! Read More Modern Classics Experience the North Coast 500 in luxury with a modern classic car. Tips for your North Coast 500 Accommodation. There is glamping, bed and breakfasts, hotels, wild camping in tents or caravans, hostels, caravan parks, eco-retreats and even castles! .......... Another ‘activity’ you might like to try whilst in the area is taking the Malt Whiskey Trail. Be enchanted by this magical fairy-tale castle. If you are planning to road trip around this scenic area of the Scottish Highlands, you may be wanting to spend the night at some special North Coast 500 hotels. Sample a sweet, fruity Highland malt whisky on a tour. The main season runs from May to October, but each time of year has its advantages and disadvantages, so just go with whatever suits you best – I’m sure you’ll have a great time either way! We also spent 2 days travelling up to Inverness – her from London, me from Preston. There are 330 steps to be precise and they can be treacherous, so take care – and just remember, what goes down, must come up. The above North Coast 500 map details the main NC500 route, however, I’ve broken it down into smaller, more detailed, day to day itineraries below. We rarely get snow where I live in North West England, so this was a real treat for me. The top was covered in snow which gave us a great opportunity to take lots of snow pictures! Glentruim Lodge Chalet, is super cosy and romantic, and the Dava Schoolhouse looks really welcoming and stylish too. Thoug. Rock Rose Gin is made at the Dunnet Bay Distillers if you want to pick up a bottle whilst you’re passing, although it’s also sold in quite a few of the big supermarkets too! Another extremely photogenic stop on your journey is The Torridon, a luxury hotel, flanked by mountains and forest and lying right on the lakeside – this would be a great place to rest your head for the night if time permits. You can also hire bikes or take boat trips from nearby Lochinver, as well as visit Scotland’s most remote bookshop, Achins Bookshop & Coffee Shop. We did the Gay Gordon’s, the Dashing White Sergeant, and a whole load of other traditional dances. The weather was TERRIBLE when we drove through so I didn’t get many photos, but on a clear day, it’s stunning! So there you go, my full North Coast 500 route! By the time we got to Inverness, it was just time to check into our hotel and have a shower before dinner. Although there are hotels all over the North Coast 500 route, some modest and other grand, it is traditional for holidaymakers to stay in bed and breakfasts in Scotland. It’s a bit of a walk to get to the Duncansby Stacks, parking either at Duncansby Head or you can park a bit further away at John o’Groats. When you get the weather (which we didn’t), the Isle of Skye is a great place to visit and also a good place to start exploring both the Inner and Outer Hebrides. Now you could either stay in Ullapool or head down to Applecross, but I’d definitely recommend staying in Ullapool as it really is lovely, and will keep the driving distances short. A short drive (or a 45-minute hike) from Dunsnsby is John O’Groats., one of the most northerly points on the British mainland. Where to stay in Applecross: There are a few nice places to stay in Applecross. They also do a fabulous afternoon tea in their 1887 Restaurant and there are lots of activities on offer if you want to get outdoors. Alternatively, you can travel down to Oban. Great for photographers, hikers, and surfers (when there are waves). Another great stop on your itinerary should be the fairytale-esque Dunrobin Castle. Choose from a variety of walking routes in the mountain range. The North Coast 500 is a 516-mile (830 km) scenic route around the north coast of Scotland, starting and ending at Inverness Castle. The Loch Ness Centre & Exhibition lies in the middle of the loch, near to Drumnadrochit and from there you can take boat tours, with sonar to help you try and spot Nessie herself. North Coast 500 route and its highlights. The North Coast 500, the Route 66 of Scotland has been opened since 2015, to link the beautiful scenery of Northern Scotland. These incredible natural structures have been battered by the North Sea for millenniums, creating the witch’s hat-shaped rock formations you see today. I don’t know why I’ve never written about it – it was one of the best road trips of my life. Leaving Applecross, we drove across Bealach na Bà, one of the highest roads in the UK. Try North Star Glamping or the Camster luxury glamping pod. Would you? Affiliate sales help with the running costs of this site, so thank you for your support! If you’re on a budget, or in a big group, the Ullapool Youth Hostel is a cheap and cheerful place to stay! Even if you don’t spend much time in the reserve itself, it’s fun to walk over the wobbly suspension bridge over the gorge, which has fantastic views of Falls of Measach. Helen x. Helen in Wonderlust is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. You could spend a whole day driving around Loch Ness and there are plenty of amazing views. Why did you decide to tackle Scotland's NC500 cycle route? You can also visit the Strathnaver Museum which will give you an insight into Scottish history. I'm a travel blogger and tour operator with a passion for Africa travel. The castle is open from the 1st of April to the 31st of October and up until the end of September, you can also watch their twice-daily falconry displays. Dating back to around 1590. These itineraries are based on the minimum amount of time we recommend to allocate for your journey. Ullapool is also a great jumping-off point to visit the Outer Hebrides (which I’ll be writing about soon) via the CalMac ferry to Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis. It was a little bit spooky as we were the only people there – literally, there wasn’t even any staff, but in high season I’m sure it would be great! Where To Stay in Durness: Sango Sands Oasis, is a great campsite right at the top if you like your morning coffee with an epic view – I know I do! It’s a steep walk down to the beach, but worth it and the likelihood is that you may have the beach all to yourself. Firstly, which season are you embarking in? When I’m not writing, you’ll find me teaching or leading adventure tours and yoga retreats in Africa with my tour company Rock My Adventure. The North Coast 500 is Scotland’s answer to route 66 and one of the most beautiful coastal touring routes in the world (well, we think so, anyway!). Read More Ride the best sections of The North Coast 500, on a 7-day road cycling tour through the untamed beauty of the Scottish Highlands. Dornoch Beach is also a great place for wild camping – just make sure to follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code rules and regulations and leave no trace. Camping in Caithness – Dunnet Bay & Sango Sands. The next stop on our road trip was the gorgeous Dornoch Beach and the famous Dornoch Castle Hotel with their famous whiskey tastings at the Whiskey Bar & Grant Macnichol restaurant. There is the popular North Coast 500 route, alongside a number of other routes beyond our website. Alternatively, I love Tigh na Mara for a romantic getaway. There are a number of taxis/private drivers in the area who can take you around. If you didn’t manage to get to Dunnet Head on the previous day, the morning is a great time to visit. Near to the town of Durness, there are two of the NC500’s main highlights, including the stunning Sango Bay Viewpoint, with panoramic views overlooking Sango Bay and it’s also a great place for surfing. Just be aware that they advise some campervans not to travel this road and it may be closed in bad weather – but you can go around it. Known as Scotland’s answer to Route 66, the incredibly scenic North Coast 500 has become Scotland’s most popular road trip since its launch in 2015 And with good reason… it’s amazing! Read More Arnold Clark Car & Van Rental Start your North Coast 500 adventure with Arnold Clark Car & Van Rental. The North Coast 500 (NC500) was created in 2014 by the North Highland Initiative to highlight some of Scotland’s magnificence to the world. It is said that the castle is haunted and there are plenty of spooky stories of mermaids, ghosts, and the devil himself! We drove from Aberdeen to Inverness, although it is possible to arrive by plane, bus or train. It was a totally ‘on a whim’ decision. I’d definitely recommend staying here! Or, if you want to make your trip super epic, you could head towards the Inner or Outer Hebrides. Book well in advance. Stop at the gorgeous Eilean Donan Castle, which was used as one of the filming locations for the James Bond film, Skyfall and even better, Made of Honour (love that film… Patrick Dempsey, swoon). Stop and take a dip in the clear turquoise waters of Achmelvich Bay. If you’re on a budget, check out the Black Isle Bar & Rooms, which is a hostel as well as a premier craft beer bar and restaurant serving, wood-fired pizzas or the cosy and stylish Bazpackers. So in total, our trip was 7 nights, 8 days in total. At Duncansby Head, you’ll see the Duncansby Lighthouse, but the real attraction is the incredible Duncansby Stacks, just off the coast. The penultimate stop on today’s itinerary is Loch Assynt and Ardvreck Castle. Where To Stay in Clachtoll or Lochinver: There’s a lovely campsite overlooking Clachtoll Beach or you want to stay somewhere super cosy and romantic (and with a hot tub), check out the gorgeous Suilven view glamping pod. With beautiful nature trails and lots of flora and fauna to observe and appreciate. Sandwood Bay Beach is one of the most remote in Europe and it takes around an hour and a half to walk from the car park in Blairmore to the stunning 1-mile long sandy beach, so give yourself a good few hours here to take it all in and hike around the loch as well. Loch Lomond, The Trossachs, Stirling & Forth Valley. On the way to Dunrobin, you can also take a little detour to the Falls of Shin, where you can spot jumping salmon (between May and late Autumn) – but it will add over an hour to your journey! One of the most beautiful is Ceannabeine Beach, with mountains on either side, even without a drone you’ll get some fabulous shots overlooking the beach. The afternoon was spent… Day 2: Edinburgh to Inverness (not part of the NC500) Day 3: Inverness to Dunnet Head; Day 4: Dunnet Head to Durness; Day 5: Durness to Ullapool; Day 6: Ullapool to Applecross; Day 7: Applecross to Edinburgh; Day 8: Edinburgh to Home. Plan Your North Coast 500 Route. In total, the route covers 500 miles of Scottish scenic beauty. There’s no shortage of things to do in Edinburgh, including walking tours of the city (with different themes – historical, haunted, underground, Harry Potter), open-top bus tours, visiting the castle, or climbing to the top of Arthur’s Seat. I was FREEEEEE! So why not take advantage of the off-season, with fewer crowds, no midgies (tiny biting flies that descend in the summer), and the incredible photo opportunities the colder weather brings? Iconic Ben Nevis needs to be top of your Scottish to-do list. For camping, try Broomfield Holiday Park or nearby Badrallach Campsite, Bothy and Holiday Cottage. A B&B is a private room in a local’s house. Brenna and I spent 5 full days travelling along the North Coast 500. Whilst we didn’t go on this trip, on another trip to Edinburgh I went for dinner and dancing at Ghillie Dhu, a Scottish ceilidh extravaganza. Scotland's North Coast 500 with route planner, accommodation and itineraries. A bit further down the coast, you’ll come to Farr Bay, another pretty cove, worth a walk on the beach! It tasted much better than it sounds. A bit further on, you’ll come to Shieldaig, one of the most picturesque villages in Scotland. However, they offer free camping with limited availability in the offseason. They’re free to visit and open to the public all year round, so definitely worth the visit. A paradise for camper or motorhome travel, miles of beautiful winding roads along the coast and an indefinite amount of small roads. We looked into getting tickets to the talk, but we didn’t have time to get there in time, so I tweeted him to say ‘Come to Hootenanny’s later’. Loch Ness by Jacobite has a couple of highly-rated cruises with various departure points (including Inverness Bus Station) in case you can’t get down to the visitor centre. If you don’t want to walk, you might enjoy seeing the steps and harbour from the sea with Caithness Seacoast. fancy a bit of skiing (in season)? Hotel in Dunnet. This video details my planning for my upcoming trip to Scotland's North Coast 500 (NC500) with some additions. From the Loch, you can see the Isle of Ewe, which is inhabited by a one family. But, if you hired your car elsewhere, like Edinburgh, as we did, you can head back that way. Our North Coast 500 Itinerary was as follows: 5 days on the NC500 was fine, however, I would definitely recommend taking a little longer if you can. We didn’t have tons of time in the city as we wanted to get straight out onto the North Coast 500, but a few more of the highlights of Inverness include a walk along the River Ness, a visit to Inverness Cathedral, the Victorian Market, and, Inverness Castle. 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