The top was covered in snow which gave us a great opportunity to take lots of snow pictures! 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. Get off the main roads and tour Scotland the scenic way now Luxury Scotland A curated selection of the very best of Scottish hospitality and adventure for those who desire the finest experience in life Read More The Castle & Gardens of Mey The Castle of Mey, located on the NC500 route near Thurso, was the only home The Queen Mother ever owned. It’s Scotland’s own Route 66 — your highway through the culture and heritage of Scotland’s northern coastline. The History, Heritage and Archaeology and the Luxury itinerary are available to view fully, however to unlock the full NC500 itineraries, you will need to become a member. The Cairngorms is also home to 6 of the UK’s highest mountains (the highest is Ben Nevis near to Fort William) and in the winter, snow permitting, you can go skiing and even husky sledding. Our last stop on today’s itinerary is Dunnet Head. Get off the main roads and tour Scotland the scenic way now Beautiful scenery, amazing roads and wildness, and like Wales on steroids. 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. 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. See planning guide: https://independenttravelcats.com/north-coast-500-road-trip-planning-guide-nc500-route/ Again, you should make a stop at Eilean Donan Castle as you drive through! I’ve already started planning another trip for next year…. Enter your email address below and we will send you all of our latest news, events and offers straight to your inbox. The Ultimate North Coast 500 Itinerary – Route, Accommodation, Travel Tips and more.. How Long Does it Take to Drive the NC500? The North Coast 500, often described as Scotland’s Route 66, take in some of Scotland’s most impressive wild places, from the mountains and lochs of Wester Ross and Assynt to the rugged sea cliffs of Sutherland. The next stop is Strathy Bay, one of the most gorgeous beaches on the North Coast 500, with views over the Pentland Firth. However, if you’re looking for something a little bit more modern, you could try the pentahotel Inverness or Highland Apartments by Mansley. You could easily keep yourself occupied for 1 – 2 weeks! At the moment, travelling along the North Coast 500 is a bit different. 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! You’ll also get to see Am Buachaille, a sea stack out in the water. There are 3 pink sand beaches to visit and on a clear day, you can see across to the island. If it is the brutal Scottish winter - props to you!- then you’ll need to check you have winter tyres and snow chains. Helen in Wonderlust Ltd. All Rights Reserved. If you need a bit more comfort, try the Dornoch Caravan & Camping Park or the gorgeous glamping pods at Evelix Pods Dornoch. During spring and early summer, this includes a high number of puffins as they come here for nesting season. I … As you head north, you’ll pass the beautiful Cairngorms National Park. Built by Clan MacLeod, it was later taken over by Clan Mackenzie. Where to stay in Applecross: There are a few nice places to stay in Applecross. Ever wanted to climb the UK’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis? Hopefully, you enjoyed your first taste of the North Coast 500 yesterday and are … The name itself means ‘end of the mountains’. When we arrived in Inverness, I’d seen on Instagram that explorer and television presenter Levison Wood was also in the city to give a talk about his new book (coincidence, I swear). Perhaps an unusual time of year for a UK road trip… but this was my first trip after a left my job to become a full-time travel blogger. North Coast 500 accommodation is definitely varied. The capital Portree was also used as a main filming location for the film Made of Honour. Twice the size of England’s Lake District, the Cairngorms is a great place to explore with tons of hiking/biking trails, rivers, lochs (lakes), waterfalls, wildlife, and villages to see. – and have read my complete guide to planning your NC500 trip. The History, Heritage and Archaeology and the Luxury itinerary are available to view fully, however to unlock the full NC500 itineraries, you will need to become a member. Just outside of Inverness, ACE Adventures & Hideaways can organise white water rafting trips and other outdoor adventures. North Coast 500 route map. You could spend a whole day driving around Loch Ness and there are plenty of amazing views. Boat trips usually run in August and September. This 500 mile coastal route spans the north coast of the Highlands taking in the best bits of this glorious region. Interactive planner with routes, distances and must-see attractions on the way. Another great stop on your itinerary should be the fairytale-esque Dunrobin Castle. This got me thinking about the road trip I took driving Scotland’s North Coast 500 (aka the NC 500) route a little while back. Check out the lovely ones at North Coast 500 Pods. Tell Katy I say hi! Then it heads north along the scenic west coast to Durness, and across the northern edge of Scotland to John O’Groats before returning to Inverness. The Old Pulteney distillery is also in the area if you have the time for a tour or just a stop at the shop! Whilst not on the North Coast 500, Edinburgh is a great place to stop if you are travelling up from other parts of the UK, either by car or train, or if you’re flying in from abroad. Open 9am – 6pm daily. Chanonry Point lies between Fortrose and Rosemarkie on what is known as the Black Isle of Scotland. It’s a bit off course, but Sandwood Bay and Loch is a great addition to your road trip itinerary. They do day trips from Wick, or shorter tours that leave from Lybster. Brenna and I had a LOT of fun filming our Instagram Stories here. With golden/pinky sands and cool rock formations, you’ll get plenty of amazing pictures. A bit further down the coast, you’ll come to Farr Bay, another pretty cove, worth a walk on the beach! 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. Dornoch to Wick. So you have planned your dream North Coast 500 route, decided on your basic itinerary – Dundrobin Castle! The area just north of the Cairngorms is home to 9 of the UK’s Scotch malt whiskey distilleries. “Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass. Along the way there are too many highlights, you’ll meet enchanting castles, white beaches and fairytale-like sceneries. Affiliate sales help with the running costs of this site, so thank you for your support! If you are planning to road trip around this scenic area of the Scottish Highlands, you may be wanting to spend … Even more, if you have a drone (if it’s not windy and raining). 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. Starting and ending in the Highland Capital of Inverness, the 500mi/800km route around Scotland’s North Coast offers an unforgettable trip of a lifetime. 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. After some beach time, stop by Cocoa Mountain Balnakeil, a famous shop/cafe offering a variety of locally made chocolates and hot chocolate. The North Coast 500 (NC500) was created in 2014 by the North Highland Initiative to highlight some of Scotland’s magnificence to the world. Make your way to Balnakeil Beach – potentially the most stunning beach in the area. Driving Scotland’s North Coast 500 is just wow! Fancy a bit of wild swimming? See planning guide: https://independenttravelcats.com/north-coast-500-road-trip-planning-guide-nc500-route/ View Our NC500 Cycling Tours. 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 really didn’t care what time of year it was. Covering 516 miles, this scenic route begins and ends in Inverness, following the natural coastlines of Scotland’s north Highlands. The Smoo Cave is a great place to explore, either by boat or from the path above the cliffs. You can tour the distilleries and learn about the whiskey-making process – as well as doing a little bit of tasting too. If they don’t have space, there are lots of highly-rated hotels in the area. The route starts in the northern city of Inverness, then weaves along the west coast to Applecross and then northwards towards the bustling towns of Torridon and Ullapool. I LOVED it! Enjoy it, the two variants from the 'official' 500 route are far better for … The Grey Cairns of Camster are man-made structures (thought to be burial tombs) built around 5000 years ago. Would you? During May and June, the wildflowers are out in bloom, making it a particularly pretty and photogenic time to visit. You can check out some other great options here. Our NC500 Experience Are you ready for a week packed full of adventure? I also love a bit of glamping, so check out the gorgeous Inverness Glamping pods. 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). On the way to Clachtoll, you’ll take the Kylesku Bridge over Loch a’ Chàirn Bhàin in Sutherland – worth a photo stop! There are a number of free car parks where you can pull over and take some fabulous photos of the Three Sisters, Beinn Fhada, Gearr Aonach, and Aonach Dubh. The route is officially 516 miles, although if you want to do the route justice you are likely to do a lot more as you'll want to take detours to find those fantastic views and hidden beaches. Or you can check out some other options here. The North Coast 500, the Route 66 of Scotland has been opened since 2015, to link the beautiful scenery of Northern Scotland. These days, it’s just a lonely ruin, but worth seeing all the same. Leaving Applecross, head towards Lochcarron, which makes a nice photo stop whichever which way you are headed after that. The route covers 516 miles (the NC516 isn’t quite as catchy though hey?) Which he did. Plan Your Adventure. In fact, I might someday! There are 330 steps to be precise and they can be treacherous, so take care – and just remember, what goes down, must come up. Try North Star Glamping or the Camster luxury glamping pod. You’ll find plenty of dog-friendly cafes along the North Coast 500, perfect for a stop en You can also take a wildlife-spotting boat trip from the Inverewe Garden jetty to see eagles. How Long SHOULD you spend on the On a clear day, you may be lucky enough to see puffins and the Orkney Islands…. © 2013 - 2021. 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! Following the A82, you’ll drive right through Glencoe and to see the most famous view, you don’t even have to leave the main road. Brenna’s from Canada, and she loved it too. Where To Stay near to Loch Ness: Whilst I haven’t stayed there myself, the Inver Coille glamping pods & camping site looks like the coolest thing ever. Where to Stay Near Dunnet Head & John o’Groats: There are a few great places to stay in the area, but the ones that I love the most are The Old Tea Shop,  Dunnet B&B Escapes, and Braeside Retreats. I was FREEEEEE! Another ‘activity’ you might like to try whilst in the area is taking the Malt Whiskey Trail. Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park is on the way back to Glasgow and Edinburgh, in case you fancy extending your trip for another night or two. And if you were really making a tour of the UK’s most dramatic, untouched scenery, you could continue down to England’s beautiful Lake District region, which sits in the north, just below Scotland. The downside is that you may find a few seasonal things closed. The North Coast 500 (NC500) was created in 2014 by the North Highland Initiative to highlight some of Scotland's magnificence to the world. Scotland’s North Coast 500, also known as the route 66 of UK – something we’re yet to do, but has been on our bucket list for years! 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. We both got the train to Edinburgh, stayed overnight, and then picked up a car to use for the rest of the trip. 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). From there, it follows the A835 towards the west coast, and snakes along the coastline upwards through the North West Highlands, across the north edge of mainland Britain and finally down the east coast on the A9 from Britain’s most northerly town, John O’Groats, completing the loop in … But John o’Groats to Lands End has a better ring to it, don’t you think? Where to Stay in Ullapool: I’d definitely recommend the Silver Darlings B&B which is owned by one of my very good friends from uni. It tasted much better than it sounds. When we drove into the free parking area we could see why most people say it’s a bit of a tourist trap. On the way to Clachtoll, swing by the Assynt Aromas Candle Shop & The Secret Garden Tea Garden for some sustenance. Good quality roads everywhere except the climb up and over to Glen Loth, but even that is fine on a 25mm tyre road bike. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. See full article at: https://independenttravelcats.com/north-coast-500-hotels-where-to-stay-nc500/ If you take one of the coastal boat trips, it’s highly like you’ll get a great view from the water too. WELL HERE WE GO! One of the most visited cities in Europe is Rome. 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. Dog friendly Cafes. If you’re from the UK, you have certainly heard of the North Coast 500 by now. We have created ten itineraries to help you plan your ideal North Coast 500 trip. The route begins in Inverness, Capital City of the Highlands, and snakes along the rugged coastal edges of northern Scotland, taking in breath-taking castles, mesmerising mountain tops and glistening beaches. There are more stunning views of the coastline but it is a little off the main road of the North Coast 500. 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? 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. Day 2 Highlights: Wick Heritage Museum, Castle of Mey, most northerly part of mainland UK. 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. We have created ten itineraries to help you plan your ideal North Coast 500 trip. From the Loch, you can see the Isle of Ewe, which is inhabited by a one family. 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! We both got the train to Edinburgh, stayed overnight, and then picked up a car to use for the rest of the trip. I'm also a qualified Ashtanga & Vinyasa Yoga Teacher, Children's Yoga Teacher, and Chakradance Facilitator. Itineraries. Ullapool has a few nice pubs and restaurants where you can pick up a nice bowl of Cullen Skink (smoked haddock, leek and potato soup). Our Recommended North Coast 500 Hotels Guide - where to stay along the NC500. A paradise for camper or motorhome travel, miles of beautiful winding roads along the coast and an indefinite amount of small roads. The North Coast 500 is Scotland’s iconic coastal route that covers over 500 miles of the stunning North Highlands. I’d definitely recommend staying here! So in total, our trip was 7 nights, 8 days in total. Choose between two idyllic holiday cottages located half a mile off the NC500 route. If you drive straight there, Inverness is just over 3 hours drive from Edinburgh (and around 3.5 hours from Glasgow), so if you leave early, you’ll have plenty of time to sightsee on the way. Have I mentioned I love glamping pods? Inverness … This website uses cookies to improve your experience. If you are planning to road trip around this scenic area of the Scottish Highlands, you may be wanting to spend … Firstly, which season are you embarking in? This is a beginner’s North Coast 500 guide. There is really only one option for romance and luxury in the Torridon area of the Scottish Highlands and that is the respected hotel, ... my main plan is to drive through france and tour north west spain. This is one of the most common questions about the North Coast 500 when it comes to planning the road trip, however, it … There’s a nice, but short walk you can take from the car park. Alternatively, you can travel down to Oban. The traditional start and endpoint is Inverness. Known as Scotland’s answer to Route 66, the incredibly scenic North Coast 500 has been Scotland’s most popular road trip since its launch in 2015 And with good reason… it’s amazing! Although a little bit out of the way, you could take a trip to the famous Eilean Donan Castle (see below) near to Lochcarron. Then we had one final night in Edinburgh on the way back down. 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. 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. Difficulty: The roads are slow and difficult to navigate and you'll inevitably get stuck behind a caravan or two. 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. Three of us rode this exact route last week in near perfect conditions. These itineraries are based on the minimum amount of time we recommend to allocate for your journey. One of the most popular activities at Chanonry Point is to watch the Moray Firth dolphins playing in the water. 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’. Need a few tips and inspiration before you go? This route also passes Eilean Donan Castle, Ben Nevis/Fort William, and Glencoe. The village of Luss makes for a lovely stop and Loch Lomond is also part of the West Highland Way, one of Scotland’s best-loved hikes (which I’m hoping to do very soon). Road Cycling Scheduled Departures. For camping, try Broomfield Holiday Park or nearby Badrallach Campsite, Bothy and Holiday Cottage. There are a number of taxis/private drivers in the area who can take you around. The weather was TERRIBLE when we drove through so I didn’t get many photos, but on a clear day, it’s stunning! 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