America is famous for its Route 66 and its Scottish counterpart is the North Coast 500 (NC500) which promises you a great experience filled with amazing views of Scotland. You can see many things like secret beaches, great mountains, and fairy-tale castles. Here is a guide for you to plan your trip.
Where does the North Coast 500 lead to?
NC500 is a route that has non-stop scenery for 516 miles which gives the route its name. Both its beginning and ending point is Inverness Castle. The route is a blend of painterly seaside villages, ancient towns like Ullapool, and wild coastal roads. If you decide to go anticlockwise, it goes all the way up to John O’Groats which is almost the northernmost part of Britain. Your trip will then lead you to the northern coastline and you will respectively visit Durness, Ullapool, Applecross, and even the Isle of Skye if you want to.
The road is very long but there are a lot of themed itineraries that will guide you in finding the best course that will fit your interest like the Luxury route or the History, Heritage, and Archaeology route. You can also draw your own guide using the NC500 route map or get many different plans by getting an NC500 membership.
What can you see as you are driving through the way?
You can find pretty much anything you want from a road trip in North Coast 500. Delicious food, refreshing drinks, glamorous views, adrenaline sports, and great views of wildlife are all part of NC500. You will also get to see many animals which you have to be careful about when you are driving as they roam freely in the area.
You can spend time traveling the Black Isle which is actually a peninsula and wander around glens and waterfalls. You can get yourself a lovely snack of berries and eat them in a bay while trying to spot dolphins. You can add a few more gems to your trip like Fairy Glen Falls which is very close to Rosemarkie Beach and Chanonry Point which is the area where a lot of people go to watch dolphins.
Of course, these are not all. If you didn’t get enough of the beautiful natural views, then you can drive a lit bit from Ullapool and go to Corrieshalloch Gorge National Nature Reserve where you can discover a vast ravine. The ravine was shaped a long time ago during an Ice Age glacial meltdown. It goes for roughly a mile and it includes many cascading waterfalls, a Victorian suspension bridge, walking trails, and viewing platforms. If you want to witness one of Scotland’s greatest scenery, this may just be where you are looking for.
On a clear day, you may want to drive through Bealach na Bà in Wester Ross which provides you with many beautiful views all the way to the Outer Hebrides. A single lane road that was made in 1822, you can use Bealach na Bà to drive towards Applecross Peninsula in the company of a mountain view. However, you should check the weather conditions before your head up there because the road is unusable for the greater part of winter.
Another thing you can add to your list is the picturesque Scottish village Shieldaig which includes traditional white cottages, fascinating loch shores, and as many mountain views as you can imagine. Plockton in Wester Rose is another great spot for enjoying the Highlands. It is a very calming place with secluded beaches and great views of Loch Carron. You can feel the culture everywhere in this National Trust for Scotland and you can enjoy fresh seafood and traditional music. Also, after you calm your nerves, you can get yourself a guide to feel some adrenaline by going for a sea kayak.
Then you may head up to the northeast where you can visit Caithness. There you can take a look at the royal holiday home, Castle of May where you can get many different foods and drinks or go to one of its famous fishing ports. For example, No.1 Bistro at Mackays Hotel holds the very interesting quality of being in the shortest street in the world and it is serving its customers extremely delicious modern Scottish dishes. If you drive only for 10 minutes after your meal, you can go to the historic Whaligoe Steps which is a set of 337 steps that leads to a picturesque natural harbour. However, it doesn’t end there. Just a little walk later you will get to a Neolithic stone burial chamber called Cairn o’Get which is a window to Scotland’s ancient history.
If you seek an adventurous trip, then you may want to explore Smoo Cave which is located in dramatic limestone cliffs. The 50ft-high sea cave is very close to the town of Durness which is near the north end of Scotland. The cave has artificial lights so there is no need for you to bring your head torch.
Culloden Battlefield in Inverness is a perfect spot for those who are fans of the drama series Outlander. It will definitely be a great experience thanks to its explanation of the last battle to take place in Britain using tons of artefacts and an exciting 360-degree theatrical performance.
How much time does traveling the entire route takes?
If you want to have an almost all inclusive trip, then you should at least take 5 to 7 days. This time can vary greatly depending on your interests and the season you are traveling in. It may take you a little bit longer to finish the route if you go during the peak season.
When should you go to North Coast 500?
The weather varies a lot in Scotland just like any other place in Britain but we can say that the time between May and September is the warmest time of the year. However, the nice weather inevitably brings along the crowds. If you want a more quiet trip, then you may want to choose April/May and September/October.
Where can you stay on NC500?
You have plenty of choices that will welcome you with open arms, from historic castle hotels to little family businesses. You also have the choice of camping outside, so that you can be one with nature. As long as you do not leave a trace, you can go wild camping any way you want.
Especially if you plan to go during summer, we would recommend you to book your accommodation beforehand. To get the best of your trip, you will probably want to visit some quiet villages as well and in those places, you may need a bit of luck to find yourself a suitable room unless you have it reserved.