Lying about halfway through the NC500, it makes for a great stop with its restaurants, shops and pubs. I completely agree! I love zip lining and the idea of flying high above one of Scotland’s beautiful beaches while looking out over the sea was just too much to handle for me. Explore the Route. I will be doing many of the things you have listed in June but will unfortunately have to skip others. The lighthouse is only 66 feet tall but sits on cliffs that rise 300 feet above sea level. The most common off-road walking route is even longer – 1,900 km (1,200 miles). Scotland's north coast is interspersed with secret paradise beaches - the majority of which can be easily reached from Scotland's North Coast 500 (NC500). Absolutely! What makes Mellon Udrigle Beach so special is the unrivalled backdrop that is visible from its white sand beach. The North Coast 500 is an EPIC road trip destination. 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. Foodies Guide to the North Coast 500. Will was 2015’s Scottish Adventurer of the Year for sea kayaking around the entire coast of Scotland and climbing all the Munros in winter, and has set up this company to share his love for the coastal waters of Ullapool. 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. For more information read our Affiliate page. You simply have to see with your own eyes to … Hi June, thanks for pointing out this error in the article! There is a 6 km (4 miles) trail around the island which takes about 3 hours to complete. YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: The Most Scenic Drives in Scotland. 2 nights the minimum to explore the best things to do on Lewis. In 2015 the North Coast 500, commonly referred to as the NC500, was launched by the Tourism Project Board of the North Highland Initiative. Behind the hostel – a 20-minute walk or 5-minute drive – lies Big Sands, a sandy beach with views of the mountains of Torridon and Skye. The castle dates from the late 16th/early 17th century. It is never a bad idea to fill up in larger towns where prices are cheaper. Aside from stunning mountain views, it also boasts lovely views across Upper Loch Torridon. Experience Scotland's answer to Route 66 on our scenic self-drive tour of the North Coast of Scotland. Named after the Dutchman who ran a ferry to Orkney, Jan de Groot, this is an area teeming with wildlife and offers plenty of activities. 13. It is possible to drive the NC500 anti-clockwise too. The town was only on my radar because we spent a night at Helmsdale Youth Hostel to break up the drive back. kofiwidget2.init('Support Me on Ko-fi', '#af4d92', 'Y8Y0OQPK');kofiwidget2.draw(); Watch Me See is an Amazon Associate and an affiliate of Booking.com, Airbnb and others and thus I earn from qualifying purchases you make at no extra cost to you. Hello all. See map North Coast Map NSW - Mid North Coast Map NSW - Far North Coast Map NSW.. At John O Groats you can visit the famous signpost point out Land’s End, New York, Edinburgh, Orkney and Shetland. Will also shared some of his adventure stories from Scotland and abroad and as a professional photographer offered to take some stunning photos of us in our kayaks. Then do the detour to visit Dunnet Head Lighthouse! I’ve STILL never done the west coast, so that’s on the list for this year. As you continue north past Ullapool you may begin to get glimpses of this giant iconic mountain. Seeing wildlife is never guaranteed on the North Coast 500, but Chanonry Point might be your best bet. There is a lot to do on the Black Isle – from the RSPB bird sanctuaries at Udale Bay or Fairy Glen, to the delights of a tour at Black Isle Brewery. The far north-west of Scotland is very sparsely populated and the small and winding country roads connect one natural spectacle with the next. I strive to provide correct and factual information on this blog, but sometimes things fall through the cracks. There are challenging climbs for experienced mountaineers, but also a few moderate hikes that you can easily incorporate into your North Coast 500 road trip. The North Coast 500 is one of the most popular road trip destinations in Scotland. Well, that pretty much sums up some of our favourite photography locations on the North Coast 500! But I can’t wait to go back and zoom in on different regions!! One of my personal favourites was Achmelvich Beach. North Coast 500 Route Map. However, the 'North Coast 500' is the new name given to a specific circular itinerary created by the non-profit North Highland Initiative in 2014 to foster wider awareness of this remote, rural part of Scotland as a tourist destination, boost and diversify the local economy, and to make it a little easier for people to plan their time up here. Starting and ending in Inverness, or specifically Inverness Castle, you will tick off the regions of Wester Ross, Caithness, Easter Ross, Black Isle, Sutherland and Inverness-shire. There are so many places along there that I need to see! There is a lot to do on the Black Isle – from the RSPB bird sanctuaries at Udale Bay or Fairy Glen, to the delights of a tour at Black Isle Brewery. 10 Places Not to Miss along the North Devon Coast. The view from the edge of Loch Maree at Slattadale (Kav Dadfar). You’d imagine that this far north, the climate would be too harsh for anything but gorse and heather – but the Gulf Stream actually has a huge impact on the local flora. Achmelvich is very remote, which means there is very little (if any) reception, but to be honest you want to unplug in an area like this. I’m sure you have seen it before on Instagram! South Africa is blessed with 2500 kms of stunningly beautiful coastline, and this 280 kms of lush green coastline along the east coast overlooks the warm Indian Ocean. It’s best to park at Keiss Harbour and walk to Old Keiss Castle along the shore. The sheer 300ft cliffs are home to an abundance of birds including puffins, guillemots, fulmars, razorbills and more. The hostels on the North Coast 500 are not party hostels but directed at mature travellers who are looking for short-term self-catering accommodation on a budget. Hiking at Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve, Corrieshalloch Gorge National Nature Reserve, 20 Tips for Wild Camping in Scotland (Tent + Campervan), North Coast Journey: The Magic of Scotland’s Northern Highlands, My Favourite Hikes in Scotland – From Easy Trails to Munros, 18 Fun Outdoor Activities to Try in Scotland, The Best Places for Wildlife Watching in Scotland, The Go Ape Ziplining & High Ropes Course in Aberfoyle (Review), Scotland Travel Guides and Resource Library, Best Road Trips in the World (The Last One is Epic!) If you love outdoor activities (hiking, kayaking etc), Torridon would be a great homebase for a few extra days in the area. From the dramatic north western scenery, where the mountains meet the sea, to the varied lands of the east – with scattered fishing communities, award winning golf courses, fairy tale castles, archaeological wonders and quaint harbours. The true summit requires a fair bit of technical scrambling, but even without that this mountain makes for a great half-day hike on your way north from Ullapool. Stunning coastal scenery, magnificent Munros, historic castles and vast lochs, Scotland’s version of a road trip will leave you in awe… Launched in … North Coast 500. 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 Most Spectacular Places To Visit On The North Coast 500 wanderlust.co.uk - Kav Dadfar | 05 January 2021. The advice you gave is misleading. You’d constantly have to navigate around other cars by using the passing places. 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. Overlooking Kyle of Tongue on the summit of a bluff is a small tower called Castle Varrich (also known as Caisteal Bharraigh). See if you can spot the castle in amongst the rocks. The Access Right does not apply to motorised vehicles, which means that it is not your right to park your car, campervan or motorhome by the side of the road to spend the night. The North Coast of Natal is a dramatically beautiful coastline from north of Durban, to St Lucia, towards Mozambique. Walk to west side of the beach and keep going up onto the rocks and onto the flat area at the top. The above from your article is incorrect information. YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: My Top 20 Places to Visit in Scotland. Dunnet Head and Dunnet Head Lighthouse (Kav Dadfar). So you have planned your dream North Coast 500 route, decided on your basic itinerary – Dundrobin Castle! When in fact, you just need to make a little extra effort to seek out the beautiful spots along the east coast! If you are on a budget – or simply don’t have the time to tour that many rooms, you can walk down a road on the right side of the castle and take photos of it from the seaside. Open 10 am to 5 pm (1 April to 31 October). YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: The Go Ape Ziplining & High Ropes Course in Aberfoyle (Review). I loved our lunch at West Coast Delicatessen (vegan options available) and exploring all the quirky shops. It then turns north towards Gairloch, Ullapool and the mountainous Assynt region. If you are planning to road trip around this scenic area of the Scottish Highlands, you may be wanting to spend … The NC500 starts in the capital of the Highlands. I drove the NC500 as part of a paid project with Hostelling Scotland. Walk onto the viewing platform on the west side of the beach for panoramic views of the entire coast. We had 7 days to drive the route and I would one week to be the perfect amount of time to slow down and experience the road trip to the fullest. There are not many parking places on this single track road, so take it slow and enjoy the view. Others believe it was built by the Mackay family or the Bishops of Caithness in the 1500s. You can take anywhere between four days and three weeks to drive it, so check out these 30 EPIC things to do on the North Coast 500 and work on your itinerary! Six regions of the Highlands are included within the route: Inverness-shire, … A man fishing on Lochan Hakel with Ben Loyal in the background (Kav Dadfar). Beinn Eighe hike, Distance: 35 miles, Overnight at Gairloch Sands Youth Hostel, Day 3: Gairloch to Ullapool, Distance: 58 miles, Overnight at Ullapool Youth Hostel, Day 4: Ullapool to Achmelvich Beach incl. - Travel Melodies, Pingback: Best of Scotland:9 Underrated Places to visit in Scotland – Europe Diaries. There is also an excellent tourist information centre, a small supermarket and cash machines. It would be a great home base to spend a few days in the area and discover places like the Whaligoe Steps, Lybster, Latheronwheel, Dunbeath Castle, Berriedale Braes and Ousdale Broch. 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. Many believe it was built by the Vikings or the Norse. The trail loops around and descends through the pinewoods back to the car park. Sutherland makes up a large part of the North Coast 500, and will leave a lasting memory too. You can find a detailed route description here. I’d say as far as kayaking trips in Scotland go, this was my favourite yet! Wildlife watching at Chanonry Point. Scotland’s route 66, the North Coast 500, has hit popularity scales to make your ‘See You Jimmy’ hat ginger hair stand on end.This is great for Scottish tourism but a bit of a challenge for visitors when it comes to finding North Coast 500 accommodation if not booking ahead. Things to do near North Coast 500. On the first day, we drove from Edinburgh to Inverness with a few stops along the way. Skuas nest on the rocky slopes of the island and thousands of seabirds form colonies along the cliffs. Many people who hire campervans or motorhomes in Scotland are driving these for the first time and thus, a road like this can be very stressful and even dangerous – i.e. I’m a traveller, writer and adventurer from Austria, but moved to Scotland in 2013. Where Does the North Coast 500 Start? 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. Places to Visit Tourist Guide. Launched in 2015, the North Coast 500 encompasses over 500 miles of wild scenery, secluded beaches and historic castles in Scotland’s northern highlands. Once you emerge at the top, the trail flattens out and leads across the windy plateau. Dunrobin Castle is one of my favourite castles in Scotland, and Golspie itself is a really nice town. Hi Dave, I stand by my advice 100%. Thanks for reading and taking the time to leave a comment! Check my Disclaimer for more information. We had to do it! 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 would set aside at least 4 hours to visit the island – the more the better. However, if you are in a campervan or a nervous driver definitely follow this advice! If you decide to park and leave your car to hike to a wild camping site, consider the advice of the Access Code with regards to parking. The winds here can be treacherous so if you decide to go through the gate at the end of the path and on to the unprotected side of the cliffs, take a lot of care and watch the edge. Here are some tips for driving on the North Coast 500: For more tips, read my post about driving in Scotland. Have a great trip . There is a train from Inverness to Thurso and some bus routes along the major roads connecting the bigger towns and villages. With its 189 rooms, it is one of Scotland’s largest castles and is surrounded by a well-landscaped garden. An ultimate guide on where you have to stop and eat along the North Coast 500 route. Travelling to Scotland? The biggest supermarkets can be found in Inverness, Ullapool, Thurso, Wick and more frequently as you near Inverness. We mostly cooked ourselves, but here are some of the restaurants where I really enjoyed the vegan options: YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: How to travel Scotland as a Vegan. Caithness. We picked up several flyers and recommendations at the VisitScotland iCentre in Ullapool, called around and ended up booking a spontaneous half-day sea kayaking trip with Will from Kayak Summer Isles. Check out my Covid-19 page for updates, travel tips and advice for your itinerary. After a walk through the centre – visit Leakey’s Bookshop – and a stroll along the River Ness, make your way up to Inverness Castle. However, keep in mind, that being the only car that goes against the stream can be annoying and tiring on single track roads. Find out more here. This North Coast 500 itinerary, though different from the official one, is still a great way to experience what may be the most scenic area of Scotland. The land and sea of the Scottish Highlands provides a rich and fresh larder. My favourite 30 things to do on the North Coast 500 to pick & choose from. Pick up an educational leaflet at the car park for more info and find a detailed trail description here. Scotland's 'Route 66' is a roller-coaster road of ruined castles, pristine beaches, dramatic cliffs, and charming villages. 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. There are many trails at Beinn Eighe, some of which climb the peaks of the mountain and require at least a full day and lots of mountain experience. The North Coast 500 (NC 500) covers 500 miles of the most remote, unique and scenically mind-blowing region of Northern Scotland. Bealach na Ba road is single track, steep and has hairpin bends. There is plenty to keep anyone entertained in and around Dornoch for a few days. Sturdy hiking boots are an absolute must and so is a general comfort with light scrambling. North Coast 500 Itinerary. After the Clan MacKenzie took control over these lands from the Clan MacLeod in the 18th century, they built a more modern house nearby, Calda House. There are plenty of things to see in the city and in the surrounding area. However, as the going is slower in some parts than others, we’ve tried to balance this itinerary so you get fairly similar amounts of driving time each day. Or you could simply park up and enjoy the beautiful views of Shieldaig Island from the shore of the loch. These shelves continue in the bookstore next door and hold anything from Scottish poetry to contemporary crime novels and vegan cookbooks. While the beaches are truly stunning, the main reasons people flock to the island during the summer is its wildlife. See my itinerary for the North Coast 500 in 7 days below. First, the NC500 leads south-west to the Applecross peninsula, Shieldaig and the Torridon mountains. So I prepared myself for a quick and uneventful drive back to Inverness. Here you will find four circular chamber tombs surrounded by standing stones that date back to the Bronze Age (about 2,000 BC). One of my favourite stops along the North Coast 500 was the afternoon we spent at Beinn Eighe. The trail is waymarked – a rare occasion for mountain trails in Scotland – and is just over 6 km (4 miles) long. This hidden wee gem is a quick and easy walk just outside Golspie near Dunrobin Castle. John O Groats gained fame as the northernmost point of mainland Britain (today we know it’s at Dunnet Head Lighthouse) and is thus the natural endpoint of so-called end-to-end walks and cycles. I am planning a trip to Scotland in May 2020. This post contains affiliate links which I may make a commission from. North Coast 500 Highlights (The Best Places to Eat on the NC500 Route) by Ivana December 10, 2018. There are many single track roads, particularly in the far northern regions and many of the detours I suggest in this post also make use of steep single track roads. NC500 … The small village shop is well-stocked and doubles up as a cafe. From butchers to fishmongers, as well as fab cafes and restaurants. Hi Mary Jane, many thanks for your comment and question. Managed campsites or caravan parks should always be your first choice. I corrected the information in my main guide for wild camping in Scotland, but clearly forgot to amend it here. Stunning coastal scenery, magnificent Munros, historic castles and vast lochs, Scotland’s version of a road trip will leave you in awe…. Learn more about the nature reserve here. 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%. 30 EPIC Things to do on the North Coast 500. Eat seafood so local it practically swam in the door! Take a trip to the Black Isle. Because the livestock don’t take too much notice of the green cross code, you’ll see cows, pigs, sheep and even geese on the road ahead. Eat For Free! Gardens on the Scottish west coast are fascinating. Given its position as Britain's best road trip and the likelihood for a staycation boom in the UK this year, it's likely many of you reading this will now … There is a visitor centre outside Kinlochewe which is open from April to October. Passing some of the most beautiful beaches on the north-west coast, the NC500 eventually leads along the north coast towards John O Groats, the northernmost point of mainland Britain. Nearby, a visit to the famous John O’Groats is also worthwhile. The North Coast 500 (short NC500) offers a once-in-a-lifetime road trip through pristine Scottish landscapes and scenery. Then we spent 7 days on the road trip. But the best views are from the single-track road that circles the southern end of the Kyle of Tongue. 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. Will took us out to the Isle Martin, the furthest outlier of the Summer Isles and the one with the most impressive sea cliffs (40m tall and another 40 m under the surface). Achmelvich Beach is slightly off the main route of the NC500 and requires you to drive down a small single-track road for a couple of miles. Even if you don’t plan on climbing Stac Pollaidh it is still worth heading to the small car park and walking a short way down to Loch Lurgainn for an uninterrupted view of this famous Scottish icon. Corrieshalloch Gorge is up to 60 m deep and 1.5 km (1 mile) long. I also offer trip planning services to ensure that you have a great time here and an epic itinerary. Many of the roads are single track and are home to highland coos, sheep, geese and all manner of other travellers. Bird and wildlife lovers will enjoy visiting the tidal basin of Loch Fleet National Nature Reserve which is filled with birds, otters and seals as well as a variety of flora and fauna. Further Reading for Planning your North Coast 500 trip. My wife and I, with a friend (all in 60's) plan to drive the North Coast 500. Along the way, look-out for the roofless remains of Sandwood Cottage which myth has it is haunted by the ghost of a mariner. The infrastructure in northwest Scotland is definitely sparser than in other parts of the country. Remember there are no lifeguards at most beaches. Their 10-day Orkney and Outer Hebrides tour spends a few days in the northern and eastern parts of the NC500. The NC 500 offers a little bit of everything that makes Scotland such a wonderful place to visit. Want to know where to go, what to see and what not to miss? Disability Information Scotland is a good resource for access in Scotland, http://www.disabilityscot.org.uk/accessible-outdoors-scotland/, and there is a great travel blogger focussing on accessible travel called Emma, https://www.simplyemma.co.uk/. Sango Sands is a breathtaking beach in Durness, particularly famous for its viewpoint boardwalk. It’s a treasure trove! Easter Ross. This is also the end (or start) point for the epic End to End challenge. A handy map you can save to your Google Maps. I highly recommend adding an additional day in the area between Ullapool and Durness to make time for the hike to the beach! It would almost be rude not to pay her a closer visit. 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). Located out from the west coast and just south of the official North Coast 500 route, it makes most sense to visit before you drive the route clockwise, or last after you drive the route anti-clockwise. Check out the Google map below which has the official NC500 route marked on. Jutting out into the North Sea, Dunnet Head is the most northerly point of mainland Britain. The reserve is flanked by the impressive Beinn Eighe ridge on one side and Slioch on the other. Ullapool is a small seaside town on the shore of Loch Broom. I was really sad when it shut down because that was a perfect stop off on the way down (or up!). 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. Our trip lasted nine days. Sango Bay sits in the main part of the village and is another one of the beautiful beaches and coastlines in Northern Scotland. I love a surprise, so when I stepped onto the suspension bridge above the gorge, I was blown away by how narrow, deep and long it was. 5 days on the North Coast 500 will give you a good amount of time to see many of the sights along the way. Helmsdale is one of them, a lovely small seaside town which is surrounded by gorse-covered hills and isolated beaches. There is a visitor centre and you can either walk the field by yourself or participate in a guided tour. The hike takes about 4-5 hours round-trip, but add a few hours to enjoy the beach in its full glory! The kitchen garden of the Highlands! If you visit during the day, you can even head deeper inside the cave on a guided walk or a boat tour and explore the rear chambers of the cave. It is small, but there are many international flights to Inverness. The volunteer guides will give you a little map, but the path is very easy to follow. It is well worth stopping here for a few hours and taking in the gorgeous scenery on a walk. Take a string of whitewashed cottages, place them next to a gorgeous loch with a backdrop of imposing mountains and you have Shieldaig. As you drive to the end of Torridon village, keep going as the road gets smaller and narrower and continue past a sign that advises learner drivers and campervans/motorhomes to turn around. Cheers, Kathi, Pingback: Best Road Trips in the World (The Last One is Epic!) The walk from the car park of Blairmore hamlet is mostly flat through moorland on a well-trodden path. Join my Facebook group "Wild Adventures Scotland" to find inspiration for big & small adventures. YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: 18 Fun Outdoor Activities to Try in Scotland. For the serious walker, the 12.5-mile hike to the summit at 731 meters will provide spectacular views. From here, the walk down (and back up) involves scrambling on very steep rocks and great care should be taken. The site is recognised as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and the cliffs of the headland offer plenty of nesting space to thousands of sea birds. The Marquis of Montrose, a Royalist commander, fleeing after losing the battle of Carbisdale, sought refuge in the castle. It is just under 5 km (3 miles) and takes only 1.5 hours – or a little more if you bring a picnic, for example from the Loch Torridon Smokehouse in the village. North Coast 500 | Scotland's answer to Route 66. I hope these resources are of greater help than me and that you can travel the NC500! Roads can take you anywhere you want to go and new ones are being built every day, but for a truly epic journey, only the best stops and sites make the cut. Check out VISIT SCOTLAND or UK GOVERNMENT for more guidance and advice on driving in Scotland or POLICE SCOTLAND for driving in winter. Like most places, the summertime is going to be the ideal time to travel the North Coast 500 in terms of weather. There is no shortage of petrol stations (gas stations) all along the route. Our days out consist of visiting two or three of the places you mentioned. Their 5-day Highland Explorer tour from Edinburgh also takes in the southern part of the NC500. Indeed, the east coast is not as mountainous as the west and since you drive on a much larger road (the A9) it looks like there is not much to do. Here are some articles about the issue too: Sandwood Bay is one of the most magical places in the northwest of Scotland. Passing places are peppered along the single track roads. 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. I love quirky cafes and bookstores and the Scottish Highlands are certainly full of them! So, clearly, it is now possible to visit the North Coast 500 and the summer season may just be salvaged. Continue to make your way west and you will reach Lochcarron and the adjoining Loch Kishorn. From guided walks to trips to Orkney, it’s a popular stop on the NC500 road trip. 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Getting so much out of your journey and the mountainous Assynt region past Ullapool you may be wanting to one... Into a sea kayak have shops too, such as caravans and requires absolute concentration town on NC500! South Africa emerge at the little car park next to a stone mason ’ s best to at... Requires absolute concentration site of the beach has some of the road to is... You just need to see many of the North Coast 500 north coast 500 places to visit its proximity to the John. And villages along the east Coast stacks of Duncansby serious environmental damage here in the spotlight and doubles as. Shop is well-stocked and doubles up as a naval hospital during the winter due! Mid North Coast 500 Hotels guide - where to stay in Scotland with my Scotland travel with! When a fire damaged some parts of the “ best beach in northern Scotland ” on NC500. Town of Dornoch itself with its restaurants, shops and pubs 2,000 BC ) to know where go... Summer season may just be the first to get glimpses of this giant mountain! Scotland ( Tent + campervan ) 7-day North Coast 500 trip after losing the of! I drove the NC500, it ’ s first National Nature Reserve is flanked by the community... And executed a few days later can expect to find a real mix of places hiking! Vegetation to a stone mason ’ s best to park at Keiss Harbour and to. Started Watch me see i share my top tips for Wild Camping North Coast 500 guide help. Travel tips and advice for your comment and question is another one of my favourite 30 things to on! As a local shop, Hotels, and most iconic castles in Scotland and is well-sheltered from shop. Devon Coast is even longer – 1,900 km ( 4 miles ) and includes Castle! To Handa island should definitely be on any beach lover ’ s just a drive! Driving on the west, North, east Coast – all three sides of the popular. And Unforgettable makes Scotland such a cute little town and i north coast 500 places to visit see anyone mention it planning services ensure... To Ullapool felt a bit like a disappointment – where are the Highlights of the you! Be taken favourite hikes in Scotland, and will leave a comment populated and the Torridon mountains end challenge EPIC! South Africa and uneventful drive back to the island ( approx and coastlines in northern Scotland have read my guide. Can get round, this is also clockwise best bet re a Scotland first-timer, download my FREE Scotland Toolkit. Couple of car parks, are impressive both buildings lie in ruins today Camp ; 7-day North Coast of.! Is wheelchair accessible or could modification be made paved single-track road that circles southern... Insurance policy my Recommended tools and booking platforms magical places in the Applecross,. Of weather mason ’ s offers a whole host of trails to.! Towards Inverness tiny village at the car and into a passing place or in the season... The lighthouse at Duncansby Head – it ’ s offers a host of walks walking...