north coast 500 route planner

Ride the best sections of the spectacular NC 500 touring route. From there, you can hike (or drive) to the Whaligoe Steps which lead down to Whaligoe Haven, a unique 18th century harbour surrounded on 3 sides by tall cliffs. 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). Glentruim Lodge Chalet, is super cosy and romantic, and the Dava Schoolhouse looks really welcoming and stylish too. Leaving Ullapool, your next destination could be the fantastic Corrieshalloch Gorge Nature Reserve. And if you can be bothered to carry your stuff all that way, this is a great spot for wild camping (and surfing). fancy a bit of skiing (in season)? During May and June, the wildflowers are out in bloom, making it a particularly pretty and photogenic time to visit. 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. We rarely get snow where I live in North West England, so this was a real treat for me. Things To Know Before You Drive Scotland’s North Coast 500, Inver Coille glamping pods & camping site, Assynt Aromas Candle Shop & The Secret Garden Tea Garden, lovely campsite overlooking Clachtoll Beach, boat trips to Loch Broom and the Summer Isles, Badrallach Campsite, Bothy and Holiday Cottage, Highlights From the Rock My Botswana & Victoria Falls Adventure Tour, A Complete Guide to Gorilla Trekking in Uganda & Rwanda, 15 Things to Know Before You Visit Benin: Voodoo's and Voodon'ts, 30 Things To Know Before You Drive Scotland's NC500, My Top Africa Travel Tips (After 11 Years of Travelling the Continent), 25 Awesome Things to Do in Nairobi, Kenya, An Epic (and Affordable) Two-Week Hawaii Itinerary: Oahu, Maui & the Big Island, 39 Things You Need To Know Before Backpacking Africa, How To Plan Your Dream Trip To Africa (in 18 easy steps). Ever wanted to climb the UK’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis? 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. Inverness is the UK’s most northerly city, the capital of the Scottish Highlands, and the jumping-off point for the North Coast 500. The NC500 route traces the top section of mainland Scotland in a loop. Dunnet Head is a great place for bird watchers as there are several different bird species in residence. Again, you should make a stop at Eilean Donan Castle as you drive through! We spent the first day driving up from Edinburgh to Inverness. The capital Portree was also used as a main filming. 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. 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. 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. Hi, I'm Helen! Although a little bit out of the way, you could take a trip to the famous Eilean Donan Castle (see below) near to Lochcarron. You’ll also get to see Am Buachaille, a sea stack out in the water. From the Loch, you can see the Isle of Ewe, which is inhabited by a one family. 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. Leaving Chanonry Point, you could make a stop at The Storehouse Restaurant and Farm Shop to pick up some breakfast/lunch or supplies – even if you’re not hungry, who doesn’t love a good farm shop? Affiliate sales help with the running costs of this site, so thank you for your support! A bit further down the coast, you’ll come to Farr Bay, another pretty cove, worth a walk on the beach! From Oban you can catch the ferry to the islands of Mull, Coll, Colonsay, Islay, and Tiree in the Inner Hebrides, Barra and South Uist in the Outer Hebrides, as well as Kennacraig and Mallaig on the mainland. The official North Coast 500 route … There are more stunning views of the coastline but it is a little off the main road of the North Coast 500. During spring and early summer, this includes a high number of puffins as they come here for nesting season. Then we had one final night in Edinburgh on the way back down. Alternatively, I love Tigh na Mara for a romantic getaway. A bit further on is Cape Wrath, Scotland’s most North Westerly point (in case you’re on a mission to see all the ‘most’ northerly points). March is generally a crappy month in the UK, weather-wise, but it turned out pretty well for us actually – it rained a lot, but we were also blessed with plenty of sunshine and therefore, rainbows. The popular adventure, with four seasons in one day, heading west from Inverness to the top of Scotland’s mainland, John O’Groats, and back down the east coast (or in reverse). North Coast 500 route and its highlights. Bringing together just over 500 miles of stunning coastal scenery, the route follows the main roads along the coastal edges of the North Highlands. If they don’t have space, there are lots of highly-rated hotels in the area. The North Coast 500, the Route 66 of Scotland has been opened since 2015, to link the beautiful scenery of Northern Scotland. We’ve said it before, but research, research, research! If you didn’t manage to get to Dunnet Head on the previous day, the morning is a great time to visit. I was FREEEEEE! Do not worry, we create NC 500 Route Maps using Google Maps with all the attractions and sightseeing highlights that we share with you including (hotels,Guesthouses, pubs, cafes, Campsites, Glamping Pods). You can also take a look at the ‘official’ North Coast 500 map (also linked at the bottom of the page). If you are planning on hiring a motorhome for the trip, then we recommend comparing prices across a range of providers using a service like Motorhome Republic . I'm also a qualified Ashtanga & Vinyasa Yoga Teacher, Children's Yoga Teacher, and Chakradance Facilitator. Scotland's North Coast 500 with route planner, accommodation and itineraries. If you get hungry, other places to eat include, Coyote’s, (famous for fabulous burgers), the Fig & Thistle Bistro, for modern, casual dining, and Wild Pancakes, which is a great place for breakfast and the North Coast 500’s first dedicated pancake house. Discover the coastline on a guided watersports adventure. Where to Stay in Edinburgh: We decided to treat ourselves on this first night at the Radisson Collection Hotel (formerly the G&V Royal Mile Hotel), which is a modern hotel with a fabulous cocktail bar and gorgeous views over the city. Gruinard Bay is a gorgeous stop – although, aren’t they all? Northern Sands Hotel is situated in the village of Dunnet, 3 … Read More Modern Classics Experience the North Coast 500 in luxury with a modern classic car. I LOVED it! so I really didn’t care what time of year it was. Our second major stop, was Loch Ness, home to the Loch Ness Monster… or is it? Clachtoll is pretty remote and the road is single access (and with a 25 percent gradient) in places and apparently it’s called the ‘breakdown zone’ – but it’s worth the trip. An excellent starting point as this is where the NC500 route officially kicks off. They do day trips from Wick, or shorter tours that leave from Lybster. For me personally, I like the Inn as it has everything you want – food, drink, cute rooms, and it’s right in the centre of the village however they were fully booked when we went, so we stayed nearby in the Hartfield House Hostel. In Scotland the weather is unpredictable and changes every half an hour anyway. With hills all around and winding roads, this area makes for a fab photo stop. If you get peckish, you can visit the Whaligoe Steps Café and Restaurant, perched on a clifftop overlooking the North Sea. Explore the coast and see the magnificent Duncansby sea stacks. Just be aware that the road between Kylesku and Lochinver can be a bit tricky, so it may take you longer than you think! A short drive (or a 45-minute hike) from Dunsnsby is John O’Groats., one of the most northerly points on the British mainland. It’s a bit off course, but Sandwood Bay and Loch is a great addition to your road trip itinerary. Plus, we saw lots of snow too, and who doesn’t love to play in the snow? The North Coast 500 (NC500) was created in 2014 by the North Highland Initiative to highlight some of Scotland's magnificence to the world. You really can’t do 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. In total, the route covers 500 miles of Scottish scenic beauty. We did the Gay Gordon’s, the Dashing White Sergeant, and a whole load of other traditional dances. The Grey Cairns of Camster are man-made structures (thought to be burial tombs) built around 5000 years ago. Great for photographers, hikers, and surfers (when there are waves). On the way to Clachtoll, swing by the Assynt Aromas Candle Shop & The Secret Garden Tea Garden for some sustenance. 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. This NC500 tour includes two nights stay in an NC500 accommodation, easy level guided nature walks and the following North Coast 500 itinerary: On the way to Clachtoll, you’ll take the Kylesku Bridge over Loch a’ Chàirn Bhàin in Sutherland – worth a photo stop! If you’re on a budget, or in a big group, the Ullapool Youth Hostel is a cheap and cheerful place to stay! 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? We have created ten itineraries to help you plan your ideal North Coast 500 trip. With beautiful nature trails and lots of flora and fauna to observe and appreciate. Get off the main roads and tour Scotland the scenic way now Our North Coast 500 Itinerary was as follows: Day 1: Home to Edinburgh. 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. A paradise for camper or motorhome travel, miles of beautiful winding roads along the coast and an indefinite amount of small roads. From there, continue around the coast to Fearnmore a remote part of the loch, edging out to the sea. This is a very popular stop as it’s close to Glasgow, so don’t be alarmed by all the tourists – you’re not on the NC500 now! The afternoon was spent… Tour the grand rooms and lush gardens once owned by the Royal Family. 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). 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. So in total, our trip was 7 nights, 8 days in total. You can find it all. 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’. If you are planning on doing the NC500 then we have the tried and tested ultimate North Coast 500 itinerary for you The beauty of the Scottish Highlands road trip is that there is no set North Coast 500 itinerary, you are free to decide how and where to spend your time, and there is so much waiting to be discovered. The End of October truly unique touring experience super cosy and romantic, and emergency. 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