The North Coast itinerary is now followed by drivers, cyclists, locals and visitors ticking over the 500 miles (516 to be exact) of ‘Scotland’s Route 66’. we want to know any secret views off the usual path, good places to eat, sleep, check out the stars and … If you’re arranging motorhome hire in North Coast 500 map. So this Spring we are have a 2 week trip around the famous Scottish North Coast 500 route. Just outside the village is the beautiful Balnakeil Beach, where cows often wander along the sand. The Dunnet Bay Distillery has some pretty good gin and is an official partner of the North Coast 500 itself. The sand is soft, and the water although cold is a beautiful turquoise color. we are first timers on this trail and want to get the most from it, throw us everything you got! The route is also known as the NC500 and was launched in 2015, linking many features in the north Highlands of Scotland in one touring route.. The Applecorss Inn unsurprisingly also offers accommodation and this is a great stopping point on the NC500, so is one to be considered if it’s available. A stopping point south of Scourie Photo: Courtesy Elizabeth Wellington. There are hundreds of gorgeous photography spots to sate every photographer, and you’re going to find yourself stopping a great deal to grab photos as you tackle the North Coast 500, but these were definitely some of my favourites amongst the many great stops we’ve had. Instead of going through to John O’Groats and down to Tain, stop in the port town of Scrabster and hop on the ferry to Stromness, a main town in the Orkney Islands! It is generally accepted that the start point is Inverness, and from there what awaits you is just over 800 kilometers of sweeping bends, single track back whacks and what […] The Pillars, Dornoch, IV25 3HY. Dog and family friendly. The Kylesku bridge is one of the Most Photographed Stops on the North Coast 500 Kylesku sits in the middle of Scotland’s 2,000 km 2 (770 sq mi) Global Geopark. The old days of the Highlands having vast stretches of gastronomic desert are gone and now there are prize-winning hotels, cafes and restaurants strung along the scenic tourist route. North Coast 500, Inverness: "We only have one night in each stop - where's the..." | Check out answers, plus see 706 reviews, articles, and 846 photos of North Coast 500, ranked No.3 on Tripadvisor among 289 attractions in Inverness. Along the way, there will be some beautiful places to park your motorhome. You’ll head west to Torridon, then as far north as Durness. It takes travellers along the coast and through beautiful valleys across six remote regions of the Scottish Highlands: Inverness-shire, Wester Ross, Easter Ross, Sutherland, Caithness, and the Black Isle. 5 Day North Coast 500 Itinerary. Starting and ending at the highland city of Inverness, this spectacular road trip cruised its way into Travel Now magazine’s top 6 coastal routes in the world! This slightly alternative North Coast 500 was made in collaboration with the people behind the official driving route, to make an official NC500 Cycle Route. One of the most remote and yet most enviable places to visit on Scotland’s mainland is the majestic North Coast 500, aka the NC500. The Most Spectacular Places To Visit On The North Coast 500 Inverness. North Coast 500 is Popular, Like Rome Popular . Experience Scotland's answer to Route 66 on our scenic self-drive tour of the North Coast of Scotland. The perfect stopover for the Scottish Highlands, Isle of Skye and North Coast 500. For more inspiration, read about our road trip around the North Coast 500 I’ve written a number of articles about our trip along the NC500 which cover our route in much more detail. North Coast 500 Scotland: The 11 best stops on popular driving route Want to know where to go, what to see and what not to miss? There’s no need to follow or stop at every point along the way when visiting the Highlands of Scotland. 4 North Coast 500 Itinerary. North Coast 500: 6 of the best restaurants and cafes on the NC500 There are plenty of great places to stop for lunch or dinner on Scotland’s most scenic coastal trail By: Finlay Greig When driving the North Coast 500, you can choose to skip the roads that goes off to both Lochinver and Achiltibuie if you are short on time, but we’d definitely recommend heading out that way if you can as it is a beautiful area. The route winds through seaside towns – Helmsdale is a perfect pit stop – towards the north-east coast. North Coast 500 Scotland: The 11 best stops on popular driving route For anyone who doesn’t know, the North Coast 500 is a circular route circumnavigating mostly coastal roads around the northern tip of the Scottish Highlands. In any case, we'd like to share a few of our favourite spots with you. It brings together all of the best bits of the North Highlands via wild coastal roads, historic towns such as Ullapool, and pretty seaside villages. 5 days on the North Coast 500 will give you a good amount of time to see many of the sights along the way. The North East 250 explores everything for which Scotland is famous in a unique Scottish road trip taking you through the whisky distilleries of Speyside, the spectacular mountain passes of the Cairngorms National Park, the famous castles of Royal Deeside, the Granite City of Aberdeen, the rugged North Sea coastline to the east, and the picturesque seaside villages of the Moray Firth Coast. Be prepared to be sharing the road with other cars, bikes and motorhomes. The North Coast 500 is mostly a coastal route and therefore there are numerous breathtaking beaches. Whereas the North Coast 500 offers the wild, rugged, untamed side of Scotland, Edinburgh is more touristy, like Scotland on steroids, with history and culture, and all the tartan and whiskey you could wish for. Always one for a challenge, but unwilling to walk 500 miles, I set about trying to cycle the route non-stop, laying down a time-to-beat on Scotland’s The beauty of the Highlands is that most places will locally source their ingredients so even the remotest places serve great food. Answer 1 of 9: We're visiting Orkney in June, driving from Inverness. This would essentially give us a two hour head start the next day. If you have 10 days to spend, follow the first few days of the North Coast 500 5-day itinerary above until you read day four and the drive along the North Coast from Durness. So if you drive the full route, you’ll end up where you started which can be very convenient if you are flying in and out of Inverness or renting a car. North Coast 500 practicalities. The Official Facebook page for the North Coast 500. The new North Coast 500 (NC500) route stretches along some of Scotland’s most northerly coastal points, including Caithness and John o’Groats and was soon feted by holiday-makers and travel writers alike as one of the best road trips in the world. Sharing with you our adventures and hot tips on the best places to eat too. It helps tourists explore parts of northern Scotland that have long been overlooked and no doubt local businesses along the route have benefited from the increased tourism. Ferry View Night Stop Canisbay, Wick, Highlands . Therefore, we probably don’t need to spend too much time telling you how incredible this drive is. A small, peaceful, family friendly site ideal for those exploring the Orkney Islands, Caithness and the NC500. Today we finished the North Coast 500 route in Inverness looking for the Loch Ness monster! The North Coast 500 is the trip of a lifetime and you want to have memories to keep for many years to come. There is a lot of history human and geological in this land and the Geopark is recognized by UNESCO and is set up to promote and preserve that history. We then continue our epic North Coast 500 route southwards where you can enjoy the green valleys and sea views as you travel to Dunrobin Castle. The route begins in Inverness and flows along the stunning coastal edges of the North Highlands in one round trip. Are you ready to discover the North Coast 500? The North Coast 500’s Best Beaches; The Main Towns You’ll Pass Through; The Traditional North Coast 500 Route. But don’t make the mistake of using Inverness just as a... Rogie Falls. Scotland's North Coast 500 route is gaining a bit of a reputation for itself. The North Coast 500 is a defined 516-mile road trip route starting and ending in Inverness. The first stop of the day is at the Falls of Mesach, sitting just beyond Ullapool. Nestled on the east coast of the Scottish Highlands, Brora is the first stop on your North Coast 500 tour. The NC500 is a 516-mile loop of the tippy-top bit of Scotland, which officially starts and … Well here we are in mid May 2017. North Coast 500 (NC500) is a 516-mile scenic route that starts and ends at Inverness Castle. The traditional North Coast 500 Route follows a clockwise circle, beginning in Inverness. Officially launched in 2015, this 516-mile route has seen 30,000 new visitors head to the northern wilderness of Scotland, boosting the economy by more than £9million. The North Coast 500 in Scotland makes for an incredible roadtrip in the Highland wilderness. Jane had some work near Edinburgh for 1 week so we tagged this trip on the end of that. While the popularity of the North Coast 500 grows it is now become difficult to find good accommodation within budget. The North Coast 500 is the world-famous road trip stretching along the northern coast of the Scottish mainland. We "made the girls lives" with a SURPRISE stop along the way! The Highlands offers plenty of accommodation types for visitors, with lots of friendly B&Bs or romantic countryside hotels to choose from. Now, you’ve probably stumbled upon this post because you’re already planning to drive the North Coast 500, an award-winning route in north Scotland. WELL HERE WE GO! The route of the North Coast 500 takes in many areas of the North Highland Way, a walking route along Scotland's North Coast. North Coast 500, stop overs, views, secret routes has 28,074 members. The North Coast 500 website was excellent in helping us plan the trip so make this your first port of call for your NC500 trip. We were originally going to head straight there, but the route between Inverness and John O'Groats looks interesting, so we may explore a bit and then take the later ferry. North Coast 500 Itinerary. Twenty-seven years later, the North Highland Initiative created a 500-mile route around Scotland’s most northerly coastal roads. Beautiful scenery, amazing roads and wildness, and like Wales on steroids. Because there’s so much to see and do along the North Coast 500 route, need to prioritize and compromise, depending on how much time you have. North Coast 500 is a spectacular 516-mile scenic route around the northern coast of Scotland, The route snakes around beautiful scenery and the many well known and historic features located in the Highlands of Scotland all incorporated into one very iconic pleasurable touring route around scotland. Inverewe is a delightful stop to inhale the dreamy English rose scent and walk the woodland trails. The North Coast 500 (NC500) is the new touring route that aims to create the Scottish Highlands new ROUTE 66. We left Inverness, driving over the Telford Street bridge to and made our first stop in Beauly. North Coast 500, Travel Guides 30 EPIC Things to do on the North Coast 500. 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). This is where you’ll find a fine craft beer brewery, a splendid ruined cathedral and probably the best place to spot dolphins in the country, at Cromarty. Amazingly, marketing of the North Coast 500 (NC 500) was only started in 2015 and it has become a fantastic success. The North Coast 500 Route: 12 Great places to visit, stop and stay 1. This remote area of Scotland is full of wild and rural terrain and little remote fishing and crofting hamlets. 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! It is important to plan ahead! In the morning we have a chance to visit a fine Scottish Highland Whisky distillery. North Coast 500 PDF Map – A map provided by the official NC500 organisation that is designed to be downloaded and/or printed. North Coast 500 campsites. 1. You don’t have to travel the entire route to take in the beauty though. So, if you’re looking for the perfect 7-day Scotland road trip then keep reading for all you need to know about the NC500 road trip! 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. Heartseed House offers friendly, quality accommodation, owned and run by Dee & Nigel, situated 1.3 miles from historic Dornoch, on the North East Coast, 40 miles North of Inverness, just off the A9, part of the NC500. Our breakfast consisted of baked goods and coffee from Harry Gow Bakery. The North Coast 500 in Scotland makes for an incredible roadtrip in the Highland wilderness. It’s been called Scotland’s answer to Route 66, but what are the best things to do on the North Coast 500 route? Nearby attractions include the North Coast 500 route, Cycling, Walking canoeing, stunning photography opportunities, two fab beaches, the Aroma Café, and Perfume gift shop. The North Coast 500 in the Highlands is ranked as one of the world's toughest endurance challenges as it has 34,423ft (10,492) of ascent - more than … Don’t just drive the route, there are lots of things to do along the way: You might want to purchase a 3, 7, or 14-day Historic Scotland Explorer Pass* Inverness. 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. We don’t plan our trips too much – our best-laid plans always go awry. The North Coast 500 starts in Inverness, the capital of the Highlands. The North Coast 500 (NC500) was created in 2014 by the North Highland Initiative to highlight some of Scotland’s magnificence to the world. North Coast 500 Interactive Map – A map provided by the official NC500 organisation. A carefully designed itinerary, travelling the North Coast 500 driving route – covering more than 500 miles of the best coastal scenery the North Highlands has to offer, but within a leisurely week’s holiday. The North Coast 500 might be right outside your door, but hidden on its own beach, the silence at Birdwatcher’s Cabin* is only interrupted by the whistling cry of an osprey taking flight over Loch Fleet’s endless stretch of sand dunes, mudflats, and 100-year-old Scots pinewoods. Just in case you haven’t heard, the NC 500 is a circular route around the coast of Scotland starting and finishing at Inverness. 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!). 500 miles / 805 km Location Inverness – Inverness. After a week on a camp site near Edinburgh we worked our way north to Inverness… Best time to do the trip? The road leads you further south, where you have a chance to stop for lunch. The North Coast 500 circuit also referred to as NC500 is hailed as Scotland’s Route 66 and it's a fine costal route. The North Coast 500 route runs 516 miles to and from Inverness, forming a loop around the northern Highlands. Further north, spot dolphins and seals off the coast at Chanonry Point. It has been described as Scotland’s answer to the renowned ‘Route 66’ and doesn't disappoint. Book now. North Coast 500. Our final campsite on the North Coast 500 route lies in one of our favourite parts of the country, the small village of Applecross. 4.1 Day 1: Edinburgh- Inverness; 4.2 Day 2: Inverness to Shieldaig (Plus Bealach na Ba Viewpoint) 4.3 Day 4: Mellon Udringle – Port a Baigh; 4.4 Day 5: Port a Baigh – Durness; 4.5 Day 6: Durness – John O’ Groats; 4.6 Day 7: John O’Groats- Dornoch; 4.7 Day 8: Dornoch- Inverness/ Edinburgh; 5 Cost of the North Coast 500; 6 Tips for Driving the North Coast 500 This more bike-friendly course takes in smaller roads on the West Coast, that motorhomes and caravans can't go on and away from the busy A9 on the East Coast, as well as including the beautiful Black Isle. Mark Beaumont cycles over 500 miles in 37 hours 56 minutes around the stunning north coast of Scotland, starting in Inverness. 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. The North Coast 500 is Scotland’s answer to Route 66, and takes you through some of Scotland’s most dramatic scenery. This post shares an overview of some of my favourite photography locations along the route. Quick 15-minute drive northwest from Gairloch is the perfect stop to unwind from all these one-track roads on the North Coast 500 route. The North Coast 500 is Scotland's biggest road trip measuring over 500 miles. However you can of course start and end your drive wherever you please. North Coast 500 road trip stop offs. 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. The North Coast 500 in Scotland makes for an incredible roadtrip in the Highland wilderness. We drove the North Coast 500 clockwise, starting and finishing in Inverness. This seems to be the most popular option. It is possible to drive the NC500 anti-clockwise too. However, keep in mind, that being the only car that goes against the stream can be annoying and tiring on single track roads. north coast 500 travel itinerary Oh yeah, and obviously, feel free to add or subtract as you see fit as long as you tick off some of the main spots when visiting the Highlands of Scotland. North Coast 500 Highlights – 19 Best Sights Along the NC500 What is the North Coast 500. My travel guide to the North Coast 500. One of the most popular experiences in Scotland is the NC500. Things to do on the North Coast 500. North Coast 500, stop overs, views, secret routes has 28,074 members. Book your accommodation as soon as you know your route, or consider camping. Where is The Applecross Inn … Far removed from the rest of the UK, this tiny village has only two entrances, one along the northern coast of the peninsula and one that wide its way directly up the ridge of Beinn Bhan, also known as the Bealach an Ba. In 1988, The Proclaimers penned Scotland’s alternative national anthem: I’m Gonna Be (500 miles). Just a modest drive from our doors and the gorgeous Cairngorms, the city of Inverness is the gateway to... 2. But we do prepare well. However, I strongly recommend driving in a counter-clockwise direction starting up the eastern coast, then across the top of Scotland and then back down the western coast. After a morning round and a few stops in the town of Durness, it was a three-hour journey south to my eventual goal of the Gairloch Highland Lodge in Gairloch, Scotland. For reference, the direction of travel we went was counterclockwise from the east to west coast, and that is reflected in the order of this post. From there, you'll venture to some of the most northerly coastal points in Scotland, passing by Caithness and John o' Groats before heading south again through Dingwall and finally back to Inverness. Let Full Stop Next Chapter help you plan your next trip to bonnie Scotland. It has a handy ‘filter’ tool that lets you find specific things that might interest you. we are first timers on this trail and want to get the most from it, throw us everything you got! The North Coast 500 is Scotland's newest driving route. North Coast 500 Day 5: Durness to Gairloch The North Coast 500 is a circular route that begins and ends in Inverness and obviously can be driven in either direction. This is our last stop of the North Coast 500 motorhome route on our way to Inverness, but we’ll return with a head full of great memories, a camera full of beautiful landscapes and a belly full of Scottish food and drinks. Technically the North Coast 500 is 516 miles, but let’s be honest – 500 sounds way better. The route begins in Inverness and flows along the stunning coastal edges of the North Highlands in one round trip. You don’t need to worry about running out of diesel, petrol or even electricity, but when it comes to refuelling the body, how does it fare?. The North Coast 500 is a 516-mile (830 km) scenic route around the north coast of Scotland, starting and ending at Inverness Castle. We started our day with a selfie in front of Inverness Castle, the official start and end point for the North Coast 500. Heading north-east for Caithness, the vast ocean views are a fine introduction to the NC500. Check out the nearby Balnakeil craft village, created in the 1970s from a disused military camp and now a creative community of artists. Inverness. Rogie Falls. 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. The North Coast 500 route hits the top-left corner of the mainland at Durness. The North Coast 500 is a circular driving route in Scotland, created by the Scottish Tourist Board to encourage people to visit parts of the country which are off the beaten track. Rebranded as Scotland's Route 66 back in 2015, it is an area that promises sweeping sea views, gold sand beaches, and rugged mountains. The 67-mile road from Ulapool to Durness offers the most staggering vistas of … Things to See & Do Along the North Coast 500. Thinking of taking a North Coast 500 road trip? There is so much to see on the North Coast 500 route in the Scottish Highlands - we spent just over a week road tripping around and we only scratched the surface! North Coast 500 itinerary day 2: Inverness to Torridon. It shouldn’t be any surprise that more and more people are adding the North Coast 500 to their Scotland itinerary. we want to know any secret views off the usual path, good places to eat, sleep, check out the stars … We live near Perth and it takes about two hours for us to drive from here to Inverness (near to the official NC500 start) so we had decided to pack the van up and drive up on the same day. The NC500 starts in the capital of the Highlands. For those lucky to live out here amongst all the wildlife, it is a tiny piece of paradise. Kapka Kassabova gets her kicks from wild beaches, high passes and spooky ruins To help you find your ideal hotel, we’ve handpicked our favourite hotels along the NC500. As you make your way along the A835 west, be sure to stop at Rogie Falls. On recommendation from our friends Darren & Rebecca over at izogadventure we joined the awesome nc500 Facebook Group which connected us with people who had done, are doing or who live along the North Coast 500 route. Often touted as the Scottish equivalent to the USA's Route 66, it's a 500 mile loop, that takes you around the coastline of the Scottish highlands, taking in some of the country's best scenery and a good dose of demanding gradients. Bringing together just over 500 miles of stunning coastal scenery, the route follows the main roads along the coastal edges of the North Highlands. 4,267 talking about this. The Proclaimers famously sang about walking 500 miles, and now you can take the ultimate 500-mile journey! Judith and her team know how to make you feel at home. We met plenty of visitors who came just to travel just for a few days traveling up from the city and either started their trip on the east or west coast. What is the North Coast 500 and where does it go? The following morning, the most anticipated stretch of the North Coast 500 beckons. As far as restaurants go, they can be few and far between so eat local wherever you go. Beginning and ending in the capital of the Scottish Highlands, Inverness, this epic road trip takes you on a circuit over 500-ish miles around Scotland’s coast. The North Coast 500 has plenty of pit stops. The North Coast 500, notoriously dubbed as Scotland’s answer to Route 66, stretches 500 miles around the northernmost region of Scotland’s pristine coastline. There a few spots, admittedly, but Scotland is top of my list – if not simply because the tourism board’s gone to the trouble to think up a lovely route for me to follow: the North Coast 500. Find out more about the North Coast 500 at www.NorthCoast500.com +44 (0)1862 810 750. Very well thankfully. The North Coast 500 is Scotland's biggest road trip measuring over 500 miles. It is actually about 516 miles but, of course, you have to get to Inverness to start with. The Brora Caravan and Motorhome Club Site is in the perfect location for a wild, outdoor experience. Things to do along the North Coast 500 route. If it is the brutal Scottish winter - props to you!- then you’ll need to check you have winter tyres and snow chains. Here you’ll find the enchanting Whaligoe Steps that lead down the cliff to a small cove. Falls of Mesach – one of many popular North Coast 500 stops Browse the cute shops along Ullapool’s high street and take one last look at the beautiful scenery surrounding this vibrant town. Called “Scotland’s Route 66” and “one of the top coastal trips in the world,” the North Coast 500 is made for exploring in a campervan hire.
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