The Wild Side of Scotland’s NC500

A 4 DAY ITINERARY AND GUIDE
Reading time 6 minutes

Scotland's North Coast 500 (NC500 for short) is a classic road trip that loops around the northernmost coastline of Scotland, taking in rugged mountains and spectacular coastal scenery.

Many people think the best section of the NC500 is the rugged west coast, and I would agree. I have put together an itinerary for those who want to experience the wilder side of the North Coast 500 in 4 days – with plenty of time to savour the beauty of this coastline.

After spending a night in Durness, the itinerary tracks back a short way to Inverness via the A838, a wild and beautiful road with very little traffic. The journey finishes with a visit to the Glen Morangie Distillery and Dunrobin Castle, before heading back to Inverness.

Inverness to Applecross

DAY 1
Drive across the beautiful Black Isle to Lochcarron. Lunch at the Rockvilla Hotel. Possible visit to Eilean Donan Castle. Continue to the village of Achintraid with its views over Loch Kishorn. Continue, climbing upwards over the dramatic Bealach na Ba (Gaelic for Pass of the Cattle) which is also known as the Applecross Pass. The road is the third highest in Britain at over 2000 feet. Pause for those awe-inspiring views across Raasay and the Isle of Skye. Night at The Applecross Inn.

Applecross to Ullapool

DAY 2
Drive along the banks of Loch Torridon, and through the Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve–a great place for hiking and wildlife viewing. Continue to the villages of Shieldaig and Kinlochewe. Lunch at The Kinlochewe Hotel. Possible stop at the Inverewe Gardens, a paradise of unusual and wonderful plants, created from a barren wilderness in the 19th century. Continue through Aultbea (Gaelic: An t-Allt Beithe), a small fishing village on the shores of Loch Ewe, and on to Ullapool. Night at The Royal Hotel Ullapool.

Ullapool to Durness

DAY 3
Driving on the A893 towards Durness, don’t miss Achnahaird Beach, an almost-white sand beach that requires a slight detour. Other options are a walk in the ancient Knockan Crag National Nature Reserve or a visit to the ruin of Ardvreck Castle, once owned by the Macleods of Assynt Clan. The highlight of this section for me was a visit to Badcall Bay, and Kylesku Harbour, just off the main road. Night at The Old Manse Cottage, Durness. Smoo Cave is a popular and worthwhile visit while in Durness.

Durness to Inverness

DAY 4
Drive back to Laxford Bridge (30 minutes). Drive the remote and spectacular A838 to Lairg (1.45 hours) Lunch at Greens in Dornach. Call at the Glenmorangie Distillery for Whisky tasting (ask for a takeaway pack for the driver) and/or visit the lavish Dunrobin Castle. Drive back to Inverness. For Whisky connoisseurs, drive a little further to the wonderful Mash Tun in Aberlour and stay the night.

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