North Coast 500 – The Remarkable Scottish Road Trip You Have To Do
A sentence with the words “spectacular coastal scenery” and “in the U.K.” would read like an oxymoron, right? Well, in today’s article I’ll show you how you would be wrong to think so.
Forget everything you know about the lifeless, pebbly coastlines of Britain and picture white sandy beaches, because that’s what you’ll view if you travel along the North Coast 500 route.
If you dream of quaint fishing villages and rocky mountains, have a look below at the staycation tour available to you without leaving the country.
Inverness
Your NC500 journey begins in Inverness, by Inverness castle. It’s located at the most southern part of the trip and is full of many tourist attractions to appreciate. Our top recommendations are to admire the castle, visit the exquisite Inverness Botanical Gardens, and take a gander at the historical military base Fort George. As this magnificent location has plenty to offer, we recommend spending a day in Inverness to take it all in, before getting on with the proper journey.
Black Isle
If you take the counter-clockwise route, one of the first destinations you’ll come to is the Black Isle; a peninsula home to many small towns. If you’re a beer lover you’ll enjoy stopping off at the Black Isle brewery. Whereas any nature enthusiasts, the Fairy Glen Waterfall and the Pictish Stones are sights not to be missed.
Easter Ross
Easter Ross is labelled as a romantic area, so it’s a ‘must-visit’ location if you’re travelling with a loved one. If you’re a whiskey connoisseur then you can stop off at Glenmorangie Distillery to taste some authentic Scottish whiskey, or relax at Portmahomack Beach if the sun has got his hat on.
Caithness
At the highest compass point on this tour, Caithness is a perfect place to stop and experience the impressive scenery around you. If a scenic boat trip takes your fancy then Smoo Cave delivers an unforgettable experience for any explorer, and Dunrobin Castle is a sublime old house that’s sure to deliver a delightful time.
Sutherland
As you begin your descent south down the east coast, Sutherland is another location in the Scottish Highlands worth a visit. Scourie is a picturesque village with a vast selection of bed-and-breakfasts that offer spellbinding views of the bonny blue sea. If you’re more of a thrill-seeker, Achmelvich Beach is the place to take part in all kinds of watersports, plus it’s utterly gorgeous.
Wester Ross
Finish your journey by stopping off at Wester Ross, the counterpart of Easter Ross, where you started off your trip. Here you’ll be able to enjoy the famous Inverewe Garden or, if you’re into your Second World War history, the Russian Arctic Convoy Museum.
There are so many hidden gems to be discovered throughout this adventurous expedition, with all areas being covered for every person’s taste. Whether you’re looking for an action-packed trip, or a chilled out, relaxing time surrounded by breathtaking views, the choice is yours.
