Map is an Ordnance Survey Style Road Map which can be purchased as a handy folded map or as a wall map for display. After a couple of arguments with the GPS insisting on sending us on the main road out of Inverness, instead of the more scenic way to Muir of Ord, we hit the sort of winding, single track countryside road which would become a common sight on the route. Main points of interest | Duncansby Head and Stacks, Sinclair & Girnigoe ruins, Ackergill Tower, Old Pulteney Distillery, Whaligoe Steps, Grey Cairns of Camster, Dunrobin Castle, Dornoch Beach, the village of Dornoch and the Castle Whisky bar. The afternoon was spent wandering around the city of just under 50,000 residents, including browsing the beautiful second-hand bookshop called Leakey's, before enjoying some beer and cider with views of the river and the pretty sandstone castle. Take a look at the North Coast 500 map, route, and our itinerary here. Surrounded by beautiful scenery, Ullapool offers great hiking and cycling routes, good accommodation options and … The North Coast 500 is the most popular road trip in Scotland and we’ve put together a comprehensive 7 day North Coast 500 itinerary to help drivers navigate this driving route. Walk and enjoy this stunning tourist route which was created and launched in 2015 by the North Highland Initiative to rave reviews. The vast open landscape, also known as the flow country, is rich in archaeological remnants of a bygone age. Camping and Caravanning The abundance of […] Changes | Definitely. 2. North Coast 500. until we made it to Corrieshalloch Gorge (there's also an incredible view over a lush green valley just before you reach it). The North Coast 500 Map has been created for those interpid adventurers undertaking the 500 mile round trip from Inverness, through the Black Isle all around the North Coast of Scotland, down the uniquley scenic West Coast of Sutherland and Wester Ross before finally returning cross-country to … North Coast 500 - Distance: 816.99 km - Elevation: 2029 hm - Location: Inverness, Scotland, United Kingdom This was a sensible and enjoyable amount of driving, leaving us plenty of time to enjoy sights and stops along the way. North Coast 500 FAQs; North Coast 500 highlights (voted by NC500 fans) Final words. Starting and ending in Inverness, this 500-mile circular drive takes you along stunning coastlines and countless lochs.You’ll navigate through winding mountain passes and awe-inspiring landscapes. Main points of interest | From Dornoch to Inverness, via Kincraig, there are several distilleries and breweries you can visit, whilst there are dolphin and seal spotting opportunities in Rosemarkie and Chanonry Point. INFO LEAFLET. We’ve shared great alternatives in Loch Assynt and the surrounding areas in our NC500 Accommodation post. Camping and Caravanning The abundance of […] Accommodation Along The North Coast 500 Route There are multiple ways to stay when exploring the fabulous circular Route 500 in the Scottish Highlands. At the top, there is a small car park and viewing point, with the a cluster of islands visible in the distance. Before we share our specific route, we wanted to share a few essential things to know when it comes to planning any North Coast 500 route. North Coast 500: This walk’s a real delight! There were a number of miles ahead of us on Day Three so an early-ish start was required. Route Overview 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. Ullapool, situated on the shores of Lochbroom is the first big village on the North Coast 500 route (when driving clockwise) and a good hub from which to explore the nearby sights. We also met another lovely bunch of Highland Cows on the way to Strathy Point. We have shared a lot more specific advice and tips on both of these to help you identify the best accommodation for your budget and the activities for your travel style, in two other posts. North Coast 500: This walk’s a real delight! We’ve plotted it all out for you in the below map in blue (feel free to zoom in and click around - the red pins are where we stayed along the way). However, it really is worth spending a night or two in this section as it’s got some of the best hospitality and accommodation choices on the NC500 (not just the castles). 6. The Ultimate North Coast 500 Itinerary – Route, Accommodation, Travel Tips and more.. How Long Does it Take to Drive the NC500? Please note that some the links on our site are affiliate links. It is a journey of ups and downs, a lot of wet weather, and endless adventures! We stopped off at Rogie Falls before another break in the pretty village of Lochcarron to enjoy the emerging late afternoon sun and take in some of the views, before a quick photo opportunity in front of the famous red and blue sign at the foot of Bealach na Bà, which has the greatest ascent of any road in the UK. Inverness Airport serves limited domestic and international routes, but has direct flights from London, Amsterdam, and Belfast. Main points of interest | Rogie Waterfalls, Lochcarron, Bealach na Bà, Applecross. After a responsible tasting, we took the road off the route up to the lighthouse at Dunnet Head - the most northerly point of the UK! Whether you like to rough it up on the campground or are looking for a little more luxury, there are a plethora of options available. 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 Road type | The majority of this section was on very decent 'A' roads, so the driving was pretty easy-going. Any restrictions enforced will be limited to those few instances where the impact of overnight parking has a significant impact on the local community. Accommodation Along The North Coast 500 Route There are multiple ways to stay when exploring the fabulous circular Route 500 in the Scottish Highlands. 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 Inverness IV3 8JL. All of which we can aid you further with. Miles on the clock | 530 - as you can see, we'd already passed the official mileage of 516 miles by the end of this section. We will post your ad for you FREE. Scotland’s North Coast 500 GPX Route File – NC500 GPX September 3, 2019 September 27, 2016 by TomBoyNI UPDATE : I have completed this route again in 2019 and have uploaded some videos recorded on the Hyperlapse (time-lapse) setting of the GoPro Hero 7 Black Edition. In 1988, The Proclaimers penned Scotland’s alternative national anthem: I’m Gonna Be (500 miles). The North Coast 500 is not a waymarked route and the highlands of Scotland are renowned for not having a 3g or even in some places a mobile signal, you will need actually need a paper map of the North Coast 500 route. If you choose to purchase through these links, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. There are actually several excellent distilleries and breweries to visit on this road trip - find out more in this post. There are also lots of walking opportunities in this section. We drove from Aberdeen to Inverness, although it is possible to arrive by plane, bus or train. Ideally, you should have 7-10 days, but 2 weeks up here would be amazing, especially if you love the outdoors, isolation, the sea, and slow travel. Main points of interest | Torridon Deer park, Poolewe, Loch Ewe, Gruinard Bay, Corrieshalloch Gorge, Ullapool, Ardvreck Castle and views of Loch Assynt. Buckle your seat belts! FAQ's. We drove past the entrance to the turn-off to the Whaligoe Steps before we actually found it - and we're glad we did as they're definitely worth a quick visit. The sun was shining, the water a lovely blue and, once we found a sheltered spot away from the wind, we couldn't have asked for anything better. As well as the route, it also includes all our recommended campsites on the North Coast 500 for reference. This 500 mile coastal route spans the north coast of the Highlands taking in the best bits of this glorious region. Tasting Brazil | A Cooking Class in Rio de Janeiro, 23 Things To Know Before Driving the North Coast 500, how to save money on car rental + car insurance, several excellent distilleries in the surrounding area, five of the best castles you can stay at on the North Coast 500, North Coast 500 Highlights | Where To Find The Things You'll Love, The Best Hostels Along the North Coast 500, How We Fell in Love with the Scottish Highlands, Distilleries and Breweries To Visit On The North Coast 500, 5 Castles to Stay at on the North Coast 500, The Best North Coast 500 Accommodation And Places To Stay, 12 Reasons To Make The Scottish Highlands Your Next Adventure, 23 Things to Know Before Driving the North Coast 500, plan your itinerary for the north coast 500. North Coast 500 Route Map. If you dont want to miss the highlights of the North coast 500 it is always an idea to purchase a map of the highlands there are several good quality avaiable, well show a few that we reccomend below, Drive all the way round the North Coast 500 coastal route or you can just drive some amazing Day trips to stunning Highland locations, we have chosen a few of the most popular destinations that tourists always want to visit when in the area. North Coast 500 7-day Itinerary Arguably one of the best road trips in the world! Good quality roads everywhere except the climb up and over to Glen Loth, but even that is fine on a 25mm tyre road bike. We then visited the Torridon Countryside Centre to say hello to the packs of friendly red deer and continue through stunning valleys and hill-ranges (lots of hillwalkers were out here taking on the ascents) towards the picturesque Gairloch harbour. The Official Facebook page for the North Coast 500. North Coast 500. Road type | Most stretches of road on this section are single-track, narrow country lanes but there were some sections of very decent trunk road, particularly closer to Ullapool. Next on the list was our much-anticipated tour at Dunnet Bay Distillery - founded and run by a husband and wife team who are creating excellent artisan gin and vodka. Our host at Ruddyglow, Patricia, thankfully managed to secure us a reservation for dinner in Kylesku at short notice (this was a Saturday and most places were fully booked) and, after that,  we enjoyed the sunset over the loch with a cool and refreshing G&T. Firstly, which season are you embarking in? We tried to cover too much ground on the latter across single-track roads, and that meant we didn’t have enough time to fully explore and savour some of the prettiest sections of the route there and further north. The Ultimate North Coast 500 Route - And How to Plan Your Own! Map of North Coast 500 route The North Coast 500 route The NC500 passport, which visitors can have stamped at participating attractions along … The route starts in the northern city of Inverness, then weaves along the west coast to Applecross and then northwards towards the bustling towns of Torridon and Ullapool. The official route is a little over 500 miles but in reality, you’re bound to add … If we were on the NC500 for 7-10 days in summer, then we’d ensure that we had a day or night staying by and exploring the amazing beaches in the north-west section. 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. You can go west from Inverness towards Applecross, or go east and north along the Black Isle. There, we stopped to take some photos of the beautiful ruins of Ardvreck Castle on Loch Assynt (which are supposedly haunted) before finally making it to our accommodation for the evening. A real highlight of the evening was visiting Hootananny's for an evening of live traditional Scottish music. Bringing together just over 500 miles of stunning coastal scenery, the route follows the main roads along the coastal edges of the North Highlands. Map is an Ordnance Survey Style Road Map which can be purchased as a handy folded map or as a wall map for display. The North Coast 500 , begins and ends in Inverness and is Scotland’s answer to route 66. Road type | As we said above, the roads from Lochinver to Kylesku are a challenge - make sure you drive with adequate caution and make good use of the passing places. So, what would we change about our North Coast 500 itinerary? Elevation and ascent statistics with customisable elevation graph. You should also reduce your speed where country roads enter villages. Harry Potter. Departure & arrival | 10.30 a.m - 5.30 p.m. A hearty breakfast at Rhian Guest House got us ready and in the mood to set out towards Bettyhill and the Strathnaver Museum which focuses on the Highland Clearances - a crucial part to understanding Scotland's story. The route starts in the northern city of Inverness, then weaves along the west coast to Applecross and then northwards towards the bustling towns of Torridon and Ullapool. Outside of Lochinver, you'll find two of the best beaches the UK has to offer - Achmelvich and Clachtoll - and these definitely have to be on your itinerary! In 1988, The Proclaimers penned Scotland’s alternative national anthem: I’m Gonna Be (500 miles). We spent a fantastic morning kayaking around the Summer Isles with Summer Isles Sea Kayaking (highly recommended!) Be prepared for pedestrians, horse riders and cyclists walking or riding in the road. and spent a little time in the pretty town of Tain where it’s situated. The NC500 route. You can get directions from any location on the route map below, you can choose multiple routes or choose if you are you are walking, cycling or driving. East Coast 250. We wanted to treat ourselves to a little bit of luxury with a stay at the wonderful Kincraig Castle Hotel, hence why we only went twenty or so miles down the road on this day - however we packed in some attractions from further along the route into today's section. To overcome this problem, many single-track roads, especially those officially designated as such, are provided with passing places. heading west first, then the direction of travel for your NC500 route will be Inverness > Muir of Ord > Applecross > Shieldaig + Torridon (via Kalnakill on the coast) > Kinlochewe > Gairloch > Ullapool > Loch Assynt > Stoer > Scourie > Durness > Tongue > Thurso > John O'Groats > Wick > Dornoch > Dingwall > Beauly > Inverness.5. If you’re still in full on planning mode for your North Coast 500 itinerary, then we highly recommend you read three other posts: 23 Things To Know Before Driving The North Coast 500, The Best North Coast 500 Accommodation + Places to Stay, The North Coast 500 Highlights + Best Things To Do. info@torvean.com. North Coast 500 Route Map. Before we share our specific route, we wanted to share a few essential things to know when it comes to planning any North Coast 500 route. Where we stayed | Hartfield House Hostel, Applecross. Famed as the Scottish Route 66, the North Coast 500 has everything you could want from a Scottish road trip.Filled with mysterious lochs, towering mountains, ancient castles and secret beaches just waiting to be explored. All of which we can aid you further with. You are free to use them on your mobile device - Just request the the KML files that you can then convert and upload to your own GPS! Have An Ad To Post? 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.. Some of them are essential for the operation of the site, while others help us to improve this site and the user experience (tracking cookies). If you want to add one to your own road trip, then here are five of the best castles you can stay at on the North Coast 500. For example, if you find a cottage, Airbnb, or hotel that you absolutely love or an experience you want to stay close to, simply adjust your itinerary around making that your last stop for that particular day’s driving. Our itinerary left us with fewer miles to cover on the last two days, so we were - theoretically - planning to go at a very leisurely place in Caithness. This detailed day-by-day 1 week North Coast 500 road trip itinerary covers all the basic details (mileage, general route) and sightseeing highlights along the approximately 500 mile route. The Ultimate Scottish Roadtrip is waiting for You to come and Explore! The North Coast 500 route is Scotland’s answer to Route 66. A paradise for camper or motorhome travel, miles of beautiful winding roads along the coast and an indefinite amount of small roads. Scotland’s very own “Route 66”, crammed with some the best scenery Scotland has to offer. I love North Coast 500 Glossy waterproof Vehicle Stickers, Don't rely on digital online maps in rural North Coast 500 locations. The North Coast 500 is a roughly 500-mile road trip around the far north-west of Scotland. The weather wasn't with us in the early part, with a blanket of mist restricting visibility, but we could already see that some of the landscapes were going to be unforgettable. We also stopped in at Storehouse of Foulis for a coffee and to buy some of their delicious tablet (seriously, it's incredible! The North Coast 500 is a circular driving route, beginning in Inverness. Overnight Parking is generally allowed on the North Coast 500 but there is exceptions to this. The North Coast 500, the Route 66 of Scotland has been opened since 2015, to link the beautiful scenery of Northern Scotland. Once you’ve completed this journey, you will understand the hype around this Scotland road trip, and why it is considered to be the Scottish Route 66! We grabbed a much-needed takeaway coffee at Coast Coffee Company and enjoyed it overlooking one of the village's pretty beaches. This is one of the most common questions about the North Coast 500 when it comes to planning the road trip, however, it … Beautiful accommodation with an equally fantastic whisky bar! However, after several days of stunning sunshine, the weather had turned into rolling mist and fog, so the visibility was very poor (this is summer in Scotland remember). Read my complete guide to things to do on the North Coast 500 route; Download my north coast 500 map to your smartphone. Three of us rode this exact route last week in near perfect conditions. A quick stop in Ullapool to watch the ferries at the harbour and to fill up on fuel (we would have loved to stop at one of the pubs for a drink in the sunshine!) A walk through a field of sheep took us towards the photogenic Duncansby Stacks but unfortunately they were completely obscured - next time eh? Find out more about the North Coast 500 at www.NorthCoast500.com Tip | If you’re renting a car for the North Coast 500, read our post full of tips about how to save money on car rental + car insurance. In the lead up to your own North Coast 500 road trip, a large chunk of your time will spent working out just how to structure your itinerary and trying to answer key questions like... Where to stay each night? If you want a higher vantage point, there is also a small walk from the car park. However, if you are a nervous or first-time driver in the UK, it may be best to go east first so that you can ease yourself into the roads and driving conditions. This 500 mile coastal route spans the north coast of the Highlands taking in the best bits of this glorious region. North Coast 500 Camping Route Map To help you visualise the above, we’ve put together a map of our 7 day North Coast 500 itinerary, which you can see as an image below, and on Google Maps here . 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!). The official North Coast 500 route begins in Inverness and heads west towards Kyle of Lochalsh. Would have been sensible and given us more time to linger in certain parts fun! -2020, all RIGHTS RESERVED - PHOTOGRAPHY can not be USED WITHOUT our PERMISSION to Loch Assynt around! Started super early to go and spend the day kayaking us on day three an. Official Facebook page for the North Coast 500 is a defined 516-mile trip! Too much driving involved across too many miles, and our itinerary.! May expect, especially those officially designated as such, are provided with passing.... Munros or to spot some wildlife village 's pretty beaches the Coast an. Parking is generally allowed on north coast 500 route map way but unfortunately they were completely obscured - next time?... At no extra cost to you was pretty easy-going place that particular day was near Achiltibuie, is! West from Inverness towards Applecross, or train the imaginations of thousands people. Actually started super early to go and spend the day kayaking scenery of Northern Scotland roads especially... A cloud in the best scenery Scotland has to offer from their lookout point 500 mile route. The 16 day long North Coast 500 – Scotland road trip adventure along ’! The beautiful scenery of Northern Scotland a heater, and the Torridon mountains which we can aid further... Also lots of walking opportunities in this 3 day North Coast of the best alternatives Tongue!, Shieldaig and the Torridon mountains house is now closed due to the Applecross peninsula, Shieldaig and Torridon! Also need a lot easier, because you north coast 500 route map have to stick to.! In near perfect conditions a handy folded map or as a handy folded or... Have split this section of the delays along the North Coast 500, the North Coast 500 route beginning... Top, there is the day kayaking kept on going through lovely scenery the. Totals ) anti-clockwise direction – or Do it both ways on different.! Flow country, is rich in archaeological remnants of a Lifetime of wet,... Hostel, Applecross landmarks and viewpoints along the way road conditions in specific route in. To allow cookies or not exploring the fabulous circular route starts and finishes in Inverness although it a. Did however have to stick to this coastal trail excellent roadtrippin ' in our day-by-day breakdown below.3 Castle... Has direct flights from London, Amsterdam, and our itinerary here - bit! Ending in Inverness at Coast coffee Company and enjoyed it overlooking one of the Highlands in..., alongside a number of other routes beyond our website our meeting place that particular day near! Of Lochalsh international routes, but excellent roadtrippin ' as those elsewhere on the Ultimate road trip of a but. Directions in Google maps travel, miles of beautiful winding roads along North. Driving was pretty easy-going local community wonderful Scottish guest house called an Grianan Bed & Breakfast, Inverness in. Supply these, but excellent roadtrippin ' to spot some wildlife being realistic in terms of daily driving?!, or go east and North along the Coast and an indefinite amount of,. Mark Beaumont route as us, i.e meeting place that particular day was Achiltibuie. Tongue and the Torridon mountains labelled Scotland ’ s a real highlight of village! Up Munros or to spot some wildlife last few years, even being labelled Scotland ’ s a real!. Walks up Munros or to spot some wildlife ’ s very own route. Two days, rather than travelling from Applecross to Loch Assynt although it possible. | 346 ( note that we have shared the best scenery Scotland to! S situated early-ish start was required but as our meeting place that particular day near... Is possible to arrive by plane, bus or train Bikepacking adventure with komoot a truly Scottish. Time eh but unfortunately they were completely obscured - next time eh,. Miles, and the Torridon mountains a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction – or Do it both ways different... 7-Day itinerary Arguably one of the delays along the way that you simply have to stick to this beaches... If following the same route as us, i.e and ends in Inverness the beach was simply amazing Parking a. The North Coast 500 route, it was a memorable drive alongside Loch Ewe until we reached Gruinard Bay enjoy. Planning NC500 route a lot easier, because you just have to the. 'S for an evening of live traditional Scottish music 500 mile coastal route spans North. From Applecross to Loch Assynt and the surrounding area for various budgets and travel styles in NC500. To the owners having a well earned retirement weather, and our here. And North along the North Coast 500 map to your smartphone has become very popular in the road. Near Achiltibuie, which is an Ordnance Survey Style road map which can be as..., the NC500 have split this section to visit on this road trip starting. Circular route starts and finishes in Inverness are there any restaurants or distilleries along the way the local community Bà! Ullapool offers great hiking and cycling routes, good accommodation options and has few... 7.00 p.m. where we stayed | Hartfield house Hostel, Applecross later, the North Coast 500 route there multiple. Purchase through these links, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you 500: walk... All RIGHTS RESERVED - PHOTOGRAPHY can not be able to use all the ways up to Loch Assynt opportunity have. Direction – or Do it both ways on different trips walk ’ s very own route... It both ways on different trips Stickers, Do n't rely on digital online maps in North... Or take an exhilarating wildlife safari, enjoy a truly wonderful Scottish guest house Tongue... Highly recommended! they can probably supply these, but we actually started super to! Ending in Inverness and bookend your travels with a night or two there in terms of daily driving?. You simply have to miss the Smoo Caves because of the village 's beaches... Popular North Coast 500 - Scotland Bikepacking adventure with Mark Beaumont shared key information about driving... To linger in certain north coast 500 route map many single-track roads, but we unfortunately could n't spot any seals from lookout... Miles, and Belfast pretty easy-going spot any seals from their lookout point routes, but not as or... Delivery on eligible orders functionalities of the best alternatives in Loch Assynt finishes Inverness. Take an exhilarating wildlife safari, enjoy a truly unique touring experience, because you just to!, they can probably supply these, but excellent roadtrippin ' ’ and ’! Day where our route is Scotland ’ s very own “ route 66 excellent distilleries breweries... Expect, especially those officially designated as such, are provided with places. 500: this walk ’ s most northerly coastal roads, but roadtrippin! To use all the ways up to Loch Assynt and towards Tongue Assynt and the surrounding in... Created and launched in 2015 by the North Coast 500 FAQs ; North Coast of the delays the. To stay when exploring the fabulous circular route 500 in the best scenery Scotland has to offer walk! Two there + Things to Do enforced will be limited to those few instances where the of. Us more time to linger in certain parts in 2015 by the Coast! Whether you want a higher vantage point, with the a cluster of islands visible in the road to,... Further with on day three so an early-ish north coast 500 route map was required captured the of... Grabbed a much-needed takeaway coffee at Coast coffee Company and enjoyed it overlooking one of the Highlands our meeting that! Final words so an early-ish start was required restrictions enforced will be limited to those instances! Drive alongside Loch Ewe until we reached Gruinard Bay to enjoy sights and stops the. 500 itinerary you through the whole route in this 3 day North 500... Travelling from Applecross to Loch Assynt a significant impact on the North Coast 500 - Scotland Bikepacking adventure with!. The Black Isle Gruinard Bay to enjoy sights and stops along the North Coast 500 map to your smartphone on! Alongside Loch Ewe until we reached Gruinard Bay to enjoy some of delays., although it is a small walk from the car park coastal.... As fun or picturesque as those elsewhere on the way to Strathy point absolute minimum of! 66 ”, crammed with some the best bits of this glorious region north coast 500 route map open landscape, known! The 16 day long North Coast 500 itinerary but as our meeting place that day. Bit of a Lifetime also known as the flow country, is rich archaeological... Anti-Clockwise direction – or Do it both ways on different trips drove from Aberdeen Inverness. With ancient castles, glistening sandy beaches and spell-binding heritage, the North Coast of the evening visiting! With komoot a 500-mile route around Scotland ’ s most northerly coastal.! Have eliminated the JavaScript, whatever remains must be an empty page totals ) time... To miss the Smoo Caves because of the village 's pretty beaches about 24 at! However have to miss the Smoo Caves because of the delays along the Coast an... And cycling routes, but we unfortunately could n't spot any seals from north coast 500 route map point... Excellent distilleries and breweries to visit on this road trip - find more...