North Coast 500 Scotland

North Coast 500 (NC500), Scotland

The Road Less Travelled: Get away from it all on Scotland's new NC500 route

Daniel Allen

North Coast 500 sign. — North Coast 500 sign, Scotland

Scotland now has its very own take on America's legendary Route 66. Launched in mid-2015, the North Coast 500 - or "NC500" - is now attracting growing numbers of cyclists, hikers, bikers and drivers, and is already being ranked alongside some of the world's other great coastal road journeys, such as the Amalfi Coast in Italy and Norway's Atlantic Road.

The NC500 route starts in Inverness, follows the A835 towards the west coast, and hugs the coastline upward through the north west Highlands, across the very top of mainland Britain, and finally down the east coast on the A9 from Britain's most northerly village, John O'Groats, completing the loop back to Inverness. Those making the journey can anything from a long weekend to a couple of weeks to explore this little slice of Scottish heaven.

Highland Cattle, Scotland, UK. — Highland Cattle, Scotland

Highlights

The highlights of the NC500 are as diverse as they are numerous, with something for everyone along the way. The route boasts some of the most dramatic scenery in Europe, with everything from snow-clad peaks, tranquil lochs and ruined castles to soaring sea cliffs, secluded sandy bays and foaming salmon rivers.

In addition to the scenery and wildlife, one of the main attractions of the NC500 is the area's wonderful food and drink (don't let the media fool you - it's not all deep-fried Mars bars and Irn Bru in Scotland). From freshly caught seafood and freshly baked pies to smoked salmon, organic chocolate and some of the finest distilleries in Britain, there's more than enough here to keep gourmands satisfied.

Here are some more details about the NC500's iconic attractions (in chronological / geographical order, starting the route in Inverness).

Falls of Rogie

A dramatic waterfall on the River Blackwater in Torrachilty Forest. Visit from July through to late September for a chance to see Atlantic salmon leaping up the salmon ladder.

Attadale Gardens

Started by Baron Schroder in the late nineteenth century, hill paths meander here through 20 acres of conifers and rhododendrons. These beautiful artist's gardens are designed to frame the magnificent views of Skye and the surrounding hills. Waterfalls, Monet bridges, meconopsis, bamboo and candelabra primula are reflected in dark pools. Sculptures feature in unexpected places.

attadalegardens.com

Kishorn Seafood Bar

This charming, award-winning cafe-cum-restaurant nestles between Lochcarron and Shieldaig at the foot of the Applecross hills with beautiful views of the Isle of Skye. The garlic scallops and seafood platter come highly recommended.

kishornseafoodbar.co.uk

Isle of Ewe Smokehouse

Run by a charming couple, this artisan smokehouse specializes in hand-prepared and cut smoked salmon. Salmon is sustainably sourced from Loch Duart farm, and is hot and cold smoked. The smokehouse deli sells this smoked salmon, as well as salmon pate, smoked haddock and kippers, and smoked cheese.

smokedbyewe.com

Perfume Studio & Cafe

A stone's throw from the Isle of Ewe Smokehouse, the beautifully situated Perfume Studio designs and produces an original range of handmade perfumes, fragrances, skin creams, toiletries, and soaps which are sold in the gift shop (and online). There's also an excellent cafe and a photographic studio on site.

perfume-studio.com
perfume-studio.com/aroma-cafe

Ardvreck Castle

A marvellously scenic ruined fortress in a magnificent location under the brooding bulk of Quinag, Ardvreck Castle was the traditional seat of the MacLeods of Assynt. The castle was constructed by Angus Mor III in the late 15th century.

The site chosen for the castle was an easily defensible one on a small promontory of land jutting out into Loch Assynt. The promontory is sometimes cut off by high water, leaving Ardvreck on its very own island.

Lochinver Larder

Famous for its eclectic array of homemade pies, the Lochinver Larder has garnered a good many fans over the years. Venison is the most popular filling, but the options run from chestnut mushroom and red wine through smoked haddock to chicken curry - and there are a number of sweet pies on offer too.

lochinverlarder.co.uk

Oldshoremore Beach

One of the most beautiful beaches on the NC500 route, Oldshoremore was formed from eroded sandstone and seashells. Known locally as Am Meallan, it is a spectacular, narrow beach of clean white sand. With rocky outcrops and a vast, clear blue sea, this is a stunning and tranquil spot.

Smoo Caves

A dramatic and spectacular sea cave, that is set into the limestone cliffs and can be explored by boat or by the path from the car park on the cliffs. Smoo Cave boasts one of the largest entrances to any sea cave in Britain at 50 ft. high and is floodlit inside. It was formed by a burn that runs down into the rear chamber, as well as erosion caused by the sea.

smoocave.org

Smoo Cave, Scotland, UK. — Smoo Cave, Scotland

Cocoa Mountain

This local chocolatier has become famous thanks to its appearance on the Dragon's Den. While the company didn't win any backing, it certainly generated a lot of interest thanks to its amazing hot chocolate and awesome varieties of dark and white chocolate. A must for all those NC500 travellers with a sweet tooth.

cocoamountain.co.uk

Whaligoe Steps

Whaligoe Steps are a man-built stairway of 365 steps in to the rugged coastline just outside of Wick at Ulbster. The steps were initially built to allow the fisherman wives' to go down to the small harbour and carry the fish back miles away to Wick.

whaligoesteps.co.uk

Dunrobin Castle

This spectacular, fairy tale castle is located on the outskirts of Golspie and allows visitors to discovery the history of the Clan Sutherland and the local community. The site also boasts a falconry centre and picturesque gardens. The castle is open from 10.30 am - 4 pm and admission is £11.