Discover The North Coast 500

Right at the top of my to-do list for this year is more of Scotland's newest tourist route, the North Coast 500 (recently recommended by the New York Times in 52 Places to Go in 2016).  Having already driven the Inverness to Applecross section and a large chunk of the west coast, I have had a taste of how completely jaw-dropping this coastal route is – and I want to see more.  The tip of the mainland is largely unexplored territory for me (I have been to the northern edge as a child and have hazy memories of shrieking at the coldness of the water at Farr Beach) and I have only been as far as Golspie on the east coast.  I am itching to return to the beaches of the Drumbeg Road north of Lochinver with children who I know will love these white sands; I long to visit the Torridon area I have heard so much about; I dream of visiting Smoo Cave on the north east tip of the route, and finding out in Thurso whether I can remember anything from surfing lessons taken years ago.

I hope this will be the year I discover the gems tucked along Scotland's most northern edge.  For now, though, here are some of my personal highlights from what I've experienced of the North Coast 500 so far.

Bealach na Ba Road to Applecross 

The first section of the North Coast 500 takes you from the Highland Capital of Inverness to Applecross and the climax of this is the awe-inspiring Bealach na Ba (or Pass of the Cattle).  The dramatic drive is breathtaking – both in terms of the hairpin corners and the spectacular scenery.  We drove the road for the first time in the dark (I'm not sure whether it made it more or less nail-biting) and in daylight the journey took twice as long as it should have done as I demanded the car be stopped at nearly every passing place so I could take photographs.  We were lucky enough to see red deer roaming the hillside and I was completely and utterly captivated by this mountain landscape.  The views from the top towards Skye and the Outer Hebrides are stunning, as is the sight of Wester Ross rolling out around you, and it is certainly a drive you're unlikely to forget in a hurry.

Inverewe Gardens

Last summer I explored the Gairloch area for the first time and fell head over heels for this picturesque village, fringed by mountains and sea.  If you're travelling along the North Coast 500 there are a host of things not to miss in and around Gairloch, from its stunning beaches to wildlife watching boat trips (the view from Big Sand beach towards the Torridon Mountains is so beautiful).  But my favourite of all the local attractions is Inverewe Gardens, managed by the National Trust for Scotland.  At the time of visiting I was still adjusting to life as a mother of two and the gardens, set against Loch Ewe, offered a tranquil oasis in which I could soak up some much-needed peace and quiet.  Inverewe Gardens were created by Osgood Mackenzie in 1862 and are home to a number of exotic plants from around the world.  I walked for an hour and I still didn't see everything.  I particularly liked the New Zealand section, having lived there a few years ago, the amazing willow sculptures and walking down to the edge of the loch (I'm always on the lookout for a cheeky otter). 

Ardvreck Castle

About three years ago we were travelling along the coastal route north of Ullapool, heading to the Lochinver area, when we spotted castle ruins tucked into the side of Loch Assynt.  We decided to investigate and if you are passing along this route I recommend doing the same.  It is a short walk from the car park to the ruins of Ardvreck Castle, in its impossibly scenic location, and so worth it for the views of Loch Assynt and the surrounding mountains.  We were lucky enough to experience baking sunshine during this trip and Loch Assynt glittered before us like a jewel.  The castle was built in the late 15th century and belonged to the Macleods of Assynt.  From the castle's vantage point you can also see the ruin of the 18th century Calda House.  A loch, a castle and beautiful views – a pretty perfect place to stretch those legs.  

The Drumbeg Road Beaches 

Without a doubt, the beaches on the Drumbeg Road, north of Lochinver, are among the most beautiful I've ever seen: white sands, clear waters and stunning mountain vistas.  Achmelvich, Clachtoll and Clashnessie beaches are found on the North Coast 500 between Lochinver and Kylesku, and were definitely a highlight of this area for me.  Achmelvich is the first beach you reach from Lochinver and there are two little bays to explore, it's a slight detour from the road but most definitely worth it.  Clachtoll is my favourite of these beaches (I've written about my love of Clachtoll Beach before), possibly because we had this gorgeous stretch of sand all to ourselves on a sunny August day.  I recommend walking up onto the headland beside the beach and taking in the views towards the Assynt mountains.  The third beach on this loop is Clashnessie, a lovely reddish beach right beside the road.  I cannot over-emphasise just how picture-perfect these beaches are (just look at these photos!). 

Sunset at Stoer Head Lighthouse

Watching the sun set from Stoer Head Lighthouse is something I'd highly recommend.  Standing on the very edge of the land and looking out on the vast expanse of sea, I found myself thinking about the Outer Hebrides that lay beyond.  The sunset that night was magical, with a lovely light cast upon the Assynt mountains.  Next time I'd love to go in the day and walk along the coastal path to the Old Man of Stoer sea stack (said to to be a good walk for dolphin and whale spotting).  

Why not take a look at Gael Holiday Homes for your North Coast 500 accommodation?  With properties in Inverness, Wester Ross, Dornoch and Easter Ross you can find a cosy home-from-home as a base for exploring Scotland's answer to Route 66.    

 

Have you driven along the North Coast 500?  What are your highlights? Tell us in the comments box below.

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