Just outside of Inverness, ACE Adventures & Hideaways can organise white water rafting trips and other outdoor adventures. You can check out some other great options here. Have a look at the options below! Finding fabulous places to stay on the North Coast 500! Whoop whoop! Why did you decide to tackle Scotland's NC500 cycle route? You can also take a wildlife-spotting boat trip from the Inverewe Garden jetty to see eagles. Tell Katy I say hi! Like everywhere else in the world, Scotland is currently under restrictions due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Our Recommended North Coast 500 Hotels Guide - where to stay along the NC500. A short drive (or a 45-minute hike) from Dunsnsby is John O’Groats., one of the most northerly points on the British mainland. Driving Scotland’s North Coast 500 is just wow! When we drove into the free parking area we could see why most people say it’s a bit of a tourist trap. Now you could either stay in Ullapool or head down to Applecross, but I’d definitely recommend staying in Ullapool as it really is lovely, and will keep the driving distances short. Another beautiful white sandy beach (believe me, you never get sick of these beaches) along the NC500 is Coldbackie. Then it heads north along the scenic west coast to Durness, and across the northern edge of Scotland to John O’Groats before returning to Inverness. You’ll also get to see Am Buachaille, a sea stack out in the water. Which he did. At the moment, travelling along the North Coast 500 is a bit different. Since the NC500 marketing strategy has been so successful, accommodation is in high demand on the North Coast 500 route. Explore opulent castles, sample a dram of whisky or take an exhilarating wildlife safari, enjoy a truly unique touring experience. Where to stay in Applecross: There are a few nice places to stay in Applecross. This is a beginner’s North Coast 500 guide. The penultimate stop on today’s itinerary is Loch Assynt and Ardvreck Castle. The North Coast 500, often described as Scotland’s Route 66, take in some of Scotland’s most impressive wild places, from the mountains and lochs of Wester Ross and Assynt to the rugged sea cliffs of Sutherland. Loch Eriboll is a gorgeous sea lock, with a number of great stopping points. Brenna’s from Canada, and she loved it too. I was FREEEEEE! Brenna and I spent 5 full days travelling along the North Coast 500. Sandwood Bay Beach is one of the most remote in Europe and it takes around an hour and a half to walk from the car park in Blairmore to the stunning 1-mile long sandy beach, so give yourself a good few hours here to take it all in and hike around the loch as well. Dog friendly Cafes. The capital Portree was also used as a main filming location for the film Made of Honour. Want the ultimate Scottish cycling challenge? Would you? Beautiful scenery, amazing roads and wildness, and like Wales on steroids. Finally, head down to Applecross and get yourself a whiskey or a nice cup of hot chocolate at the Applecross Inn – you deserve it. Near to the town of Durness, there are two of the NC500’s main highlights, including the stunning Sango Bay Viewpoint, with panoramic views overlooking Sango Bay and it’s also a great place for surfing. If you’re from the UK, you have certainly heard of the North Coast 500 by now. If you get hungry, other places to eat include, Coyote’s, (famous for fabulous burgers), the Fig & Thistle Bistro, for modern, casual dining, and Wild Pancakes, which is a great place for breakfast and the North Coast 500’s first dedicated pancake house. I … Sunshine is never guaranteed, even in summer. Where To Stay in Clachtoll or Lochinver: There’s a lovely campsite overlooking Clachtoll Beach or you want to stay somewhere super cosy and romantic (and with a hot tub), check out the gorgeous Suilven view glamping pod. Another ‘activity’ you might like to try whilst in the area is taking the Malt Whiskey Trail. So you have planned your dream North Coast 500 route, decided on your basic itinerary – Dundrobin Castle! ... Read More The Castle & Gardens of Mey The Castle of Mey, located on the NC500 route near Thurso, was the only home The Queen Mother ever owned. Ullapool has a few nice pubs and restaurants where you can pick up a nice bowl of Cullen Skink (smoked haddock, leek and potato soup). If they don’t have space, there are lots of highly-rated hotels in the area. Route at a Glance. We had a browse in the multiple souvenir shops, took photos with the John O’Groats sign and colourful houses (which most of the locals hate), and walked down the pier. Enjoy the fantastic scenery as you drive along the A832 road that snakes through the valley at Kinlochewe. I recently took an incredible road trip driving around the Outer Hebrides in North West Scotland. Vacationers with relaxation on their mind probably would want to give it some extra time and plan in some golfing, fishing or a nice hike. From there, it follows the A835 towards the west coast, and snakes along the coastline upwards through the North West Highlands, across the north edge of mainland Britain and finally down the east coast on the A9 from Britain’s most northerly town, John O’Groats, completing the loop in … The North Coast 500 is Scotland’s iconic coastal route that covers over 500 miles of the stunning North Highlands. There’s no shortage of things to do in Edinburgh, including walking tours of the city (with different themes – historical, haunted, underground, Harry Potter), open-top bus tours, visiting the castle, or climbing to the top of Arthur’s Seat. I also love a bit of glamping, so check out the gorgeous Inverness Glamping pods. Where To Stay in Inverness: We stayed at the Royal Highland Hotel, which was right in the centre of town – quite grand, a little bit old school, very Scottish – we loved it. One of the most popular activities at Chanonry Point is to watch the Moray Firth dolphins playing in the water. If you’re on a budget, check out the Black Isle Bar & Rooms, which is a hostel as well as a premier craft beer bar and restaurant serving, wood-fired pizzas or the cosy and stylish Bazpackers. On the way to Clachtoll, you’ll take the Kylesku Bridge over Loch a’ Chàirn Bhàin in Sutherland – worth a photo stop! One of the most popular experiences in Scotland is the Three of us rode this exact route last week in near perfect conditions. Interactive planner with routes, distances and must-see attractions on the way. These itineraries are based on the minimum amount of time we recommend to allocate for your journey. Gruinard Bay is a gorgeous stop – although, aren’t they all? They also do a fabulous afternoon tea in their 1887 Restaurant and there are lots of activities on offer if you want to get outdoors. So why not take advantage of the off-season, with fewer crowds, no midgies (tiny biting flies that descend in the summer), and the incredible photo opportunities the colder weather brings? When we arrived in Inverness, I’d seen on Instagram that explorer and television presenter Levison Wood was also in the city to give a talk about his new book (coincidence, I swear). Chanonry Point lies between Fortrose and Rosemarkie on what is known as the Black Isle of Scotland. Families or groups will also like the Scandanavian Village Aviemore which has apartments, suites, and villas. As we’d hired a car in Edinburgh, that’s where we went – but it is a pretty long drive. 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