Whether you want to go self-catering, glamping or simply enjoy some time in a great hotel or B&B, these are the best places to stay along the NC500. From there, the village of Applecross beckons us for awe-inspiring views of the Outer Hebrides islands. Winding roads take us further south into Wester Ross and the bustling town of Ullapool, where ferries and fishing boats bob in the harbor. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (updated as of 1/1/21) and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement (updated as of 1/1/21) and Your California Privacy Rights. North Coast 500 Length 500 miles / 805 km Location Inverness – Inverness. The proprietors, the Campbell Family, benefit from exclusive fishing rights to two massive estates, giving guests access to 25,000 acres and 300 lochs and lochans (lakes and small lakes). The Highland Capital and the 'Official' start and finish of the NC500, although here at Scotland's Route 66, we believe that a trip to the Highlands should 'Start' at Culloden Battlefield to gain a true understanding about the Highlands and its History. If you are willing to make a 50-mile detour, you can also visit Loch Ness. As we stop and go with the local farm animals, our hearts leap at Colbackie Beach, the first in a wave of miraculous turquoise beaches to come. This itinerary is fully tried and tested as we took this exact road trip last September. Starting and ending at the highland city of Inverness, this spectacular road trip cruised its way into Travel Now magazine’s top 6 coastal routes in the world! Pradeep April 12, 2020 4:59 pm. Please adjust accordingly to your capabilities as this itinerary is aimed at the serious cyclist. All rights reserved. The new North Coast 500 road trip is Scotland’s answer to America’s Route 66. US$67.60 per adult. A National Trust Scotland-managed area, the Torridon mountains are a walker’s paradise. The same for Glasgow. We drop our luggage at the Scandinavian-meets-Scottish cottage run by Natural Retreats and forge onward to dinner at the elegant Forss House Hotel (a less remote alternative), where longtime manager Anne serves us with a lilting Highlands accent and joyful countenance. South of the tiny hamlet of Kylesku, we drive through the Assynt, where lonely peaks pierce through brooding moors. Car Rental – £777.50 (15 days – including a one way drop off fee – our road trip also went either side of route 66) Hotels – $623.54 (7 nights on Route 66 at an average $90 per night) Fuel – $178.58 (we did probably around 1000 miles on Route 66. Many people want to visit Skye (I would recommend at least 2-3 days for this alone) or the Orkney Isles (3-4 days at least). Allow at least two full days to get a flavour of Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital. The best new culture, style, and beauty stories from Vogue, delivered to you daily. If you drive from Edinburgh directly to the Isle of Skye, it takes between five and six hours with 235 miles of driving. We’ve taken multiple trips on the NC500, some over two weeks in length. We spend that night in the first of many lovely B&Bs—cozy Ceol Mor greets us with bottomless tea and sends us off with a heartwarming breakfast of pancakes and bacon. Just make sure you have plenty of space on your camera. Ordering the seafood platter, which features skipper Hamish Dixon’s daily haul from the waters outside the restaurant’s window, we indulge in the freshest langoustines, crab, lobster, and scallops. Since its inception, Route 66 has also been realigned at least three times. Day 4 Road Trip through Scotland. There are brilliant beaches, fantastic towns and brilliant accommodation along the way, including luxurious lodges with hot tubs [link], or even great spa hotels [link]. Running through the eastern portion of this magnificent landscape, the route owes its name to the highest public road in Britain, and boasts some of the wildest, most dramatic Highland scenery imaginable. Feel a million miles away from the rest of the world at Loch Tay Highland Lodges... Is there anything more satisfying than sitting in a steaming hot tub overlooking a stunning view? Bring your camera: This trip offers endless panoramic views of Scotland’s natural landscape. Sie startet in der Highland-Hauptstadt Inverness. This is a great country for a road trip. The wide, sandy expanse at Sinclairs Bay is one of the finest beaches on the North Coast 500. The 19th-century manor house has 18 gorgeous boutique rooms, a vast kitchen garden and a restaurant serving dishes made with produce from the surrounding region. Heading for Ullapool, we spend the first day weaving through the North Coast 500’s winding roads. Here, you can hop aboard local skipper Ian McWhinney’s boat for a lesson in creel or shellfish fishing and riveting Highland lore. Stirling basically means a visit to Stirling Castle and a drive-through. Cheers & Happy Travels. Leaving from: Edinburgh accommodation pickup; Number of days: 4 My wife and I are planning a trip to the US for the 2nd half of May. Then the North Coast 500 is for you! “Scotland's answer to Route 66.” That is the pitch for the Scottish tourist board's latest attempt to tempt visitors to the Highlands: North Coast 500. 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!). Scotland’s route map through and out of the crisis. For lunch, we opt for a food truck started by two local lasses Fenella Renwick and Kirsty Scobie, known simply as The Seafood Shack. Starting from Inverness, it follows a series of A-roads via Applecross, Kinlochewe, Ullapool, Durness, John O’Groats, Wick and back to Inverness. It’s an epic drive with loads to squeeze in. Scotland's answer to America's Route 66, the North Coast 500 (NC500) touring route promises to reward those who travel it with a superlative Scottish experience: from towering mountains and mysterious lochs, to secret beaches and fairy-tale castles. As a minimum, we’d suggest at least four days to complete the route, and five to give yourself a more relaxed and enjoyable experience. You also have a larger selection of car rental companies and thus it is easier to get a better price. A Guide to Driving the North Coast 500, Scotland’s Route 66. For birders, Dunnet Head is a real thrill. The official North Coast 500 website recommends five days, and that would give you time to see some of the sites but I personally would take even longer. The circular route begins at Inverness Castle and leads you through five counties: Easter Ross, Sutherland, Caithness, Wester Ross and Inverness-shire. At the end of our journey, we steady our sea legs at Kylesku Hotel for one of the most remarkable meals of the trip. Pack well for your trip. The same for Glasgow. The initiative recommends that visitors take 10 days to two weeks to travel the route, stopping off along the way. Scotland has a five-level system of local coronavirus alerts, but since Boxing Day the entire mainland has been in the top tier of restrictions - level four. Advice: ‘Route 66’ of Scotland. Attractions in Sri Lanka October 6, 2020 12:10 pm. I spent two days in Gairloch, which you can read about below, and two nights in Applecross. Within half an hour 5, all day 15+ nowhere else experienced this… Going out to Isle of Sky. Route at a Glance The North Coast 500 (NC500) was created in 2014 by the North Highland Initiative to highlight some of Scotland’s magnificence to the world. Steep climbs, '… This, their third restaurant and homecoming, sits above Sutherland’s Falls of Shin, where we watch salmon jump upriver before diving into a voracious menu of burgers, venison, and haggis. The North Coast 500 has been billed as Scotland’s answer to America’s Route 66 but it is unlike anything you’ll see in the USA.. With legendary castles, extraordinary coastal scenery, and famous whisky distilleries lining the winding single track lanes, the NC500 is the ultimate road trip for travel lovers.. Read more. Buoyed by lunch, we finish the drive to Victorian Shieldaig Lodge, which sits adjacent to a field of furry cows nestled in a tranquil cove. Sounds ideal, right? Driving from Inverness your next overnight is just a little over an hour’s drive away, … We plan spending a few days in NYC and then fly to Chicago and drive Route 66 to LA.. We have around 3 weeks for the whole thing, so we had done an initial rough plan to stay around a week in NYC and 2 weeks on the road, although this is totally flexible at the moment. After our final night on the west coast, we drive down through Beinn Eighe Nature Reserve, the last sliver of ancient forests that once covered Scotland’s great north. Road trips began to become popular in the United States with the introduction of the famed Route 66. The North Coast 500 is a circular road-trip route in the north of Scotland. 18 Amazing Airline Travel Hacks You'll Need for Your Next Flight. We rise with a clear sky and warm sun, which ducks behind low-hanging clouds just as we venture to Balnakeil Bay. Firstly, I hope this is the right sub for all your sakes. This 516-mile route is known as Scotland’s Route 66 for its epic scenery and diverse attractions. A trip between May and late September promises that all the best pit stops will be open for business. Discover 13 of Scotland’s most spectacular driving routes, from the Fife Coastal Route to the epic North Coast 500. England and Wales company registration number 2008885. Fast Facts Distance: 516 miles Trip length: at least 5 - 7 days is recommended. The restaurant serves up exceptional dishes using West Highland ingredients, and the estate even has its own falcons for displays and educational experiences. 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.. » » You can book directly through the Rabbie’s site or Viator or GetYourGuide « « Get the Guide Books. Delightfully refurbished, the Scourie Hotel lures me into a deep leather armchair next to a warm fire while Tyler takes to the hills for an afternoon of fishing. Lace up your boots and get out on its many trails. We plan spending a few days in NYC and then fly to Chicago and drive Route 66 to LA.. We have around 3 weeks for the whole thing, so we had done an initial rough plan to stay around a week in NYC and 2 weeks on the road, although this is totally flexible at the moment. Shieldaig Peninsula Walk. All rights reserved. The number one staycation spot of 2020 has been revealed - will you visit in 2021? How to snap up €400 to spend on this luxury two-week Riviera river cruise for 2021. Scotland's answer to America's Route 66, the North Coast 500 (NC500) touring route promises to reward those who travel it with a superlative Scottish experience: from towering mountains and mysterious lochs, to secret beaches and fairy-tale castles. I plan to do a trip in mid Oct this year with my wife. But I wonder how many English people obsess about running south into Europe for their road-trip escape, and forget to look up to Scotland first. “Scotland's answer to Route 66.” That is the pitch for the Scottish tourist board's latest attempt to tempt visitors to the Highlands: North Coast 500. A hot chocolate from Cocoa Mountain at nearby Balnakeil Craft Village warms us up for a frigid ride through stony, stark coastline that’s even more striking with stormy skies. Day 1. We head inland for an early dinner at Mac & Wild, where the two founders draw on their Highland roots with a rustic approach to Scottish standbys that draws crowds in London. Visit our corporate site. Ad Choices. The best place to start your road trip through Scotland from is Edinburgh, because there are direct flights into Edinburgh from eight German airports. We toured this route in just 7-days and this is the perfect amount of time to do it again. We headed to the pink Inverness Castle for a last bit of Highland magic before packing up to take our trip home. Hello fellow travellers! In farthest reaches of Scotland, the North Coast 500 winds through a remote coastline swept with Caribbean blue beaches, high moors blanketed in heather, and bewitching castles. Many in the media call it 'Scotland's Route 66', but for us you should throw that comparison out the window; this is a road trip without comparison. The very beginning of the North Coast 500 isn’t just a gateway to this beautiful road trip route, it’s a veritable holiday destination. With familial warmth and impeccable service, the staff ensures we’re snug in its beautifully appointed rooms and the vast 23,000 acre estate. Reply. The new North Coast 500 road trip is Scotland’s answer to America’s Route 66. Bringing together just over 500 miles of stunning coastal scenery, the route follows the main roads along the coastal edges of the North Highlands. 2 Week Route 66 Itinerary: The Ultimate American Road Trip. Don’t be fooled by the GPS as you swing into the Northwest; these portions of the trip take much longer than any algorithm can accurately assess when you’re allowing cars to pass and sheep to scuttle. Set off from Inverness and begin your journey on Scotland’s ‘Route 66’. We can’t help but pull over again at Ceannabeinne Beach, which warms our toes with powdered sugar sand and crisp blue seas. More info ... then the NC500 is for you. That would be my ideal duration. There are boat trip opportunities for spotting dolphins and grey seals, and in the skies you might spot both golden and sea eagles. IN THE NEWS-----GREAT NEWS-----We have long supported the fabulous Starthnaver Museum and like many were concerned that they required to start a fundraising project to help it raise funds to basically save the museum. We cross the Kyle of Tongue (a shallow, wide inlet) and trace Loch Eriboll framed by Ben Hope, Scotland's northernmost Munro (peak over 3,000 feet). Today we’re going to share our idea of the ideal 5 Day North Coast 500 itinerary, to help you plan your own 5 day Scottish road trip! This isn't a route to race but of course if that's how you want to do it it's entirely possible to drive it in 2-3 days, and people do. Along the way there are too many highlights, you’ll meet enchanting castles, white beaches and fairytale-like sceneries. We think not, so here is our pick of the best lodges with hot tubs in Scotland, Head to the coast for a post-lockdown break with Riviera Travel. Set off from Inverness and begin your journey on Scotland’s ‘Route 66’. 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!). We follow our GPS to Whaligoe Steps Café and pull into what seems like someone’s driveway (it’s not) for a light lunch before walking down the famous 365 Whaligoe Steps to the craggy former harbor. Along the way, it passes gorgeous beaches, spectacular mountain scenery and fascinating historic sites. The next morning we venture out of the loch-strewn landscape and into the open ocean with North Coast Sea Tours. We would suggest that five days is a good amount of time in which to drive the North Coast 500. Read your post on the 5 Day Scotland road tour. The fishing logs in the lobby reach back to 1912, and you can feel Scottish tradition alive and well within these storied walls. 1. After watching a weaver and jeweler at work, we hop back to our car with a few souvenirs and drive to Dunrobin Castle, a Cinderella-esque scene if there ever was one. The road spits us out at the tiny small village of Scourie, where we get respite from the sideways rain in a former coaching inn with a legendary history. A guided tour is a must, and if you’re lucky, one of the Queen’s former staff members will honor her legacy with one-of-a-kind anecdotes. If you’ve just got a few days to take as much in as you can, prioritise these best things to do along the North Coast 500. With two azure beaches and breathtaking dunes—all under the watch of a 17th-century house and church ruins—we walk with wide-eyed reverence until the sky breaks open. Although we missed the puffin breeding season (it stretches from late May to the end of July), the seabird sanctuary Handa Island and its 200-foot cliffs were magnificent nonetheless. You could spend an entire month exploring the route or just take a … Interactive planner with routes, distances and must-see attractions on the way. Vogue may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers.