Looking from Glascarnoch towards Ben Wyvis. Pic by: D J Macpherson Creative Commons
NC500 Scotland’s answer to America’s Route 66 is the North Coast 500. The NC500 offers more than 500 miles of superb driving in the stunning Highlands landscape of north-west Scotland.
With towns, villages, castles, beaches, mountains and many more attractions to see, the NC500 makes a great holiday tour in a campervan or motorhome. It’s also acclaimed as an amazing route for motorbikes.
The start and finish of the route is in the Highlands capital city of Inverness. You can drive it clockwise or anti-clockwise.
Don’t miss these 11 NC500 highlights
Chanonry Point
Spot dolphins in the Moray Firth from the land spit at Chanonry Point. It’s said to be one of the best places in the UK to see resident dolphins from the land.
Smoo cave. Pic by Florian Fuchs Creative Commons.
Smoo Cave, Durness
Smoo Cave is the largest cave in Scotland and was formed by the erosion of sea and a river. It’s a fascinating place to visit. See Smoo Cave.
Forsinard Flow. Pic by: Claire Pegrum Creative Commons.
RSPB Forsinard, near Thurso
The largest of the RSPB’s reserves, the organisation is working to preserve and restore the traditional peatlands in this area of Scotland. Summer is the best time of year to visit, when golden plovers, hen harriers and greenshanks breed, although it’s beautiful in all seasons
Walk on self-guided trails or join a guided outing. Don’t miss the Flows Lookout Tower for view of the type of pools that are found throughout the Flow Country. See RSPB Forsinard
Timespan Heritage and Arts Centre, Helmsdale
Timespan Heritage and Arts Centre is more than just a museum of social and natural history… It’s also a contemporary art gallery, archive, gift shop, herb garden and café. And there are walking trails you can start from the centre to explore the local countryside and sites. See Timespan
Three beautiful beaches
Sandwood Bay. Pic by: Bob Jones Creative Commons
Sandwood Bay, just south of Cape Wrath
You’ll need to leave the campervan behind and take a walk to this beach but your efforts are rewarded with a stunning stretch of sand and the dazzling Atlantic sea. See Walk Highlands for route details.
Sango Bay, Durness
Golden sands, rocks, sand dunes and plenty of sheltered outcrops make Sango Bay a fantastic place to visit. It is easily accessible from a number of car parks.
Clachtoll beach. Pic by: Mick Garratt Creative Commons
Clachtoll Beach
One of many stunning beaches on the north-west coast north of Ullapool, Clachtoll is picture postcard perfect with lovely sand and an iron-age broch. See Walk Highlands for a walk that takes in the beach
Two castles
Inverness Castle. Pic by: Dave Conner Creative Commons
Inverness Castle
Inverness Castle is located in the heart of the city Inverness overlooking the River Ness. It’s easy to spot! Although it is not open to the public – it’s a court house these days – it’s a great building to walk around and look up at and imagine what stories it could tell throughout its long history. You’ll also see a statue of Jacobite heroine Flora MacDonald at the front of the castle.
Dunrobin Castle. Pic by: Robert Breuer Creative Commons
Dunrobin Castle, Sutherland
The stately home of Dunrobin Castle is the family seat of the Earl of Sutherland and the Clan Sutherland. It makes an interesting and intriguing visit. See Dunrobin Castle
Two mountains
Ben Wyvis
Ben Wyvis is a large and isolated mountain that dominates the landscape, northwest of Inverness. If you have the right kit and experience it’s a great mountain to climb and the views form the top of a fine day are stunning.
Suilven. Pic by Paul Hermans Creative Commons
Suilven
Another prominent feature of the landscape in the north-west area of Scotland, Suilven is a mountain that makes the focus of many fantastic photographs. You can also walk to its 731m summit.