North Coast 500 The Road Trip of a Lifetime – NC500 Guide Book by Robbie Roams

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In this first section we’ll try to answer the most common questions such as: what is the route, how many days do you need to drive the North Coast 500, when is the best time of year to drive the route, where should I stay along the NC500, how far ahead to starting booking, and other common questions. Many of the indoor and paid attractions (museums, castles, guided tours, gardens) along the route do not allow pets. If you are traveling with a partner or group, you may want to take turns spending time with your dog and one going inside.

Scotland’s ‘Route 66’ – the North Coast 500 - RAC Driving Scotland’s ‘Route 66’ – the North Coast 500 - RAC

The infrastructure of the Highlands in some areas is not fully ready to handle mass tourism, but most traffic incidents can be avoided by following the driving laws, knowing how to safely drive your vehicle, and being prepared. This particular stop was one of our favorites as it was so unexpected. It had been raining all day and as soon as we arrived in the parking lot, the sun appeared which gave us a glimpse of powder-white sand and crystal blue waters. It is important to note that the Bealach na Ba isn’t a tourist attraction; it is a road that people drive through on a daily basis so expect to see lorries and other cars (coming from both directions). As a side note, the road is usually impassable during winter. Caithness Brochs– No one knows what Brochs were really used for, just that there are lots of them. There are over 200 brochs (Iron Age structures) across Caithness.

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Climb up to the Fyrish Monument – one of the NC500’s hidden gems, the view from the Fyrish Monument is well worth the 3-hour round trip walk. How long you take driving the NC500 is up to you. If you just want to experience one of the world’s best roads you could just about manage it in a day – but then you’ll miss everything the route has to offer.

500 Planning your NC500 Adventure - North Coast 500

Durness – has two beaches, Sango Sands and Balnakeil Beach, and shops, cafe and a petrol station, you can also visit the Balnakeil Craft Village most known for the hot chocolate atCocoa Mountain – you won’t regret it. Corrieshalloch Gorge– through which the River Droma falls through a series of waterfalls, including the huge 45 m Falls of Measach. Don’t be scared!

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During our 12 day winter trip in February most days were mixed (rain/light snow/clouds/some sun) and it rained at least a little on almost every day of the trip. During that time we had 2 bad days (snowed all day, roads uncleared, stayed inside) and 1 especially nice and sunny day. In this section, we’ll assume you have decided to drive the North Coast 500, and we’ll discuss how to find the route, how to stay on the route, safe driving tips and laws you should know, and where you can rent a car, motorcycle, or RV for your North Coast 500 road trip. Looking for the ultimate in NC500 tours? This four day group NC500 tour can be completely tailored to your needs.

The North Coast 500 - Love, from Scotland The complete guide to The North Coast 500 - Love, from Scotland

Suilven –At 731m Suilven might be considered a wee hill in Scotland (Ben Nevis is nearly twice its height) but once seen, Suilven (pronounced Sool-ven) is a hill never to be forgotten – it is one of Scotland’s most iconic mountains. Planning a North Coast 500 road trip can be a bit overwhelming as it is a relatively new route and there isn’t as much information available online or in guidebooks compared to other top road trips around the world. But not to worry, we’ll provide all the information you’ll need to plan your NC500 road trip. Obviously, the best time to drive the North Coast 500 is the time you have available, and if you need to set out at a less than opportune time of the year, just be prepared and be flexible. Stop at Mhoine House– Banksy in the highlands? The ruined Mhoine House has some amazing graffiti art to photograph.

For whale watching, we were told that Duncansby Head, Dunnet Bay, and Strathy Point are popular spots for whale watchers as well as for dolphins, porpoises, and other sea animals. There are wildlife boat tours you can do in the Caithness area for a better chance to see the wildlife. The Orkney Islands (can be reached by ferry from John O’ Groats) is also a great place for wildlife, including sea mammals, voles, and sea birds. Try a dram at Glenmorangie Distillery – famous worldwide, you can take a tour of the distillery – remember no drinking for the designated driver! Other local whisky distilleries include Balblair Distillery, which has one of the oldest archive records of whisky in distilling, and Clynelish Distillery who make most of the whisky for Johnnie Walker Gold. Remember the route is not just for you to enjoy your holiday – people use the roads as part of their daily life, so let people past. We noticed a lot of people who were stopping on the road, to the side of the road, or in passing places during our trip. This is unsafe and also illegal in some cases.