The Best of The NC500
In March 2015, the North Highland Initiative devised a 516-mile, circular route around the perimeter of the Scottish Highlands. Only months later, the NC500 was listed among the world’s greatest coastal road-trips, and we can see why! From Easter to Wester Ross, we are counting down our Top 5 must-do, must-see spots.
5 Things To Do On The NC500
Ben Wyvis, Angus Chisholm
1. Ben Wyvis (Glas Leathad Mor)
In 1891, Sir Hugh Munro surveyed and catalogued 282 of Scotland’s tallest mountains: ‘Munros’ stand over 3,000ft tall, with climbs ranging from steady strolls to sketchy scrambles. His list would become a popular endurance challenge for hillwalkers, trail runners and ‘Munro-baggers’. Over 7,000 people have conquered all 282, the fastest round completed in 31 days!
We recommend you make a start at Ben Wyvis. On Day 1 of your NC500 adventure, head North out of Inverness and take a short detour to Garbat. Embark on the rocky 6.5km ascent to the summit, or opt for a shorter ramble through the lowland forests. Wherever you end up, you will be treated to rare wildlife, rugged terrain, and rewarding views!
2. Dunrobin Castle (Caisteal Dhùn Robain)
Historians tell us that Scotland is home to over 2,000 castles, from weathered coastal ruins to protected royal residences. The NC500 will pass some of the oldest and most magnificent: Strome, Sinclair, Old Wick, Old Keiss and, our personal favourite, Dunrobin.
Dunrobin Castle is the largest stately home in Northern Scotland, a ‘Jewel in the Crown of the Highlands’. Its architecture is not dissimilar to that of a French chateau, with its conical spires, Baroque stylings and symmetrical gardens. Take a tour through the fairytale interiors, catch a show at the castle falconry, and get curious about its residents. Dunrobin is the ancestral seat of Clan Sutherland and, therefore, the perfect place to learn more about Scottish history: ancient kinships, military territories, and family tartans.
Dunnet Head, Ben
3. Dunnet Head (Ceann Dùnaid)
The NC500 will treat you to over 500 miles of spectacular Scottish shoreline: sandy beaches, sand dunes, sea-stacks, seabirds, cliffs, caves and crags. On the coast of Caithness, nestled between Highland hamlets and harbours, is Dunnet Bay. It is a favourite with local surfers, beachcombers and birdwatchers. And, only five miles North of the bay is an RSPB Nature Reserve, home to flocks of nesting puffins, fulmars and razorbills. Dunnet Head is also the most Northerly point of mainland Britain, a grassy peninsula with a working lighthouse and views to the Orkneys. Make sure to pack your binoculars!
4. Badachro Whisky (Bad na h-Achlaise)
Fancy yourself a foodie? The NC500 boasts an extensive local larder, stocked with game, cheese, seafood, spirits and preserves. Its roads are lined with farm shops, farmer’s markets, honesty boxes and independent cottage industries. Nestled in the hills of Badachro is a home-grown, family-run distillery, specialising in small-batch, hand-crafted gin, rum, vodka and whisky.
Today, Scotland is home to over 150 working distilleries, dating back to 1763 and dotted across 5 whisky regions. Depending on climate and terrain, flavour profiles range from oak to smoke, from peat to sweet. At Badachro, spirits are ‘inspired by the natural beauty of the land’, and infused with foraged juniper, lavender and elderflower. We recommend booking a guided tour, and treating yourself to a dram, slàinte mhath!
5. Wailing Widow Falls (Allt Chranaidh Waterfall)
Finally, no NC500 trip is complete without taking the time to marvel at the route’s countless falls, glens, burns, lochs and linns. Allt Chranaidh is one of the most spectacular waterfalls on the route, flowing 50ft from the loch above and into the gorge below. But there is more to this natural wonder than meets the eye.
Scotland has a long tradition of oral storytelling, where myths are passed down through generations, and remote lands are populated with magical faeries and kelpies. The Wailing Widow Falls derives its name from a fabled tragedy: the tale of an ill-fated deer hunter and his grieving mother. Such is a testament to the mystical, and often haunting, quality of Highland geography. If you listen carefully, you might even hear her cries!
And, if you’re feeling adventurous, extend your walk from Loch na Gainmhich to Eas a’ Chual Aluinn. At over 600ft tall, this is Britain’s highest waterfall! The surrounding terrain is steep and slippery, so pack some sturdy shoes and mind your footing.
Ready to get stuck in? Harris Campers cosy campers will make the perfect base for your North Coast adventure. So check your calendar, give us a bell, and hit the road!
But before you do, we encourage you to take the NC500 visitor’s pledge. Promise to consume locally, and to move responsibly. Take only pictures, and leave only footprints!
