We are planning to arrive in Ullapool from Stornoway late on June 24 and we need to be in Inverness by the evening of June 26 to attend the pipe band European Championship the next day. It has been dubbed Scotland’s answer to the renowned ‘Route 66’ and doesn’t disappoint. Because we have been asked this question a few times, we have added a section above in the article called “Best Stops for Families with Children along the North Coast 500”. We hope to go June 2017 stopping at dedicated camp sites en route. To get even further away, head to towns and areas located just off the official route, such as Nairn, Borgie, Altnaharra, Portmahomack, Cape Wrath, Forsinard Flows Nature Reserve, or Bonar Bridge. If you decide to do part of your trip with a tour company, we can definitely recommend Rabbie’s. So happy to hear you found our North Coast 500 so informative and helpful. The North Coast 500 is not a route for those who want to drive fast. On the way up to Inverness, I’d consider stopping for a photo stop at the Forth Bridges driving through the Cairngorms National Park and a stop at Loch Ness. If you are thinking about doing the route and tent camping or traveling by campervan or motorhome, we recommend checking out our North Coast 500 camping itinerary. I would so love to take this road trip sometimes. The RSPB has several reserves around or near the NC500 that help protect the local wildlife. I’d also bring something that is effective for deterring ticks. For the North Coast 500, we would recommend that you start researching lodging options as soon as you know your dates. Jessica. Your earlier post on the NC500 already had me wanting to visit, so this practical guide was a great help! I need to stay for 3 or 4 nights. Is there another itinierary that you would like to suggest for the above days between 14th and 18th October. Next to that with the kids we might to make sure that we’re not in the middle of a midge peak. The peninsula is a wonderful collection of ecological and archeological treasures. We had the best time and found ourselves in awe of the stunning scenery - particularly on the west coast. He can do day hikes or longer overnight or even multi day trips. Fun :D Follow A861 towards Glenuig, Resipole to Corran The Ferry to Corran was broke so had to add extra coast miles to the journey but it was beautiful to see Ben Nevis from a different side. Hoping to go to Skye for a night or 2 and maybe isle of Harris and Mull depending on time. Hotels range from simple budget options to luxury castles. We have a NC500 hotel guide that has all the main castle hotels listed. If you don't see the confirmation e-mail, please check your spam folder. Thank you in advance for any advice. Yes, road safety is definitely a concern and we have almost been hit a few times driving around the Highlands with crazy tourists (and locals) speeding along. We know we can’t take the van over Bealach n’a ba but we do plan to (try to!) But keep any eye out for new posts over the next couple of months. Just let us know if you have any questions about the North Coast 500, and wishing you a great road trip. This route often gets blocked by inexperienced drivers and also shut down by bad weather conditions, and you should not drive this route unless you know how to drive single-track roads, use passing places, and reverse your vehicle safely. Hope that helps and let us know if you have further questions as you continue your planning. The NC500 route offers visitors the opportunity to see rugged landscapes, frolic on sandy beaches, spot wildlife, visit museums and heritage sites, stay in castles, sip whisky, sample the local produce, and get to know the people who live there. 3. There is also of course the National 1 cycle route that runs through this area and you could do sections of that. What could be our accomodation options enroute (Your recommended B&Bs if any)? – Durness may be a good corner for some more remote hiking opportunities. Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May have driven some of the world’s most iconic routes and according to Clarkson “NC500 is best drive in the world”. It has been dubbed Scotland’s answer to the renowned ‘Route 66’ and doesn’t disappoint. Hopefully, you enjoyed your first taste of the North Coast 500 yesterday and are … 516-miles (830 km) Is the North Coast 500 Scotland’s Route 66? I would book at least 3 months in advance if possible. -Day 2: Wick: Thrumpster House or The Clachan B&B We are planning the North Coast 500 in mid September in our AM Vantage and your site is so helpful, thank you! Just let us know if you have any questions as you plan your trip! In terms of the weather, the further north, the colder it is likely to be. The speed limits are often low and single-track roads mean a lot of slowing down and stopping. Mel, Hi Mel, Sounds like you have a fun road trip coming up. And if you are stranded somewhere but not hurt, the 101 number might help you if you don’t know where else to call. Since the NC500 is not a single road or highway like Route 66 or the Pacific Coast Highway, you won’t find it on a regular map and your GPS probably won’t know the route. How to Be a Responsible Traveler of the NC500? There is no strict North Coast 500 route – where you stop, stay and play is entirely up to you but here is a flavour of the villages and activities we think make up the best North Coast 500 places to visit. The rain in Scotland can be frustrating but if you come prepared, it doesn’t have to restrict you. 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. Thanks. The legal drinking limit is now lower than in any other part of the UK. However, if you really want to travel via train you can do a portion of the route by train and stop at several of the towns in the area. However, many of the scenic viewpoint stops are viewable from the parking area or a very short walk from it and even some of the longer paths have been designed for those with restricted mobility in mind such as this one in Assynt. Just having an idea of what options there could be if something happened, helps a lot! Keep up the good work. This is unsafe and also illegal in some cases. We are three couples from Australia who are planning a trip next June. From Edinburgh head north on the A9 towards Inverness, stopping in Pitlochry at the world renowned House of Bruar to stock up on kit- fine sport clot… Do let us know if you have any questions. However, if you really want to travel via train you can do a portion of the route by train and stop at several of the towns in the area. Inverness. If you are looking to drive the route during a quieter time of year, I’d consider April, early May, late September, or October, avoiding holidays, festivals, special events, and school breaks. The midges normally start emerging around mid May and are usually in full swing by early June. It also does depend of course on her phone and network so I would make sure it is supported, especially if she is traveling from outside the UK as she may need to unlock her phone and/or get a local SIM. If you are looking for stunning landscapes, fascinating history, endless horizons, ancient castles, golden beaches and crystal-clear water, all wrapped up in a 500-mile road trip, then the NC500 is for you. 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. Would we be ok waiting booking into camp sites at the time? If you are looking for dog-friendly accommodation in a certain town or area and can’t find anything, feel free to ask and we’ll let you know if know of any. You don’t leave anything out, addressing almost every issue that may cross your reader’s mind. If you enjoy castle hotels, you might consider a night at Inverlochy Castle before you head home. I am going there in 2 weeks and wanted to know if we should spend 2 nights in Inverness or Torridon? The route was designed to encourage more visitors to visit this sparsely populated region of Scotland and it has been very successful. Whilst this is great news for the local economies in this otherwise fairly remote part of the UK, it has also meant that it can be tricky to find accommodation. Hi Carrie! Here is what the official NC500 website has to say about the Bealach Na Ba as well as the B869: “The ‘Bealach Na Ba’ stretch however is not suitable for large motorhomes, caravans and inexperienced drivers due to its sharp bends and steep gradients so we would advise taking the slip road up at the A896 instead which will be much safer for you and your passengers. I know as tourism has increased along the North Coast 500 there has been growing awareness of this as a concern for businesses. They also offer a 5-day Highlands and Isle of Skye tour from Edinburgh (this one we have done). Is there anywhere on route where I can top up my gas tank? Here is a guide to driving on singe-track roads in Scotland with a relevant infographic explaining how to use passing places. ~ Jessica, Your pictures are stunning!!! The North Coast 500 is often called “Scotland’s version of Route 66”, especially by mainstream media. It is about a 2 hour drive to reach the Skye Bridge from Ullapool following the quickest route via A835 and A890, but will take much longer if you go the scenic route. Of course there are also loads of sheep and the iconic Highland coos which you’ll spot in the fields. Does it make sense to drive the North Coast 500 clockwise at this time because of the Midges encountered in the west or does not need to change the route ?? The North Coast 500 website promises “fairy-tale castles, beaches, and ruins,” and deliver it does. This 500 mile coastal route spans the north coast of the Highlands taking in the best bits of this glorious region. We will be in an Elddis Autoquest 200 motor home which is approx 19 feet in length and 7 feet wide. As noted, the two stretches of the road that are usually noted as unsuitable for larger caravans and motorhomes are: -The stretch along B869 from Kylesku to Lochinver, which is on the western part of the route. I doubt you will likely find a travel companion a week before such a trip, so I’d plan to do the trip on your own, but there are message boards out there that you might want to try. So we recommend this direction for those tackling single track roads for the first time. The minimum number of days we’d recommend to drive the North Coast 500 is 5 days, but 7 to 10 days would be ideal. We’ve driven the NC500 route several times now, so just let us know if you have any questions as you plan your trip. Here is a partial list of places where we’ve stayed or visited, across a range of budgets and styles, that I believe allow dogs (in at least certain rooms): – Kingsmill House in Inverness – dogs are allowed here Filled with mysterious lochs, towering mountains, ancient castles and secret beaches just waiting to be explored. There is lots of lovely scenery, gardens, hiking, and wildlife viewing opportunities in that area and also a couple of whisky distilleries you could visit. -Day 4: Lochinver: Davar Guest House I’ve plenty of time to find local things to do with (youngh) children. I would appreciate any other suggestions on specific places to take them to that we might have missed. My Dad and I are planning a trip May 2020! Golfing. Accommodation in some arts could be in short supply so it might be advisable to book ahead. ), speeding, hitting lambs and other livestock on the road, getting large vehicles stuck in narrow places such as the Bealach Na Ba road, trespassing on private property, and causing damage to the environment. You could speed along the entire 500 miles in less than 24 hours if you don’t mind not sleeping or seeing anything along the way! Unfortunately we’re bound to the school holidays which will be july 24th – september 5th in our case. See section on tours below. We will hope not to need it, but I also know we will be somewhat removed from AA and would prefer to fix it ourselves if needed! No matter where you dine, I’d highly recommend trying dishes using the local produce and products such as local seafood (e.g., salmon, crabs, scallops), lamb, game, Stornoway black pudding (from the Isle of Lewis), and fresh in-season vegetables. Our preferred itinerary if NC500 doesnt cut will be (This is again a copybook of your 5 Day itinerary only difference is we will be driving self), Day 0 Arrive at Inverness, overnight stay at Broomlea (Ardersier), Day 1 See around Inverness and reach Ullapool, Day 2 Ullapool to Ardvreck Castle (including short stops enroute), Day 3 Ullapool to Isle of Skye (Stay overnight at Portee), Day 5 Portree to Iverness for our evening flight to London. In terms of budgeting for lodging, it will depend a lot on your accommodation type and time of year. At a scenic minor road which winds along the northern shore of Upper Loch Torridon sits your hotel. The midges shouldn’t be out yet. Take a look and then if you have any further questions, just let us know! Below is but a short list of suggestions: Castles: There are a number of castles along the route, ranging from crumbled ruins to the former home of Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother to picturesque Disney-like castles. We are experienced campers so we will be camping along the route for 2 weeks approx ( we are flexible with dates). Thanks. Then the third day drive back south from Dornoch towards Inverness, following along the southern part of the NC500 route, perhaps stopping at places like Rogie Falls on the way, to Kinlochewe and then head north up to Ullapool. Happy travelling to you both. Off the route, is also the possibility of going south a bit to the Isle of Skye. But for the most part, the hiking trails and beaches are difficult in terms of accessibility. The main thing to know when bringing dogs to this area is that they will need to be kept on a lead (leash) in most places because of livestock and wildlife. Unfortunately, I am not sure how easy it will be to find couchsufing along the route as many are small towns and rural areas, as there are no big cities along the North Coast 500.

Accident On Gilman Springs Road Today, Electric Car Rental Near Me, Multi Family Homes For Sale In Fairfield, Ct, Social Distortion Lp, Emma Of A Beautiful Mess, Tusculum University > Human Resources, Focus St Body Control Module, Farmer Life In Canada, Savannah Candy Kitchen Atlanta,