Hope that helps, and just let me know if you have any questions. Whisky from the northern area is milder because it is made using spring water for a "lighter flavoured, mossy (rather than peaty), with some seaweed, some nuts" characteristic. Over subsequent days the Met Office issues the first ever red snow warning for Scotland, South West England and South Wales, meaning the weather poses a potential risk to life. Would it be worth visiting some of the islands as we have more time? Id recommend at least 2 full day and nights on either to have time to see the main highlights. The driest months are April to July and the warmest are May to September, which as a result are the busiest times for tourism. But that was many years ago hopefully drivers are better accustomed to avoiding wildlife now. How Do I Find and Stay on the North Coast 500 route? If you are not sure, I would check out these two posts, North Coast 500 highlights and reason to drive the North Coast 500. For more on castle hotels along the route, you can see our North Coast 500 accommodation guide which has over 25 recommended places to stay along the route, from castle hotels to B&Bs and guesthouses. (Scotland) Act 1994 came into effect, abolishing the regions and districts and replacing them with 32 council areas. Yes, so our 7 day itinerary lists way more than you can do in 7 days so you will need to pick and choose what is most interesting to you. Yes, if it is not currently available online, you should be able to pick it up at the visitor centers along the route. For more, Some that you might want to consider visiting along or near the route (all open to the public, although some have seasonal hours) are, You can enhance your stay by staying at a castle hotel such as, For more on castle hotels along the route, you can see our, Whisky distilleries are more prevalent along the eastern part of the route between Inverness and Dunnet and include. 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. The Bealach Na Ba is a narrow windy stretch of road near Applecross, and the most difficult and steepest stretch of the official NC500 route. But the North Coast 500 is designed for touring, sightseeing, and taking things slowly. So yes, if you want to do the sea kayaking trip, I would contact Tim, the owner at Kayak Summer Isles, once you have your flights books and know your dates. [13] During the 17th century the power of Clan Donald waned, but improvements to agriculture and transport led to a rising population, which peaked in the mid-19th century. The route is pretty simple. I would focus on either a section of the route or focus on a special interest or theme (e.g., castles, historical sites, beaches, distilleries). Wishing you a wonderful trip! I hope that you are able to do the NC500 road trip next year once everything is opened back up. Maybe I can fit it in next summer. If you are planning to camp, youll want to check out this 1 Week North Coast 500 camping itinerary,which provides a 7 day itinerary geared towards campers, camping campsite recs, and camping related stops and resources along the route. There are more than 100 document sources of the material on the island that prehistoric people could have collected/mined from. Loch canoeing is possible with Tim Hamlet of Kayak Summer Isles, we can highly recommend him as a local guide. Thanks, Jackie. We have a post full of tips for driving in the UK that you should check out. If you are starting in Edinburgh or London, Spaceship Rentalsis another place to check for campervans and motorhomes. However there is no right way to drive the route so head in the direction that makes the most sense for you! The east has more towns and cultural stuff, but the west is more dramatic and scenic. We are three couples from Australia who are planning a trip next June. "The Industries of Argyll: Tradition and Improvement" in Omand (2006) pp. Regards June. The route runs just a bit north of where you would have been when visiting the Isle of Skye, the Isle is a common detour for people driving the route. Some bogs are cut for fuel used by a few distilleries and some homeowners. While we are experienced cyclists, and I can fix most basic repairs, I would love to have a backup plan if something went horribly wrong and we were unable to continue the ride. If you only have a 2 or 3 days, you can still get a taste of some of the things that the North Coast 500 has to offer without speeding along the entire route. Achmelvich Beach is a really pretty beach and fairly protected by the bay. You can also find local whiskies, beers, and other beverages made in the Scottish Highlands offered on most menus. Best, Jessica. If you are arriving elsewhere in Scotland or the UK, youll have additional options such asRent a Motorcycle in Edinburgh. The second day, head north to visit Dunrobin Castle and explore more of the east coast up to Wick (or perhaps John OGroats depending on your timing) and then head back to overnight a second night in Dornoch. If you have read our planning guide already, wed also recommend taking a look at our 7 day North Coast 500 and our camping itinerary. As noted, the weather is pretty unpredictable year round and Id come prepared for some cool weather and rain. It is definitely a place that you can bring your dog, but a dog will limit some of the places you can visit or stay. Yes, hopefully things will be open and somewhat back to normal this summer. Hailing from a South east asian city, we were so bowled over by Skye and Glencoe when we visited in aug 2018. thats when we heard about Applecross from our B&B host. Hi, Im planning to do the NC500 over about 10-12 days this May in my camper van.I have solar power for lights and recharging phone, torch and e-bike but my cooker and fridge run off autogas. Currently the need is exceeding the demand at different points in the summer. Most attractions along the route dont require any pre-booking or reservations, but if you want to do a specific activity (e.g., fly fishing, guided hike, kayaking, wildlife tour, etc.) This probably doesnt apply to you, but just note that if you plan to take any ferries or cross any borders on your trip (e.g., to France or Ireland) there may be a restriction on flammable gases. Then the second day keep heading north along the NC500 to Achiltibuie and Lochinver, and then return in the evening to Ullapool. Eilean na h-irde Bine off the south west of Arran at Corriecravie is a skerry connected to Arran at low tide. Indoor attractions often dont allow dogs (as you probably expect) but you can always take turns watching the dogs when you want to visit these places. The first is that if you are not used to single track roads, driving the route counterclockwise helps ease you into them better than driving it clockwise. [137][138] Kilchoman opened in 2005 toward the west coast of the Rinns. But feel free to shout if you have any questions as you plan your NC500 road trip. You could also consider Shetland (a group of islands very far north so takes a bit of time to get there). They generally update the map each year and print new maps (since one of its functions is to advertise the businesses who pay to be advertised on the map), so the latest one may not yet be printed since obvioulsy no one is traveling now and the general travel season doesnt begin until Spring . Recommended. There are several places to rent bikes along the NC500. I need to stay for 3 or 4 nights. Then the second section will explain how to find and stay on the North Coast 500, provide driving safety tips, list local car and, The North Coast 500 (NC500) was created in 2014 by the, The NC500 is not an actual single road or highway like, However, you can of course start and end your drive wherever you please. So I would just avoid those 2 stretches and you should be fine. There is also lodging at just about every village. UK Harris Distillery Mugs by Rupert Blamire. If you have 3 full days and are starting from Inverness, Id probably recommend 2 day exploring one section of the coast and 1 day on the other, so you get a bit of a taste of both. There are small advantages to driving the NC500 in each direction though. If you are bringing your own car or renting, most of the things you need should already be in it, but it is important to check before you go. Jessica. Once you are in a town, any local person should be able to point you in the right direction if you do get lost. 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. The highlights of the route for many people are the scenic views along the coast and the feeling of being away from it all for a while. A few years ago they added a viewing area within the castle ruins. Brodick Ferry Terminal underwent 22 million of work to improve connections to the island. We would definitely like to include the Isle of Skye; Basically youll have 1.5 days or a little more since you arrive late on 24th and need to be in Inverness by the evening of 26th. Here are some tips for traveling the North Coast 500 with pets and how to find dog-friendly lodging. If you plan to hike, just be prepared by bringing along good hiking shoes, rain gear, midge repellent (May to September), and hiking supplies so you are prepared to go off and find the peaceful spots along the route. Best, Jessica. Scotland is well-known for its whisky and just about every visitor to Scotland wants to try at least a dram or two of whisky during his or her trip. [22] This comprises an outer ring of coarse granite and an inner core of finer grained granite, which was intruded later. Our award-winning Isle of Harris Gin is also available on Click and Collect from over 100 UK locations. Day 14 return to Inverness airport to fly home. It is expected to be very busy once things reopen and since some hotel/restaurants/attractions are not planning to open up this season, so it may further crowd people into certain areas and attractions. Your newsletter is fabulous for us first timers.We are hiring a motorhome on Saturday form Inverness and return it the following Friday can you recommend a route plus any restaurants/pubs.Many thanks Will. If you plan to speed around, you could do it with 3 full days and night, but wed recommend more time. This really depends on how much you want to see, how much you want to drive each day, and how many detours you plan to make. Pinned!!! The North Coast 500 can be a fun trip for families. [131][132], Islay is one of five whisky distilling localities and regions in Scotland whose identities are protected by law. However, you are likely going to be causing frustration to those behind you wanting to drive at a normal speed, especially those not on vacation. [40] It is thought to be the source of most, it not all, pitchstone artefacts found in the United Kingdom. The High Court of Judicature, consisting of fourteen, sat always here; and there was an appeal to them from all the Courts in the isles: the eleventh share of the sum in debate was due to the principal judge. 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. Microsoft is quietly building a mobile Xbox store that will rely on Activision and King games. Your tips will be used. Congratulations, your website is awesome. All of the above issues are easy to avoid by following road safety guidelines and the, Camera (if you need a new camera, see our, Camera accessories (e.g., batteries, film, charger, lenses), Sunscreen (remember sun damage can happen any time of the year! The Scottish Dolphin Centerat Spey Bay is a great place to stop for more information on dolphins and other area wildlife. May is a usually great time to visit. Worldwide shipping is available through the Harris Tweed Isle Of Harris website . The line up for 2013 was headed by crime writer Ian Rankin.[31]. They also offer a 5-day Highlands and Isle of Skye tour from Edinburgh (this one we have done). 1524, Duncan, P. J. Locals dont want to be stuck behind people who stop in the middle of the road to take a photo, see dead lambs alongside the road hit by careless drivers, or have to pick up someone elses litter from their garden. Congratulations, your site is the most informative, accessible and inspiring of those that we have looked at. Many thanks for any help you can give us and congratulations on such a wonderfully friendly and indepth site 1) Try to rent a car with a spare tyre so you dont lose time getting towed. It is the largest island in the Firth of Clyde and the seventh-largest Scottish island, at 432 square kilometres (167 sq mi). Is there another itinierary that you would like to suggest for the above days between 14th and 18th October. This separates the limestone, igneous intrusions and Bowmore sandstones from the Colonsay Group rocks of the Rhinns. There are also a couple of specialty food spots along the route such as, Some places wed recommend checking out for sit down lunches or dinners include the, Hotels and B&Bs represent the most popular lodging option along the North Coast 500. However, the B-24 crashed into the hillside of Mullach Buidhe north of Goat Fell, killing all 22 passengers and crew. Here is a partial list of places where weve 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 Some things to consider: We hope you have found this North Coast 500 guide helpful! If you are starting in Edinburgh or London, There are several places to rent bikes along the NC500. [111] 108km2 of Arran's upland areas is designated a Special Protection Area under the Natura 2000 programme due to its importance for breeding hen harriers. [119] It covers all of the island north of Brodick and Machrie Bay, as well as the main group of hills surrounding Goat Fell. Lodging options cover just about every budget and lodging type, but dont expect to find hotel chains or massive resort-style properties. You can keep checking back or sign up for our monthly newsletter to get updates (it covers both of our travel blogs). The project will be located in the Sound of Islay which offers both strong currents and shelter from storms. Another local booking website that specializes in holiday properties in Scotland is Cottages & Castles, and it offers hundreds of self-catering holiday homes and cottages in Scotland, including a number along the NC500. But if you have 2 full days you could definitely explore a portion, perhaps drive the west part from Inverness to either Ullapool or Lochinver or do the east part from Inverness to Wick or John o Groats? Most of the islands of Scotland have been occupied consecutively by speakers of at least four languages since the Iron Age. [18] Colonsay is the smallest island in the world with its own brewery. as its the highest and steepest road on the route.

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