North Coast 500 (with a bit more added) -August 2016
​ - from the driver's seat

First of all I'll be completely honest - I love Scotland - I've had more holidays up there than anywhere else. From when I was 5 or 6 years old right through. However I've never been and done the west coast of the Highlands so the chance to do this was too good to miss. So, in the planning stage for what would be a mega road trip when Viv came across the North Coast 500 my interest was immediately grabbed.

Doing the usual male research showed that we would be doing the full route except for about 50 miles at the start - the cross country bit from Inverness. Our route took us from Spean Bridge across to Eileen Donan castle and we met the official NC500 route at Strathcarron. But from there on it was the full NC500 experience including the awesome Bealach Na Ba.

 So, what was it like?

Absolutely stunning  - everything that you imagine and more. If you've never driven up in the north of Scotland then you've missed out on something not just the scenery which is different at every corner - whatever the weather - but some really top class roads and no traffic. Bliss.

NC500 Tips.

Do Bealach Na Ba - don't bottle it. The drive itself is an experience (hairpins and hair-raising) and the view at the top is beyond description. The day we did it the sun was out and the views across the Inner and Outer Hebrides from the summit viewpoint were spectacular.  Make sure you stop at the Bealach Cafe and Gallery just before the climb to grab some great food and your final chance to change your mind! 

Do fill up when you can with petrol - we did the route in 4 days and filled up twice, once at Gairloch at one of the self service petrol stations (so don't forget your credit card) and the second time at Tesco in Wick (back in civilisation).

Do be mindful of other road users and pull over if you can to let them pass. On the road to Bealach Na Ba we found ourselves as accidental participants in the GumBawz Rally and after a few miles at the first chance we pulled over to let them through - good for them and believe me less stressful for driving too.

Don't be put off with the thought of miles of single track roads - and I do mean miles - 20+ easily at a stretch - the roads are quiet and the passing places numerous. But please don't be a numpty and park in a passing place. We saw a few who had and this could cause problems. 

Don't forget your insect repellent - we used Smidge except for one morning and within two 5 minute photo stops I had got bitten to bits - 15 bites on one hand! We soon dug it out of the case after that. Lesson learned.

Don't underestimate how long it can take to get from A to B. The hardest slog I found was from Scourie to John O Groats after Durness - though the Cocoa Mountain Mocha helped. This was a big chunk of single track roads - okay apart from when you meet a coach full of tourists on a mountain road!

Do take advantage of some great hotels and accomodation. We stayed at 3 different places on the NC500. Gairloch - Shieldaig Lodge , Scourie  - The Scourie Hotel and Natural Retreats at John O'Groats.  Before Gairloch we stayed at Spean Bridge and after leaving John o-Groats we travelled south down through Inverness, spending a night at Pitlochry before turning for home via Northumberland - but that's another story (read Viv's account if you want the full details).

Finally do take your time - it isn't a race and if you zoom around like a loon you will miss some of the most spectacular scenery on earth not to mention some of the wildlife. Plus its dangerous too! I would really hate to have an accident anywhere but in parts it could be some time before you get any help.

It really is a unique experience and one we will do again - maybe anti-clockwise and do Bealach from the Applecross direction and maybe at a  different time of year - but probably not Winter!

For more info on the NC500 visit the official website - www.northcoast500.com. Great interactive map very useful for planning stays, shops and stuff to do.

For more views on our Scottish adventure follow our Flickr page here.