The North Coast 500 Guide Book (Charles Tait Guide Books)

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Strome Castle– stop on Loch Carron to discover one of the National Trust for Scotland’s little gems. Visit the Castle of Mey– previously the home of the Queen Mother in Scotland, you can now tour this royal palace and garden.

The other issue for many visitors to the NC500 has been a reported increase in dangerous driving – so be respectful of other road users and the local population. Angry residents have renamed the trip the Indy 500 – due to the style of driving many tourists have while on the route. There has also been a sharp rise in accidents since the launch in 2015 However, one of the other results of the above has been the damage to roads – leaving many with potholes and other problems. The RAC Guide to the Great British Pothole and Other Road Surface Defects can help you prepare for your journey Boat trip out on Loch Ness to Urquhart Castle –The Loch Ness Monster is a national treasure – and don’t let anyone tell you she isn’t real. Take a leisurely boat trip out on Loch Ness* to the dramatic Urquhart Castle. Although by now you are desperate to hop in the car and head out on this great journey – make sure your vehicle is in the best possible condition and you know what the journey has in store for you.

Can I drive the North Coast 500 in my electric car?

It is easy to rent a car from Inverness Airport or downtown Inverness. Main rental car companies include Avis, Budget, Thrifty, Arnold Clark, Europcar, Hertz, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, and Focus Vehicle Rental. I’d recommend getting the smallest size vehicle you need and to be sure your rental is fully insured. A GPS unit can also be helpful for navigation. Enterprise are usually our favourite for car hire.

Castle Varrich– climb up to Castle Varrich from the village of Tongue for a great view over Kyle and Ben Loyal. If you have more than 4 people, I would definitely recommend considering renting 2 cars for your trip so you are not crowded in your car and everyone can see and you have room for luggage. This is especially important if you are thinking about a convertible or sports car or some sort. Or you might consider a larger vehicle like a minivan or van if you have more than 4 people.Thurso– a good wee town for lunch. Walk along the river to the beach to watch seals. Read more – Things to do in Thurso The RSPB has several reserves around or near the NC500 that help protect the local wildlife. For seabird lovers, there are several spots along the route but I’d highly recommend the Dunnet Head Nature Reserve which is home to a number of species, depending on the season, including cormorants, puffins, razorbills, guillemots, kittiwakes, and fulmars.

The official North Coast 500 map is no longer being printed (we believe printing ended in 2020) and the organization said it will not be printing any further printed maps (although a digital one is available on their app). This is a shame as it was a great map and very popular and was given out for free at theVisit Scotland Tourism Information Centres along the NC500.

Scrabster Harbour– walk from the harbour to Holburn Head to see the blowholes with views of Orkney. Read more: my guide to the best places to stay on the North Coast 500 Do I need to pre-book NC500 accommodation before I set off? The North Coast 500 is often called “Scotland’s version of Route 66”, especially by mainstream media. In some ways they are similar in that they are great routes for a road trip and both offer some great scenery and attractions along the way.