Scotland’s NC500 and Isle of Skye

In this weeks post I will be sharing our north coast 500 mile and Isle of Skye route on a 16 day itinerary.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSHaEJGIFr4

We started driving the evening before our trip to split up the drive, if you are also coming from the south we can suggest Westmoreland service station / Tebay as an overnight stop. Its located just off the motorway but very quiet and you can get an excellent breakfast in the services in the morning.

Day 1 – Inverness

On day 1 we continued our journey to Inverness. We stopped at the House of Burar for a lunch stop and a browse. Then onto Inverness were we had quick look around the castle, cathedral and victorian markets before it started raining! We then headed onto Loch Ness for a brief stop before heading to Bunchrew Caravan Park where we stayed for our first evening.

Day 2 – Fortrose Bay & Dunrobin Castle

We began our second day at Chanonry Point to try and see some dolphins, we didn’t but had a nice walk on the beach. We then headed a short distance for a walk in a fiery glen where there were beautiful waterfalls. For the afternoon we visited Dunrobin Castle, which we highly recommend. That evening we stayed at Inver Park House & Inver Caravan Park.

Day 3 – Whaligoe steps & John O’Groats

Our third day we visited Hill o’Many Stanes (a stone circle) and Whaligoe steps (an old fishing harbour). By the way you can use the same parking spot for both. Please don’t park in front of the peoples houses at Whaligoe Steps. after the tough job of climbing back up the steps. We travelled onto Sinclairs castle before reaching John O’Groats. We checked into the John O’Groats campsite then went out to explore first the sign post and shops and then we walked to Duncansby Head to see the stacks and lots of birds and back around the coast path to the campsite where we were lucky enough to see seals.

Day 4 – Dunnet Head & Sango Sands

 We had an early start on the fourth day as we had lots to see, we first headed to Dunnet Head Nature Reserve and had a quick walk around the lighthouse that is the furthest North you can be in the UK. We then headed to Strathy Bay for a quick walk on the beach. Before heading to Sango Sands campsite as we weren’t able to prebook here. From the campsite we walked to have a good look around the super cool Smoo caves and then back and past the campsite to Balnakeil to get the famous hot chocolate from Cocoa Mountain!

Day 5 – Sandwood Bay

Our fifth day was a hiking day. We did a 8 mile out and back walk to Sandwood Bay beach. It happened to be a wet and windy day but on a sunny day this place looks stunning. It’s a nice easy walk so was good to get us back into hiking.

On the way to our next campsite we past over the Kylesku bridge and took the time here for a photo opportunity. We then headed onto Achmelvich where we stayed at Shore caravan site. We spend the evening watching the sunset on Achmelvich beach.

Day 6 – The Bone Caves

Day 6 was another hike day we parked up at the Allt nan Uamh Car Park and did another hike to The Bone Caves. This was a slightly harder hike than yesterday but super cool the see the caves and fantastic views. That evening we stayed at Ardmair Point Caravan & Camping Park.

Day 7 – Stac Pollaidh

This section was by far becoming our favourite of the trip – there is just so much to do here. We first visited the Corrieshalloch Gorge then went on to hike Stay Pollaidh – may favourite hike of the trip. Then went onto Gairloch where we went paddleboarding for two hours in the evening and got chips for dinner from the fish and chips shop. Here we stayed at Sands caravan park.

Day 8 – Beinn Eighe

We did our most challenging mountain walk of the trip. It was the Beinn Eighe mountain walk there is also a woodland walk if you don’t fancy the climb. From the loch side carpark we then travelled onto Applecross, where we were greeted by stags on our arrival at Applecross campsite.

Day 9 – Isle of Skye – Totterish Loop

We had an early start this day to get to the Isle of Skye. We took the bealach na ba also known as danger road and then the bridge to the Isle of Skye. We found the road fine but there is a sign if you aren’t a confident driver then not to take it. Once on the Isle of Skye we roughly followed the Totterish loop. We first stopped for a hike at the Old Man of Storr, Then went on to stop at Loch Mealt and Kilt rock to see the most beautiful waterfall straight into the sea. We stopped briefly at Duntulm castle, and then headed on to stay at Uig Bay campsite where we had a chilly dip in the sea.

Day 10 – Isle of Skye – Coral beach 

There is so much to do on Skye and everything is very popular too. We choose to visit Coral beach but as the carpark was full we had to walk in so this took the whole day. That evening we stayed at the popular Glenbrittle Campsite.

Day 11 – Isle of Skye – Fairy Pools

The next day we got an early start to beat the crowds and visit the Fairy Pools before we headed to Glamaig to get the ferry to Mallaig. On the ferry journey we were lucky enough to see dolphins. We camped out in Mallaig and watched the sunset as this adventure was starting to come to an end.

Day 12 – Glenfinnan Viaduct

On our journey to Fort William we stopped off at the Glenfinnan Viaduct and waited to see the Harry Potter train before heading on to Fort William to explore a little and then camp at Glen Nevis holidays and prepare for an early start and big hike the next day.

Day 13 – Ben Nevis

As it was a hot day and likely to be busy we started climbing Ben Nevis at 7am, this meant we were at the top by 11am and back to the campsite by 2pm. With this campsite we could walk from there so saved on car parking and we didn’t need to move our van that day.

Days 14 and 15 – Edinburgh

The next day we travelled to Edinburgh. We were visiting family this day so didn’t see much of the city. The following day we got the bus into the centre and explored coffee shops, Arthur’s Seat, the castle and The Real Mary King’s Close – which we highly recommend.

Day 16 – Travel home

On our final day, we got an early start and made our journey home.

I hope you find this helpful for planning your trip. Please leave any questions in the comments.

Until next time, happy travelling,

Katherine