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Scotland’s answer to route 66… 500 miles of non-stop scenery through the breathtaking Highlands!

4 min read

Inspiring People
Scotland’s answer to route 66… 500 miles of non-stop scenery through the breathtaking Highlands!
Source: Facebook/TheCamperVanBible

The ultimate road trip is to take the NorthCoast500, the new scenic route showcasing Scotland’s fairy-tale castles, white sand beaches, historical ruins, unique wildlife, and so much more!

The NC500 ranked by independent sources as the best road trip on the planet

The North Highlands has become one of the most iconic destinations in Scotland because of the NC500. The road that never was, but suddenly appeared as if by magic! Taking the NC500 route helps you to discover the best the Scottish Highlands has to offer, from magical and mystical castles, sample amazing local produce, with fresh from the sea and land specialties, the wonderful distilleries and breweries or take to the water on an exhilarating wildlife safari. 

The North Coast 500 offers a truly unique touring experience, quite unlike anywhere else in the world and many of those who have done it have said it was life-changing for them. 

Bringing together a route of just over 500 miles of stunning coastal scenery, the North Coast 500, naturally follows the main roads along the coastal edges of the North Highlands of Scotland, taking in the regions of Wester Ross, Sutherland, Caithness, Easter Ross, the Black Isle and Inverness-Shire.

The route begins and ends in Inverness at Inverness Castle which, perched on top of a hill, is the perfect starting point to the route and offers unparalleled views from its viewing tower over the capital city of the Highlands. The NC500 was launched only 5 years ago, yet in that time, it has reached a global audience of over 2.3 billion and ranked by so many independent sources as the best road trip on the planet.

But don’t take our word for it, check it out for yourself. Scroll down and see why it is awe-inspiring… see what the world is talking about. Or check out the dozens of videos of people’s personal journeys on YouTube, from bike-packing to caravan adventures, and be inspired by hundreds of gorgeous photos on Instagram.

The North Highlands has become one of the most iconic destinations in Scotland because of the NC500.
The road that never was, but suddenly appeared as if by magic! The North Highlands has become one of the most iconic destinations in Scotland because of the NC500. Source: WikimediaCommons/Thincat
The name of this twisting, single-track mountain road comes from the Gaelic for Pass of the Cattle and is known for its tight hairpin bends and 20% gradients! You can really see how dramatic this mountain pass is in this image from @matthewefoster.
The scenic Bealach na Ba road on the Applecross Peninsula is the third highest road in Scotland. The name of this twisting, single-track mountain road comes from the Gaelic for Pass of the Cattle and is known for its tight hairpin bends and 20% gradients! You can really see how dramatic this mountain pass is in this image from @matthewefoster. Source: Instagram/northcoast500
Comprised of two castles: the 15th-century Castle Girnigoe and the early 17th-century Castle Sinclair, they are still an impressive sight today.
The ruins of Castle Sinclair Girnigoe lie just north of Wick and are considered to be one of the earliest seats of the Clan Sinclair. Comprised of two castles: the 15th-century Castle Girnigoe and the early 17th-century Castle Sinclair, they are still an impressive sight today. Source: Instagram/northcoast500
Taking the NC500 route helps you to discover the best the Scottish Highlands has to offer, from magical and mystical castles, sample amazing local produce, with fresh from the sea and land specialties, the wonderful distilleries and breweries or take to the water on an exhilarating wildlife safari.
Thank you to @ali.horne for sharing this gorgeous picture with northcoast500. Taking the NC500 route helps you to discover the best the Scottish Highlands has to offer, from magical and mystical castles, sample amazing local produce, with fresh from the sea and land specialties, the wonderful distilleries and breweries or take to the water on an exhilarating wildlife safari. Source: Instagram/northcoast500
The North Coast 500 offers a truly unique touring experience, quite unlike anywhere else in the world and many of those who have done it have said it was life-changing for them. — photo by @merlins_mind
Wailing Widow Falls, Assynt. The North Coast 500 offers a truly unique touring experience, quite unlike anywhere else in the world and many of those who have done it have said it was life-changing for them. — photo by @merlins_mind Source: Instagram/northcoast500
Bringing together a route of just over 500 miles of stunning coastal scenery, the North Coast 500, naturally follows the main roads along the coastal edges of the North Highlands of Scotland, taking in the regions of Wester Ross, Sutherland, Caithness, Easter Ross, the Black Isle and Inverness-Shire. — photo @karendaly411
Clachtoll Beach, Nr Lochinver Bringing together a route of just over 500 miles of stunning coastal scenery, the North Coast 500, naturally follows the main roads along the coastal edges of the North Highlands of Scotland, taking in the regions of Wester Ross, Sutherland, Caithness, Easter Ross, the Black Isle and Inverness-Shire. — photo @karendaly411 Source: Instagram/northcoast500
The route begins and ends in Inverness at Inverness Castle which, perched on top of a hill, is the perfect starting point to the route and offers unparalleled views from its viewing tower over the capital city of the Highlands. Photo by @merlins_mind
Torridon Wilderness. The route begins and ends in Inverness at Inverness Castle which, perched on top of a hill, is the perfect starting point to the route and offers unparalleled views from its viewing tower over the capital city of the Highlands. Photo by @merlins_mind Source: Instagram/northcoast500
The NC500 was launched only 5 years ago, yet in that time, it has reached a global audience of over 2.3 billion and ranked by so many independent sources as the best road trip on the planet. Photo @brettccurrie
Monarch of the glen The NC500 was launched only 5 years ago, yet in that time, it has reached a global audience of over 2.3 billion and ranked by so many independent sources as the best road trip on the planet. Photo @brettccurrie Source: Instagram/northcoast500
The perfect place for a princess picnic!
Dunrobin Castle. The perfect place for a princess picnic! Source: Instagram/northcoast500
Join YouTuber Mo Thomson on their trip around the North Coast 500 in Spring 2018, starting the NC500 from Inverness and going clockwise.Source: YouTube/MoThomson
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