The North Coast 500 road trip, the Scottish Route 66

For a road trip to rival any, the North Coast 500 in Scotland is among the world’s best. Here’s how to travel it in sumptuous, Scottish style.

The North Coast 500, getting started

Beginning and ending in Inverness, The North Coast 500 is a 516 mile circuit around the north coast of Scotland. And, in our opinion, it should be enjoyed punctuated with Michelin-starred pit stops and Instagram friendly scenery along the way. Every such journey should start with a full belly and if you can throw in a view, better still. With a vista of the River Ness and Castle, the Kitchen Brasserie offers a great value lunch to prepare you for a day on the road.

The route and first destination

Head west out of the city on the A832 for the first attraction on your five-day journey, Bealach Na Ba. Named ‘one of the best drives on the planet’, the challenging Applecross road rises a few thousand feet with hairpin bends and breathtaking views. Your destination for the evening is the Torridon with a dram on arrival in their world famous whisky bar. If you’re clever you’ll have reserved ‘Room 2’ with its handmade wooden bath looking out over Torridon Loch.

The North Coast 500, Day Two

Head north east on the A832 towards Kinlochewe before joining the southern bank of Loch Maree. Once your belly starts to rumble, push on to Gairloch for lunch with a view at the Badachro Inn. Bed down for the night at The Pool House in Poolewe. It’s a 300-year-old hunting and fishing lodge, transformed into a luxury B’n’B packed with character, with plenty to do and some first class seafood.

The North Coast 500, halfway point

Day three is a great driving day. Head north on the A832, tracing the coast and enjoying some of the best scenery on the route. First stop is some other-worldly wilderness and the fascinating Bones Cave at Inchnadamph. Here you’ll find an eerie cave decorated with the bones of ancient polar bears and other animals, up to 47,000 years old. Pop into the renowned West Coast Deli for lunch made with local produce, but be sure to keep it light. Tonight’s menu and lodgings come courtesy of Britain’s most northerly Michelin star at The Albannach and you’re in for a six course treat of magnitudinal enjoyment. Round the day off with sunset and mountain views from the hot tub on your private terrace in the Byre Suite.

The North Coast 500, Day Four

Start at Achmelvich Beach. The road signs clearly say Lochinver but, if the sun’s out, the beach looks like something in the Pacific with its stunning white sands and azure waters. When you’re ready to drag yourself away, carry on to Drumbeg for lunch at the Kylesku Hotel.  You’ll enjoy one of the finest seafood platters on the planet here. Then it’s a long drive across the top of Scotland, as north-easterly as you can without your car turning into a makeshift boat. The destination is the unexpected oasis of Together Travel John O’Groats. The eco-friendly, uber- contemporary wooden lodges offer views to Orkney that’ll take your breath away.

The North Coast 500, the final day

A trip down the east coast to your final destination, Dornoch. World-famous for its beach and golf courses, Dornoch has a full day of food, fun and activities. Book yourself into the multi-award-winning Links House. It’s the perfect luxury base for enjoying any of the eight courses nearby or, if you’re feeling like some ‘me time’, a treatment at the Links spa. The dinner menu is a fine dining daily surprise locally sourced from a selection of speciality suppliers, best enjoyed with something from their spectacular wine cellar. Take your glass outside to the terrace and outdoor fireplace to recline and enjoy the sunset as the credits fall on your ultimate road trip.

Words: Dean Newton

Images:
North Coast
North Coast 500, Steve Carter
Near Applecross, Iain Sarjeant
Achmelvich beach, Saskia Heijltjes
Torridon Loch
Kylesku, Richard Wiseman