Knockan Crag National Nature Reserve

North Coast 500 5 day road trip

The full-length version of our NC500 road trip.
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Day 1: After reaching Inverness from Livingston, we headed north from Inverness to Chanonry point for our first stop and were very lucky to spot dolphins and seals.
From there we headed west stopping at Rogie Falls heading for our overnight stay at Applecross Campsite via the famous Bealach Na Ba (Pass of the Cattle)
We also got to follow a nice TVR Cerbera for a while.

Here is a map I made of our rough itinerary, feel free to use it if you wish:

Music: Hall of the Mountain King - Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

Music provided by Audio Library

Day 2: We headed from Applecross campsite north-west a short distance around the Applecross peninsula before deciding to turn around and head back down the Bealach Na Ba.
From there we headed north to Shieldaig to pick up some lunch for later from the Loch Torridon Smokehouse. From there we headed through the Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve and stopped at Loch Clair for lunch. Stunning scenery and no better place to stop and enjoy the delicious salmon we had picked up earlier.
Our next stop we had planned was Red Point Beach, it was worth the drive! Totally secluded and so remote, we had the whole beach to ourselves and it was even warm and sunny!
We headed to Corrieshalloch Gorge after that and again it was stunning scenery around every corner.
From there it was a drive to our second campsite at Ardmair Point, what a perfect pitch we had! We popped into Ullapool for dinner and a drink then back to the tent just in time to watch the sunset.

Music: SynetraX - All My Sins


Day 3: After packing the tent away in torrential rain in the morning at Ardmair Point we headed north to Knockan Crag National Nature Reserve.
We had planned on going to see the Bone Caves after that but we must've driven straight past the car park without noticing, will do that the next time! The weather was starting to clear as we reached our next stop, Ardvreck Castle.
Our next destination was Lochinver for some of the famous Lochinver Larders pies! After that, it was time for something a bit special at Achmelvich Beach. With the sun starting to occasionally appear through the clouds, Claire was going snorkelling at Achmelvich! This is part of the newly launched NW Highlands Snorkel trail that was thought up by the Scottish Wildlife Trust. Check out the full video here:
After getting dried off we headed further north passing through some stunning scenery, seen some super cars, had a stop for some tea then a drive over the Kylesku Bridge.
Our final destination of the day was our campsite for that night at Sango Sands Oasis in Durness. It was about 30 miles north and involved some of the most remote roads yet. The weather was fine when we reached the campsite but as soon as we got the tent half set we got hit by another rain storm! Waterproofs on, finished setting up the tent, 20 minutes later the sun was out!

Music: Reev Music, Kygo feat. Conrad Firestone Instrumental

Day 5: 9:30am and it was already 19°. After getting the car packed in Sango Sands Oasis campsite, Durness. It was time to get going for the day. Our first stop was Cocoa Mountain before heading to Smoo Cave.
Our next stop was Strathy Point, we were hoping to sit there for a while and hopefully see some whales. However, after quite a drive and finally reaching the car park, there were signs up saying no dogs allowed. So we jumped back in the car and went in search for lunch.
After passing the Dounreay nuclear site and passing through Thurso we arrived at our next stop, the Rock Rose gin distillery in Dunnet. And were greeted by an empty car park and a 'closed on Sundays' sign, dammit. So we headed to Dunnet Head, the most northerly point on mainland Britain.
From there we headed to John O' Groats for a picture next to the famous sign. Then on to Duncansby Head the see the sea stacks and celebrate our first year wedding anniversary by launching a message in a bottle out to sea.
Our final stop for the night was at the Norseman Hotel in Wick for a good nights sleep in an actual bed before our journey home the next day.
On our way home we stopped at an old cairn, the amazing Whaligoe Steps, Loch Fleet, the Dalmore Distillery, seen the mermaid of the north and stopped in Inverness for dinner. Then it was our final 160 miles to the house.

A truly amazing 5-day journey!

Music: Get Back Up - Silent Partner