Two-Wheels

NC500.

Ride.

This incredible road trip takes you 500 miles around the north coast of Scotland through some of the most spectacular scenery in the world – there’s no wonder they call it the Scotland Route 66.

With dramatic driving roads, beautiful coastal scenery, turquoise blue seas and white sand beaches, you will need as much time as you can get to do the route – you will want to stop every couple of hours and get out of the car and go for a walk! The NC500 should definitely not be all about the road.

  • Miles: 514
  • Start: Inverness
  • End: Inverness
  • Time: two days to a week
  • Suitability: all bikes and riders

The NC500 route starts with a visit to the City of Inverness, before driving up the east coast of Scotland to the very top of the UK, spotting dolphins at Channory Point on the Black Isle Peninsula and visiting amazing castles along the way.

The route continues along the far north coast of Scotland, where you can visit the iconic John O’Groats sign, marvel at the stunning Duncansby Head Stacks, and stand at the most northerly point of the UK. From there, head to the harbours at Scrabster and Thurso for seafood suppers, explore the impressive Smoo Cave, and indulge in the renowned hot chocolate at Cocoa Mountain in Durness.

Heading south, you’ll journey through the surreal mountain landscapes of Lochinver and Assynt, then drive along a coastline dotted with stunning white sand beaches and turquoise blue waters, leading to one of my favorite areas in Scotland, Wester Ross.

Finally, you will drive through the huge Torridon mountains, past fiord-like lochs to the beautiful Applecross Peninsula where you end your trip driving the famous Bealach na Bà mountain pass – completing the Scotland Route 66.

  • Stage 1 – Inverness & Easter Ross – Starting from the Highland capital, Inverness, drive up Scotland’s east coast
  • Stage 2 – Caithness and Sutherland – Explore Scotland’s wild north coast including Cape Wrath and Durness
  • Stage 3 – Lochinver and Assynt -Drive the beautiful coast from Durness to Gairloch and visit Scotland’s best beaches.
  • Stage 4 – Wester Ross – Explore the Torridon mountains and drive the incredible Bealach Na Ba.