Christmas gift ideas inspired by the North Coast 500
It’s that time of year again, and we’ve got all the inspiration you need 🎁
If you’re looking for something special this year to gift loved ones, the North Coast 500 is exactly what you’ve been looking for. This festive season we’re bringing you a collection of gifts inspired by the route which will excite and delight everyone.
For the whisky lovers
Feragaia distilled alcohol-free spirit
A bottle of whisky always goes down a treat at Christmas. We’ve got plenty for you to choose from so whatever their whisky fancy, you’ll find something to suit.
If rich, waxy whisky, carrying notes of tropical fruit and honey wets your whistle, Clynelish is a great option, or choose Glenmorangie – famous for its smoky, honeyed and floral aromas.
For the drivers and non-drinkers this Christmas, choose Feragaia – an alcohol-free spirit made from Scottish land and sea botanicals. Lose the alcohol without losing any of the flavour.
Treat them to a mini break in the Highlands
The ultimate Christmas gift – a break away to recover from (or get in the mood for!) the busy Christmas season. A cosy Highland lodge with a roaring fire, hearty home-cooked food in a gourmet restaurant and strolls along a frozen loch on a frosty morning – sounds perfect right?
Highland views from the Caledonian Sleeper
Start your holiday before you even arrive with a journey on the Caledonian Sleeper. Leave London in the evening, enjoy fabulous food and arrive after a great nights’ sleep to views of the Scottish countryside.
Stroll through idyllic gardens, browse independent shops, galleries and studios, and take in the local culture with a stay in the city of Inverness. Kingsmills Hotel is the perfect place to base yourself for an Inverness city break. If you’re looking for a mini break to enjoy over the Christmas period, join in the festive celebrations at Ness Walk.
If you’ve always dreamt of visiting the Highlands for Hogmanay, a stay at the Royal Golf Hotel should be on the cards. Join in the three day festival with their Hogmanay package which includes a New Year street party and live Scottish music, three nights accommodation, breakfast and dinner each day plus a festive afternoon tea.
The Highlands is the perfect place for a remote winter getaway to recharge the soul. Get back to nature with sunset beach walks, a chance to see the Northern Lights and incredible Highland scenery from the comfort of a luxury glamping pod with NC500 Pods.
For all our festive accommodation options, click here.
Christmas made easy with online gifting
Beat the queues and the crazy Christmas rush to the shops by browsing online for the perfect gifts for everyone you love this festive period. From soap handmade in the Highlands using local botanicals to locally crafted homeware, we’ve got even the fussiest of family and friends sorted.
The Perfume Studio located in a truly idyllic spot on the west coast, specialise in handmade, cruelty-free soap made using raw materials and minimum packaging. A great stocking filler or opt for one of their gift boxes for a lavish Christmas present.
Petra Palumbo offer homeware that is sustainable, stylish and always practical. Take a piece of Scotland home with you to remember your NC500 adventures. Let ANTA Scotland spread lashings of Christmas spirit this year with their stoneware and textile creations that take their inspiration from the Scottish landscape and seasons.
For anyone that has done the North Coast 500 and would enjoy a memento, or for anyone planning a trip, NC500 merchandise is a great gift idea. From insulated drinks bottles and coasters to hoodies and tea towels, we’ve got all the gifts to inspire your next adventure. Browse the full range here.
Gift them an experience
Spending time together is one of the best gifts you can give. Treat your loved ones to an experience on the North Coast 500 and we promise you they’ll be over the moon! From cycling the hills and glens of the Highlands to exploring quaint and idyllic gardens, find the perfect present right here.
For the adventurous type there is cycling, surfing, hiking, paddleboarding and so much more adrenaline fuelled fun to be had on the North Coast 500!
If you’re looking for something a little more sedate, why not book a distillery tour at The Singleton Distillery in Glen Ord. or a storytelling evening at the Downright Gabbler to combine history with food and drink. Everyone from grandparents to the little ones will enjoy a day out to Inverewe Gardens or Culloden Battlefield.
Photos: Sutherland Adventure Company | 42 Cycling | Mckenzie Mountaineering | North Coast Watersports
Go all out this Christmas
Have you been looking for a gift that is extra special this year? Look no further. We’ve compiled a list of three of our most luxurious gift options so all you have to do is choose one (or more!).
One – a luxurious resort on the west coast
A place like no other. The Torridon is a five-star resort set against the stunning backdrop of the Torridon hills. The hotel boasts an impressive list of achievements including Cateys 2018 Independent Hotel of the Year Award, 3 AA Rosettes, AA 5 stars and Visit Scotland 5 stars.
The Torridon
Two – a boutique hotel in the peaceful Highlands
An ideal Highland hideaway to restore and recharge. A boutique hotel nestled on the east coast, Glenmorangie House is an oasis of calm and peacefulness away from the noise and bustle of today’s world. Book an event at Glenmorangie House for something totally out of this world and extra special.
Dine, Dance and Toast the New Year in with Glenmorangie House’s Hogmanay Package.
Go on a weekend retreat to Glenmorangie House. Glenmorangie A Tale of the Forest includes a weekend stay, afternoon tea, mixology session, falconry display, fine dining, exclusive tasting, distillery tour and more! Available on 27th & 28th January; 24th
& 25th February; and 24th & 25th March
Find out more by getting in touch on 01862 871671 or e-mail [email protected].
Glenmorangie House
Three – handcrafted luxury jewellery inspired by the Highlands
Ortak are famous for their beautifully hand-crafted, unique Scottish jewellery. Every piece they make is lovingly and skilfully made in Orkney, inspired by the rugged coastal seascapes surrounding the studio.
For something a little different..
Trying to think of an exciting new gift each year can be hard work! We’ve got a few ideas of gifts that are just a little bit different for those hard to buy loved ones in your life.
Something fun to get the person who already has everything – the everlasting gift of Scottish land! You can buy a plot of land in the Highlands, which comes with its very own title of Laird, Lord or Lady, from Highland Titles.
Dunnet Bay Distillers, the UK’s most northerly mainland distillery, has revealed its new debut whisky brand ‘Stannergill’. The creators of Rock Rose Gin have announced they’re releasing barrels of Stannergill for pre-order. You’ll have to hurry though, there are only 200 of them!
Paddleboarding in Durness by @kbrembo on Instagram
However you decide to spend Christmas, we wish you a good one and we hope our article on Christmas gifts inspired by the North Coast 500 has helped you find the perfect present.
Merry Christmas (or Nollaig Chridheil in Scottish Gaelic) from the North Coast 500!
