Explore the interior!
The North Coast 500 takes in 516 miles of coastline, with spectacular seaside views, rugged mountains, charming villages and winding stretches of road waiting to be explored. However, the main route isn’t the only part of the North Highlands worth travelling – the inland areas are destinations within themselves, and are just as worthy of exploration.
Heading off the beaten track and away from the main route can open up a whole world of discovery and adventure, so why not spend a few days exploring the interior of the route? Much of the inland scenery resembles the wild, dramatic landscape of the west coast. If you’re looking for majestic mountains, lochs, glens and rivers, this is the right place.
There are so many roads which intertwine throughout the North Highlands, many of which access the east, west and north coasts. Although you’ll still be within a stone’s throw of the main route, you’ll feel as though you’re miles away from the route most driven! While you’re planning your trip, please remember that many of these roads are single track, and shared with deer and sheep!
Much of the interior takes in the counties of Caithness and Sutherland, where you’ll find an abundance of charming, remote B&Bs, self-catering properties and wild Highland estates. Why not choose a base to explore from, to allow you several days to get to know each area in more depth? Activities and attractions are dotted throughout the North Highlands, ready for you to escape to and enjoy.
Photo: Ceol Mor B&B View West
One of the world’s rarest habitats!
The blanket bog at Forsinard Flows is one of the world’s rarest habitats. It has taken 8,000 long years for the deep peat soils to develop. Peatland waders such as golden plover, dunlin and greenshank arrive to breed along with other seasonal wildlife during May and June. Late spring and early summer is the best time to see peatland birds, while later in the summer, rare plant life and insects such as dragonflies and great diving beetles take centre stage. Keep an eye out on the boardwalk for common lizards basking in the sun! When winter comes, get close to wild red deer herds and look out for blue/mountain hares in its white winter coat!
When night falls, the Forsinard Flows lookout tower is a unique vantage point for stargazing and spotting the Northern Lights at the right time of year.
RSPB Scotland Forsinard Flows Nature Reserve (rspb-images.com)
Blessed with an abundance of wildlife
Due in part to the virtually unspoilt nature of much of the countryside, the low level of human habitation and in part to the unique climates, the North Coast 500 is the ideal location to spot a variety of wildlife in their natural habitats.
Fancy a wildlife tour?
Invercassley Cottage B&B in Rosehall offers a choice of wildlife trips to choose from during your stay. From a Landrover safari trip in the morning or evening, to a full day tour of the Scottish Highlands with an experienced guide, Invercassley B&B can help you experience some of the best views of the birds and wildlife that live there. Binoculars and telescopes are provided for guests’ use.
Alladale Wilderness Reserve in Ardgay is famous for ‘rewilding’, which involves reforestation and reintroduction of plant and animal species. With a bit of luck, you’ll see their Highland cattle as well as majestic red deer, golden eagles and other wildlife species. Between mid-May and late September, take the chance to visit Glencalvie Falls and watch the salmon jump upstream; take a guided hike or a 4×4 trip.
Photos: Invercassley Cottage B&B (image 2&3), Alladale Wilderness Reserve (image 3&4)
Hiking and Walking
There are plenty of opportunities along the North Coast 500, whether you are looking for a leisurely stroll or hike, so get outdoors and make the very most of the North Highlands.
Find a forest rich for exploring at Ferrycroft in Lairg. There’s plenty to see and do, whether you’re spending an hour here, or a full day – from fun activities in the four-star visitor centre to splendid views of Loch Shin from the top of ancient Ord Hill. This is a rich and fascinating place with high-quality archaeology, interesting wildlife and pretty forest trails. Search for salmon leaping upstream at the Falls of Shin visitor centre, and explore the range of trails through mixed woodland.
Four miles north of the Forsinard Flows visitor centre is the Forsinain trail. This four-mile long trail was developed by the peatlands partnership and takes about two hours to complete. Travelling through the farm at Forsinain, the trail takes you up onto the hill towards this natural bog and former forestry plantation, which the RSPB is in the process of restoring back to natural peatland habitat. The trail returns to the car park along the banks of the Halladale River. Information on all these trails is available at the Forsinard Flows visitor centre.
The 23,000 acre Alladale Wilderness Reserve has so much to discover that you can go on a different hike every day. Take three days or more and escape to the wilderness – why not book a guide for the day, who can show you places that you may not be able to find by yourself? On the way, the rangers will teach you all about the plants, trees and animal species on the reserve, and about the history of this unique part of the Highlands. Alternatively, recharge those batteries with a retreat, or test your survival skills with the Bear Grylls Survival Academy.
Bag a Munro?
Ben Hope is the most northerly Munro in Scotland, and ideally located by Lairg, just a short distance from the most northerly stretch of the North Coast 500 route. Check out information from Tim here, and our article about safety in the hills.
Photo: Ben Hope
Harness the healing power of nature
Alladale offers an incredible range of events and retreats which allow you to spend time in the great outdoors, learning more about the healing powers of nature, and leave feeling recharged. Whether you’re looking for a challenge, or just seeking a leisurely experience, Alladale’s programme allows you to delve into the activities you love – all within one of Scotland’s last truly wild locations.
Photo: Alladale Wildnerness Reserve, Deanich Lodge Valley By Pete Helme
Fieldsports
The North Highlands have an abundance of shooting and fishing experiences available to seasoned field sports enthusiasts, complete beginners, and all stages of expertise in between. Clay pigeon shooting at Alladale Wilderness Reserve is a popular choice with groups travelling the North Coast 500 or witness the unspoiled Scottish wilderness from a calm spot by the water!
TroutQuest offer fly fishing holidays, short breaks and fly fishing tuition throughout the Northern Highlands. Why not join them for a guided salmon or trout fishing excursion?
Alternatively set up base with Altnaharra Hotel or Alladale Wilderness Reserve?
As one of Scotland’s most established sporting hotels, The Altnaharra Hotel offers all the facilities and support you’ll need to enjoy salmon, sea trout and brown trout fishing in the north Highlands. Hire one of the hotel’s boats and head out on one of the numerous nearby lochs for a day of fishing, organised by the hotel by prior arrangement. With experienced ghillies available to offer fishing guidance and advice during your stay, and a rod room well stocked with tackle and equipment for you to buy or hire.
Alladale Wildnerness Reserve also offers world class trout fishing. With a choice of 10 lochs, you can spend days here! The nearest loch from the roadside is an hour’s climb up the hill. Two of their more remote lochs are historically stocked with Arctic Char and only for experienced anglers and Salmon fishing is occasionally available between August and September.
Why not spend the day foraging for your meal? You’ll be surprised by how much of what grows on the reserve is not only edible, but delicious! Let one of the reserve’s expert rangers show you how to identify the best local herbs and mushrooms, before chef Thomas Park creates an evening meal using all the foraged ingredients collected that day from the reserve.
Kyle of Sutherland:
For further information on fishing in South-East Sutherland visit: http://www.nc500fishing.com/south-east-sutherland-fishing.asp
Cycling
Sometimes it’s best for both the environment and for your sense of adventure to leave the car securely parked and head out on two wheels, rather than four. If you want to enjoy all the excitement of exploring the interior without the exertion, you can now hire an E-Bicycle with Rosehall E-Bikes at Invercassley Cottage B&B.
Also, if you’re planning to cycle the North Coast 500, our cycling itinerary takes you through the interior!
Photo: Rosehall E Bicycles to hire at Invercassley Cottage B&B
Explore the Strathnaver Trail
The Strathnaver Trail links 29 archaeological sites, starting off at the Strathnaver Museum – pick up a map and Trail Guide here to help plot your route. Work your way from Iron Age brochs to Bronze Age cairns and hut circles, carved stones dating back to Pictish times and pre-Clearance settlements; all of these sites lie within a compact geographical area, so you’ll be well placed to tick a large number off your list in one go. Among these 29 sites are 12 ancient monuments, each one linked to a different time period in modern history.
Photo: Strathnaver Museum
Volunteer
If you’re planning to visit the North Coast 500 for an extended period of time, why not incorporate some volunteering into your travels? RSPB at Forsinard offer a two-week residential volunteering package, focusing on practical conservation, allowing you to learn and gain new experiences in the great outdoors, along with your family or a group of friends. For more information, visit the RSPB’s website.
RSPB Scotland Forsinard Flows Nature Reserve: Golden Plover by Andy Hay (rspb-images.com)
Gold panning
The ‘Great Sutherland Gold Rush’- in 1868 Suisgill Estate was famous for gold panning with hundreds of people flocking to the area to try and make their fortune. Although ‘Gold Fever’ was short lived Suisgill Estate still permit recreational gold panning on certain parts of the estate. Try your hand at this engrossing past time! Please see our gold panning article.
Photo: Gold Panning by Ashley Bird (a location in Scotland)
All things foodie!
The recently opened Mac and Wild Restaurant at Falls of Shin will be introducing some fantastic foodie experiences, from Wild Cooking, Haggis Making, botanical cocktail making and whisky in the woods being just a few! Stay tuned!
Photos: Mac and Wild Restaurant, Falls of Shin
Balblair Distillery
Every Scotch whisky distillery is different: from its location and water source, to its still shape and wood policy. These are all determining factors in its ultimate outcome – its taste. Every Balblair Vintage is strongly individual; each bottles captures the unique essence of a year. Whisky here is only ever selected for bottling at its peak of perfection, handpicked to represent the very best that Balblair has to offer. The Balblair Distillery visitor tour is intimate and personal, offering three levels of Distillery tours. Find out which tour suits you best. Book now.
Photo: Balblair Distillery
Live music
Just a stone’s throw from the famous Falls of Shin in Sutherland, the Invershin Hotel is a superb base for groups. The hotel’s bar hosts regular live music sessions – while these are often held on Fridays, sessions can be spontaneous, so you may be fortunate enough to hear some real Highland music whichever night you’re staying!
Check out our interactive map for more inspiration. If you are struggling to find accommodation in Ullapool or Lochinver, the heart of Sutherland is just a 15 minute drive from the Ledmore Junction.
Photo: Invershin Hotel
