Visit Glencoe, Arisaig, Skye, Applecross, Ullapool, Achmelvic, Durness, Fortrose, Loch Ness and Glencoe
Take in the popular Inner Hebridean island of Skye whilst touring the infamous NC500 road route around the north coast of Scotland
This incredible tour around Scotland’s north west,north and north east coast offers a holiday of a lifetime and takes in the infamous North Coast 500 route as well as the stunning island of Skye. From the black Cuillin mountains of Skye to the stunning white beaches of the north west and north coast, and the incredible geological landscape of this part of Scotland, you will be awestruck at the beauty!
If you have more time to spare we highly recommend taking this tour over 2 weeks to truly immerse yourself and be part of this unforgettable landscape!
Day 1
From Four Seasons Campers head west towards Balloch and take the A82 north on the West side of Loch Lomond towards Fort William taking in the spectacular scenery of Rannoch Moor and Glencoe on route. Lots of photography opportunities. From here continue along the A82 towards Fort William to past Neptunes Staircase and continue on the A830 towards Arisaig and Mallaig. Turn off the A830 at Arisaig where there are an abundance of campsites and beautiful beaches that look towards the Inner Hebridean Islands of Eigg and Rhum. The Beach past Traigh was made famous in the movie “Local Hero.”
Things to see and do
- Stop at pretty village of Luss on Loch Lomond
- Get last minute suppliers at Green Welly Stop at Tyndrum
- Enjoy ‘healthy’ fish and chips from The Real Food Café in Tyndrum
- Stretch your legs along part of the West Highland Way at Bridge of Orchy and enjoy some great pub food at The Bridge of Orchy Hotel
- Supermarkets at Fort William at roundabout on seafront
- Neptunes Staircase is a series of canal locks that link the Caledonian Canal to the open sea and is well worth a visit. At this time of year you should spot some beautiful Scandinavian yachts coming through the canal on their way to the beautiful West Coast and Inner Hebrides.
- Glenfinnan Monument erected in memory of Jacobite rising and men who fought for Prince Charlie’s cause and the Glenfinnan Viaduct – a great engineering construction
- Jacobite West Highland Line made famous in the Harry Potter films by Hogwarts Express
- Stop at Loch Leven Seafood Café
Campsite:
Sunnyside Croft, Arisaig
Camusdarach, Arisaig
Time to travel Four Seasons Campers to Arisaig 3hrs
Day 2
From Arisaig continue onto the fishing port of Mallaig where you can get the ferry to Skye. The ferry to Skye takes you to Armadale and you head north from here and go over the Skye bridge and through Kyle of Lochalsh. You can either take the A890 towards Wester Ross or take a slight detour north after the bridge round to Plockton which is a really pretty seaside village with palm trees and some great pubs. You might also want to head slightly south to visit infamous Eilean Donan Castle at Dornie. Continue round the coast to Applecross going over the Bealach na ba if you’re brave enough! It’s a windy mountain road but is absolutely fine for VW Campervans, a bit more hairy in a larger motorhome! There is an alternative lower and longer route via Sheildaig
Things to see and do:
- Visit the colourful town of Portree on Skye
- Eilean Donan Castle
- Coral Beach – 50 minute walk from car park and well worth it!
- Supper at Applecross Inn….not to be missed…amazing seafood and atmosphere!
Campsite:
Time to travel Arisaig to Applecross 3hrs
Day 3
Continue north to Shieldaig and onto Torridon then head east to Kinlochewe and north up the A832 along Loch Maree and onto Gairloch where there are some great beaches to stop at. Then continue round the coast to Dundonnell and onto the A835 to Ullapool for some lively music, great pubs and fantastic fish and chips!
Things to see and do:
- Visit Inverewe Gardens – a lush, sub-tropical style garden perched on a peninsula at Loch Ewe
- Stop for a walk near Garve between Inverness and Ullapool
- Visit the Ceildidh Place for music and food
- Enjoy Ullapool’s award winning fish and chips.
Campsite:
Broomfield, Ullapool
Ardmair, north of Ullapool
Time to travel Applecross to Ullapool 3hrs
Day 4
From Ullapool head north towards Lochinver, past Ardvreck Castle at Loch Assynt and continue to Lochinver and Achmelvic.
Things to see and do:
- Stop at Knockan Crag National Nature reserve between Ullapool and Achmelvic to view the rock formations – this is part of the North West Geopark rock route showing the story of how Scotland was formed
- Stop at Ardvreck Castle on shores of Loch Assynt and wander around the ruins
- You have to try the Lochinver pies from the range of over 30 pies at Lochinver Larder – sit in or take away
- Walk over from Achmelvic to Lochinver (approx. 5 miles easy walk around coast)
- Visit Lochinver Pottery either at Lochinver or Ullapool (the Ullapool shop is slightly larger)
Campsite:
Shore Caravan Site, Achmelvich
Clachtoll Beach Campsite, north Achmelvich
Port a Bhaigh campsite, nr Achiltibuie
Time to travel Ullapool to Achmelvic 1hr
Day 5
From Achmelvic continue north to Durness…it’s a fabulous road!
Things to see and do:
- Kylesku Hotel for lunch
- Climb Ben Hope – most northerly Munro (mountain over 3000 feet) for views across the
- Visit the Smoo Caves in Durness
- Visit Handa Island nature reserve
- Walk out to Sandwood Bay in north west of Scotland…spectacular beach at the end of the 4 mile walk
Campsite:
Sango Sands, Durness
Loch Clash Stopoever, Kinlochbervie
Time to travel Achmelvic to Durness 1.5hrs
Day 6
Continue east and then south around the North Coast 500 towards Tain and Rosemarkie near Fortrose on the Black Isle.
Things to see and do:
- Visit Dunrobin Castle near Golspie just off the A9
- Glenmorangie Distillery – north of Tain on A9
Travel time Durness to Fortrose 3hrs
Day 7
Continue south to Inverness and then take the A82 south past Loch Ness and through Fort Augustus then continue down through Fort William to Glencoe
Things to see and do:
- Take a detour round Inverness to the east and visit the National Trust exhibition showing the Culloden Battlefield and walk across the atmospheric battlefield
- At Fort Augustus you can enjoy the yachts sailing through the locks that make up the Caledonian Canal
- Enjoy the Nessie Experience at Drumnadrochit or visit Urquhart Castle on the banks of Loch Ness
- Eat at the Clachaig Inn
Campsite:
Time to Travel Fortrose to Glencoe 2.5hrs
Day 8
Continue south towards Loch Lomond and back to Four Seasons Campers
Time to travel Glencoe to Four Seasons Campers 1.5hrs