FALCONRY DAY PROJECT COMING SOON - 10/04/2025

NC500 - OUR STARTING POINT

Initially intending to start from Lochcarron and take the 516 mile trip in a clockwise direction we guided by the proprietors of the Lochcarron Hotel to alternatively travel the route in an anti-clockwise direction.

The reason for this was that majority of the "best" locations were on the West coast. That being said there were some fantastic places to be had on the East coast.

What actually made the difference for us was the approach to Bealach na Ba (Applecross Pass) going down rather that up would afford us significantly better views.

NC500 Getting There

NC500 Return Home

John o' Groats to Isle of Handa

Applecross to Inverness

Lochcarron to Inverness

Lochcarron

Inverness

Inverness

A city in the Scottish Highlands, having been granted city status in 2000. It is the administrative centre for The Highland Council and is regarded as the capital of the Highlands.

Lochcarron

Situated on the shore of Loch Carron, this gem of a town in the western Highlands offers peace and tranquillity. With an abundance of wildlife and scenery, Lochcarron is an ideal location from which to explore further the west coast of Scotland with easy access to the Isle of Skye, Applecross, Torridon and Gairloch.

Inverness to John O Groats

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Dornoch

If you are looking for a peaceful and picturesque destination in the Scottish Highlands, Dornoch might be the perfect choice for you. This charming town has a rich history, a beautiful cathedral, and a castle hotel that offers a touch of luxury. You can explore the quaint shops, cafes, and museums in the town centre, or enjoy the stunning views of the Dornoch Firth

John O Groats to Isle of Handa

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John O’Groats

Best known for it’s iconic location and jaw-dropping scenery, but there is plenty of adventure to be had at this inspiring location. Explore the village, board a ferry, lookout for wildlife, walk the coast, discover the bays and beaches, or use it as a starting point for further adventures!

Isle of Handa to Applecross

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Isle of Handa and Applecross Pass (Bealach na Ba) is covered seperately in the (Atlantic Puffins Project) Click HERE to view

Bealach na Ba

The Bealach na Ba is a historic and quite famous pass through the mountains of the Applecross peninsula. Bealach na Ba, meaning pass of the cattle, was used in earlier days to drive cattle from Applecross and surrounding settlements to other parts of the Highlands, it was not part of the historic Drove Routes. Crossing the Bealach na Ba is an adventure for several reasons. This single track road has some Alpine-like hairpin bends, especially coming from the east side, but these are not the greatest difficulty to overcome. The biggest problem on this road, and this is something that occurs on many other roads in Scotland, is to keep your eyes focussed on the road and not on the breathtaking scenery, they don’t warn you for that. There is however a warning sign that says that this road is not suitable for learner drivers, caravans and very large vehicles. Another warning sign mentions that this road is impassable in wintry conditions, you find out why when you drive it.

Handa

Each spring, tens of thousands of seabirds migrate to the magnificent Torridonian sandstone cliffs that rise from the Atlantic on the north west coast of Handa Island. This wild island is an internationally important breeding site for guillemots, razorbills and great skuas that spend the summer breeding and feeding in the rich waters around Handa.

The dramatic cliffs provide stunning ocean panoramas and a chance to spot some of our larger marine species: minke whales, bottlenose and Risso’s dolphins, grey seals and even the occasional orca or basking shark can be seen.