Heading out on the North Coast 500

Looking for spectacular rugged landscapes and not afraid to escape to the true wilds of Scotland? Well, The North Coast 500 route (NC500) is perfect for you! This is a Scottish road trip to rival Route 66.

ore part of the NC500, or do the full loop around the very top of Scotland. And here lies some of the most beautiful coastal scenery, and spectacular cliffs, stacks, and seascapes. And you will find plenty of areas offering peace and solitude to gather your thoughts and absorb the beauty surrounding you.

But one of the most stunning locations is Duncansby Stacks and Duncansby Lighthouse, which lies near John o’ Groats on the North Coast 500 route. But, don’t try and do it all in a day, take an overnight stay in Wick. This will ensure that you have a wonderful trip to this area of Scotland known as Caithness. And where better to base yourself than the famous Mackay’s Hotel. A little gem of a find, set in a historic building by the Harbour, this hotel is famous for its great food and homely hospitality.

Things to see on the NC500

Just along the coast from the Duncansby stacks is the famous Duncansby Lighthouse. It is well worth the 40-minute walk to explore. It was originally built in 1924 and in its time has seen plenty of drama, including being machine-gunned by a German bomber during World War 2. From here you can enjoy some more magnificent views out over the North Sea. Nearby the lighthouse is another geological formation called the Geo of Sclaites. This is like a slice of the earth has been taken out and in its place, hundreds of loud, squawking seabirds have been added!

Visit the Whaligoe Steps

But before this, on your way up to Wick and Caithness, you must visit the Whaligoe Steps! These flagstone steps lead down 250ft cliffs to the most extraordinary harbour in Scotland! And if you don’t fancy climbing the 330 steps, surrounded by cliffs, then explore this historical Scottish site by boat. But apart from these dramatic cliff steps, you will also find a remarkable harbour at their foot. And here was a base of successful fishing for herring, salmon, shellfish and whitefish boats. But the site was originally turned down as a “dreadful place!” by the famous engineer Thomas Telford. And as such, they were built later built at a cost of £8 by Captain David Brodie. As such, they became the successful home to some 20 fishing boats. Here fisherwomen would carry baskets of fish up the Whaligoe Steps, before walking all the way to Wick for sale.

Exploring the North Coast 500

Where to stay in Wick

It sounds like this is all happening in the far reaches of an inaccessible landscape. In fact, getting to Duncansby Stacks is simple! That’s because you can follow the North Coast 500 route.  Whilst you can certainly do a day trip from Inverness to Duncansby Stacks, it might be more relaxing to stay overnight. A particularly welcoming place is Mackays Hotel in Wick. It is family-owned and often has deals if you can book in advance. As an added bonus, it is also situated on the world’s shortest street, as certified by the Guinness Book of World Records! Here you can relax after a day of exploring Duncansby, and have a lovely dinner in their No. 1 Bistro. Highly recommended.

There’s so much to see north of Inverness, and the North Coast 500 route is a great way to do it. It offers a whistlestop tour of the coast including sites like Duncansby Stacks and Lighthouse. And of course, if anything takes your fancy inland, there are plenty of other road trips and opportunities to explore the untamed Highlands of Scotland!

Explore The Beautiful Divach Falls

If you are looking for a quiet escape near Loch Ness, then a walk to Divach Falls (pronounced “Jeevach”) is the perfect activity. This is a gentle stroll through some beautiful oak-tree woods. Whatsmore, it’s suitable for everyone with a good level of mobility and offers an experience immersed in nature. Plus, the path takes you to a viewing area from where you can see the stunning Divach Falls, sometimes written as Dhivach Falls. The falls change in strength depending on the weather, but they are truly beautiful at any time of the year. A real must on any Scottish bucket list. It takes an hour to get there and an hour to walk back. So, it offers a good hearty walk for those looking to explore Scotland’s great outdoors.

About the Divach Falls

The falls begin where the Divach Burn tumbles over a cliff before falling down 30m to a plunge pool below. The burn then joins the River Coiltie before continuing to Urquhart Bay where it finally flows into Loch Ness. In dryer summers, it the waters can be a gentle cascade. However, after stormy weather, and in the depths of winter, the falls flow fast and its roar can be very loud indeed!

Wondering what Divach Falls look like?

Divach Falls are especially impressive after heavy rains. Here the waterfall swells the 30m cascade. And below you can see just how exciting the waters are in flood. This is news footage of the falls glowing red after an epic flood in the summer of 2012.

Where to find Highland Cows near Inverness

The Scottish Highland cow is such a beautiful animal, it is known all over the world. With its shaggy mop of hair, gorgeous rounded horns, and dark mysterious eyes, it’s a must-see for visitors to Scotland. But where to see Highland cows near Inverness? That’s a good question, and one we’re happy to help with!

Fortunately, there are plenty of places to see Highland cows for those visiting Inverness. So get a moo-ve on and hoof your way to see them! In the Highlands. you’ll often hear them referred to as Heilan coos. For those interested in the Gaelic language, they are called Bò Ghàidhealach.

Culloden Battlefield

Perhaps one of the easiest places to spot Highland Cows is at Culloden Battlefield. This is especially true if you don’t have access to your own transport. There are many tour busses which will take you to Culloden from Inverness city centre. In the fields around the battlefield, you’ll find a herd of Highland cows. Did you know that Highland cows provide benefits to the land? As such, they were put next to this iconic Inverness visitor attraction to help preserve the ancient moorland at Culloden battlefield. And here you can enjoy a small group of Highland cattle as well as Shetland cattle, goats and Highland ponies. This mix of Scottish natives all play an important part in conservation grazing on the battlefield site near Inverness. And they are all beautiful animals for you to enjoy whilst learning about the Jacobean uprise. Find out more about this Scottish battlefield below:

Wild Highland Cows

Also, wild Highland cows can often be seen roaming around the wild Scottish Highlands. And, if you are lucky, you can spot them if you take a trip through the Cairngorm National Park. Do be aware that although they look cuddly, you shouldn’t approach them as they are most definitely wild animals! This is especially true if you happen upon a baby Highland cow. They are the most adorable little cows but their mothers can be fierce!

Highland Cow Gifts

If you don’t manage to find any cows, perhaps a souvenir will have to do instead. You can find cuddly Highland cows in most tourist shops. More upmarket stores like An Talla by Loch Ness can also be a great place for Highland cow gifts. So if you are looking for where to see Highland cows near Inverness, we hope you are successful but if not, there’s always a cuddly toy waiting instead!

Discover the Cairngorms National Park

The spectacular Cairngorms National Park is easy to reach from Inverness. You can travel to Aviemore on the west side of the park by train or car in around 40 minutes. This is the largest National Park in Scotland and the UK and there is so much to do here! Walking and cycling, watersports and outdoor activities, family attractions, historic landmarks and so much more.

Outdoor Activities in The Cairngorms

The Cairngorms is the place to go for outdoor activities in Scotland. It has two excellent watersports centres at Loch Insh and Loch Morlich. Here, you can enjoy fishing, sailing, swimming, rafting, windsurfing and much more. Along with the Cairngorm Mountain activity centre, which offers snowsports, adventure play and guided walks. Other popular outdoor activities in the Cairngorms include dog sledding and bungee jumping. There’s everything from family adventure parks to extreme sports for thrill-seekers.

Reelig Glen Highland Walks

Reelig Glen is an ancient forest, known locally as Fairy Glen. This old woodland by the Moniack River historically belonged to the Fraser family, until the Forestry Commission bought it in 1949. In the 19th century, James Baillie Fraser planted many of the trees here. It is now a popular walking area, with two waymarked trails. And these walks are ideal for spotting red squirrels in the Highlands, pine martins, birdlife and many other fantastic creatures.

The glen is famous for its grove of Douglas firs. And four of the tallest trees in Britain grow there .. a Douglas fir, Norway spruce, larch and lime tree. All measuring higher than 45m!

It is often called Fairy Glen, due to its secluded setting with magical glades and atmospheric waters.

How To Get To Reelig Glen

Reelig Glen is to the west of Inverness, around a 20-minute drive via the A862. Visit Forestry and Land Scotland website for driving instructions and further information.

Explore Glen Affric and Strathglass

Glen Affric is a magnificent glen and national nature reserve, located within the Strathglass valley in the Scottish Highlands. Ancient forests of Caledonian pinewood, heather moorland, sparkling lochs and towering mountains make up its stunning landscapes. The glen is known as the most beautiful in Scotland and is popular for walking, climbing and mountain biking.

Dog Falls

The first car park you’ll come to in Glen Affric is Dog Falls. A series of waterfalls, so-called because they resemble the shape of a dog’s leg. There are three walking trails here with wonderful views.

 Loch Beinn a’ Mheadhoin

This is a great picnic spot with car parking, looking out to Loch Beinn a’Mheadhain. Although there are no waymarked routes, there are some smaller paths, which will take you down to the loch.

Cycling at Glen Affric

There are many different biking trails around Glen Affric and the Strathglass area. Cycling and mountain biking guide.

Affric Kintail Way

This is a cross-country walking and cycling route, which starts in Drumnadrochit and ends in Morvich, passing through The Glen Affric National Nature Reserve. The Affric Kintail Way is for experienced walkers and bikers who enjoy a challenge.