Road tripping again to complete our NC500 loop we cut short some months ago. Our route was anti-clockwise, taking us through Inverness, over the Firths of Beauly, Moray, Cromarty and Dornoch before we called at Dunrobin Castle. The historic fishing village of Helmsdale with its pretty harbour was our final stop on day 1.
Early start, heading north on the NC500 towards John O’Groats. It was just so beautiful up there and we happened to have the perfect weather to capture it at its best, we took so many photographs. These shots are from Helmsdale at dawn, Auckengill beach and Dunbeath Castle.
We ran from JO’G to Duncansby Lighthouse and Duncansby Stacks, which was just spectacular (the UK’s answer to Australia’s great ocean road and the twelve apostles). We followed up with a cycle from JO’G to Dunnet Head, the most northerly point of mainland Britain and we called at the very picturesque Harrow Harbour. There is certainly some staycation inspiration here, with or without a motorhome.
Perfect end to a perfect Saturday watching the sun set over the horizon on the Pentland Firth
No set plan we decided to take a few days off the NC500 and visit the Orkney Islands. We stayed just a few days but how amazing it turn out to be.
We couldn’t resist this view from the bridge at Kyle of Tongue, with no availability at any campsite we decided it would make a perfect overnight stop. We got a very scenic morning run in, complete with midges, and took in views of skinnet beach and rabbit islands for our virtual Markeaton Parkrun before we drove through the mountains, around loch Eriboll towards Durness and onwards.
Our next day was full of highland treasures on the NC500 from craggy coastlines with natural arches, secluded beaches, art in ruins, mountain top lochs, lighthouses, castles and nature. We even pulled in some dolphin spotting from Strathy Point. What more could we ask for?
We made a stop off at Smoo Cave near Durness. A fascinating sea and fresh water cave combined, believed to have been named after the Norse word Smuga (meaning cave or hole). In the wetter seasons there is a waterfall inside the cave and there’s a river in there too, quite amazing. Reminded us of the Undarra lava tubes in Australia.
We moved on, stopping off at a beautiful Glen in the Gualin Estate for a little cycle. The view from the motorhome was awesome until we got attacked by the dreaded Scottish midges, somehow getting in through closed windows! How does that work? Turned it into a positive experience by driving on towards Loch Laxford and Scourie for some gorgeous sunset views.
We got a little confused at one stage and thought we’d somehow driven to a paradise island in the Whitsundays with this clear blue water and beautiful white sandy beach at Balnakeil Bay. Somewhat different to the busy beaches down under and yes, it’s not 40 degrees up here but who cares when it looks like this?
Our drive took us around an Atlantic coastal route from Kylestrom to Lochinver. With a thick white mist, tight and narrow bends, 25% inclines and woolly traffic jams it was a challenging drive in a 7 metre motorhome; good job Kev has earned his driving badge. We even saw what can only be described as a white rainbow.
The very picturesque harbour town of Lochinver was just so lovely; we actually spent a few hours there. The highlight was a cycle into the hills to see Loch Druim Suardalain and it’s mirror like reflections of Mounts Suilven and Canisp..
We found the pretty fishing village and beach of Portmahomack to be perfect for our overnight stay. The lovely coastal trail to Tarbetness lighthouse was abound with rocky edges, seabirds and skittish cattle, who blocked our way more than once.
Saturday mist turned into Sunday sunshine and a beautiful view of the mountains from our motorhome windows. We headed back to Loch Laxford to begin our cross country drive towards the Moray Firth as our route was now complete. Our drive took us past a chain of lochs including Stack, More, Merkland, Ghriama and the full seventeen miles of Loch Shin before we reached the town of Lairg.
We had now completed the NC500, in its entirety, but in two separate trips. Scotland and the UK coast has a lot to offer and we will be back again very soon. Please visit the links below for more of Scotland, Europe and the world.
The photographs and video on this website are from our own trips, they're also copyrighted by us so no reproductions without specific permissions thank you.