Podcast Episode 10 – Trip Report: Driving Scotland’s North Coast 500

Do you dream of exploring Scotland? For many people, the ultimate Scottish road trip is the 516-mile scenic route around the north coast of Scotland known as the North Coast 500.

In this episode of the podcast, we chat to guest Chris Wheable who has recently returned with his partner from a 9 day trip following the North Coast 500 around northern Scotland in their self-built camper van.

Chris shares his day to day itinerary, highlights of the trip and tips for anyone planning to drive the North Coast 500. Hear about destinations including the Isle of Skye, Smoo Caves, Puffin Cove, Ullapool and their 2 day trip to the Orkneys.

Also discover where the northernmost point of the UK is (clue it isn’t John O’Groats), why Chris decided to drive the route anticlockwise and his experience of driving Applecross – not only one of the scenic drives in Scotland but also the road with the steepest ascent of any road climb in the UK.

Click the blue button below to listen:

Episode 10 Show Notes – Trip Report from Scotland: Driving the North Coast 500

Topics covered in this episode include:

• The route Chris took around the North Coast 500 and why he decided to do the route anti-clockwise

• The availability of petrol stations along the way

• The availability of WiFi along the route

• The benefit of joining the UK Camping and Caravanning Club and recommended apps

• The Park4Night app which Chris used to source accommodation options

• Taking the ferry over to the Orkney’s and what to see on the islands.

• Chris’s thoughts about driving the route in particular the notorious Applecross

• What to see and do around Fort William including a recommended place for fantastic sandwiches – Nevis Bakery

• Signposting along the route

• What they packed for the trip

Places mentioned in this episode include

• Inverness – the Highland city which marks to starting (and end) points of the NC500.

• The Orkneys – an island archipelago off the coast of Scotland. Famous for its many neolithic sites.

• John O’Groats – a village on the northeastern tip of Scotland

• Dunnet’s Head – the northernmost point of the British mainland

• Smoo Caves – large sea cave located in Durness

• Puffin Cove – Site of the UK’s largest mainland puffin colony

• Ullapool – Picturesque fishing town located on the west coast of Scotland

• Applecross – Spectacular narrow lane track and drive and the greatest ascent of any road climb in the UK

• Isle of Skye – Large island of the Inner Hebrides famous for rugged landscapes

• Fort William – Known as the gateway to Ben Nevis Fort William is located on the banks of Loch Linhe in the western Scottish Highlands

• The Glenfinnan Viaduct, monument and visitor centre – Monument to the location where Bonnie Prince Charlie raised his standard in 1745 to signal the start of the Jacobite uprising. The viaduct is a 21 span concrete bridge featured in many of the Harry Potter movies.

• Glencoe – The Glencoe valley is known for its stunning scenery, waterfalls and mountain peaks.

• Loch Lomond – Located in the Trossachs National Park in southern Scotland.

A transcript of this episode is available to read – click here to download a PDF version.

Useful resources

• Park4Night App

• UK Camping and Caravanning Club

• Inverness Travel Guide

• Scottish Highlands Travel Guide

• Guide to Sottish Islands (including Orkney)

• Fort William Travel Guide
  • Things to do in Fort William

• 19 beautiful places to visit in Scotland

• Scotland road trip itinerary