NC 500

We made it! Scotland. Such a sense of freedom once you cross the border. We stuck to the west coast, driving parts of the NC 500 I hadn’t been to before. The west of Scotland is just another world - wild, rugged, I love it! Because I was driving the western section and heading along the north coast, I was driving against what little traffic there was, as most people travel the route from east to west, meaning they enjoy arguably the most scenic stretch at the end of their journey. 

I had already researched a few stops and walks I wanted to do on the route and on the whole the infamous midges and Scottish weather was on our side! We enjoyed the Falls of Measach, Clachtoll, Balnakeil Bay, the walk to Sandwood Bay, Lochinver, Smoo Cave, Wailing Widdow Falls, Ardvreck Castle and the Bones Caves to name a few of our highlights. The Assynt region is just other-worldly. It reminds me of parts of New Zealand in its dramatic landscapes and despite it being summer, I never found anywhere to be busy. It was always easy to park, to fill up on water and find a quiet spot for the night to ourselves. In fact, I could happily spend the next month in Assynt, but north and east we must go, to the edge of the land!