The official North-Coast 500 route takes you towards Stoer Lighthouse. After driving this part of Scotland I'm not sure if the marketers behind this route have thought this through. This part of the North-Coast 500 was probably the most adventurous we have encountered in terms of driving! The roads were narrow, the edges of these roads were rough, the turns were sharp and the number of times you couldn't look more than a few meters ahead was highest.
We encountered only a few cars on this part of the route, but some of those were campers, and there were a few moments I didn't think we would be able to even pass a regular sized car!
After speaking with some locals I was confirmed in my worries. They too wondered whether the route should take unprepared and inexperienced tourists to this part of Scotland.
But, if you feel secure on the roads and your car isn't too big? You definitely should go (don't tell anyone I said so) - because I truly felt this little loop of the North-Coast 500 is one of the most diverse day trips you can do! (And no, the route doesn't actually take a day, but take a day if you know what I mean.
PART 1
We started the day by taking a walk on a so-called all-accessible footpath, which was recommended by the already mentioned lovely and attentive B&B host Susan. All-accessible means: the paths are wide enough for wheelchairs, there are a few toilets along the path so if you need to go you don't need to go all the way back and/or hurry, and the path is quite 'even' to walk on even if you walk with a cane or similar.
It truly made for a quite easy walk while still enjoying the quiet and deserted feeling I often experienced in Scotland. The shape of the surrounding mountains and the vegetation were especially amazing!
[Have you ever seen so much fern in a photograph?]
[I later heard a local say he read the cost of the all-accessible path was 100 Pounds per meter! Although that indeed is very expensive, I felt it's worth it to open up nature for people with mobility issues. And be honest, this view is worth way more than a 100 Pounds, right?]
PART 2
Part two takes you in the direction of Stoer Lighthouse. Store means something like 'cool' or even 'sturdy' in Dutch. And it was a cool lighthouse indeed! Although not particularly photogenic and the wind made me decide not to take the walk all the way up, I did take this 'I am at the end of the world' picture - a feeling I always get whenever I'm at one of the many lighthouse spots on Scotland.
[Legs wide, deep breath in, a very shaky camera, stand strong - CLICK!]
PART 3
This was the route back home again, with some lovely sun-rain alternations - and thus a rainbow above the hills.
[I might want to count how many rainbow pics I've actually taken in Scotland. It's the perfect country for rainbow lovers since the weather conditions change so fast - I love it!]
[We drove over Kylesku Bridge a few times during our stay near Rhiconich. The view is different every time! If you are ever in the neighborhood consider eating at Kylesku hotel. I still cry a tiny bit when I think back of the bacon-mussel sauce they made to go with my fish - and the spoon the waitress offered me with a wink and an 'in case you want to eat the sauce' ;-)]
THE ROUTE
A few maps to give you an idea of the route - don't drive it if you need to arrive at Durness in a few hours, you will feel hurried. We arrived in our B&B first and then two days later drove this route as a day trip. Taking time will help you with the stress you might get from the narrow roads and 'interesting' driving manoeuvers you need to make too!
[The route: takes you 1 hour and 18 minutes according to Google Maps. Just take a day so you have enough time to stop. And find 'The Pie Shop in Kinlochbervie that's actually known as 'The Pie Shop' - and serves them sweet and hearty.]
[I mean, who doesn't want to visit a place on a map that's empty except for a lighthouse and a café that is called 'Living the Dream...']
MORE ON THE NORTH-COAST 500
- Put this on your bucket list: Driving the North-Coast 500
- The North-Coast 500: from Inverness to Lochcarron via Applecross [First leg]
- The North-Coast 500: a detour to the Isle of Skye
- The North-Coast 500: from Lochcarron to Rhiconich [Second leg]
All photography on steemit.com/@soyrosa is created and edited by me, Rosanne Dubbeld, 2005-2018. Contact me if you want to discuss licensing or collaborations on creative projects :-)
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In that road looks not large enough for a normal size car. You right it is a road which should be followed slowly because looks narrow. But looks worth to cover it due to those amazing and beautiful Scottish landscapes.
Yes, there is almost no part of Scotland that is not worth visiting :-)
oh owow! Scotland looks so deserted and desolate, in that soul wrenching way that is lonely and lovely.
Thanks for making my imagination run wild with ideas for future trips!
Oh, you're more than welcome! You make me want to visit Cape Town! So we're even @princessmewmew ;-)
That's really a very small and narrow road in your photo. Only space for one car? What do you do when another car comes?
There are 'passing places' @eaglest, so there's a little more space next to the road and you will be able to pass. I have to say the passing places here were not that generous ;-)
I find only one flaw with such remote locations - the absence of toilet facilities 😆 But I like the suggested route! Looks fun!
Haha! Yes - toilet facilities! You get used to it - sort off ;-)
Well, after a while I have found a solution - a pee cup. What else!? 😏It's much easier for the guys - they don't seem to be bothered!
Another beautiful photo journal of an incredible trip! The third shot in the post...down the center of the road...is just remarkable (I mean, they all are, but that one is my fave!). So many places to go in this world!
Yes, I love that one too! This was one of those views that suddenly appeared and you're like 'where did this come from?' <3
I think everything is possible... Maybe you know this photo from one of my posts. There is nothing more to write, because you know how I love your posts. Have a fun steemian!
Those roads are not narrow... They are non-existent! ;-) Thanks you for your support on all my posts @truestories! :D
You welcome ;-D
The nature looks amazing and very soothing.. But it looks like you gave an extreme effort to reach there on the hard roads ;)
Yes, these are not ‘beaten tracks’! But most of the time those are the most rewarding :-)
Stunning photographs as always. The ferns!!
Thank you @appiepearl! Missed seeing you around!
I’ve missed being around! Life sort of took a crazy turn in the last month or so. But i feel some normalcy coming back
YES for normalcy! We can't have crazy too often and/or for too long <3
Definitely! And when real life goes crazy you suddenly realize how much time you’re spending on here and discord lol
I enjoyed the beautiful scenery in your photos. @soyrosa, you have helped me put Scotland on my bucket list ;-)
I can’t wait for the day you will be able to visit @lymepoet! I might come and meet you! ;-)
It won't be this year, but one day for sure. ;-)
I love the ferns in the photograph! It reminds me of this cartoon Land Before Time haha. Why am I five years old? The rainbow shot is so pretty as well!
I don't know that cartoon @nomadicsoul! But I'm very happy I could make you remember a thing from your past :-)
Amazing story as always, love to see these landscape pictures from Scottland a lot!
These are such beautiful photos @soyrosa, I really enjoy your northcoast stories.
Thank you <3
Google says 1 hour and 18 minutes as it doesn't take into account that you have to stop and get out of the car every 10 minutes to take photos!!
YES! At some point we knew every trip would take 2,5 times the Google time - just for taking pictures. 'Real' breaks excluded ;-)
Apparently neighbouring the lighthouse, is a lovely house (Stores house) which has just been(?) sold for ONLY 95,000 pounds. What a steal for the views you promise us. Ok: no running water or electricity, but that adds to the romance of it.
Oh my... Who needs electricity in a place like this?
you have excellent natural riches and scenery.
My country is mostly filled with buildings and concretes. I'm really excited to see this interesting plant cover :)
your wonderful walk and your tour showed us great pictures.
thank you my dear friend
I would think there is also a lot of nature in your country?
oh yes ... there are some places of course ... but it is far from us. Far more from a 2-hour distance. We can reach that view if we take 10-hour bus journey
Looks like an amazing part of the world.
It truly is - I'm longing to go back.
i hope i can travel out there
I hope so too :-)
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nice post @soyrosa
Great pics! Looks like a lovely adventure 😊
Lovely post
Reminds me a little of Connemara, Ireland. Scotland looks amazing. I can't wait to go.