King of ROADS

Described as one of the world’s most iconic coastal touring routes and often referred to as Britain’s equivalent to Route 66 (though not nearly as long) The North Coast 500 – or NC500 for short – has put Scotland’s North Highlands on the map.

Bringing together just over 500 miles (516 to be precise) of stunning coastal scenery, the circular route naturally follows the main roads along the coastal edges of the North Highlands, lacing together the remote towns and villages clustered along the shoreline within the areas of Wester Ross, Sutherland, Caithness, Easter Ross, the Black Isle and Invernessshire.

The route has existed for decades but was only officially recognised in 2015 when it was inaugurated as the NC500 and promoted worldwide. Once a journey for those ‘in the know’, the last decade has seen an influx of tourists from all corners of the globe.

In fact, the population of the Scottish Highlands is said to have quadrupled and the area can now expect to see over seven million visitors each year, eager to uncover what was once one of Scotland’s best kept secrets. To ensure the landscape isn’t spoilt, the Highland Council has employed a team of rangers specifically to help guide visitors along the route and ensure the landscape is preserved