Scotland, a land of rugged landscapes, ancient history, and boundless natural beauty, beckons adventurers from across the globe. In the summer of 2021, my journey through this captivating country began, tracing parts of the renowned North Coast 500 (NC500) route. This expedition promised a kaleidoscope of experiences, from serene lochs to majestic mountains, charming villages to untamed wilderness.
Day 1: Embracing Loch Lomond’s Serenity
Our Scottish adventure began with a drive towards the enchanting Loch Lomond, a tranquil escape promising breathtaking landscapes. The Balloch Castle Country Park greeted us first, offering a glimpse of Scotland’s rich history amidst nature’s embrace. As we continued, Firkin Point at Loch Lomond unveiled mesmerising views that seemed to stretch into eternity.
Day 2: Exploring Glencoe’s Mysteries
Our journey led us to the legendary Glencoe, where we embarked on the exhilarating Lost Valley hike. Scaling elevations of 1,200, we were rewarded with panoramic vistas that whispered ancient tales of this rugged landscape.
Day 3: Enchanting Stops to Ullapool
The road beckoned, guiding us through Invergarry and the captivating Cluanie viewpoint before a delightful stop at Torridon. Here, we indulged in the irresistible allure of a millionaire shortbread and took a leisurely stroll, soaking in the charm of this quaint town. The journey to Ullapool was dotted with awe-inspiring viewpoints, culminating in a picturesque campsite by the water’s edge, where a stunning sunset painted the sky.
Day 4: Adventures Amidst Nature’s Majesty
An early rise led us to an invigorating hike up Stac Pollaidh, we only did part of the journey up, as the wind was bellowing, and we struggled at times to keep upright.
Our travels took us on to the captivating allure of the Allt Chranaidh Waterfall, also known as the Wailing Widow Falls. Indy took a dip in the water, which looked cold but refreshing.
Crossing the iconic Kylesku Bridge unveiled epic vistas. The bridge sticks out like a sore thumb, with it’s modern clean look set against the rugged Scottish landscape. There was a great viewpoint you could stop at after the bridge, we took the opportunity to take in the views, and figure out where our campsite options were for the night.
As the day drew to a close, most of the campsites we’d gone past were fully booked for the night. Thankfully we kept going, and eventually made it to Sango Sands campsite. Thankfully they had space and it became our sanctuary amidst breathtaking landscapes.
Day 5: Coastal Wonders and Unexpected Encounters
Welcomed by a radiant sunrise at Sango Sands, our day began with a delightful stop at Cocoa Mountain for heavenly hot chocolate. A walk along Balnakeil Beach led to a surprising encounter with beach-dwelling cows.
We carried on along the coast line to explore the majestic Smoo Cave. It’s incredible to think the cave had been used by fisherman as far back as the Vikings, to repair their boats.
We spotted a zip line across Ceannabeinne Beach, I wanted to give it a go, so waited an hour for my turn, and while it was 5 minutes of unexpected fun, in hindsight it cost us a lot of time, and not something I’d do again. But you live, you learn.
Our exploration continued to Puffin Cove, even though the puffins had bid their seasonal adieu, the grandeur of the stone beach left an indelible mark.
That night we chanced our luck at a very last minute campsite. They were fully booked, but the owner must have taken pity on us, and let us camp on a bit of grass next to the pubs car park, it’s all we needed. There was a huge thunderstorm that night, so I didn’t get much sleep, but the main thing was we were dry and didn’t get hit my lightening.
Day 6: Embracing Cairngorms’ Wilderness
Journeying south we headed into the Cairngorms. We found solace in Loch Garten’s wilderness, encountering diverse wildlife and even stumbling upon charming fairy doors. Some of the trees there are over 300 years old, if only trees could talk, think of the things they’ve seen!
Day 7: From Cairngorm summit to the valley of Killiecrankie
We made an early start, intending to hike the Cairngorm. We parked up at the base station, which was surrounded by fog, and were hoping for a cloud inversion by the time we got to the summit. Sadly, we couldn’t see further than about 15 metres, so there was no satisfying view at the top.
After our hike, we stopped off at the base station cafe for a bite to ear, then and headed south to Killiecrankie near Pitlochry.
Killiecrankie was absolutely stunning, we walked through the valley, thankfully as we’d dropped elevation, the views were much more rewarding with no fog.
That night we stayed at the Strathaven Hotel, Lanarkshire.
Day 8: A Finale in the Lake District
Our last day called for a scenic journey from Scotland, back into England, with a detour to Grizdale Forest in the Lake District. We ventured along the Carron Crag Trail. Along the trail we discovered some wooden sculptures in the woods, resembling oversized speakers, inviting us to reconnect with our inner child and explore with unbridled enthusiasm.
Reflections on Scotland and the NC500
Scotland’s landscapes captivated us at every turn, with highlights including the awe-inspiring Lost Valley Hike at Glencoe, a beautiful sunrise at Sango Sands, and an timeless walk through the forest at Loch Garten. Scotland has so much to offer and so much more to discover too. I hope this account of what we did is helpful and may give you ideas for where you’d want to go if you visit Scotland.
Safe travels, Ashley