Best Things to do on the NC500 West Coast

So we’re coming to the end of our time on the NC500. We didn’t spend as much time stopping on the west coast as we came last year. These are the highlights of both trips.

Oldshoremore Beach

There’s free parking at the beach. From here, you’ll be on the sand in a few minutes time. Oldshoremore is a long and wide stretch of perfect sand. There’s plenty of space, and even a hidden cove at the far end of Oldshoremore if it ever got unimaginably busy. We arrived really early in the morning and there was only one other person there. Its an absolutely stunning beach, we had a great time just taking a stroll together.

Scourie Headland Walk

From the beach, you’re in the perfect place to do the Scourie Headland walk, its a long walk and it was vey hot for Scotland when we did it so we never made it right to the end. Probably 3/4. The walk we did do was great, not to strenuous, and there were plenty of rocks to sit on as you went.

Clachtoll Beach

You’ll know Clachtoll Beach when you pass it. It’s a busy caravan park and campsite. At Clachtoll you’ll find another rocky cove with beautiful white sand, stand-alone country cottages on the green land above it and impossibly blue water waving in. We came here when it was raining, still a good view. It is a very small beach for how popular its supposed to be so be warned if the weather is nice you may have a lot of neighbours on the beach.

Alchmelvich Beach

Achmelvich Beach is another popular North Coast 500 detour. Achmelvich is very remote, which means there is very little (if any) reception, but to be honest you want to unplug in an area like this. We went on a sunny afternoon and it was packed to the point we didn’t even go on the beach because of how many loose dogs there were running around. We found out after we left there a few other smaller coves round to the side if you will climb down to them.

Ardveck Castle

Ardvreck Castle might just be the most popular castle in the west of the North Coast 500. The castle dates back to the 16th century and stands in a prime location overlooking the wide-spanning Loch Assynt. You can climb the ruins, however, be respectful and mindful of the strong winds that rush through this area. We just walked round the bottom and had a break together from all the adventures.

Corrishaloch Gorge

So this place. Phoebe is scared of heights and wanted to come here knowing she’d be scared. The walk down to the bridge over the gorge was fine, as soon as we got to the bridge she wasn’t happy. She pushed herself to go over and then we went down to the viewing platform at the other end. It’s definitely worth the visit as the views are stunning. Just be warned if you’re scared of heights like Phoebe, it is vertigo inducing and you will get taken the mick out of by the Scots.

Mellon Udrigle Bay

This is a great beach, it isn’t too big but long enough for a stroll. It’s also rather accessible. Backed by dunes and framed by rocky promontories, Mellon Udrigle is one of the most attractive pieces of coastline in Wester Ross. With clear, turquoise water and clean white sand, the beach is spectacular in itself without its stunning location. However, what makes the beach really special is a distant mountain vista possibly unequalled from any low-level viewpoint in Scotland.

Gairloch Beach

This was the first place we went with Phoebe’s parents last year. We needed somewhere easily accessible and this was the perfect spot. You walk down a boardwalk and then reach the sand. We walked from one end to the other with the dogs. (Meet Dulcie) Clear waters, a long sweep of soft sand and easy access – perfect for a quick swim.

Red Sand Beach

When we came previously this beach was about five minutes from where we stayed, it became one we visited regularly. This beautiful, secluded beach lies about 10 miles south-west from Gairloch and is the perfect destination for those seeking to get away from it all. What makes this spectacular beach stand out from the rest is the wide expanse of startling red/pink sand. The beach is backed by dunes and grassy slopes and there are interesting stones and rock pools to explore. A small stream runs through the sands into the sea.

Being Eighe Nature Reserve

The Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve is the UK’s oldest and also one of its largest. It stretches from Loch Maree over the peaks of Beinn Eighe towards Liatach and Torridon. Its biodiversity of fauna and flora make it a site of special scientific interest and attracts a wide range of botanists, biologists and geologists. We stopped here on the way back from somewhere the first year, it was meant to be a look at the Loch and a quick stroll. It was not a quick stroll. We followed the route signposts and still managed to get confused, but got back in the end.

Torridon Deer Park

Phoebe absolutely loves wildlife so being able to see deer up close meant we had to stop here. Be warned it’s very buggy, we went on a wetter day to try and avoid midges and we still had to go through a pack of them on the walk down to the deer. Wild deer have always lived within Torridon Estate but owing to their low density, they can be tricky to spot. So, to help visitors see the red deer up close, a number have been kept on the farm and within a large open-air enclosure.

Bealach Na Ba

This is not for ametur drivers! We saw so many people all over the place both times we did this. You’ve got to be confident. The Bealach na Ba is a historic and quite famous 45-mile pass through the mountains of the Applecross peninsula. It boasts the greatest ascent of any road climb in the UK, rising from sea level at Applecross to 626 metres (2,054 ft), and is the third highest road in Scotland.