NC500 – What is it?

All the sights along the coastal route of the Northern Scottish highlands were always there – what was needed was “packaging”. So, in 2015, some bright marketeer put it all together and gave it a brand name – North Coast 500 or NC500 for short.

This circular coastal route starts and ends in Inverness and loops mostly along the coasts of Scotland’s northernmost highlands. It encompasses over 500 miles (well, not exactly) of scenic landscape, ancient historic castles, waterfalls, lakes, secluded beaches, trails and wild woods. A large part of this route is on single track roads – but there are plenty of road signs and good roads, too.

Most of the attractions are on diversions from the main route. Here are some of the spectacular places we came across on the East Coast part of the NC500 route.

MAP OF NC500 EAST COAST
NC500 logo on the route

ROGIE FALLS

As we started on the NC500 route from Inverness, Rogie falls is located within 30 mins drive as a diversion into the A835 west.

There is a short walk from the parking lot through the woods to reach a suspension bridge over the Black water river and get the awesome views of the falls!

The falls are very impressive but a lot of visitors come here to see the wild salmon leaping upstream which happens mostly in August and September.

Rogie falls
Beautiful walking path to the falls
Rogie falls - zoom out

FAIRY GLEN FALLS

Walking board in beautiful surroundings
Wilderness

Another 30 mins of driving and diverting towards the east coast are the beautiful Fairy Glen falls. There is a parking lot, and lots of signage. It is a 3 kilometres hike (one way) through steep wooded path and many steps. It takes about an hour and half to reach the falls.

Yes, there is a Scottish folklore here too. The Fairy Glen was once the scene of a well-dressing ceremony, where the children of the village decorated a pool, next to a spring, with flowers. This was said to ensure that the fairies kept the water supply clean.

Fairy Glen falls
Blooms

The falls are worth the steep and rather difficult walk. A place to get good exercise and views.

FORTROSE CATHEDRAL

These 13th century cathedral ruins lie in the small town of Fortrose on the Black Isle. The red sandstone ruins are in a well-maintained place, surrounded by houses. There are some informative plaques and grave markers dating back to the 1800s.

All that remains today is the south aisle and the undercroft of the chapter house from the medieval cathedral of Ross.

Fortrose Cathedral side view
Fortrose Cathedral
Fortrose Cathedral front view

A peaceful place to walk around, read the limited information and take pictures.

FALLS OF SHIN

These waterfalls lie within a scenic wooded section of Achany Glen. The falls are famous for being one of the best places to view salmon leaping the torrents during the season between June and September. A short walk from the parking lot and a big viewing platform makes it easy for all to enjoy the falls.

The earlier Shin centre called the ‘Harrods of the north” was destroyed by fire in 2013. The centre reopened in 2017. Now, there is a new visitor centre, with a restaurant, mini-golf and beautiful forest walk options. There are 4 woodland walks of various levels of difficulty from 15 minutes to an hour’s mixed terrain, so that there is something for everyone.

Falls of Shin
At Falls of Shin
Forest walk views
Awesome Roads
Beautiful Landscapes

DUNROBIN CASTLE

Located in the village called Golspie, Dunrobin Castle is probably the most visited iconic castles in the NC500 route. It is the largest house in the highlands with 189 rooms.

Its towering spires and beautifully manicured gardens are truly impressive. It overlooks the Moray Firth and was once the home of the Earls and Dukes of Sutherland. During the first World War, it was used as a Naval hospital and a fire damaged some parts of it. What we see today is after Scottish architect Sir Robert Lorimer made major changes to the interior and to the main tower.

Dunrobin Castle
Dunrobin castle gardens
Staircase wall
Falcon during live display at the castle garden
Inside the Castle

There is an interesting Museum with hunting trophies and a unique collection of Pictish stones, a Falconry worth mentioning with an hour-long live display twice a day in the garden, a castle restaurant, tea room and a gift shop.

BIG BURN WALK AND WATERFALL

Located in Golspie, this hidden gem is truly hidden and unless you look for it and take the right turn, you could miss it altogether!

The signage is small and not prominent. There is parking just for a few cars.

It is an enjoyable walk through several bridges, streams and lovely trickles of waterfall here and there. The ground was covered with British bluebells and wild garlic. You can hear the sound of the river flowing. There are many steps, some a bit steep but totally worth the climb. At the end, it is a dead end at the viewing platform and you cannot see the fall while walking towards it. Once you reach the platform and look left, it is just ‘Wow” and truly if the viewing platform had not been built, it would have been difficult to see the fall.

Big Burns walk
Big Burn Falls, Golspie
Thin streams falling from rocks en route to the falls
More bridges
Bridges and streams

On the way back, climb up more through steep steps and you can see the same fall from the top looking down.

We thoroughly enjoyed the walk, the views and is a must-visit place.

HELMSDALE

Driving further northwards on the east coast brings you to this picturesque harbour. It also has an award-winning visitor centre that tells the story of the area from earlier times during the infamous Highland Clearances. That’s a time when many farmer tenants were evicted from their homes during the 18th and 19th century.

There are huge bronze statues of such families on a hill called The Emigrants as a memorial.

The harbour was once home to one of the largest herring fishing fleets in Europe.

The Emigrants - huge statues
Helmsdale - view of the old bridge
The Emigrants - another statue

JOHN O’GROATS – SIGNBOARD AND LIGHTHOUSE

John o’Groats is the place famous for being at the northern end of the 876-mile route that connects it to Land’s end in Cornwall at the South western end. There is a nice signboard where people take pictures under just like the one at the Land’s end.

It’s a nice open place with sea views (on a clear day you can see views of Orkney). Ferries ply to the islands from here. There are also options of for sightseeing wildlife ferries. In addition, you could enjoy hot meals and coffee at a café here and look for some gifts at the gift shops.

There is a lighthouse at the nearby Duncansby Head and this is the perfect place to bring out your binoculars and enjoy the views of sea birds on sea cliffs, seals and walk around if the weather is good.

Often, John O’ Groats end is mistakenly referred to as the northernmost point of mainland Britain.

The famous John O' Groats signboard
Ferries and cargo at John O' Groats
The scene at John O'Groats northern end
Duncansby Head Lighthouse
DUNNET HEAD - the most northerly point in Scotland
John O'Groats area

DUNNET HEAD

Dunnet Head, that is nearby juts out into the North Sea and is the most northerly point of mainland Britain! The views here are wonderful if the visibility is good and you may be able to see Orkney from here. The sheer cliffs that are about 300 feet high and provide home to flocks of birds including puffins, razorbills and more.

A few tips about the drive

– The east coast drive starting in Inverness and ending in John O’Groats should take no more than 5 days including stopping comfortably at all the places listed above.

– We stayed in Airbnbs but there are quite a few small hotels and Bed and Breakfast options in this route.

– Gas stations are in short supply here and it is a good idea to fill up the car whenever possible.

Well, this is just the east coast of NC500. There is a lot more driving and exploring along the north and west coasts to finish the loop! We drove on towards our next destination at Bettyhill to explore the awesome Northernmost Coast of Scotland.

NC500 East coast sights
NC500 East coast

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NC500 SCOTTISH NORTHERN HIGHLANDS
MAP OF NC500 EAST COAST
NC500 logo on the route
Rogie falls
Beautiful walking path to the falls
Rogie falls - zoom out
Walking board in beautiful surroundings
Wilderness
Fairy Glen falls
Blooms
Fortrose Cathedral side view
Fortrose Cathedral
Fortrose Cathedral front view
Falls of Shin
At Falls of Shin
Forest walk views
Awesome Roads
Beautiful Landscapes
Dunrobin Castle
Dunrobin castle gardens
Staircase wall
Falcon during live display at the castle garden
Inside the Castle
Big Burns walk
Big Burn Falls, Golspie
Thin streams falling from rocks en route to the falls
More bridges
Bridges and streams
The Emigrants - huge statues
Helmsdale - view of the old bridge
The Emigrants - another statue
The famous John O' Groats signboard
Ferries and cargo at John O' Groats
The scene at John O'Groats northern end
Duncansby Head Lighthouse
DUNNET HEAD - the most northerly point in Scotland
John O'Groats area
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