North Coast 500

For most of the route we will follow the official NC500 route, including two of the more challenging optional diversions (over the Bealach na Ba to Applecross and north of Lochinver), simply because these are two of the most spectacular sections of the route. This is not a holiday for the faint hearted, with steep and long climbs, narrow roads and well – unpredictable weather. But every push of the pedal is worth it, and the good thing about the weather is that it rarely stays the same for long, and the light is out of this world! Beyond Melvich we leave the official route for safety reasons as it takes us on the very busy A9 dual carriageway. Instead, we ride a very quiet and safe route back to Inverness via Dornoch.

Highlights

• History: Rolling out from Inverness Castle on the first morning of the tour, and ongoing castle spotting en route.
• Climbs: you will be needing your climbing legs on this trip, not only for the famous climb up, over and down the Bealach na Ba but for riding up and down the headlands of subsequent peninsulas. Meanwhile the mountain sceery is jaw-dropping.
• Wildlife spot: you would be unlucky not to see seals, golden eagles, hen harriers and deer, and otters, dolphins and sea eagles are possible too!
• The Scottish Caribbean: Turquoise seas and white beaches – honestly!
• Seafood: fresh off the boats in Gairloch and Ullapool.
• Party: your achievement away at the end in Inverness’s best pubs.