The official North-Coast 500 route takes you towards Stoer Lighthouse. After driving this part of Scotland I'm not sure if the marketers behind this route have thought this through. This part of the North-Coast 500 was probably the most adventurous we have encountered in terms of driving! The roads were narrow, the edges of these roads were rough, the turns were sharp and the number of times you couldn't look more than a few meters ahead was highest.

We encountered only a few cars on this part of the route, but some of those were campers, and there were a few moments I didn't think we would be able to even pass a regular sized car!

After speaking with some locals I was confirmed in my worries. They too wondered whether the route should take unprepared and inexperienced tourists to this part of Scotland.

But, if you feel secure on the roads and your car isn't too big? You definitely should go (don't tell anyone I said so) - because I truly felt this little loop of the North-Coast 500 is one of the most diverse day trips you can do! (And no, the route doesn't actually take a day, but take a day if you know what I mean.

PART 1

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We started the day by taking a walk on a so-called all-accessible footpath, which was recommended by the already mentioned lovely and attentive B&B host Susan. All-accessible means: the paths are wide enough for wheelchairs, there are a few toilets along the path so if you need to go you don't need to go all the way back and/or hurry, and the path is quite 'even' to walk on even if you walk with a cane or similar.

It truly made for a quite easy walk while still enjoying the quiet and deserted feeling I often experienced in Scotland. The shape of the surrounding mountains and the vegetation were especially amazing!

[Have you ever seen so much fern in a photograph?]

[I later heard a local say he read the cost of the all-accessible path was 100 Pounds per meter! Although that indeed is very expensive, I felt it's worth it to open up nature for people with mobility issues. And be honest, this view is worth way more than a 100 Pounds, right?]

PART 2

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Part two takes you in the direction of Stoer Lighthouse. Store means something like 'cool' or even 'sturdy' in Dutch. And it was a cool lighthouse indeed! Although not particularly photogenic and the wind made me decide not to take the walk all the way up, I did take this 'I am at the end of the world' picture - a feeling I always get whenever I'm at one of the many lighthouse spots on Scotland.

[Legs wide, deep breath in, a very shaky camera, stand strong - CLICK!]

PART 3

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This was the route back home again, with some lovely sun-rain alternations - and thus a rainbow above the hills.

[I might want to count how many rainbow pics I've actually taken in Scotland. It's the perfect country for rainbow lovers since the weather conditions change so fast - I love it!]

[We drove over Kylesku Bridge a few times during our stay near Rhiconich. The view is different every time! If you are ever in the neighborhood consider eating at Kylesku hotel. I still cry a tiny bit when I think back of the bacon-mussel sauce they made to go with my fish - and the spoon the waitress offered me with a wink and an 'in case you want to eat the sauce' ;-)]

THE ROUTE

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A few maps to give you an idea of the route - don't drive it if you need to arrive at Durness in a few hours, you will feel hurried. We arrived in our B&B first and then two days later drove this route as a day trip. Taking time will help you with the stress you might get from the narrow roads and 'interesting' driving manoeuvers you need to make too!

[The route: takes you 1 hour and 18 minutes according to Google Maps. Just take a day so you have enough time to stop. And find 'The Pie Shop in Kinlochbervie that's actually known as 'The Pie Shop' - and serves them sweet and hearty.]

[I mean, who doesn't want to visit a place on a map that's empty except for a lighthouse and a café that is called 'Living the Dream...']

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MORE ON THE NORTH-COAST 500

• Put this on your bucket list: Driving the North-Coast 500
• The North-Coast 500: from Inverness to Lochcarron via Applecross [First leg]
• The North-Coast 500: a detour to the Isle of Skye
• The North-Coast 500: from Lochcarron to Rhiconich [Second leg]

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All photography on steemit.com/@soyrosa is created and edited by me, Rosanne Dubbeld, 2005-2018. Contact me if you want to discuss licensing or collaborations on creative projects :-)

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