Tarbat Ness Lighthouse

According to Highland folklore the site of the lighthouse was used as a meeting place for witches covens and prior to that it used to be a Roman Fort.

Engineered by renowned lighthouse builder Robert Stevenson, Tarbat Ness Lighthouse is an ‘A’ listed building, although not open to the public, it’s a beautiful site and there is a lovely walk around here.

We stayed here and enjoyed the sun then moved on to our next stop on the list which was Dunrobin Castle.

Adult £ 13.50
Senior/Student £ 11.50
Child £ 8.50
Family (2 adult + 3 child) £ 42

Dunrobin Castle is a stately home with the grounds looking like you are at Alice’s tea party. There is an entrance fee for admission to the castle but there also is a path that takes you round the back with a walk along the waterfront.

Stay the night

As our van was fully charged we stayed in the car park in the outer grounds of Dunrobin Castle, there was just so much to see we wanted to take a longer walk through the grounds.

We had a throw-away barbecue and Staycation vans come with BBQ tools, we got supplies from a local shop and made our dinner in the grounds. If that isn’t wild camping I don’t know what is! If you are using throw away barbecue please ensure you aren’t on grass and dispose of them correctly.

Sadly, when we got to Whaligoe Steps, due to very wet weather they were closed, if they are open it’s a great walk/hike and amazing for taking photos.

Day activities

As the steps don’t take very long to climb here are a few other options of things to occupy your time.

Pulteney Distillery Visitor Centre, Huddart Street Wick, KW1 5BA

Castle Sinclair Girnigoe

We recommend stocking up on supplies and petrol before you start this step of the journey as it is probably the most derelict part of the NC500. Until you get to John o’Groats you won’t see any supermarkets or towns so make sure you plan your petrol stops to be on the safe side.

Food & Drink in Whaligoe

Puldagon Farm Shop & Restaurant Stirkoke, Wick, Caithness, KW1 5SD (Closed Monday and Tuesday)

Bord de L'eau

2 Market St, Wick KW1 4AR

Old Smiddy Inn

Stewart Crescent, Thrumster, Wick KW1 5TS

We arrived here in the afternoon and the sun finally started to shine through the clouds, you wouldn’t believe how fast the weather changed from a winters day to a Scottish summer! As soon as you arrive in Durness you are greeted by a beach of dreams that many people paddle board or even wild swim in. There is a car park where you can stay overnight, we did and it was perfect.

Durness is famous for its zipline which is open seasonally and weather dependant. We managed to get a shot and was a experience I will never forget. In Durness there are facilities a 5 min walk up the hill and another car park which you pay for at the machine.

One of my favourite meals was Cheese ‘n’ Toasted made in a horse box trailer that makes the best gourmet toasties I couldn’t recommend more.

Another thing to note, there is limited space at the car park, so if you want to stay the night I would advise getting there early. We did the NC500 at the end of May so it wasn’t peak time and there were not so many dreaded midges.

This was the only day I truly felt like you need to plan as it very off the map/grid. This drive was truly something you don’t believe until you see it with your own eyes. Driving through the Scottish mountains and very windy road there is a stop about half way and if you are wanting to stop I would get out and even have a picnic while you take in the sights. Lower Diabaig is TINY, blink and you miss it!

We heard great things about the ONLY restaurant in Lower Diabaig but stupidly thought we wouldn’t need to book, it was fully booked so don’t make the same mistake as us and book in advance. We were so hungry or should I say HANGRY!.

The next restaurant was over 30 minutes back the way we had come. It all worked out for the best though when we got there we had the most amazing fish and chips think our eyes where bigger than our belly as we ordered far to much but I wasn’t complaining.

Fuel

Gairloch Garage, Gairloch IV21 2BL (Closed Sunday) This is the only station for quite a while so don’t get caught and remember to fill up your fuel when you can.

Applecross is the best place to go for street food! We arrived in the morning to the smell of fresh bacon on the grill, what more can you want! They have a wide variety and something for everyone from from seafood too ice cream. we went in May, I’m not sure if the street food venders are seasonal but I don’t think they would trade in the winter so keep that in mind. There is also a pub here and tables outside to sit by the water which you need to book - when it’s sunny they fill up quickly. As we don’t get much sun, as soon as we see any resemblance of a cloud in the sky we Scots like to make the most of it.

Fuel

This station is open 24 hours and is card only payment This station is run by the community so please support in any way you can as they try to keep the costs low as possible. Shore St, Applecross, Strathcarron IV54 8LN

Things to note

The village is small with limited parking so it’s good to get their early or even park and walk in from somewhere not too far away. Stay • Applecross Campsite, Strathcarron, IV54 8ND (Open March 1st to October 31st) • Sands Caravan and Camping Park, B8021, Gairloch, IV21 2DL

Fairy pools

Fairy pools are very well known in Skye and I can confirm they are a must to go and see or for a natural shower which was what we used for a wash! They do have a car park there which you do need to pay for but they have a separate car park for vans which is handy. You can do lots of different walks but I wouldn’t recommend this for anyone that isn’t up for a big hill as it’s steep.

Thoughts on Skye

Skye is such a beautiful place so if you have more time you can stay here longer but remember on return day, check-in is by 11am so allow plenty of time to refill up your diesel and take it through the car wash. we can’t wait for your return to hear all about your travels and the amazing places our beautiful vans have been.

Return • 5 hours from Skye

Skye is a 5 hour drive so it is a long drive, another suggestion is driving somewhere that is closer, for example: • Inverness
• Loch Lomond
• Luss
• Helensburgh
• Fort William
These places are all a lot closer so you can always return the night before your return so you don’t have so far to drive and can have a lie in! But as always, everything is unique to your journey and you can adjust any off this to suit your preference.