I'm writing a series on the amazing North-Coast 500 that I drove with my boyfriend in August and September of 2017. To get a general idea and a lot of practical tips: read the intro post here. This post will get into more detail on the first leg of our road trip: from Inverness to Lochcarron.
First leg: Inverness to Lochcarron
Our first leg on the North-Coast 500 went from Inverness, which is considered the starting point for all North-Coast 500 travelers, to Lochcarron. We had booked one of the few available hotels in Lochcarron, and since this would be our first leg of the trip, we had decided in advance to not drive too long or too far.
However, the road from Inverness would in hindsight be one of the better roads of our trip, and we had a lot of fun driving while admiring the views along the route. We discovered Scots must either be very focused on tourists or just plainly love the country a lot themselves because literally every part of the road that seduced you to stop and take a picture was provided with a Parking.
[Great roads in Scotland means: have 2 lanes and still some room to the left and right to pass other cars without having to be afraid for your car's mirror.]
And then, after a lot of "Whoaaa this country is SOOO beautiful!" we had already arrived at Lochcarron! Which is a lovely little village near a gorgeous Loch.
I told my boyfriend "I've heard a lot of great things about Applecross, maybe you want to do that little detour?" - And my boyfriend, who was driving, said: "Yeah, let's do it"!
Driving Baleach Na Bà
Little did we know: this is a famous pass, Baleach Na Bà - and a huge challenge to drive by car!
Very very small single-track (!) roads, stone walls on the side, sharp hairpin roads, and people driving it both ways, so that meant a lot of stopping at passing places... But HELP, where is the next passing place and are we not going to slip on this no-so-well-maintained road? And... I have to drive uphill, but I can't see more than 10 meters ahead of me! What if I push the gas now and suddenly a car appears?
[A snapshot on the Bealach Na Bà road]
[A couple enjoying what must be an amazing view]
The Applecross Peninsula
After some sweating, cursing at dangerous bicycle drivers and an amazing stop at the top of the pass, we were driving down the pass all the way to Applecross - which is basically an Inn next to a beach, and all the motor and car drivers who just survived the Bealach Na Bà pass gather here to drink some coffee or a hot chocolate before either driving the pass or circle the Applecross Peninsula. Really: a beach, some adventurers, and an Inn. That sums up Applecross perfectly.
[Applecross beach]
After a hot chocolate milk calmed us down from the exciting trip through the pass, we drove the small roads on the Applecross Peninsula, all the way round back to Lochcarron again. And it was a blast! After doing the pass these roads were easy :-) Even the sheep who crossed 'our' roads didn't really bother us - we had already conquered something way more difficult that day! The views from this Peninsula are really breathtaking and still very sharp on my mind - the Hebrides are visible from this road and I couldn't believe what a lovely landscape we were driving through.
[Whoa. I want to live here!]
When looking back on this day I loved everything we did. It really was doable in time to go from Inverness to Applecross and take the whole Peninsula road back to Lochcarron. On the other hand: a little bit more breathing time or preparation for the pass wouldn't have hurt us. All in all it really was a breathtaking trip and one of my best memories of our month in Scotland.
[Looking back at our trip]
All pictures on steemit.com/@soyrosa are created and edited by me, Rosanne Dubbeld, 2005-2018. Contact me if you want to discuss licensing or collaborations on creative projects :-)