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Thank you for your video. I am from Plockton but live in the Midlands now. The village is called "The Jewel of the Highlands " and you can see why. Will always be my home 🙂
Did the NC500 twice this year, June on a Motorcycle and September/October in the Van including Harris & Lewis, love seafood and white beaches and swimming in the icy water. Love your videos well done guys.
Loving your videos. As a Scot living on the Ayrshire coast of Scotland its great to hear your appreciate the landscape and weather. I too think it's utterly beautiful in the rain. So atmospheric and wild. I'm a keen Scottish skier and an used to our brutal but dramatic views and weather. Nowhere like it. You just need to embrace it, dress for it and know how to cozy in. One of the best NC500 videos I've watched. THANK YOU ❤🏴
Great Video....great to see how much you loved our wee country....as a native scot and travelled most of Scotland I can see how much we take for granted what is around us when visitors are blown away with the scenery, villages, food and hopefully people you have encountered on your travels around Scotland....:-)
I lived in New Zealand for 5 yeas, the USA for 1 year, Papua New Guinea for 6 months, Portugal for 6 months, Ireland for 3 years, and have travelled much of Europe and have climbed in the Alps and the Southern Alps. But for my taste in scenery, the Highlands, despite all the rain, and mist, is unbeatable. (PS. I have climbed all the Munros).
You missed a massive treat not driving to/from Applecross along the coast road. The views to Skye and beyond are amazing. Doing the Bealach na Ba both directions is also stunning, but you have a reason to return :-)
What stunning beauty! I am from California so I am biased towards our Hwy 1. When I was in Scotland in 2001, I listened to the Scottish band Travis whilst traveling around. The mood matched the scenery!
The NC500 is so beautiful! My hubby and I did 3 years ago in our campervan.. I was blown away with how beautiful the views and beaches where.. 😍Well worth doing.. 😊
The last time I was in Scotland was in 2005, before the NC500 was officially a thing. But on that trip we did drive many of the sections of the Western portion of it. We loved Smoo Cave and took the little boat tour that goes inside. The beaches around there were beautiful! We also enjoyed our time in Ullapool (especially loved the Seafood Shack) and enjoyed visiting Plockton. I look forward to seeing what you wind up doing on Skye, it's such a gorgeous island! I hope you get to see the Fairy Pools in addition to Staffin (that you mentioned in your sneak preview). If you ever get a chance to go to Mull and Iona I think you would love it! You wouldn't be able to bring your van onto Iona, since only the residents and vendors are allowed to have vehicles there, but you can park in Fionnphort and take a 10 minute ferry there. So many great hikes and beaches. If you take one of the boat rides that goes to Staffa (for Fingal's Cave) and Lunga you will be in bird and plant heaven. There's a lot to see too on Mull, although it's another place with scary narrow roads to drive with steep drops. If not this trip, I think it's well worth visiting on another trip, as well as a little bit of time in Oban on the mainland (where you catch the ferry to Mull).
I did the applecross pass in January 2018 and there was snow on the ground and encountered the gritter truck doing a 3 point turn on the last hairpin bend before the summit
Guys I lived up there for 15 years Plockton, Kyle of Lochalsh, Isle of skye, Isle of raasay (you've got to go there sometime it's the land that time forgot it's beautiful and azing views of the cullin mountains and apple cross). Inverness (culloden) steeped in history you've cloutie well, and prisoner's Stone in culloden woods that's a must see. On your way back down there's so many treats for you to see just wait until you reach Ben nevis etc it will take your breath away it makes you feel like your in a giants world it really does! Safe journey and keep enjoying all it has to offer xx
The proper way to eat a Tunnock's teacake is to gently bash the top so the chocolate breaks up, unwrap it, lick all the chocolate off, then slurp up the marshmallow, before finally eating the biscuit layer. My wife despairs!
We have these cookies in Canada, but are not called tea cakes. The chocolate is hard, so I pick off the chocolate, eat the marshmallow and then the biscuit, just like Tim.
We was the same when we did it in March this year, stunning everywhere and the weather we had was very un Scotland like. Jaw dropping scenery everywhere
I’m English but lucky enough to live in Scotland and have done the NC500 a few times (before it was called NC500 and the tourists discovered it 😂) We need so much rain for the beautiful scenery and waterfalls. If you remember the TV series Hamish Macbeth it was filmed in Plockton. (I’m in Lochearnhead and have found myself looking for your van as I drive around 😉😆 ) Enjoy the rest of your tour.
My Mates and I did the NC500 last year (September 2021) and we did the Applecross Pass twice. We got nearly to the top coming from Applecross side and a Caravan had got itself stuck and totally blocked the road. We turned and came round and then as we passed the bottom on the other side we saw some of the traffic we'd been stuck with coming through, so took the winding road all the way up. Got some great pics of the views and then all the way back down again, Totally worth it tho. May be a wee bit biased being a Scot myself, but best holiday I have ever had, North Coast 500 over 5 days in my Citreon C4 Cactus with a detour for a 3 day stay on Skye. Love your Videos, espcially in your own Camper, Makes me want to own one myself.
Thank you both for introduce us this road in Scotland! I will put in in our next visit there! Greetings from Greece! I hope we have also Greece in your plans :-)
I was waiting for a visit to a pub where you would sample some wonderful Scottish whiskeys. Ican't believe how narrow the roads are in Scotland. I guess we are spoiled in Canada, our driving lanes are as wide as a vehicle plus each side has a shoulder wide enough that you can park your vehicle on the side, in case you need to change a tire. I would be terrified to drive these roads. Especially because I would want to be looking at all these glorious scenes. Love this tour of Scotland. I am only one generation removed from this being my home. My grannie was from Newton Stewart. And step-grandpa was from Montrose. I have always wanted to visit. This series of videos has made me want to even more. GREAT JOB BEANS!
We did the NC500 in June this year on bicycles, Bealach na Ba climb was tough. West Coast & North Coast were stunning and could not recommend enough. Favourite overnight stop was at Shieldaig in the Tigh An Eilean, fab seafood. Best cafe stop (a must for cyclists) was The Secret Garden at Drumbeg. Best views, too many to mention and we were so lucky with the weather, plus traffic was light in June and we had no midges.
Love this whole trip. Scotland looks amazing and the views spectacular. I’ve seen those tea cakes in Canada and never bought them. I will next time. I remember wagon wheels. Excellent driving Emma. Thank you guys.
I did the Applecross road a few years ago and had to turn back halfway due to thick fog at the top. I couldn’t even see the bonnet of my VW. Next day I did it in sunshine and observed the beautiful views.
Not done the NC500 but now added to my bicket list. I love Torridon area - it is amazing and of course done te Applecross road. My wife and I are vegetarians and managed to eat really well on our 3 trips to the area.
The road to Applecross is a lot better than it was in the sixties. There were no barriers at the side of the road then. The hairpin bends were a lot tighter, you had to shunt to get a car round with only a few rocks to mark the edge of the drop. The coast road wasn't open then, it was just a track which served a few farms and a Youth Hostel. So you had to go back the same way.
Did a fly-drive with hotel coupons in the UK in 1975. London to Edinboro and North then south to Wales and Bath. Many narrow roads back then. Only 3 or 4 MotorWays back then. Your Isle of Skye trip takes us back to re-live our fond memories of Scotland.
I came across your channel by sheer accident, just in time for your Scotland trip. What an enjoyable experience. You two are really good to watch; you're so natural. I have subscribed and will catch up on your previous trips. I look forward to future videos. May thanks.
The Armco is a slight improvement on the old black and white poles that used to mark the edge so the edge could be seen when snow covered. It still wouldn't stop anything larger than an invalid carriage, those little blue three wheelers that were issued to the disabled up to the 70's. The only Salmon I like is the Red Salmon that comes in a tin, preferably the Skinless and boneless type. Would Em prefer a sausage over a prawn or shrimp? A nice fat Saveloy perhaps? Too OTT?
I was lucky to work in the NW highlands area for my work this year. I had to drive around the NC500 a fair bit, going back and forth to various field sites. Was magical and got to see some super off the beaten track sites thanks to it. would reccommend it, maybe not the applecross headland part though - that road was horrible !
In Scotland, The NC500 series was real gem in the rough. Spectacular views and for the most part the rains stayed away in this vlog. Love you guys, 😍😍 Harriet and JIm from Richmond, Va.
The last section of the NC500 really is the best, which is why that was the bit we revisited this year after doing the full thing last year! Glad you visited Corrieshalloch Gorge, and that the bridge was open, it was closed when we were up there about 6 weeks ago! Ullapool's a good place to stop in the rain, hope you went to the Ceilidh Place there as the food was amazing! I think that first bird of prey might have been a sea eagle, just going by the colour of its legs, and if so you were so lucky! Their numbers are growing but they're still a rare sight! We avoided the Applecross road (it was torrential rain the day we had the option to) but it looks stunning. Plockton is so lovely! Robert Carlyle filmed a tv show there for a few years called Hamish Macbeth!
Plockton is where the series “Hamish McBeth” was filmed many years ago, with Robert Carlyle. Great video and hope to see more of the West coast in future videos ❤️❤️🏴
I've really enjoyed these series of NC500 videos. I'm from Scotland and know and love these places, but great to see your reaction to seeing them. It really is a beautiful part of the world. I cycled over the Applecross Road and got blown over by the wind! Why did you go and come back to Applecross rather than do the circuit? Can't believe you have never had a Tunnocks Tea Cake before!! They are awesome. Equally good with an Irn Bru during the day or with a cuppa at night. 😉
We’ve loved these videos. We definitely want to explore Scotland now. Stunning scenery. Alex is getting very refined with his smoked salmon, oatcakes and mustard relish!! Loved it 🍻
I love these these NC500 videos. We can't pick a favorite place but it looks like it would be nice to take it slow and spend time in each village or scenic spot instead of racing around too fast.
i did the Applecross pass and i got 1/4 up from the Applecross side and was met by thick fog and it got thicker and by the time i got to the top i could see less than 10 feet , love to see Emma facial expression driving in that.. i loved Torridon was wet but got great photos of the sun on the mountains pity cannot show you them
OMG I would definitely do the waterfall MUD and all ! It was all so beautiful ! Thank you for sharing all your trips I enjoy them all especially with Noah ! 😘
Me and my wife are hoping to do the NC500 in the summer of 2022. We won’t be in a camper ‘tho…we will be in my car and staying in B&B’s along the route. Just got to get my knee replacement operation sorted in the new year and off we go. Thanks for some excellent informative viewing 👍🇬🇧
Plockton was the setting for a TV series from 1995-1997 starring Robert Carlyle. I drove over the Bealach Na Ba a couple of years ago & it is stunning.
If ever you get the chance to road trip The Cabot Trail on Cape Breton. Island, Nova Scotia, Canada it will give you a run for your money for a spectacular drive. It is often listed as one of the prettiest drives in the world and it bears a striking resemblance to Scotland. Also this area was originally settled by the Scotts. I hope you guys visit the Canadian East Coast someday, it’s a very unique region.
I watch your videos all of the time, and I am so grateful for you putting the little tags that say the names of your stops! ...and I enjoy learning new words like plonkers. 😂
Thanks for bringing back great memories for me. I used to live in a few different villages along the NC500. The way i recomend people do it is the opposite way from how you did. But then don't go down the East coast, instead at Tongue, take the tiny Altnaharra 836 road through the absolutely wild glens (there's a really well preserved iron age broch by the roadside) and along the side of beautiful loch loyal. At Altnaharra there is the most beautiful old church. South of there is the Crask inn which is a tiny old pub with amazing view from the beer garden. Then from Lairg on to Ardgay over the bridge & the mountain to Alness where you can rejoin the main A9 back to Inverness.
New subscriber, absoughtly loving your vlogs. Always wanted to do a trip to Scotland and I would definitely love to do that crazy road. You guys are getting me through a tough time, so thank you for taking me through your wonderful road trips. Really looking forward to your next video.
I live in California and I think the scenery is far prettier than most of the US. Thank you VERY much for showing us Scotland. It's on my wishlist to go to Scotland, so I appreciate the views you have shown us.
The first time I drove over Applecross pass it was in thick fog I couldn't see the road let alone the view. Next time it was heavy rain and low cloud. The third time was finally in the sun and the view didn't disappoint
Enjoying the videos of my homeland. Yes, I've done the NC500, but long before they called it that: back in the 60's thru' 80's. I first did the Applecross pass in the late 70's in my Citroen 2CV(my first car!) and there was still a working oil-rig construction site then and, if you think your van struggled, try a 2CV with a 600cc engine! My favourite view however, has got to be stunning Gruinard Bay. And when you combine it with the tragic history of the island, so close to shore, it always moves me. Most surprising place is Inverewe gardens - tropical plants in western Scotland?!
We done the NC500 a few years back, and went round clockwise and did the west Coast first. We explored every dead end road we could. Achitibule was an outstanding spot for us overlooking the Summer Isles. We had two weeks to get round just wasn't long, planning to revisit very soon with and open ended time plan, loved every moment of the trip.
I did the NC500 last month and I have to agree its stunning up there, we took a long time (12 days) to do it as it was my birthday but also fitted in Skye which I would 100% recommend! I'd also recommend anyone traveling up the east coast near Dunbeath to take shelter at the Inver campsite for the night (a hidden gem with exceptional facilities) and then take a wee stroll to the Bay Dunbeath bar across the road - epic views of the east coast sea, amazing stone cooked pizza and great beer on tap! (try the sheep shaggers gold ;))
I’m so glad I missed all of these wonderful videos in Scotland way back because I can binge watch them now! Unbelievably breathtaking guys it’s almost too much beauty I couldn’t imagine actually being there It would probably take my dam breath away lol as cheesy as that sounds! Haha
You just sold me on our changing the last section of our Scotland itinerary order! We WERE planning to go to Lewis (after leaving the Orkneys) via Ullapool BUT you and another vlogger that I recently watched said the route south of Ullapool is not to be missed. I have spent the better part of today moving our accommodations around so that we WILL do that route, spend 5 days on Skye (saw your next video before this one) THEN take the ferry to Lewis. THANK YOU for your whole series around Scotland (I had the same itinerary as yours for the first section so no changes necessary there).
Hi. I have done the NC500 and various other areas 3 times now and it never disappoints. Really enjoying your series. One area I think you missed, when you go over the Applecross Pass, you can also access Applecross via the northern coast road. Thus is a stunning drive and gives you views over Skye, Rona and Raasay. Definitely worth it next time. Also when you arrive at Lochinver the NC500 takes you east along the A837. If you have a small van or car it is worth continuing through the town and then follow the road through Strathan, Inverkirkaig, to Loch Bad a Ghaill, turn left and then rejoin the NC500 at Drumrunie. The road is tight in places so be careful.
Van loadout time. What do you carry and have used often or never? What do you need for the van? If you’re ever near Marciac or Lourdes in the French Pyrenees, drop by for a break from the road. We have gîtes and I can recommend mountain drives and walks and places to visit from Andorra to Biarritz!
Yes have done the 500 a couple of times many years ago.driven up collectors a couple times as well. You mention going up with a caravan. There are signs at each side saying caravans are banned. We have also been to those great castles on the east coast. Did you have to drive a cross the airport runway to get to them. We did back in the 80s. Just found you and love your videos. Keep up the good work.
My wife & myself did the NC500 a couple of days after you guys, by the look of it. We're Scots, so have seen a lot of the country, but we hadn't done the far north west. My grandfather, a hghlander, described this coast as miles and miles of bugger all, so that's the image I've had in my head, but it was jaw-dropping. The heavy rain did hide the views at times, but it did provide stacks of atmosphere. We did it over a week, but it simply wasn't enough. The Bealach na Ba was just nuts. One area I'd always wanted to visit was Glen Affric, not far from Beauly, which has been left to rewild with native tree species by the Foresty Commission, and with the autumn colours, it was stunning. I just love my country, and we'll definitely be back on parts of the NC500. My only concern is that the road infrastructure isn't adequate for the numbers of vehicles now doing it. And while not all of it is single track roads, everyone, please learn how to drive on them properly before doing it, especially, no convoys of more than a couple of vehicles at a time. Braw!
Anyone who has been to Scotland know how beautiful it can be but the weather is a massive part of it if you don't like the cold or the rain and the midges well, never done the NC500 it is on the bucket list very soon, great video once again
I'm embracing the journey with you, watching your video's. Such a beautiful treasure to watch. Thanks for sharing your story with us that watch your channel. Absolutely beautiful views of the country.
I did the NC 500 with Ellie my dog in my 110 Land Rover , I fell in love with apple cross , and the pass is great fun , hope to do it again in my Unimog When it’s closed for winter as I’m doing a basic camper conversion . But obviously fitting a diesel heater. 😂
Fantastically done once again Beans. Loving this series. And I find it ironic listening to Emmas comments about the rain that, living in the desert as I do, I'd be delighted to have a vacation in the rain. Yes I know it would interfere with some of the scenery but I'm really sick of the sun. And it's that rain of course that provides all that greenery and colors.
hi guys loving your adventures for sure , would love to see Alex setting up the drone and the way he does it , sort of behind the scenes for the drone side .... and the make model he using ( DJI ) ? love from down under rich
Having recently been living in Highlands near Inverness, one of my favourite roads was the Bealach na Ba. Done when there was still snow at the top viewpoint. From here you can see Raasay and beyond The Cuillins on Skye.
