NC500 3 Durness to Ullapool
The far north-west of Scotland is, to me, one of the most interesting parts of the NC500. It’s truly wild, as close to wilderness as you can get in the UK. With peaks reaching well over 800m (2,625ft) dominating the skyline and bog, loch and rock below, it’s wild, untamed and empty, with opportunities to get even wilder. Cape Wrath is as remote as it gets and you can get there by walking from Sandwood Bay or by boat from Keoldale.
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Places to stay
Attractions

Places to stay (9)

Places to stay

Durness - Sango Sands Oasis

A great campsite on the edge of the cliff, at the end of the world. Marvellous. Pub on site. Fantastic views. tel: 01971 511 726 email: stay@sangosands.com

Location: 58.568738,-4.742848
Places to stay

Achmelvich - Shore Caravan Site

A really lovely, friendly, family-owned campsite on gorgeous Achmelvich Bay. No dogs. tel: 01571 844 393 email: booking@shorecaravansite.co.uk

Location: 58.168970,-5.307110
Places to stay

Balnakeil - Balnakeil Motorhome Stopover

An overnight near Balnakeil Craft Village. Close to lovely Balnakeil Bay. tel: 07597 192 448 email:

Location: 58.570600,-4.764840
Places to stay

Scourie - Scourie Caravan and Camping Site

A beautifully located campsite with great views and close to the harbour where the ferry goes to Handa Island for puffin watching. Open all year. tel: 07496 366 933 email: info@scouriecampsitesutherland.com

Location: 58.351460,-5.155170
Places to stay

Clachtoll - Clachtoll Beach Campsite

Another lovely beachside camping spot right on the edge of a great beach with white sand and turquoise sea. tel: 01571 855 377 email: warden@clachtollbeachcampsite.com

Location: 58.191820,-5.335060
Places to stay

Clachtoll - Motorhome Pitches by the Beach

A small motorhome site next to the beach at Clachtoll. Find them on FB or searchforsites. tel: 07714 340 937 email: kennyjmatheson@btinternet.com

Location: 58.189000,-5.334300
Places to stay

Lochinver - Assynt Leisure Centre

Overnight parking available in the car park of Assynt Leisure. Adjacent to the port, so a little noise from the fuel depot next door. tel: 01571 844 123 email: kelly@assyntleisure.co.uk

Location: 58.146038,-5.245283
Places to stay

Ullapool - Ardmair Point Campsite

Another campsite in an incredible location at the edge of the sea. Just outside Ullapool. tel: 01854 612 054 email: park@ardmair.com

Location: 57.933890,-5.196640
Places to stay

Ullapool - Broomfield Holiday Park

A site that’s on the shores of Loch Broom and an easy walk from the village centre of Ullapool. tel: 01854 612 020 email: sross@broomfieldhp.com

Location: 57.894750,-5.163310

Attractions (11)

Shopping

Durness - Balnakeil Craft Village

An intriguing, long-established craft village on the site of an old MOD base just west of Durness. Home to a range of local artists and businesses including a chocolatier, hairdresser, art galleries, paintings and prints, ceramics, woodwork and glass work.

Location: 58.570060,-4.763970
Local Landmark

Cape Wrath

If you want to take the minibus or cycle or hike to the lighthouse at Cape Wrath, one of the most remote outposts in Britain, you have to take the ferry from East Keoldale Pier.

Location: 58.625480,-4.999160
Pier

Cape Wrath - Ferry

Ferry from East Keoldale Pier to Cape Wrath.

Location: 58.552905,-4.789403
Natural Space

Handa Island

An internationally important breeding colony for seabirds, including everyone’s favourite, the puffin, in May and June. Take the ferry from near Scourie.

Location: 58.389504,-5.142901
Beach

Sandwood Bay

A beautiful, remote beach with loch, ruins and a sea stack that’s a 6.5km (4-mile) walk from the nearest road at Blairmore. Stunning.

Location: 58.536879,-5.061149
Activity

Kylesku Boat Tours

Trips on the Glencoul and Glendhu lochs and views of Eas a’Chual Aluinn, the highest waterfall in the United Kingdom.

Location: 58.257468,-5.017966
Food & Drink

Lochinver - Restaurants

Ever since it appeared in the Guardian a few years ago, Lochinver has gained a reputation for good food. Park overnight at Assynt Leisure Centre – just a short walk from the village.

Location: 58.152400,-5.240600
Natural Space

Summer Isles

A small archipelago of islands off the Coigach Peninsula that are excellent for wildlife.

Location: 58.029765,-5.375125
Natural Space

North West Highlands Geopark, Knockan Crag

An interpretation centre and walk that explains the incredible geology of Assynt. 21km (13 miles) north of Ullapool.

Location: 58.033760,-5.071295
Food & Drink

Ullapool - Seafood Shack

Multi award-winning street food destination in one of Ullapool’s back streets. I had the Cullen Skink. It was awesome.

Location: 57.895700,-5.162155
Activity

Ullapool - Seascape Expeditions

Modern, fast boat that can take you on whale watching and wildlife watching trips around the Summer Isles.

Location: 57.895666,-5.159263