NC500 Hidden Gems: Hikes, Swims & Pubs!
The North Coast 500 – just the name evokes images of sea-ravaged coastlines, dramatic, dark mountains, and winding single-track roads. But beyond the epic drives, the NC500 is packed with hidden gems: a true paradise for wild swimmers and hikers, offering invigorating dips and breathtaking ascents, all with the promise of a cosy, nearby pub to guide you on your return.
A northern trip isn’t complete for us without countless outdoor excursions and detours, with the bogs, scrambles and close shaves all being part of the fun! But it can be difficult to enjoy the freedom of the NC500 with hostel, hotel and B&B check-ins crowding your itinerary, and that’s where a trusty campervan comes in!
Read on for some our favourite hiking and swim spots, along with some nearby iconic pubs to warm up in – there‘s nothing like local hospitality in the Scottish Highlands!
If you are planning a trip to the NC500, we also have a fully detailed softback, guidebook and A1 map all about the route. With over 1000 5* reviews, it is sure to help you plan the adventure of a lifetime!
The NC500: Why Use a Campervan?
Forget rigid schedules and booking hotels months in advance: a campervan transforms your NC500 trip into an authentic, spontaneous adventure. Imagine waking up to the sound of the sea, brewing coffee with a panoramic view, and being just steps away from your next wild swim or hike.
You can chase the sunshine, adapt to the weather, and pull over whenever a stunning view or a tempting trail calls. Plus, the ability to carry all your gear – wetsuits, hiking boots, towels, and a flask of hot tea – makes those post-adventure warm-ups a breeze.
When there’s a hidden gem around every bend in the road, your motorhome makes the perfect basecamp!
Table of Contents
Planning Your Trip
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Ben Wyvis (Beinn Uais)
The Adventure
Towering majestically over the Cromarty Firth, Ben Wyvis is a Munro (a Scottish mountain over 3,000 feet) that offers a truly rewarding hike. The most common route starts from the car park just off the A836, leading you through a well-maintained path that gradually ascends the “An Teanga” (The Tongue) ridge.
While challenging, the views from the summit, encompassing the Black Isle, the Cairngorms, and even the distant Western Isles on a clear day, are simply spectacular. It’s a proper workout, demanding good fitness and preparation, but the feeling of accomplishment as you stand atop this ancient mountain is unparalleled.
The Warm-Up
Just a short drive from the base of Ben Wyvis, The Storehouse Restaurant offers a warm and welcoming haven. While not technically a pub, this popular spot is housed in a beautifully converted steading, and takes pride in using fresh, local produce.
Imagine easing off your ruscksack, sinking into a comfy chair, and savouring a hearty meal like locally sourced venison pie or freshly caught seafood. Their extensive drinks menu includes a great selection of local ales and whiskies, perfect for toasting your Munro-topping triumph!
The relaxed atmosphere is perfect post-hike, and the stunning views across the Cromarty Firth is the cherry on top – the ideal backdrop for recounting your day’s adventure!
Loch Eriboll
The Adventure
Loch Eriboll, a vast sea loch on the far north coast, is perfect for a bracing wild swim. Sheltered by surrounding hills, the water here can be surprisingly calm, even on blustery days, though it’s always invigoratingly cold! Choose a spot along the numerous small sandy beaches or rocky coves that dot its shores. The water is crystalline, and the feeling of swimming in such a wild and untamed landscape is a real treat!
Keep an eye out for seals, which are frequent visitors to the loch. Remember always to assess conditions, wear appropriate gear (we highly recommend wetsuits!), and never swim alone.
The Warm-Up
After your refreshing dip in Loch Eriboll, head a bit further east to Tongue, where The Craggan Hotel awaits.
This friendly, family-run hotel offers a traditional Scottish welcome and is renowned for its excellent pub grub and a great selection of local spirits. Imagine stepping in from the brisk coastal air, the warmth hitting you immediately, and ordering a steaming bowl of Cullen Skink (a creamy smoked haddock soup) or a classic fish and chips. The bar often has a lively atmosphere, and you might even catch some impromptu traditional music sessions.
It’s the perfect spot to thaw out, refuel, and soak in the local ambience!
Suilven
The Adventure
Suilven, with its distinctive sugar-loaf peaks, is arguably one of Scotland’s most iconic and challenging mountains. It’s not a hike for the faint of heart, but the reward of reaching its summit is immense.
The most common route begins at Glencanisp Lodge near Lochinver, and involves a long, boggy walk across moorland before the steep ascent up “The Bealach Mor” (The Great Pass) between its two prominent peaks. The final scramble to the summit of Caisteal Liath requires sure-footedness. Still, the panoramic views across the Assynt wilderness – a sea of lochs and extraordinary mountains – are utterly breathtaking, making every step worthwhile.
This is a full day’s undertaking, requiring good navigation skills and preparation!
The Warm-Up
After conquering the magnificent Suilven, your battered body will crave warmth and sustenance. The Old Inn at Aultguish, on the A835, offers precisely that. This charming and historic inn has been a welcome stop for travellers for centuries. It exudes traditional Scottish character with its stone walls, open fires, and cosy nooks.
Their menu focuses on hearty, home-cooked food, often featuring local game and produce. A well-deserved pint or a dram of whisky by the fire here is the ultimate reward after battling Suilven. It’s a great spot for stories or some well-earned solace!
Sandwood Bay
The Adventure
Often described as one of Britain’s most beautiful beaches, Sandwood Bay is a truly magical and remote stretch of golden sand, backed by dunes and flanked by the majestic sea stack of Am Buachaille. The only way to reach it is via an approximately 4-mile walk from the car park at Blairmore, near Kinlochbervie. The path is a trudge across rugged moorland, but once there, the sheer scale and wild beauty of the bay are astounding.
A wild swim in the Atlantic waters, with the dramatic cliffs and stacks as your backdrop, is an unforgettable experience. The water is often crystal clear but refreshingly cold – perfect for an invigorating dip before the walk back.
The Warm-Up
Located in a bustling fishing village, the Kinlochbervie Hotel offers stunning views over the harbour.
The bar and restaurant are popular with locals and visitors alike, serving up fresh seafood caught right on their doorstep. Whether you’re keen for a plate piled high with langoustines or just fancy relaxing with a creamy pint, watching the fishing boats come and go is the perfect way to wind down.
The atmosphere is friendly and relaxed, making it an ideal spot to warm up, dry off, and reflect on the wild beauty of the highlands.
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Achmelvich Bay
The Adventure
This stunning beach is a true gem, boasting incredibly white sands and turquoise waters, often compared to Caribbean coastlines – though the water temperature will remind you it is definitely Scottish!
It’s a fantastic spot for a less challenging wild swim, perfect for families or those new to dipping their toes in. The sheltered bay makes it ideal for a leisurely paddle or a proper swim, and the clarity of the water allows you to see the sandy bottom.
Achmelvich Bay is the perfect spot to explore, swim or find a perfect spot to unwind and take in the breathtaking beauty along the NC500.
The Warm-Up
Just a short drive from Achmelvich Bay, in the heart of Lochinver, you’ll find The Wayfarer’s Bar. This wee pub (attached to the historic Culag Hotel) offers a warm and welcoming atmosphere, perfect for a post-swim reset.
It’s a genuine local’s pub, so you’ll get an authentic taste of Highland life. Enjoy a pint or a hearty dram of whisky (they’ve got plenty!). While it might not be a gourmet restaurant, they typically offer simple, satisfying pub food – think burgers, scampi, or a toastie – which is precisely what you crave after an invigorating, wind-tossed dip.
No matter what you’re in the mood for, it’s a great spot to warm up!
Best of Luck!
The NC500 is more than just a drive; it’s an invitation to immerse yourself in Scotland’s raw beauty in any way you see fit – whether that be tackling the highest peaks, winding your way down rugged coastline trails, or fishing in the shady waters of a gloomy glen.
Ultimately, the NC500 is a conduit to indulge in your favourite hobbies and interests, and maybe (if you’re lucky) pick up some new ones along the way!
Regardless, whether you’re using public transport, rattling along in a tour bus or at the wheel of your own trusty campervan, don’t be afraid to visit a Scottish watering hole – in our opinion, and in all our travels, we’ve found there’s nothing quite like the warmth and character of a historic Highland pub.
So whenever you reach the NC500, and wherever you go, make sure you do one thing for us – enjoy some Scottish hospitality!
Happy travels!
Useful Links
- NC500 site
- Cal Mac Ferries
- Visit Scotland
- Traffic Scotland
- walkhighlands
- Met Office (weather)
- Highlands 2 Hammocks (our site!) – check out our other blogs, online shop and luxury campervan rental service!
