May 22, 2025
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Due to its steep gradients, hairpin bends, and narrow width, the pass requires careful driving and is not recommended for inexperienced or nervous drivers. It is especially challenging for larger vehicles, and during the winter months, the pass can be closed or subject to temporary restrictions due to weather conditions. Traveling through the Applecross Pass can be a thrilling experience for those who enjoy scenic drives and exploring remote areas of Scotland. However, it is essential to plan accordingly, drive cautiously, and be prepared for the challenging road conditions. Applecross Pass, also known as Bealach na Bà in Scottish Gaelic, is a mountain pass located in the Highlands of Scotland. It is situated in the Applecross Peninsula, a remote and rugged area in Wester Ross. The pass is renowned for its stunning natural beauty and challenging driving conditions. The Applecross Pass is a single-track road that winds its way up the mountainside, reaching a maximum altitude of around 626 meters (2,054 feet). It offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, including the Isle of Skye, the Inner Hebrides, and the Applecross Bay.
Applecross Pass, Scottish Highlands, UK
After an epic road trip in 2015 to the Isle of Skye and Scotland, I discovered a new route called the NC500 (north coast 500) which follows the Scottish coastline. Scotland is such an inspiring place and from my previous visit I just knew I had to visit again! I planned a mammoth 10 day road trip which took us to some of the most breathtaking places I have ever encountered! The trip was full of a variety of activities and included various places to stay. I ensured we experienced all types of accommodation on the trip booking luxurious suites, Camp sites, a tree house, a converted coastal carriage and various B&b’s / self catering to keep the trip affordable, yet with a hint of luxury!
First things first, I spent A LOT of time planning this journey so if anyone is thinking of doing the trip – I hope you find this blog/story useful! The official NC500 route begins and ends in Inverness but I decided to take detours to the Isle of Skye, Glasgow and Edinburgh. We recorded the entire journey with a dash cam and will be posting the videos from the route soon. Please read on for story of our epic journey!
Day 1 – Brockloch Treehouse
Traveling from York, we needed a stop which was a half way point to break up the driving. I found this wonderful tree house by accident and I cannot locate it on trip advisor either! Located just outside of Castle Douglas on a working farm.
The tree house is a cosy romantic hideaway for 2 people. It is in a bluebell wood (however we did not experience this due to the time of year!) It is extremely off grid with a small kitchen area, a gas hob, a small fridge and a wood burner. There is a flushing toilet and even a small bath. Dotted around the house are skylights and small windows which flood in light and provide amazing views.
We arrived and were quickly able to truly relax and switch off – there is no TV or WiFi and that is a good thing! This first night made our holiday, and it was perfect. Definitely going to be staying here again! They also have larger accommodation too called the bothy.
Day 2 – Glencoe & Glencoe House
On route to one of our ‘luxurious’ nights stay to Glencoe house, we drove down some pretty amazing roads. It was a shame about the weather, but in a way made this journey that more mystical and magical. If you visit this area, be sure to pack your camera!!
We drove around the area, taking in the views, taking photos and exploring. We arrived nice and early to take advantage of our accommodation for the night. It is a must to visit Glencoe House – a magnificent mansion house. 5 star suite accommodation in the heart of the Scottish highlands.
It is a rather unique place in that if you wish a 5 course menu can be served in your suit at your dining room table. Its the same for breakfast to! So that is what we did!
We were lucky enough to stay in suite one – which is probably bigger than the size of my entire house! Dining area, living room, bedroom and bathroom. There is also a massive private balcony with a hot tub. We very much enjoyed our time here, taking in the views and exploring their extensive grounds.
Day 3 – Glencoe to 3 Three Chimneys, Isle of Skye
Today we drove the amazing road to the Isles, a stretch of road from fort william to mallaig. Along the route you can see some spectacular scenery from sandy beaches to dramatic hills, green woodland, heather moors and amazing sea views at the end you can catch the caledonfion ferry to the Isle of Skye. However fate today was not on our side getting a flat tyre (the one and only on our 2000 mile journey!) . It was also in some extreme weather, which Scotland is famous for! We arrived at Mallaig to discover that our ferry had been cancelled! We had to drive up to the Skye Bridge and take a longer route getting onto the island.
Skye is truly breath taking and as soon as you arrive you are struck by breath taking scenery. I fell in love with Skye when I visited for the first time in 2015 on a previous journey. Tonight we were staying at The Three Chimneys, a world renowned Scottish restaurant with 5 star accommodation. It just happens to be situated in amazing surroundings beside the sea in Skye.
Our accommodation was lovely, there were welcoming touches everywhere – it being Easter, we found a large chocolate egg waiting for us! We relaxed and started to get ready for our meal which was the main event. During this time a very lovely thing happened – we got engaged! My partner obviously knows me very well choosing the Isle of Skye to pop the question.
We celebrated over one of the nicest meals I have ever had! My partner agrees to. The restaurant has a great deal of international acclaim, winning a host of awards. They have held 3 AA rosettes for 16 years! This being our 2nd taste of luxury on the road trip.
Day 4 – Skye to Applecross, Wester Ross (my favorite stretch of this journey)
We woke early, ate a lovely breakfast and headed on out to explore the landscape which you can see easily from your car. The landscape of Skye is absolutely stunning and you can really immerse yourself into the landscape from your car.
We visited Uig, and the local Uig Pottery. Here I purchased a little keep sake and we headed on down through the Quiraing. It is a stretch of road which is awesome. its a place of wonder and amazement and outstanding by any measure. As we recorded the journey on a dash cam, we will share snippets from the journey soon.
We stopped off at a few places including leat falls and kilt rock where you can see the Jurassic landscape first hand, find out more here.
We left Skye after visiting the isle of skye candle company and getting gifts for family and friends. Next stop was the The picturesque village of Plockton which sits on a sheltered bay with stunning views overlooking Loch Carron.
From here we made the magnificent Bealach na Ba (The Applecross Pass). It is a famous pass though the mountains, crossing is an adventure for several reasons. The single track road has some alpine line hairpin bends. I cannot wait to review the video of this section!
Tonight’s accommodation was to be a camping hut on Applecross camp site! an alternative to camping which means you can withstand some of the wilder weather which we did during storm Katie:
A nationwide weather warning has been issued and drivers are being told to watch out for strong gusts on roads and the possibility of fallen trees.
The Met Office has also issued yellow weather warnings for northern Scotland on Sunday.
Forecasters say that winds could reach up to 80mph in Orkney and Shetland
The Camping huts have four mattresses each approximately 4″ thick which have a hard and a soft side for a good nights sleep, electric heating, lights and a socket outlet. Though I was kept awake all night by the storm, my partner says “he had the best nights sleep ever”.
We unpacked and went to explore Applecross, a stunning bay which has such unique character. We fell in love with the place instantly! There is a small petrol station here which is run by the community and it echos an ethos here. It is almost an island community with only 2 roads in, both extremely long to drive.
The rain returned but it didn’t spoil the beauty of the place. We found a quirky, beautiful Victorian walled garden which has a potting shed converted into a cafe/restaurant.
We booked in for an evening meal and continued exploring. That evening we returned and the gardens were even more beautiful – we had an amazing meal and went back to our hut. The clouds parted for a small time and briefly exposed the stunning night sky. Here it was so clear the milky way was visible. We even both saw a shooting star.
Being recently engaged and feeling romantic, it reminded me of a quote I once read:
The size and age of the Cosmos are beyond ordinary human understanding. Lost somewhere between immensity and eternity is our tiny planetary home. And yet our species is young and curious and brave and shows much promise. In the last few millennia we have made the most astonishing and unexpected discoveries. They remind us that humans have evolved to wonder, that understanding is a joy, that knowledge is prerequisite to survival. Our little planet floats like a mote of dust in the morning sky. All that you see, all that we can see, exploded out of a star billions of years ago, and the particles slowly arranged themselves into living things, including all of us. We are made of star stuff. We are the mechanism by which the universe can comprehend itself. The world is so exquisite with so much love and moral depth. We should remain grateful every day for the brief but magnificent opportunity that life provides. The sum of all our evolution, our thinking and our accomplishments is love. A marriage makes two fractional lives a whole. It gives to two questioning natures a renewed reason for living. It brings a new gladness to the sunshine, a new beauty to the earth, and a new mystery to life
Day 5 – Applecross to The Albannach, Lochinver
Leaving Applecross we took in some pretty views to the Isle of Skye. Along the road leaving you see all sorts of waterfalls and streams with the odd house dotted around. The road is amazing and is probably the 2nd best stretch on this whole journey. I sadly didn’t get many pictures because I was too busy taking it all in! Excited to review the dash cam!
Shortly after leaving a stag ran out in front of the car, we slowed and took pictures as the stag made its way up the road.
on route to Lochinver, we stopped off at Corrieshalloch Gorge.
We headed up the road and took in even more amazing landscapes and even spotted more deer – the highlands really are as beautiful as I had imagined, if anything more so. In fact I am sad in away I couldn’t get more photos! But as I keep saying, I am excited to watch the dash cam back and collect the best bits!
More to follow about:
The Albannach
Artsy self catering
Caterham Car Hire
A coastal carraige
A quirky B&B
and ancient history!
NC500 Road Trip 2016 After an epic road trip in 2015 to the Isle of Skye and Scotland, I discovered a new route called the…