NC500 Although the roads have been here for a very long time the North Coast 500 is a 506 mile scenic route around the north coast of Scotland. This suggested route was created and promoted in March 2015. It starts and finishes at Inverness Castle.

The idea is for people to explore the many areas of unspoilt beauty which they might normally miss if they take the shortest route to their destination. The scenery is breathtaking. Wonderful mountain ranges, miles of white sandy beaches, dramatic cliffs and even a castle or two – a different view around every corner. The NC500 hosts some of the best food and drink establishments in Scotland. Lovely fresh seafood, local cheese, pies, chocolates, cakes, beer and whiskey to name but a few.

Here at The Birches we are ideally located in between Ullapool and Gairloch a great base so that you can explore in either direction. We would hope to provide you with a comfortable stay, a lovely highland breakfast and a good local knowledge to help you on your way to enjoying your holiday. There are lots of lovely walks on our doorstep whether you want to stroll along the beach below our house, walk along Dundonnell river, walk up the side of Ardessie Falls or challenge yourself and climb An Teallach they are all nearby.

Recently Jeremy Clarkson was driving around this area with his crew and he described it as “Eyes on stalks beautiful, breathtaking views and never have I driven so slowly. The sky was the colour of a Norwegian models eyes. Tendrils of cloud spilt over snow-capped mountains before being whipped into nothing by the wind. And it went on and on and on. Past turquoise water like you find in the Maldives and islands as weird and as enticing as those in Ha Long Bay. This was, and I will take no argument on the matter, by far the most beautiful place on Earth.” What more can you say.