North Coast 500: The best Scotland road trip

With towns and villages few and far between, the coastline of northern Scotland is one of the most unspoiled areas of Europe. Roads here are empty of traffic and typically offer gorgeous views, although they are often single-lane and require the use of passing places from time to time.

Wide open road —

With towns and villages few and far between, the coastline of northern Scotland is one of the most unspoiled areas of Europe. Roads here are empty of traffic and typically offer gorgeous views, although they are often single-lane and require the use of passing places from time to time.

Courtesy Daniel Allen Photography

Well worth a visit on the route out from Inverness, Rogie Falls are a series of dramatic cascades on the River Blackwater in Torrachilty Forest. Visit from July through late September for a chance to see Atlantic salmon leaping up the adjacent salmon ladder.

Cascades —

Well worth a visit on the route out from Inverness, Rogie Falls are a series of dramatic cascades on the River Blackwater in Torrachilty Forest. Visit from July through late September for a chance to see Atlantic salmon leaping up the adjacent salmon ladder.

Courtesy Daniel Allen Photography

Undoubtedly one of the best seafood restaurants in the British Isles, the <a href="http://www.kishornseafoodbar.co.uk/" target="_blank" target="_blank">Kishorn Seafood Bar</a> in Strathcarron is a simple, award-winning eatery located between Lochcarron and Shieldaig at the foot of the Applecross hills, with beautiful views of the Isle of Skye. The emphasis here is on local produce.

Seafood smorgasbord —

Undoubtedly one of the best seafood restaurants in the British Isles, the Kishorn Seafood Bar in Strathcarron is a simple, award-winning eatery located between Lochcarron and Shieldaig at the foot of the Applecross hills, with beautiful views of the Isle of Skye. The emphasis here is on local produce.

Courtesy Daniel Allen Photography

Beautifully sited on the northern shore of Loch Ewe, the <a href="http://smokedbyewe.com/" target="_blank" target="_blank">Isle of Ewe Smokehouse</a> boasts fantastic views toward the Torridon Hills to the south and the Outer Hebrides to the west. This small artisan company specializes in hot and cold smoked salmon from Loch Duart.

Smoked fish —

Beautifully sited on the northern shore of Loch Ewe, the Isle of Ewe Smokehouse boasts fantastic views toward the Torridon Hills to the south and the Outer Hebrides to the west. This small artisan company specializes in hot and cold smoked salmon from Loch Duart.

Courtesy Daniel Allen Photography

Wildlife fans will enjoy the fauna on the NC500, with attractions ranging from Highland cattle, red kites and sea eagles to puffins, red squirrels and otters. Binoculars and a telephoto lens are indispensible.

Birds and beasts —

Wildlife fans will enjoy the fauna on the NC500, with attractions ranging from Highland cattle, red kites and sea eagles to puffins, red squirrels and otters. Binoculars and a telephoto lens are indispensible.

Courtesy Daniel Allen Photography

With the imposing Quinag mountain range as a backdrop, the atmospheric ruined fortress of Ardvreck Castle sits on a promontory on the edge of Loch Assynt. Built in the 16th century, it was the traditional seat of the MacLeods of Assynt. The promontory is sometimes cut off by high water, leaving Ardvreck on its very own island.

Fortress of solitude —

With the imposing Quinag mountain range as a backdrop,