Adventures Along the NC500 and Beyond – Garve to Inverness
- Barry Pickard
- Oct 21
- 8 min read
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. Regardless of this, please be advised that all opinions expressed in this blog post are genuine and authentically my own.
Author: Barry Pickard
Hi, I'm Barry, the owner of Tailor-Made Itineraries and I have been designing bespoke self-guided tours for adventurous and curious travellers since 2015. I am a history graduate with a passion for travel.
I created this blog to show, through my own adventures, how you can have an incredible travel experience as an independent traveller, giving you the information to navigate the world with confidence.
Contents
How do you finish the NC500 in style with the perfect finale between Garve and Inverness?
The answer begins with the distinctive sulphur tang of Victorian-era spa waters still lingering in Strathpeffer's ornate pump room, where crystal glasses once clinked as Highland visitors took their "medicinal" treatments. It's found in the sharp whistle of red kites circling overhead as volunteers scatter meat scraps at 2:30pm sharp, their russet wings catching the afternoon light. And it culminates in the warm honey notes of Glen Ord's single malt whisky coating your palate – a dram that's normally exclusive to Southeast Asia but somehow tastes even better when you're celebrating the completion of Scotland's most famous road trip.
I'm Barry, and after completing the NC500 multiple times and designing Highland itineraries for nearly a decade, I can tell you that this final stretch from Garve to Inverness is where many travellers make a crucial mistake. They rush straight to the finish line at Inverness Castle, missing some of the route's most rewarding hidden gems tucked away in Victorian spa towns and along ancient drovers' paths.
You've found exactly the guide you need to end your NC500 adventure on a high note. Every recommendation comes from my own discoveries over countless Highland journeys – I know which waterfall viewpoint offers the best salmon-watching opportunities, why the outside viewing platform beats the indoor hide for red kite photography, and most importantly, how to time your distillery visit to avoid the crowds while still getting that exclusive tasting.
This final section might seem like a gentle wind-down after the dramatic coastal stretches, but it's actually packed with surprises that showcase a completely different side of Highland Scotland. From thundering waterfalls where drovers once herded cattle to elegant Victorian architecture that wouldn't look out of place in Bath, this route proves that the NC500's magic extends far beyond coastal drama. Whether you're celebrating your first completion of Scotland's Route 66 or you're a seasoned Highland explorer looking for fresh discoveries, this guide will ensure your NC500 finale is as memorable as those stunning coastal miles.
What is the NC500?
Commonly known as “Scotland’s Route 66”, the North Coast 500 has quickly become an iconic, must-do tourist route, having only been formally marketed as such back in 2015. The NC500 is actually 516-miles long, starting and ending at Inverness Castle, running along a mainly coastal route through the traditional counties of Inverness-shire, Ross and Cromarty, Sutherland and Caithness. It has become so popular that has been described as "Scotland's Route 66".
Over the years, I have explored the sections of the NC500 route several times, although not necessarily the complete route in one single journey. Indeed, my travels in this area began even before it had been called the North Coast 500. My travels have opened my eyes to the beauty of the route and has given us the opportunity to also find hidden gems off the beaten track.
At Tailor-Made Itineraries we delight in creating bespoke self-guided tours. So, if travelling the NC500 appeals to you, reach out to us by email. We would be more than happy to design a self-guided tour around your requirements incorporating the sites along the NC500, or indeed, a general tour of Scotland. We also have 5 and 10 day set itineraries that you can purchase from our online store (see below).
Black Water Falls
When approaching Garve from the Applecross section of the NC500, take a left when you reach the A835 instead of heading directly to Inverness. Almost immediately, there is a small local road on the right which goes to a public carpark at Little Garve Bridge. This is the start of a great little circular walk that takes you along both banks of the Black Water river. The river is known in Gaelic as An t-Alltan Dubh (the black burn) and is the subject of a famous hunting song written by Donald Fraser, the 'Fannich Bard'. The trail takes you in the footsteps of soldiers and cows. At the northern most point of the walk is the Silverbridge, which spans the Black Water Falls. As well as giving a fantastic view of this small, but powerful waterfall, this bridge is part of an ancient route used by drovers herding their cattle.
Rogie Falls
Once on the road back towards Inverness, there is another picturesque waterfall, a mile north west of the village of Contin. Rogie Falls offers plenty of waymarked walks and seating at a viewpoint overlooking the falls. During August and September there's an excellent chance of seeing wild salmon leaping upstream. Visit after heavy rain or snow, when water gushes and tumbles from the slopes of Ben Wyvis, and the Falls of Rogie are even more sensational.
Strathpeffer
Although not on the official route of the NC500, the village of Strathpeffer is well worth a diversion. Just two and a half miles from Contin, Strathpeffer is an attractive Victorian-era spa village in the hills below the foreboding Ben Wyvis mountain, with a population of around 1,500. In the Victorian era Strathpeffer was popular as a spa resort, owing to the discovery of sulphurous springs in the 18th century. The pump-room in the middle of the village dates from 1819. Soon after that, a hospital and a hotel were also built. In 1942 the Spa hospital was destroyed by fire. The Strathpeffer Pavilion dates from 1880, and was built to provide a venue for entertainment of the visitors. It fell into disuse and disrepair towards the end of last century, but has now been restored as a new venue for the arts, weddings, other functions, and events of all kinds.
If you are enjoying this post, remember and subscribe to my mailing list to receive my latest blog posts.
Strathpeffer Pump Room
The Strathpeffer Pump Room provides a great overview of the spa village’s history. The pump room, with its Victorian architecture and décor, is the original building where visitors took the medicinal spring waters and houses a captivating exhibition and is an historic Grade III Listed building. Find out how the Victorians experienced the Spa treatments!
Please note that since visiting this museum, I have seen notices on the internet that it has closed to the public, although I have not been able to verify this.
Highland Museum of Childhood
The Highland Museum of Childhood is located in the old railway station in the spa village of Strathpeffer. The museum was originally based on the doll and toy collection of former Strathpeffer resident Mrs Angela Kellie. The museum now has an interesting collection of children’s toys, games, costume, books, photographs and much more. The museum shares the railway station with the Museum Coffee Shop, Small Planet Trading gift shop and True Beauty salon.
Tollie Red Kites
Before rejoining the NC500 route, you should also make another short detour to the RSPB Tollie Red Kites Natural Reserve, which is just off the A835. The reserve has stunning views across Easter Ross to Ben Wyvis and provides close-up views of Scotland's most graceful bird of prey. You can watch volunteers feed the birds every day at 2.30 pm in summer (BST) and 1.30 pm in winter (GMT). We found that we had the best view of the feeding from the outside view point, but if it is raining there is a specially-converted farmstead building where you can comfortably watch the show. Take note though, the last 800m to the site is along fairly rough farm tracks.
Please note that since visiting this reserve it has been closed to the public. I hope that this will change soon.
If you are enjoying this post, remember and subscribe to my mailing list to receive my latest blog posts.
Glen Ord Distillery
Back to the route and it was is perhaps fitting to make our final stop before reaching the finish point at Inverness Castle at that most Scottish of attractions – a whisky distillery! Glen Ord is an excellent example of a distillery and offers public tours throughout the year with hours on a seasonal schedule. There is also a small exhibition that can be visited separate from the tour. As well as being quite a picturesque distillery, it has an added bonus for the budding whisky connoisseur - the 12, 15 and 18 year old single malt is only available for export to South East Asia, but here at the distillery, you can get a chance to taste their product. After our little tasting session, we were so impressed that it did cross our mind that maybe an Asian vacation was due, if for no other reason than to get our hands on some more of Glen Ord’s whisky!
Conclusion
The final stretch from Garve to Inverness proves that the NC500's magic doesn't fade as you approach the finish line – it simply transforms from coastal grandeur to Highland heritage and hidden natural treasures. From the ancient drovers' paths at Black Water Falls to the elegant Victorian spa culture of Strathpeffer, this section reveals layers of Highland history that many travellers miss in their rush to complete the circuit. The wildlife spectacle at Tollie Red Kites and the exclusive whisky tasting at Glen Ord provide perfect bookends to an adventure that showcases Scotland's diverse character. Don't let the proximity to Inverness fool you into rushing – these final discoveries often become some of the most cherished memories of the entire NC500 experience, reminding you that in the Scottish Highlands, the journey truly matters more than the destination.
Accommodation Options
There are numerous short-term lets, but your best chance of securing accommodation along this route would be to look around Strathpeffer or Beauly (which is near the Glen Ord Distillery).
The Ben Wyvis Hotel and The Retreat Hotel both harken back to the popular Victorian-times in Strathpeffer, while the nearby Coul House Hotel offers a spot of Highland luxury. Meanwhile, in Beauly, The Priory Hotel and the Lovat Arms Hotel offer a relaxing evening after your adventures.
However, if you would prefer to stay in Inverness at the end of your NC500 odyssey the likes of The Royal Highland Hotel, the Leonardo Hotel Inverness, and the Mercure Inverness Hotel are excellent hotels to stay in.
Click on the underlined weblinks above to review these hotels and make your reservation.
Related Blog Posts
If you are interested in finding out more about the NC500 route, please view the Tailor-Made Itineraries posts below:
Share in the comments which unexpected discovery on this final stretch surprised you most – I love hearing about those "wow" moments that make the NC500 so special!
At Tailor-Made Itineraries we delight in creating bespoke self-guided tours. So, if travelling the NC500 appeals to you, reach out to us by email. We would be more than happy to design a self-guided tour around your requirements incorporating the sites along the NC500, or indeed, a general tour of Scotland. We also have 5 and 10 day set itineraries that you can purchase from our online store (see below).
Tailor-Made Itineraries posts every two weeks, and you can subscribe to the latest blog and newsletter here. Until then, happy reading and safe travels.
Barry
Contact Me: tailoritineraries@gmail.com
Tailor-Made Itineraries creates one-of-a-kind bespoke self-guided travel itineraries for adventurous and curious travellers.
These self-guided tours deliver a personalised and exciting holiday experience that takes the effort out of trip planning.
NC500 Map - Garve to Inverness
Comments