North Coast Route to Loch Maree, Scotland

25TH AUGUST 2018 APPLECROSS PENINSULA TO LOCH MAREE, SCOTLAND

We left Balmacara to head north to Strathcarron and join up with the North Coast 500 Route.

From Wiki: "The North Coast 500 is a 516-mile (830 km) scenic route around the north coast of Scotland, starting and ending at Inverness Castle.^[1] The route is also known as the NC500 and was launched in 2015, linking many features in the north Highlands of Scotland in one iconic touring route.

The route runs through the traditional counties of Inverness-shire, Ross and Cromarty, Sutherland and Caithness. 

Working clockwise, the route starts at Inverness and runs via Muir of Ord, Applecross (including the notorious Bealach na Bà), Gairloch, Ullapool, Scourie, Durness, Thurso, John o'Groats, Wick, Dunrobin Castle, Dingwall then back to Muir of Ord and Inverness.^[2] The route of the North Coast 500 takes in many areas of the North Highland Way, a walking route along Scotland's North Coast."

Kishorn, Scotland 

Loch Carron

Loch Carron from the Bealach Na Ba Pass

On our previous trip in 2013 we didn't drive the Applecross Peninsula. Hubby asked me if I wanted to go to Applecross and I said No as I'd forgotten that it had been recommended to us by a British couple living in the French Alps. Since then I've realised what we missed out on so we just had to do it this time round. The pass from Strathcarron to Applecross is mentioned above as the notorious Bealach na Ba - Pass of the cattle was built in 1822 and is a single track winding road with a very steep gradient. And the most amazing views.

Bealach na Ba Pass, Applecross Peninsula, Scotland 

Bealach na Ba Pass, Applecross Peninsula, Scotland 

Bealach na Ba Pass, Applecross Peninsula, Scotland 

In Applecross we saw some deer roaming the streets!

Deer, Applecross, Scotland

Views west to the Isle of Skye in the far background and the Isles of Raasay and Rona.

Applecross Peninsula, Scotland - Views to Portree, Isle of Skye.

We then continued around the peninsula to Sheildag.

Sheildag, Scotland

Then through the Torridon Hills...

Torridon, Scotland

...drove passed some Scots Pine trees that look like they are from the Jurassic age...

Scots Pine trees in the Torridon, Scotland

and Beinn Eighe mountain range...

Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve

to Loch Maree.

Loch Maree, Scotland

Views from Slattadale....

Waterfalls, Slattadale, Loch Maree, Scotland

Views of Loch Maree from the lookout at Slattadale, Scotland

It was a day of stunning views, just stunning....