.png)
The North Coast 500 is one of the most talked about road trips in the UK, and after travelling it for myself, I can see exactly why. From wild coastlines and remote bothies to mountain views, iconic landmarks and the final road home, this journey was about far more than just ticking off a route on the map.
For me, the NC500 was a mix of adventure, reflection, freedom and proper time outdoors. It took me through some of the most stunning parts of Scotland, pushed me into remote places, and reminded me why I love the outdoors so much.
This blog pulls together the full journey, including the videos from along the way, from heading north through the Lake District, into the Highlands, around the North Coast 500, across to the Isle of Skye, and finally down through Spean Bridge, Glencoe, Kinlochleven and back home to Plymouth.
Before getting deep into the NC500 route itself, the journey north already felt like an adventure. I travelled through the Lake District around Pooley Bridge, then pushed on into the Cairngorms, visited the Scottish Pyramid, and continued further into the Highlands to hike up to Fyrish Monument.
That stretch set the tone properly. Big landscapes, fresh air, open ground and the kind of views that make you want to keep moving. It was the perfect build-up to what was coming next.
https://youtu.be/XzdvkaF5M7o?si=shE9nfEsMvSD3WFe
One of the best things about the North Coast 500 is that it gives you access to places that still feel wild. Kearvaig Cove Bothy was one of those places.
The hike out to Kearvaig is the kind of route that makes you earn it. It is not about convenience. It is about getting properly out there, away from the noise, away from the crowds and into a place that still feels raw and untouched. That is exactly why it stands out.
After that, stopping at Cocoa Mountain for a hot chocolate was a solid contrast to the walk. Then finishing that part of the trip with a visit to Smoo Cave rounded it off perfectly. Rugged coastline, proper atmosphere and one of the most memorable spots on the north coast.
For anyone planning a North Coast 500 itinerary, this part of the route is well worth your time. It is a strong reminder that the best stops are not always the busiest ones. Sometimes the places that stay with you most are the ones that take a bit more effort to reach.
https://youtu.be/SjfrZ1oudMA?si=ss22V8Amv6TiqsNk
As the route continued, the trip shifted again. This is what makes the NC500 such a strong experience. It is never just one thing. One day you are on the coast, the next you are chasing views, then suddenly you are doing something completely different.
That stretch included the Golden Eagle Zipline, a stop at Clashnessie Falls, and then travelling across to the Isle of Skye to visit the Quiraing and the Old Man of Storr.
The zipline brought a proper buzz. Clashnessie Falls brought that wild Highland feel again. Then Skye took it to another level altogether. The Quiraing has that landscape that almost does not look real when you first see it. The Old Man of Storr has the same effect. These are the kinds of places that make Scotland stand out globally for hiking, scenery and outdoor adventure.
If you are looking at the best places to visit on the North Coast 500, or even just the best locations to combine with an NC500 trip, Isle of Skye deserves serious attention. It is iconic for a reason.
https://youtu.be/K4insjcOvIU?si=rOaxM9BFR3hJUrYm
The final part of the trip hit differently.
After completing the North Coast 500, I travelled to the Commando Memorial in Spean Bridge to pay my respects to the Commandos who paid the ultimate sacrifice. For me, that was not just another stop. It meant something.
Places like the Commando Memorial are not about taking a quick look and moving on. They are about reflection, respect and remembering the men who went forward and never came back. Standing there, taking that in, was one of the most important moments of the whole trip.
From Spean Bridge, I headed into Glencoe, and once again Scotland delivered. The mountain range there is on another level. Massive scenery, serious presence and the kind of location that makes you stop talking and just take it in. Glencoe always has weight to it. It is one of those places that feels powerful the second you arrive.
I then camped for the night in Kinlochleven, which was the perfect way to round off the Scottish leg of the journey. A night outdoors, in a proper setting, before making the final run south.
From there, I travelled back through the Lake District and then finally home to Plymouth, closing out a trip that was packed with adventure, scenery, challenge and perspective.
https://youtu.be/1O0c9AgktaI?si=_5USBgTg5gxXsJLT
There is a reason the North Coast 500 road trip has built such a strong reputation. It gives you a bit of everything.
You get:
But what makes it really stand out is the variety. One moment you are walking out to a remote bothy. The next you are standing at a war memorial. Then you are in Glencoe, on Skye, or sitting with a coffee looking out at scenery that most people only ever see in photos.
That is what makes the NC500 in Scotland more than just a scenic drive. Done properly, it becomes a full experience.
One of the biggest things that makes trips like this possible for me is building income streams that are not tied to one fixed location all the time.
That flexibility matters.
I enjoy being outdoors, travelling, exploring and documenting the journey, and having an online business alongside that gives me more freedom to do it. It gives me a way to build around my lifestyle rather than always having to build my life around one place.
That is one of the reasons I am so open about what I am doing online. For me, it is about creating more options, more flexibility and more room to actually live.
If you want to see what I am building and how it fits around travel and current commitments, you can have a look here:
https://www.LiveGoodTour.com/Stevenkelly
I am not interested in pretending everything happens overnight, because it does not. But I am interested in building things that create more freedom over time, and that is exactly why it fits so well with the kind of life and travel I want.
This trip was a reminder of why I do what I do.
The North Coast 500 gave me wild scenery, adventure, challenge, time to think, and some unforgettable stops along the way. From Kearvaig Cove Bothy and Smoo Cave to the Golden Eagle Zipline, Clashnessie Falls, Isle of Skye, Spean Bridge, Glencoe and Kinlochleven, every part of the route brought something different.
Then finishing it all with the drive through the Lake District and back home to Plymouth gave the whole thing a proper ending.
If you have ever thought about doing the NC500, my advice is simple: do it properly. Take your time. Get off the obvious path when you can. See the iconic places, but also make room for the quieter moments. That is where a lot of the value is.
And if you want to follow more of my adventures, hikes, road trips and outdoor lifestyle, keep an eye on the videos linked above, because that is where you will see the full journey unfold.
Yes. If you enjoy road trips, outdoor adventure, hiking, wild scenery and exploring Scotland, the NC500 is absolutely worth it. It offers some of the best landscapes and road travel in the UK.
You can drive the route quickly, but that misses the point. If you actually want to enjoy it, stop properly, hike, explore and take in places like Smoo Cave, Skye and Glencoe, give yourself enough time to do it properly.
For me, some of the standout moments were Kearvaig Cove Bothy, Smoo Cave, Clashnessie Falls, the Golden Eagle Zipline, Isle of Skye, the Commando Memorial at Spean Bridge and Glencoe.
Definitely. That is one of the best ways to do it. Adding places like the Cairngorms, Skye, Spean Bridge and Glencoe makes the whole journey even stronger.
Follow me for more outdoor adventures, survival content and life on the road:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stevenkelly29
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@survival_ste
X: https://x.com/survival_ste
Want more adventure content, road trips, survival stories and behind-the-scenes updates?
Make sure you subscribe to my email list on the website so you do not miss future blogs, videos and updates.
