A North Coast Trail - Capercaillie Escapes

Escape to the North Coast of Scotland

Don’t just take our word for it…

We had the most fantastic weather which allowed us to see this remote part of Scotland at its best. Numerous hills to climb and beautiful beaches to walk on without anyone else. We based ourselves firstly by the village of Durness, a thriving crofting community in the county of Sutherland, which also gave us good access to explore the north coast trail eastwards into Caithness and famous John O’Groats, as well as westwards towards the wilderness of Cape Wrath.  Staying in outstanding Scottish accommodation at Mackay’s Rooms in Durness and being rewarded with a delicious traditional Scottish Breakfast certainly set us up for the day ready to explore.

Driving through the dramatic scenery in Sutherland is every photographers dream, some days we could only drive a few miles before needing to stop for the next photo.  We walked into Sandwood Bay, a vast isolated beach with sea stack to one end and climbed up Stac Pollaidh for exceptional views for miles. We made it to Cape Wrath which was an adventure, requiring a short ferry ride (ferry holding only 4 at a time!) followed by guided tour along the old road through Ministry of Defence to reach the old lighthouse and the most north-westerly point on the mainland.

Although relative novices, we also played a round of golf at Durness Golf club with a spectacular 9th hole ‘over the Atlantic’ – a superb experience.  Another day, as we made our way south hugging the west coast towards Auchiltibuie, we stopped at Lochinver and jumped on our bikes to the Old Man of Stoer – it was a hilly cycle but very rewarding with yet more stunning scenery.  On this part of the coast there are some real culinary surprises and so with fine dining at the Summer Isles Hotel in Auchiltibuie, a lunch stop at the The Old School House at Kinlochbervie and pub dinner at the Am Fuaran Bar and a fish supper in Ullapool there were plenty of options to eat (even though a few others had shut for the end of season!).

We had such a great trip, although could have happily stayed longer – next time we would love to explore the incredible Smoo Cave which unfortunately we couldn’t get to, as well as head out to Handa Island and the Summer Isles to see the thousands of seabirds and sea-life including puffins, seals and some whale-watching too.  The area is perfect for a long weekend or a longer trip away as it just has so much to offer for those who love the great outdoors, good food and dramatic scenery.

Feeling inspired?