Day 6: Highland scenery & ferry to the Orkney Islands

Thursday 18th August - 2022

Day 6: Today, from the whitewashed Ullapool, we drove the far remote Northwest coast of the Scottish mainland - doing the North Coast 500. Taking in the incredible rugged coast and scenery on roads that were no wider than our coach at many stages.

What is the North Coast 500? The North Coast 500 (NC500) is named this way because it is around 500 miles long. In fact, it is an 830-kilometre (516-mile) long scenic route. This complete circuit winds its way along the coastline of the north Highlands.

It was launched and branded as the 'Scottish Route 66' in 2015 and has grown in popularity since. The route is dotted with historic sights, charming fishing villages, and whisky distilleries.

(Above) Travelling along the North Coast 500 - you can expect these kind of sights almost around every corner.

You can also expect an impressive natural backdrop to it all. The entire route is dotted with gold sand beaches awash with turquoise waters, heather-covered hills, and rocky cliffs with sweeping sea views.

Today, we traveled a distance of only 160 miles or 257 kms, actual driving time 5 1/2 hours which works out to be approximately 30 mph or 48 kms per hour, not too shabby under the conditions.

(Above) Gary concentrating behind the wheel of our brand new C·I·E coach that has only covered 22,000 miles or 35,500 kms almost brand new, hardly run in.

We rotate all the passenger seats every day on the coach and today it was my first opportunity to be up the front with the driver and what a day to snag the best seat in the house.

(Above) The 'North Coast 500' road is unique, as you can see by the way the motorcyclists are waiting for us in the passing bay.

The scenery on today’s North Coast 500 road (A838) was breathtaking, spectacular, rugged, expansive, exquisite, inspiring, awesome, challenging, all of the above plus some.

(Above) Arriving in the seaside coastal town of Durness

(Above) The coastal town of Durness has a strong connection to singer, songwriter and Beatles member, John Lennon. He spent his boyhood seaside holidays there. It is said that he wrote the song 'In My Life' about his early memories in Durness.

Earlier on in the morning the weather was very overcast, later on around midday the sun came out from behind the clouds & we enjoyed glorious weather for the rest of the journey right up until we arrived here at the Orkney Islands this evening.

(Above) A local family in the old style general store, once they knew l was an Aussie wanted to know if l wanted to go surfing with them at there local beach at Thurso where they regularly surf.

(Above) Some sections of the road are only as wide as out tour bus. Our driver Gary has to concentrate every inch of the way.

(Above) Our ferry, the MV Alfred, awaits us at the Gills Bay Ferry Terminal to transport our C·I·E Tour Group motorcoach to the Orkney Islands.

(Above) Our ferry, the MV Alfred, awaits us at the Gills Bay Ferry Terminal to transport our C·I·E Tour Group motorcoach to the Orkney Islands.

Ready for our 10km journey across the Pentland Firth from Gills Bay in Caithness on the northern tip of Great Britain to St Margaret’s Hope in South Ronaldsay, Orkney.

(Above) Our C·I·E Tour Group motorcoach onboard the Pentland ferry MV Alfred and headed for the Orkney Islands off the northern tip of the Scottish mainland.

It was a 1-hour ferry trip on enclosed waters of the Pentland Firth from Gills Bay to St Margaret’s Hope in South Ronaldsay, Orkney.

We spend two local nights at the Kirkwall Ayre Hotel on Orkney and we get a chance to explore around the main island tomorrow.

Warbo