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Enjoy a day exploring the scenic beauty of the Northern Highlands and travel to one of the most remote spots in Scotland; Applecross. As you journey along the southern stretch of the North Coast 500 - enjoy spectacular scenery, see a range of wildlife and experience the breath-taking Applecross Peninsula on your one day tour from Inverness.

We depart early in the morning and begin our day tour from Inverness to Applecross using the lower part of the North Coast 500 route, crossing the beautifully scenic Black Isle before stopping in the village of Lochcarron. Enjoy the views across Loch Carron and perhaps pick up a bite to eat, before we continue on to Achintraid. The small village enjoys views over Loch Kishorn and a magnificient mountain range on the opposite shore.

We then continue our journey, climbing upwards through dramatic landscape over the Bealach na Ba (Gaelic for Pass of the Cattle) which is also known as the Applecross Pass. The road is the third highest in Britain at over 2000 feet; we’ll pause for photos at the summit, so have your camera ready for those jaw-dropping views across Raasay and the Isle of Skye!

We then begin our descent to Applecross. Located on a beautiful bay, Applecross is full of natural wildlife, perfect for nature lovers! You may see otters, red kites, deer and perhaps pine martens! We’ll stop here for plenty of time to explore Applecross Village.

We then leave Applecross and begin our return journey to Inverness, with a relaxing drive along the banks of Loch Torridon, and through the Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve. This nature reserve is one of the oldest in Britain and is home to plenty of wildlife; you may even spot a golden eagle! Travelling on, our Applecross tour will make brief stops at the villages of Shieldaig and Kinlochewe on our way back to Inverness. Shieldaig is a small fishing village founded in 1800 and takes its name from the Viking word síld-vík which means “Herring Bay”. We pause here to admire the scenery and get some refreshments before moving along Loch Torridon and on to Kinlochewe. From here, we leave the NC500 route and head homeward bound to Inverness, where our Applecross tour ends.

Driver-Guides

Sandy Skye Expert

Andy

Tour Overview

Duration10hrs

Total Distance173 miles

Pick upRailway Terrace at 8:30am

Group size16 - 19

AvailabilityApril-September

Minimum ageTravellers need to be at least 4 years-old

Tour Highlight

Loch Carron

Kinlochewe

Part of North Coast 500

Shieldaig

Bealach na Ba Viewpoint

Applecross

Achintraid

There are no entry fees on this tour

A couple of things To know

Included

• Digital translations
• Knowledgeable Driver-Guide
• Luxury Modern air-conditioned coach

Not Included

• Food and Drink

Gorgeous scenery with a great guide

“This tour was absolutely fantastic. Everything we hoped for and more. Lots of wildlife, including highland cows, sheep of course, and deer. The tour guide, Luke, was very amiable, had great stories and great music. The scenery was amazing, and Luke was very flexible about stopping for photo ops. Don't miss this chance to see some of the best parts of the famous NC500, including the iconic bealach na ba. You will be very happy you booked this tour!”

K L, travelled June 2022 - Review from tripadvisor

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the departure point?

Your one day tour from Inverness departs from Railway Terrace, Inverness, IV1 1NW. 

You can view our departure point by clicking here.

Check-in opens 15 minutes prior to the stated departure time and closes 5 minutes prior to the stated departure time. We recommend that all passengers arrive in this window as tours must depart on schedule.

Are the optional extras included?

There are no optional extras for this tour.

Is the tour in English?

Yes, all of our tours are in English.

Your tour will be taken by an experienced, knowledgeable and friendly English-speaking Driver-Guide.

We offer digital translations of this tour. You can find the link for your translation on your confirmation email.

Digital translations are available for this tour in the following languages:

• French
• German
• Spanish
• Portuguese
• Italian
• Russian
• Chinese (Mandarin)

What should I bring with me?

As we like to give you as much time off the coach as possible with the opportunity for walks, we recommend you bring warm and/or waterproof clothing, wear comfortable walking shoes and take sun-block or a hat for sunny days.

Don't forget your camera to capture all the lovely scenery and wildlife you'll encounter on your tour!

Since we cannot allow hot food on our buses you could also bring a cold packed lunch with you to make the most of your time at each stop, this would be particularly time-saving in the busier months!

Can children travel on this tour?

We welcome children over 4 years old on our tours, and children aged between 4-16yrs are eligible for the concessionary rate.

We regret we are not able to carry children under the age of 4.

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