Coming up: the most beautiful places on the North Coast 500, Highland Cows, winding roads, lonely mountains, villages with fewer than 500 people, some of my favorite places on the planet, and the 19 most Instagrammable locations on the North Coast 500.
The North Coast 500 sits in the far north of mainland Scotland.
… and the far north of mainland Scotland is one of the most photogenic places I’ve ever seen:
It features massive mountains, isolated landscapes, tiny villages, hidden-away lochs, single-track roads, secluded waterfalls, surprising animals, and landscapes that look like they were plucked from a different planet.
But where can you find the most photogenic spots? Where exactly should you stand? Can someone please give me the specific coordinates? And how can I hit up a varied combo of locations?
Coming up, all that and more—here are the 19 most Instagrammable locations on the North Coast 500!
1. Wailing Widow Falls
- What it is: a massive hidden-away waterfall flowing from a mountain loch
- Where it is: Assynt, relatively close to Lochinver
- When it looks best: after heavy rainfall
- Google Maps coordinates: 58.217645, -4.994326
Possibly the most beautiful waterfall in Scotland, and a hefty one. Measuring in at 15 meters (50 feet), this place is WAY less famous than you’d expect.
No one really knows where the falls get their name, but it’s possibly related to some guy who fell to his death while hunting deer here. Maybe.
Whatever the case, you should visit: the mountain landscapes of Assynt are rugged, barren, dramatic, and very lonely and secluded—I reckon this might just be the most attractive part of Scotland.
For the very best viewpoint, head to the bigger of the two car parks (that’s the most southern of the two Wailing Widow car park options)… and find the trail taking you to where the loch becomes the waterfall. Then, walk past where the waterfall drops, and look back to where you came from.
2. Duncansby Stacks
- What it is: two jagged sea stacks, just off the coast
- Where it is: the most northeasterly point of mainland Scotland
- When it looks best: sunrise
- Google Maps coordinates: 58.642516, -3.024539
I’ll be honest: I don’t think these are as scenic as some people like to reckon.
… but they’re one of the most photographed places on the North Coast 500, so I couldn’t leave them off this list.
A pair of sea stacks, strolling to these is an accessible but pretty walk. A good option for people who don’t have the energy for a hilly hike, it takes 3 hours in total, and it includes the next entry on our list…
3. Duncansby Lighthouse
- What it is: a yellow-and-white lighthouse that looks like something from a Wes Anderson movie
- Where it is: just north of Duncansby Stacks
- When it looks best: sunrise
- Google Maps coordinates: 58.643527, -3.025198
Very close to Duncansby Stacks, I think this place is more interesting than its rocky nearby neighbor.
This is the most northeasterly point of mainland Scotland, and the lighthouse here was constructed by the Stevenson family (who are well-known for building many iconic Scottish lighthouses).
For even more edge-of-a-cliff architectural marvels, here’s our list of the 15 best lighthouses in Scotland.
4. Bealach na Bà
- What it is: a famous mountain pass with many winding curves
- Where it is: the southwestern corner of the North Coast 500
- When it looks best: with as little traffic as possible (so, early in the morning)
- Google Maps coordinates: 57.412075, -5.701775
Probably the most famous part of the entire North Coast 500 (some people reckon this is where the route truly begins and ends!), the Bealach Na Ba is iconic.
Simultaneously a photographer’s dream and a driver’s nightmare, this curvy and chaotic switchback-packed single-track ride lasts around 10 miles (16km). Just when you think you’ve hit the last tight corner, you see three more on the horizon.
5. Ullapool harbor
- What it is: a busy small-town mountain-backed harbor
- Where it is: in the town of Ullapool, in the middle of the west coast
- When it looks best: sunset, or when there are many boats in the water (ideally, you might be able to get both at the same time)
- Google Maps coordinates: 57.894251, -5.162145
Every North Coast 500 visitor falls in love with Ullapool.
Surprisingly the biggest settlement on the west coast of the NC500 route, it has a population of only around 1,500 people (yep, that’s how isolated and remote much of far-northern Scotland is!)
But it’s packed with lovely stuff. You get coastal campsites, a little beach, friendly locals, and lots of charm-ya-pants-off places to eat and drink. Oh, and you get a nice photogenic harbor. Highly recommended for a couple of days!
6. The Cnoc na Croiche viewpoint
- What it is: a beautiful view of Ullapool from above
- Where it is: the outskirts of Ullapool
- When it looks best: sunset (but any time is good)
- Google Maps coordinates: 57.902588, -5.150544
Very close to the previous entry—but this one isn’t a view from Ullapool; it’s a view of Ullapool.
As you can see, the pretty panorama gives you Ullapool, the sea, the harbor, and some distant peaks. Town views aren’t normally this varied!
7. Close to the peak of Stac Pollaidh
- What it is: one of the best hikes in Scotland
- Where it is: just north of Ullapool
- When it looks best: any time!
- Google Maps coordinates: 58.043472, -5.203766
Pronounced “Stack Polly,” this is my favorite half-day Scottish hike.
Yep, it’s not the #1 most scenic place in Scotland (though it’s not far off!), but considering you can tick this entire hike off within 2 or 3 hours, it’s a massively impressive wander.
In terms of effort compared to payoff, you won’t find anything better. And because it’s only an intermediate hike, you don’t need loads of experience to do it.
8. Achmelvich Bay
- What it is: possibly the most impressive mainland beach in Scotland
- Where it is: west coast, just north of Lochinver
- When it looks best: sunset—but any time is great
- Google Maps coordinates: 58.170078, -5.310976
One of the route’s most well-known beaches (though still a lot quieter than you’re probably expecting), Achmelvich Bay will make you realize why you don’t need to hit the Mediterranean coast for nice European beaches.
A big spot for swimming, fishing, kayaking, kite surfing, paddle boarding and snorkeling, it’s also (understandably!) popular with photographers.
For more beaches and bays, here’s our guide to the best swimming spots on the North Coast 500.
9. Plockton
- What it is: a charming little fishing village with a population of fewer than 500 people
- Where it is: just off the NC500, close to the Isle of Skye
- When it looks best: on a still day, when the boats go out to fish
- Google Maps coordinates: 57.341956, -5.644743
Okay, Plockton is a small detour from the North Coast 500. But it’s only a 30-minute drive west of Strathcarron (which is basically the southwestern pocket of the route), and it’s totally worth the trip.
Known as ‘the jewel of the highlands,’ it’s a tiny fishing village in a secluded bay, and it’s one of the most scenic settlements I’ve ever seen.
Head to the little pier (which is also the main pier), face the water, watch the boats come into view, and take some lovely photos.
You might even find some Scottish palm trees there!
10. Smoo Cave
- What it is: a popular-with-tourists limestone sea cavern—with boat trips!
- Where it is: the western part of the north coast, close to Durness
- When it looks best: any time!
- Google Maps coordinates: 58.563099, -4.720138
Despite being one of the most beautiful places in the world, the North Coast 500 doesn’t have a massive number of ‘typical’ tourist attractions.
… but this is one of them.
Great for family adventures, the boat trips through Smoo Cave are super photogenic. You’ll ride through the cave for around 30 minutes, hitting 3 separate chambers, and learning about history, geology, myths and legends.
If you don’t want to take a boat trip, you can just walk into the waterfall chamber—and nab some pretty nice photos from here. But you’ll get the best photos from a boat.
11. Strome Castle (on Loch Carron)
- What it is: a gimmicky-but-good hole in a wall
- Where it is: on the shores of Loch Carron, close to the similarly-named village of Lochcarron
- When it looks best: any time!
- Google Maps coordinates: 57.359064, -5.555864
This place isn’t super special, but it’s easy to reach and makes for a cool photo for Instagram.
The loch’s whole area is very photogenic, and the stretch between Strathcarron and Lochcarron is the prettiest part.
So, take some photos along this part of the route, take some photos when you reach Lochcarron, and (of course!) take some photos through the hole in Strome Castle’s wall.
12. Loch Maree
- What it is: a huge island-dotted loch
- Where it is: Torridon, close to Kinlochewe
- When it looks best: on a clear sunny day with no mist
- Google Maps coordinates: 57.631167, -5.349180 (for the lower view), and 57.626891, -5.365552 (for the higher view)
Scotland is home to more than 30,000 lochs.
… and of them all, this is one of my favorites:
It’s massive, it’s home to many birds, there are pine forest islands dotted around its depths, it’s backed by mountains, and it’s safe for swimming.
You have endless options for Loch Maree viewpoints, but I think the best two are those that have Slioch’s mountain peak right in the background of your shot. For both, head to the Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve Car Park at 57.630626, -5.348777.
From here, you can either head uphill onto a 30-minute steep mountain trail away from the loch, or you can head 1 minute from the car park to the very shores of the loch (where, obviously, the above photo is taken from). Both views are great.
13. The Quinag viewpoint
- What it is: a central point along a 3-peak hike
- Where it is: Assynt region, close to Lochinver
- When it looks best: on a blue clear non-misty day
- Google Maps coordinates: 58.216565, -5.066753
This is one of the best hikes in Scotland.
Pretty much all hikers agree that the Torridon and Assynt regions are the most atmospheric, interesting and dramatic in all of mainland Scotland.
… and on this walk, you’ll see why.
A challenging trek, this three-peak adventure is only suitable for experienced hikers—but if you are one, you get endless viewpoints, photo opportunities featuring many mountains and lochs, and lots of seclusion and solitude.
For an intermediate introduction to what Scotland’s mountains are really like, it doesn’t get much better.
On this hike, you’ll probably want to stop for photographs every three seconds. But I reckon the best view (coordinates above) is at an unnamed viewpoint between the two peaks known as ‘Sail Gorm’ and ‘Sail Gharbh’. Enjoy!
14. Balnakeil Beach
- What it is: a lovely beach!
- Where it is: the north coast, just west of Durness
- When it looks best: early in the morning when there’s nobody here (or at sunset)
- Google Maps coordinates: 58.586729, -4.769792
Another of the best beaches on the North Coast 500.
Big, vast, clean, and white, it’s great for walking and sunbathing, and for taking photos. There’s not a massive amount to do here, but that’s sort of the point.
When you’re finished at the beach, head to the ruins of the nearby church, then go to the village of Balnakeil to sip on a legendary hot chocolate from Cocoa Mountain cafe.
15. The view from Suilven’s peak
- What it is: the peak of one of Scotland’s most strange and unique mountains
- Where it is: east of Lochinver, in the middle of nowhere
- When it looks best: with clear skies
- Google Maps coordinates: 58.115342, -5.137349
This honestly might be the most photogenic place on our entire list.
Suilven is iconic among Scotland’s mountain hikers (fun fact: a movie was made about an attempted ascent).
Though the mountain isn’t very big (with a peak of 731 meters/2,340 feet), getting up here is tougher than most people expect. And that’s because the nearest car park sits around 6 miles (9.5 km) from the base of the mountain.
… so as you can see here, tackling the hike takes a total of around 8 hours. This is a full-day trip, but it’s totally worth the effort.
Make it all the way to the peak, and you’re rewarded with this view (and, of course, because the whole area is so scenic and remote, you get rewarded with lovely views for the entirety of the hike). Massively recommended!
16. Dunrobin Castle
- What it is: an elegant residential castle in the style of a French chateau
- Where it is: halfway along the east coast stretch of the route
- When it looks best: in spring or summer, when the gardens are at their fullest
- Google Maps coordinates: 57.981260, -3.944163
I’m not really into castles or old buildings or landscaped gardens, but even I think this place is pretty.
One of the east coast’s biggest highlights (cos the east-coast part of the NC500 is universally known as much less interesting than the other three sides), Dunrobin Castle is home to elegant and attractive interiors, museum exhibits, and occasional falconry displays—but you’ll get the best photos from the garden.
For more, here’s our guide to the 18 best castles in Scotland.
17. Glen Docherty viewpoint
- What it is: a perfect summary of what the NC500 is all about
- Where it is: Just east of Kinlochewe
- When it looks best: early in the morning when there’s no traffic
- Google Maps coordinates: 57.583306, -5.237392
I feel like this viewpoint sums up the route well:
In one Instagrammable shot, you get mountains, a forest, a big loch, and a winding road. And if that doesn’t sum up the route, I don’t know what does.
… and because you drive right by the viewpoint, it’s an easy photo to get. Park up, snap away, drive off—easy!
18. Sandwood Bay
- What it is: a secluded pink-sand beach with hefty dunes and a freshwater loch
- Where it is: the northwest coast, just west of Durness
- When it looks best: early in the morning, when no-one is around (sunrise is best!)
- Google Maps coordinates: 58.533402, -5.061080
The closest road to Sandwood Bay is that which leads to the tiny settlement of Shegra.
… and from the even-tinier car park here, it’s a 4.5-hour round trip hike to the beach and back. So that means lots of peace and quiet, very few people, and a lovely wander to a lovely place.
Sandwood Bay is massive, its colors are unique, and some people reckon it’s the UK’s most beautiful beach.
19. Loch Coulin and Loch Clair
- What it is: two connected-to-each-other lochs along a beautiful-but-easy walk
- Where it is: close to the west coast, between the villages of Torridon and Kinlochewe
- When it looks best: any time, but it’s very atmospheric when it’s a little misty
- Google Maps coordinates: 57.563278, -5.342556
The photo above is pretty nice… and the coordinates above will take you right to the spot where it was taken.
… but I could have chosen a million different photos here.
Loch Coulin and Loch Clair are connected to one another. And wandering around them is one of my favorite low-level Scottish hikes.
Along the walk, you can expect distant mountains, lonely houses, pretty forests, massive views without much effort, and loads of opportunities for Instagrammable photos.
A great hike for people who want excellent views without having to clamber up a massive mountain.
Bonus Choices, where we can’t give specific locations:
Before You Go
And we’re done! They’re the 19 most Instagrammable locations on the North Coast 500.
To sum up, my top 3 picks are:
… and for more Instagrammable Scottish sights, here’s my guide to a weird Scottish pyramid you never knew existed as well as my selection of the best places to visit in the Scottish Highlands.
For even more secret places in the nation here is a list of the best hidden gems in Scotland.
Thanks for reading, thanks for choosing Travelness, and I’ll see you again soon. Ciao for now!
