NC500 Extreme route Memorable MG Routes are not simply about the tactile pleasure of driving the road, particularly in an MG, but they are also about the interest along the route from the views on the road, places to visit, sights to see and of course refreshment at tea shops and pubs! The NC500 Extreme route was chosen by Ian and Shirley James and completed in Spring 2025 in their MG RV8 to finish the final stage of their major challenge of a circumnavigation of the coast roads of mainland Britain. They call this version of the route around the Highlands the NC500 "Extreme" as they set their goal of taking the closest road, track, unadopted road, beach, or tidal road to the sea. It was eventful at times but all above board and good fun. NC500 Extreme route See their 9 page article - it describes their challenging NC500 Extreme route and the interesting places they visited. Link A useful set of 13 maps created by Ian covers the sections of the route from Loch Lomond clockwise round to Durness, John O'Groats, Inverness and then down to Peterhead and Dundee and on to St Andrews and over the Forth Bridge to end in Edinburgh. Maps link Posted: 260714 Shirley & Ian James at John O'Groats Visit to Dunrobin Castle in Sutherland North Coast 500 route The NC500 was created in 2014 by the North Highland Initiative as a tourism venture to support isolated parts of Scotland. The route is more than 500 miles of remote stretches of road in stunning areas of the North Highlands which have become a major tourism attraction for visitors to Scotland with stunning scenery and places to visit, plus excellent accommodation, food and drink. The route has become popular. See our 5 page guide. Link Planning your tour of the North Highlands With any project it's essential to clarify your aims and intended outcomes and when planning a tour of the Highlands that's worth reviewing from the start. Probably the time you have available is a key factor in deciding how far into and around the Highlands your tour will go. Clarifying whether you want to go round the popular NC500 route simply enjoying the challenge of a 500 mile journey with the views alongside the route or whether you would prefer a leisurely drive, stopping frequently at many of the interesting and attractive places like castles, distilleries and stunning scenery. For some exploring interesting places off the tourist route with relaxed diversions into glens and over passes is particularly attractive, so considering a tour of around 10 days or two weeks averaging around 200 miles a day is an option with enjoyable overnight stops on the way. Another issue is when to make your visit to the Highlands and two factors are worth considering - the popular tourist periods and the weather. May is statistically a month with lower rainfall and the midge (Scotland's tourism secret) do not arrive until early June and selecting a period between the bank holiday periods in that month is wise. The next factor is the vehicle you use to make the tour particularly with single track roads with passing places. Modern cars are getting larger but they are comfortable and classic cars are a pleasure to drive. There is clear increase in the use of camper vans by visitors to the Highlands with many touring the Highlands. The single track roads and passing places can be demanding at popular times for tourists but a camper van does offer flexibility with where you stay during the tour with many attractive places to stop overnight. Two of our Memorable MG Routes cover two sections of the NC500 - one the Wester Ross Trail from Loch Carron to Ullapool and the other through Assynt to Lochinver - and they highlight interesting places to visit off the main route. We also have a note on the route over the Pass of the Cattle to Applecross. MMGR06 & MMGR08 & Applecross