Applecross & the Bealach na Bà
Britain's steepest road, a pub that serves langoustines with a view of Skye, and a peninsula so remote it feels like an island. Applecross is what the NC500 was built for.
Best Time
May – October
Recommended Stay
1 Night
Getting There
Bealach na Bà or coastal road
Known For
Steepest road + seafood
For centuries, the only way to reach Applecross was by boat or by the Bealach na Bà — a drove road used to move cattle across the peninsula. The road was upgraded in the 1970s but it still feels like an adventure. Hairpin bends, 20% gradients, and a summit that\'s often in cloud. The reward: a village that feels cut off from the world, a pub that serves some of the best seafood in the Highlands, and views of Skye from a terrace with a pint in your hand.
What to Experience
Bealach na Bà (Pass of the Cattle)
The third-highest road in Scotland at 626m, and the steepest. The approach from Lochcarron climbs 626m in 9km through a series of hairpin bends. The view from the top, when the clouds allow, is one of the best in Scotland — Skye's Cuillin ridge on the horizon, Raasay and Rona in the middle distance, and the Applecross peninsula below. Not suitable for large motorhomes or nervous drivers. The alternative is the coastal road from Shieldaig — longer but gentler.
💡 Check the weather before attempting. The pass closes in snow. Low gear on the way down — your brakes will cook if you ride them.
Applecross Inn
One of the most famous pubs on the NC500. Seafood landed in the bay. Langoustines, crab, scallops, and venison from the estate. The dining room looks over the water to Skye. Book ahead for dinner — it's small and fills up fast. Even if you're not eating, stop for a pint on the terrace.
💡 Book at least a week ahead for dinner in summer. The langoustines are the signature dish.
Sand Beach
A crescent of pale sand on the north side of the peninsula, reached by a single-track road from Applecross village. On a clear day the sand looks almost white. The water is the North Atlantic — don't expect it to be warm. Seals haul out on the rocks at low tide. Often empty even in summer.
💡 Park at the small car park. 5-minute walk to the beach. No facilities.
Coastal Walk to Toscaig
A 6-mile round trip along the coast from Applecross village to the tiny hamlet of Toscaig. Views of Skye and Raasay the whole way. The path is clear but can be boggy. Toscaig has about 10 houses and a small harbour. The sense of remoteness is what you're here for.
💡 3-4 hours. Start from Applecross village. Wear boots — the path crosses wet ground.