Blown Away, By the North Coast 500 route, Scotland
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- Опубліковано 20 сер 2024
- The route that circles around Scotland’s top north highlands has always been there, but never got a name, until not so long ago. Now, known as the North Coast Route 500, this natural itinerary moved in the limelight, and was nicknamed Scotland’s Route 66.
This may sound daunting, but we have just been on a trip that strikes the perfect balance between planning and spontaneity, and is not to mention one of the most beautiful places we have ever encountered.
If you want to take it easy and spend time at every attraction, you’ll need 7 days and a cheap car rental, and that’s all it will take to experience a whole new world
Some great spot you’ll find along the road:
Day 1 Some spectacular sights, starting in the northernmost city in the UK, called Inverness. Bordered by rolling hills and castle ruins at Loch Ness, it’s as beautiful as it is mysterious.
Stop at the Dunrobin Castle is just as beautiful. Everything about it, the gardens, spires and turrets makes it look like a castle that comes straight out of a fairy-tale, while Disney looks dismal in comparison.
Just a short drive away is the Carn Liath, a prehistoric structure that takes you back to the iron age when it was originally built. Only 19 metres in diameter, it’s easy to get a real sense of the place and admire it in its entirety.
DAY 2: Brora to Thurso
Wake up early and do a little bit of exploring in Brora, known for its golden sandy beaches and array of sea life. Dolphins, Minke whales and seals are regular visitors.
Grey Cairns of Camster. These rare Neolithic stone tombs are definitely worth a visit. They hold immense historical value that were built over 5000 years ago, unveiling many secrets of that time.
Characterized by immense cliff stacks, this impressive path leads to the remote Duncansby Head lighthouse. Perched on the corner of a sheer drop.
Port Lybster is a fun stop over for who lover lighthouses.
DAY 3: Thurso to Durness
Scotland is scattered with hundreds of these historical ruins, of both enchanting castles and landhouses. Another one to look out for is Castle Varig, which is well worth a short hike up a neighbouring hill that offers the best viewpoint of the castle, and a nearby loch.
Secondly, an assortment of wildlife tours that take you to the perfect vantage points, where you can view the stunning local Puffins up close.
Durness: the best artisan chocolate in all of Scotland, at the Cocoa Mountain Café and Chocolatier, and when paired with one of their famous coffee blends, you may just want to stay here all day.
Smoo cave is truly exceptional, making it onto our list of top 5 experiences along the NC 500. It’s unique in that it’s formed by two caves, one fresh-water cave and one sea-water cave, linking together as one. The entrance has been formed by the action of the sea, whereas the inner chambers are freshwater passages, and if you dare enter the cave, you’ll be rewarded with the sight of a spectacular waterfall.
DAY 4: Durness to Ullapool
Achmelvich beach is by far the best place to chill, with its soft white sand and pristine clear blue waters that could easily match those of the Maldives (except for the temperature).
DAY 5: Ullapool to Torridon
Ullapool is a popular holiday destination for the Scots, and although it’s relatively big and touristy, it has its own unique charm that’s worth experiencing. When the crowds get too much, jump back into nature to see one of the natural wonders of the Highlands - Corrieshalloch Gorge.
DAY 6: Torridon to Strathpeffer
Torridon boasts some of the most picturesque landscapes we’ve had the pleasure of seeing with our own eyes, and the perfect finale to a memorable trip. Wake up early and let the sunlight reveal it to you.
Once you’ve had a chance to take it all in, head over to a peninsula called Applecross, made up of small-scale food producers. It’s relatively unknown to tourists and is home to a number of gems if you take the time to explore the community.
Then to end the roadtrip off on a high, take a turn onto the Bealach na Ba road, meaning “The Pass of the Cattle”. This is by far one of the most impressive roads in the UK, with remarkable views of , the whole of Skye, and the Islands of Rum and the Outer Hebrides while the road wind towards Strathpeffer.
DAY 7: Strathpeffer to Inverness
Waking up in Strathpeffer, knowing it’s your final day, can’t help but make one feel slightly heart sore. However, there’s nothing quite like a spa day to make you feel better, and it just so happens that that town is known for its Spas.
by: Roxanne Boyes
Film and edit: Caspar Daniël Diederik
Protagonist: Enza di Lecce
storytravelers.com
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I live right on the NC500 and have always known how blessed I am to live in such a beautiful part of the world. You really did a truly wonderful job of showcasing the landscape, the people and the way of life. I too was blown away but in my case it was by the quality of your film-making. Really creative footage and beautifully assembled into a stunning audio-visual treat. Right up there with the very best. Thank you.
You are blessed! thank you for your kind words!
The Highlands speak for themselves but this video is excellent! The imagery and accompanying music is very well done. What an impressive work!
Glad you enjoyed it!
I was born in Inverness, lived in the highlands all my life. That video left me speachless, beautiful work! Thank you for showing this part of Scotland so elegantly to the rest of the world! 🏴
Thank you for watching and your kind words, Scotland has a special place in our hearts
Absolutely stunning piece of art...possibly the most beautiful short road movie I have seen.
That's the greatest thing we've heard in a while .. thank you so much Amiram
Scotland beautiful country, beautifully filmed.
Thank you MArtin that's great to hear. Thank you for watching :)
Did you have ANYTHING to do with the pink Floyd video, ( crazy diamond ) with Scottish scenery as backdrop ??
Wow. I didnt just watch that. I felt it. #BlownAway. Could be the most beautiful 3 mins of footage I've seen. 👏
Oh Wow, that makes us shy :)
Went to Scotland to see my grandfathers house and 2 churches that distant grandfathers were pastors of and was blown away by the kindness of the people and how stunning the country was! I'm not kidding when I say that after I met the Scottish people, I came back to be a better person to my fellow man/woman! I was so proud to have come from Scotland ! Great video and thanks for posting it! I will be riding the Scotland 500 next year! All the best from California
Monte Whitefield it’s a magic place
@@STORYTRAVELERS All these years and I had no idea!!! Cheers
Superb video showing some of Scotland's amazing scenery at its best with Ancient monuments and rugged and beautiful coastline,for those who truly love amazing landscapes, Scotland is the place to come and see!!..I have just come back from a wonderful two week holiday touring part of the NC500 and now appreciate my homeland more than ever. Thanks for this wonderful presentation of SCOTLAND!!
Hey Daniel, thanks for the great comment and glad to hear you've been exploring your homeland - it's one of the most spectacular places in the world! We will be back too!
STUNNING
Thank you, chers!
Absolutely beautiful film. Loved it.
Thank you so much Dougie!
STORYTRAVELERS 😉
Stunning ❤❤❤❤
Really enjoyed. Thx so much for this video. SCOTLAND I miss you so much. Heartily greetings from Germany
Yes it is in our hearts too!
بلد جميل جدا مع طبيعة خلابة ومياه جارية
Super voyage
These hard tugs at my deeper roots; I know now that this forty-five year home of mine, the Yukon, Canada, is from these roots too, even though you are so far away from me. But we do share much; our rocks just not so smoothed by time that has been yours. In this blood, mine, half French Canadian, some good quarter Irish, and the bigger rest of me, Scottish of just some six generations, understanding what is truly ‘home’ takes a little extra time. My Scottish quarter, a big one at that, tugs hard when I see your remarkable video, whispering to me sweet and clearest messages of home. My tears flow as I cry for feet that long ago, and today, hike over this glorious land of yours. Love it always!, as I feel you do, and keep firm that hold on your Scotland; on what it is that makes your tears come forth in love of a country and a land that you call HOME!
Thank you for your poetic words JR. The feel of ancient civilizations is right here
Yes, and I do dream that one day, some day, I’ll make it to your rocky shores. When I do, one problem will arise for certain... I’ll be stuck, and be found, finally, at long last, holding fast for the rest of my life! :-)
@@quinsey8655 every man has a quest
AMAZING video combined with a great soundtrack!! I`m fully convinced, NC500 to the bucket list!! Well done, thank you for sharing such jewel!! Keep it up!
Nelio Afonso thank you so much for your kind words and appreciation!
Nelio Afonso-As someone who was born & raised in Scotland, I can tell you if you ever manage to visit Scotland you won't regret it, it's a beautiful country. The Isle of Skye in particular is to me the most beautiful place I've ever seen, & is my favourite place in the world.
@@sherlockfan2000 Thank you so much, definitely I will go there.
Stunningly beautiful as always. Inspiring for both travel and filmmaking. We're actually winding up a month in Scotland now. We didn't get up to the NC500 but we LOVE Scotland and the Scots! - Henry
Oh you won't regret! It's truly mesmerizing!
Scotland stole our hearts :)
which part of the world do you stay?
When would you say is good time to go when it is quite ;-)
Excellent video, must have taken some putting together. Looking forward to a visit in Sept.
You will enjoy! Thanks for the appreciaton!
That was brilliant 👌
Great to hear, thank you for watching!
Truly beautiful thanks for posting :)
Our pleasure!
Super nice video! Bravo!!
Thank you Samuel!
Beautifully edited. Can’t see how people can dislike it.
Thanks Christian! It's only the positives that count.
This is amazing! Beautiful work! Thank you for sharing this! I am in awe of your cinematography . Truly excellent!
Thank you much, comments like this make us moving forward!
Great videography & some stunning places! Great job!
Cheers Stephen! Thanks for watching :)
love this! great vid
Thank you!!
Good job; best video - and music - for the NC500 route I've come across on UA-cam; you've captured the epic scenery and its essence well
Thanks Erik, that makes us very happy! :D
Beautiful location, beautifully captured and presented.
Thanks Donny, great to hear! It is definitely beautiful out there!
Epic journey, a must to do on my list.
Go for it man. You won't regret it!
Fantastic video. It really encapsulates and encourages soul fulfilling travel. Very good editting and what a sound track!
we're glad your receive your appreciation!
Nice!
2:36 surreal like paradise!! great job as always Caspar!!!
Yes it's beautiful. Thanks Cristian!
Fantastic video, captures Scotland beautifully.
Thanks Mr M4, beautiful country!
Really appreciate you sharing such a wonderful experience , thnx 🙏
Thanks for watching Bhupi! :)
Stunning.
Thanks Nathan!
Wow, the footage is so gorgeous! I would love to visit this place someday.
Please do and give yourself a huge present
So would I, and I live there!
Thank you for a great story told in film and picturesque views. I plan on going there is May so hopefully might get back to you on where certain places I liked in your vid for myself to visit,
Ray Keogh thanks for your comment! You won’t regret visiting!
That video was truly inspirational.
Thank you so much!
Fabulous video. You are very talented!!
Thank you David, always great to receive appreciation!
Beautiful !!!!!!
Thank you for watching :)
Usually do the NC500 by motorbike but this really shows you a lot of bits you wouldn't normally see. Seriously well put together.
Thanks David, such a great attraction for Scotland to have!
Beautiful!
Thank you! glad you enjoyed it!
beautiful video, really well edited. brings back great memories.
Thanks for this Neil, we have great memories of the NC500 too!
Thank you for sharing this content we love it! We looking forward to see more of your work. Enjoy your day!
Awesome to hear, thanks a lot!
Great video
Thanks a lot!
So artfully done! Last year I visited the west coast, Isle of Skye, Glasgow and Edinburgh. Next time it’s going to be this trip!
Thank you, much appreciated! It's such a wonderful journey
This is simply breathtaking and Inspiring 👌🏿❤️
I hope you get the chance to visit too. Thanks :)
nice work 👌🏽
Big up
Beautifully video - showing off some beautiful parts of this country. I'm hoping to make the trip in September and this definitely helped motivate me to get it planned. Thanks for sharing
Hi Stuart, glad we could inspire you and hope you made it out to this stunning route!
yeah blown away by your skills. thumbs up
Thank you so much that keeps us going
Amazing 😍. Thanks !...
Most welcome!
Defo 100
This is quality.Sick cinematography and the transitions were soooooooooo good man.
thank you so much Shea
Incredible videos! Hope to create art like this someday
Thank you so much Quinn.. just go for it and follow your path :)
Brilliant!!!!
Thank you for watching guys!
Wow! what a beautiful video, planning on doing the NC500 next year in our campervan, after seeing this I wish it was this year!
You won't regret!
Great!!
🙏
Great job guys!
Thank you!
Heaven on earth
Blown away by this spectacular jewel on earth.
Clear the airway, and make dreams come true. Sheer pleasure.
So glad you enjoyed it. It's a migical place
Beautiful video!
Thank you Ruud!
Been following you guys for a while and I am a big fan. This one was a gem 👌🏻 well done Caspar
Thank you so much Kiril, great to have you here! Much appreciated
Really enjoyed this, I must get round to driving this route.
It's one of the most amazing routes ever driven!
Beautifully shot and colour graded. Would love to go some day 🙌
Thank you for you comment!, you will love it!
Some serious editing there, beautiful
Thanks for the appreciation Steven!
Great stuff!
Cheers :)
An amazing video! Shared :)
Thank you Katrina, great to get your support
great shots nicely edited!!!
Thank you so much. glad you enjoyed it
Very nice
Thanks a stack
damn u deserve atleast a million subs bro. great work !
Haha, we totally agree! Thanks biswajit :)
I see this all the time am from scotland
Stunning ❤️🏴
Thank you so much!
Great video 👍🏻I did it last week with a mate and it is epic! 🏍
Sporticus 50 just did it too.wild camped on durness beech .weather was ok too.will do again next year
Awesome, you won't forget that in a hurry! :D
Sounds like a great adventure Rob!
My My This shows Scotland as it really is .
That's great you reckon so!
Love my country
We too!
Beautiful
Thank you :)
Thank you
Stunning as always Caspar.
Thank you so much buddy, glad to hear!
Oh i want to cycle it! :)
Haha, good idea Scott, no easy challenge but we're sure you'll have a spectacular time!
I drove 100 miles of the 500 at 150 MPH and its beautiful
Thank you madam
Great you must have enjoyed it!
Wauw, damn great editing man!
Cheers Koen!
Wow STUNNING video! I was recently up on the Isle of Skye, i'm dying to do this road trip :)
Ohh we didn't get the chance to go to Skye.. certainly next next. Thanks for you appreciation!
Thank you so much :) We still have to check that out!
Wow
Im off to here tomorrow!.
Hey KHurban, lucky you, hope you're having an awesome time!
Bauitiful
Thanks for watching Duncan! :)
2.31 wow!
An then we flew over the rainbow :)
Blows your mind doesn't it?
for sure.. it moved us truly
Let's hope the organisers of the #NC500 have addressed during the 2017/18 winter the huge swathe of concerns raised about its hugely negative impact on the local communities along the route. But I doubt they've even lifted a finger. If you're doing NC500 this year and meet with local antagonism, there's a reason why.
It's a shame to hear people are unhappy and will have to find out more about it John!
STORYTRAVELERS From last Spring, ie reporting does not take account of 2017 summer. NC500 likely to have been even busier after all the promotion it’s had. www.thetimes.co.uk/article/tourists-ruining-the-north-coast-500-rvsq9hnhf
Amazing, the (i presume) hand held shots are so stable! What kit did you use? Again, amazing work!
Hi Claire, thanks, A Gimbal called Helix and also A drone. Glad you're watching!
Route 66 has nothing on the NC500
You mean that it's very different?
I am blown away by your video! Thanks for making it. Your video technique is truly inspiring (makes me think I should put my videocam away!). I am still no more advanced than iMovie. When you say "powered by VisitScotland" what does that mean? Great video I am keen to share! Subscribing now. Thanks for sharing it. :)
Hi Terry, thanks for watching and please don't put your videocam away, keep playing and exploring and making unique things :) We partnered with VisitScotland and other tourism organisations to be able to go there and create this film. Thanks for subscribing and I'm sure you will enjoy our other videos! :)
big, big...BIG fan of your vidz! Good job! ;) Very peaceful!
Are you using GenArts Sapphire with Premiere?Hope to be able to make videos like urs
Enjoy!
HEY GA..Thanks a lot! It's edited with FCPX.. I sincerely don't know GenArts
NORTHEAST250 next video👍
Good video and drone work, not a fan of the 'NC500' its brought NEDS in sports car doing burnouts at Applecross to high speed driving followed by crashes.
Scotland has stacks scenery most best places are on the water,around west coast and highland islands-lochgilphead am fae loch -fyne ,and the bloody rest and be thankful has flooded again,only thing about the landscape it will punish if u get caught out
Felt very inspired by the whole film, I'm frequent visitor to the highlands but have never made it above Inverness. I want to go on a road trip now up there, it would be a dream to put something together like this, very talented film making indeed. Can I ask, were all the sound effects filmed on your camera or were they added in post ? what ground camera did you use and did you use ND filters with the drone ? was there a theme you used as far as your colour grading was concerned ..and finally if there was one place or moment on the route that was your favourite what was it ?
PS: Is it in post that you apply that effect where the camera quickly jumps forward or is that a setting on the camera itself ?
Hi there. thanks for the appreciation, that is nice to receive: As for the sound: often I record sounds myself with a zoom mic to record them more purely. The they're added in post. Also we have an extensive library of sounds, these are available online. A Sony A7sII was used with various lenses Sony and Canon. When it's bright yes an ND is wise to use as it lowers the framerate and so delivers a more fluent image. I indeed used a LUT, I remember having used some of the Ascend collection of Color Grading Central. That must be the west coast from Scourie down to Torridon, Apple Cross. At the west coast the Cairns, Dunrobin caste and Duncansby head. Good luck!
@@STORYTRAVELERS Thanks so much for taking the time out to share the info ...I've watched it numerous times now, linked it to a couple of forums and shown my own kids. I've been drone flying for a while but I am becoming more interested in the art of actual film making and this was on-point of what I really love ...that fly on the wall feel, not staged, not pretentious, just a really beautiful and inspiring piece of film making, something any couple would love to show their grand kids one day. I'm off to do the NC500 myself on Sunday, I have between 2-3 weeks up there, Scotland pulls me every time I need to get away and find that missing something, I'm hoping this trip answers some questions for me but I can already feel my own spirits lifted already at the thought of the adventure ahead thanks to your film ...and seeing parts of Scotland I haven't seen before. I'm intrigued to know, did you story board any of it or was it literally a timeline of your trip with everything in sequence, or just impromptu bits of film put together very well in post ? did you plan the "knocks at the door" and off the cuff moments or were they spontaneously filmed, was wondering also if it was a bit candid camera where you were discreet with your filming when you captured random strangers...also Zachary David is such an awesome artist for the soundtrack, you could of used so many of his pieces, I'm already looking at Sierra, Coming Home, Moving On, River and The Great Adventure as potential soundtracks. Can you just tell me, one last question sorry ...at 49 seconds, what is the transition you use, is that done in FCP ? ...is the sound effect separate or is the whole effect a plug in ? Thanks again :) PS: love the colour grading at 1:53, can you remember what Lut that was by any chance ?
@@scottishdroneservices6168 you're most welcome. Thanks for linking and sharing! In this case the story was a couple on a road trip. We let ourselves be surprised by the immense beauty of the place and the inspiration come by itself. Often we have a rough idea in advance yes.. that helps shaping your video. Filming strangers is an art, have an open approach, ask them too if it ok. Surely there's shots in many of the videos we make where we didn't ask anything and just shot. But we try to involve local people. The transition on 0:49 is a zoom effect: plugin called mTransition zoom. I looked up the lut and it's the Tetrachrome 400 LUT from Color Grading central in the Impulz package. Enjoy your trip, you'll have lot of inspiration.
Well thanks again @@STORYTRAVELERS, I'm off on the NC500 + Skye later today with a Mavic Air / Sony A6000 + Kit Lens and a GoPro so lets see what I get, maybe a bit of snow, frost and fog here and there will be nice ...thanks again for the inspiration. PS: The clip mentioned at 0:49 and again at 1:54, what is the actual process of creating that ? ..is there any speed change involved or is it literally just a custom transition ..I purchased the mTransition zoom pack but to date i can't really quite get it right, I guess the choice of the next clip is an important factor ...at times when i've seen this done in other places its almost like a portion of the clip is sped up and a whoosh sound effect has been added. Is there an actual name for this type of effect as I am seeing it more and more this year ? Keep up the great work
@@STORYTRAVELERS thought you might like to see what I came up with after my trip ...its a totally different perspective to yours but with a little inspiration ua-cam.com/video/VH5FTH4Y6iY/v-deo.html
Cycle Touring anyone?
wheres that on the opening scene ?>>
it's Called "Cairn Liath" a mile away form Dunrobin castle
Great video. What was the song you used?
Thanks! it's in the description!
What gear do you shoot on brother?!?!
A sony A7sII with several lenses (sony and canon)
Ah I knew it, am going to pick myself up a new A7sII for our studio in Nairobi now!! Thanks brother!!
thanks for featuring our island www.dryisland.co.uk at 0.25. Fantastic video absolutely stunning
Thanks and you're welcome, beautiful island, well spotted!
Quite an achievement. A road trip video with no roads in it.
Please watch again, you must have missed some clips. Thanks for watching!
love it whats the name of music?
Thank you it's in the titling!
have done 66 and 500 and amurica didnt get a look in.
Lovely video. Does anyone know the details of the backround tune at all?
Thank you..The name of the song it's in the credits and the video description!
@@STORYTRAVELERS I am sorry.. ofcourse it is in the credits. Thank you.. still admiring the production ;-)
Awesome video. Check out a couple of videos I have taken around the North Coast! Keep up the good work.
Thanks a lot for being here