page_title: North Coast 500
section_title: Route
hierarchical_section_title: North Coast 500 / Route
caption_attribution_description: English: Kylesku Bridge, north-west Scotland
context_page_description: The North Coast 500 is a 516-mile scenic route around the north coast of Scotland, starting and ending at Inverness Castle. The route is also known as the NC500 and was launched in 2015, linking many features in the north Highlands of Scotland in one touring route.
  The route has increased visitor numbers to parts of the north of Scotland, which has brought economic benefits to some areas. The increase in traffic has also led to more instances of bad and dangerous driving, as well as damage to the roads and concerns about the environmental impact.
context_section_description: The route runs through the traditional counties of Inverness-shire, Ross and Cromarty, Sutherland and Caithness. 
  Working clockwise, the route starts at Inverness and runs via Muir of Ord, Applecross (including the Bealach na Bà), Gairloch, Ullapool, Scourie, Durness, Thurso, John o'Groats, Wick, Dunrobin Castle, Dingwall then back to Muir of Ord and Inverness. The route of the North Coast 500 takes in many areas of the North Highland Way, a walking route along Scotland's North Coast.
caption: The Kylesku Bridge carrying the A894 across Loch a' Chàirn Bhàin between Lochinver and Durness
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