NC500: 6 places to see in Inchnadamph, from Loch Assynt to the Bone Caves

Each year thousands of people travel the North Coast 500 in search of adventure. The 516 mile-long route helps you discover the best of the Highlands, from stunning coastal scenery to rugged mountains, mystical castles and hidden gems. 

The NC500 is one of the most beautiful road trips in the world - but it’s also so much more than that. A wealth of adventures are scattered off the beaten path, just waiting to be discovered. 

We share some of our favourite spots in and around Inchnadamph, Assynt, one of only a few spots on the NC500 that intersect with The Cape Wrath Trail and the Scottish National Trail.

Inchnadamph is a perfect place to stop and stay and explore all Assynt has to offer.

1. Loch Assynt

Loch Assynt is a 6 mile-long freshwater loch. Surrounded by the heights of Canisp, Quinag and Beiin Uidhe, it offers stunning vistas in all directions. There are many walking routes around the loch and it’s an excellent spot for fishing for trout, sea trout and salmon.

On the southern shore of Loch Assynt are the ruins of Ardvreck Castle, a 15-century stronghold of Clan MacLeod. After it was besieged by the MacKenzies of nearby Wester Ross in 1762, it was abandoned and never fully re-occupied.

Locals will tell tales of the Mermaid of Loch Assynt. So the story goes, the Chief of the MacLeods procured the help of Clootie (the Scottish name for the Devil) to build Ardvreck Castle. In return, his daughter Eimhir was betrothed to Clootie as payment. In despair, Eimhir threw herself into Loch Assynt from the top tower of the castle. It’s said that Eimhir made her home beneath the water’s surface, becoming the elusive Mermaid of Loch Assynt. When the loch’s water rises above normal levels, legend says these are Eimhir’s tears, mourning her life lost at Ardvreck.

Distance from Inchnadamph Explorers Lodge: 0.2 miles

2. Inchnadamph Bone Caves

The Inchnadamph Bone Caves are one of the most enigmatic sites in the northwest Highlands. They were discovered over a century ago by geologists Peach and Horne while surveying the region's geology. They stumbled across the two caves and found them filled with remains of animals that once roamed here, including Arctic fox, lynx, brown bear and even polar bear. These bones are the most complete record of the last glacial period found in Scotland.

The caves are easily accessible by a 2km path and are fascinating to explore - though of course, no bones remain! The walk start is the small car park (grid ref: NC253179) next to the salmon farm on the east side of the A387, just 3 km south of Inchnadamph. The landscape on the way to the bone caves is also remarkable. You'll see rivers suddenly appear and disappear and spot a diversity of rocks.

Both the journey and the views visible from the Bone Caves make for a perfect introduction to the northwest Highlands of Scotland. Be sure to save it to your NC500 road trip bucket list!

Distance from Inchnadamph Explorers Lodge: 3.13 miles

3. Achmelvich Beach

Achmelvich Beach could easily be mistaken for the Caribbean, with its white sandy beach and azure blue sea. It's not unusual to see dolphins frolicking in the bay and there have been occasional sightings of minke whales. The sunsets are also not to be missed.

The area's unique morphology means there are many walks and climbs to choose from - including the famous Suilven - for those interested in hiking. For those wanting to do a spot of fishing, the beach is an excellent spot for catching a range of fish, including cod, haddock, whiting, pollock and mackerel. Meanwhile, watersports lovers can enjoy kayaking, water-skiing and windsurfing. 

For more incredible views, head north along the coast to Stoer Lighthouse. Just further along is the Old Man of Stoer, a spectacular sea stack with impressive views. It's also a fantastic viewpoint for dolphin and whale spotting. 

Other jaw-dropping beaches in Assynt include Clachtoll Beach, Sandwood Bay and Clashnessie.

Distance from Inchnadamph Explorers Lodge: 2.16 miles

4. Wailing Widow Falls

The Wailing Willow Falls is widely considered one of Scotland's most beautiful waterfalls and is a highlight of the NC500 road trip. The 50ft falls spill out over the cliff from Loch na Gainmhich into a narrow canyon, and the views are equally impressive from both above and below. Take a walk around the circumference of the loch for a birds-eye view of the falls. Or follow the canyon upstream to reach the base of the falls. A perfect spot to take a dip!

There are several theories behind the name of the Wailing Widow Falls, but the one that fits best tells the story of a deer hunter who fell over the top of the falls whilst hunting on a wet and foggy day. It's said that his mother, a widow, found him and threw herself over the side out of grief. 

Combine a visit to the falls with a hike to Eas a' Chaul, another of Assynt's spectacular waterfalls and the highest drop in Britain.

Distance from Inchnadamph Explorers Lodge: 4.71 miles

5. Suilven, Quinag, Canisp, Ben More, Conival… and many more spectacular mountains

Inchnadamph is the perfect base for climbing some of the most striking spectacular mountains in Scotland, including Suilven, Quinag and Canisp. Suilven is one of the most distinctive hills in Assynt. It's the one everyone wants to climb, and there are several routes up. Its neighour Canisp is usually much quieter. The walk up Canisp takes you through a series of waterfalls, waterslides and deep limestone gorges. The views of other mountains are hidden until you reach the top, giving you a spectacular reward for your efforts! 

The equally impressive Conival and Ben More Assynt sit just east of Inchnadamph. Both follow the River Traligill past the Traligill Caves, another remarkable attraction in the area.

Hamlet Mountaineering offers mountain guiding, scrambling and climbing, led by Tim and Laura, both qualified mountain leaders. Whether you want to ascend Suilven, explore coastal paths, or climb sea cliffs, Tim and Laura will create a tailored experience perfect for you. Those looking for a more hard-core adventure can be whisked off on a good scramble, tackling the An Teallach or Liathach traverse. Or if you're new to scrambling, learn the ropes on Stac Pollaidh.

Distance from Inchnadamph Explorers Lodge:

Suilven: 6.87 miles

Quinag: 5.30 miles

Canisp: 4.00 miles

Conival: 4.00 miles

Ben More: 4.21 miles

6. Knockan Crag 

Discover three billion years of geological history at Knockan Crag. The low cliff exposes rocks that set the geology world ablaze in the 19th Century. The Moine Thrust, discovered by Peach and Horne, was created by the force of two continents crashing together millions of years ago. There's even a statue of them at the site. It's hard not to get excited about geology at Knockan Crag!

Follow the walking trail and see the geology of the Moine Thrust come to life as the path climbs past the exposed rocks and up to the top of the Knockan Crag. Here you'll also find breathtaking views over Assynt. 

Distance from Inchnadamph Explorers Lodge: 11.3 miles

Make your NC500 road trip even more incredible by exploring everything Assynt offers, from jaw-dropping lochs and mountains to stunning beaches and waterfalls to awe-inspiring geology.

Inchnadamph Explorers Lodge is the perfect base for your adventures in Assynt. There's something for everyone with a range of accommodation, including private rooms, dorms, and shepherd's huts. The best of Assynt is right on the doorstep. The Lodge sits on the shore of Loch Assynt and the official path to Ben More and Conival goes right past our front door. Achmelvich beach and Knockan Crag are just a short drive away.