Whisky lovers will be in their element while travelling around the NC500.
Along the stretch you will find a plethora of distilleries that make brilliant days out.
You get to taste the finest whisky – and learn a thing or too as well.
Here are four you should definitely include on your next trip.
1) Wolfburn Distillery
Originally founded in 1821, Wolfburn is the most northerly distillery on the Scottish mainland.
The original distillery fell into ruin over 100 years ago and the new Wolfburn was rebuilt in 2012.
Wolfburn’s master craftsmen make single malt scotch whisky the old fashioned way – by hand, without haste, and with a great deal of care. The results are world class – Wolfburn in uniquely the only whisky to have won gold medals in four consecutive international competitions.
Tours take place daily (Mon-Fri) at 2pm, in which you’ll get to meet the team, see the production processes first hand, and of course dry a wee dram or two (or three or four…) of one of the finest whiskies in the world.
It is also open to drop-in visitors all day (10am-4:30pm Mon-Fri) for those who just want to buy a bottle or take a quick photo.
Visits can also be arranged at weekends and public holidays by emailing info@wolfburn.com
2) Old Pulteney Distillery
Take a journey through time and discover the art of distilling whisky.
Travel through the time line to the magnificent hand filling and gathering hall and learn about the unique history of Wick and the part the distillery has played in shaping this most northerly of Scottish towns.
Also, visit the newly refurbished shop where you can purchase all of the ages and more, with stylish subtle branded quality merchandise to exquisite fudge.
There really is something for everyone.
It is open all year and tours are available. Visit their website or call 01955 602371 for more information.
3) Clynelish Distillery
Clynelish, nestled in the countryside of the tranquil coastal village of Brora and being the only working distillery in Sutherland, is a perfect stop on your North Coast 500 journey.
Using water from the Clynemilton burn that runs over seams of gold in the rocks our distillers are hard at work every day producing our very own liquid gold.
Clynelish is open to visitors all year round and offers a range of tours to suit all visitors; from the whisky novice to the connoisseur.
Enjoy a fully-guided tour of the distillery followed by a tutored nosing and tasting of a range of whiskies to suit your taste.
For the whisky novice it offers a relaxing guided tour of the distillery ending with a taste of our standard 14 year old Clynelish; or for the whisky enthusiast enjoy a VIP experience including a tour of the distillery accompanied by an extended tasting of the Clynelish Select Reserve, along with the 2013, 2014 and 2016 Special Release Brora expressions.
Regardless of your choice of tour, you are sure to enjoy a first class dram and leave with fond memories of your NC500 trip.
Visit the website or phone 01408 623000 for more information.
4) Glen Ord Distillery
Nestled on the outskirts of Muir of Ord, Glen Ord Distillery is one of the Highland’s hidden treasures producing liquid gold all year round.
With a welcome as warm as the whisky, you’ll be sure to leave satisfied after experiencing the world-famous Scottish hospitality at this 5* visitor attraction.
Open all year, Glen Ord offers a range of tours to suit everyone; from the whisky novice to the connoisseur.
Enjoy a fully-guided tour of the distillery followed by a tutored nosing and tasting of a range of whiskies to suit your taste.
For the whisky novice you could enjoy a relaxing guided tour accompanied by a taste of our standard bottle of 12 year old Singleton of Glen Ord; or for the more advanced whisky drinking enjoy a tour of our maltings and distillery, after which you will sit down to enjoy a range of whiskies malted by the Glen Ord Maltings.
Regardless of what you choose to do with us you are sure to leave with a smile on your face, a spring in your step and a lasting memory of your NC500 journey.
Visit the website or phone 01463 872004 for more information.