Tour around the NC500 over 2 days, setting off from Elgin, finishing up in Inverness

Day 1

  • Start in Elgin - 09:00 - 11:00

    🏁 It all begins on Elgin High Street, IV30 1BW. Lining up in the morning from 9am with the flag dropped at 11am. You will be checked in and lined up with all the other cars. After a short briefing we will be waved off in staggered groups to reduce congestion. The first stop is Tarvie Services, Inchdrean IV14 9EJ for breakfast, tea or coffee.

  • Tarvie Services - 12:30 - 13:00

    ☕️ A quick stop for a coffee and or some brunch.
    Tarvie Services, Inchdrean IV14 9EJ

  • On to Applecross - 14:30 - 15:30

    After a short stop in Lochcarron on our way to Applecross we will drive up the famous Bealach na Bà on the Applecross peninsula. We will stop in Applecross, IV54 8LR for some of the local food and a chance to stretch your legs.

  • Night in Ullapool - 18:30 - Hall from 19:30

    In the evening on Day 1 we finish up in Ullapool, but the night continues with the Charity Auction and Live Music at the Community Hall from 7:30pm at 4 Market St, Ullapool IV26 2XE. Drivers typically book local Camping and Hotels.

    🍕 Stone Fired Pizza Van at the Community Hall from 7:30pm

Day 2

  • Regroup - Ardmair Campsite - 08:30 - 09:00

    Regroup at Ardmair Campsite before heading on to Kylesku Bridge,
    Ardmair, Point, Ullapool IV26 2TN

  • Kylesku Bridge - 09:45 - 11:00

    After Ardmair we will head to Kylesku Bridge to enjoy the incredible views. A particular highlight of the route and a great chance to get a picture of all the cars. When leaving Kylesku we should leave in staggered groups to avoid congestion.
    Kylesku Bridge, Lairg IV27 4HW

  • Smoo Cave - 12:00 - 12:30

    Situated around a mile to the east of the town of Durness the dramatic and spectacular sea cave is set into the limestone cliffs in Sutherland.
    Smoo, Durness, Lairg IV27 4QA
    This is a good place for all the cars to catch up before pushing on to John O’ Groats

  • John o' Groats - 15:00 - 16:00

    Following on from Smoo Cave we will all meet in John o’ Groats, the mainland of Scotlands furthest most point. Here we gather for some teas, coffee and some food if you’re hungry. John o' Groats, Wick KW1 4YX

  • Dunrobin Castle - 17:30

    After John o' Groats we will make the short 67 mile drive to Dunrobin for our very own car show. From here some drivers will head home but most will finish the route in Inverness.
    Dunrobin Castle, Golspie KW10 6SF

  • A picture looking down on a bridge into Inverness on a sunny day.

    Inverness

    After Dunrobin Castle, The CannonBawz Run finishes in Inverness. Inverness Retail & Business Park, Inverness IV2 7GD

Drive an EV?

Different Electric Cars have joined The CannonBawz Runs for the last 7 years. You’ll be happy to know Scotland has a large network of chargers around every route we take and even the NC500 has Rapid Chargers every 30-40 miles. You will need to join the ChargePlaceScotland network to use them.

  • You will need to join the ChargePlaceScotland network (it used to be run by ChargeYourCar) They will quickly send out a RFID Card to use and you can use their app straight away. Register with ChargePlaceScotland

  • Day 1 is around 240 miles there are chargers at the start in Elgin, Inverness, Lochcarron has 22kW, we have a short stop there. Torridon Inn, Charlestown, Gairloch and then Ullapool for the first night

  • Day 2 is longer, but with more convenient points to stop and charge.
    Leaving Ullapool fully charged there is Scourie about 40 miles, from there on there is Rapids at: Durness, Tongue, Betty Hill, Melvich, Scrabster, Thurso, John o’ Groats where we stop for lunch, Wick and Brora which is close to the Dunrobin Castle and then Golspie, Dornoch and Tain then Inverness. Stop wherever you need. We have an expert on the Run if you would like more advice.

  • There are many great EV Charging Maps that users will update about the local chargers. PlugShare has been our favoured one, but ZapMap is also widely used. You can use their websites or download their apps.

Support the local area

The CannonBawz Run prides itself on being a family friendly event with all vehicles welcome (from small engine cars, family hatchbacks, campers and electric cars) on this charity event. As we are from the north of Scotland and Kris O’Neill being a local Paramedic we are very aware of the disruption for locals that can be caused by car groups navigating the NC500. With The CannonBawz Run now on it’s 9th year we have learnt a lot during this time. We take steps under the guidance of Police Scotland to avoid causing disruption ourselves, for example limiting the amount of cars that can join and having cars leave in small groups, especially when it comes to the single track roads. The NC500 isn’t somewhere for us to just check off a list without a care, we will always support and use local amenities as well as continue to address locals concerns.

The CannonBawz Run NC500 Route Map