The North Coast 500 has plenty of pit stops. You don’t need to worry about running out of diesel, petrol or even electricity, but when it comes to refuelling the body, how does it fare?

Very well thankfully. The old days of the Highlands having vast stretches of gastronomic desert are gone and now there are prize-winning hotels, cafes and restaurants strung along the scenic tourist route.

It all starts with great ingredients and nobody visiting the area should miss the chance to enjoy the local produce: seafood, smoked salmon, prawns and lobsters, Highland beef and game as well as niche artisan products such as honey and handmade cheeses.

You can find farm shops, smokehouses berry farms and of course distilleries as well as boutique breweries where you can meet the people filling the Highland larder and pack your car with produce to take home.

Take a look at the official interactive map of the NC500 and you will also find a plethora of cafes and restaurants along the NC500, some so close to the sea you can watch your catch of the day being landed.

The chefs in our own 1887 Restaurant make a point of finding the best local produce to lay on your plate. It’s either sourced from top class suppliers or we grow it ourselves in the kitchen garden.

Many guests have been kind enough to say a meal at 1887 has been the gastronomic high point of their NC500 road trip and that is down to the creativity and dedication of David Barnett, The Torridon’s head chef and his team.

For those looking for more informal refuelling, there is always a welcome at The Stables where the food is fresh, local and celebrates the North Coast 500 with the specially created NC500 burger. Something to get your teeth into after a hard day at the wheel.

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