Driving
The Smoo Cave Hotel is located on the world famous North Coast 500 or NC500 for short and otherwise also known as Scotland's Route 66.
The Smoo Cave Hotel has a private car park which is reserved for residents overnight parking and for visitors whilst they are taking refreshments. We ask that you please refrain from blocking anyone and if you are unsure where to park, please check first with staff before settling down to enjoy your meal or a drink.
If you are driving the NC500 you might consider Basecamping at the Smoo Cave Hotel or dropping-in for some sustenance, refreshments, a snack or a hearty meal.
Basecamping is staying in one location for a longer period of time than one night and doing day trips out to locations of interest.
The Smoo Cave Hotel is an ideal Basecamp location, the area offers a real cross-section for all interests and suitable for all ages with so much to do and see.
Guests Basecamp at the Smoo Cave Hotel to experience the many other great driving routes. Some leave early in the morning before breakfast, others leave after, taking a snack and packed lunch and returning in the evening.
For any guest staying, by arrangement, a ‘piece’ (a Scottish word for a sandwich) can be made-up for lunch together with a snack and a drink, of your choice and on returning you may want to enjoy a well earned hearty meal, in the Summer take-in the sun-set or northern lights and in the Winter rest-up by the fire with a wee dram.
Feel free to ask our staff if you need any inspiration on where to go and what to see or if you are looking for a snack and a packed-lunch to take with you.
If you are thinking of walking anywhere, as some local estates have seasonal stalking and Cape Wrath has a live firing range, also check in case any of these are in progress before you go to these areas.
We encourage you to pay attention to the Outdoor Access Code and take the upmost care especially if you are venturing anywhere near sea cliffs or indeed when climbing a mountain.
If you are driving whether in a car, towing a caravan, in motorhome, in camper-van or on a motorbike or bicycle please pay attention and obey the Highway Code, road safety and vehicle rules. Equally remember to drive on the LEFT, keep your speed down and that you observe the 'single track road' etiquette of using passing places to let other vehicles pass and that groups of bicyclists do not bunch-up together too much, making passing impossible. Please also do not park in passing places nor obstruct roads and gates.
This is a special place, respect others wishing to use the area at the same time.
A word of warning: whilst there are many great sweeping bends for driving, there are equally the same number of blind corners, hidden summits and too often you will encounter oncoming traffic in the centre of the road, leaving you nowhere to go. Beware about low sun in your eyes, stay safe, keep your wits about you and your speed down. Thank you for driving carefully.
