Get app-y when you’re on the North Coast 500

Visitors to Scotland’s North Coast 500 will be an appy bunch from now on.

The North Coast 500 has officially launched its new app today, and is available as a free download for Apple and Android devices.

Initiated by North Coast 500 Ltd and developed by Edinburgh-based mobile app platform Whereverly, the NC500 app is designed to enhance the visitor experience for those embarking on Scotland’s most iconic road trip.

An interactive travel and cultural guide for the North Highlands, the NC500 app helps visitors to find the most interesting sights and attractions around the coastal route, as well as detailing the stories, songs and music connected to them.

As part of the app’s development, Whereverly worked with local figures, including musician Bob Pegg, author Mairi MacArthur and storyteller Paraig MacNeil, to gather more than 30 tales which help to better connect visitors to the six regions of the North Coast 500.

The North Coast 500 app further enhances the overall travel experience with music and songs from some of Scotland’s leading musicians and bands, delivered in association with Greentrax Recordings, a Scottish record label specialising in traditional music.

Driving routes have been carefully curated to help visitors uncover the hidden gems along the North Coast 500 route: from towns and villages to beaches and bays, magnificent viewpoints and ancient ruins.

Powerful map filters allow users to tailor their journey to find a historic building, natural wonder – or even just the closest car park. Routes and channels can be downloaded in advance for seamless offline functionality.

Tom Campbell, managing director of the North Coast 500, said: ‘We are delighted to announce the launch our new, fully interactive NC500 app.

‘Benefiting from a range of exciting new features, including a five-star rating and recommendation system, the new NC500 app is designed to help visitors exploring the North Highlands better connect with the towns, villages, countryside and coastlines around them.

‘The new NC500 app replaces the existing app on all Apple and Android devices. We hope new and returning visitors alike will enjoy using the app as much as we’ve enjoyed working with Whereverly to develop it.’

Iain McNeill, managing director at Whereverly, added: ‘Working with the North Coast 500 team on their new mobile app has been a perfect pairing for us.

‘Our mobile app platform is designed to make journeys even more memorable. We do this by enabling visitors to embrace local culture through music, song and stories, as well as helping them discover the greatest experiences and hidden gems along the way.

‘We are honoured by the opportunity to use our technology to further enrich Scotland’s ultimate road trip and one of the top coastal roads in the world.’

The new NC500 app is available to download at the links below:

Google Play. App Store.