UK's most treacherous road is now a tourist hotspot with Jeremy Clarkson among visitors
The Bealach na Bà, or the Applecross Pass as it's more commonly known, is widely regarded as the most dangerous road in the UK but has become a hotspot for tourists
The Bealach na Bà, also known as the Applecross Pass, has a notorious reputation as Britain's most treacherous road and is certainly not for those lacking courage.
Perched over 2,000 feet above sea level at its highest point, the route links the remote village of Applecross in Scotland to the coastal area of Loch Kishorn, approximately seven miles away.
Sometimes considered hazardous enough to force closure of the road, the route is no stranger to winter shutdowns when Scotland is besieged by snow.
Tucked away beneath the soaring cliffs of the Scottish Highlands, the rugged, winding roads of Applecross pose a a danger all year round for those daring drivers and bikers willing to brave the journey.
A warning sign is strategically placed to caution travellers and offer them a chance to choose a calmer, alternative route, with it stating: "Learner drivers, very large vehicles and caravans should turn away and take the more leisurely 7.5-mile coastal route instead."
Yet, despite some motorists and cyclists have a touch of trepidation about navigating the challenging Highland pass, the Applecross Pass has enjoyed renewed popularity following its feature in the famed North Coast 500 itinerary.
Since its inception in 2015, the North Coast 500 invites road trippers to explore some of Scotland's most stunning scenery, with a route that spans 500 miles, traversing breathtaking locales such as Wester Ross, Sutherland, and Caithness.
Applecross, once considered a challenging route for some motorists, has seen its fortunes turn with the rise of the North Coast 500.
The mesmerising over-500-mile journey was tackled by ex-Top Gear personality Jeremy Clarkson, who traversed the North Coast 500 in his Amazon Prime show, Grand Tour, back in 2019.
Local entrepreneur Judith Fish, owner of the close-by Applecross Inn, shed light on the influence the North Coast 500 has had over the iconic roadway when she spoke to the Telegraph: "There are some snarl-ups on there with the bigger motorhomes coming head to head, and in the passing places it can be tight with two cars.
"Often, somebody has to reverse. We see approximately five punctures a week up there, minimum, because people pull off the edge and cut the inside of their tyres."
Furthermore, she mentioned: "There's a lot more rallies, and that's what aggravates the people living here because they block the road. People don't live here for that sort of thing."
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