nc500 scotland tour

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North Coast 500 Packages

Soak up the breathtaking views of the Scottish Highlands with a North Coast 500 tour. Your personal travel consultant at Nordic Visitor will plan and book your road trip for you. Plus you’ll have 24/7 local support during your holiday for peace of mind.

Discover Scotland with a North Coast 500 Tour Package

THINKING ABOUT A NORTH COAST 500 SELF-DRIVE TOUR? WE CAN HELP!

Discover golden beaches, ancient castles, and mountains towering over peaceful lochs on the North Coast 500, an exhilarating driving route in Scotland. You’ll soon see why it is considered the best road trip in the UK.

When you book a North Coast 500 self-drive tour with Nordic Visitor, our Edinburgh-based travel consultants arrange your Scottish holiday on your behalf. They’ll book your accommodation, plan your route, and be there to support you from start to finish.

We also have cancellation insurance available, giving you peace of mind knowing that your money is protected. Or if you need to change your travel dates, we'll rearrange all your tour details for you, so you have a hassle-free experience.

Get in touch and we'll happily plan your holiday. You can call us on +44 (0)131 344 4630 or our toll-free numbers . Alternatively, reach us via our contact form or live chat.

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Why book with nordic visitor.

• Hassle-free & seamless travel experience
• Flexible & customisable tour options
• Up to 10% off self-drive tours if you use your own car
• Cancel or change your plans if you need to – we'll handle it for you

DRIVE THE NORTH COAST 500 IN SCOTLAND

Soak up the Highlands on this stunning driving route in northern Scotland. These tour packages include handpicked accommodation, rental car, and daily breakfast.

Grand Tour of Scotland

Scottish highlands & north coast 500, complete scotland at leisure, scottish highlands, north coast 500 & outer hebrides, complete scotland, classic scotland & the orkney islands, self-drive with your own car - save up to 10%.

Do your Scotland holiday in style with a road trip route planned by a Scottish travel agency. What do you get? Personal travel consultant. Handpicked accommodation. 24/7 support. Personalised map & travel guide documents. Contact us for a quote

EXPLORE MORE SCOTTISH ROAD TRIPS

Experience other stunning spots in Scotland on a self-drive tour designed by local travel experts. Your accommodation, rental car, and daily breakfast is included.

Classic Scotland

Scottish highlands & isle of skye, scottish highlands & isle of skye - winter, express scotland - winter, the outlander trail, express scotland, classic scotland & outer hebrides, express scotland & ireland, classic scotland & ireland, complete scotland & ireland, grand tour of scotland & ireland, scottish highlands, isle of skye & wild atlantic way, ultimate tour of scotland & ireland, scottish highlands, north coast 500 & wild atlantic way, experience scotland your way.

We have tours for all varieties of travel styles and interests. See our options for exploring Scotland below.

Guided Small Groups

Honeymoon & romance, solo travel, the scottish highlands, off the beaten path, about north coast 500 tours.

If you’ve got questions about the North Coast 500, read on. We’ve compiled all the expert tips about this incredible driving route to help you plan your tour. From must-see places to packing recommendations, here’s everything you need to know about enjoying a trip along Scotland’s North Coast 500.

WHAT IS THE NORTH COAST 500?

The North Coast 500, or NC500, is one of the best road trips you can drive in the UK. The NC500 route takes you through striking scenery in the northern Scottish Highlands, encompassing just over 500 miles (516 miles or 830 kilometres, to be exact).

WHERE IS THE NORTH COAST 500?

You’ll find the NC500 in the northernmost part of the British mainland. Usually you’d start your road trip in Inverness, northeastern Scotland, and follow the coast around to Applecross in the west. Overall, you’d travel across 6 regions: Inverness-shire, the Black Isle, Easter Ross, Caithness, Sutherland and Wester Ross.

HOW LONG DOES THE NORTH COAST 500 TAKE?

To allow yourself enough time to explore this part of Scotland, we highly recommend that you choose an NC500 itinerary of at least 5 or 7 days. This way you could get to know each region well and take your time to drive the route.

• Visiting from the UK? Drive the NC500 on a Scotland staycation package
• Take a look at these ideas for Scotland staycations on our expert’s blog

WHICH DIRECTION TO DO THE NORTH COAST 500?

Our Scotland travel experts suggest that you drive the NC500 anti-clockwise, with Inverness as your starting point. You’d then head up the east coast from there, before following the northern road and then driving down the western side.

The reason is that the scenery you witness becomes more and more dramatic in this direction, culminating with the mountainous landscapes on the west coast. Plus it means that you can continue your adventures in top Scottish spots like the Isle of Skye, Fort William and Glen Coe.

Good to know: If you’re thinking about taking a Scottish road trip from the UK, we can help. Explore Scotland on a Nordic Visitor self-drive tour and save up to 10% if you use your own car.

Our Scotland travel experts will design your route, book you into the best possible accommodation, and share all their insider tips with you.

This means you can leave all the hassle of trip-planning to the experts, who are based in Scotland and know the country inside out. What’s more, you get access to our 24/7 helpline during your holiday. Should you need any support, we are only a call away.

Plus, we have cancellation insurance available so you can cancel or change the dates of your tour if you need. This gives you flexibility when booking your trip, as well as peace of mind knowing that we'll take care of handling the changes.

• Get in touch to find out about our reduced rates for visitors driving from the UK
• Find out how you can Book With Confidence thanks to our flexible booking terms

MUST-SEE PLACES ON THE NORTH COAST 500

There are so many beautiful sights awaiting you on a North Coast 500 self-drive tour. From sandy beaches to grand castles, serene lochs to majestic mountains, you’ll be treated to some of Scotland’s top highlights on your road trip.

Add these must-see spots to your North Coast 500 itinerary:

• The Black Isle & Chanonry Point
• Glenmorangie Distillery
• Dunrobin Castle
• Dunnet Point & John O'Groats
• Durness Beach
• Ardvreck Castle
• Inverewe Garden
• Corrieshalloch Gorge

TOP THINGS TO DO ON THE NC500

There are plenty of things to do on your adventure through northern Scotland. Imagine exploring the ruins of Ardvreck Castle on the shores of Loch Assynt, or sampling freshly caught seafood in Ullapool.

Here are the best things to do on your NC500 road trip:

• Stroll along white and gold sand beaches
• Go hiking in the hills, forests and glens
• Taste fresh, local seafood at fishing villages
• Investigate regal castles and ancient ruins
• Sample heady whisky at local distilleries and pubs
• Take on the highest mountain pass in the country
• Stop by the northernmost tip of mainland Britain
• Discover hidden coves and mysterious sea caves
• Spot dolphins and seabirds from the shore
• Admire views of rivers, lochs and waterfalls

WHERE TO STAY ON THE NC500

In terms of where you should stay on your North Coast 500 journey, we’d recommend the following places:

We’d also suggest that you stay in Ullapool for 2 nights so that you can make the most of being in this beautiful area. You could explore the coast on boat tours or take day trips to see top highlights in the region, such as Corrieshalloch Gorge.

Charming guesthouses and bed & breakfasts await you in northern Scotland, so you can expect a relaxing stay. Make sure you reserve ahead of time though, as accommodation is often in demand.

Or leave the arrangements to Nordic Visitor and we’ll book all your NC500 stays for you. We have guaranteed beds in desirable locations, and we quality-check all the accommodation on your itinerary to make sure it’s up to our high standards.

• For more inspiration, check out this guide to the North Coast 500 on our expert’s blog

SUGGESTED NORTH COAST 500 ITINERARY

If you’re visiting from outside of Scotland, you’ll likely be beginning your self-drive tour in Edinburgh or Glasgow. Here is our NC500 itinerary suggestion from start to finish:

• Day 1 – Arrival in Edinburgh. Explore the Scottish capital at your leisure.
• Day 2 – Drive up to Inverness, the gateway to the northern Highlands.
• Day 3 – Day of leisure in Inverness-shire. See Loch Ness and Culloden.
• Day 4 – Journey to the north of Scotland to Thurso.
• Day 5 – Travel along the northern coast to Durness.
• Day 6 – Drive south to Ullapool, passing by seaside attractions.
• Day 7 – Day of leisure in Ullapool. You could explore other highlights of Wester Ross.
• Day 8 – Travel across the soaring Torridon Hills.
• Day 9 – Head to Applecross and take on the mountain pass, Bealach na Bà. Then drive south to Fort William.
• Day 10 – Return to Edinburgh or Glasgow passing by the majestic Glen Coe and the Trossachs National Park.

This is one recommendation for how to take on the NC500, but there are other ways to do it. For example, you might like to explore more top sights in Scotland as part of your self-drive tour to make the most of your trip.

You could head to the Isle of Skye from Applecross and spend a couple of days discovering the island’s jaw-dropping landscapes. Or perhaps you’d like to take the ferry to Orkney where you can uncover Viking history.

• Discover more of the best Scottish road trips on our blog

HOW TO PLAN YOUR NC500 TRIP?

The easiest way to plan your NC500 road trip is to have an expert organise it all for you. By doing so, you can relax and look forward to your getaway, without needing to worry about logistics and travel arrangements. It also means you have local support before, during and after your tour.

At Nordic Visitor, our Scotland travel consultants are based in Edinburgh. They know the country inside out and will use their expertise to arrange a tour package that suits you perfectly.

When you book a North Coast 500 package with us, you can expect:

• A personal travel consultant based in Edinburgh who’ll arrange your trip
• Excellent accommodation at your chosen price point, with daily breakfast
• Car rental* with CDW, unlimited mileage and authorisation for 2 drivers
• A hand-noted, personalised itinerary and route
• 24/7 phone support during your adventure for peace of mind
• Cancellation insurance available to protect your money

*If you’re coming from the UK and you’d prefer to drive your own car on your road trip, you can enjoy savings of up to 10%. Contact our Scotland travel team to find out about our reduced rates.

• Check out these self-drive tours of Scotland to start planning your holiday

BEST TIME OF YEAR TO DO THE NC500

The best time to drive the North Coast 500 is between April and October. You’ll have the most daylight hours, open attractions, and accommodation options at this time of year.

Compared to the winter months (November to March), the roads are generally more accessible between April and October. It’s also good to know that certain highlights, such as castles, are only open to the public during the high season.

One thing to be aware of about Scotland in summer – between June and August – is that it attracts the most visitors. You should also make sure to book your trip early so that you don’t miss out on your accommodation of choice.

To experience the NC500 when it’s a bit quieter, consider visiting Scotland in spring or autumn . As a bonus you can enjoy gorgeous landscapes dotted with blossoming flowers or red and gold foliage.

• Check out these Scotland summer tour packages
• Read more advice about the best time to visit Scotland

TIPS FOR DRIVING THE NC500

Scotland’s road conditions are usually safe, but extra care may be needed in certain remote parts of the Highlands. This is because you may encounter single-track roads, wildlife and farm animals, and cyclists.

Should you come across an oncoming vehicle along a single-track road, prepare to use a passing place to allow them to get by. In some cases you may need to reverse to reach the nearest one.

Never exceed the speed limit and drive with caution in case animals are crossing the road. The North Coast 500 is also popular with cyclists so give yourself plenty of time to stop and react.

On occasion, you may find that pedestrians are walking alongside the road. Visitors often enjoy wild camping in the Highlands, which is why you might come across some campervans and tents on parts of the route.

WHAT TO TAKE ON THE NORTH COAST 500

When packing for your NC500 tour, you should be ready for all weather and bring plenty of warm layers. Waterproofs are a must as it can get wet in the Scottish Highlands.

Here’s our recommended packing list for Scotland :

• Warm jumper or fleece
• Waterproof jacket
• Good walking shoes or boots
• Light scarf or thin jumper
• Midge repellent

If you’re visiting in the summer months, be sure to prepare for midges. You could bring some Avon Skin-So-Soft body oil spray, the go-to repellent for Britain’s Marines. And we suggest you wear long sleeves and trousers, particularly at dusk when midges are at their worst.

• Read about Scotland’s weather and daylight hours on our travel guides

Scroll down to learn more about Nordic Visitor’s services.

— LOCAL SUPPORT & KNOWLEDGE

Get the most out of your holiday.

• Relax knowing you can reach us 24/7 on our helpline
• Explore places handpicked for you by local experts
• Enjoy discounts of up to 10% when you use your own car
• Save time and effort with everything arranged for you

What do our customers say?

The reviews speak for themselves. See what Nordic Visitor travellers said about their experience with us.

Highlights of Scotland, October 2020

A very good tour with a great information pack..

A very good tour with good information and map with highlighted attractions and a very good information pack.

Express Scotland, October 2019

Absolutely love working with nordic visitor.

I have already traveled twice with Nordic Visitor, and am already in the process of booking a third trip! Absolutely love working with you! Every bed and breakfast we stayed at was amazing. The hosts were so welcoming with great suggestions of things to do and places to eat. The rooms were very comfortable, and the amenities were awesome! 

Express Scotland, May 2019

Explore family ancestry.

We went to explore family ancestry, I inquired with several different companies and Sarah was the only one to reply with information, and stops in the itinerary on the Clan Comyns. She did her homework to plan our trip.

Scottish Highlands Classic, October 2019

Wonderful accommodations.

The accommodations mapped out for us were wonderful. All were 3star or higher rated B&Bs and they were all centrally located to attractions and historic landmarks we wanted to see. That fact alone made it really easy for us to walk or drive A short distance to sites or activities we were interested in doing on the trip, which made the experience very enjoyable. Both taxi services hired to pick us up and drop us off from the airport we're amazing as well. The taxi driver picking us up was especially helpful and even gave us a brief driving tour of Edinburgh the first day we arrived.

Scottish Highlands & Isle of Skye, September 2020

The best holidays we have ever had.

Superb!! Our first ever 'touring' holiday and right up there with the best holidays we have ever had. We are not youngsters, so this was taken on with a bit of trepidation, but were soon put at ease by the sheer quality of accommodation provided along with the superb travel itinerary book (yes, it's that thick and detailed) and map. Even though we often used local recommendations, these became our trusted companions throughout the week - and are now valued reminders of an exceptional holiday - Thankyou Nordic Visitor, we will be back!

Crystal, United States

Classic scotland & the orkney islands, september 2019, wonderful experience.

Thank you so much! Our experience in Scotland was wonderful! We felt prepared for what to expect, particularly as it relates to making dinner reservations on the islands we visited. The food recommendations were excellent , the accommodations were cozy, and the recommendations for sites and attractions greatly appreciated. A special thank you to Agne who answered all my inquiries, helped us make dinner reservations and confirmed all our dates and meeting times - she was a pleasure to work with!  

Scottish Highlands, May 2019

Worry-free travel experience.

Our agent, Agne, did a wonderful job dealing with us. All questions were answered and her trip planning resulted in one of our most enjoyable and worry free travel experiences.

Classic Scotland, September 2020

Excellent trip.

All accommodations were excellent with very friendly hosts. Car rental pickup was very quick and easy and car was excellent. Rebecca was excellent, she took all our requirements and made a personal tour for us. Her attention to detail was excellent.The documents at our first hotel were excellent especially the map with everything marked on for us.

Scottish Highlands & Isle of Skye, June 2019

A positive experience, beginning to end.

This tour was a positive experience for us, beginning to end. The planning by Nordic Visitor was complete, thoughtful, and worked flawlessly. Scotland was stunning and most interesting - we just wish we had more time. To Nordic Visitor: Great Job! We'll be back!

John and Kathryn

Grand tour of scotland, june 2019, everything ran as smoothly as clockwork.

My husband and I wanted to hire a car and travel extensively throughout northern Scotland which included the Orkney Islands, and the other beautiful islands in far northern Scotland. From the day we contacted Agne Dobrovolskyte at Nordic Visitor, everything ran as smoothly as clockwork! Agne knew exactly what we wanted;  all the Bed & Breakfast places she booked on our behalf right throughout Scotland were absolutely perfect, centrally located near all facilities, managed by wonderful, friendly hosts and included delicious, plentiful breakfasts. The car Agne booked for us was reliable and the perfect (compact) size to negotiate the narrow, single lane roads you frequently experience in northern Scotland (especially on the northern Scottish islands). Agne gave us the benefit of her experience of Scotland with wonderful suggestions on what to see and do - suggestions and advice that we were glad we followed. Everything Agne did and organised, made our road trip throughout the beautiful country of Scotland a wonderful and memorable experience. For anyone wanting to deal with a high-achieving travel company that is absolutely professional and efficient, we highly recommend Nordic Visitor and, in particular, Agne Dobrovolskyte, who proved to be a very competent, friendly and knowledgeable travel agent. Thank you, Agne!"

Gary, Canada

Scottish highlands & isle of skye - winter, november 2019, the accommodations, destinations and car were great.

The tour went very well. All the accommodation was excellent. We are very pleased with all the arrangements and communications that we had with Rebecca. The accommodations, destinations and car were great. Our only wish is that we would have had more time at some of the locations. We had a hard time packing it all in!

Express Scotland, July 2019

Nothing but great words to say about nordic visitor.

We were thrilled with all of our accommodations. All hosts/hostesses were very friendly and we felt very welcomed. The rental car service was also very good and thorough. And we felt as though everyone had a good working relationship as the businesses had nothing but great words to say about Nordic Visitor so we felt good that everyone was working together to make our visit a great one!

Grand Tour of Scotland, August 2019

Excellent information and documents.

Having used another tour company for Ireland and England just before this section of our trip I can say with one hundred percent truth that your information and documents were excellent! When we saw a paper map was included and daily ideas for the itinerary we were so happy. We didn't need electricity or wifi, we could just look at the map! An overall view like that was so much easier to use.

Scotland Travel Guide

Learn some conversation-starter facts and do some research before your Scottish adventure.

North Coast 500

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Our Services

Whether you travel independently or with a guide in your Nordic Visitor package, you will receive personalised service from a designated travel consultant and high-quality travel documents. What's more, all self-drive clients receive a hand-marked map that outlines the driving route, overnights and highlights along the way. Travel with ease knowing that Nordic Visitor has close professional relationships with local service providers , which are carefully selected by our staff for their consistently high standards.

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• Protect your money & plans with our  flexible booking terms    .
• 97% of customers say they’d recommend us to friends.
• We work closely with trusted, high-quality suppliers.
• Enjoy personal service from Scotland travel experts.
• Get peace of mind with a 24/7 helpline during your stay.
• We’re here for you in case of unforeseen circumstances.

Get in touch to have your dream holiday arranged by one of our local travel experts. As a travel agency based in Edinburgh, we know Scotland inside out and we’ll use our expertise to plan your perfect trip.

Our Scottish phone number is +44 (0)131 344 4630

How about a live chat with one of our local travel experts?

Read About Scotland

Scotland staycations to feel like you’re abroad, best scotland staycation ideas for uk travellers, 5 best road trips in scotland : a local expert's view, scotland's nc500 - your guide to the north coast 500 route.

Whether you have a single question or a special request, we're here for you.

North Coast 500

We created this "North Coast 500" itinerary  long before anyone ever coined the slogan “NC500”.

In fact, we originally called it the "North Highlands Tour", but we have to admit that NC500 is a catchier title.

Our directions take you from Inverness on a clockwise tour around the scenic highlights of Scotland’s North coast. And, if your schedule allows, you can also add in a visit to the fascinating archaeological sites of Orkney.

We do this route in a Clockwise direction because most tourists do it in the other direction, so the traffic is a bit lighter if you go Clockwise.

Allow a minimum of 5 days to drive this tour route. The guide contains extra day trip suggestions for extending the tour to 15+ days.

PLEASE NOTE: The Guides come in the format of PDF files. After payment, you will receive an automated email that enables you to access your Scotland Tour Itinerary.

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We are so confident that you’ll be delighted with your guide that we offer a full Money Back Guarantee. Read More .

Tour Stats :

Guide Updated - 4 February 2024

Core Route Mileage:

Approximately 400 miles / 640 Km

Tour Duration:

5 to 15 Days

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Tour summary.

We provide a stopover guide that covers attractions, scenic spots, activities and restaurants in Inverness and the surrounding areas. 

If you arrive early in Inverness, you may wish to follow our guide for a driving route around the Black Isle where you can discover the charming 18th century village of Cromarty and embark on dolphin spotting boat trips.

Stopover in Inverness area

We suggest a route that starts by swinging you past  Loch Ness with opportunities for visits to Urquhart Castle  and the  “Nessie” attractions.

As you travel between Loch Ness and Gairloch, you can stop at a Victorian Spa village to sample the mineral waters, cross an impressive cascade  on a bouncy wire bridge, picnic by the shores of our favourite loch, explore some of the best beaches in Scotland and enjoy a pint in a charismatic old inn with a great sea view.

Your day ends in Mike’s favourite place, Gairloch , which is surrounded by the spectacular mountain scenery of Wester Ross .

Driving Distance: ~92 miles

Stopover in the Gairloch / Laide area

Gairloch is arguably one of the most beautiful corners of Scotland for beaches and wilderness scenery. We propose a choice of day trips with a relaxed pace.

• Taking it Easy, Our suggestions for a relaxed day of scenic walks, horse riding, exploring beaches, or visiting the famous Inverewe Botanic Gardens , where sub tropical plants thrive in the mild climate created by a sheltered bay and the Gulf Stream’s warmth.
• Glen Torridon and Applecross - We propose a route through scenery that we think is the best in Scotland , Glen Torridon! This is magnificent country for hill walking and we guide you to a variety of paths for different levels of exertion. After a hike, you might be ready for something to eat so we recommend some great restaurants in surprising locations. If you really want to explore away from the “beaten track”, you can extend the day with a drive around the remote Applecross Peninsula using a road that was only completed in 1975!
• Gone Fishing , The guide supplies details of how to contact a local fisherman to arrange a trip on his boat. You can help him pull up lobster pots and learn about the history of the area from someone whose family has lived here for three centuries.

Stopover in the Gairloch / Laide Area

Head up the North West coast through magnificent Highland scenery to the active fishing village of Ullapool . Along the route you can explore great beaches and test your courage by crossing a 200 feet deep gorge on a bouncy little foot bridge.

When you get to Ullapool, you can watch the fishing boat activity in the harbour and then sample the delicious fresh catch in an award winning fish & chip shop. The village is a vibrant place with several good restaurants and range of pubs where you'll find live music and entertainment most nights of the week.

If you wish to extend the day, you can follow our directions for a back road drive to Lochinver that takes you past the distinctive peaks of Stac Pollaidh , Suilven and Canisp. These mountains emerge like rocky icebergs from the wild moorland of the Inverpolly Nature Reserve . This is an area of true wilderness and we recommend some hikes of varying degrees of exertion.

Driving Distance: ~55 miles

Stopover in Ullapool or Lochinver

This is a drive through a truly untamed landscape where nature rules and you can drive for miles without seeing a house. There aren’t many man-made attractions along this route, but this is compensated for by the geology which has created dramatic mountains, rugged coastlines and some glorious sandy bays.

A “must see” is the impressive cavern at Smoo Cave . It is possible to take guided walks into the caves, but to do this you first need to take a small boat ride.

From Durness , you travel east along the northern coast of Scotland and the landscape becomes gradually flatter as you approach Thurso . This region suffered terribly during the Highland Clearances when whole communities were destroyed to make way for sheep farming. There are several good museums that tell the story of the people that once lived here.

The drive ends in Thurso, but you could catch an evening ferry to Orkney and we have supplied details of the various ferry services available.

Driving Distance: ~140 miles

Stopover in Thurso / Orkney

From Thurso,  you have the option of taking the ferry crossing to the Orkney Islands and we have provided a guide that gives you all the information you need for planning a stay on these islands. The guide includes suggestions for 4 day trips to explore the Orkney Mainland and the smaller islands of Hoy and Rousay.

We guide you to all the famous sites of Orkney ( Ring of Brodgar , Maeshowe , S kara Brae , Italian Chapel , Old Man of Hoy ), plus lots of quieter attractions that the are missed by the mainstream tourist trail.

As always, we recommend walks, picnic spots, the best value attractions and restaurants.

Stopover on the Orkney Islands

• Alternative - Orkney as a Day Trip – If you don't have time to stay a few nights on Orkney you have the option of a day trip visit. The guide provides details of a recommended organised day trip that takes you around the best tourist attractions without the hassle of taking your car.  PLEASE NOTE: This day trip service is not running in 2024.

From Thurso, we guide you across empty moorlands to the North Sea where you turn southwards to follow a road that hugs a coastline of rugged windswept cliffs. The route is punctuated by austere little villages perched above rocky inlets that once sheltered fleets of fishing boats.

Highlights along the route are Dunrobin Castle , the ornate home of the Dukes of Sutherland, the opportunity for a whisky tasting at Glenmorangie Distillery and a wander around the picturesque village of Dornoch with its charming little cathedral and famous golf course.

On the last leg to Inverness, we propose a choice of routes that let you choose between visits to a pretty Victorian spa town where you can sample the mineral waters, OR a short ferry crossing to the Black Isle where you may see some wild dolphins in the Cromarty Firth.

Driving Distance: ~112 miles

Inverness is a great touring base for exploring the Highlands and we supply you with directions for a range of day trips:

• Moray Coast - A historical tour of Moray with its historical attractions and scenic coastline. This day trip features the highlights of Culloden , Clava Cairns , Cawdor Castle and Elgin Cathedral .
• Glen Affric - A scenic drive into Glen Affric where you can see the last remains of the Ancient Caledonian Forest . This route includes options to explore a Neolithic burial chamber, a hidden Clan graveyard and a 150 foot high waterfall in a lovely woodland setting.
• Loch Ness – We guide you past Loch Ness on the drive to Gairloch, but this day trip does a complete circular tour of the loch with time to take a cruise, visit the “Nessie” exhibitions and wander the ruins of Urquhart castle.

Tour Gallery

Accommodation

To help you book the best places to stay, we offer a guide to Recommended Accommodation along the route of this tour.

We personally visit all the accommodation featured in the guides and only select places where we would wish to stay ourselves. Read More...

When you "Checkout" , you will have the option to buy the Accommodation Guide.

Preview Accommodation Guide

Car Hire - How to Save Money

When you buy a Secret Scotland Tour Itinerary you will receive a Discount Code that gets you a 10% reduction on the cost of Car Hire from Arnold Clark Rental .

Simply use the Secret Scotland code when you book via the Arnold Clark website and your car hire discount will automatically apply.

Testimonials

I convinced my other half to get the Scenic Tour 4-5 Days guide (even though he very much wanted to do it all himself), and it was the best experience ever. In fact, ever since this trip, we're trying to re-create the experience. Of course, Scotland can hardly let anyone down, but this guide truly made it an adventure. We found so many hidden and not so hidden gems, and everything was perfectly laid out for us so that all we had to do was decide how much time we had and what we wanted to see next. I can't recommend it enough and wish more guides like this existed!

Excellent! We thought the information provided was fantastic and allowed us to see things I am sure we would have missed. Mike was very helpful in sending the itinerary through again for us when we had trouble with our downloads. Would definitely recommend this site. We have been travelling for a number of years and normally would just rely on the internet and books but decided to give this a go. So glad we did.

Secret Scotland is EXCEPTIONAL in providing guidance for itinerary planning and accommodation referrals for those wanting a self guided driving vacation in Scotland.... Simple to use.  Thorough in suggesting ‘must see’ venues. Complete - sites, restaurants, pubs and experiences.” That is how I would describe what they do and provide.  Exceptional accommodation recommendations. HIGHLY RECOMMEND.

The itinerary Secret Scotland provided was a trip saver. We loved the suggestions for sight seeing, eating, and places to stay, but the best part was the detailed driving directions. Driving on the opposite side of the road from the opposite side of the car was a little easier without having to worry about how to get there! We will definitely use this service the next time we visit Scotland!

Secret Scotland's itineraries, accommodations guides, and other resources are incredible value with great attention to detail.  Their owners, Mike and Aury, are experienced and honest, and they helped us so much as we attempted to narrow down a very long list of things we hoped to do during our time in Scotland.  I feel so much more prepared for our trip and can now just look forward to our approaching vacation!

We have just got back from an EXCELLENT holiday following the Borders to Orkney route suggestions. We can't say enough about how much the detailed information enhanced our experience in Scotland. We had a wonderful time seeing so many interesting sites that we would have passed by without your guide. Thank you so much.

These guys really are the best.  We used Mike's Flexi Days East to West itinerary last July and it was truly indispensable.  His itinerary is full of detail, including driving directions and options.  Mike is also very responsive if you have any questions.  We had such a wonderful time we are going back again this year, and we will be using his itineraries again for our planning.  I would also recommend his accommodations guide.

Just like pictures of Scotland can’t do justice to the magnificence of the actual landscape, words can’t do justice to the brilliance and sheer volume of work you put in your guide. The level of detail provided on each stopover sheet, in all the different itinerary options and on all the B&B features exceeded even my most crazy expectations.

Mike and Aurey from Secret Scotland prepared a fantastic itinerary for us. It was a huge ingredient in the success and huge enjoyment that we got from our trip. It was absolutely worth every penny and there is no way we could have seen so much and so well without their itinerary. We felt like we belonged in Scotland, we knew what we were doing and what it all meant at every step. We recommend their services wholeheartedly. Scotland is such a marvelous place. Thank you Mike and Aurey... and we will be back!

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TOURING THE NORTH COAST 500

Our website is designed to give you a flavour of the tours we offer., it is our expertise that will tailor your bespoke experience., helping you to create your tour, scroll through the following example tours to gain an insight into what is possible. we want to help you make the most of your tour, so all our tours can be designed to your needs and preferences., although single day tours focus on the far north-east of the scottish highlands, we can start a multi-day tour from further afield around the north coast 500 or within its heartland and welcome your call to discuss what would suit your needs best., to book a tour or make an enquiry, do take a look at our 'availability' page and then get in touch via email, phone or by using the form on our 'contact us' page., north coast 500 grand explorer.

An in-depth journey of discovery across this land of contrasts.

Covering both the iconic North Coast 500 coastal route as well as some of the vast and contrasting scenery of the interior, this comprehensive route of the North Highlands will provide a detailed and enjoyable insight into the landscape, people and culture of the area.

Enjoy the dramatic mountains and lochs of the west coast, the expansive sandy beaches of the north and the picturesque fishing harbours and medieval castles of the east – not to mention the distilleries, crafts people, an abundance of history and, if you are lucky, some stunning sunsets.

Tailored to your needs and preferences, this tour is intended to give you exactly what you want from a holiday and we will work with you to create your ideal itinerary.

Create a true souvenir of the Highlands to treasure long after you’ve headed home.

The North Coast 500 Explorer

Discover the real lives and experiences of this iconic route.

The North Coast 500 is a staggeringly beautiful route and this tour will show you the very best of the classic North Coast 500 - from the iconic attractions to an abundance of other sights, experiences and even surprises. With deserted beaches, mighty mountains, picturesque lochs and iconic wildlife as well as medieval castles, prehistoric burial chambers, local crafts and distilleries, you'll experience more than the average tourist along the way. 

With your experienced guide by your side, you'll discover the stories behind the landscape and you won’t have to concern yourself with navigating the miles of single track roads that you’ll encounter over long sections of the route.

Sit back, relax and allow us to lead you on a memorable exploration of the North Coast 500.

The Heart of the North Highlands Explorer (4 Days)

Experience the rich landscape, culture and heritage of the North Highlands.

If you would like to get a sense of the North Highlands but you are a little short on time, then this tour is a great one to choose.

The route gives a balance between the huge landscapes of the heartlands, the drama of the coastline, the rich history behind the scenery plus some local artisans along the way.

Touching all 3 coastlines of the North Highlands, you will acquire an understanding of life across the whole area, both now and in yesteryear - and we are sure you’ll be left wanting more.

Needing a brief time out from day- to-day life? Then this tour could be for you.

The West Highland Explorer

Learn what lies beneath the surface of the beautiful west coast.

Many people say that the west coast is the highlight of their North Highland adventures. To be sure, whether it is the impressive and notable geology of the region, the magnificent vistas around each corner, the abundance of white sandy beaches interspersed along the coastline or the retail and craft opportunities along the way which inspire you – the west coast will not disappoint. 

This tour takes in some of the most challenging roads in the North Highlands but also allows the possibility of a hill walk or even a boat excursion out to the Summer Isles (in-season and weather-permitting), depending on what you enjoy.

This uniquely curated insight into the North Highlands west coast will leave you with an unforgettable experience.

The North Highland History Explorer (4 Days)

Uncover 5000 years of 'Human Highland History'.

The Highlands landscape harbours an unrivalled collection of sites of national historical importance.

On this tour we will accompany you on a time traveller’s journey starting around 3500BC and taking you right into the modern era. We will visit ancient burial tombs, mysterious stone circles, Viking battle sites, ruined medieval castles and the deserted villages of the Highland Clearances.

The last 200 years have also contributed greatly to the development of the region - so we will go exploring for abandoned World War Two camps and investigate the boom and bust of the fishing industry too.

If you love history, you'll love this tour!

The Highland Clearances Explorer (3 Days)

Bring this infamous period of Scottish history to life.

Whilst the Clearances occurred right across the Highlands, the Clearances on the Sutherland Estate have gained a bleak notoriety unmatched in Scotland.

This 3 day tour follows the unfolding story of the Sutherland Clearances through the wild and rugged landscape. The key personalities will be introduced to you from the very places they lived and worked and using the landscape like a vast theatrical stage, you will be immersed in the unfolding drama.

This is not just a guided tour of the history of the Sutherland Clearances, however – this is an involving first-hand experience that will physically and emotionally engage you in history.

Relive this historical period in a very real way and enjoy some stunning landscapes along the way. 

The Caithness Explorer

Discover Caithness - a wee gem at the end of the lands.

The historic county of Caithness has so much to offer, yet if you only drive through on the main road without stopping – as many do – you are likely to miss out on the many sights and experiences which it holds.

Travel just off the beaten track and you can discover a land shaped by history dating back over 400 million years, a wild and scenic coastline marked by unspoilt sandy beaches and dramatic cliffs and a myriad of sea birds and other wildlife.

Ideal for cruise liner visitors to Scrabster port and those with limited time but who want maximum inspiration.

The Highland Explorer

Unearth the perfect location for peace, tranquillity, and an escape from modern-day life.

This excellent ‘showcase’ tour of the North East Highlands comprises vast empty vistas, picturesque glens - and a wealth of wildlife and human history too, if you know where to find it. 

Be mesmerised by the heart of the North Highlands where the horizon is always a long way off in the distance, ringed by mountains, threaded by rivers and enveloped by the domed sky. Discover the desolate Glen Loth, stopping to admire the vista from more than one thousand feet above the valley floor! And complete your trip by seeing the beautiful sandy beaches of the north coast.

This is a day trip into nature, scenery and the great outdoors – from the comfort of our luxury vehicle.

If you are looking for a moment of calm, this special day will no doubt find it for you. So take that time, invest just one day – and let us do the work while you escape to a place of dreams.

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Scotland's NC500 - Your Guide to the North Coast 500 Route

One of the most remote and yet most enviable places to visit on Scotland’s mainland is the majestic North Coast 500, aka the NC500. Rebranded as Scotland's Route 66 back in 2015, it is an area that promises sweeping sea views, gold sand beaches, and rugged mountains. 

If you would like to drive the North Coast 500, or even just a part of it, you're in the right place. With this NC500 guide, you can prepare for your visit and get excited about all the sights you could explore.

• Browse these  North Coast 500 tours to start planning your road trip

The North Coast 500 route

• The Black Isle
• Dunrobin Castle
• Dunnet Point & John O'Groats
• Durness Beach
• Ardvreck Castle
• Inverewe Garden
• Corrieshalloch Gorge
• Glenmorangie Distillery

How many days should I calculate for the drive?

When to visit the nc500, how to plan a car hire, where to stay.

• Give yourself time
• Watch your speed
• Use passing places
• Be mindful of animals
• Fuel when you can

Suggested packing list

The NC500 route traces the top section of mainland Scotland in a loop. This remote part of the country is becoming more and more popular, especially with lovers of the great outdoors and road trippers.

It gets its name from the length of the loop, which stands at just over 500 miles, or 516 miles (830km) to be exact. This scenic circuit will take you across 6 regions: Inverness-shire, Wester Ross, Easter Ross, Sutherland, Caithness, and the Black Isle.

Most people will start in Inverness. Known as the “Capital of the Highlands”, it is the first point of entry of any North Coast 500 itinerary.

If you go anti-clockwise, you'll follow the east coast. This will take you up the most northerly point of the mainland United Kingdom.

From this point, you’ll follow the north coast, then down the west coast, passing by the famous Ullapool and Torridon Hills . After Applecross , the last section of the loop takes you back to Inverness.

As it is a little less scenic, many people ditch the last part of the loop to pop over to the Isle of Skye . Others prefer the drive down the west coast, via Fort William and Glen Coe.

• Browse these  self-drive tours of Scotland  to come experience the best driving routes
• You could also discover the country with a local guide on a privately guided tour of Scotland

The North Coast 500 highlights

The NC500 isn’t only a beautiful road with outstanding scenery, there is also plenty to see and lots to visit along the way. You can expect stunning photography opportunities, scenic beaches, mountains for hiking, and more.

You definitely will not be bored on this route. The biggest challenge may be narrowing down your stops to fit into your itinerary.

Below we’ve compiled our favourite attractions that we believe are worth a visit:

1. The Black Isle and Chanonry Point

Just north of Inverness , you’ll find the Black Isle peninsula. It is famous for its beautiful fields, vibrant food and drink scene (including local craft beer) and dolphin spotting. You read that right, dolphin spotting in Scotland!

Chanonry Point is the famous location on the Black Isle where you’ll have the chance to catch sight of dolphins in the Moray Firth . You’re most likely to spot dolphins on a rising tide, which is about 1 hour after low tide, so check the daily timetables.

2. Dunrobin Castle

If you love visiting grand houses and castles, you’ll want to make a stop at Dunrobin Castle on your way north. It has been the home of the Earls and Dukes of Sutherland since the 13th century.

Dunrobin is located on the east coast, halfway up toward John O’ Groats. A fun fact to know is that it is the most northerly grand house in Scotland, and the largest in the Northern Highlands.

The house is open to visitors between April and October, including the museum, gardens and even a daily falconry display.

• Check out these  Scottish castle tour packages
• Related: 12 best castles to visit in Scotland

3. Dunnet Point and John O’Groats

John O’Groats is often recognised as the most northerly point of mainland Scotland and Britain. In fact, Dunnet Point holds that title!

This is a good area to base yourself and stop for some day trips. Nearby you could go for a walk by the sea cliffs and admire the famous Duncansby Stacks. You could also visit Castle of Mey, once owned by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother.

4. Smoo Cave

One of the highlights along the northern coast is Smoo Cave , which we recommend highly. Smoo Cave is the largest and most dramatic sea cave in Britain.

Entrance is free, but there is a 20-minute geological cave tour that you can also book on site. It is available between April and September but is weather dependent.

5. Durness Beach

If you drive across the northern part of the NC500 on a beautiful sunny day, you may want to stop at the pristine beach of Durness . You won’t believe you’re in Scotland, especially with the turquoise waters.

Planning a picnic in such iconic locations? We recommend familiarising yourself with the Scottish Outdoor Access Code .

• Discover more about remote corners with these off-the-beaten-path tours of Scotland
• Related: Best beaches in Scotland

6. Ardvreck Castle

On the west coast, you could stop to explore the ruins of the 15th-century Ardvreck Castle . The remains of the castle lie on a promontory that juts into Loch Assynt, providing a lovely view over the surroundings.

7. Inverewe Garden

Then follow the scenic road along the west coast towards Gairloch. Here you will come to the town of Poolewe where you can explore the Inverewe Garden .

You can roam the 49 acres of land that boast some 2,500 exotic plants and flowers. They flourish in northern Scotland thanks to the warm currents of the Gulf Stream.

It’s also a perfect location to try to spot Scotland’s Big 5: red squirrels, red deer, otters, seals and golden eagles.

8. Ullapool

You’ll then cross the curved Kylesku Bridge to arrive at the charming and whitewashed village of  Ullapool . This is another ideal stop,  either for the night or as a base for a few days of exploration in the area.

This is also where you can take the ferry to go  discover the Scottish isles . Sail to Stornoway to discover the Outer Hebrides.

It offers nice dining options and an opportunity to take part in cultural events, such as music and arts, food and drink, and history.

• Come learn more about culture and history with these Scottish Heritage tours

9. Corrieshalloch Gorge

Located on the NC500, 12 miles east of Ullapool, you’ll find another one of our favourites. We recommend visiting the breathtaking 61-metre (200-feet) deep Corrieshalloch Gorge and the Falls of Measach. 

Here you can walk across the Victorian suspension bridge over the gorge. This is also a good location to spot wildlife, especially the many birds that soar high above. It is a National Nature Reserve in recognition of its spectacular natural beauty.

10. Glenmorangie Distillery

There are a few whisky distilleries in the North Highlands, but one of the most well-known might be Glenmorangie. Come have a whisky tasting, a must-do in Scotland. There are also gin distilleries and local breweries, if that’s what you fancy.

Please note: We want to remind you that Scotland effectively has a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to drinking and driving. The Scottish Government website advises that "just one drink could put you over the legal limit for driving".

So make sure to be safe and assign a designated driver if you intend on visiting a distillery. Nordic Visitor Scotland self-drive packages include two authorised drivers as standard. This means one of you can take the day off if a distillery visit is on the cards.

The right amount of time to spend around the North Coast 500 depends on what's right for you.

For the entirety of the loop, you’ll probably want at least a 5- or 7-day itinerary. But again it depends, on how quickly or slowly you want to drive. You should also consider what you'd like to visit and how much to do each day.

The best recommendation is to pick a few bases and explore around those areas. This will allow you time to really dive into specific regions and get settled in a bit more.

You could also opt to only take a day or two out of your Scotland tour to drive part of the NC500. Even just a taste is better than nothing if you don't have the time to really dedicate to it. Whatever suits you best!

This is another question that only you can answer. Do you have pre-booked vacation? Are you planning a trip during school holidays or for a post-wedding honeymoon? Let these details help you plan the trip of your dream.

If your schedule is flexible, we recommend the April to October period. This is ideal if you're looking for the most daylight hours, open attractions, and more options for accommodation. 

During this period of the year the roads are generally the most accessible. You should be able to spot more wildlife and, as noted above, certain highlights (such as castles) are only open to the public during the high season.

The one thing to be aware of when you visit between June and August is the fact that it attracts the most visitors. It means you may not be alone enjoying the sights.

Visiting Scotland during the shoulder months can be just as lovely but quieter. You'll be rewarded with the colourful foliage of the woodland. 

• Come visit with a summer itinerary in Scotland
• Related: Your guide to the best time to visit Scotland

• Browse these Scotland honeymoon and romance packages
• Related: Why Scotland is perfect for romantic breaks and getaways

We recommend  hiring a car in Scotland , as it is the best and most popular means to get around.

There are plenty of car rental options in Glasgow or in Edinburgh, depending on your arrival port to Scotland. You could also take the train to Inverness and rent a car from there if you want to reduce your driving time.

If you’re not keen to research rental agencies and book a car yourself, why not have someone do it all for you? 

The advantage of booking with Nordic Visitor is that we’ve already done the homework on the best quality car hire agencies.

What’s more, we include an extra driver at no additional cost on your rental contract, so you can share the drive. We also include a GPS navigation system. 

Another bonus? You'll get a hand-drawn map with some local tips. As the phone reception is shaky at best in the NC500, you cannot and should not rely solely on your GPS navigation.

Just remember, you’ll need a valid credit card and a valid driving license to pick up the car to start your road trip.

There are plenty of accommodations along the NC500 route but keep in mind that you should book in advance if possible, especially if you have a special place in mind. This is because the North Coast 500 is very popular, and during the high season, accommodation can book out really early.

There are two ways that you can plan your itinerary:

• Pick how many days you want to spend on the road, separate the drive into that number and pick accommodation based on those locations.
• Pick bases along the route based on your interests and stay there for a few days to discover each area.

For example, many use Inverness, John O' Groats, Durness, and Ullapool as bases. Or, you may be able to find quaint accommodation in some of the many coastal and fishing villages.

You could also book through a travel agent, similarly to the car rental, and let them find you the best deals. Nordic Visitor has guaranteed beds in desirable locations with trusted suppliers that we quality-check just for you.

• Explore and stay in the countryside with one of these Scottish Highlands tours
• Related: Where was The Crown filmed?

Road safety tips

While the Scottish road conditions are usually safe, in remote areas, it may require more care. This is especially true on the NC500 as most of the roads are either single carriageways or single-track roads.

Read on for our top safety tips for driving the North Coast 500:

1. Give yourself time to stop and react

Even if you’re used to driving, the driving conditions on the NC500 can be challenging. It’s best to not hurry through your drive and always be really careful.

Make sure to slow down when approaching sharp bends and blind summits. Also be on the lookout for hidden dips and concealed entrances. And take extra care on single-track roads, such as  Bealach na Bà .

We also recommend driving at a speed that will allow you to stop if faced with an oncoming car or animal.

If you’re driving the North Coast 500 when it's very rainy, make sure to be extra cautious. Wet and slippery surfaces could make it harder to stop swiftly. If the road is flooded, it is best to avoid this section of the road, or drive slowly to pass it.

2. Watch the speed limit

Whenever you see the national speed limit sign on single carriage roads, it means the speed limit is 60 miles per hour. But this doesn’t mean you must drive that fast. Be careful and ease down to a safe speed, especially when it fits the driving conditions.

• Take 2 road trips in 1 with these Scotland and Ireland combination tours
• Related: A local expert's 5 best road trips in Scotland

3. Use passing places wisely

First and foremost, we urge you to use passing places and parking areas appropriately. Please do not stop in the middle of the road to take photos. And do not park on the road or in passing places to go for a hike or take photos.

If you come upon another car while using a single-track road, pull up in a passing place to let them pass, or they may do so to let you pass. You may have to reverse into a passing place if it’s the closest one.

Be mindful of others if you are driving slowly because you are being careful or want to enjoy the view. Make sure to stop in a passing place if a queue accumulates behind you. You should allow people to overtake you especially if you’re travelling a bit slower. 

On the other hand, please make sure not to overtake a vehicle if it’s not absolutely necessary. As we've said it’s best to take your time and be patient.

4. Be careful of animals

Animals are often kept in fields throughout Scotland. However, many sections in the remote Northern Highlands are unfenced and animals roam free.

For this reason, make sure to keep an eye out for cows, sheep, deer and other animals. They may be roaming on or near the road, or deciding to cross the road unexpectedly.

5. Fuel when you can

The Northern Highlands region is remote and thus has limited services. We recommend topping up your car with petrol when you come across a service station.

Stock up on snacks too while you’re at it!

Our best recommendation, when it comes to knowing what to pack, is to be prepared for everything. Even if you come in summer or in the deep of winter, you may experience all seasons during your stay, or even a single day.

This also applies to the NC500, where you’re less likely to have shops. It’s even more important to be ready for any situation.

Here is what we recommend:

• Plenty of layers as it can be chilly in the Northern Highlands, even in summer
• A wind and waterproof layer for that typical Scottish weather
• Comfortable hiking or outdoor boots if you want to go walking
• Midge repellent as this region of Scotland is known for its volume of midges (small biting bugs) in summer
• And don’t forget to pack your camera  to capture all the wonderful scenery!

Learn more about driving around Scotland in style: check our North Coast 500 packages  that come with everything you need for a great road trip.

  Camila grew up between the French Canadian and Chilean cultures, before moving to Scotland in 2012. When she’s not travelling or writing about travels, Camila loves to read, run, and puzzle. Her favourite destinations have been Reykjavík, Copenhagen, Estonia and Cape Town.  

Find Camila on LinkedIn .

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North Coast 500

Kylesku Bridge amid mountain scenery

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Experience Scotland's answer to Route 66 on your scenic self-drive tour of the North Coast of Scotland.

A carefully designed itinerary, travelling the North Coast 500 driving route – covering more than 500 miles of the best coastal scenery the North Highlands has to offer, but within a leisurely week’s holiday. Enjoy challenging drives such as the hairpin bends of the “Bealach na Ba” road to Applecross, then relax in our selection of characterful small hotels and guest houses.

Take a look at our other North Coast 500 itineraries as well, including Premier North Coast 500 or the longer North Coast 500 and Orkney , and Slowly Around the North Coast 500 .

• McKinlay Kidd

Holiday Details

Day one – wester ross.

Your first destination is in one of the most scenically beautiful and secluded locations in the whole of Scotland in the wild and rugged area of Wester Ross.  Your route today could include Loch Ness and the famous Bealach na Ba (Pass of the Cattle), with its series of exhilarating hairpin bends.

Nestled in the heart of Wester Ross, with its spectacular sunsets and golden sandy beaches, your hotel offers a fabulous location with stunning, panoramic views across the loch to Skye and the Hebrides. Stylish and comfortable, in contrast to its rugged surroundings, it’s the perfect location to explore the local area. You must experience the conservatory, it’s the ideal place to sit and enjoy the stunning vistas after a day on the road.

Different accommodation will be used in the winter months.

Day Two – Day at Leisure

Gairloch is a fantastic place to visit and for exploring Wester Ross and the north west Highlands .  Situated on the shore of Loch Gairloch amongst the awe-inspiring scenery of Wester Ross, Gairloch offers a wealth of spectacular scenery and activities for visitors. There are several good sandy beaches in the area, such as the Big Sand and Redpoint, which offers lovely views to Raasay, Skye and the Western Isles.

The area has miles of rocky coastline to explore, and if you are lucky, occasionally whales are seen offshore. Enjoy remarkable views north to the volcanic peaks of Assynt.

Day Three – Ullapool

Next head further north, following the coast road as it traverses deeply set lochs, and pass more soaring mountains. Plenty of time today to explore as you tour. Your next stop is the colourful harbour village of Ullapool.

Located behind a traditional row of whitewashed fishermen’s’ cottages your hotel also features a coffee bar, book shop, arts venue and restaurant. The owners have developed their eclectic establishment over the years to become the hub of the local arts community – ceilidhs, plays, poetry readings, and local artists’ exhibitions are frequent events. Each bedroom features selection of books which guests are welcome to read during their stay, and are available to buy when they leave.

Day Four – Around and About Ullapool

The streets of Ullapool, laid out by Thomas Telford, are home to a fine selection of shops, cafes, galleries and pubs, and wandering between them is a pleasant way to while away an afternoon.

It’s probably fair to say that a visit to Ullapool without walking boots will leave your trip a little incomplete, as some of the world’s best walking is to be found all around this jewel-like fishing town. Mountains, rocky coastline, winding inland pathways and loch-side strolls are all within easy reach of town.

On the outskirts of town you’ll find a factory shop for Highland Stoneware, producers of world-class, highly covetable pottery. Here, you’ll often find pieces unavailable elsewhere, perhaps the perfect keepsake or gift for someone special. Housed in a Grade 1-listed ‘Telford church’, Ullapool Museum relates the history of Loch Broom and the hardy pioneers who made this place their home.

Day Five – Caithness

Drive further north, now entering Sutherland and some of Scotland’s most dramatic coastal landscapes, passing Durness and crossing the Kyle of Tongue before entering the area of Caithness at Scotland’s northeastern tip.

Your Accommodation

Your accommodation here is a friendly and welcoming family owned guest house, conveniently placed within easy walking distance of the centre of the small, historic town of Thurso.

Day Six – Caithness

You have a full day to relax and explore Caithness – perhaps visit John O’Groats for those keen to cover one of Britain’s “extremities” and the Castle of Mey – as well as Wick, home of the Old Pulteney Distillery. A day trip to Orkney is also possible.

Day Seven – Dornoch

Your final section of the NC500, brings you south down the east coast of Caithness and Sutherland, perhaps stopping to take in the village of Helmsdale and clifftop Dunrobin castle. Your route could even take you inland to explore the remarkable flow country of Sutherland, on the way to your accommodation either by the cute and genteel Highland town of Dornoch, or slightly further down the coast in Cromarty.

Set in a peaceful location with picturesque just a few minutes’ drive from the centre of Dornoch, your accommodation is a charming and well-appointed family run guest house offering warm and welcoming rooms.

Day Eight – Exploring the East Coast

Dornoch is a perfect place to linger for a while: take a lengthy walk along the expansive beach. Indulge in a little shopping for Scottish crafts. Enjoy a tasting of rare whisky. Dornoch boasts Scotland’s smallest cathedral, and in 1727, it became the last place in Scotland where a witch was burnt. The HistoryLinks community museum is the spot to learn all about local culture and history.

Miles of golden sand from Embo Beach to the Loch Fleet Nature Reserve make this a special place for those interested in nature and the great outdoors. The Loch Fleet Nature Reserve, a large tidal basin, with mudflats, dunes and pine forest, provides a natural habitat for an array of wildlife. Waders feed, whilst dolphins and seals can be spotted in this area designated as a Site of Scientific Interest, right on Dornoch’s doorstep.

This corner of the North East Highlands has plenty to offer the whisky fan, too, with world famous Glenmorangie and lesser known Balblair and Clynelish distilleries open for fascinating tours, each with their own stories about what makes their amber liquid unique.

Day Nine – Return Home

The trip ends making the short drive to the Highland capital of Inverness. We can arrange additional nights here or further south as suits.

This driving route could start in Inverness, or further south and we can tailor-make it to suit.

Following the North Coast 500 touring route, from Inverness to the west coast by Wester Ross, Ullapool, then along the “top” of Sutherland to Thurso, and finally down the east coast to Dornoch. The itinerary also works perfectly well in reverse order.

£875 per person for November 2023 to October 2024.

The above pricing does not include stays over Christmas or New Year from 23 December to 8 January . If you are interested in taking a holiday across these dates, please get in touch for a bespoke quote.

Price is based on two adults sharing a double or twin ensuite room for eight nights on a bed and breakfast basis in our hand-picked selection of small hotels and guest houses.

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You are requesting availability for

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Along the North Coast 500 (Part 1)

Drive the North Coast 500, Scotland’s acclaimed 516-mile touring route around some of the country’s remotest parts, and chances are you’ll end u...

This is the 3rd holiday we have booked with you. The accommodation & information supplied is still excellent, and we will book through you again.

Excellent choice of varied accommodation, a wonderful journey, beautiful scenery.

We did 1531 miles on the trip and I enjoyed every minute of it.

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The North Coast 500 3 day tour

Scotland's 'Route 66' is a rollercoaster road of ruined castles, pristine beaches, dramatic cliffs, and charming villages.

Tour Highlights

Torridon Hills - These are arguably the most dramatic and spectacular mountains in Scotland.

Shieldaig - One of Scotland's most outrageously picturesque villages.

Applecross* - A remote village that was only accessible by boat until the early 20th century. Stop here and visit a pub that serves delicious seafood.

John o'Groats - Look out to the North Sea at the island of Britain's most northerly point.

Corrieshalloch Gorge - Take a walk through a beautiful forest and discover a gushing waterfall

Dunrobin Castle - Gaze upon this beautiful castle that boasts 189 rooms in 'Scottish Gothic' style architecture.

Your journey

You clamber through scattered boulders and spot a beach so white it makes you reach for your sunglasses. You ramble along cliffs and find a village so small you try to pack it in your suitcase. And you travel along tumbling roads and see castles so ancient you rub your eyes in disbelief.

This is the North Coast 500. And over every horizon, you find something surprising.

On this tour, your driver-guide takes you to the best spots to sample the sumptuous seafood, admire amazing landscapes, and learn the legendary tales.

So, take this famous route of twists and turns and explore one of the most beautifully wild parts of Scotland .

Tour Details

Students, seniors over 60, and children between 5 and 15 (unfortunately, we don't carry children under 5 years old)

• Pack your waterproof clothing and walking shoes
• Access to distillery production areas may not be possible
• Some distilleries offer tutored tastings instead of tours
• Distilleries may be substituted
• Attraction tickets may need to be purchased in advance. More information is provided in your booking confirmation e-mail
• Transport in a 16 seat Mercedes mini-coach
• Air conditioning as standard
• The stories and services of an English-speaking driver-guide
• Entry fees to visitor attractions
• Explore Scotland's very own 'Route 66', the North Coast 500
• Enjoy your evening in the port town of Ullapool

Set off from Inverness and begin your journey on Scotland’s ‘Route 66’. It’s an epic drive with loads to squeeze in. Just make sure you have plenty of space on your camera.

Heading for Ullapool, we spend the first day weaving through the North Coast 500’s winding roads. Your driver-guide will take you to towering mountains, banks of shimmering lochs, and the shores of beautiful beaches. We reach the scenic port town of Ullapool in the late afternoon.

*From November to March, Applecross may be inaccessible due to bad weather and daylight timings.

• Get to know Thurso, mainland Britain's most northerly town
• Journey along the NC500, discovering treasures along the way

Today, the scenery gets progressively more beautiful, rocky, and mountainous. As you travel north, your driver-guide will take you to some of the most stunning sights in Scotland.

Your itinerary depends on the weather and your guide’s expert tips, but you may have a chance to venture into the deep Smoo Cave, wander the ruins of Ardvreck Castle, and gaze at gorgeous white beaches. You stop for lunch in a Highland village and spend the evening in Thurso, the most northerly town on the British mainland.

• Explore the ruins of Cirnigeo Castle
• Enjoy coastal views on your drive today

Today you get plenty of time off the coach to explore cosy fishing villages, epic cliffs, and ancient Neolithic sights.

Your driver takes you to the northernmost point of mainland Great Britain where you might spot the Orkney Isles on the horizon.

Perched on the windswept cliff, Girnigeo Castle is your next stop. The location of this ruin is as dramatic as its history. Walk along this wild coast and listen to the chilling tales before you continue on the epic North Coast 500 route.

Travelling southwards, you enjoy the green valleys and sea views on the way to Dunrobin Castle. You have time to take a photo of the stately home before you drive along the coast and through land once inhabited by the Picts and Vikings.

Finally, we arrive in Inverness in the early evening.

Accommodation

Where does this tour stay overnight?

You stay one night in Ullapool* and one night in Thurso .

* Please be aware that Ullapool is busy. You may need to be flexible with rooms we're able to reserve for you here. If you'd prefer to find your own accommodation for this location, please choose the 'book your own accommodation' option when you book your tour.

How can I book accommodation?

Accommodation is not included in the price of your tour. To book accommodation, there are two options: either Rabbie’s Tours can book it for you, or you can book your own. For information on how to do this, please see the ‘Accommodation’ tab on FAQ page HERE .

Alternatively, please email us your questions at [email protected] or call us on +44(0)131 226 3133.

Information you can find on the FAQ page, under the ‘Accommodation’ tab : types of accommodation, room types, the booking process, getting to and from your accommodation, and cancellation terms.

How much will the accommodation cost?

We book accommodation with third-party providers on your behalf and each property sets their own rates. Rates vary considerably depending on the accommodation standard, facilities, location, and local demand. We therefore can’t tell you exactly how much your accommodation will cost until your request has been allocated to a specific property.

As a guide, you can expect to pay the following prices,  per person per night :

NOTE: Prices quoted are for guidance only and may be higher on some occasions, especially for last-minute bookings and when demand is high (E.g. peak season, weekends, holidays, special events etc)

Breakfast will be included unless otherwise noted. The type of breakfast provided will vary from place to place so you may receive either a full cooked breakfast, a continental style breakfast (E.g., toast, fruit, cereal), or a packed breakfast bag or tray (E.g., porridge pot, fruit, granola bar).

Do you offer hotel pickups in the departure cities?

The UK and Ireland's historic city centres are full of narrow streets and winding roads. So, to speed up your departure, we only pick up from our central meeting points. What's more is leaving the city using the most direct route also reduces the carbon footprint of our tours.

Is there parking close to the departure point?

We don't recommend bringing your car into the centre of our departure cities. It can be hard to find parking, and there are excellent public transportation services.

When should I get to the departure point?

Arrive 15 minutes before your departure time. Due to waiting restrictions, we can't wait for you if you're late.

What happens if I'm late or miss the tour?

If you're late for your tour, our cancellation policy applies. 100% charges are applicable, and you will not be entitled to a refund or alternative.

What are your cancellation policies?

For one-day tours: You'll receive a full refund if you cancel 24 hours or more before the tour departure

For tours of between two and nine days: You'll receive a 90% refund if you cancel 15 or more days before the tour departure

For tours of 10 or more days: You'll receive a 90% refund if you cancel 21 or more days before the tour departure

For all European packaged tours: You'll receive a 90% refund if you cancel 42 days before the tour departure.

If you cancel inside these notice periods, full charges will apply and no refunds will be issued.

To cancel your booking, email [email protected] as soon as possible. The effective date of cancellation will be the date we receive written confirmation from you.

Click here to view terms and conditions

Can Itineraries change?

Your tour will always follow the itinerary as closely as possible. Your driver-guide will keep you up to date on the road, and we'll try to get in touch about any large changes prior to your departure.

Can I pre-book a specific seat?

Due to logistical reasons, we're unable to let you pre-book a seat on the bus. But our comfortable 16-seat mini-coaches have huge windows. So, you'll always get a good view.

Are there toilets on the bus?

Unfortunately, we have no on-board toilet facilities, but you'll have regular comfort breaks.

How do you cater for people with accessibility needs?

We aim to accommodate everyone. To read more information on how we do this, click here to go to our accessibility guide.

Do you take children on your tours?

We regret we don't carry children under the age of five on our scheduled tours.

You can ask us about the tours we recommend for younger children. And if your child is less than 1.35m tall, you should let us know, so we can provide them with a suitable booster seat.

How much time do I get off the bus?

We want you to enjoy Britain and Ireland. And we believe the best way to do this is to get you off the mini-coach and out exploring. So, we give you plenty of time to take photos, go walking, and explore ancient ruins.

Why do you exclude visitor attractions?

We exclude visitor attractions in your tour price because it lets you travel your way. It means you can pamper yourself with a luxury lunch or skip an attraction whenever you feel like it.

Do we need to bring our own lunch?

You don't need to. We stop in small towns, villages, and rural eateries where you can choose whatever meal pleases both your taste buds and your budget.

Should I tip the driver-guide?

Let's be honest, our driver-guides would never refuse a cheeky bonus. But it's up to you, and the amount is entirely at your discretion.

What about travel insurance?

We advise you take out travel insurance.

What is ABTOT?

You're protected by ABTOT when you chose to let us reserve your accommodation on a multi-day tour. This means you can claim back anything you've paid us if we become bankrupt. Read our terms and conditions for more information.

I have more questions, who can help me?

If you have any more questions, call us on +44(0)131 226 3133, email [email protected] , or check out our full FAQs .

Customer reviews

Please enable JavaScript to book your tour

Prices from £175.00

North Coast 500 - 7 Days

£1,595.00 based on 2 people sharing a Twin/Double Room

($1,993.75 USD or $2,855.05 AUD)

£300.00 deposit

£550.00 single room supplement

3rd May to 11th May 2024

1 Male place in Twin Room

2nd May to 10th May 2025

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LEJOG August 2019 was excellent, it was exceptionally well organised, friendly and a great experience. The Pedal Britain crew worked very hard to ensure everything was as good as it could be with food, accommodation, information and route. Neil Ritson

• A truly unique Scottish cycling experience, our 7 day North Coast 500 is incredible.
• Experience the unique scenery of the west coast from rugged coastlines, white sandy beaches to dramatic mountain peaks.  
• Sample amazing local produce from incredible fresh seafood, organic meats and of course haggis, with the odd wee dram.
• Our route avoids the busy A9, taking some very special remote roads through the 'flow country' 

Sounds like the perfect cycling tour?

Joining the tour

Start: inverness .

Arrival day is Friday  in Inverness, where we stay overnight in a centrally located Hotel before setting off from Inverness Castle on Saturday morning.

For more detailed information please click the  " Itinerary "  tab

Cycling level

Challenging: For cyclists with stamina and a good level of fitness - requires training. Long days with some tough ascents.

Description

A truly unique scottish cycling experience.

A journey around the 500 mile circular route which offers cyclists a spectacular array of mountain ranges, lochs, glens, castles, ruins, beaches and wildlife - not forgetting a range of memorable locations to sample some of the best of Scotland’s food and drink.

Tour Summary

We start in 'The Capital of The Highlands' Inverness and head west to the coast. A stunning but optional ascent over the famous 'Baelach na Ba' awaits with a hair-raising descent into Applecross. Whitewashed crofting houses pepper the road to Gairloch, where we may if lucky catch a glimpse of dolphins.

Following this is the awe-inspiring scenery of Glen Torridon, which is amongst the most spectacular you'll see in the UK. Heading into Wester Ross, the road hugs the coast and there are views of Skye and the Western Isles. After stocking up on supplies in the wee fishing town of Ullapool, we cycle through Lochinver with stunning views to Stac Pollaidh and Suilven, just two of many idiosyncratic peaks in the area.

The sleepy settlement of Kylesku and its iconic bridge see us heading north on a winding single-track road towards Assynt, a region that captures the stark, elemental beauty of the Highlands like nowhere else. The north coast road continues to Durness, the UK's most NW village and worthwhile detour into Smoo Cave. 

The stunning North Atlantic coastline guides us to Melvich before we turn south towards one of the world's last wild places, the 'Flow Country'. An undulating, vast expanse of peat and pools provide our backdrop to Forsinard Station. A smooth single track road weaves alongside Loch Naver and past the famous Crask Inn to Lairg. Our route then heads towards the east coast for the first time and coastal town of Dornoch.

Riding back west to Bonnar Bridge we get spectacular views over Dornoch Firth to distract from climbing 'The Struie', whilst Cromarty Firth and The Black Isle provide a welcome sense of the end being in sight. Before long the cycle paths of Inverness draw us to our conclusion at the majestic Inverness Castle.

 Overview of our 7 Day Itinerary

Customer safety and enjoyment are always our priorities at Pedal Britain, and on this tour we have made a few adjustments to what would ordinarily be considered the traditional NC500 route that enhance both of these.

Firstly, we avoid large parts of the very busy A9 which runs along the east coast section of the NC500, favouring a much safer and ultimately more scenic route further inland. Interestingly this is also a detour highly recommended by Mark Beaumont, who holds the record for this route - just the 38 hours!!

Secondly, for those of you wanting to avoid some of the climbing on this route such as 'The Baelach na Ba', but without compromising the overall experience, we have also built in some alternative route options for Day 2 and Day 4 that are equally as stunning - these are outlined in detail within the 'itinerary' tab.

  Route Map

Arrival day : friday > inverness.

Our Hotel in Inverness is 10 minutes on foot from the Railway Station and around 20 minutes drive from the Airport. If you are arriving by plane please let us know your arrival time so we can arrange for transport to the Hotel.

As with all Pedal Britain tours we'll meet at our Hotel around 6.30pm for a tour briefing and then eat together in the evening at a restaurant close by.

Day 1:  Inverness to Lochcarron 

64 miles  | 103km |  2468ft  | 752m

From our start point of Inverness Castle it is an easy cruise on rolling roads out of town, providing tremendous views of the Beauly Firth. Heading North to Garve we pass Rogie Falls and its famous fish ladder, before we strike west through increasingly mountainous country. As we ascend alongside Loch Gowan we are treated to stunning views of the Ledgowan Forest. Then, riding alongside Loch Dughaill on single track, pine tree lined roads, we reach our overnight stop at Lochcarron.

Day 2: Lochcarron to Gairloch  

80 miles  | 129km | 7033ft  | 2143m

A hearty Scottish breakfast is recommended for todays epic ride. From Tornapress the riding is incredible, with Loch Kishorn away to the left you begin to ascend Bealach na Ba, a UK Top 100 climb. Gently you'll grind your way from sea-level to 2085ft, negotiating alpine hairpin bends and seeing the spectacular view of Scottish Islands and the West Coast unfold before you. After a tricky, but amazing descent into Applecross our work isn’t quite finished, with some punchy climbing around the incredible coastal road to the charming village of Shieldaig.

For those of you not wanting to take on this climb, we have an alternative route that takes you north through equally stunningly remote countryside, rejoining the route at the coast near Shieldaig. This route is 52 miles | 84km | 3267ft | 996m  which allows for a more relaxed day in the saddle.

From here our route winds its way through Glen Torridon and arguably some of the most spectacular landscape in the UK. Dramatic mountains such as Liathach and Beinn Eighe rise like ancient giants, providing an unforgettable backdrop to the riding as we reach the village of Kinlochewe.

Heading west on flatter roads we ride alongside Loch Maree which teams with wildlife, before arriving at Gairloch for a well deserved rest and reflect on one of life's great days in the saddle.

Day 3: Gairloch to Ullapool

56 miles  | 90km | 4361ft | 1329m

After our big day yesterday you’ll surely be lifted by Day 3 being shorter, but one that contains further magnificent scenery.

Climbing out of the village we head towards Poolewe, from where we rejoin the coastline and cycle along Gruinard Bay. After some further climbing we are treated to incredible views of the An Teallach Hills. As we cross Fain Bridge our ride enters the wild and brooding Dundonnell Forest which culminates after a gentle descent at the Corrieshalloch Gorge. Wide, sweeping landscapes, punctuated by impressive peaks guide us into our picturesque destination for this evening, Ullapool – very much the “capital” of the NW Highlands, with a great range of restaurants and bars.

Day 4 :  Ullapool to Kinlochbervie 

75 miles  | 121km | 6928ft | 2111m

Today is another day of amazing scenery on simply brilliant roads - but with nearly 7,000ft of climbing you will earn the views.

It starts with a stunning single track road that winds its way past the beautiful Loch Lurgainn and Bad a Ghaill. Squeezing between mountains and sea, past deserted white sand beaches on the way to Lochinver. The next 22 miles almost defy description for its sheer natural beauty around every bend and may be like no road you have even ridden before.

You'll be used to the routine by now of short sharp ascents and similar descents, as we follow the coastline past tranquil and undisturbed limestone lochs. Cycling through Drumbeg and Negg the landscape is dominated by the wonderful geology of the Quinag mountain range, en-route to the iconic bridge in Kylesku which spans the Loch a Chairn Bhain. 

Again we offer an alternative route to the coastal road which is 68 miles | 110km | 5577ft | 1700m . This takes you more inland after Lochinver cycling through the incredibly remote but beautiful Assynt region and rejoining the main route at Kylesku Bridge. It's just a shame you have to choose, because both routes are fantastic.  

The final miles of this day take us to the delightful fishing village of Kinlochbervie our overnight stop.

Day 5:  Kinlochbervie to Melvich  

67 miles  | 108km |  5679ft | 1730m

We start the day cycling a memorable section that covers the wild and exposed terrain towards Durness, the UK's most NW village. After leaving Durness a stop at Smoo Cave is highly recommended, as we once again hug the stunning coastline. Continuing east the views are almost tropical (albeit the temperature is not!!) with incredible white sandy beaches on this unspoilt section of rugged coast.

After following the remote Loch Eriboll the terrain remains undulating as we head across the Kyle of Tongue. Those who did LEJOG with us will be familiar with parts of this next section as we take in the stunning North Atlantic views at Bettyhill. The road has further short sharp climbs, followed by majestic sweeping descents which persist until we reach the sand dunes surrounding the amazing bay of our overnight stop in Melvich.

Day 6: Melvich to Dornoch

92 miles  | 148km | 4249ft | 1295m

Today we stray from the traditional NC500 route that would ordinarily take us down the east coast. Our assessment is the very busy and fast flowing A9 is not cycling friendly. Instead we turn south onto the NCN1 where we exchange wild coastlines for a vast remote area of bog moorland known as the "Flow Country". Very few cars venture this way, which makes for cycling in splendid isolation alongside the Halladale River, famous for its salmon fishing until we reach Kinbrace.

Heading west again this final section is a Pedal Britain favourite, as we ride a smooth single track road alongside the incredible Loch Naver in the shadow of the striking Ben Klilbrek (reverse to those that have done LEJOG) towards Altnaharra. 

On leaving Altnaharra we climb steadily towards the famous Crask Inn (where Douglas will happily serve you a wee nip of Whiskey if you so wish) before a glorious 14 miles of gentle downhill to Lairg known as 'The Crossroads of the North'. From here we head east to the coast, where after a very short stint on the A9 we cycle alongside Loch Fleet to Dornoch, where if lucky we might catch a glimpse of some basking seals. 

Day 7: Dornoch to Inverness  

79 miles  | 129km | 4449ft | 1356m

The final push. After 6 days of epic riding, you've nearly completing this incredible bike tour. While today has fewer mountains there is still some climbing to be done, especially in the first half of the day.

From Dornoch we cycle back inland on relatively flat terrain towards Bonar Bridge, before tackling the long and occasionally steep 'Struie' which affords spectacular views over the Dornoch Firth, which will again be familiar to any previous LEJOG clients. A welcome descent brings the Cromarty Firth into view as we pass through Evanton and across the Cromarty bridge on the A9 for a short distance.

Then at Culbokie we turn left to the historic and quaint village of Cromarty where we spend most of our time on single track roads. We’ll continue rolling well on the flat roads alongside the Moray Firth, with the Black Isle and Inverness nearly in sight, and we’ll finish where we began, right on the esplanade of Inverness Castle. 

Departure Day: Saturday > Inverness

Pedal Britain staff will need to leave early for the long journey home. However we will beforehand arrange for transport to collect groups from the Hotel and take to the airport if required.

What's included

       8 nights bed & breakfast accommodation.

We stay in a great mix of cyclist friendly Hotels or B&B's. Where ever it is possible we all stay together in the same accommodation as a group. No need to check in Pedal Britain team will have done that for you, just collect your key and relax. Bikes are either locked in a secure area of the hotel or in your room. Breakfasts are all included with a choice of Full or Continental available.

 Fully Supported Tour 

The Pedal Britain support van is never far away to provide any assistance you need, be it access to your day bag, resolve a mechanical issue, report a first aid problem or just have a morale boosting chat. Just phone the driver or tap helmet as we pass if you need anything and we'll stop for you.   

Daily Luggage Transfer

The support vehicle moves all of your luggage between each nights accommodation. Luxury, wherever time allows we'll even put it in your room for you. Also we recommend leaving a day bag in the support van to further reduce what you need to carry on the bike.

Includes Lunch and Brew Stop Refreshments 

Lunches are a mix of rolling buffets in pubs and cafes or a picnic in a very scenic spot. The famous Pedal Britain pop up café delivers welcome brew stops at strategic points along the route to keep energy levels up providing you with water, tea, coffee, fruit, biscuits, cake, flap jacks and anything else you specifically request.

Expert Cycling and Tour Guides

Pedal Britain prides itself on having staff with a 'can-do' attitude, their entire focus is on ensuring they attend to your every need, to ensure that you have the best experience possible. They have detailed knowledge of the route, are first aid qualified and decent mechanics - but most importantly they care about you. When asked 'What makes Pedal Britain better than others?' quite simply it is our amazing staff - the one thing our competition cannot copy.

Pedal Britain Tour App & Detailed Route Notes

From here you can download the relevant file format for the daily route maps - GPX, TCX etc.. These can then easily be transferred to whatever GPS unit you are using such as a Garmin or Wahoo.

Don't have a GPS unit? No problem, just download our APP and it turns your Smart Phone into a GPS unit with turn by turn route navigation. We also provide very detailed route notes which act as both information about the days cycling and back up to your electronic gadgets.

Live Tracking App

Pedal Britain Live Tracker app allows family and friends to see how well your progressing. The same tracker also helps us keep you safe and also ensure your following the route!!

Facebook Tour Groups

We will invite you to join a closed Facebook group for your specific tour. This enables you to get to know people before the holiday and provides a platform to share training experiences or any questions, concerns you may have before the tour.

Not Included

Evening Meals  (although group bookings will be made at local restaurants attendance is optional, however payment isn’t!!)

Travel Insurance

Transport to and from Inverness  

Easy Bike Transfer (available for a fee)

Single Room Option  (limited number available for additional fee)

Entrance fees to historical or cultural sites

Cycle Hire  

Travel logistics

Getting to the start and home from inverness.

One important factor in planning your Scottish adventure holiday with Pedal Britain is arranging transport for yourself and bike to Inverness to arrive on Friday .

The easiest method of travelling to and from Inverness is by air. There are an abundance of relatively cheap flights to Inverness from many airports in the UK.

You can on this tour bring bike boxes (hard case) and bike bags (soft case) - please indicate when asked if you’ll be bringing either one of these as we'll need to arrange with the Hotel for storage of these until we return.

Alternatively for an even more hassle free tour, you can use our   ‘Bike Transfer Service’   click for details.

Inverness is very accessible from all directions and is well served by both major roads / Motorways. But just as an indictor with a few stops travelling this way from the South (Northants) can take 9-10 hours.

Hiring Car/Van    

Best options for Inverness if you are planning to  hire a car or van  are: Europcar - near the train station. Enterprise or Thrifty - just to the North of the centre.

By Train 

There are frequent trains from across the country to Inverness. We normally stay around 5-10 minutes from the station on foot. 

NB. If you are bringing your bike on a train please make sure you also book it a space on your train as many services have restricted capacity for cycles. 

Bike transfer

Getting your bike to inverness and home again, option 1:  customer drop off  / collection.

FREE of Charge

If you can bring your bike to our offices in Northamptonshire then we will take your bike  Free of Charge . No need to dismantle we'll take it fully assembled and safely secure it in the support vehicle for transporting to Inverness.

We can also take helmets strapped to bikes and day bags labelled with your name.

Option 2:   Bike Collection or Delivery -  Pedal Britain Support Van

Cost for this service is  £75.00  per bike -  One Way to Start or From the End

On the Tuesday and Wednesday before a tour starts based on geographical location of clients that have signed up for this service, Pedal Britain's support van will come to an address of your choosing, which could be work, home or cycle shop to collect your bike. 

No need to dismantle we'll take it fully assembled and safely secure in the support vehicle for transporting to Inverness.

Option 3:   Bike Collection or Delivery  - Transport Partner

Cost for this service is  £75.00  per bike - One Way to Start or From the End

If you happen to fall outside the geographical area being covered by the support van prior to the tour then do not despair we have an alternative solution.

On the Monday before a tour starts we'll arrange for our trusted transport partner to collect your bike from an address of your choosing, which could be work, home or cycle shop and deliver your bike to Pedal Britain.

Clients will need to securely package up their own bike in a Medium size (150 x 22 x 90 cm) cardboard bike box. A local bike shop will for free or small fee provide a suitable box and much of the packing material you will need for this. Pedal Britain will return your bike to you the same way in the week after a tour ends.

Once we arrive in Inverness on the Saturday the Pedal Britain team will help you re-assemble your bike ready for push off on Sunday.

We cannot via this service accept helmets or any day bags packed inside the boxes.

Option 4:    Bike Delivery  - JOG Bike Company 

Cost for this service is  £135.00  per bike - One Way back Home

We only use this option when the delivery address for your bike is one that does not fit geographically into any of the routes planned for the Pedal Britain support vehicles and you do not want to use Option 3. The bikes will be packed into oversized reinforced cardboard boxes for you - saddle lowered and handle bars turned - are only adjustments made.

We'll send you a link to provide information required for this service and your bike will be delivered within 7 days of the tour ending.

Bike Transfer Service:   Both Ways

Total Cost is  £150.00   per bike 

£210.00 per bike if using JOG Bike Transfer Company.

Terms & Conditions of Bike Transfer Service

• Pedal Britain cannot be held responsible for any damage that occurs in transit - although we will obviously take great care of bikes in transit
• Where a third party is being used Pedal Britain cannot be held responsible for any damage in transit
• We recommend that you have insurance in place to cover you for any accidental damage or theft during transit

Pedal Britain has always strongly recommended that clients use their own cycles wherever possible for our tours, as there is no substitute for using a bike that you are familiar with and are comfortable riding. 

However we fully understand that sometimes circumstances mean this is just not possible.

Need to Hire a Bike?

We do not run our own fleet of hire bikes therefore have to source them from our trusted range of suppliers. At peak times of the year stock can be limited therefore please do let us know well in advance if you intend to hire a bike. 

First step is to please email us with your measurements and preferences:

• Shimano group set
• Disc or Caliper brakes
• Carbon or Non carbon

PLEASE NOTE:  Most road bikes run 11-28 compact gearing as they are generally set up for sportive hire. However we'll do our best to find a bike that works for you.  

Once you hire the bike it will be available to use from Sunday Lunch in Inverness giving us time to make any adjustments that you may want.

Road Bike Hire:

Branded High Spec Carbon Road Bike  =  £350-£375 each for 2 weeks . This will be a Trek Madone SLR 6 or equivalent

Non Branded UK Built Bikes =  £250-£300 for 2 weeks  

Hybrid Bike Hire:

Branded High Spec Carbon Hybrid Bike =  £250-£300 each for 2 weeks .

Want to Bring Your Own Bike But Need Help With Logistics? 

If you currently live outside UK but are unsure about bringing your own cycle,  please call or e-mail for advice.  We can discuss a variety of solutions that might help you to bring a bike along.

Some of the ways we can help:

• Bike Box/Bag on Van :  On this tour we can accommodate bike bags / boxes as we'll be able to store at our Hotel or with our local hire partner.
• Getting Bike to the Start :   Also if when you land in UK you are planning to tour first / or just want to travel without bike to the start - we can as part of our bike transfer service collect your bike from a Hotel (Tuesday/Wednesday) before the tour and take it to the start for you.
• Staying on longer in UK after tour :  Don't want a bike in tow? We can also keep bike and box with us after the tour, then by using our bike transfer service we can deliver the bike to a Hotel near London/or an Airport when you are ready to head home

Just contact us on [email protected] setting out what your plans are and we'll come up with a solution that works for you.

Can I Bring a Bike Box/Bag?

For our NC500 tours you can bring along a Bike Box or Bag as we will be able to store either at our Hotel or leave with our local bike hire partner in Inverness. Please do indicate if you are going to bring a bike box so that we have an idea of numbers.

How fit do I need to be?

Pedal Britain tours are designed to attract people of all ages and levels of fitness.

To help you assess if a ride is suitable we have added a 'Cycling Level' indicator on each tour. Obviously the more training you do beforehand it will increase the overall enjoyment of any tour as you'll be more prepared.

Pedal Britain has a range of 'Training Support Resources' including a free consultation and a blog about  Training Plans within which you'll find some great tips and an easy to follow framework that can be adapted for any of our tours. 

We do not issue 'standard' training plans, everyone starts at different levels of experience, fitness and available time. For those confident enough, all you do is adjust our framework to suit your own needs.

However to provide another level of support, we have created with Pedal Britain guide Grant Goodman (qualified cycling coach) also of cyclingfitness.co.uk several coaching packages from Basic to Premium. You can find links to these and all our training information here:  Training Resource

What are the group sizes?

At Pedal Britain we want to ensure you receive the highest level of support possible whilst you are on one of our tours.

To this end we will normally run a tour with a minimum of 10 people, but unlike other operators we limit the group size to a maximum of 18 people. We feel this ensures there is always enough people to be social, but not too many for it to feel overcrowded and your just part of a herd.

What are the groups like?

There is no one standard group every tour is unique. But generally people that undertake our tours are a fun, friendly and adventurous lot with one key similarity - they love cycling!! We have people of all ages (teens through to mid 70's) and all walks of life which makes for an interesting and diverse group of fellow participants.  

Groups tend to be split 50:50 between those traveling alone or part of a group be it pairs of friends/couples/family or occasionally larger ones of 3-4. We try and limit our group size to a maximum of 18 people which we think works best, providing plenty of people to socialise with during the day and evening, but also enables people to find some quiet time too. 

How fast do we ride?

That is completely up to you. It is your holiday and so we encourage you to ride at your own pace. The average touring cyclist will normally travel at 10-13mph. What we find is naturally 2-3 groups form and you'll always find one that suits your pace.

Some people get concerned by always being at the back as they feel anxious about holding everyone up, believe us you are not!! However if that mentally becomes an issue then you can always set off 30 minutes ahead of the pack. But we will never ask you to pedal faster.

No one on a Pedal Britain tour gets left behind as our guides for the most part ride at the back, especially at the end of a day to provide encouragement and support.

What sort of cyclist comes on your tours?

We have a mixture, from keen club cyclist through to newcomers looking for a challenge.

Do I need to be a good bike mechanic?

Pedal Britain provides  mechanical support  in form of basic adjustments, or simple repairs, while your guide will also carry a reasonable tool kit to help with any minor problems on the road - the van has a more comprehensive set.

However it is essential that you are able to fix a puncture . Obviously if the guide, fellow riders or van are nearby they will assist but it maybe that the van is tied up elsewhere therefore you don’t want to be unnecessarily held up waiting.

Essential kit to carry at all times for puncture repair

It is advisable to carry on your bike at least 1 or 2 spare inner tubes, a mini pump / Co2 gas pressure pump, tyre levers and multi-tool with you each day. This essential kit can be kept either in a small rucksack that you carry or in a medium sized saddlebag.

We also ask that you take care of basic bike maintenance. Firstly having a comprehensive bike service before you arrive on the tour, then by inspecting your bike daily to ensure its in proper working order.

A work stand, track pumps, chain lubricant and cleaning materials will be available for your use on the van.

The support vehicle will carry a limited number of universal spares that are provided at cost should they be required. If your bike has any obscure or unusual parts that may not be readily available at a bike shop it is highly recommended that you bring your own set of spares with you that can be carried on the support vehicle.

We will carry a spare bike and wheel so that you can keep moving if you do have any serious bike problems.

Whilst Pedal Britain will endeavour to fix your bike issues, any major repairs will have to be co-ordinated through a local bike shop on the road, with any cost for these repairs being your responsibility.

If I am travelling alone can I join a tour?

Yes, no problem. In fact usually around 50% of a group are single travellers.

You can either pay for single supplement or we can if you are happy to share a twin room, find you a room buddy. Either way trips are very sociable and you’ll soon make some new cycling friends.

Do you offer group discounts?

Yes we do, if you have 8 participants or more able to book at the same time then you'll be eligible for a 5% discount (up to maximum of £100 per person)

If you all live close together then we can also work out a deal for our 'Bike Transfer Service' which could save you up to 50% per person for this service.

Can I raise money for a specific charity?

Yes, you can join any of our tours and use that challenge as a way of raising funds for any cause of your choice.

Sometimes we are asked "Can a Charity Sponsor my Ride by paying for the Tour?" again no problem. We just raise an invoice and send that for payment to the charity. Any other financial agreements such as on minimum fundraising targets are between you and the charity. 

We can also if there is enough interest work either with a group of likeminded people wanting to raise money for a specific charity or with the charity itself to create a bespoke cycling event just for that purpose.

What are the lunches like?

Lunches are generally at either just before or after the halfway point of a day in terms of milage. They consist of various combinations of soup, sandwiches, crisps/chips, savouries, coffee/tea/soft drinks and cake, served as rolling buffets or set meals hosted in either local cafes / pubs.

Occasionally, depending on the weather, Pedal Britain's pop up cafe will provide a substantial picnic buffet lunch in a suitably scenic location en-route. Don’t worry if your cycling slowly we always make sure there is enough food for everyone at picnics and never leave until everyone is fed and watered.

Where are the evening meals?

Whilst evening meals are not included in the cost of the holiday, Pedal Britain will make reservations between 7.30-8.00pm most days for a group evening meal, so you don’t have to worry.

Also to make life even easier for you we'll sometimes take pre-orders for the evenings food in advance. We find this just helps speed things up at service to maximise your recovery time.

We tend to eat at the accommodation we are staying in that evening although we do occasionally use other local options. These meals provide a great opportunity for socialising together and swapping tales of the days events, further developing the group bonds.

However attendance is purely optional. If you prefer to eat earlier, or alone or wanted to find somewhere else, your Tour Guide can provide alternatives its no problem at all it is your decision.

On longer tours where we are staying in major towns/cities we also have several what we call 'free evenings' where we do not book anything for the group - which allows you to explore local options with smaller groups of new your new cycling buddies.

With all evening meals individuals are responsible for settling their own food and drink bills once finished.

Do we have back up support?

We take great pride in the level of support we give to riders on our cycling tours and is a key part of the 'The Pedal Britain Difference'.

That is why we are 5* rated on Trustpilot with many of the reviews specifically mentioning the excellent back up support we provide. You can read extracts of these on our  Pedal Britain Testimonials page.  

All our trips are led by at least one or two experienced leaders from the UK – one driving the support vehicle and the other cycling with the group, usually at the rear to ensure that no one gets left behind. They carry a first aid kit and a tool kit, so that if you or your bike breaks down they will if possible be there to help. 

The Pedal Britain support vehicle doesn't follow the group very closely. It's main function is to once/twice a day provide the our famous 'Brew Stops', carry luggage between accommodation or if you have a problem you can jump onboard. You will also have access to the van at our lunch stop.

Also be comforted in the knowledge that the team at Pedal Britain HQ are also with you as an invisible hand, making sure everything is running smoothly. 

What happens to my luggage each day?

We want your holiday to be as hassle free as possible. So for you comfort we transfer your luggage each day to the next accommodation.

All we ask is that on setting out each morning you leave your fully labeled luggage and day bags in the reception or at the rear of the support van. Don't worry we'll provide you with labels.

Will the Hotel or B&B do our laundry?

To remain social it’s advisable that on our longer tours you wash your kit out regularly - that includes shorts - a key factor in preventing sore bottoms!!

What most people do is take with them several days worth of cycling kit to rotate through and a small bottle of liquid clothes detergent. Then as part of their daily routine use facilities in the room to wash and dry kit as many have heated towel rails.

If not fully dry the next day roll kit up tightly into a towel or hang up in back of the support van to ensure you have clean kit ready for following day.

Some accommodations do offer limited laundry services (usually just drying kit) either for a small fee or usually free, ready for collection the following morning. Your tour guide will let you know which places on your tour provide this.

Alternatively if time prevails you can use local launderettes to wash and dry clothes - your tour guide will help locate these for you.

What kind of clothing and equipment is needed?

Once you're signed up Pedal Britain will send you a detailed ‘Kit List’ of what you should bring along, however do feel free to contact us if you would like a copy sending to you or have any specific questions .

Do I need insurance?

Pedal Britain has public liability insurance cover for all of our tours.

However we strongly recommend you take out adequate insurance to cover yourself against personal accident, loss of belongings and cancellation cover.

Yellow Jersey Insurance  are one company that other clients have used previously.  Worth checking first what might be covered under various other policies you may have such as household and travel insurance, then plug any gaps with a specific policy.

Still have questions?

Please  contact us  here..

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• Scotland North Coast 500 Cycle Tour
• Deposit Secures Booking

The North Coast 500 (NC500) cycle tour is a breathtakingly scenic route that loops around the northern Highlands of Scotland, covering approximately 500 miles of rugged coastline, majestic mountains, and charming villages. Our NC500 cycle tour offers a unique way to experience this stunning region, allowing you to immerse yourself fully in the natural beauty and rich culture of the Scottish Highlands.

Route Map of Scotland's NC500 Cycle Tour

Distance and Climbing

This tour is designed with the ‘avid’ rider in mind ( please see rider types ) as it has some testing terrain and the added uncertainty of changeable weather conditions too! We recommend you come prepared.

The NC 500 cycle tour is a challenging tour with some longer days in the saddle. Days vary, but generally the route has some climbs of medium difficulty and a few which are challenging such as the well-known climb of Bealach na Bà on day 2. A winding single track road through the mountains of the Applecross peninsula.

You will most likely need to train for the event and ensure you are fit enough to complete the distance and climbing.

This tour is suitable for our AVID Riders. Find out if you are an AVID or ACTIVE style of rider here . The total distance is 924 km with a total of 11,423 metres of climbing. The daily average is 132 km and 1630 metres of climbing.

The price is £1,595 per person sharing. Some single rooms are available for an additional supplement of £495.

What is included in the tour

• 8 nights bed and breakfast in good hotels
• Lunches on at least two of the cycling days
• Suggested coffee and lunch stops (where not provided)
• Van support with snacks
• Support from an experienced  Scottish crew with local knowledge
• GPX files of the route
• Daily briefings
• Route profiles with maps
• Baggage transfer
• Mechanical assistance and repairs
• Emergency pickup
• Final group meal

What is NOT included in the tour

• Airport transfers at the start and finish can be provided at a cost of £25 each way. 
• Lunch and coffee stops. These will be provided on at least two of the days in remote areas. On other days you will be given some recommendations of where you may wish to refuel!
• Evening meals - Our stopovers all have reasonably priced restaurants and pubs nearby and most of the hotels have good dining. Breakfast IS included and lunch on some days
• Optional trips / entry fees for any excursions you arrange independently
• Insurance - you need to organise your own bike and travel insurance as required
• Gels, high energy bars, energy powder and shakes - bring your own as per what works best for you and your tummy!
• Flights to and from Scotland

North Coast 500 GPX Route Files

All our cycle tours are supported with GPX files of the entire route. These start at the door of the hotel you are leaving and finish right at your finish hotel. The GPX route files for the NC 500 will be sent well in advance for you to check uploading to your bike computer. Any revisions will be resent. 

Scotland NC500 Cycle Route & Daily Itinerary

Our route largely follows the Scottish Tourist Board 500 mile route (but it’s better!) and takes in some tough climbs and beautiful mountain passes. This tour is designed with the ‘avid’ rider in mind ( please see rider types ) as it has some testing terrain and with the added uncertainty of the weather conditions up here and their tendency to change dramatically in no time at all we recommend that you’ve done, or are at least prepared to do, the odd ride in inclement conditions before.

Daily Breakdown:

• Day 1 - Arrive Inverness (no cycling)
• ​Day 2 - Inverness to Strathcarron 100 kilometers 640 meters
• Day 3 - Strathcarron to Gairloch 116 km 1,700 m
• Day 4 - Gairloch to Ullapool 108 km 1,400 m
• Day 5 - Ullapool to Durness 147 km 2,200 m
• Day 6 - Durness to Thurso 115 km 1,400 m
• Day 7 - Thurso to Lairg 146 km 1,000 m
• Day 8 - Lairg to Inverness 138 km 900 m
• Day 9 - Depart Inverness (no cycling)

Routes are subject to change if necessary.

Your Scotland NC 500 GPX route files will be sent in advance for you to upload to your bike computer.

Cycling Terrain and Bike Suitability

The entire route is approximately just under 10,000 metres of climbing elevation. A large part of this is on the western section of the coast line. The route has many sections of stunning scenery with a number of very quiet roads and amazing beaches along the way. With the amount of climbing on this route, we’d recommend something lightweight for your North Coast 500 bike. Whether this is a touring bike or road bike, you’ll be thanking yourself when you climb the Bealach na Ba!

Arriving for Your North Coast 500 Cycle Tour

The tour starts at our hotel in Inverness, Scotland on the first date of the advertised tour with a detailed briefing in the afternoon. We then prepare our bikes and spend the night in the hotel . This first night is included in the price of the tour. We begin cycling the next morning.

Inverness Airport serves limited domestic and international routes, but has direct flights from London, Amsterdam, and Belfast. However, it's also possible to fly into Aberdeen and drive the 2.5 hours to Inverness, or take the scenic train between the two northern cities. If you are travelling in Scotland for a long period of time, then you could also arrive in Glasgow or Edinburgh and spend time there before driving or taking the train north.

If you live in the UK, then you can of course opt to drive your own car or camper van up to Inverness as part of an extended road trip, or take the train to Inverness and rent your car there.

If required, we can provide transfers to the hotel for you, your bike and your luggage from Inverness Airport. Transfers from Inverness Airport can be provided for a small fee.

Please contact us if you have other travel requirements you wish to discuss and we will do our best to assist!

Departure Planning

The tour finishes at the same hotel we started on the last date of the advertised tour. We will have a finishing meal and celebration. This is included in the price of the tour along with a final night's accommodation. The next morning you can depart at your leisure. Transfers to Inverness Airport can be provided for a small fee.

What to Expect on a Wild Atlantic Cycle Tour of Scotland:

Weather in scotland.

To be written

Group Size and Tour Leaders

Our groups are generally around 12 to 18 people. Our Scotland NC 500 tour will go ahead with a minimum of six people.

Our groups are supported by a Tour Leader and Assistant, both of whom have previous tour support experience and are themselves cyclists who fully appreciate just how it feels however your day pans out. The tour leader and assistant ride in the van to better aid a speedy assist where required. On most tours we also have a rider on the road with basic mechanical and first aid skills who will try to ride ‘mid-pack’, but the van generally gets there first.

At the initial briefing all cyclists are provided with the tour leader and assistant’s number, as well as that of the emergency services which they are instructed to use in the event of an emergency.

English is the main language of Scotland.

Camaraderie

Camaraderie forms a big part of the whole experience our tours provide and although single supplements are available, our tours are priced and catered for such that a single cyclist can feel comfortable making a booking and opt to share a twin room with someone they don’t know.

People tend to settle into their own way of cycling throughout the day and groups can vary from day to day and evening to evening. You can cycle at your own pace for a solitary cycle or join others.

Navigating the North Coast 500 Cycle Route

We recommend you bring a bike computer onto which you can upload the GPX files of the route. GPX files of the North Coast 500 route will be emailed to you before the start of the tour.

Direction of Travel

We travel clockwise from Inverness to Inverness.

Bike Maintenance

Each morning (and evening) bike cleaning materials, basic tools, pumps and lubricants will be available so you can groom your trusty steeds.

You can telephone any time for mechanical support where required.

Mechanical Issues

With regards to mechanical issues it’s helpful if everyone knows how to repair a puncture or replace a tube. However, we are on call if you need help re-seating a stiff tyre on the rim.

Minor mechanicals can be dealt with roadside and where more specialist help is required we can transport you and your bike to a local bike shop to carry out repairs.

Support Van & Cyclist

Our support van with water and refreshments will pass you at least once each morning and afternoon en route to lunch and hotel so you will normally be able to access your day pack before lunch, at lunch and in the afternoon.

We usually have a Support Cyclist on the road as well.

In the afternoon we ensure we get your bag to the hotel before you arrive.

Daily Routine

Every day starts with a hearty breakfast and a briefing.

Breakfasts are usually traditional cooked Scottish style, but for the most part will include cereals and fruit and cheeses, with coffee, juice and tea.

We’ll advise of a suitable morning coffee stop for ‘second breakfast’ and we’ll also specify a lunch stop where the van can be found. Sometimes there will be a choice of restaurant but in remote areas there may only be one suitable.

Evening meals are available in some of our Scottish hotels. We do however advise a little walk each evening just to sample the delights these towns have to offer.

• INCLUSIONS/EXCLUSIONS
• AVERAGE DAILY DISTANCE (KM)
• AVERAGE DAILY CLIMBING (METERS)

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Savvy Travel Advice

Detailed 7 Day North Coast 500 Road Trip Itinerary

Last updated: June 30, 2023 - Written by Jessica Norah 134 Comments

The North Coast 500 is the most popular road trip in Scotland and we’ve put together a comprehensive 1 week North Coast 500 itinerary to help drivers navigate this driving route. This detailed day-by-day North Coast 500 itinerary covers all the basic details (mileage, general route) and sightseeing highlights along the approximately 500 mile route.

We’ve driven the NC500 route several times ourselves so we’ve been to all the highlights and many of the lesser known spots. In this guide, we cover scenic viewpoints, beaches, castles, museums, golf courses, natural wonders, whisky distilleries, historical sites, suggested detours, and so much more. We also provide suggestions for where to eat and where to stay each day along the drive with options for almost any budget.

Use this 7 day North Coast 500 itinerary to plan your travels around this beautiful part of the northern Scottish Highlands and get the most out of your NC500 road trip!

Table of Contents:

Preparing for your North Coast 500 Road Trip

First, before you take off on your epic North Coast 500 road trip, we recommend reading our North Coast 500 planning guide to get you oriented with all the basic things you need to know to plan your trip.

Our planning guide covers background information about the North Coast 500 route, advice on when to go, an overview of the highlights, car and campervan rental options, tips for traveling with your dog, camping tips, guided tours, safety and driving tips, a suggested packing list, and a list of helpful resources.

But below is some basic information about how to get to the North Coast 500 starting point, where to rent a car for the drive, and how to determine how many days you need to drive the NC500.

Getting to and from the NC500 Starting Point?

The North Coast 500 is a circular route that begins and ends in the city of Inverness. Inverness is the largest city in the Scottish Highlands, and it has an airport, train station and bus station, making it easy to get here using a variety of transportation options.

Inverness is about a 150 mile drive from Edinburgh (~ 3 hour drive), 170 mile drive from Glasgow (~ 3.5 hours drive), 300 miles from Belfast (~ 8 hours with short ferry ride), 370 miles from Manchester (7.5 to 8 hours), and 570 miles from London (~ 10 hours).

You can check the latest road conditions and traffic in Scotland online at Traffic Scotland .

Inverness Airport has flights to and from a number of locations in the UK, Ireland, and continental Europe. If you are arriving from outside the UK, your flight is likely to have a layover in a larger UK airport like London, Glasgow, or Edinburgh.

It is about a 20 minute drive from Inverness airport to downtown Inverness, or you can take a bus (check local bus schedules here ), or it’s a 20 minute taxi ride (can book and compare fares on minicabit ).

Train connections to Inverness are good from most areas of the UK. You can get to Inverness from Edinburgh or Glasgow in about 4 hours and from London in 8 to 10 hours.

There is no single national train service in the UK, but Trainline  and  ScotRail are good websites to check for schedules and to purchase train tickets. We recommend purchasing train tickets in advance to ensure a seat and for the best prices. 

There is also the option to travel overnight on the overnight sleeper train the Caledonian Sleeper from London or elsewhere in Scotland. You can see schedules and fares here , and you can read our sleeper train review here .

Inverness is well-connected to the rest of the UK by public bus. You can check  National Express for coach connections and prices.

We recommend using the Traveline website for helping to plan longer journeys in the UK via public transportation. The site is especially helpful if you are having trouble figuring out which bus to take or how to do a multi-leg journey.

If you are coming from Ireland, ferries regularly run between Belfast in Northern Ireland and Cairnryan in Scotland. It is about a 5 hour drive from Cairnryan to Inverness. You can check out the local ferry routes and schedules here .

Note that if you plan to rent a car outside Scotland and take a ferry, be sure to check your rental car agreement. Bringing a car to Scotland may be against your car’s rental terms (particularly any ferry crossings).

North Coast 500 Car Rentals

If you are not driving your own car, you can easily rent one in Scotland or elsewhere in the UK. For those driving the NC500, Inverness is a natural place to pick up a rental, but you can also do it in any of the other main cities such as Edinburgh, Glasgow, or Aberdeen.

Car Rentals

In Inverness, you can rent a car from a number of rental car agencies in Inverness Airport or downtown Inverness. Just be sure your rental is fully insured. Enterprise is usually our go-to company for car hire.

Each rental car agency has its own rental policies. But generally, to rent a car in Scotland (or elsewhere in the UK), you must be at least 21 to 30 years old (many have 23 as an age limit) depending on the vehicle category and car rental agency. There is often a surcharge for drivers age 25 or under.

To rent a car in Scotland, you also normally need to have held a valid driving license for at least a year (some require up to 3 years) and the driver’s license must be in English or use the Latin alphabet (or you’ll need to obtain an International Driving Permit from your home country).

Motorcycle Rentals

If you want to rent a motorcycle for your NC500 road trip, you can check out the North Coast 500 Moto Experience  in Inverness and the  Highland Motorcycle Hire in Muir of Ord (20 km west of Inverness).

If you are arriving elsewhere in Scotland or the UK, you’ll have additional options such as  Rent a Motorcycle  in Edinburgh.

Campervan, RV, & Motor Home Rentals

There are several places to rent campervans in and around Inverness, including Highland Campervans , Loch Ness Motorhomes , and  Rover Rentals . For peer-to-peer campervan and motorhome rentals, you can also look at options available on PaulCamper , GoBoony and Outdoorsy .

If you are arriving elsewhere in Scotland or the UK, you’ll also find plenty of options around any of the large cities in the UK. For example, if you are starting in Edinburgh or London, Spaceship Rentals is another place to check for campervans and motorhomes.

We also recommend using Motorhome Republic for campervan rental – they compare prices across the major rental firms in the UK to find the best price for you. You can book your RV for the UK through them here .

If you’d like a more robust camper vehicle, check out the four-wheel-drive camper trucks from Wild Camper Trucks. See their Scotland options here .

I’d recommend renting the smallest size campervan or motorhome/RV that you need as the narrow roads of the Highlands are not designed for large vehicles and larger vehicles are prohibited on some roads.

To be able to safely drive the NC500, you must be able to safely reverse the vehicle on small roads and it must fit into passing places. It is recommended that you don’t drive or rent any vehicle that has a total length of more than 18 feet.

If you are planning to do the NC500 by campervan or motorhome, we recommend checking out our NC500 camping itinerary , and our guide to campsites on the North Coast 500 .

Should I plan my North Coast 500 road trip in advance?

Yes, we would recommend booking your lodging in advance and to have a general idea of the main things you want to do. It is also wise to book ahead any guided activities such as kayaking, fishing, clay pigeon shooting, guided mountaineering, etc. in advance as many of the small operators tell us they can be booked up weeks in advance.

The North Coast 500 has become increasingly busy and there are a limited number of lodging and service options along the route. Waiting until the last minute to book lodging can leave you with few options, particularly if you are traveling between mid-May to early September.

If you are traveling off-season, there will be fewer travelers, but many of the businesses are seasonal so there are fewer lodging options and attractions open between October and April. So again it is wise to plan ahead.

How do you decide how long to drive the North Coast 500?

If you are not sure how long to spend along the North Coast 500, we recommend 7 to 10 days as the most ideal amount of time. This gives you plenty of time to see all the highlights, visit attractions, do some hiking, do some outdoor activities, and really see the area without feeling rushed.

Although it is possible to race around the North Coast 500 in 3 days, this is not recommended as you’ll see little and spend a lot of time driving in your car. You’ll want to take time to stop and explore and appreciate the scenery. We recommend at least 5 days to drive the full NC500.

This is not a route to drive quickly. The roads are mostly narrow and single-track and parts of the route can be congested in the summer months with tourists. Seeing deer and sheep on the road is common. Don’t plan a trip that will require you to rush around at top speeds; be a safe and responsible driver.

If you have more time, you’ll have a chance to see even more. The more time people take, the more they tend to enjoy the trip. We’ve driven the North Coast 500 route now several times and have spent between 7 day to 3 weeks at a time along the route. You won’t run out of things to do if you enjoy outdoor activities!

What if I have less than 1 week to drive the North Coast 500?

You can easily adjust this itinerary if you have a bit less than 7 days to drive the North Coast 500. We recommend a minimum of 5 days to drive the NC500 route, and you can see our suggested itinerary for 5 days around the NC500 .

If you have less than 5 days, we recommend driving only a portion of the route or considering joining a guided tour. If you are considering a guided tour, we can recommend this 3 day tour from Rabbies , an Edinburgh-based tour company we have used several times. They will take care of the planning, ensure you see all the main highlights, and keep you safe on the road.

What if I have more than 7 days to drive the NC500?

It is great if you have more than 1 week to drive the NC500! We can easily spend a few weeks in the area ourselves and you’ll have plenty to do and see if you enjoy outdoor activities.

If you have a few extra days, I’d turn a couple of the 1-night stays into 2-night or 3-night stays so you can better explore areas that are of most interest to you. It is always nice to not have to pack up and change lodging every night.

You also have a chance to explore some of the secondary routes and explore off the NC500. We provide lots of suggestions for things to do and detours in our itinerary.

If you have several extra days, we’d recommend adding on a visit to one of the islands that can be reached from along or near the route such as Orkney, the Outer Hebrides (e.g., Lewis & Harris), the Isle of Skye, or Shetland. We’d recommend at least 2 full days on any of the above islands to make the most of a visit.

Additional Resources?

If you have further questions, we recommend checking out the rest of our content on the North Coast 500 , including our North Coast 500 planning guide (start here), North Coast 500 highlights , North Coast 500 photography locations guide , North Coast 500 hotel guide , NC500 camping itinerary , and North Coast 500 B&B guide for more information.

If you have additional questions not answered here, feel free to leave us your question at the end of this article in the Comments section. We’ll do our best to answer your questions about the NC500 and provide our advice based on our experiences.

How to Use this NC500 Itinerary?

We recommend that you use our North Coast 500 itinerary as a suggested guide rather than an inflexible itinerary.

There is no way you can visit all the listed attractions or eat in all the restaurants in one road trip with only 1 week so choose the ones of most interest to you. Modify the road trip itinerary to best suit the time you have available for your trip, your preferred pace of travel, and your interests. It is your trip!

We designed this North Coast 500 itinerary with the idea that you would leave Inverness the first day with little time to explore the city. But we highly recommend taking at least one full day to explore Inverness before (or after) your road trip. If you have more time, there is A LOT to do around Inverness and there are lots of great potential day trips from Inverness to places like Loch Ness and the Cairngorms National Park . Add extra days if you want to spend more time exploring Inverness and the surrounding area.

Below is a brief guide to each of the sections within our North Coast 500 itinerary to help you understand and make the most of it:

Starting & Ending Point: This provides our suggested starting and ending point for each day. For a couple of the days, we provide alternative stopping points depending on how far you want to drive and where you book your accommodation.

Route : This section provides a general idea of the route for that day if you are following the NC500 official route. The route is pretty easy to follow and we recommend picking up the official North Coast 500 route from the visitor center in Inverness before your trip to help keep you on track.

Mileage: We list the approximate mileage that would be driven that day if you follow the NC500 route. Of course, if you make any detours or deviations from the route, this will add to your overall mileage. We found that we almost always drove a bit more (and sometimes a lot more) than anticipated.

North Coast 500 Main Attractions: In this section, we highlight many of the main attractions along that day’s suggested route such as scenic viewpoints, museums, castles, golf courses, gardens, distilleries, beaches, visitor centers, interesting shops, and historical sites.

We recommend reading over the itinerary before your trip and note down any must-see attractions. For these, I would recommend checking on opening dates and hours to make sure you can fit them into your schedule. Many places are closed on certain days and a few require advanced bookings. Most attractions along the route are open seasonally so if traveling outside of the summer months, some will be closed.

Note that if you would like to do any activities along the route (e.g., wildlife watching boat tours, fishing, golfing, clay pigeon shooting, guided hikes, surfing lessons, cooking classes, geology walks, etc.) I would be sure to book these before your trip. Many of these require advanced reservations and some book up well in advance.

Notable Detours:  If there are any notable detours off the driving route that day, such as the Black Isle, trip to Orkney, or Coigach Peninsula loop, we list them in this section. Just note if you plan to make a lot of detours (or do long ones such as out to the islands) you will likely want to add more days to your trip.

North Coast 500 Dinner Recommendations: In this section, we’ll tell you about your options for dinner in and around the town where we recommend staying for the night. Breakfast is offered at most B&B’s and hotels and lunch is fairly easy to find in most towns along the route, so you shouldn’t have too much trouble finding a place to eat during the day. But there are fewer places serving dinner.

In some places you’ll have many choices of where to have dinner (e.g., Inverness or Ullapool), but in other towns you’ll have more limited choices. In all the places we recommend overnighting, you should have at least 2 or more choices for dinner, especially if traveling between May and September. If you are traveling in the off season, choices may be more limited, especially in the less populated areas.

We list everything from sandwich shops to pubs to fine dining for each location. We’ve eaten at about 70% of the restaurants we list, so feel free to give us a shout if you have any questions or want a recommendation for a certain type of food or for a certain budget. Also let us know if you find that one of the restaurants on our list has closed, or find a great one that has recently opened.

Most restaurants along the North Coast 500 route stop serving dinner between 8:00pm and 9:00pm (20:00 and 21:00). If you plan to arrive after 8:00pm or so, I’d be prepared and pick up sandwiches or something along the way so you aren’t in the situation where you have nothing to eat for the evening.

For those planning to cook their own meals, most towns of any size have a small grocery or general store that sells basic groceries, snacks, prepared sandwiches, etc. Note that in many of the smaller towns, these stores close between 5:00pm and 6:00pm (17:00 and 18:00).

SPAR is the most common store for groceries (as well as other necessities) along the route (many small towns have one), and SPAR also often doubles as the town post office and general store. Some of the larger campsites and caravan parks also stock basic groceries and camping necessities that campers can purchase.

Larger grocery stores along the NC500 can be found in Inverness (several large supermarkets including Tesco, Lidl, Asda, and Morrisons), Thurso (Tesco, Lidl, and Co-op), and Ullapool (Tesco Superstore). These are good places to stock up on groceries if you are staying in self-catering lodging or camping.

North Coast 500 Lodging Recommendations: In this section, we list recommended hotels across a number of budgets and types. We list hotels, inns, B&B’s, hostels, and other types of accommodation. We also note campsites and campervan parks near each recommended overnight location for those wanting to do tent camping or plan to travel by campervan, RV, or motorhome.

We have attempted to provide options that will suit all kinds of travelers from budget travelers to luxury travelers; however, know that many towns along the route do not have any 4- or 5-star hotels and many towns don’t have any hostels. If you are looking for 5-star luxury at every stop, you may be disappointed, but there are good mid-range options all around the route.

We only list accommodation recommendations for suggested overnight stops within the 7 day itinerary, but if you are looking for other lodging options in other spots, take a look at our guide to where to stay along the North Coat 500 .

Parking is available for free at (either a dedicated car park or free on-street parking) almost all lodging options around the route. The only place where you might want to check on parking is Inverness as not all hotels and B&B’s have their own parking area, but there is almost always free street parking around or low-cost car parks.

** Important Note :  We’ve driven the route several times over the past few years and have seen a large number of openings, closings, and changes of ownership of hotels, B&B’s, restaurants, museums, shops, and other businesses. We strive to keep this information as updated as possible, but be sure to check ahead for latest information.

If you know of an attraction that has disappeared or a business that has closed (or a great place that has opened or re-opened) please feel free to leave us a Comment and we will look into it and update our information. We appreciate your help in keeping our information updated for future readers! **

1 Week North Coast 500 Itinerary Map

Below is a quick outline of our suggested North Coast 500 itinerary route and the starting and ending points for each day are shown in the map below. This is just a quick reference North Coast 500 map to show the route and itinerary so you can visualize it!

You can click this link or double click on the map image below to explore or save the map.

1 Week North Coast 500 Itinerary Summary

Here’s an overview of the route for quick reference.

• Day 1:  Inverness to Dornoch
• Day 2:  Dornoch to Wick
• Day 3 : Wick to Tongue
• Day 4 : Tongue to Lochinver
• Day 5 : Lochinver to Ullapool
• Day 6 : Ullapool to Kinlochewe
• Day 7 : Kinlochewe to Inverness

7 Day North Coast 500 Itinerary

Here is our suggested 1 week North Coast 500 itinerary. The itinerary begins and ends in the city of Inverness.

We recommend driving the NC500 route counterclockwise (starting along the east coast) so the itinerary follows this direction going northeast and then west. However, you can easily reverse this route and start your trip by exploring the west coast first. You just need to start reading from the end.

As noted earlier, we suggest that you use our itinerary as a guide for planning your trip and that you modify it as needed.

To make the most of your trip and time, you might consider picking up a map of the route.  If you will be driving beyond the NC500, we also recommend getting a good driving map of Scotland or a road atlas like this one .

There used to be a physical copy of the official North Coast 500 map available, however this has been discontinued. You can sometimes find it on eBay, with this search . There is also this map of the route available on Waterstones.

You might also want to get a guidebook written for the North Coast 500. There are a few of them now, and you can see them here . Personally, we have not used them and have heard mixed reviews from readers, so read reviews to decide if one of these might be helpful for your trip.

For those planning to do a lot of hiking, cycling, or climbing along the North Coast 500 (or elsewhere in Scotland), we highly recommend using Ordnance Survey maps . These are the best and most detailed maps for the UK.

There are OS 1: 50,000 scale Landranger maps (good for cyclists, drivers, and hikers planning to stick to well-established paths) as well as the OS 1:25,000 scale Explorer Maps for those hiking and wanting to get off the paths. For example, this is the Landranger Map  for Assynt & Lochinver and this is the  Explorer Map for that same area.

OS ships globally, but some of the maps are also available on Amazon. If you have a question about which map you need for certain hikes or areas, feel free to ask.

We have driven the route many times now and we have visited almost every listed attraction along the North Coast 500 and done almost all the listed detours. So if you have a question about something after reading over the itinerary, feel free to ask us in the Comments section at the end of this article.

OK, let’s get this road trip started!

Day 1 of North Coast 500 Itinerary: Inverness to Dornoch

Welcome to the North Coast 500—today your great Scottish road trip begins! Today you head up the east coast with opportunities for beaches, golfing, wildlife spotting, cultural attractions, whisky distillery tours, and hiking. The biggest decision today is whether you want to detour to explore the Black Isle or not.

Let’s get started!

Starting & Ending Point: Inverness to Dornoch

The official beginning is Inverness Castle, but feel free to begin wherever you wish. You’ll start by heading west out of Inverness along the A862 towards the small town of Beauly.

Route:  Inverness –> Beauly –> Dingwall –> Tain –> Dornoch Mileage: ~ 53 miles / 85 km (~ 93 miles / 150 km if do Black Isle detour) Areas of Scottish Highlands: Inverness-shire, Easter Ross (a.k.a. Ross-shire and Ross & Cromarty), and Sutherland

Main Attractions Along Route

• You’ll be leaving Inverness today. Inverness, the Capital of the Highlands, has a number of attractions in the city itself such as Inverness Castle (only the viewpoint is open to the public), Inverness Museum & Art Gallery , Ness Island Walk, and Inverness Botanical Garden . And offers a number of great attractions within a short drive such as Fort George , Culloden Battlefield , Cawdor Castle , and Loch Ness. You can see our guide to day trips from Inverness . We highly recommend spending a full day exploring Inverness before or after your NC500 road trip if you haven’t visited before.
• Note for those interested in the Picts , an early group of people who inhabited Scotland, there is a Pictish Trail that ties together over a dozen sites between Inverness and Dunrobin Castle. Most sites are Pictish carved stones and you can add any of interest to your itinerary. A few require you to phone ahead to ensure access.
• The area of the Moray Forth and Beauly Firth around Inverness and North Kessock is well known for wildlife and people often spot birds, otters, and dolphins here.
• Beauly is the first village you’ll come to and is best known for Beauly Priory, or the Priory Church of the Blessed Virgin and John the Baptist, which was founded in 1230 by Valliscaulian monks. The Reformation in 1560 brought an end to its religious use and it is in ruins now, but it’s maintained by Historic Scotland and worth a visit (free to visit). John Keats visited here and wrote a poem about the ruined abbey . Beauly also has its own Pipe Band that performs traditional music every Thursday evening in the town square during summer.
• Just north of Beauly , you’ll pass by Robertson’s Farm Shop , this is an excellent place to grab picnic supplies. They also have a small family petting zoo (small fee) here where the kids can get up close to sheep, goats, Highland cattle, chickens, pigs, alpaca, etc.
• Next village is Muir of Ord which offers a golf course and a nearby whisky distillery. The Glen Ord Distilery , which produces a popular single malt whisky, has a visitor center and you can take distillery tours and/or do tastings here. For those interested in archaeological sites, the golf course is also the site of the Castle Hill Henge (previously known as the Muir of Ord Fort) which may be a Neolithic or Bronze Age henge and there are also standing stones within a mile of the henge. If you want to see it, just stop in at the golf course and ask about it.
• If you are wanting to detour to visit the Black Isle (recommended if you have time), you’ll probably want to do that now. See Possible Detours section below for more information about the Black Isle.
• Dingwall is a very pleasant town to stroll around so we recommend parking and taking a stroll along the main street (High Street), here you’ll find a number of local shops, a few casual dining spots, and the Dingwall Museum (entry by donation, seasonal). The small museum covers the local town history and is worth a stop. There is a heritage walk you can do that takes about 1.5 hours (ask about it in the museum) and covers local monuments and historical buildings. The tower you’ll likely notice on the hill is a memorial to local hero Major General Hector MacDonald and you can do a hike up to the tower which offers a nice view back over the town and Black Isle.
• Outside the town center of Dingwall is Tulloch Castle which is believed to date back to the 12th century and is today a hotel. GlenWyvis is a community-owned distillery, started in 2015, that produces both gin and whisky. You can’t visit the distillery (as of last check) but you can purchase and try it locally in Dingwall.
• Evanton isn’t a large village but if offers several woodland hiking trails in and around the community-owned Evanton Woods . One 2.5 mile hike goes past the Black Rock Gorge, which was a Harry Potter filming location . There is also a very nice woodland playground located here (about a 10 minute walk from town center parking area) if you are traveling with kids.
• The little village of Alness has a golf course and two whisky distilleries, Dalmore Distillery (open to visitors, seasonal) and Teaninich Distillery (not open to public). You might also consider a hike up to the nearby Fyrish Monument ; there are nice views of Ben Wyvis and the rest of the local area from the monument on a clear day.
• A brief detour can take you to Invergordon which is home to another golf course and the Invergordon Museum (entry by donation, seasonal) which covers local history of the town and area.
• Another brief detour can take you to the Nigg Bay reserve which is an extensive area of mudflats, saltmarsh, and wet grassland on the Cromarty Firth, much of which is part of a The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) reserve. It is a good place to see wading birds and wildfowl, especially at high tide. The reserve operates a hide and small car park here. Those interesting in birdwatching here should check out the reserve website . A bit further south is the parish church in Nigg that contains the Nigg Stone, an important carved Pictish stone.
• Tain has a long history and was Scotland’s first royal burgh back in 1066, and its town center is worth a short stroll. Some notable buildings are the Tain Tolbooth & Clock Tower (across the road from the Royal Hotel) and the medieval St Duthac Collegiate church. If you have time we recommend a visit to Tain Through Time (small admission fee), which includes 3 buildings set within the church grounds which include a visitor center focused on the story of medieval pilgrimage to Tain, the medieval church itself dedicated to Saint Duthac , and the Tain & District Museum which covers the local history. The Clan Ross Centre is also located within this museum.
• Tain also has a golf course and a whisky distillery. Glenmorangie Distillery dates back to 1843 and produces a single malt whisky and is one of the best selling single malts in Scotland each year. The distillery offers guided tours and tasting classes to the public.
• Just outside of Dornoch (but not open to the public) sits Skibo Castle , which was the home of Scottish-American industrialist Andrew Carnegie . It can’t be seen from the road and doesn’t allow public visits as it is an exclusive members-only residential club. It has its own golf course, stables, and tennis courts. This is where Madonna married Guy Ritchie in December 2000. You can learn more about the castle in the HistoryLinks museum in Dornoch.
• Dornoch is a lovely little town best known for its famous championship golf course at Royal Dornoch Golf Club (book tee time well in advance) and is a major draw for golfers. In the center of town you’ll find Dornoch Cathedral (grand parish church which has seen the likes of Madonna and Elon Musk), Dornoch Castle (15th century castle, now a hotel), and the old 19th century jailhouse (now a shop). Dornoch also has a beach which is a pleasant place for a seaside stroll. For local history, we recommend a stop at HistoryLinks (small admission fee) which covers all the local history and you can also pick up a heritage trail map that will guide you to places like the old mercat cross and The Witch’s Stone (commemorates last legal witch burning in British Isles in 1727). There’s also the popular Cocoa Mountain which sells handmade chocolates and serves hot chocolate

Possible Detours

Today’s drive to Dornoch isn’t that long so depending on what time you leave Inverness and how many stops you plan to make, you may have time for a detour. If you have time we’d definitely recommend the Black Isle detour.

If you have even more time (ideally another day) you might consider more exploration of the Tarbat Peninsula and doing the Lairg Loop.

• The Black Isle is a large peninsula located just northwest of Inverness. The area has a number of interesting small towns, attractions, and scenic spots that are worth a stop if you have time. These include Hugh Miller’s Birthplace Museum & Cottage, Black Isle Brewery, Fortrose Cathedral, wildlife watching boat tours (book in advance), Pictish stones, and Fairy Glen waterfall. Chanonry Point is one of the best places to see dolphins in Scotland. See our guide to things to do on the Black Isle to plan your visit. You can turn off the NC500 route to visit the Black Isle in a few different spots between Inverness and Dingwall. It is about a 1.5 hour detour to drive around the peninsula and return, but I’d allow at least 3 hours if you want to make stops and explore.
• If you like Pictish stones and lighthouses, you might want to make the detour to explore the Tarbat Peninsula . Here you can visit the interesting Tarbat Discovery Centre (small admission fee) which is located in an old parish church and is focused on Pictish history and artifacts. There are also more Pictish stones and historical sites in area (ask at Discovery Centre). You can also follow the coastal Tarbat Ness walk from Portmahomack to the local lighthouse which was designed by Robert Stevenson. You can detour to this area from Tain, it is about a 20 minute drive from Tain to Portmahomack.
• Lairg Loop – If you have extra time, you might consider driving the Lairg Loop which includes the chance to drive through Bonar Bridge, see the Falls of Shin (visitor center, walking & cycling paths, restaurant, waterfall with chance to see salmon jumping), and visit Lairg. In Lairg, you’ll find the Ferrycroft Visitor Centre which is a good place to get local information and to do two short walks, the Ord Lairg Archaeology Trail and Ferrywood Trail. This is a popular fishing area, especially for trout in local lochs, and you can purchase bank permits and boats here . The Lairg Loop without stops adds a little over 1 hour of driving.
• If you are doing the Lairg Loop, you may also want to make a detour to see Croick Church (about 10 miles west of Ardgay) in the parish of Croick . It is a Church of Scotland 19th century parish church of Thomas Telford design that figured prominently in the Clearance of Glencalvie in 1845. It is about a 25 minute drive from Ardgay to reach the church. So add an extra hour to the Lairg Loop drive if you want to visit the church.

Dinner Recommendations

You have several options when it comes to finding dinner in Dornoch. Reservations are recommended at many of the restaurants so I’d recommend calling ahead to book if there is one you really want to eat at during your stay.

I’d also check with your B&B or hotel, as many offer evening meals in Dornoch for guests.

Here are some options:

• Coach House Bar & Restaurant – If you are looking for inexpensive pub grub or a drink at a local place, this is a good bet. The service here is friendly; however, the food we’ve had here was only so-so. Full bar; pub is dog friendly.
• Luigi – This is a casual cafe that serves tasty lunches during the day, and they also serve evening meals on some nights. Serves contemporary European food with a focus on fresh and local seafood. Serve wine and beer. Reservations recommended.
• Sutherland House Restaurant & Bar – Traditional Scottish food, British pub food, and steaks. Full bar. Located in central Dornoch. Popular spot; reservations recommended in summer.
• Conservatory Restaurant – Located at the Royal Golf Hotel, the bistro-style conservatory restaurant offers nice views over the Royal Dornoch Golf Club and Dornoch Firth. Offers à la carte menu with traditional Scottish and European dishes. Full bar. Reservations recommended.
• Castle Restaurant – Although the Dornoch Castle Hotel is best known for its award-winning whisky bar, it also has a good hotel restaurant. Serving contemporary Scottish and European meals. Wine list. We’ve had very good meals here. Reservations recommended.
• Links House – French inspired food using local produce. Offer both an à la carte menu and a set tasting menu. Extensive wine list. Excellent option if you are looking for a fine dining experience; reservations essential.
• Late Night Option – If you are arriving into the town late, Highland Spice, an Indian restaurant and takeaway, usually offers takeaway until 11pm.

Lodging Recommendations

We recommend lodging options in Inverness for those staying overnight there before starting the North Coast 500, and accommodation in Dornoch, where we recommend spending your first night along the NC500.

Accommodation in Inverness

If you are looking for a place to stay in Inverness before (or after) your NC500 trip, here are some suggestions, many of which we have stayed in:

• Bazpackers – A well-rated hostel offering 4-bed and 6-bed dorms rooms as well as private rooms, and a lounge and kitchen. Central location, 2 minute walk from Inverness Castle and 15 minute walk to train and bus stations.
• No. 29 B&B is a good value bed-and-breakfast offering ensuite rooms, a continental or cooked breakfast, and friendly hosts. It’s about a 1 minute walk from Inverness Castle and to the train and bus stations.
• Ardentorrie House – directly opposite Inverness Castle and offering lovely views of the castle and Inverness skyline, this B&B offers spacious en-suite rooms and free on-site parking, as well as a highly rated full Scottish breakfast.
• Best Western Palace Hotel & Spa – This centrally-located 3-star hotel is set in a large Victorian building, and offers spacious rooms, a swimming pool , spa, beauty services, 24-hour front desk, modern gym, spa, and two on-site restaurants. Many rooms offer fine views overlooking River Ness and Inverness Castle. It is about a 10 minute walk to Inverness Castle and to the train and bus stations.
• Invernevis B&B – This lovely 4-star B&B is set in a Victorian-era villa and offers several rooms (most en-suite, 2 with shared bathroom), a welcome dram of whisky, lovely decor, and a cooked breakfast. It is about a 20 minute walk from Inverness Castle.
• Jury’s Inn – This 4-star hotel offers comfortable modern rooms at a good value, and also offers a 24-hour front desk, swimming pool, leisure center, free parking, and an on-site bar and restaurant. It is about a 5 minute drive or 30 minute walk into central Inverness.
• Kingsmills Hotel   –  This 4-star luxury hotel offers comfortable rooms across two buildings, a whisky bar, a leisure club (gym and pool), a spa, two restaurants, and free parking. We found the rooms very comfortable here. Hotel is located next door to the Inverness Golf Club. Offers a variety of rooms categories and types from modern to historically decorated. It is a 5 minute drive or 20 minute walk to central Inverness.
• Rocpool Reserve Hotel – This 5-star chic boutique hotel offers 11 rooms in a renovated Georgian mansion house. The hotels offers a guest lounge, on-site stylish cocktail bar, and a popular on-site restaurant where we had a lovely meal. Centrally located and a 7 minute walk from Inverness Castle.
• Ness Walk – This 5-star luxury hotel just opened in summer 2019 and features a modern interior, spacious guest rooms, an opulent lounge, and an on-site fine dining restaurant. A 12 minute walk to Inverness Castle.
• Bunchrew House Hotel -This 4-star luxury hotel offers 16 guest rooms in a 17th century baronial country home just outside Inverness in a woodland setting. Hotel offers a large guest lounge, on-site bar, on-site restaurant, and garden area. A great place for couples looking for a romantic break, and we enjoyed our stay here. About a 15 minute drive from Inverness Castle.
• Campsites – The nearest campsites and caravan parks are Torvean Caravan Park and Bught Park Caravan Park & Campsite . Also nearby are Ardtower Caravan Park and Bunchrew Caravan Park .

Accommodation in Dornoch

Here are suggestions for lodging in and around Dornoch across a variety of budgets:

• Strathview Lodge B&B – Located about a 10 minute drive from Dornoch, this lovely B&B offers good-sized comfortable en-suite rooms and a tasty cooked breakfast. We’ve stayed here. Great location for birdwatchers as very close to the Loch Fleet Nature Reserve.
• Heartseed House B&B – This B&B is located just outside Dornoch and offers 3 comfortable rooms with nice views over rural land and Dornoch Firth. Offers cooked-to-order breakfast, and pets are allowed on request.
• Albatross B&B – This centrally located B&B offers two en-suite guest rooms as well as free on-site parking, free WiFi and a full cooked breakfast.
• Dornoch Castle Hotel – If you are looking for a Scottish castle to stay in while in Dornoch, then the 3-star castle hotel may suit the bill. Its history dates back to the 15th century and it offers 22 comfortable rooms, an on-site restaurant, and an award-winning whisky bar and lounge. Central location across from Dornoch Cathedral.
• Links House – A 5-star luxury boutique hotel with 14 rooms across three adjacent buildings. Beautiful decor, excellent on-site restaurant, and luxury amenities. Located next to the Royal Dornoch Golf Club. If you are looking for the nicest place to stay in Dornoch, this is it!
• Campsites – Dornoch Caravan and Camping Park – offers both serviced and unserviced pitches for tents, caravans, and motorhomes. Located near beach and golf courses.

Day 2 of North Coast 500 Itinerary: Dornoch to Wick

Hopefully, you enjoyed your first taste of the North Coast 500 yesterday and are ready for Day 2. Today you have lots of things you can do, including birdwatching and wildlife spotting at Loch Fleet, learning more about the Highland Clearances and local history of the region, touring the impressive Dunrobin Castle and its gardens, and visiting dozens of archeological sites. There are also many hiking opportunities as well as several whisky distilleries and golf courses along today’s NC500 route.

Although today’s drive is again not that far, there are lots of stops you can make along the way. We recommend looking ahead before setting out and noting the must-see stops for yourself along the route today and then plan your day accordingly.

Starting & Ending Point: Dornoch to Wick (or John O’ Groats) Route:  Dornoch –> Brora –> Helmsdale –> Dunbeath –> Wick Mileage: ~ 62 miles / 100 km (~ 78 miles / 125 km if end in John O’Groats) Areas of Scottish Highlands: Sutherland and Caithness

• Say goodbye to Dornoch and head north towards Golspie.
• You might want to make a short detour to visit Embo as it has a lovely beach (you can actually walk from Dornoch Beach to Embo Beach as well).
• For those who enjoy wildlife and birdwatching, you should make a stop at Loch Fleet, a national nature reserve. Loch Fleet is a sea loch surrounded by sand dunes, mudflats, coastal heath, and pinewoods. It is a popular place for birdwatchers and also good for spotting local plants, otters, and seals. The ruins of the 14th century Skelbo Castle are also here. Lots of trails here, coastal and woodland, from short easy ones to longer hikes. The Skelbo Forest walk is an ideal one for families as it has lots of shade and has a number of woodcarved animal sculptures along the path.
• The town of Golspie has another golf course (can’t have enough of them!) and a nice little shop selling stones and fossils called the Golspie Stone Shop . You’ll likely notice a statue above the town, this is a 100-foot tall statue of the 1st Duke of Sutherland which was erected in 1837. The Duke and his wife (as is the Sutherland name) are controversial figures because of their role in the Highland Clearances . The statue, known locally as The Mannie, marks the top of Ben Bhraggie and you can hike up to the statue from Golspie, and there are lovely views from the top on a clear day. You can continue that hike onto the Big Burn or Dunrobin Castle estate as well.
• If you are looking for more hiking opportunities today, just outside Golspie is the lovely Big Burn hike which is a lovely wooded area and stream with a series of small waterfalls.
• Now you’ll arrive at the fairytale castle of the Scottish Highlands, Dunrobin Castle . Of all the castles in Scotland, this is the one that looks most like a Disney Castle. Although it dates back to the medieval period, most of what you see today dates only to the mid-nineteenth century and was designed by English architect Charles Barry. Dunrobin Castle is the family seat of the Earl of Sutherland and the Clan Sutherland, and is still owned and used by the Sutherland family. The castle is open to the public seasonally to visit (admission fee for entry). Here you can tour the castle rooms, visit the beautiful formal French gardens, and explore the museum (warning: lots of stuffed animals inside the museum!). There are also regular falconry shows in the garden in the summer. You can easily spend a couple of hours here, and we always enjoy visiting.
• After leaving Dunrobin Castle, you will soon see a sign for Càrn Liath which is an Iron Age broch . You can see it from the road, but there is a small car park on the opposite side of the road where you can park and walk over to the broch if you wish. The site is maintained by Historic Scotland. More brochs (or well broch remains) can be found in Caithness than in any other part of Scotland. When visiting, just be sure not to walk on top of or disturb any of these archaeological structures. Learn more about local brochs on the Caithness Broch Project website .
• In Brora you’ll find a popular golf course, a small beach, and the small Brora Heritage Centre (free, donation only). If looking for a coastal hike, consider doing part of the John o’ Groats Trail from Brora to Golspie or from Brora to Helmsdale .
• Just outside of the village of Brora is the Clynelish Distillery which includes both a modern distillery and a 19th century one (this one was renamed Brora Distillery ; currently closed with plans to reopen it in 2020). Tours and tastings are available to the public.
• Helmsdale – Helmsdale’s harbor was once home to one of the largest herring fishing fleets in Europe. The town has an interesting history with links to the Highland Clearances, herring industry, gold rush, and castle poisonings, which you can learn all about at the museum (small entry fee) at the Timespan Heritage and Art Centre . Timespan also has a cafe if you are hungry or need a cup of coffee. The other thing to see in Helmsdale is a bronze statue on a hill called The Emigrants which is a touching memorial to those who left Scotland during the Highland Clearances .
• About 5 miles north of Helmsdale is the former clearance village of Badbea , which was one of the villages in the area where evicted people settled during the Highland Clearances. There is a small car park here and a path to the former village. There are some signs here telling about the history of the village and a monument by David Sutherland, and you can see some of the remaining stone walls of buildings and such.
• In Dunbeath , you’ll find the Dunbeath Heritage Centre . Writer Neil Miller Gunn was born in Dunbeath and you can find a memorial statue Kenn and the Salmon (based on two of his characters) located near the harbor. Also nearby are a number of archaeological sites like Dunbeath Broch (this nice walk includes the broch, a carin, and standing stone) and the Dunbeath Castle Gardens (fee, private gardens open by appointment only). Garden lovers should be sure to schedule a time to visit in advance.
• Just outside Dunbeath along the route is the Laidhay Croft Museum (small fee to enter, pay in tea shop if no one around) which includes a 250-year-old rush thatched Caithness Long House which you can explore which is cluttered full of antique furnishings as well as a byre (barn) and shed with tools. There is also a tea room next door and it’s a place we like to stop to support the little museum.
• Near Latheron , is the Clan Gunn Museum & Heritage Centre which is a museum dedicated to the history of the Clan Gunn which is located within the Latheron Old Parish Church.
• There is also a large standing stone (over 12 feet high) in a field in Latheron called the Buldoo stone or Latheron stone, you can see it from the A9 but we could not find an easy way to access it on foot. Further along towards Lybster sit the ruins of Forse Castle , you can’t see it from the road but it can be seen from the coastal hiking path between Dunbeath and Lybster.
• In between Dunbeath and Wick are a number of archaeological sites of burial cairns, standing stones, brochs, etc. There are probably hundreds of sites and you can easily spend a couple of days just exploring them. If you don’t have a lot of time, maybe pick one or two to visit and add those to your itinerary today. Most of these require small detours from the North Coast 500 route to visit. The most popular (and best signposted) are the Achavanich Standing Stones (36 smaller stones part of a stone circle), Grey Cairns of Camster (Neolithic burial chambers, note have been restored by Historic Scotland but very impressive), Yarrows Archaeological Trail (hiking path with several sites), Cairn o’ Get (remains of a tomb, it’s about a 3/4 mile hike to reach, not recommended if muddy), and Hill o’ Many Stanes (rows and rows of small standing stones). Laurence and I have visited all of these so if you have a question, let us know.
• In Lybster is the Waterlines Heritage Museum located next to the Lybster fishing harbor, which focuses on local history and its former importance as a fishing station. The village also has a golf course.
• A bit further along is the Whaligoe Steps which is a man-made stairway of 330 steps that were handcut to lead down to a scenic harbor between two sea cliffs which was once a landing place for fishing boats. The steps are steep so keep that in mind before heading down and make sure to keep a close eye on children. There is also a very good cafe here that serves lunch and drinks, as well as dinner on certain evenings (make dinner reservations in advance).
• Near Thrumster is the previously mentioned Yarrows Archeological Trail which is a hiking path along which are the remains of a Mesolithic site, Neolithic chambered tombs, Bronze Age hut circles, and a broch. It starts near the southwest part of the Loch of Yarrows and there is a parking area here and signage. The full walk takes about 1.5 to 2 hours to complete, you can see more details of the walk here . If you are really interested in this trail, consider spending the night at nearby Thrumster House as there are archeological sites on the private grounds and the owners have been involved in making and promoting the local trail.
• Our recommended final destination for the day is the town of Wick . Wick has an interesting history and we recommend learning about it in the excellent Wick Heritage Centre if you have time. Also in Wick, you’ll find the Old Pulteney Distillery (open for public tours and tastings), a golf course, three harbors, and a Carnegie library. You can also hike up to Old Wick Castle , which is a 12th century ruin along a cliff.
• Looking for activities? Scenic boat trips along the coast are possible from Wick harbor with Caithness Seacoast (recommend booking in advance).
• The Lairg Loop (described in Day 1’s Possible Detours section) is a possibility again today. Note that this route takes at least 1 hour to drive without taking into account stops.
• The Forsinard Flows , a large blanket peat bog reserve that is protected by the RSPB and an important natural area, is a possible detour from Helmsdale today. However, we recommend if you want to visit here that you wait until Day 3 as it is quicker to access from the north. But if you do decide to go today it is about 25 miles to the Visitor Center and it takes about 45 minutes to get there from Helmsdale. So a detour there and back will take at least 2 hours, but longer if you want to spent much time exploring the reserve.

There are a few dinner options in Wick, and you can also check with your lodging in advance if they do evening meals.

• No 1 Bistro – This restaurant located at the Mackays Hotel serves both lunch and dinner and focuses on modern Scottish food using lots of local produce. Great place with high quality food. Full bar, and they even have a cocktail menu. Reservations strongly recommended for dinner.
• Bord de l’Eau – A relaxed French restaurant serving classic French dishes and French inspired dishes. The chef was born in France and the restaurant gets good reviews. Located along the river. Wine menu. Reservations recommended for dinner.
• Harbour Chip Shop – If you are looking for reasonably priced fish and chips (and other deep fried goodies), you might want to head down to the harbor to the local chippy for some takeaway.
• DeVita’s – This is a family-run pizzeria and Italian cafe serving salads, pizza, pasta, paninis, and burgers. DeVita’s serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
• The Alexander Bain – This is a large Wetherspoon’s pub named after a local inventor, serving the usual British pub fare, pizzas, and has a full bar. Note this pub has recently been put up for sale (as of March 2019) so its future is currently uncertain but still open at last check.
• Late Night Options – If you are arriving into the town late, you have a few options of places to check including Bombay Spice (Indian takeaway & delivery, usually open until midnight), The Great Wall (Chinese, cash only, usually open until at least 10pm), and Tandoori Spice (Indian restaurant and takeaway, usually open until 11pm).

We recommend staying overnight in Wick tonight but if you can’t find something in Wick, or want to drive a little further, you might consider spending the night a little further north in John o’ Groats.

Here are suggestions for lodging in Wick and John o’ Groats across a variety of budgets:

• Mackays Hotel in Wick – This 3-star hotel is famous for being on the world’s shortest street. Built in the 19th century, the hotel offers a mix of traditional and modern decor with comfortable rooms and apartments offering modern conveniences. Hotel has an on-site bar and popular restaurant, and a cooked Scottish breakfast is included in hotel room rates.
• Clachan B&B in Wick -The Clachan B&B is a well-rated bed-and-breakfast offering comfortable rooms, free WiFi, and an included full breakfast. About a 10 minute walk from town center.
• Bay View B&B in Wick – Located near the harbor, this B&B offers comfortable rooms with traditional decor at good value prices. Breakfast included. Some rooms have sea views.
• Thrumster House in nearby Thrumster – A B&B situated in a Victorian mansion with lots of antiques and family heirlooms. Friendly owners, dog-friendly (must like dogs), and included breakfast. Lovely garden with walking paths and even Bronze Age ruins. A great place for both dog lovers and archaeological lovers. Located 4 miles south of Wick.
• Bower Wigwams in Bowermadden – A collection of camping pods offering good value glamping stays and each includes mattresses, television, towels, and basic amenities. Some pods have en-suite bathrooms. There is a shared kitchen facility, fire pit, and toilet and shower area. Campsite is family friendly and situated on a farm. Be sure to bring your own food and cooking stuff if you plan to make meals. Located about 10 miles north of Wick.
• John O’Groats Inn & Lodges in John o’ Groats – If you are looking for self-catering lodging options you might want to head up to little John o’ Groats. The restored Victorian era Inn at John O’Groats offers studios to 4-bedroom apartments, and the Lodges at John O’Groats offers newly-built self-catering 3-bedroom villas. Many offer sea views. All options are self-catering with cooking facilities, but also come with a complimentary welcome hamper with local goodies and a concierge service. Expect modern decor, locally sourced furniture, and modern technology. The hotel owns and maintains the famous signpost showing how far John o’ Groats is from different locations.
• Seaview Hotel in John o’ Groats – A 3-star family-run hotel offering comfortable en-suite rooms, free parking, flat-screen TVs, and on-site dining. Hotel has an on-site bar and restaurant. Some rooms have sea views.
• Northern Sands Hotel in Dunnet – This is a great 3-star 12-room hotel near Dunnet Head and within walking distance of Dunnet Bay Distillery and the beach. Offers comfortable spacious en-suite rooms, free parking, and an on-site bar and restaurant. Just note that Dunnet is about a 30 minute drive from John o’Groats.
• There are no hostels that we know of in Wick, but if you venture a bit further along the route you can stay in Sandra’s Backpackers Hostel in Thurso. However this adds quite a bit of extra driving for today, so do plan accordingly if you plan to stay in Thurso.
• Campsites : Wick Caravan and Camping Site (closure announced in 2022, hoping new owners will reopen for 2022 or 2023 season). Also near Wick is Bower Wigwams which offers popular camping pods. If you’d rather stay in John O’Groats there is John O’Groats Caravan & Camping Site and Stroma View Caravan & Camping Site .

Day 3 of North Coast 500 Itinerary: Wick to Tongue

Today you finish your exploration of the western section of the NC500 and begin your exploration of the far north of Scotland. In fact, you can stop to see the northernmost spot on mainland Britain and visit the most northerly town.

Today there are plenty of chances for stops to see dramatic scenery, local wildlife, and sandy deserted beaches. There is the famous former home of the Queen Mother that you can visit, great little museums where you can learn local history, the most northerly 18-hole golf course on the British mainland, and a popular gin distillery. There are also loads of historical and archeological sites from Pictish stones to medieval churches. Hiking opportunities abound from dramatic coastal hikes to easy forest hikes.

Note that if you have not yet encountered single track roads (one lane roads) then you will definitely be driving on long stretches of single track road today. If you are new to driving on single track roads in Scotland, please be sure to read our single track road driving guide before you set out. Know the road laws and how to use (and not use) passing places, be sure you know how to reverse your vehicle, and please pull over into passing places to allow faster traffic to pass you. If you have any questions, feel free to ask us.

Although today’s drive is again not that far, the single track roads slow down traffic here and inexperienced drivers on the route can really slow things down. Expect it to take a little longer than anticipated to get to places. Loads of stops you can make again today, so plan your day accordingly.

Starting & Ending Point: Wick to Tongue (or Durness) Route:  Wick –> John o’ Groats –> Thurso –> Bettyhill –> Tongue Mileage: ~ 79 miles / 127 km (107 miles / 172 km if drive on to Durness) Areas of Scottish Highlands: Caithness and Sutherland

• Say goodbye to Wick and continue your drive north.
• Just north of Wick is Noss Head , where you can park and walk up around the lighthouse here. There is a small parking area before you arrive at the private drive to the lighthouse, which is still actively used. Also from here, you can walk to the dramatically situated ruins of the 15th-century Castle Girnigoe and the 17th-century Castle Sinclair (although new theories suggest it may have been one large fortress Castle Sinclair Girnigoe ), built for the Sinclair Earls of Caithness. The Clan Sinclair also built the nearby 16th century Ackergill Tower which was for a long time a 5-star castle hotel along the route but which closed in December 2018 and is now a private residence. Ackergill Tower is not open to the public.
• Around Keiss , there is yet another Clan Sinclair ruined castle, known as Old Keiss Castle. It is on private land and not publicly accessible, but you can get a good view of it from this coastal path , which also leads to Nybster Broch. Nybster Broch is an Iron Age broch along the coast worth seeing and there is also the Mervyn Tower here, which is a monument to Sir Francis Barry , an English businessman who excavated the Nybster broch in 1900.
• Just north of Nybster Broch in Auckengill , there is the Caithness Broch Centre (formerly the Northlands Viking Centre) which is worth a short stop if open to learn more about brochs and other archaeology sites. However, it has been closed every single time we have driven by in recent years.
• Now onto John o’ Groats , a place famous for being at one end of the 876-mile “End to End” route that connects it to Land’s End in Cornwall. It is often mistakenly referred to as the northernmost point in mainland Britain (but this is actually nearby Dunnet Head), but it does have a famous signpost that replaces the original “Journey’s End” signpost which was a customizable sign that people could pay to have their photos professionally taken next to. Today, the sign is no longer the original customizable one, but it is free to take your own photo here. There are nice sea views out to Orkney here on a clear day and you can take a ferry to the islands from here. In summer you can take wildlife sightseeing ferries and boats from here with John o’ Groats Ferries . There is a cafe serving hot meals and a couple of gift shops here.
• Just northwest of John o’ Groats you can make a short drive to Duncansby Head . There is a lighthouse you can see here built by David Alan Stevenson (active, not open to the public), sea cliffs, and sea stacks (known as the Stacks of Duncansby). It is a very scenic area and you can often see seabirds nesting on the cliffs and stacks, and you may also see seals. Whale spotting is also popular along here. Bring your binoculars if you have them. You can just take a short walk out to the viewing area or it is about a 1 hour walk out past the sea stacks along the cliff.
• In Mey , you’ll find the Castle of Mey, another former Sinclair castle, which is best known as the former home of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother who used it as a holiday home from the 1950s until her death in 2002. It is open to the public seasonally for visits (fee for entry) and you can tour the castle, the gardens, and visit the family farm animal center. The interior of the castle has been left much as it was when the Queen Mother lived here. There is also a large tea room serving hot food and drinks and a gift shop. There is even a new luxury B&B on the grounds. You can find out more about the castle and its attractions here .
• Around Dunnet , you can head out to Dunnet Head, the most northerly point in mainland Britain. There is a stone marker here next to the parking area and a well-marked short path to a viewpoint. Or you can explore further by taking a coastal walk of the area which is part of the Dunnet Bay Nature Reserve, and home to lots of flora and fauna, including important plants and seabirds.
• Also around Dunnet you’ll find Mary Ann’s Cottage , a well-preserved croft home dating back to 1850 and last lived in by Mary-Ann Calder, allows visitors to see what crofting life was like in the 19th and early 20th centuries here. It is normally open for a few hours each afternoon during the Spring and Summer seasons. Also you’ll find Dunnet Bay Distillery famous for Rock Rose gin and their iconic ceramic bottles. They offer tours to visitors and there is also a gift shop here. Also, the Seadrift Centre is located right next to the Dunnet Bay Caravan Club site, and is a visitor center and has free exhibits about the local geology and wildlife. A short stroll from the parking area takes you to dunes and a beach which is a pleasant place for a stroll.
• Castletown  is best known as the “Flagstone Village” as it used to be a major source of flagstone. Here you can visit the Castletown Heritage Centre to learn more about the town history and the parish of Olrig. Also just outside of the heritage centre are two short walking trails you can follow, we followed one of them and it was well signposted, taking us on a self-guided tour around former buildings used related to the flagstone industry.
• Thurso is the largest town along the northern section of the North Coast 500 and the most northernmost town on the UK mainland. It has a compact center that is a pleasant place for a stroll. Some notable places of interest in town include the ruins of St. Peter’s Kirk (one of the oldest churches in Scotland), the “new” 19th century St Peter’s and St Andrew’s Church, Sir John’s Square (in front of church with a statue of Sir John Sinclair and a war memorial), and the ruins of Thurso Castle (can be viewed from across river from Riverside Drive). For railway enthusiasts, you’ll find the most northerly railway station in the UK located here. Thurso is also a good place to pick up food, supplies, and get fuel. It also has a golf course.
• One of our favorite museums along the NC500 located in downtown Thurso is North Coast Visitor Centre (formerly Caithness Horizons Museum & Art Gallery). This reopened in 2021 following a period of closure due to funding issues . The museum, located in the former Town Hall building, covers the history of the local area and is notable for its collection of Pictish stones and artifacts from the Dounreay Nuclear Power Plant .
• You might be surprised to learn that northern Scotland, particularly Thurso, is a popular place for surfing and national championships have been held in Thurso. Big waves are regular features along the northern beaches in the winter, attracting big wave surfers. In the summer months, when the waves are not so large or dangerous, some locals (look up Scot Surf in Durness for example) will take tourists for surfing lessons. You’ll want a wetsuit or drysuit for any prolonged water activities as the water is never warm up here!
• At Scrabster , there are ferries to the Orkney islands from the harbor and you can also do a scenic coastal walk around Holburn Head here.
• At the remote hamlet of Crosskirk , you can do a hike to visit the ruins of St Mary’s Chapel which is believed to have been built around 1100. There is a small signed parking area and the hike is across sheep fields and a little bridge, and can be muddy. It took us about 45 minutes round trip.
• Those interested in birdwatching may want to make a short detour to visit Broubster Leans which is another RSPB reserve which includes grassland, heathland, moorland, wetland, and marshland habitats.
• Little Reay has a golf course ( Reay Golf Club is the most northerly 18-hole course on the British mainland) and a sandy beach at Sandside Bay. The wee village also contains the remains of a medieval church and graveyard and the 18th century Reay Parish Church.
• The sea cliffs and grounds around Melvich Bay is a popular place for seabirds to nest in the spring and summer months.
• Strathy has a nice large sandy beach just off the route and nearby Strathy Point is another scenic point you can choose to explore. You can follow the single track road to Totegan and then park where indicated at the end of the public road. You can then follow the private road on foot out to the lighthouse (private, not open to public) and Strathy Point which is a 10 to 15 minute walk. You can then wander along the cliff edge for nice views and chances to spot wildlife.
• In little Bettyhill is the Strathnaver Museum , located in the former Parish Church of Columba, which covers local history and has a whole room dedicated to Clan Mackay (this area of Scotland is part of “Mackay Country”) with a large collection of memorabilia belonging to the Clan Mackay Society . Don’t forget to see the 8th century Farr Stone here.
• The Strathnaver Museum is also a good place to get information about the Strathnaver Trail (which starts here), a walking/driving trail which currently connects a couple dozen historical sites that include Pictish carved stones, burial cairns, war memorials, Highland Clearance village remains, and stone circles. Each site includes an interpretive sign, some require hikes to reach from the car parks. There is also the local Rob Donn Mackay Trail , where you can visit places connected to the Scottish Gaelic 18th century poet and his work.
• Also near Bettyhill is the sandy and pretty Farr Beach, another place you may see surfers, and the scenic Torrisdale Bay. You can take a hike down into Torrisdale Bay where you can reach a sandy beach and see the remains of a broch. Just be careful with the tides here. Further along the route is Coldbackie Beach, another pretty sandy beach.
• Near Borgie , Borgie Forest is a good place for a fairly short forest walk near the River Borgie. We enjoyed searching for The Unknown statue by Kenny Hunter.
• We recommend overnighting tonight in Tongue or you might carry on a bit further west to the village of Durness. Tongue is a small village with a small shop, post office, fuel station, and a few lodging and dining options. We recommend the pleasant hike to the ruins of Castle Varrich (Gaelic: Caisteal Bharraich), a 14th century castle built by Clan Mackay, if the weather is decent. It’s about a 1 hour hike round trip from the village to the castle. A few years ago a metal staircase and viewpoint was built at the castle ruins that allows for a nice view over the Kyle of Tongue and the nearby mountains. Just outside Tongue, you can find a memorial to local Gaelic poet Ewen Robertson who wrote a lot about the Highland Clearances.
• From the area around Tongue you can get great views of Ben Hope and Ben Loyal (you might consider a drive and hike around nearby Loch Loyal), and it is great place to base if you are planning to climb either Ben Loyal or Ben Hope.

You have a few detour possibilities today to explore Orkney (this will require at least a full day), see the Forsinard Flows, or explore the Strathnaver Trail.

• Orkney is an archipelago off the northeastern coast of Scotland. The islands are most famous for their Neolithic sites, Viking heritage, their role in the World Wars, and local wildlife (seabirds and seals). You can reach Orkney by taking ferries from John O’Groats, Gills Bay, or Scrabster. You can easily spend a week exploring the island but you will need at least a full day to see some of the highlights of the main island. If you only have a day, I’d recommend booking a day tour of the island either with ferry tickets or without ferry tickets (book your own) so that you can see as much as possible with limited time. We recommend adding extra time to your NC500 trip if you plan to visit Orkney.
• Forsinard Flows , a large blanket peat bog reserve that is protected by the RSPB and an important natural area, is another detour possibility today. The Flow Country is the largest area of blanket bog in the world, and the blanket bog is important as it holds a huge amount of carbon and is also an important habitat for a number of birds and other wildlife. Much of it is protected by the RSPB and other local organizations and it is a popular place for birdwatchers. You can detour by taking the A897 south in between Reay and Melvich, and it is about a 14 mile drive (about 25 minutes) to reach the small Visitor Centre which is located in an old railway station building.
• The mentioned Strathnaver Trail starts at the Strathnaver Museum in Bettyhill and a few of the trail sites are within a short walking distance of the museum whereas others are a few miles away off the NC500 route. You need to do a mix of driving and walking. The detour to follow the trail is not very long but many sites require hiking to go see, so it depends on how much time you have as you can spend a couple of hours or most of day exploring the trail and doing the hikes. The folks at the Strathnaver Museum can help you choose some sites to visit if interested.

Dinner Options

You only have a few options for dinner in Tongue or Durness so it is good to plan ahead, especially if traveling off-season, so that you know your options as some restaurants are seasonal and/or are not open 7 days a week. But there is usually at least one dinner option (usually 2) open in both Tongue and Durness.

Note that there are no super late night dining options in Tongue or Durness and most places stop serving by 9:00pm (21:00). So if you are planning to arrive around 9pm or later, we’d recommend picking up something to eat before you arrive.

• Ben Loyal Hotel in Tongue – The hotel offers evening meals in their casual bar or in their hotel restaurant (open seasonally). They offer a variety of Scottish and European dishes with a focus on locally caught seafood. We had a really great meal here, and we can definitely recommend the seafood dishes (the meat dishes were good too though). Friendly staff; full bar. Reservations recommended for the restaurant.
• Tongue Hotel in Tongue – Tongue Hotel offers evening meals in either the more casual bar or in the nicer hotel dining room. Menu includes a wide selection of Scottish and European dishes as well as burgers. Has a children’s menu. We’ve eaten here a couple of times and found the food to be good at decent prices. Friendly staff and full bar with large whisky selection. Reservations recommended for the restaurant.
• Smoo Cave Hotel near Durness – The hotel has a bar and restaurant that serves quality pub food. Wide selection of traditional pub dishes with lots of rave reviews of their fish and chips. Full bar. Sometimes have live music.
• Sango Sands Oasis in Durness – This large casual restaurant and bar sits right next to the Sango Sands beach and campsite. It offers a wide selection of pub style dishes. We’ve eaten here a couple of times and they serve decent pub food and we’ve been impressed by their friendly staff and quick service even on busy evenings. We’d recommend choosing one of the homemade options on the menu (just ask) as these are usually the best. They also do takeaway.
• Meet and Eat Cafe near Durness – This is a newly opened (in April 2019) cafe and restaurant located within the Balnakeil Craft Village which has replaced The Whale Tale (which moved to Scourie). It has modern decor and serves homemade soups and baked goods and uses local meat and seafood in its dishes. Reservations needed for evening meals.

Tonight we recommend staying the night in Tongue, or driving a bit further west to Durness. Note that the northwest corner of Scotland has few lodging options and these can book up well in advance, even the hostel rooms. So we definitely recommend booking in advance.

• Tongue Hotel in Tongue – A country hotel offering 19 ensuite rooms in a former nineteenth-century hunting lodge built for the Duke of Sutherland. Rooms are traditionally decorated and many include original Victorian fittings and furnishings. A decanter of sherry awaits guests in their rooms, and there is a cozy lounge where guests can relax with drinks, read, or choose one of the many board games on selection. The hotel has a full-service restaurant and bar.
• Ben Loyal Hotel in Tongue – This small Highland hotel offers comfortable en-suite rooms and flat-screen TVs, and a cooked to order breakfast. Hotel has an on-site pub and an on-site restaurant. Friendly staff; good food.
• Tigh Nan Ubhal Guesthouse in Tongue – Located in the center of the village, the B&B offers small but comfortable rooms with modern decor. Stay includes a cooked Scottish breakfast.
• Tongue Hostel in Tongue – This hostel located in a former hunting and fishing lodge sits outside the village on the shores of the Kyle of Tongue. Offers both dorm beds and private rooms, and shared kitchen and bathroom facilities.
• Mackays Rooms in Durness – A lovely boutique B&B offering 7 cozy en-suite bedrooms, each with “modern highland chic” decor. There is also a cozy guest lounge with fireplace. Stay includes a wonderful cooked breakfast.
• Durness Youth Hostel near Durness – This well-rated hostel is located near Smoo Cave and offers both dorm beds and private family rooms. Also offers a shared lounge, kitchen, and bathroom facilities.
• Campsites – The closest campsite to Tongue is Bayview Caravan Site . Campsites near Durness include Sango Sands Caravan & Camping and Altnaharra Caravan Club Site .

Day 4 of North Coast 500 Itinerary: Tongue to Lochinver

Today you enter the North West Highlands Geopark, an area of special geological interest and dramatic beauty. You have a chance to explore a large cave, visit a craft village, stroll along white sandy beaches, learn why the local geology is so important, and admire the dramatic scenery of this northwestern tip of Scotland.

There are also many opportunities today for long hikes, climbs, water activities, and sightseeing detours so be sure to plan accordingly as many of our suggested activities and detours require 3 to 5 hours to do.

Again today is not a long drive but the single track roads can make for slow going in places and there are some steep sections so drive cautiously. There is a choice to make after Kylesku about the route to take to Lochinver. Although the routes seem similar in terms of length, the coastal route takes much longer (at least twice as long) as it is slower, steeper route (not suitable for large vehicles). So keep this in mind when planning your route today.

Starting & Ending Point: Tongue to Lochinver Route:  Tongue –> Durness –> Scourie –> Drumbeg –> Lochinver Alternative route (for motorhome users & those with limited time): Tongue –> Durness –> Scourie –> Skiag Bridge –> Lochinver Mileage:  ~ 89 miles / 143 km (82 miles / 132 km if avoiding B869 road) Area of Scottish Highlands: Sutherland

• This morning you’ll say goodbye to Tongue and head west, continuing to enjoy scenic views of the Kyle of Tongue, Ben Loyal, and Ben Hope along the route.
• Just before reaching Loch Hope, you enter into the North West Highlands GeoPark . This is a UNESCO designated GeoPark that has amazing geology and outstanding landscapes. It is a remarkable place of world-class discoveries in the geology world, but even if you have no interest in rocks, you’ll enjoy the beautiful scenery. The park encompasses about 770 square miles (2,000 square km) of land. For the purposes of the North Coast 500 route, basically everything you’ll see between Tongue and Ullapool is part of the large geopark. We’ll point out all the major attractions and stops, but if you have an interest in geology, you might want to plan extra time in this area.
• The area around Loch Eriboll is a bit steep and windy but very scenic. If you are driving a motorhome be cautious along this stretch of road from here to Kinlochbervie. In the 19th century, a local estate here quarried lime from the island of Eilean ChoraidhI , and you can still find the remains of the lime kilns (known as the Ard Neake Lime Kilns) on the east side of Loch Eriboll.
• If you are looking for a bit of a thrilling rush today, you might want to try out the most northernly zipline in the United Kingdom. It is called Golden Eagle Zip Line and is located just before you reach Ceannabeinne Beach. Note zip line operations are seasonal and weather dependent.
• The first major attraction along today’s route is Smoo Cave which is an impressively large sea cave (and freshwater cave). Parts of the cave were occupied in prehistoric times, perhaps as early as 10,000 years ago. You can explore the outer chamber on foot for free. In the spring and summer months, you can take a guided tour (fee) further into the cave which includes a tour on foot (need suitable footwear) plus a raft ride to access the inner chambers and see the waterfalls and sinkholes. Very much worth a stop and visit.
• In the little village of Durness you’ll find beautiful sandy beaches (Sango Sands and Balnakeil Beach), a 9-hole golf course (the most northerly 9-hole course!), and general village amenities (shops, fuel, pub, etc.). Also nearby is the Balnakeil Craft Village which is a “craft village” occupying a number of former military buildings built in the 1950s during the Cold War that were never used. In the 1960s it started to become occupied by artists, craftspeople, and recluses. Today, you’ll find an eclectic mix of craft shops, as well as a cafe/restaurant. There is also Deep Time , which is a geology exhibition (free, entry by donation) by geologist Dr. Bjorn Hardarson from Iceland, and he also leads guided geology tours in the area (book tours in advance). Whether you want a short introduction to the geology in the area or a more in-depth one, consider booking one of these expert-guided walks! Note that many shops at the craft village do not conform to regular opening hours and what you’ll find open is always a bit of a guess and the shops seem to change every time we visit.
• There are a few lovely shorter walks you can do around Durness to Faraid Head . In this area, you can walk to the ruins of the 17th century Balnakeil Church, the sandy beach of Balnakeil Bay, and a 1950’s radar station. You can often see seabirds and seals around Faraid Head.
• Just outside of Durness, near Keoldale is the ferry point if you choose to visit Cape Wrath . Cape Wrath is a special wildlife area, has a lighthouse designed by Robert Stevenson, and is an active military training area for the Ministry of Defense. See Detours section for more information if interested in visiting Cape Wrath (takes 3 to 4 hours).
• A short detour can bring you to Kinlochbervie , note the road is steep, which has a little harbor and Oldshoremore Beach. If you continue down the single track road B801, you come to the car park for the trailhead for the hiking trail to Sandwood Bay , a beautiful windswept beach with an iconic sea stack (Am Buchaille) that is often a contender for best beach in Britain and one of the more difficult to reach. This is not a difficult hike but it is a long hike (~ 4.5 miles each way) and there are no services at the beach so make sure you are prepared if you decide to do this hike. The path is maintained by the John Muir Trust and there are basic toilets and facilities at the car park as well as a donation box. You’ll need to allow at least 4 to 5 hours for the hike and short visit.
• The most notable structure in Laxford is Laxford Bridge which is a stone arch bridge along the A838 spanning the River Laxford, a popular river for salmon fishing. Geologically, the area is important because you can clearly see a shear (deformed rocks) from the Moine Thrust here. There is a roadside lay-by for a few cars to park with an interpretive sign about 2.5 miles north of Laxford Bridge along the A838 which is one of the best places to see this. You can see three main rock types of different ages swirled together (grey gneisses, black amphibolite, pink granite) that were exposed by road works here.
• A 3 mile detour to Tarbet brings you to a small fishing hamlet that has two main attractions, a seafood restaurant called the Shorehouse and the small passenger ferry to Handa Island. See Detours section for more information about visiting Handa Island (takes about 4 hours).
• Scourie is a small crofting village with a small harbor, and is known for its “palm trees”. Scourie Bay is an important geological area as there are many places here where you can see and touch Lewisian gneiss, the oldest rock in Europe which is estimated to be about 3 billion years old! The area is a popular place for brown trout fishing. If you are interested in fishing in this part of the world, we recommend considering booking a fishing trip (from boat, river, or shore) with local angler Stewart Yates of Assynt Fly Fishing .
• In little Kylesku you have the striking Kylesku bridge and a nice roadside scenic viewpoint (there is a large car park). You can also take seasonal wildlife sightseeing boat trips (can book here ) from here and the restaurant at Kylesku Hotel serves tasty seafood meals.
• At Unapool, you see the Rock Stop just off the road in the former Unapool School Building. Keep an eye out as it is easy to miss the turn off. Inside, you’ll find an exhibition room that includes a video about the North West Highland GeoPark, visitor information, a café that serves light lunches and coffee, and a small gift shop. Great place to stop to learn about the GeoPark and get ideas of places you might want to stop within it. We always stop here when its open to get coffee, food, or something from the gift shop to help support the GeoPark.
• Just after the Rock Stop, you have the choice to head off onto the more narrow B869 along the coast or continue along the A894 . If your vehicle is 16 feet or longer in length, it is recommended that you follow the A894 south and then the A837 west to reach Lochinver which is less steep and more able to handle larger vehicles.
• For those driving along the B869 , there is lots of nice scenery along this route to enjoy. Take it slow as the road is single track and steep and narrow in places. Some places you may want to stop are in little Drumbeg to visit Drumbeg Stores (great place for picnic supplies and snacks) and Assynt Aromas (candle shop and tea garden), Clashnessie (beach, mill ruins, and from the beach you can take the short hike to nearby Clashnessie Waterfall if you want), Clachtoll (pretty beach and this hike also takes you past memorial to Reverand Norman Macleod and Clachtoll broch ruins), and Achmelvich Bay for its beautiful white sandy beach. At Achmelvich, there are also short hikes you can do from the campsite here, including out to the little concrete “hermit’s castle” built by David Scott in the 1950s.
• If you have more time, you can make a brief detour (~ 15 minutes) along the twisty narrow road between Clashnessie and Stoer which takes you out to the Stoer Head lighthouse. It is another Stevenson lighthouse (private, not open to public, part is used as a holiday let) but some nice scenic views. This is also the starting point for those doing the hike out   (~ 3 hours round trip, track is often very muddy) to the Point of Stoer and the Old Man of Stoer seastack. There are no permanent services here other than a parking area, although sometimes there is a compost toilet open or a local snack van in the summer.
• For those continuing along the A894 , the turn onto the A837 to Lochinver winds around Loch Assynt and offers some lovely scenery. We often see red deer in this area, especially in the early morning and evening. If looking for an easier hike in this area, consider this one which starts near Little Assynt Estate and along which you’ll have views of nearby mountains, Quinag and Suliven. Also nearby is an all-abilities path suitable for those in wheelchairs and those with strollers; it starts from the Leitir Easaidh car park and goes around two lochs.
• Either route (B869 or A894) will lead you to the village of Lochinver . Lochinver is the largest village in Assynt and is an important fishing port. Highland Stoneware is based here and you can see how the pottery is made and purchase it at their store here; it is used by many of the B&B’s, hotels, coffee shops, and restaurants along the NC500 route. The local pie shop, Lochinver Larder is a well-known place to get both savory and sweet pies. The village has all the basic amenities (a few shops, post office, a couple of restaurants) and a range of lodging options.
• Lochinver is a popular base for anglers, hikers, cyclists, and people looking for outdoor pursuits. If you are looking for a guided hike or climb in the Assynt area, whether a half day hike or a challenging multi-day climbing trip, we can recommend Tim Hamlet at Hamlet Mountaineering . If you are new to fishing in this part of Scotland, we recommend considering booking a guided fishing trip (from boat, river, or shore) with friendly local angler Stewart Yates of Assynt Fly Fishing . He knows all the best places as well as all the laws and regulations regarding fishing in the area. Families welcome. Book activities well in advance if you can.
• Dun Dornaigil broch – This is an impressive Iron Age broch ruin; however, it is about a 1 hour detour to drive here off the main NC500 route to see the broch and return. So I would not recommend this one unless you have extra time in this area or really love brochs. The broch is signed from the main road, and you turn south off A838 near the hamlet of Hope. It is about 10 miles or so down the road but it is a single track road so takes about 25 minutes to reach the broch. Nice views of Loch Hope and Ben Hope along the way. Allow about 1 hour for this detour.
• Cape Wrath has a lighthouse built by Robert Stevenson in 1828 that you can see (not open to public), is a special wildlife area, and is an active military training area for the Ministry of Defense. To reach it you need to take a small seasonal passenger ferry and then a bus (or do a long hike) to reach the lighthouse and a small cafe. Bring cash to pay for ferry, bus, and cafe. The bus ride here includes commentary and is interesting but it is bumpy. The ferry is seasonal and dependent on tides, weather, and MOD firing schedule and is first-come, first-serve. You can check service times and dates here , although we found these don’t always match what is posted at the ferry departure point so best to check there. You will need at least 3 hours to visit Cape Wrath, and this includes minimal time for hiking/walking. Note intrepid hikers can hike here from Sandwood Bay (tide and firing range dependent, check before setting out) and can camp or stay in a mountain bothy overnight. Allow 3.5 to 4 hours for this detour.
• Handa Island is a protected nature reserve owned by the Scourie Estate and currently managed by the Scottish Wildlife Trust. Each Spring and Summer, up to 100,000 seabirds nest here and it also is home to important maritime plants. There are a particularly large number of guillemots, razorbills, kittiwakes, and great skuas, but you also have a decent chance to see a number of other birds (e..g, Arctic terns, puffins, fulmars) and marine mammals (e.g., seals, otters). There is a seasonal small passenger ferry from Tarbet that carries people to and from the island. Tickets were £15 each on last check and must be paid in cash. First come, first serve. The boat ride takes about 10 minutes each way (note you are likely to get a little wet from the spray and arrival on the beach), then there is a short talk by the ranger, and then you explore on your own. You can rent binoculars from the ranger hut which are a good idea if you don’t have a pair as many of the birds are off on the cliffs and sea stacks. It takes about 3 hours to walk the visitor path on the island. Stay on the marked path/boardwalk to avoid environmental damage and disturbance of bird nesting areas. See ferry times and more about visiting here . Allow about 4 hours for this detour.
• Falls of Kirkaig – If you like waterfalls and are looking for a local hike, you might want to make a detour heading south of Lochinver to hike to the Falls of Kirkaig (a.k.a. Lochinver Waterfalls). It is about a 21 minute drive along a track road to Inverkirkaig to small car park and then a 2.5 hour hike to the falls and back. Allow about 3.5 hours for this detour.

Booking is recommended for dinner in Lochinver, especially in summer. Places often book out in the evenings during the busy season. Note there are currently no late night food options in Lochinver or surrounds, so plan ahead if you plan to arrive into the village at 9pm or later.

• Peet’s Restaurant – Popular local restaurant focusing on seafood and pub favorites. Well-cooked food at reasonable prices, known for its seafood chowder. Recommend trying the local seafood or asking what else is fresh and local. Recommend booking ahead, especially in summer.
• Inver Lodge Restaurant – If you are looking for a more upscale dining option, you might want to try the restaurant at Inver Lodge. Menu focuses on local seafood, steaks, and game. Full bar and wine menu. Reservations needed. Note : As of April 2019 this restaurant is no longer associated with the Roux brothers (previously called Chez Roux) and hotel has returned to local ownership.
• The Wayfarers Bar – The pub at the Culag Hotel is a local hangout for beer and they also sometimes serve evening meals. We’ve never eaten here and the food has mixed reviews, but worth checking to see if they are serving if you are looking for a place to eat.
• Lochinver Larder – The famous local pie shop, offering both savory and sweet pies, as well as other cafe meals and snacks. Offers eat-in meals, takeaway, or pies to heat later options. Note: It normally closes by 6:00pm so this might be a good option for those looking for an early dinner or those doing self-catering wanting to get pies to heat up later for dinner.
• An Cala Cafe – A modern and casual cafe restaurant located at the An Cala Bunkhouse serving daily specials with a focus on what is fresh and local. Note usually close at 7:30pm, so best for those looking for an early dinner. Recommend that you call ahead for evening meals.
• Kylesku Hotel Restaurant  in Kylesku – This restaurant is well-known for its local seafood dishes, most of which are caught in the waters around Kylesku. Full bar. Reservations strongly recommended for evening meals.  Note : This restaurant is about a 30 minute drive north of Lochinver so if you want to eat here, you may want to grab an early dinner on your way to Lochinver or consider overnighting in Kylesku.

**Note that until recently, there were a few more good dining options in Lochinver, but The Caberfeidh pub and The Albannach (fine dining as part of B&B) are currently both closed. Also the nearby Glencansip Lodge which used to serve evening meals has stopped doing so this year. Many businesses are up for sale in Lochinver at the moment so things are likely to continue to change. If you have any local updates, please let us know!**

Lochinver has a number of lodging options but most are bed-and-breakfasts which have only a handful of rooms. So it is best to be sure to book in advance to get the type of lodging you want.

• Daver Guesthouse – This 4-star B&B offers four well-appointed rooms with modern amenities. Each room is individually decorated and three of the rooms have views over the bay and one has a view onto the garden. The B&B also has a small lounge area with TV and games. Delicious cooked to order breakfast included.
• Inver Lodge – This 21-room luxury hotel perched atop of a hill overlooking the Lochinver and its loch. Although the hotel is not attractive from the outside, it offers some great views, with all rooms and the restaurant having bay views. The hotel strives for understated luxury and rooms are spacious and comfortable with traditional Highland decor. There is a guest foyer and library area as well as an on-site bar and good restaurant. The restaurant offers nice views over the harbor.
• Tigh Na Sith – This well-rated small B&B offers 3 comfortable en-suite rooms, free WiFi, flat screen TVs, and all the basic amenities. Cooked to order breakfast served at a communal breakfast table. No children; age 16+ only.
•   An Cala Bunkhouse – This small modern hostel in Lochinver offers 12 beds across 3 dorms rooms. Shared kitchen, lounge, and bathroom facilities. Also has an on-site cafe. A great place for budget travelers.
• The Hideaway – A popular self-catering cabin cottage that offers a kitchenette, hot tub, washing machine, and terrace with great views. Great self-catering option for 1 or 2 people. Located a few minutes drive outside of Lochinver.
•   Kirkaig Lodge in Inverkirkaig – This B&B offers 3 spacious en-suite rooms with modern decor and amenities. Shared lounge and there is also a sauna on site. Continental breakfast on tray provided in mornings. One room has a sea view over Inverkirkaig Bay. No children under age 15 allowed. This B&B is located in Inverkirkaig near the Falls of Kirkaig hike, about a 10 minute drive from Lochinver along track road.
• Glencanisp Lodge near Lochinver – This historic Victorian Highland lodge has been turned into a 10 room B&B (some en-suite, many share a bathroom) and is owned by the community Assynt Foundation. It is run by a great local group, staff are friendly, and the lounge is cozy, but we have found the place to be a bit disorganized, the room furnishings outdated, and some rooms in need of repair. The hotel booking photos did not match our room. However, this is an ideal place to stay for those planning to hike Suliven as it sits along the trail, and offers great views in a pretty setting. Breakfast included; no evening meals. It is located about a 10 minute drive west of Lochinver along a track road; the road is not suitable for motorhomes and had a number of potholes when we last drove it.
• Campsites : The closest campsite and caravan site to Lochinver is Shore Caravan Site . Also in the area is the Clachtoll Beach Campsite and the Birchbank Site (open to Caravan Club members only).

Day 5 of North Coast 500 Itinerary: Lochinver to Ullapool

Today you’ll drive through the rest of the North West Highlands Geopark so it is a good day for stops to learn more about the local geology. There is also lots of stunning scenery along today’s route and several popular spots to stop and park for scenic views and photos. For those in regular sized vehicles, we recommend taking a detour to explore the Coigach peninsula for even more great coastal scenery. You’ll end today in the largest village along the western section of the NC500.

Today’s route goes past some of the most popular and iconic hills and munros (Scottish mountains over 3,000 ft) along the NC500 so hill walkers and hikers may want to plan a hike today. It is also a great area for fishing, kayaking, canoeing, boat rides, and other outdoor activities.

The route is again intentionally short to give you plenty of time to enjoy the scenery, hiking, and outdoor activity opportunities that this area has to offer.

Starting & Ending Point: Lochinver to Ullapool Route:  Lochinver –> Inchnadamph –> Elphin –> Ullapool Mileage: ~ 36 miles / 58 km (~ 46 miles / 74 km if add in full Achiltibuie route) Areas of Scottish Highlands: Sutherland and Wester Ross (a.k.a. Ross-shire and Ross & Cromarty)

• This morning you’ll leave Lochinver and head south. This morning might be a good time to do a local hike and there are many around Lochinver and Loch Assynt to consider from easy to challenging. We mentioned some easier hikes on yesterday’s itinerary, but if you are looking for some more serious hill walking or climbing, there are loads of nearby mountains and hills including Suilven, Stac Pollaidh, Canisp, Cul Baeg, Quinag, Creag Liath, and Ben More Assynt.
• Just along the road along Loch Assynt you’ll see the ruins of Ardvreck Castle and Calda House sitting next to the loch. Ardvreck Castle is believed to have been constructed by the Clan MacLeod in the late 15th century and was later captured by the Clan MacKenzie in 1672. Calda House was built for a couple from Clan Mackenzie and was one of the grandest houses in the Highlands in the early 18th century. We recommend stopping at the parking area and getting a closer look; there are good information panels here.
• Inchnadamph is a small hamlet that is strongly associated with the geological findings of the 19th century, including the discovery of the Moine Thrust which runs through the area and the findings at the nearby Bone Caves. Ben Peach and John Horne , the British geologists who helped map the Moine Thrust and also made discoveries in the bone caves, stayed in the Inchnadamph Hotel and there is a stone monument to them on a hill nearby in a field. Horne and Peach’s writings about their findings in the North West Highlands remains an important book in geology as they helped answer the question of why older rocks were sometimes found on top of younger rocks. Today Inchnadamph is still an important stop for geologists.
• Just south of Inchnadamph is the hiking path to the Bones Caves. The caves were excavated in 1889 by the geologists Peach and Horne, where they (and later others) found the remains of a number of animals, many now extinct in the UK including lynx, bears, wolves, and lemmings. You won’t see any remains today in the shallow caves but it is a pleasant hike and we often see deer near the trailhead. Just note that some areas near the caves are pretty steep and can be slippery. It takes about 1.5 hours to do the round trip hike .
• There are a few scenic viewpoints with parking areas where you can stop between Inchnadamph and Drumrunie for scenic views and photos.
• There are a number of limestone caves in the area and those with a strong interest in spelunking may want to arrange a stop in the small crofting village of Elphin. Located here is the Elphin Caving Centre run by the Grampian Speleological Group as well as a club hut with self-catering accommodation. You’ll want to contact the group in advance.
• If you only stop for one geology focused hike during your NC500 trip, Knockan Crag is a good one. It is educational, interesting, and you get great views from the trail. The small open air Rock Room is an informational visitor center where you learn about the geology of the area and the importance of the discovery of the Moine Thrust. You can see and touch rocks that are millions and billions of years old. Then there are three trails that you can take of varying lengths that go up the hill and there are signs, sculptures, viewing points, and small exhibits along the way. The longest trail provides the best views and takes about 1 hour to hike. There is a well-marked parking area here off the road as well as toilets and picnic tables.
• Just past the estate of Drumrunie , you have the option to continue south or make a detour to take a route west to explore the Coigach peninsula towards the small village of Achiltibuie. If you are in a normal sized vehicle and have the time, we recommend taking this detour. The road is narrow (not for large motorhomes or trailers), but offers some lovely scenery and small villages. It takes about 1 hour to drive to the end of this route. See Detours section below for more information.
• After you past the tiny village of Ardmair and its holiday park and campsite, there will be a road that leads to the Rhue lighthouse. This is a short detour where you can park and take a short walk to the Rhue lighthouse (not open to public). From this area, on a clear day, you have nice views of the Summer Isles and Loch Broom. It is about a 10 minute or so walk to the lighthouse.
• Ullapool is the largest village along the western part of the route. The village’s most distinguishing feature is its large harbor and it also has a ferry terminal where you can take ferries to Lewis and Harris. Ullapool has a small museum housed in a former Parliamentary church designed by Scottish engineer Thomas Telford , a golf course, and a Highland Stoneware pottery store and workshop (if you didn’t stop in Lochinver). It has a large grocery store and a number of small shops, and is a good place to get groceries, fuel, and any needed supplies. It is home to the annual Loopallu music festival each September. You can often find live music, especially on weekends, at one of Ullapool’s many pubs and restaurants.
• If you are looking for a stroll in Ullapool, there are nice places to walk around the harbor area and around Loch Broom. For a longer walk we can recommend heading up to the summit of Meall Mor, where you can get great views over Ullapool, Loch Broom, and Loch Achall.
• Coigach Peninsula – A route leads from Drumrunie west along the coast of the Coigach Peninsula towards the little village of Achiltibuie. Along the route there are a few crofting hamlets and fishing villages, the largest of which is Achiltibuie. There are no must-see places here but lots of nice scenery and it is a popular place for diving, sailing, kayaking, climbers (especially Reiff), and walking. You get great views of the Summer Isles from along the route. If you are looking for kayaking options around here, this company (book in advance) offers both guided sea kayaking and loch canoeing. This detour takes about 1 hour if you drive to the end, so I’d allow at least 2 hours for this detour.
• The Summer Isles – The Summer Isles are a group of about 20 islands and large rocks that sit below the Coigach Peninsula. Many of the islands are home to seals, otters, seabirds, and other wildlife and only one of the islands, Tanera Mòr , is currently inhabited (luxury holiday village planned here by investor Ian Morse) although others are used for sheep grazing and one is a RSPB reserve. You can take seasonal boat trips around the islands and Coigach peninsula from Ullapool, or you can kayak over to the isles (and even camp there) with Kayak Summer Isles .
• Lewis & Harris – Lewis and Harris is the largest island in Scotland and the main island of the Outer Hebrides. You can take a ferry (takes about 2 hours 45 minutes) from Ullapool to the town of Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis. There is a number of things to do on the island which include visiting archaeological and historical sites (standing stones, Lewis Castle, Blackhouse), learning about Harris Tweed (all of which is handmade on the island), enjoying the sandy beaches, outdoor activities (hiking, hunting, fishing, cycling), and spotting local wildlife (Harris is a good place to see eagles). You’ll want at least one full day on the island to explore. If you want to do a day trip, we’d recommend taking the ferry over and then joining a small group tour or private tour so you can see some of the main highlights of the island with limited time.

Restaurant Options

Many dining options in Ullapool are clustered around the harbor. Booking is recommended for dinner at most places in Ullapool, especially in summer. Restaurants often book out in the evenings during the busy season, although you can always find some place to get food in the evenings. Many hotels and inns serve meals in Ullapool.

• The Arch Inn – This waterside restaurant and bar serves all day meals including burgers, seafood, steaks, and chicken dishes. It sits in a historical building originally built by the British Fishing Society. There is often live music in the evenings here and they also offer accommodation. Often one of the most lively places in Ullapool.
• The Ceilidh Place – The menu at this popular Ullapool restaurant is focused on seafood with daily specials. Full bar. Sometimes offers live music, and also have a bookshop and rooms. Our favorite place to eat in Ullapool. Reservations recommended.
• The Royal Hotel – This is one of the largest hotels in Ullapool and the hotel restaurant serves primarily Italian inspired dishes including pizza and pasta. Full bar.
• Seafood Shack – If you are looking for takeaway, this seafood food truck is a good option and it offers tasty high-quality local seafood. This was the first place we ever ate in Ullapool.
• The Seaforth Bar & Restaurant – This bar and restaurant focuses on local sourced and good quality Scottish pub favorites such as fish and chips, steak pie, haggis, burgers, and mussels. Full bar. Often have live music. Also offer takeaway chippy for those looking for fish and chips to eat elsewhere.
• Ferry Boat Inn Restaurant – A seafood restaurant and traditional bar. Primarily serve local seafood dishes but also offer a few meat and vegetarian dishes. Wine list. Also offers rooms.
• The Frigate – A casual shoreside cafe and restaurant serving all day meals. Focused on local produce, seafood, salads, burgers, and homebaked breads and desserts.
• Late Night Options – There are a couple of late night options usually open in Ullapool until 10:30pm or 11pm, including Lucky House (Chinese) and Essence of India (cash only).

Ullapool offers two larger hotels (over 50 rooms) and a number of small inns and bed-and-breakfasts. If you decide to stay outside of Ullapool, just note that the main dining options in the area are located in central Ullapool.

• The Royal Hotel – This 3-star 19th century hotel is one of the largest and oldest in central Ullapool, offering more amenities than many of the others. The traditional hotel offers 54 rooms across a number of categories, which include family rooms. The hotel has an on-site full-service restaurant and a bar.
• Harbour House   – This well-rated harborside guest house offers comfortable rooms and a cooked to order breakfast. Great location, nice views from the property.
• Croft 17 B&B – This lovely B&B is run by Ullapool locals Jaimie and Martin, and offers impressive views across the loch and down to the town of Ullapool. Rooms are clean and comfortable, and the rate includes a continental breakfast, with free parking and WiFi also included. Located a 5 minute drive north of Ullapool.
• Westlea House – This family-run B&B offers five comfortable and stylish themed rooms. The eclectically stylish common areas include a dining area and guest lounge that contains a large collection of books, guides, and LPs. An interesting feature of the B&B is little listening nooks with turntables where you can listen to vinyl records.
• The Arch Inn – This local restaurant and bar also offers several guest rooms. Note can be a bit noisy during dinner service and check in is at the pub, but it is very conveniently located along the waterfront. Some rooms have sea views.
• Ullapool Youth Hostel – This well-rated hostel with views over Loch Broom offers dormitory rooms, family rooms, and private rooms. Offers a large communal kitchen and lounge area.
• Campsites : Broomfield Holiday Park is centrally located in Ullapool next to Loch Broom and walking distance to most town attractions, shops, the ferry terminal, and restaurants. Not far from Lochinver is also Ardmair Point Caravan & Camping Park .

Day 6 of North Coast 500 Itinerary: Ullapool to Kinlochewe

Today you follow the North Coast 500 south past more wonderful scenery in the area of Wester Ross. You have the option to visit a lovely garden, walk across a gorge, walk along sandy beaches, see waterfalls, learn about the Arctic Convoy, and visit a local heritage museum. As usual there are lots of opportunities for hiking and all sorts of outdoor activities. 

Starting & Ending Point: Ullapool to Kinlochewe Route: Ullapool –> Aultbea –> Gairloch –> Kinlochewe Mileage: ~ 76 miles / 122 km Area of Scottish Highlands: Wester Ross (a.k.a. Ross-shire and Ross & Cromarty)

• Today you say goodbye to Ullapool and head southwest along the coast towards Gairloch. We recommend getting fuel and any food and supplies you need before you head south as there aren’t many grocery stores or fuel stations along the route for the next day or so.
• Just after leaving Ullapool in Leckmelm , there is the Leckmelm Shrubbery & Arboretum. A nice place to stop to wander around in a pretty garden and see some interesting trees. Lots of rhododendrons when they are in bloom. Small donation requested (£3 at last check) for visiting. Often quiet here.
• Near Braemore is the Corrieshalloch Gorge National Nature Reserve which is best known for its suspension bridge designed in 1867 by John Fowler , the chief engineer of the famous Forth Rail Bridge, that stretches across the box canyon and Droma River. You can walk over the pedestrian footbridge, although it is not for those with a fear of heights. A series of waterfalls, Falls of Measach, make for beautiful scenery. It is about a 10 minute walk from the car park to the viewing area but you can also follow a couple of hiking trails. Good place for short hikes and birdwatching. The site is maintained by the National Trust for Scotland and there is no fee to enter, but donations of £2 per person suggested for parking and maintenance. There are no toilet facilities here, although there is often a food truck serving food in the parking area.
• There are several small waterfalls off the A832 around Dundonnell that you may want to stop to see, Dundonnell River Falls, Ardessie Falls, and Eas Dubn Falls. None are huge waterfalls or must-sees, but can make for a nice break if you are looking for a stop or short hike. There are several hiking opportunities in the area, including the start of the popular hike to the An Teallach ridge . Just note this is a long and difficult hike. Two hikers have died so far in 2019 on this hike so do be careful when choosing hikes in the Scottish Highlands!
• There are nice views from and around Gruinard Bay . There are also a few small sandy beaches here. If you detour north of Laide about 10 minutes you can also stop at Mellon Udrigle beach which is a white sandy beach with scenic views over the Coigach peninsula.
• Aultbea was used as a strategic place for boats to harbor at Loch Ewe during World War II because it was well protected. Convoys from here followed a perilous route across Arctic waters to provide supplies to the Soviet Union during the war; it was a dangerous mission and many boats were sunk in the freezing waters with hundreds of casualties. Although the convoys were mainly made up of Royal Navy troops and ships, they also included American and Canadian naval forces. There are a few places in Aultbea where you can learn more about these events and the strong impact it had on this little village during WW2. These include a small roadside stop signed as “War Time Memories” next to MacLennan Park that has informational panels and the Russian Arctic Convoy Museum which has a lot of information and a large collection of artifacts from the period (small fee for entry). The Russian Arctic Convoy Museum has been a long-term project for the local community and is a great place to support as it relies on entry fees, donations, and volunteers to stay open. We also recommend a visit to Rubha nan Sasan, Cove Battery (see Detours section).
• Also in Aultbea is a combined cafe and perfumery shop called Aroma Cafe which is a nice place to stop for a coffee and snack with a nice view over Loch Ewe. Note that the popular Isle of Ewe Smokehouse (popular for its smoked salmon) has recently closed (in 2019) and is now being converted into a holiday let. The Aultbea Hotel (which also had a previously recommended restaurant) closed suddenly in April 2019 with no date set for reopening.
• Just north of the village of Poolewe , you’ll find the Interewe Gardens which is a large garden that includes a lovely collection of trees, flowers, and other plants along the loch. Because of the Gulf Stream, even some tropical plants thrive here and it is a lovely garden to explore with lots of meandering trails. There is also a seasonal cafe, shop, Inverewe House (former home of Mairi Sawyer that you can tour), and Sawyer Gallery (seasonal contemporary art gallery) within the garden. Wildlife boat trips are also often offered here in the summer. The garden is run by the National Trust for Scotland and there is an entry fee to visit (free for members).
• Poolewe is a pretty little village on the shores of Loch Ewe. There are some hiking opportunities, such as this circular hike around Poolewe that circles Loch Kernsay.
• In Gairloch , you’ll find the Gairloch Museum which is the local heritage museum which just got a new building and has been recently redeveloped, definitely worth a stop for those interested in the local history. The small fishing village also has has a 9-hole golf course, a small harbor, whale cruises , and several small shops and cafes. There is smaller beach next to the golf club (Gairloch Beach), and if you drive 4 miles north of Gairloch along the B8021 there is the Big Sand Beach which is a large sandy beach which is a popular beach and a great spot for sunset. There is also a marked archaeological trail here called the Sands Archaeological Trail which leads to some local archaeological ruins and you can learn more about it at the museum.
• If you are looking for activities like fishing, deer stalking, falconry, guided hikes, or archery, you may want to make a short detour towards Badachro . Here you’ll find the 26,000 acre estate surrounding Sheildaig Lodge which offers a number of activities you can book (note that some are for hotel guests only). One of the more unique is a chance to go out on a boat with a local creel fisherman and then enjoy your catch as part of a 5-course seafood feast at the hotel restaurant. You can also book shorter boat trips directly with Shellfish Safaris . There are several hikes around Badachro include one through Flowerdale Glen (ends at Flowerdale waterfall) and up to the “Fairy Lochs” which takes you past the memorial of an American WW2 Liberator crash bomber (a touching memorial).
• Between Slattadale  and Kinlochewe are some lovely views of Loch Maree and its many small islands. The loch became famous for trout fishing after it was visited by Queen Victoria and her ghillies in 1877 during her stay at the Loch Maree Hotel (still an operating hotel). She visited the Isle of Maree as well by rowboat; the island has the ruined remains of a chapel, graveyard, well, and oak tree that are believed to have been the 8th century hermitage of Irish Saint Maelrubha (who founded a monastery in Applecross).
• Just off the road near Talladale is Victoria Falls , a small but pretty waterfall named after Queen Victoria, which is a short walk from a marked car park. Not a must-see but nice if you want to stretch your legs. If you continue up the trail further you can also get a nice view of Loch Maree from the top of the trail.
• Kinlochewe is a small village located just south of Loch Maree. This is a great place to explore the Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve which was the UK’s first National Nature Reserve. It offers mountains and pinewoods. There are trails you can explore, including a woodlands trail and a  mountain trail, and lots of birdwatching opportunities. There is a seasonal visitor center open in Kinlochewe which is a good place to learn more and get trail maps.

There are no major recommended detours today, but you do have a few options to take short routes off the NC500 if you want to do so. Note that all are along narrow single track roads. You can also of course head off to Lewis & Harris or the Summer Isles today (as described under Day 5’s potential detours).

• Rubha nan Sasan, Cove Battery – If you are interested in World War 2 history, we’d definitely recommend a detour out to visit the coastal battery and war memorial to all those who lost their lives in the Arctic Convoys. You’ll find the remains of an emergency coastal battery built in 1941 (manned from 1942 to 1944) which include ruined gun houses, an observation post, gun-emplacements, and other buildings. You’ll also find a memorial cairn to the American sailors who lost their lives when the Liberty ship SS William H. Welch wrecked nearby in 1944 (most died, but several men survived thanks to local crofters). There are some signs here and a trail you can follow, just note that parts of the path are steep and watch out for scrap metal. A great follow-up visit to the Russian Arctic Convoy Museum. The battery is about a 20 minute drive from Poolewe along the B8057 so I’d allow about 1.5 hours for this detour.
• Rubha Reidh – If you are looking for a secluded coastal hike, you might want to head out towards Rubha Reidh. You can drive as far as Melvaig and park in the small car park as it becomes a rough private access only road after that. It is about a 1 hour walk to the Rua Reidh Lighthouse which was built by David Alan Stevenson (private, now a B&B, holiday let and private home). Great views from near the lighthouse on a clear day across the Minch to the Isle of Skye, the Shiant Isles, and the Outer Hebrides. You can continue your hike out for more coastal scenery at Rubha Reidh and there are sea stacks and a natural arch along the way as you make your way to the isolated Camus Mor beach. It is about a 20 minute drive from Gairloch to Melvaig, a little over a 1 hour hike out to the lighthouse, and another 1.5 hours or so out to Camus Mor. If you only want to go to the lighthouse I’d recommend at least 3 hours for this detour and if you want to do the full hike I’d allow at least 5 hours for this detour.
• Red Point – Red Point has two beaches and a  pony trekking center . You need to book horseback rides in advance. Note that although called the Gairloch Trekking Centre, the family-friendly stable is actually a good 30 minute drive from the village of Gairloch, so take this into account when making any reservations. There are also two pretty sandy beaches here with reddish sand, the one closest to the car park you can reach via a short (but somewhat steep) hike through sand dunes, but the other requires about a 30 minute hike to reach. It is about a 20 minute detour from the NC500 (leave NC500 near Kerrysdale) along the B8056 (single track road) to reach Red Point.

There are limited evening dining options in the villages in this area so it’s a good idea to plan ahead and see what is open near your lodging. Reservations recommended for most restaurants in this area, especially if you are looking for a sit down meal. Don’t expect any late night food options here, so do plan accordingly!

• The Beachcomber in Gairloch – A casual family-run fish and chips eatery. Family friendly. Can eat in or takeaway.
• Shieldaig Lodge Hotel near Badachro – A fine dining restaurant serving set price 3-course meals focused on local produce, much of it coming from the large hotel estate and garden. Typical main dishes include venison, beef, lamb, salmon, pheasant, and trout. Always at least one vegetarian dish offered. Reservations needed. Full bar with large number of gins and whiskies on offer.
• Badachro Inn – The cafe serves informal evening meals with a focus on fresh locally caught seafood. Full bar. Family friendly. Reservations recommended, but there are also bar seats available first come, first serve.
• Benn Eighe Bar & Restaurant in Kinlochewe – Restaurant and bar located at the Kinlochewe Hotel focused on locally sourced home cooked foods. Serves high quality pub food. Full bar.
• Ledgowan Lodge Hotel Restaurant – Restaurant serves Scottish favorites and locally sourced options. Offers an à la carte bar menu as well as a 2- or 3-course menu in the restaurant. Full bar. Reservations recommended.
• 1887 Restaurant – This fine dining restaurant is located within The Torridon Hotel and it offers both a tasting menu and a seasonal fixed price menu. Most dishes highlight local produce, especially venison, salmon, beef, and shellfish. Full bar. No children under age 10 allowed in dining room for dinner (those with kids or teens will find a more family-friendly environment next door at the Torridon Inn). Great food and service; extensive wine and whisky lists. Reservations needed.
• Bo & Muc in Torridon – This gastropub serves tasty pub favorites like burgers, fish & chips, steaks, pies, and sharing platters. They also offer a kids menu. Full bar. We’ve had really good food here; friendly staff. Reservations recommended.
• Gille Brighde – Local restaurant focused on seafood but also serve soups, burgers, steaks, venison, and other dishes. Menu changes regularly. Seasonal; normally open for dinner and Sunday lunch. This restaurant has a pretty remote location (about a 30 minute drive from The Torridon hotel) so I’d call in advance before heading here to confirm opening hours and availability.
• Late Night Options – The only (somewhat) late night option usually open in the area is Hai Yang, a fast food Chinese takeaway place in Gairloch. It is usually open until 10pm.

Tonight we recommend staying around Kinlochewe. There is not a huge number of lodging option in Kinlochewe or nearby villages so we’d recommend looking for lodging anywhere between Gairloch and Torridon. Definitely recommend booking in advance!

• Old School House B&B in Gairloch – This relatively new B&B is run by Sarah and Rob who have spent many years in the area. They currently have two spacious and comfortable rooms available (soon will have a third). Rooms offer nice views and your stay includes a cooked to order breakfast brought to the table in your room. Free parking and walking distance to most places in Gairloch.
• Shieldaig Lodge Hotel near Badachro – This former Victorian hunting lodge is set in a 26,000 acre estate next to Shieldaig Bay in a lovely location. It offers 12 guest rooms, guest lounges with fireplaces, and an on-site bar and restaurant. Offers lots of activities on and near the estate including falconry, archery, hiking, fishing, stalking, etc. If you are looking for a traditional Highlands hunting lodge sort of place to stay, check this one out.
• Loch Maree Hotel in Talladale – This 3-star Victorian hotel offers comfortable guest rooms, several of which offer scenic views of Loch Maree, and an on-site bar and restaurant. Queen Victoria stayed here in 1877. Good base for those looking to do outdoor activities nearby.
• Kinlochewe Hotel in Kinlochewe – A 3-star hotel offering good value rooms and an on-site bar and restaurant. Some rooms share bathrooms. Popular with hikers and hill walkers.
• Kinlochewe Mountain Chalets in Kinlochewe – Here you’ll find four 2-bedrooms chalets for up to 4 persons each. All units contain a TV, a living room with a sofa, a well-equipped kitchen with a dining area, and a private bathroom with shower. Peaceful location with great views of Beinn Eighe and a perfect base for hikers. Pets allowed with prior notice.
• Ledgowan Lodge in Achnasheen – This hotel is located in a former Victorian country house with comfortable guest rooms, well-decorated public rooms, and an on-site bar and restaurant.
• The Torridon in Torridon -The Torridon is a 5-star 18-room country house hotel with castle-like turrets. It is the former hunting lodge of the Earl of Lovelace and is one of the best known hotels along the North Coast 500. The hotel offers comfortable rooms, a mix of traditional and contemporary decor, a large on-site bar, a fine dining restaurant, and a number of luxury amenities and services. Activities on the estate can be booked including fishing, clay pigeon shooting, guided hikes, kayaking, etc.  If you are looking for a luxury hotel in the area, this would definitely be our recommendation, and we very much enjoyed our stay here.
• The Stables   in Torridon – A cozy inn next to The Torridon Hotel that offers large rooms with all the basic amenities and a nice pub-style restaurant. Rooms would be particularly suited to families or small groups, as they have options for 2, 4, or even 6 person family rooms.
• Torridon Youth Hostel in Torridon – This is a well-rated hostel offering both dorm rooms and private rooms with shared facilities. A great option in this area for those traveling on a small budget.
• Campsites : Kinlochewe Caravan Club Site (Kinlochewe) and Torridon Camp Site (tents only, limited facilities). In Gairloch you’ll also find the Sands Caravan and Camping Park and Gairloch Caravan Park

Day 7 of North Coast 500 Itinerary: Kinlochewe to Inverness

Today you’ll drive the final section of the North Coast 500 route as you make your way back to Inverness. This route today provides lots of scenery of lochs, mountains, and coast as you take in the rugged vistas around Torridon and then head along the Applecross peninsula for coastal views. There are opportunities for hiking, tasting local seafood, visiting gardens and waterfalls, learning about local history, and much more today!

A special thrill of today is the steep and windy (but scenic) drive between Applecross and Tornapress as you go across the Bealach na Bà. However, note this route is not for all drivers or vehicles so be sure to decide if you want to take this route today or not as you have some options.

The route today is the longest on our 7 day itinerary, although you can shorten it if you need to as you can take shortcuts if you need to get to Inverness sooner. But we recommend taking your time today to enjoy the scenery and your last day on your route if you can. If you have an extra day, you could break up the drive by spending the night in Lochcarron and/or enjoy extra time enjoying the attractions in and around Inverness. 

Starting & Ending Point: Kinlochewe to Inverness Route:  Kinlochewe –> Applecross –> Lochcarron –> Strathpeffer –> Inverness

You have some choices today regarding how you get to Inverness. The official NC500 route follows the single track minor road along the coast to Applecross. We recommend driving this route if the weather is decent and you have the time, are not afraid of curvy steep roads, and you are not driving a large motorhome or towing a caravan (oversized vehicles are prohibited on the Bealach na Bà section of the route). The coastal route takes about 1.5 hours or so to get from Shieldaig to Ardarroch.

If you want to bypass the coastal route and the Bealach na Ba section you can take the A896 past Shieldaig towards Kishorn and Ardarroch. This bypass takes about 25 minutes to drive from Shieldaig to Ardarroch.

Note that if you are really short on time today, you can skip part of the route today and drive straight from Kinlochewe along the A832 towards Achnasheen to Inverness. It only takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes to get from Kinlochewe to Inverness using this route.

Mileage: 122 miles / 196 km  (~ 95 miles / 153 km if do the A896 shortcut) Area of Scottish Highlands: Wester Ross, Easter Ross, and Inverness-shire

• Say goodbye to Kinlochewe (or wherever you spent the night) and head southwest towards Torridon. If you are following a shortened route today, you’ll need to modify the itinerary to fit your route as this itinerary will follow the “official NC500 route” along the coast via Applecross.
• Glen Docherty is a scenic glen located between Loch Maree and Kinlochewe. There is a great viewpoint here located on a small hill that is a short detour from Kinlochewe along the A832 towards Achnasheen. Just drive up and park in a parking spot and you get a great view of Glen Docherty and Loch Maree in the far distance. Queen Victoria stopped here in her coach on her way to Loch Maree and wrote that the loch was “grand and romantic” in her journal. Her visits and love of the Scottish Highlands would lead to a large increase of tourism to Scotland during the Victorian era.
• Now head to Torridon. All around the small village of Torridon, you’ll have views of a number of mountain and hills including Beinn Eighe, Liathach, Beinn Alligin, and Sgurr Dubh. Torridonian sandstone makes up a lot of the local landscape and the name of the stone came from Torridon. This is a very popular area for its scenic beauty and it attractions a lot of hikers, climbers, and hillwalkers. Alongside Loch Torridon is the popular 5-star turreted country house hotel The Torridon. Loads of lovely walks from and around Torridon ranging from easy and flat to difficult mountain hikes, see some options here .
• As you drive along to Sheildaig , scenic views continue and there are some steep sections of the road so please drive carefully. Shieldaig offers more great views and we’d recommend a walk around the little peninsula here if the weather is good.
• At Sheildaig, you will need to decide if you plan to drive the coastal route around the Applecross Peninsula towards Fearnmore and Applecross (recommended if you have the time and don’t mind curvy roads) or want to skip it and head south along the A896 towards Kishorn and Ardarroch.
• If you are following the coastal route, it is a slow single track minor road so be prepared for a slow drive around the Applecross Peninsula but it provides lovely views of the Isle of Skye, Isle of Raasay , and Rona along the coast. There are some villages here but few businesses as you make your way to Applecross. Drive slowly and enjoy the views.
• At Applecross you’ll find red sandy beaches and the Applecross Heritage Centre where you can learn about local history and heritage. Applecross is believed to be one of the earliest places of settlement in Scotland but was very isolated (accessible only by sea) until the early 20th century. History lovers may also want to stop to see the Clachan Church (near the heritage centre), the current church was built in 1817 but the graveyard is much older and a monastery was founded here around the 7th century by the Irish saint, Maelrubha . We normally stop at the Applecross Garden , part of the large Applecross Estate, for something to eat which includes a walled garden, restaurant, plant shop, and gift store. If you have some time to explore, there are a few paths you can take from the walled garden towards the river, coast, or around the estate such as this one .
• The Bealach na Ba, which means Pass of the Cattle in Scottish Gaelic, was originally built in 1822 as a way to allow people to move livestock to and from this area. It is one of the highest roads in Scotland and offers some scenic views along its many twists and turns. This single track road is several miles long and has a steep gradient and sharp curves; it is not recommended for timid drivers, inexperienced drivers, or those in larger vehicles. Note this route is often impassable and closed in the winter months. Be sure to drive carefully, heeding all warning signs as accidents here are very common. It offers great scenery as you make your way along it and there are a couple of scenic viewpoint parking areas where you can stop and park safely (don’t stop anywhere else!).
• Soon after the Bealach na Ba (or if you skipped it by taking the A896), you will pass through the tiny village of Kishorn . If you are hungry for seafood, we can recommend the Kishorn Seafood Bar if it is open (seasonal).
• You’ll soon arrive into the village of Lochcarron which not surprisingly sits on the edge of a lake called Loch Carron. The village is home to the Lochcarron Weavers where you can learn more about tartan, the weaving process, and shop for some Scottish tartan (you can get made to order items here as well). If you drive or walk south along the loch, you’ll come across the ruins of the 14th century Strome Castle (very ruined). If you want to see a number of red deer (and sheep) up close consider booking a guided tour to see deer with gamekeeper Colin at  Reraig Forest near Lochcarron. The tours include an Argo (an ATV) ride up into the forest and are a lot of fun!
• Strathcarron is the next village along. It is home to a small craft brewery ( Strathcarron Brewery ), not sure if it is open for any public tours but you can buy the beer locally. If you enjoy gardens, we can recommend a small detour (10 minute drive south) to Attadale Gardens . Here you’ll find paths through lots of lovely flower beds, gardens, and trees. Gardens are open seasonally to the public; be sure to check dates and hours. There is a fee to visit.
• As you drive east between Lochcarron and Garve, this stretch of road is a popular place to see deer; we regularly see them in this area. Along the way, you’ll drive through Achnasheen situated along the River Bran. The main business in the village is the Ledgowan Lodge Hotel, a country house hotel.
• The village of Garve is quiet and sits along the Black Water river, offering nice views of Ben Wyvis. There are several walks and hikes you can do in this area, including this easy one along the Black Water or the more challenging monro hike of Ben Wyvis . Those with kids may want to make a stop at the Ben Wyvis Natural Play Park , a children’s play park in the woods.
• Between Garve and Contin, is the well-marked parking lot where you can stop to visit Rogie Falls , a series of small waterfalls on the Black Water. There is a small suspension bridge here where you can walk across. It is a 10 to 15 minute easy walk from the car park to reach the falls, although you can also do a longer hike here. Several hiking paths go through the Torrachilty Forest .
• The small village of Contin has a parish church dedicated to St. Maelrubha located on Contin Island that dates back to medieval times although most of the current structure dates to the 18th century. The church is associated with a particularly savage act of violence against the local Mackenzies in the 15th century by the Macdonalds who set fire to the local church after barring in hundreds of local villagers who had sought sanctuary there.
• If you take a short detour northeast of Contin, Strathpeffer is a former Victorian spa town and today it is a lovely village for a stroll. We recommend a stop at the Highland Museum of Childhood which is located in the old railway station (entry by donation), and it houses local history information, visitor info, a doll and toy collection, and some other exhibits. Staff here are friendly volunteers who can give you more information about the area and direct you to the local heritage walking route . Notable things to see around the village are the town square, former Upper Pump Room (exhibitions here about spa history), and the Pictish Eagle Rock (Clach an Tiompain). Nearby is also Castle Leod which was built for Clan Mackenzie and is still the home of the clan chief, Earle of Cromartie. It is a private home but parts of the castle are open to the public on a limited number of days each year.
• If you enjoy birdwatching and nature, you might want to head up to the RSPB Tollie Red Kites Natural Reserve just south of Loch Ussie. The main bird to spot here is the red kite, but you also have the chance to see a number of other birds including ravens, finches, tits, woodpeckers, and osprey. There is a visitor center and outdoor viewing area here as well as toilets, a picnic area, and nature trails. Free for members; entry by donation.
• Now you head back through Beauly and the Muir of Ord, which you likely drove through the first day of your road trip, to the starting point of Inverness.
• You have now completed your NC500 road trip and are now back in the Capital of the Highlands, the city of Inverness !
• As noted in Day 1 there are plenty of things to do in and near Inverness. We’d also highly recommend doing some day trips from Inverness if you have the extra time. If you are tired of driving, we can recommend day tours by local Rabbies which offers small group tours from downtown Inverness to places such as Loch Ness (great tour, we’ve done this one), the Isle of Skye & Eilean Donan Castle , the Black Isle (if you missed it on your NC500 trip), and whisky tasting tours .
• If you are looking to extend your road trip consider heading south into the Cairngorms National Park and heading along the east coast along the scenic North East 250 . You can see our suggested 3 day North East 250 itinerary for suggestions of what to do, see, eat, and where to stay along the driving route.
• If you are looking for more places to visit in Scotland we have a lot of guides to places to visit in Scotland including things to do in Edinburgh , things to do in Aberdeen , things to do in Glasgow , things to do in Loch Lomond National Park , visiting Cairngorms National Park , summer festivals in Edinburgh , skiing in Scotland , day trips from Edinburgh , Harry Potter sites in Scotland , and much more across our two blogs.

There are no major detours recommended today since you have a longer day of driving today. But if you are planning to head along the west coast and/or visit the Isle of Skye, you may want to head south at Strathcarron. You can end your NC500 journey early here or add some days to your itinerary to visit places along the west coast before heading back to Inverness.

• Plockton is a pretty village located on the shores of Loch Carron that is worth a stop if you are headed southwest. It is located about 30 to 40 minutes drive south of Strathcarron. Here you have nice views of the bay including some palm trees that are able to grow with help from the warm Gulf Stream. The village is worth a stroll around with several shops, restaurant, and art galleries. You can also get out on the bay by renting a kayak or boat here, or take the popular seal tours offered by Calum’s Seal Trips .
• Near the small village of Dornie is Eilean Donan Castle , which is one of the most recognizable castles in Scotland. It was originally built in the 13th century by the Clan Mackenzie and was a stronghold for the Mackenzies of Kintail. Although the castle history dates back to the 13th century, the current building is primarily a 20th century restoration of the medieval castle as the castle was largely destroyed in the 18th century by the Royal Navy. You’ll likely recognize the exterior of Eilean Donan Castle as it is one of the most photographed castles in Scotland. The castle is open for tours to the public and you can buy tickets at the visitor center which also contains a coffee shop and gift shop. It is about a 30 minute drive from Strathcarron.
• The Isle of Skye in Scotland is a popular large Scottish island known for its scenic and rugged landscapes. Popular stops include Old Man of Storr, Kilt Rock, the Quiraing, the Fairy Pools, Dunvegan Castle, and Neist Point. The Isle of Skye is very popular, particularly in the summer, and you can see our tips for avoiding the crowds on the Isle of Skye . It is about a 1.5 hour drive from Strathcarron to Portree (capital town on Skye). You’ll want at least one full day to explore the island.

Inverness offers everything from humble cafes and McDonald’s to fine dining, so you should be able to find something that appeals. Also lots of places to get drinks in Inverness whether you have a desire for a Scottish lager, craft beer, whisky, or a fruity cocktail.

There are dozens of dining options in Inverness, but here are a selection of recommendations to get you started:

• Fig & Thistle – A cozy bistro offering European dishes with an emphasis on fresh ingredients. Good selection of vegetarian options. Offers wine list and cocktails.
• The Mustard Seed Restaurant – Modern restaurant situated in a former church serving modern European dishes with a focus on local and seasonal produce. Full bar; good wine list. Lunch and early dinner specials. Very popular; reservations strongly recommended.
• The Kitchen Brasserie – A contemporary Scottish restaurant serving many modern British favorites using local and seasonal produce. Top floor offers nice views over Ness River. Very good value lunch and early evening dinner specials here; we’ve had good experiences here. Good wine list. Owned by the same folks who run The Mustard Seed. Reservations recommended.
• Number 27 Bar & Kitchen – An upscale pub restaurant offering upscale contemporary British and European dishes. Full bar.
• Scotch & Rye – Bar and restaurant with a menu and decor inspired by the American speakeasies of NYC and Chicago with nachos, hot dogs, burgers, etc., but also has some Scottish and Mexican inspired dishes. Full bar. Some tables are dog friendly.
• Hootananny – A popular local pub offering good value pub favorites. Regularly has live Scottish folk music and ceilidhs. Check schedule to see what’s happening during your visit.
• Rocpool – This popular upscale brasserie offers modern Scottish dishes including seafood, beef, and game. Focus on local and seasonal ingredients. Reservations strongly recommended.
• River House – Upscale restaurant next to the river focused on fresh Scottish seafood and shellfish, but also offers a selection of meat, game, and veggie options. Oyster menu and full bar. Reservations strongly recommended.
• Chez Roux Restaurant – The restaurant located at Rocpool Reserve Hotel offers French inspired fine dining with Scottish ingredients. Menu designed by Albert Roux. Full bar. The R Bar (also located in the hotel) is also a good place for pre or after-dinner drinks. Reservations necessary.
• Late Night Options – There are usually food options in Inverness open until at least midnight; I’d ask your lodging for nearby recs. Some places to check include Aspendos (Turkish), The Castle Tavern (traditional pub menu in a historical building), McDonald’s (located on High Street; fast food), Scotch & Rye (American inspired bar food), Millburn Takeaway (Chinese takeaway or delivery), and Domino’s (pizza takeaway or delivery).

Since you’ve reached the end of the North Coast 500, you might want to celebrate by choosing a nicer hotel in Inverness to stay in. Or if you don’t mind staying a bit outside of Inverness, you might also consider a castle hotel stay, such as at  Tulloch Castle Hotel or Kincraig Castle Hotel .

You can see our full Inverness hotel recommendations under Day 1 of the itinerary, but we’ll briefly repeat them here:

• Bazpackers – Centrally located hostel
• No. 29 B&B is a nice good value bed-and-breakfast option. If looking for something a little nicer, check out Ardentorrie House or Invernevis B&B
• Best Western Palace Hotel & Spa – Centrally located 3-star hotel with spa and restaurant, offers nice views over River Ness and castle.
• Jury’s Inn – Modern hotel offering good value, swimming pool, bar, and on-site restaurant, located outside of central Inverness.
• Kingsmills Hotel ,   Rocpool Reserve Hotel , Bunchrew House Hotel , and Boath House (in Nairn) – These are our recommended 4- and 5-star hotels in and near Inverness for those looking for a more luxurious stay.
• Campsites – Torvean Caravan Park , Bught Park Caravan Park & Campsite , Ardtower Caravan Park and Bunchrew Caravan Park .

So that is the end of our North Coast 500 itinerary! We hope that you have found this itinerary helpful in planning your own NC500 road trip.

If you are planning an upcoming trip, be sure to check out all our other articles on the North Coast 500 .

You can also PIN this article to Pinterest to read it later:

If you are planning your own North Coast 500 road trip and have questions about the route or traveling within Scotland, we’re happy to try to help. Just leave any questions or comments in the Comments section below!

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Deanna Post author

March 20, 2024 at 8:17 am

I am flying in and out of glasgow, only have five full days. I’d like to drive the nc500, but also see other areas. What do you suggest as an efficient route?

Will fly into glasgow 11/16 for five full days. Does it snow in the nc500 area during that time ? Trying to figure out most efficient route.

Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author

March 21, 2024 at 10:47 am

So the best place to start would probably still be Inverness. From Glasgow, it takes about 3-4 hours to get to Inverness by car or train. You could pick up a hire car in either Glasgow or take the train or bus up to Inverness and pick up the car there. Or if prefer not to drive given your limited time, you also have the option to join a 3 day tour .

The North Coast 500 route is a set route so you can drive it counterclockwise or clockwise, it doesn’t make much difference although we generally recommend counterclockwise (starting on east coast and then heading north and west) for first time. But 5 days is really the minimum we’d recommend for really enjoying the NC500 if you are driving yourself as otherwise you’ll spend most of your time driving and getting from place to place. If you do plan to see other parts of Scotland and only have 2-3 days, then I would consider just visiting an area of the North Coast 500 or joining the tour so you at least get a sense of the highlights.

If you haven’t checked out our planning guide , I’d start there. Also Laurence has put together a 5 day itinerary that is less detailed and more rushed, but might suit you better. However, again, it would mean using all 5 days for the NC500 and also allowing time to get to and from Glasgow. So I’d really consider how many days you have and what you really want to see.

It can snow along the North Coast 500 in November but it is not super common until a bit later in the winter. But we’ve definitely had our trip delayed by snow covered roads during winters before and snow and ice can make some of the hikes dangerous. The more minor roads can also close due to snow/ice/flooding. So something to keep in mind but not likely a huge worry in mid November (and not really something you can plan around until you know the weather forecast much more closer to the time).

But of course because November is off season for northern Scotland, some places will be closed in November, this includes smaller attractions, outdoor activities, many campsites, and some hotels and restaurants. So you’ll want to be sure to plan ahead, especially with any must-see indoor attractions, accommodation, and evening meals.

Best, Jessica

Marco Semprevivo Post author

February 22, 2024 at 5:41 am

Hi Jessica & Laurence, First, my compliments this blog is fantastic and useful. We want to go to Scotland in June 2024 and we wonder if we start from Edinburgh and stay there for two days is it possible to do the NC500, and Loch Ness in about 15 days? Best regards, Marco

February 23, 2024 at 9:34 am

You’re very welcome and yes, you can definitely explore Edinburgh, see Loch Ness, and do the North Coast 500 in 15 days. I’d probably recommend 3 nights in Edinburgh, then 3 nights in Inverness (Loch Ness is near Inverness), and then 7 nights along the North Coast 500. Then with the extra days you can add them where you like in Edinburgh, Loch Ness/Inverness, or along the North Coast 500. Or maybe an overnight stop in the Cairnogrms on the way up to Inverness if you are driving.

In Edinburgh you don’t need a car, so I’d pick up one either once you are ready to leave Edinburgh to drive to Inverness or take the train to Inverness (easy connection) and pick up a car once in Inverness. I’d probably leave a day to explore Inverness, and then a second full day to see Loch Ness and that area.

For seeing Loch Ness, you can drive there from Inverness as a day trip, go stay overnight near the lake, or just join a day tour from Inverness (we recommend the one from Rabbie’s). You can see our guide to Loch Ness to plan that out.

Then you can start the NC500 road trip from Inverness and follow the above 7 day itinerary. Since it sounds like you may have a couple extra days, you can use them along the route to book a few 2-night stays rather than moving along each night. That will make it more relaxing and give you more time to explore the different areas and do more activities/tours/attractions. Or if you prefer, you can spend that extra time in Edinburgh as there are lots to do there and also many good days trips that can be done from there.

Hope that helps and just let us know if you have any more questions as you plan your trip to Scotland!

Sami Tamim Post author

November 30, 2023 at 11:54 pm

Hi Jessica, Are there sufficient Electric Vehicle charging points along the routes to avoid “charge anxiety” if driving an electric only vehicle?

Regards Sami

December 1, 2023 at 10:18 am

So, yes, since about 2016, there have been enough electrical charging points around the North Coast 500 route for those with fully electric cars to drive the route safely. There are electrical charging points throughout the route, including rapid charge points.

You can find charging points using this interactive map or an app like ZapMap . Just note however, that there are often just a couple of charging stations at each place so you will need to factor potential waits into your shcedule as well as out of service charging points.

So if you have an electric car you plan to drive, you should be fine. I would just keep your range and charging needs in mind when planning your route itinerary, and perhaps consider staying each night in a town with an electric charge point so you could do that each night after your day of driving.

If you are renting a car, a hybrid might be a better option as it will give you more piece of mind and flexibility and you won’t hae any “range anxiety”.

We cover this and lots of other NC500 planning information in our planning guide . That article might be helpful if you are planning your first drive along the North Coast 500.

Hope that helps and just let us know if you have further questions as you plan your trip!

Jean (Jeannette) Porter Post author

September 26, 2023 at 7:35 pm

Greetings….. We are planning on heading over to Scotland towards end of April/May next year from New Zealand. I have just come across your amazing and very well written iitinerary on The North Coast 500 Route and it was such an exciting read. We plan on picking up a rental car in Inverness to start our trip. Can hardly wait. Friends of ours did this trip years ago and said how amazing it was. Some questions: Would two days on the Orkney Islands give us plenty of time to see and do a lot of the activities while there? Also how much would the ferry cost to take the rental car over and back again if that is what people do? Is April/May a good time to travel to Scotland? We are thinking of spending about 10 days to do the 500 Route as we want to do and see as much as possible in that time without racing all the time? Would we get accomodation at that time of year or would it be a bit of a struggle? I cant wait to read your intinerary again and again. Thank you so much for any help. 🙂 My paternal grandfather was born in Inverkip. We came over to England/Scotland for the first time 10 years ago and it was love at first sight 🙂

September 27, 2023 at 6:37 pm

That sounds like a very exciting trip and so glad you are visiting Scotland and planning to drive the North Coast 500. Glad our articles and itinerary have been helpful!

Yes, Inverness is an ideal place to start and end your trip so a good place to pick up and drop off your rental car.

So 2 days should give you plenty of time to explore the biggest island of Orkney (the “Mainland”, also known as Hrossey and Pomona) but you’d need more time to really explore Orkney as there are about 70 islands I think and several are worth visiting for attractions, wildlife, history, etc. If you had 2 full days/nights you could take a ferry to see one extra island. But if you are looking to see the main attractions (there are several, happy to give some recs) on the Mainland, you’ll find lots to do on the main island which also includes the two biggest towns, Kirkwall and Stromness. So you can easily spend 2 days exploring it. Yes, you can either take your car over or join a day tour (with a bus or a private driver) that shows you around the island. Regular ferries call into both Stromness and Kirkwall (from John O’Groats, Scrabster, and Gills Bay).

It depends on the specific ferry and time of year, but the cost of a ferry is pretty reasonable for those on foot or bike (about 18 pounds I think each way) but it costs a lot more if you want to take a car. I think for example it would be about £100 each way (£200 total) for 2 people and a car return with Northlink from Scrabster to Stromness. I don’t think rates are out for that far in advance but I’d check at the end of the year. But I’d estimate around £200.

Yes, mid April through end of May can be a good time to visit Scotland. We’ve been lucky at that time of the year in terms of weather, but you can never predict weather and it is wise to basically always be prepared for rain and wind, and be happy when you get the nice sunny days! It used to be pretty quiet that time of year, but it does tend to start picking up around Easter now, but you will miss the high time with all the summer visitors. Most seasonal business open in April around Easter. May is safer if worried about any attractions not being open.

For accommodation, we recommend booking at least 3 months in advance (6 months is better if there are specific places you want to stay as some of the most popular start getting bookings 1 year in advance). But if you have your flights and car booked well before then, I’d do it 6 months out if you are booking hotels and B&Bs. If you book on a website like Booking.com you often have option to cancel it so long in advance for free (or worth it to pay a little extra for this option in our opinion) if your plans have to change.

Yes, 10 days ia great amount of time, we say at least 7 days ideally and 10 is even better!

I don’t think we have ever been to Inverkip, but we have been very close when we traveled from Glasgow over to Aran. Will you be visiting on this trip?

Hope that helps, and just let me know if you have further questions as you continue to plan your trip!

John van Stipriaan Post author

August 15, 2023 at 2:23 am

I will be starting from Edinburgh in a camper. Taking the coastal road to Inverness then a shortened NC500 around to glascow. This is going to be in mid November. Main question is the availability of camp grounds or freedom camping along the way. Any advice gratefully received, thank you.

August 15, 2023 at 8:46 am

Glad to hear that you are planning to drive at least part of the North Coast 500 and happy to try to answer your questions and give you some advice for your trip!

So mid-November tends to be fairly cold and is not a popular time to camp or drive the NC500, so some of the campsites and caravan parks will definitely be closed during that period as many are seasonal from Spring to end of summer/beginning of autumn. But some are open year round or most of the year. If you plan ahead you should be able to still find places to go, you can check out the North Coast 500 campsite and caravan park directory for what is available. Some places recommend/require reservations, others don’t. You can contact them directly to find out more. If there are any sections where you want to stay that don’t have campsites open, you can also check out the glamping pods, cabins, etc. as many of these are open year round and are interesting places to stay without needing to camp for the night.

So that directory should help you in determining availability, this camping itinerary for the NC500 might also be helpful in planning your time, depending on how much time you have. We’d generally recommend at least 5 days (7 days+ ideal).

In terms of “freedom camping”, if you are talking about wild camping, that is for people doing tent camping away from vehicles and houses. And that is covered in the above North Coast 500 camping itinerary under wild camping. But if you are planning to stay in a camper that wouldn’t be wild camping. And also during that time of the year it can get pretty cold so you’ll want access to heat.

If you are driving from Edinburgh up to Inverness, you might consider doing part of the North East 250 as part of the route goes up along the coast and rest through the lovely Cairngorms. You probably wouldn’t want to do the full loop but could do part.

Anyway, hoping that this helps and just let us know if you have further questions as you plan your trip around Scotland!

Allan Post author

July 5, 2023 at 2:07 pm

hi there, i am scrolling through this on my iphone and it feels like i would scroll 30 miles worth of scrolling lol is this info available in a small book kind of thing many thanks allan

July 6, 2023 at 4:42 am

So glad that you are finding our North Coast 500 itinerary useful. It is indeed long and pretty in-depth in its coverage.

We don’t offer any NC500 guides for sale, but you can use our articles for free online. Or you can print or download articles as a clickable PDF file – this is a free option for our newsletter subscribers. If you are not a subscriber, it is free and easy to join and you can learn more and sign up here .

The printable versions of the articles have the images, photos, and ads removed and are formatted for printing. You can also use this function to save them as clickable PDF files as well if you’d rather not print them. The PDF files allow you to still use the links.

Once you are a newsletter subscriber, to print (or save as PDF), all you need to do is go to the article you want to print and click on the Printer icon button. This will be on the left hand side of the article (for those on desktop) or at the very end of the article (for desktop and mobile users). Once you click the icon a box will pop up that will be asked to enter your first name and email address. Please use the email address that you use to receive our newsletter.

If you have any further questions as you plan your NC500 trip, just ask!

yadi jayran-nejad Post author

June 4, 2023 at 2:25 am

Dear Jessica and Laurence Thank you so much for writing such a great detailed description of the highland famous NC500 route. It has become my companion since I first read it a week ago. I read it several times a day! Next to my Navigator Scotland road Atlas. It is amazing. Well done and thank you again. I am a follower now! Regards Yadi

June 14, 2023 at 6:53 am

Thanks so much for taking the time to let us know that our North Coast 500 route itinerary has been so helpful for your trip. It is also nice to have a road atlas and driving, especially if looking for some interesting detours and other places you might want to explore as you are driving in Scotland.

Thanks for following, and just let us know if you have any questions about future travels!

James Murray Post author

March 27, 2023 at 3:05 am

do you supply a map and list of places to stay thank you james

March 27, 2023 at 8:05 am

Glad you are finding our travel guides and North Coast 500 itinerary helpful. So yes, within this post above, you can see there is a rough map for Google maps you can see. There is also suggested lodging options under each day. For more lodging options, you can see our NC500 hotels and NC500 B&B guide posts. Both of those posts have the lodging options marked on a Google map that you can click on and look at.

If you are looking for paper maps, you can try online via ebay or Waterstones if you are in the UK as noted. Otherwise, you can buy them once you are in Scotland in a bookstore or tourist shop in Inverness or along the route.

Hope that helps, and just let us know if you have further questions as you plan your trip along the North Coast 500.

Pi Post author

January 23, 2023 at 8:51 pm

Hi Jessica & Laurence Thank you so much for providing such a detailed route, especially for winter time. I and my boyfriend will follow your plan during this February. We booked the regular car already but, as we are from tropical country, we wonder if the 4wheel drive is necessary for winter in this area. We will go any off road though. And we try get snow chain as your suggestion but the car rental company don’t have it for rent. Is there any shop that we can buy snow chain around NC500 or before we go to Cairngorms?

Best wishes,

February 1, 2023 at 2:25 am

Glad you have found our NC500 guides helpful.

So you may or may not encounter snow during February in Scotland but it is a good idea to be prepared if you do. We used a regular 2WD car when you did our visits so you should be OK with a 2WD. But there was one day we had to stay put as the snow made the roads very slick and they were icy. But otherwise, we were OK. If you encoutner really bad weather, you’ll probably want to just be flexible and stay put until it passes. Roads are normally cleared fairly quickly and snowstorms tend not to last more than a day or towo.

It can be a good idea to have snow chains in your car even if you aren’t super likely to need them. However, it is not a legal requirment as it is in some parts of the world do you don’t need to have them. Yes, you should be able to buy a set of snow chains in Scotland during the winter at any big automotive shop (such as in Inverness) or you can buy a set online on Amazon. But since you are just there for a short time, you might see if there is someone locally you can just borrow (or rent) them. Or just be prepared to be flexible and don’t drive until any storms have passed and roads are cleared (this is what most people in Scotland do to be honest as most don’t have snow chains).

Just a remind if you use snow chains, you need to remove them as soon as you are on cleared roads as they can cause damage if you drive with them on without snow/ice.

Anyway, hope that helps and wishing you a wonderful trip!

Ian Nelson Post author

October 8, 2022 at 2:03 am

Hi Guys, We completed the NC500 last month following the major parts of your itinerary. To be honest it made our experience much more enjoyable because of the limited planning involved. We used Hotels and B&Bs for accommodation over seven days. We were fortunate with the weather, only had one day of torrential rain. Thank you for your time and work compiling the detailed itinerary. I have already told people to look at your site first before they go anywhere else. Best Regards Ian

October 12, 2022 at 2:45 pm

Thanks so much for taking the time to comment after your NC500 trip! We love to hear that our North Coast 500 road trip information was helpful to other travelers.

And so happy that you had such a great experience and that the weather was good to you on most of the days of your trip!!!

Trudi Post author

September 26, 2022 at 2:00 am

Dear Jessica and Laurence, Your blog has been such a fantastic way of helping us plan our N500 trip. We are heading up to Scotland tomorrow (currently en route in North Yorkshire). The information and detail you have provided means that it is a lot less daunting and we are now so excited to see everything along the way. We have at least 7- 9 days to explore so thank you so much. I will let you know how we get on.

Kindest regards,

Trudi and Kev

September 26, 2022 at 1:53 pm

Hi Trudi & Kev,

So glad that our information on the NC500 has been helpful in planning your trip up to Scotland. Wishing you a wonderful trip up from North Yorshire and around the NC500. I hope you have a wonderful trip and our fingers crossed for some nice weather.

And yes, we’d love to hear how your trip goes once you are back. Feel free to let us know your favorite sections, tips, etc.

Best, Jessica & Laurence

Chandra Prathaban Post author

August 11, 2022 at 6:49 am

Hi, At the outset let me thank you for a very informative and well structured NC500 blog. We are planning to do the NC 500 in October last week. We have 5 1/2 days and we plan to cut short our travel at Lochinver and return to Inverness airport via Ullapool on the last day. Is it a good time to do that? Secondly, we are doing it with as family along with our grand daughter who is 5 1/2 years old. Will it be bit too much for a a kid?

Thanks again.. Chandra

August 12, 2022 at 3:31 am

Hi Chandra,

I think 5.5 days to do the route to Lochinver would work. From Lochinver to Inverness airport, is about a 2.5 hour drive (without any stops). I’d allow 3 hours to account for traffic and any road work. You’ll also need to of course factor in time for car rental return and check-in. So I’d leave at least 5 to 5.5 hours before you need to board your flight.

October is a good month to drive the route as the temperature should be pretty good and crowds should be thinning out along the route. But just note some of the smaller seasonal business may be closed by the end of October.

I’d see our planning guide for some tips on traveling the North Coast 500 and preparing for the drive. There are also some attractions and locations listed in that guide that are more kid and family friendly (see section “Best Stops for Families with Children along the North Coast 500”). Many people travel with children, you just have to be extra cautious and keep her near when outdoors as people can drive fast on the route, livestock is often unfenced, and there are often no barriers to cliffside areas. Most towns have little playgrounds or parks which can be a good place to take a break. Most attractions allow children. It is also fairly easy to find casual dining options along the route that are suitable for kids.

If you haven’t already done so, I would book your accommodation along the route once you have your dates set. This is especially important if needing family rooms or booking multiple rooms (often needed if traveling with more than 2 adults). Most hotels only have 1, if any family rooms, and if you are needing multiple rooms, you will want to ensure they are available. Also note there are some B&Bs and hotels that don’t accept younger children so be sure to check rules before booking.

Hope that helps, and wishing you a great trip along the NC500!

Chandra Prathapan Post author

August 15, 2022 at 2:26 am

Thanks Jessica.. Your reply is quite detailed and helpful.

August 15, 2022 at 6:09 am

You’re very welcome, wishing you and your family a great trip around Scotland.

Caitlin Post author

August 6, 2022 at 2:23 am

Hey, we’re just back from our nc500 trip and just wanted to thank you guys for this blog – it was super helpful and we loved so many of your recommendations! Thanks so much for doing so much of the planning and prep for us. ☺️

August 7, 2022 at 12:18 am

Hi Caitlin,

So happy to hear that our North Coast 500 articles were helpful in your travel planning. I hope that you had a wonderful trip along the NC500!

Chris Post author

June 23, 2022 at 1:59 pm

Hello! My wife and I plan a week long road trip through Scottish Highlands. However, we will be starting from Edinburgh. We are wondering how best to modify the trip so we see some great spots but not feel too rushed. Any suggestions how to best modify or truncate the 500 trip would be much appreciated! -Chris and Maggie

June 24, 2022 at 5:30 am

Hi Chris & Maggie,

Sure, happy to help. So if you spend a leisurely day driving up to Inverness and a day driving back to Edinburgh (or you can take a train, plane, or bus), that would give you 5 full days along the route. So you can modify it accordingly (you’ll just have time to make fewer stops). For where to stop overnight, you can check out this 5-day itinerary for ideas.

Now if you have less than 5 days, we wouldn’t recommend driving the NC500 as you’ll likely just feel rushed. If you have less time we’d recommend considering joining a tour such as this one led by a local guide which will take you to the highlights and you don’t need to worry about driving, parking, booking things, etc.

But I would also ask if you are trying to see an overview of attractions in the Scottish Highlands or just want to drive the North Coast 500? The North Coast 500 route takes in the very northern part of the Highlands but many of the most popular visitor sights and attractions are elsewhere. So I guess it depends on what you want to see and do with your time and if you have visited the Highlands before.

Hope that helps and just let us know if you have further questions as you plan your trip to Scotland. Happy to give more suggestions once you have drafted an itinerary.

June 25, 2022 at 7:39 am

Jessica, Thank you for such aa thoughtful response. We have a full seven days to experience Scotland! My thought is that we take a day to ride up to Inverness, do your 5 day 500 route, but instead of connecting back to inverness, we pick a route back to Edinburgh! Does that sound like a good plan for Scotland first timers? Your website is an amazing resource! Thank you so much!

-Chris and Maggie

June 26, 2022 at 5:54 am

Hi Chris and Maggie,

Yes, that can definitely work. Going back to Inverness is the quickest route back down to Edinburgh as it connects you to the main motorway (A9). However, you can certainly take a different route back if there are other places off that route that you want to visit. There are certainly more scenic routes but just be sure to check the driving times.

But just note if you only have 7 days total in Scotland, you will probably want to spend at least a couple of days in Edinburgh? There is a lot to see and do in the city. So if you spend 2 full days in Edinburgh, then that means you only have 5 days elsewhere, which means you would probably only have about 3-4 full days for NC500. So I would just make sure you are not too rushed with your plans.

chris Post author

June 26, 2022 at 6:32 am

Fantastic! Some great advise! Thank you so much.

Marion Rogers Post author

May 2, 2022 at 5:47 am

We are planning our first overseas trip post Covid and border closures from Australia. I found your blog extremely helpful. Now to work out exactly what we would like to do during our time in Scotland.

May 2, 2022 at 5:55 am

That is very exciting to be able to travel again! And happy to hear our travel blog has been helpful in planning your trip to Scotland. Happy to try to help and provide advice once you have a good idea of how many days you have, how you want to get around, and what specifically you are interested in doing/seeing while in Scotland.

christine Post author

April 19, 2022 at 3:00 pm

We are planning on doing this trip as part of our 50th wedding anniversary celebration we have several trips planned but very excited to finally be doing the 500, your itinerary has been so helpful really enjoyed reading it.

We are planning on doing the trip over a three week period to enable us to do all the detours and spend more time in places. We can make the trip anytime and would welcome your advice on when is the best time to visit ,we were thinking May or September but would prefer not to visit during school holidays, we are very flexible with our time.

April 20, 2022 at 5:26 am

Hi Christine,

So glad you are finding our North Coast 500 itinerary and blogs helpful in planning your anniversary trip! 3 weeks along the route will give you plenty of time to do most of what we have listed in our itinerary as well as have time for detours such as visiting some of the islands.

Both May and September are great months to do the North Coast 500 and are generally our two favorite times of year for traveling around Scotland in general. In terms of weather you can of course not predict but we have had lovely weather during those months but always be prepared for rain and cool weather 😉

Yes, no matter when you travel I’d avoid any school holidays (unless traveling with kids) – check the term times for both England and Scotland. It is also good to avoid bank holiday weekends.

I don’t really have a preference for May versus September – if you are planning it for this year, then I’d maybe recommend September if you are planning for staying in B&Bs/hotels just as you will have a better chance of booking your first choice accommodation for September as I know some of the hotels and B&Bs we recommend are pretty booked up for May/June already. But if camping then it doesn’t make too much difference as although more campsites are taking prebookings, they don’t tend to book up too far in advance.

Hope that helps, and just let us know if you have any further questions as you plan your trip!

Sarann Post author

April 10, 2022 at 1:46 pm

This blog is brilliant and full of information on campsites, hotels, restaurants and activities – it’s all been covered! Me, my husband, son and dog will be doing the NC500 this summer and can’t wait. Using your itinerary I’ve just sat and planned the campsites to use and this has saved so much time. We’re travelling from North Ayrshire so not that far but will be stopping off at Aviemore first to get used to the campervan. We’ve probably done a lot of the north west coast of Scotland, as we’ve got family that stay that way and we just love it! But we haven’t seen any of the east coast so that will be a first for us. I’ve saved this page for our travels for reference – I’m sure I’ll need it!

April 10, 2022 at 3:42 pm

Sounds like you have a great NC500 holiday to look forward to this summer with your family! So happy that you are finding our North Coast 500 guide and other blog posts helpful in planning your trip. Laurence has a couple of posts specifically on camping along the North Coast 500 over on Finding the Universe which you may have already seen, but if not those posts have a lot of camping and campsite tips.

The Cairngorms (Aviemore) is a great place to stop on your way up from Ayrshire before heading to Inverness and starting the route.

Just let us know if you have any questions as you continue to plan your trip!

Dan and Beck Post author

December 18, 2021 at 3:12 am

Hi Jessica,

Thanks for sharing such a fantastic NC500 itinerary.

We used this article to help plan our NC500 hiking adventure. Your tips on campsites were very helpful!

We really like your website, and have followed you on IG!

Cheers, Dan & Beck from Travel Made Me Do It

December 18, 2021 at 7:24 am

Hi Dan & Beck,

Glad you enjoyed our NC500 itinerary and other articles. There are certainly lots of walking, hiking, and climbing opportunities in and around the NC500 😉 We note many of our favorites in our guides but there are many to discover in each region.

Phil scott Post author

October 25, 2021 at 8:45 pm

My wife and I are from Australia. We are planning to be in the UK in early April. Not an ideal time to be so far up north doing the North Coast 500 but it has to fit in with our other plans in Europe. Accommodation wise, will establishments be open at that time of the year to enable us to see as much of the area as we possibly can?

October 26, 2021 at 7:34 am

Yes, April probably isn’t the best time to explore the NC500 but a number of the seasonal businesses do re-open in April. Although it will depend on your dates as I think many of the smaller seasonal spots and museums may not be open yet. We generally recommend after Easter as the best time as that is when most of the seasonal businesses are re-eopening but also because of weather.

In terms of accommodation along the North Coast 500, as long as you book in advance, you should be fine as although not every place will be open, you should still be able to find at least a few places open in each area of the route. Many hotels, particularly in Inverness, Dornoch, Wick, Thurso, and Ullapool are open year-round or may just close for a short period, whereas in other spots, particularly the north you do get a lot of B&Bs and small hotels closing for the winter season. Some places will base their opening and closing dates based on advance bookings but many should be re-opening by April, especially since a busy season is expected after a couple of seasons where businesses had to close part of the season due to COVID-19.

Hope that helps, and just let us know if you have further questions as you plan your trip!

Phil Post author

October 26, 2021 at 9:44 pm

Many thanks Jessica. I will take your advice and be booking well ahead as it is a journey we want to make.

Wendy B Post author

October 12, 2021 at 9:59 am

Thank you for producing such a detailed and informative website. I planned the whole route using your superb suggestions and recommendations. I also bought a book to cross reference but it was nowhere as useful. You really could turn this into a very good guide book. Thank you for the time and effort you have put into this. I will be recommending it to friends who want to do this next year.

October 12, 2021 at 10:43 am

So glad that you enjoyed your North Coast 500 trip, and that our NC500 itinerary and planning guides were so useful in planning your trip! We have not personally used any of the guidebooks, but we have also heard this about the existing guidebooks. We are lucky to have done the route many times and visited so many of the attractions, hotels, B&Bs, campsites, restaurants, shops, etc. and done so many of the walks and hikes in this beautiful area of Scotland. Our articles can be printed as PDFs, but we do recommend just using them online to be able to click links and to prevent the need to print them as they are very long 😉

Thanks for recommending it to friends who may want to drive this route next year. We certainly appreciate it and for taking the time to let us know that our NC500 articles were helpful to you!

Lyn Post author

September 13, 2021 at 8:50 pm

I came across your blog and wow! I am learning a lot, it is a bit overwhelming. My husband and I are planning this trip in mid october, I am not sure if it would be a good time? We plan roughly 7 days, and just wondering if it would be best to stay in say 4 hotels/bnb in a week around the coast and what area to focus in? ANy suggestions would be helpful 😀 thank you, and I will continue browsing thru your blog. Thank you so much.

September 14, 2021 at 7:45 am

October can be a great time to travel in Scotland, but just note it may be a bit wet and cool. A number of attractions, restaurants, and lodging options are also seasonal and some will close at the end of September or October, so just be aware of that as well. Some places, like the smaller museums and private gardens, will open only by pre-arrangement. But other than those, it can definitely be a quieter time to travel although we expect it to still be fairly busy along the North Coast 500 this year as there is still a lot of pent-up travel demand.

I think that you can definitely do 2 night stays at a few places instead of moving along each night. It will likely mean a bit of backtracking along the route, but means you don’t need to pack up each night which is great. Then you can just use each base to explore the area rather than driving it as a set route which will give you a bit more flexibility. For instance, if you have 7 days/8 nights, you might consider 2 nights each in the four corners of the route, so say around Inverness for the first 2 nights, around Wick/John O’Groats/Thurso for day 3 and 4, around Tongue/Durness/Lochinver for day 5 and 6 and then a last stop around Gairloch/Kinlochewe/Torridon for your final two nights.

But I would also take a look over the itinerary to see if there are any specific attractions, activities, tours, hikes, etc. that you are really interested in (and make sure they are possible during your dates). That may encourage you to pick one town or area over another for your overnight stops. For example, if there is a morning boat tour or a full-day hike you want to do, then staying nearby for that would probably be a good idea.

Once you have your dates and where you want to overnight, I would definitely book your accommodation ASAP to ensure you get a room you like and within your budget in each location. We list some suggestions in our itineary as well as in our North Coast 500 hotels and North Coast 500 B&B guides .

Hope that helps, and just let us know if you have more questions after reading over our NC500 guide and itinerary. Wishing you and your husband a great trip.

lyn Post author

September 21, 2021 at 9:12 pm

Hello Jessica,

Thank you for replying. I do appreciate the advise and browsing your blog had certainly help. Thank You Lots!

September 22, 2021 at 3:47 am

You’re very welcome. Just let us know if you have any further questions and wishing you a wonderful trip!

michelle dudman Post author

September 13, 2021 at 1:03 pm

I have just subscribed to your monthly newsletter. Please can you advise how I can print your guides. Ive been reading through them for months now but ready to print them out and take them with us next week!

September 14, 2021 at 6:02 am

Hi Michelle,

Glad that our North Coast 500 guide has been helpful to you! Yes, I can see that you are now an active subscriber to our free monthly newsleter.

To print an article, just open up the article and then click on the Printer icon (on the side or at the end of the article) for the article of interest. You’ll be asked to be in your name and the emailed you used to subscribe. Then a printer-friendly document should open without all the ads, images, formatting, etc. If you have any issues or questions, just let us know.

If you have any questions as you plan your NC500 trip, just let us know. Wishing you a great trip next week.

Steve Hardy Post author

August 27, 2021 at 6:16 am

Hi do you have a book/guide on the 500 ? Where can I get one Having just seen it on the news I would love to do it next year & would prefer a guide to follow instead of being reliant on WiFi/internet

August 29, 2021 at 3:36 am

Glad you are finding our North Coast 500 itinerary and other NC500 articles and advice helpful.

All our advice and information is available only on our websites. You can also print them off yourself if you are a subscriber to our monthly newsletter . To print the article in a printer-friendly format (with all ads and images removed) or save them as a clickable PDF, you just need to subscribe to be subscribed to our monthly travel newsletter (it is free and easy to subscribe).

I’d start with our North Coast 500 planning guide to get started and then use the itinerary for planning day-to-day things to do and accommodation.

If you want a printed guidebook you can order one from Amazon, there are a few of them available that have been written by others, one by Rough Guides for example, but we have never used them ourselves. You can see them here .

Christine Brewer Post author

August 21, 2021 at 10:58 am

I will be travelling on my own and don’t want to be planning as I want the option to have the freedom. Being single, I am concerned about only staying the one night then off to a new destination the following day. Reading above, it seems a one nighter is not that easy. Should I be thinking of a different trip around Scotland altogether. Thanks for any help you can offer. You have done an amazing job giving all this information to everyone that wants to travel the NC500. Scotland needs to be giving you the key to the city. Christine

August 21, 2021 at 12:47 pm

Glad you are enjoying our North Coast 500 travel guides and itinerary.

For traveling right now, planning is a good idea as with COVID-19 restrictions and a lot of places requiring pre-booking (even places that normally do not), it is hard to travel without some planning beforehand if you want to visit attractions and be assured of hotel stays and hot evening meals. The NC500 is a particularly busy route with limited accommodation and places to eat along certain sections.

But you can always just choose a couple places you want to stay and then spend say 3 nights in each and explore each day from the particular town. For instance, perhaps you want to stay 3 nights in Inverness and 3 nights in Ullapool and just explore as you wish each day from there. So the only thing you would really need to plan in advance is your lodging and how you plan to get there. Planning evening restaurant meals in advance (just that same day or a day in advance is generally enough). So instead of driving the NC500 as a route, you just choose a couple of places in the north that you really want to explore.

But there are other places in Scotland that may be more suited to staying longer periods of time. Tell me a little bit more about what kind of trip you want to have and the kinds of things you enjoy doing. Have you been to Scotland before? If so, what parts have you visited before?

Kerry Post author

July 4, 2021 at 1:20 pm

Hi guys! Just wanted to say a massive thank you for publishing this blog and all your super tips and advice. I’ve just returned from a 9 day trip and followed many of your suggestions- especially the hikes and things to stop and see! I also read your guide to single track roads which was such good prep for a first timer like me. I enjoyed every minute of my trip and credit you guys for helping me prepare!! Thanks again! Kerry

July 5, 2021 at 12:28 pm

Wonderful to hear that you had such a great 9 day North Coast 500 trip! And so glad that our tips and advice were helpful for preparing for and planning your trip. Thanks for letting us know, we love to know that our travel blog has helped others!

Nathan Post author

June 15, 2021 at 9:18 am

I have 1 extra day, where would be best to use this?

Reading the blog I am torn between an extra night in Wick to visit Orkney via a day trip or an extra night in Ullapool to do a summer isles day trip. Is this toss up right or have I missed something else!

June 16, 2021 at 4:38 am

There are lots of options and if you have 8 days, you could really spend the extra night at any of the recommended stops and find plenty to do, depending on your interests. If you plan to do any longer hikes, you could use the day for this as well since many hikes require several hours or more to complete.

It sounds like you are most interested in visiting an island or doing a boating trip? For the Summer Isles, you have the option to do sea kayaking tours (see article above for link) or to just book a regular boat tour. I would first check on booking the kind of Summer Isles trip you are interested in to see if you would be able to get a trip for the date you would be there or not as this is something you’d need to book in advance as they are often not daily.

The passenger ferries to Orkney are regular and frequent. Although I’d still recommending getting your ticket in advance if you are planning to take your car. Orkney is great but you’ll be rushed to see all the major sights as a day trip and some of the popular attractions need to be pre-booked, so I’d definitely check on the attractions you want to visit if you decide to do that. Or you could join a guided day tour which often includes your ticket entry and will take you to the main highlights.

If you like birds, another island you might consider is Handa Island (described in article) which is a nature reserve maintained by the Scottish Wildlife Trust and is open to the public during the summer. You take a small boat from Tarbet to reach the island.

Hope that helps, and just let us know if you have further questions. Good luck planning your North Coast 500 trip!

Peter Jacob Post author

June 5, 2021 at 9:22 am

A humungous thank you from my wife and me. We spent an awesome 2 weeks in May, pretty much following your route and suggestions for accommodation and meals. Luckily everything worked well and your tips for things to see and side trips were invaluable. Forsinard Flows, for example were a highlight. The holiday was a delight and the planning easy, thanks to you.

Because of Covid rules we had two last minute changes to our accommodation but were able to find a good alternative very quickly using your list.

We highly recommend your site for those planning a NC 500 or similar trip. Oh, by the way, we stayed in Perth on our way to Inverness and had breakfast at Effies Cafe. Wonderful way to start – so much so that we made a point of stopping there for lunch and carrot cake on our way back.

You don’t by any chance do a similar thing for the Western Isles? !!

We usually try to go abroad but are already thinking of going back to the North/West of Scotland – and not just because of Covid.

June 7, 2021 at 5:07 am

So glad to hear that your had such a great North Coast 500 trip and that our itinerary post was so helpful in planning your trip. Sounds like you had an amazing time. Forsinard Flows is a great place, especially for those interested in birds or geology and often overlooked despite its environmental importance.

Which of the Western Isles are you planning to visit? We’ve been to a number of Scottish islands, but the main one of the Western Isles we’ve visited are Lewis and Harris. So those we know fairly well and could definitely give tips and travel information for those but not so much for the smaller ones (Uists, Barra, etc). But in general, along the west coast of Scotland, we’ve been to a number of others like Skye, Jura, Raasay, Islay, Arran, etc.

If you enjoyed our content, I recommend joining our free monthly newsletter as we will have more Scotland content coming out in the future. We send it out once a month and talk about new content on the blogs, what we are up to, and also include travel tips, reader discounts, and giveaway prizes each month.

Pete Post author

June 4, 2021 at 8:59 am

Hi Jessica & Laurence

Thanks for your guide, which was a huge help in planning the itinerary for a trip we completed last week. We saw some wonderful scenery, but sadly not much wildlife, bit DID hear a Cuckoo somewhere along the way. We recommend the Aigiliean B&B in Inverness – about 15 mins walk from the centre, run by a delightful couple, Kath & David. They were very helpful & nothing was too much trouble. On the day we were taking the ferry from Scrabster to the Orkneys, we visited Culloden. That meant we had to rather dash up the coast (having seen Black Isle the previous day), to be on time for the ferry, so missed a couple of things on the way up, but that was more than compensated for by the couple of days we had in the Orkneys. Managed to get the ”obligatory” JoG snap tho’!

What a gorgeous spot is the Orkneys. If anyone else detours there from the NC500, they could do worse than stay in the Lindisfarne B&B, Stromness run by Deborah & her young family. Lovely people. Fine location. Plenty of fascinating stuff on the main island (pre-pyramids era!) – we didn’t venture further as we did the North one day, & the South the next, before returning to Thurso for an overnight.

On via Smoo caves to Ullapool. Beautiful run. Cave well worth the effort. Such atrocious weather, we didn’t venture from the car too much. Ullapool was everything we hoped for after reading your guide. We dined at the Ceilidh Place – very good meal, pleasant staff, reasonably priced.

The run from Ullapool via Inverness to overnight in Aviemore was spectacular. We went over Bealach an bha in the clouds. That was hairier than some of those Coos. Visibilty down to about 5 yds on that road – imagine! I loved it. The boss wasn’t so enamoured tho’. On the way through, we stopped at the Torridon Hotel for our standard Scone & cuppa lunch – very swish – a proper hotel in a beautiful spot.

Amongst many delightful memories, one that I must mention is the amount of gorse on the hillsides. That wasn’t expected, & was a delight to see. I have a photo of a ”lone” gorse bush to juxtapose with your lone pine.

Thanks again for the guide. Best wishes, Pete from Essex

Thanks again for the guide

June 5, 2021 at 6:04 am

Hello Pete!

So glad that you had such a great trip around the NC500! Also happy to hear that our North Coast 500 guides and itinerary was helpful to you in planning your trip.

Thanks for taking the time to share some of your own North Coast 500 trip highlights with us. Yes, we would not recommend driving from Culloden to John O’Groats in a single day, and it sounds like you missed many things along the east side, but that is just a reason to return again when you have more time! So glad you had so many memorable moments along your trip, from the gorse to the Orkneys detour to Smoo Cave to tea at The Torridon 😉

Wishing you a wonderful rest of the summer, Jessica & Laurence

Asit Vithlani Post author

April 23, 2021 at 2:30 am

I am planning Ben Nevis and NC500 from 22nd Sept. I have 14 days with me and driving from London. First of all you guys have done a Fantastic Job with the info on this website, HATS OFF to you.

Is it ok after finishing Ben Nevis at Fort William I start clockwise and go straight to Applecross instead of Inverness which we will be ending off anyways??/

April 23, 2021 at 11:04 am

Sounds like you have a fantastic 14 day trip to Scotland coming up. Glad our blog posts are helping in planning your NC500 trip!

Yes, of course, you can start the North Coast 500 route where you wish and go either direction. As you have read, we do recommend generally starting in Inverness and going counter-clockwise for the reasons given in our planning guide, but you can certainly head from Fort William to Lochcarron and then head up to Applecross from there and go north up the western coast towards Ullapool.

Just note if you join there and leave in Inverness you’ll miss a bit of the southern stretch of the route (you can see the main sites as listed on the last day of itinerary in case any of those places were of interest). You could also catch them once back in Inverness as none of them are too far from the city.

Hope that helps and wishing you safe and happy travels! Jessica

April 24, 2021 at 4:25 pm

Thank you for replying. I have been reading through your website for a few days now and can almost feel that I am on the NC500,

Can you advise, I was looking at the route and its a one night stay on every stop. I would like to do 2-3 night stay reason is cant get 1 night bookings and would also enjoy the local area. Can you suggest how would I go about.

For example Combine Ullapool and Lochinver???

April 27, 2021 at 2:50 am

So glad that you are finding our North Coast 500 resources helpful in planning your trip 😉

Yes, I think a lot of lodging is getting booked up for the summer already along the NC500 and it looks like it is going to be a busy year. So I would book your accommodation soon. We do still see people booking 1 night stays, but more places are only offering 2 or 3 nights stays, especially with the advanced cleaning procedures due to COVID-19 this year.

Yes, definitely. We always recommend staying more than 1 night in places when you have the extra time. Any of the suggested places to stay overnight will work for 2-3 nights. I guess it depends on how many nights total you have for the route itself, what things you plan to do along the route, and how much time you want in each area. But certainly, you could stay in a place like Lochinver for 3 nights and just do more driving around the larger area to include Ullapool. From Kinlochewe, for example, you could see a lot of the southwest corner of the route like Applecross, Torridon, Lochcarron, Gairloch, etc. Wick is a good place from which to explore the northwest corner. Inverness can be a good base for lots of places in the southern part and the Black Isle. Etc.

Hope that helps! Jessica

Lynne Bunney Post author

March 27, 2021 at 10:16 am

Hi we are first timers have just booked a motorhome for July and are mind boggled with nc500 . Never been to Scotland. We have 8 nights travelling from Newcastle. Is it best to stay every night on a campsite or can you get away with 2 nights on one campsite and travel a bit, we would maybe like to go to Skye, Applecross. John o groats, Lochness as they are the ones we’ve heard of and supposed to be nice. Apart from that, we havn’t a clue. Also is it best clockwise or anti? We have a camping club membership included so any suggested itinerary and campsites would be a great help. Thankyou

March 27, 2021 at 11:35 am

Happy to try to help with your first trip to Scotland and first drive along the North Coast 500!

First thing I would recommend is familiarizing yourself with the Nc500 route and where it runs and things you can do along the route, you can do that with our North Coast 500 planning guide . So I’d start there.

For general camping information, I’d read this North Coast 500 camping guide which also includes a 7-day recommended camping itinerary with some campsite recommendations for each suggested stop.

So you can see there are several campsites in Scotland that are part of the Camping and Caravanning Club here .

Of those, 3 are along the route or really close to it: the ones in Dingwall, Rosemarkie (on Black Isle), and Interewe Gardens Poolewe. So those could certainly work as stops on your route but you’d probably not want to just stay in those as there are large sections not easily covered from these. So I’d definitely recommend staying in some non-club campsites as well to have more time to see these sections of the route.

You can certainly spend 2 nights at some stops and explore from there. But I’d start with figuring out what you want to do/see most and how many dates you have to figure out what might work best. Our itineraries give you an idea of what there is to do/see and the distances for each area to help you decide.

If you have 8 nights total and are starting and ending in Newcastle, then the first day and last day will probably be taken up driving up to Inverness and then back to Newcastle. It will take about 5.5 hours each way and I’m sure you’ll probably want to make some stops. So I’d say you will have 6 nights along the North Coast 500 if that is correct?

Loch Ness is not along the North Coast 500 but is near Inverness so would be an easy place to stop on your first day and maybe stay your first night at the campsite there (Loch Ness Shores). Then you can head to Inverness and start your drive along the NC500 on Day 2 of your trip. We recommend driving the route east to west, and you can read why in our planning guide. Then I’d spend 6 nights along the North Coast 500 and then perhaps return to Loch Ness to spend Night 8. Then spend the next day driving back to Newcastle, maybe making a stop or two along the way south if you have time.

Similarly, the Isle of Skye is a detour and I’d probably recommend not trying to fit it into this trip as you’d have limited time and it will be really busy in July. So I’d probably save it for another trip as I’d recommend at least 2 nights there to see the highlights.

We are expecting the NC500 to be very busy once it opens up to tourism again, so I’d recommend booking a trip where you can take the route at a slow and relaxed pace. You’ll be able to see more and take your time to enjoy it and not be rushed to get from place to place.

Hope that helps, and let me know if you have more questions after reading the recommend guides!

Wishing you safe and happy travels to Scotland! Jessica

Reba Post author

March 25, 2021 at 10:44 pm

This is an amazing and so detailed North Coast 500 itinerary for this part of Scotland. I did this in 2019 with my husband and I am hoping (fingers crossed) we will be allowed to return to Scotland to give it another go and spend a bit more time in summer or autumn of this year. Thoughts on the likelihood of this being possible?

Thanks again for your awesome travel blog!

March 26, 2021 at 9:19 am

Thanks so much, so glad that our North Coast 500 travel blog posts were helpful to you when you did out past trip, and I hope they will be again.

I do think that it is likely Scotland will open up to tourism by summer 2021 and that the lodging, restaurants, and attractions along the NC500 will be open then. That is sort of where we have been told things are heading. Although, of course, you should expect the normal COVID-19 restrictions that you’d expect regarding limited capacity, more places requiring reservations, face mask requirements, less shared facilities, etc.

However, it is of course impossible to predict travel conditions in the current environment, so if you plan ahead I would certainly recommend only making plans and bookings where you can get a refund or re-book as needed. If you are traveling from outside the UK, I’d also be sure to check the current travel conditions for visitors from your countries as there are quarantines in place for some international visitors.

Hope that helps, and wishing you safe and happy travels! Jessica

Nancy Post author

March 24, 2021 at 1:57 pm

hi there can you tell me if the route 500 is suitable for a 7.5 mtr motor home kind regards Nancy

March 25, 2021 at 8:55 am

We generally recommend choosing the smallest vehicle for the trip you need as the roads are single track in many sections and can be narrow and parking for larger vehicles is limited in many places. The official NC500 folks have recommended vehicles that are 18 feet or less in length or about 5.5 meters in length. So if you have the option for a shorter motorhome, I’d probably choose that option as it will make for a more pleasant trip for you and for fellow drivers sharing the road with you.

If you decide to do it in the larger motorhome, I would avoid the narrower roads such as the B869 from Lochinver to Kylesku and the Bealach na Ba road. You’ll see vehicle size limits posted on a few of the minor roads leading off the NC500.

You can see more information for planning your trip in our NC500 planning guide and our North Coast 500 camping guide .

Adam Clarke Post author

January 29, 2021 at 9:19 am

Hi Guys, Amazing guide. We have found this so useful and all I’ve done so far is booked accommodation (that’s taken me a few days!) I would like your advice on the final couple of days of our NC500 tour. We’re thinking of travelling to and staying in Fort William after leaving Torridon, rather than going back to Inverness? Where we are staying for our first night. We have two teenagers (13/15) and wondered which route/location would be the most interesting. From there we are travelling back to Bristol, stopping at Carlisle or somewhere like that. What would you advise. Many thanks in advance The Clarkes

January 30, 2021 at 5:57 am

So glad to hear our North Coast 500 travel guide and itinerary has been helpful in planning your trip! Sounds like you have a lot of your time already planned.

I think if you are already going to explore and stay in Inverness at the beginning of your NC500 trip, then the night after you stay at Torridon, you could make your way to Fort William. You’ll probably want to leave the NC500 route at Strathcarron and then head south. Some places you might want to stop on the way to Fort William might be Plockton (nice little village, can take short boat trips to see seals) and Eilean Donan Castle at Dornie. Fort William is a nice town and there are a number of things you could do in town and in that area. If you haven’t been, I’d recommend heading out to Glencoe for the views, hikes, and folk museum either before or after your stay in Fort Wiliam.

If you have time on the next day, some ideas would be to make some stops in Loch Lomond National Park , visit Doune Castle, and maybe stop to explore in Glasgow. Glasgow has some great free museums, gardens, and sites, you can see our guide to things to do in Glasgow for more.

Hope that helps, and let me know if you have more questions as you plan your trip! Jessica

Shawnee Post author

December 30, 2020 at 1:22 pm

Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a detailed blog! Its taken my husband and I two evenings to go through it and take in and take note of all of your knowledge. This has been a great help to plan our family NC500 trip in readiness for May. Id imagine this will be our bible for our adventure. Thank you so much, hope you’re all well. Love the Harries’

December 31, 2020 at 6:04 am

Hi Shawnee,

So glad that our North Coast 500 blog posts have been helpful in planning your May trip. Hopefully things will be open and restrictions will be lifted in Scotland by then!

As you plan your NC500 trip, just let us know if you have any questions, we are happy to try to help.

Wishing you and you family happy and safe future travels and a wonderful 2021! Jessica

Han Post author

November 8, 2020 at 1:24 pm

This was so detailed and helpful for our trip. We used it everyday and we had a great time!

Thank you! Han

November 9, 2020 at 5:53 am

Glad to hear you had a great time and that our North Coast 500 itinerary was so helpful during your trip!

Wishing you safe & happy future travels, Jessica

Clive Proctor Post author

October 3, 2020 at 12:46 pm

Thankyou so much, we have just had the best week with glorious weather on our nc500 trip, using your itinerary as a guide. It’s an amazing place! We were in a motor home so missed out applecross but did a Monroe instead😬😬😬😬. Now back thinking about doing it again in reverse as could spend weeks exploring the amazing highlands. Clive.

October 4, 2020 at 7:24 am

So glad that you had such a great North Coast 500 trip and were blessed with some good weather 😉 Also happy to hear that our itinerary was helpful and that you got to do some monro bagging. Yes, definitely more to explore and I hope you have a chance to return in the future!

Wishing you safe & happy travels!

Alan Scott Post author

September 16, 2020 at 4:29 am

Very informative and easy to follow/read have just returned from Clachtoll having been driven out by the weather, we have a 7.5m motorhome and in places it was definitely tight, all been well I would like to return sometime next year (current circumstances allowing) many thanks again for taking the time to write such an informative article/guide Alan Scott

September 17, 2020 at 8:24 am

Glad that you enjoyed your time on the North Coast 500 and found our guides useful. Thanks for sharing your experience. Sorry to hear that you encountered bad weather, but hopefully you can finish it next year.

Yes, motorhomes of that size or larger are going to struggle on the narrow side roads and curvy parts of the route. When people are renting or leasing a motorhome or caravan in Scotland, we definitely recommend choosing the smallest option you need for the route as it gives you more flexibility.

Wishing you a great rest of the year, and hope you can return to the route next year!

Maxine Post author

August 29, 2020 at 10:29 am

Hi, Thanks for a very informative guide to the route and kit to take. You have inspired us to go in September. We have booked allour accommodation, following your route, but everywhere is fully booked in Lochinver, can you suggest other locations that we could easily substitute without taking us far off route?

Many thanks, Maxine

August 29, 2020 at 11:33 am

Glad that our NC500 guide has inspired your upcoming road trip! Yes, unfortunately, a lot of places are booked out a month or so in advance as it is a popular time and place to travel right now.

If everything is booked in and around Lochinver, I’d check nearby towns like Inchnadamph (20 minutes drive away) and Kylesku (30 minutes away) if you haven’t already as those both have a small hotel and a couple of B&Bs. There is also the Summer Isles Hotel in Achiltibuie, which is located along one of the recommended detours (about 1 hour drive from Lochinver), and is a hotel we have stayed and can recommend.

But if you have already checked those, or nothing is available, I’d consider just adding an extra night to your stay in or around Ullapool in the same place you are already staying there. The two towns are only about a 1 hour drive apart along the NC500. So anything you miss coming further south that first night, you can spend the following day seeing and you won’t have to backtrack too much. It is a lovely area of the North Coast 500 so there is plenty to do in that area.

Hope that helps and just let us know if you have any further questions!

August 29, 2020 at 12:55 pm

Thanks Jessica, I didn’t expect such a quick response, your suggestions are really helpful.

Ruth Post author

August 14, 2020 at 7:12 am

Hi, epic blog! I’ve noted down lots of information but I did want to ask whether you’ve ever done the NC500 in winter? I turn 30 in Feb and we plan on doing it then and hopefully catching the northern lights but I wondered if you’d ever done it and had any extra tips? We do plan on renting a motorhome so I’ve noted down where we can’t go from your guide which I can’t express enough how amazing it is but I just wanted to pick your brain. Thanks in advance!

August 14, 2020 at 9:39 am

Glad you are finding our North Coast 500 guide so helpful in planning your trip!

Yes, we have indeed driven the North Coast 500 in winter, including in February, but haven’t written a specific post about it yet. Winter has its pros in that there are fewer visitors and less people on the road. But it also has a lot more challenges namely weather, availability, and the closure of all the seasonal businesses.

I think the biggest downside is that so much is closed. Lots of places along the route are seasonal and close for the winter months (many close from October to April) and this includes many major attractions, tour operators, hotels, restaurants, campsites, museums, and tourist-related shops. So it is likely some places you want to visit won’t be open and you’ll have limited options for food (especially evening meals) and lodging (many of our recommended hotels and B&Bs closes for parts of the winter). But if you are staying in a motorhome, some of this will matter less to you. Many of the campsites are also seasonal so you’ll want to plan ahead to ensure you have places to stop and get services along the trip.

The other major factor is weather. The main factor is that it is often cold and windy during that time of year. We had snow during part of our trip which closed the local roads for part of a day and made them quite unsafe to drive until they were plowed several hours later. So being flexible is definitely good as we had to change around our schedule a bit and stayed extra days in one area because of the bad weather. The snow also meant that some of the walking and hiking trails weren’t really possible so it can also limit outdoor activities as well.

But we had a lot of time and flexibility when we did it in February and we booked our stays in advance (we stayed at hotels and B&Bs, and had a regular car) but kept them flexible (with free cancellation) so could alter as needed based on weather and everything.

– Plan in advance but keep plans flexible if you can. Good to have extra time and not have to rush back at a certain time/date. This way bad weather, road closures, or wanting to extend your trip a bit won’t matter too much. – Since you are thinking about doing the NC500 with a motorhome, you’ll want to check in advance where campgrounds/services will be available for you. Many shared services (toilets/laundry/showers/waste disposal) have closed or are more limited due to the coronavirus, and many campsites are taking only people who book in advance. – For any places you are keen to visit, I’d check their operating dates/hours in advance. Some attractions in winter are open by appointment only. So, for instance, some of the museums will allow people to visit but they need to arrange a volunteer to be there. So you will want to try to contact and give them plenty of notice (several days to a week) to have a good chance of visiting. – For meals, especially evening meals out, you’ll want to check to see what will be available near you. In some places along the North Coast 500 (particularly the northern section), there are very few options during winter at night. Checking in advance can help you plan meals you’ll want to have in the motorhome versus going out to eat. Many restaurants require reservations right now for evening meals. – Bring plenty of warm clothing and gear, and boots that can handle both water and snow. Be prepared for gusty winds, rain, and snow. If you are well-outfitted then it will allow you to really explore more no matter what the weather throws at you. Same with your motorhome as you want to prepare it for winter and bring your winter supplies (or make sure the rental comes that way). – If there are any tours you are keen to take, I’d check ahead to see if they will do a tour in February. A lot of the outdoor tours generally don’t take place in winter for obvious reasons, but the operators may offer alternative tour suggestions for winter. For instance, instead of sea kayaking we did loch canoeing in winter. We’ve also done clay pigeon shooting in winter. – For hiking and climbing, be sure to check trail conditions if considering a longer or more difficult one. Many of the long-distance hikes and climbing is not recommended during winter as the conditions can be dangerous, especially at higher elevations and for those not familiar with the terrain. So just use good judgment and check with locals about suggestions. Or consider getting a local hiking guide. We stuck to the shorter, flatter, and easier trails in winter. – If you like spotting deer, winter is the best time to spot them along the route, particularly along the western and southern parts of the route. Best times are near dusk and dawn, but you can often see them all day long in some places in winter as they come down from the hills for food. You’ll likely see both red deer and roe deer. – Winter often means a lot of bad weather, but when the sun does come out photography during the winter light can be really beautiful. It can be a magical time to take in the scenery.

For the Northern Lights, your best chance to see them is along the far northern coast so if that is something you are really keen to try to spot, I’d maybe focus more of your time along that part of the North Coast 500 route. For a better chance, you may consider taking a detour off the route and heading further north for part of your trip to the Orkney or Shetland Islands. Shetland, because it is so far north, has been the best place for us. Scotland is not a particularly great place to see the Northern Lights because of the weather, but if you have time and patience you may well see them in winter! We have seen lots of great photos from those who live along the northern part of the NC500, although we’ve only seen them once ourselves there.

If you haven’t seen the Northern Lights before, Laurence has written a guide to seeing and photographing the Northern Lights which may be useful in helping you find them. There are some good phone apps out there that can help predict your chances of seeing them from a certain location each day.

OK, well I hope that helps. Feel free to reach of if you have further questions as you plan your trip and wishing you a great birthday trip around the North Coast 500!

Ken Charlton Post author

July 29, 2020 at 12:19 pm

Hi Jessica, Thank you so much for your fab guide to Route 500. My wife and I are planning the route for May 2021. Have booked in to all our chosen accomodation except for the night at Kinlochewe. Thinking of the Kinlochewe Hotel but wanted to ask if you might recommend somewhere further west to reduce the long journey back to Inverness. On other hand I was thinking that the route from Ullapool, although relatively short, seems to have many viewpoints and not to be rushed – maybe that’s why you suggest stopping at Kinlochewe? Once we leave the peninsular on the last of our 7 days the road is an A road so presumably we can pick up speed to reduce the journey time to Inverness. So stopping at Kinlochewe or further west towards Applecross? Any thoughts?

ken charlton Post author

July 29, 2020 at 12:21 pm

Yea meant to subscribe. Will do now! Thanks again, Ken

July 29, 2020 at 5:13 pm

I think the choice may just depend on how much you plan to do on Day 6 and Day 7. The driving distances are not that far on either day in terms of total miles but there is plenty you can do on each day. Day 6 we recommend more stops and things you can do (museums, activities, hikes, villages), whereas on Day 7 there is more scenery and enjoying the drive with some recommended stops. So it really depends on what you want to see and do each day and how much time you want to spend doing them. I’d take a look at what is listed under Day 6 and 7 of the itinerary, see what sounds appealing, and then estimate the time each day you think you’d need.

I’d just be sure to always allow in a bit of extra time each day for flexibility in case you decide to make extra stops or things take longer than planned. Sometimes also traffic or road works can slow you down.

The coastal road around the Applecross peninsula is a slow-going minor road and the Bealach na Bà pass is obviously a section of the route you need to take slowly (and tourist traffic can make it even slower). But once you get back to Ardarroch and Strathcarron, you are indeed back on an A road and it should take about 1 hour and 30 minutes or so to get back to Inverness without making any stops. You can easily do the full peninsula drive from Kinlochewe and return to Inverness in a day.

We haven’t personally stayed at the Kinlochewe Hotel, but it has really good reviews and ratings and seems to be a very solid 3-star hotel. But if you decide you want to stay further west to spend more time on the peninsula or get back to Inverness earlier in the day, that can work too. You can check out accommodation in Torridon, Shieldaig, or Applecross to save some time for Day 7.

Hope that helps, and just let us know if you have any further questions! Jessica

August 2, 2020 at 9:07 am

Thanks Jessica for your prompt reply. You really are a star! I’m sticking to your origian 7 day journey travelling anti clockwise. I’ve added an extra day in John o’ Groats to have a 1 day trip to Orkney and an extra day at Kinlochewe to spend the day in the Beinn Eighe Nature Reserve. Sadly the Kinlochewe Hotel was fully booked with a large party so instead I’m spending 2 nights at the Ledgowan Lodge Hotel which apparently is only 10 miles from Kinlochewe. At all other places I’ve been able to book my chosen accomodation. Thanks again for your help and hugely helpful website

August 2, 2020 at 10:24 am

Glad that my reply and our NC 500 articles have helped. It sounds like you now have most of your NC500 road trip all planned out. Having more than 1 night in a couple of locations is definitely nice 😉

You can see several highlights on a day trip to Orkney by ferry. The Orkney “mainland” (the largest and main island of Orkney) has a number of important historical attractions – just note that some attractions will require you to book in advance to be able to visit them. So I’d check ahead to see and book as needed. There is a discount card, the Orkney Explorer Pass, but this may not be of value to you since you will just be there for a day but you may want to check it out anyway.

Wishing you a wonderful trip! Jessica

Jayne Ellis Post author

July 22, 2020 at 2:28 am

Hello both,

We are hoping to do the Brora to Golspie walk on our trip; I know it says you can see Dunrobin Castle, but can you advise if you can get access to it when completing this walk, or if it is only accessible via road? Jayne and Graeme

July 22, 2020 at 4:23 am

That is a lovely walk, especially in nice weather with some really nice views, a walk along the beach, and often chances to see seabirds and seals. You do see Dunrobin Castle, both from the approach and in front of the gates. However, you can’t access the castle directly from the public path, but I think you may be able to follow a path up and around to the car park from there. The entrance and ticket area for the castle and gardens is at the top of the hill inside the castle.

If you are interested in visiting the castle and gardens, I’d probably call Dunrobin Castle and ask how you can approach and which path you can take to get up to the ticketing area from the coastline. The staff should be able to advise you the best approach. I know they have had to change some things due to the coronavirus but I believe both the castle and garden are now open.

For the walk, I’d check the tide tables for the area first to plan the best time for your walk, as it is best around low tide. At high tide it can be more difficult alongside the coast to follow the path.

Jayne Post author

July 22, 2020 at 7:48 am

Thank you !

Marianne Post author

July 21, 2020 at 2:43 am

Thank you so much for such a useful blog! My friends and I are planning on doing the north coast 500 In a campervan and wondered what your thoughts/ general rules are around wild camping? Thank you

July 21, 2020 at 6:35 am

Hi Marianne,

Glad you are finding our North Coast 500 travel tips useful! It is a great route and it is a great route to do in a small campervan.

Now, wild camping is camping away from the road and not in a motorized vehicle. Wild camping is meant to be for those sleeping in a tent and doing so well away from houses, livestock, businesses, and roads.

If you are planning to sleep in your campervan, we’d recommend booking campsites so you have a safe place to stay, have access to running water, showers, electric, WiFi, and other amenities as needed. The campsites are also usually located in scenic places and are a great place to meet other travelers. It also helps prevent environmental damage and helps contribute to the local economy. If sharing with friends, the cost of camping would be very little when split amongst you.

There have been a lot of issue with people parking alongside the North Coast 500 route and the issue that go with that (blocking traffic, parking illegally, litter, irresponsible waste disposal, leaving ruts, etc).

Note that we’d recommend booking campsites in advance to guarantee a spot. Some campsites along the route have decided not to open in 2020 or are limiting spaces to ensure social distancing, which means that there is going to be less camping spaces along the route than usual and it is expected to be busy along the route. Also some may not have the shared toilets/showers/laundry facilities open so something to check on when booking.

For more on wild camping, campsites, and such, I’d check out this camping itinerary .

Hope that helps and just let us know if you have further questions as you plan your trip! Jessica

Tim Post author

July 12, 2020 at 11:41 am

Hi. If possible,can you supply a list of dog friendly places to stay. I haven’t read all the information as yet. We would like to do 7 day tour this year. Many thanks in advance.

July 13, 2020 at 11:46 am

We do keep a file on dog-friendly hotels along the North Coast 500. I’d start with our list of recommended hotels and B&Bs. If you are following our suggested 7 day NC500 itinerary, you can check to see which hotels at each place you want to overnight are dog friendly.

We include a section on whether the accommodation accepts dogs in both our North Coast 500 hotels and B&B’s articles, which you can find here:

NC500 Hotels (and a few B&Bs): https://independenttravelcats.com/north-coast-500-hotels-where-to-stay-nc500/ NC500 B&Bs: https://www.findingtheuniverse.com/bed-and-breakfast-accommodation-north-coast-500/

The above pet policy information was correct as of earlier this year, but of course, be sure to double-check their latest pet policy before making your booking. Also note that some of the hotels and B&Bs we list are almost full for 2020 and a couple of them have decided not to open this year, so finding accommodation in some areas can be tricky (especially in northwestern part of route) depending on when you plan to go.

If you have questions about any specific places or have trouble finding a place to stay in a certain area, let us know and we can try to help. Also happy to answer any other North Coast 500 questions as you plan your trip.

Gavin Walker Post author

July 5, 2020 at 9:03 am

Hi, i’m in the early stages of planning a trip. I’m in a wheelchair an wondered if you had any information on accessible accommodation along the route.

Thank you Gavin

July 6, 2020 at 11:17 am

Traveling the NC500 in a wheelchair definitely requires more planning as a lot of lodging and attractions along the route are not wheelchair accessible. But there are a number of hotels and some B&Bs that do have at least 1 wheelchair accessible room. There are lots of options in Inverness but your options become more limited in the smaller towns along the route.

Now, what is labeled as wheelchair accessible does seem to vary though – for instance some have roll-in showers and some have a lip or small step that has to be navigated to access the shower.

We’ve been asked this question before and have some notes on some of the different hotels and motels along the route. Let us know if you have any specific requirements (e.g., roll-in shower or wet room), the type of lodging you are looking for (e.g., luxury hotel, B&B, mid-range hotel), when you are planning to travel, and anything else that might be helpful, etc. Then we’re happy to put together a list of some of the places we’d recommend checking out that may be a good fit.

Gavin Post author

July 6, 2020 at 1:05 pm

Thank you for your reply. I don’t have a specific date in mind yet because as you say it needs a bit more planning. Although i’m a full time chair user i’ll be traveling with my partner and together there isn’t much that stops us.I think initially looking for places to stop along the route. Ideally a roll in shower but what is essential is the access for my chair. Single steps are ok but no first floor rooms for example.Probably low budget hotel or B and B. Somewhere to just sleep before we set off again.

After that we would be looking for any walks with relatively even surfaces and things to do. Obviously I’m not expecting tarmac paths but ideal places to stop or views i’ll get the benefit of. Sometimes it’s just as important knowing the places to avoid.

July 7, 2020 at 7:02 am

We have found that the more expensive lodging providers and the larger hotels are the most likely to have fully wheelchair accessible rooms, so it is a bit more challenging for those looking for budget and mid-range places. But here is a list (in counterclockwise order starting in Inverness) that will hopefully get you started with places that have at least one accessible room that we believe have step free/single step/can add ramp on request and also has a roll-in shower. You’ll want to of course verifiy that before booking.

– Loch Ness Inn in Drumnadrochit (about 25 minutes southwest of Inverness) – Holiday Inn Express in Inverness – Muir Bank in Muir of Ord (about 15 miles from Inverness) – Evelix Pods in Dornoch (1 of the pods is noted as being wheelchair accessible) – Royal Marine Hotel in Brora – Bayview House in Brora – Castle Arms Hotel in Mey – The Hawthorns B&B in Mey – Bank House in Thurso – Kylesku Hotel in Kylesku – Summer Isles Hotel in Achiltibuie – The Arch Inn in Ullapool

Here are several more hotels which we think also have at least one wheelchair accessible room, but are on the more pricey end of accommodation along the route:

– Kingsmill Hotel in Inverness (have several accessible rooms) – Rocpool Reserve Hotel in Inverness – Dornoch Castle Hotel in Dornoch – John O’Groats Inn & Lodges in John O’Groats – The Torridon in Torridon – Coul House in Contin

Some of the above have the rooms easily denoted on their website or a third-party website, but others will require you to call and inquire.

Most of the scenic viewpoints are just off the road as are views of many of the prehistoric monuments and attractions so most of those should be accessible for you. For walking trails, a lot are not very accessible for wheelchairs as many require going up or down steps or going through a kissing gate or have rugged terrain, but a great example of one that is is the Leitir Easaidh All Abilities Path near (it is included in our NC500 7 day itinerary) near Lochinver. Also, some of the RSPB paths and trails are wheelchair accessible at the RSPB reserves such as Nigg Bay and Forsinard Flows. The RSPB actually provides a lot of accessibility information on their website and you may want to contact them for a list of reserves in the Highlands with wheelchair accessible trails.

Hope the above helps in planning your North Coast 500 trip. We’d love if you would let us know what you find out in booking your accommodation and planning your trip (and later once you return) as we’d love to update our resources for future travelers in wheelchairs wanting to do the route. Feel free to email us !

July 7, 2020 at 7:42 am

Thank you for your great response.

July 7, 2020 at 10:53 am

You’re very welcome and interested to know what you find out!

Also here are a couple more hotels that are budget-oriented in Inverness that may be of interest and have wheelchair-accessible rooms/facilities:

– Inverness Youth Hostel – some of the private rooms are wheelchair accessible and there is a communal accessible toilet and wet room – Travelodge City Centre in Inverness

Tonie Post author

January 30, 2020 at 10:41 am

Thank you for such an informative website- it’s a pleasure to read, and so helpful with our route planning!

I’d just like to ask for your opinion on where you would sneak in one extra night, if you could, please? We have an 8-night journey planned. Would you make it 2 nights somewhere, or add one more stop? Maybe Black Isle? John O’Groats? Orkney?

Having great fun and building up excitement for this road trip, and really appreciate your passion for the region!

Many thanks, Tonie & Steve

January 31, 2020 at 7:33 am

So happy you are finding our North Coast 500 guides helpful in planning your upcoming journey.

Orkney is a great place to visit and you could stay on the main island like in Kirkwall (main town) or stay an extra night in John O’Groats and just do a day trip by ferry, leaving on a morning ferry and returning on an evening one. The only thing is that if you think you may be in the area again, we’d recommend at least a couple of nights on Orkney to really explore the mainland and then more days if you want to visit any of the other islands. You could easily spend a full week exploring the islands. But you can certainly see some of the highlights of the main island with just one full day. I’d just research ahead of time what you want to do to make the most of your day. For example, if you want to visit Maeshowe, we’d strongly recommend booking ahead as numbers are limited and reservations are often sold out in advance for time slots, especially if traveling in the summer months. There are also tours you can join that go to all the highlights in one day as well.

The Black Isle can be a great place to spend a night. It just depends if you are interested in the attractions there or not. But you could certainly visit the churches, the waterfall, the well, the museums in Cromarty & Fortrose, visit a brewery, do a dolphin watching boat tour, etc. So plenty to fill up a full day. We normally stay in Cromarty and within walking distance of some place to eat so we can just walk to dinner and back.

Another recommendation would be to stay an extra night in Lochinver as there is lots of driving detour options and hiking/outdoor/scenery opportunities in that area. So that could be a good place to add an extra night. But it really depends on what is most of interest to you.

Tonie & Steve Post author

February 2, 2020 at 3:29 pm

Thanks very much Jessica! So much choice. Very much appreciated

Karithikeyan Post author

January 18, 2020 at 3:24 am

For anyone planning to take the NC500 road trip, you are reading the right article. Thank you Laurence and Jessica Norah for covering almost all important nuances required to successfully complete the North cost 500 road trip in a week, in a smooth way. Me and my friends are waiting to relish the experience soon. The most alluring about the whole article is your eye for detailing.

January 18, 2020 at 7:39 am

Hi there, Thanks so much for letting us know that our North Coast 500 itinerary has been so helpful. Yes, we do indeed like to go into detail – but it helps we’ve driven this route so many times now. Hope you enjoy your upcoming road trip and feel free to report back! Best, Jessica & Laurence

Stewart Crowe Post author

January 12, 2020 at 8:17 am

What an informative blog, well done. Used to live in Elgin back in the 70’s. Wife and I are both in our mid 70’s now and planning to do this in 2021 but taking 10 – 12 days. Could you suggest changes we should make to your itinerary.

Many thanks Stewart

January 12, 2020 at 8:42 am

Hi Stewart,

We were in Elgin last year – stopped at the cathedral, town museum, and had a wander around, had a nice visit 😉

If you have an extra 3 to 5 days for the NC500, I have two thoughts. One is to just add to overnight stops, so instead of all 1 nights stops, I’d stay two nights in the places along the route that are of most interest. This will allow you to explore those towns and areas more in depth, explore more of the things off the route, and be able to go along at a slower pace without feeling rushed.

In terms of where to add those nights? I think there are enough things to do anywhere in the route to justify a 2 night stay as we’ve driven the route several times and still always come up with more to do. But it depends on your interests so I’d look along the itinerary to see where you might want more time. If you want some more specific suggestions, feel free to let us know what you enjoy doing most and what areas/towns look most interesting to you and happy to suggest some places.

If you want to hire a guide or do some tours, like going out for a day of fly fishing, hiking, canoeing, learning about geology, or wildlife sightseeing, etc., those are definitely good places along the route to have extra time so you don’t feel rushed. These are also good things to book well in advance as many of the tour operators we recommend are small (sometimes just a single person) and they are often booked full once summer comes around. Although since you are planning for 2021, you have plenty of time 😉

The other thing I would consider, especially if you have 4 or 5 extra days, is a trip out to one of the islands. As noted from the itinerary there are a few different places in the northwestern part of the route where you can get a ferry to Orkney around John o’Groats. Lots to do and see on Orkney, especially if you like historical and archaeological sites, and the birdlife is great in the spring and summer months. Another island trip idea is to head over to the Isles of Lewis and Harris from Ullapool – again lots of historical and archaeological stuff, wildlife, beaches, places to buy tweed, etc. Both Orkney and Lewis and Harris are great for at least 2 days of exploration and you could certainly spend much longer on either.

So those would be my suggestions. So I would not so much change the route as just add more time into what is there and consider adding 2 to 3 days popping over to either Orkney or Lewis and Harris.

Hope that helps and let us know if you have any further questions as you plan your NC500 trip!

August 9, 2020 at 3:35 am

Hi Jessica, 2nd time of trying to reply to this, if you got a part reply please ignore!! Further to your response to me back in January of this year have now put together an outline plan for 2021. Would very much welcome your comments/suggestions. Our main interests are Driving, Wildlife, History, Walking, Stately Homes/Gardens and similar – so very wide ranging. The hardest thing I am finding is not to try to have too many stops!!

Drive to Edinburgh 3 Nights Other stops will be: Inverness – 1 night as we lived near Inverness and have seen all the sights near to hear Dornoch -1 night Dunnet – 1 Night Durness – 2 nights Ullapool -2 nights Gairloch – 1 night Strathcarron – 3 nights. Whilst here will have a day trip to Skye, Drive the Bealach Na Ba and go feed the Red Deer. Return home via Edinburgh, Durham, Whitby and York.

Kind Regards Stewart

August 9, 2020 at 4:09 am

Sorry you were having trouble with the message. I didn’t get the first partial reply, just this one 😉

I think your itinerary looks great, and it will give you plenty of time around the North Coast 500 route, especially along the western part of the route. Since you used to live in Inverness, I am guessing you have already seen many of that attractions around the eastern and southern parts of this route so this looks perfect in that case.

The only thing I will say is that I don’t really recommend day tripping to Skye, as there is so much to see. But if you have already been here or are only trying to see a handful of highlights, that can work.

For anything you want to do that requires a tour (fishing, guided hikes, Argo tour to see the deer), I’d be sure to book ahead once you have your dates set and lodging all booked. Many of the companies are just run by one or two people so they can only run one or two tours each day. Just be sure to ask about the cancellation policies.

And next year closer to your trip, I’d also check the websites for any of the attractions that require tickets (gardens, Dunrobin Castle, museums) for their opening hours and if you need to reserve in advance as many now require you to book in advance due to the coronavirus. It is hard to say what things will look like during the 2021 season.

Hope that helps, and just let us know if you have further questions as you plan your trip.

Don Post author

January 9, 2020 at 5:09 am

I am just beginning to think about planning a trip round the NC500 and am finding your guides extremely comprehensive, a lot to try to take in looking at a screen. Have you considered having these printed, especially the 5 day and 7 day itineraries, for people to buy from you?

January 9, 2020 at 5:34 am

Glad you are finding all our North Coast 500 articles helpful!

Yes, we have looked into offering a printed guide and get asked for printed guidebook versions of our posts fairly regularly, but we have not found an easy or economical way to do this (and keep that content updated) for people to purchase.

But several months ago we introduced an easy way for people to print them from home (or from a copy shop/print store/library). If you are one of our monthly newsletter subscribers, you can print or download most of our articles (including this one) as a clickable PDF file. If you are not a subscriber, it is free and easy to join and you can learn more and join here .

The printable versions of the articles have the images, photos, and ads removed and are formatted for printing. You can also use this function to save them as clickable PDF files as well if you’d rather not print them. The PDF files allow you to still use the links.

To print, once you are a newsletter subscriber, to print (or save as PDF), all you need to do is go to the article you want to print and click on the Printer icon button. This will be on the left hand side of the article (for those on desktop) or at the very end of the article (for both desktop and mobile users). Once you click the icon a box will pop up that will be asked to enter your first name and email address. Please use the email address that you use to receive our newsletter.

If you want a printed guidebook for the NC500, you can try Amazon as there are a few of them out there now, although we have never used them. We have heard mixed reviews of them.

Hope that helps, and just let us know if you have any questions as you plan your trip!

Liz Lawrence Post author

January 8, 2020 at 3:44 am

Fabulous website We want to do the route 500 with a dog Any advice re either B&Bs/camping??

January 9, 2020 at 11:01 am

You can see our NC500 hotels guide and NC500 B&Bs guide as both note if each hotel or B&B is dog-friendly or not at last check. Although do of course always double check before booking as policies do change. A few accept pets with no extra charge, but the majority do charge a small pet fee per dog per stay.

More of the hotels accept dogs than the smaller B&B’s and guesthouses based on our experience. But you can certainly do the route staying at B&B’s, they are just a bit harder to find. Many holiday rental homes also accept pets, but that is going to generally be a more pricey option if than B&Bs or camping.

Just for a quick idea if you wanted to generally follow our suggested 7 day North Coast 500 itinerary and stay in dog-friendly B&Bs on the NC500:

-Day 1 Dog friendly B&B in Dornoch – Heartseed House B&B -Day 2 Dog friendly B&B near Wick – Thrumster House -Day 3 Dog friendly B&B near Tongue – Farr Bay Inn (in Bettyhill) and MacKays Rooms (in Durness) -Day 4 Dog friendly B&B near Lochinver – The Green Cruachan (in Stoer) or Suliven View Pods -Day 5 Dog friendly B&B in Ullapool – Ferry Boat Inn -Day 6 Dog friendly B&B in Torridon – The Torridon Inn (inn not hotel) -Day 7 Dog friendly B&B in Inverness – Furan Guest House

Most campsites along the North Coast 500 allow pets so camping is a pretty popular for pet owners who want to drive the NC500. You can see individual campsites mentioned throughout the itinerary and you can also see our NC500 camping guide .

Just note that many of the indoor attractions along the route do not allow pets so if you want to visit those kinds of places (museums, castles, guided tours) you may want to take turns spending time with your dog and one going inside. Same with restaurants, but several have outdoor areas that allow dogs and some bars also allow dogs. There are also takeaway places in many of the towns.

For trails, beaches, and parks, many allow dogs but some do not, but this is usually clearly posted. And almost all ask that dogs be kept on lead/leash at all times and of course all require that dogs are cleaned up after (many have disposal areas on site, but not all).

If you are planning to travel in Spring or early summer, you want to be particularly careful as dogs can spook and do harm to young livestock (there are lambs everywhere!) and can harm nesting birds. Bird and wildlife reserve areas often do not allow dogs for obvious reasons.

Hope that helps, Jessica

Sarah Good Post author

November 20, 2019 at 7:35 am

I absolutely loved your 7 Day Rd. trip. We are planning on doing the north coast 500 next September not sure yet whether we’re doing seven or five days.

Your blog is amazing and I feel like I have already done the trip. Thank you

November 21, 2019 at 9:31 am

So glad you are finding our North Coast 500 itinerary helpful! If you have 7 days, I don’t think you’ll regret it, but you can do the route in 5 days if you have less time.

Our 7 day itinerary lists most things you might want to do, but then you’ll just have to pick and choose the ones of most interest to you each day. But as you can see there’s lots to do, especially if you enjoy the outdoors!

Just let us know if you have any questions as you plan your 2020 trip.

Geoff and Joyce Tomlinson Post author

November 15, 2019 at 7:47 am

We would like to join others to thank you for your fantastic guide. I have now booked accommodation for our planned trip in June as I expect many places will be full at that time, perhaps more full because of folks encouraged by reading your guide. We are looking forward to our experience. Thank you

November 15, 2019 at 8:31 pm

Thank you Geoff & Joyce for taking the time to let us know that you have found it helpful in planning your June trip. Yes, many of the hotels & B&Bs we recommend do get booked full in June so definitely good to book ahead. If you have any questions as you continue your planning, just let us know! Best, Jessica

Rob Post author

November 2, 2019 at 8:27 am

We are planning a trip in July 2020 and this site really helps a lot !!! It’s very detailed, provides excellent information and makes our planning much easier or maybe not as there is so much to choose from. The idea is to do the same 7 day trip and for me as a whisky lover, I’m planning to visit some distilleries down the road (Wolfburn, Aberfeldy, Clynlish)

November 3, 2019 at 3:09 am

Sounds like a great trip. Yes, there are several whisky distilleries you can visit along or near the route, especially along the eastern part of the route.

Wishing you a wonderful trip, and just let us know if you have any questions as you continue your planning!

Frankie Fenton Post author

October 1, 2019 at 6:06 pm

Hi guys – I just wanted to send you a big heartfelt “thank you”! We are planning a Northcoast 500 tour next Sept. 2020. I’ve been trolling a number of sites, videos and blogs and it is so wonderful to come across your guide. Heads above the rest. It’s so well organized, is an exceptionally complete overview of all there is to see along the trip, it is just fantastic. It’s truly the only thing we need! This is wonderful. Thank you so much for investing what I’m sure was a great deal of time in putting this guide together.

October 4, 2019 at 10:24 am

Hello Frankie, That is so great to hear that you have found our North Coast 500 itinerary and other articles helpful in planning your road trip. Just let us know if you have any questions as you continue to plan your trip! Best, Jessica

Rene Benjamin Post author

October 13, 2019 at 8:01 am

I very much agree, I am planning a trip as well, the information you provide is excellent!

October 14, 2019 at 2:13 am

Glad to hear that you are finding our North Coast 500 itinerary and other planning guides helpful Just let us know if you have any questions as you plan your road trip!

Koos van Riet Post author

August 19, 2019 at 5:20 am

Great the way you make my heart beats faster after reading and seeing the 500 again! We made the trip in 2018 ourselves and I do miss one item:

I do know free camping is allowed (according the rules), but that is not an option for us.

So please tell me about the campgrounds on the NC500.

August 19, 2019 at 6:35 am

So glad that our North Coast 500 itinerary and photos are bringing up good memories from your last trip and getting you excited to drive it again!

Wild camping is allowed, but only for tent campers who follow the Outdoor Access Code rules and regulations. But we actually recommend that all those who plan to camp along the route stay on established campsites for both environmental protection reasons and to help support the local campsites and communities along the route.

There are lots of campsites. Campgrounds along the route vary a bit in terms of size, amenities, prices, etc. but they pretty much all offer the basics of water and electrical hookups, toilets, showers, picnic areas, waste disposal points, etc.

As you probably saw in our itinerary, we list the closest campsites to each recommended overnight stop for each night of the 1 week itinerary in the article. So you can use to help find the best campsite for each night. Almost all take advanced bookings.

You can read more about camping along the route in Laurence’s NC500 camping guide .

Sean & Gemma Post author

August 18, 2019 at 10:56 am

Wow, your blog provides the best information I’ve ever seen about the North Coast 500! It has been so helpful to us. My wife and I are planning on travelling by car in late September (we are just driving up from the Borders) and we will have about 9 days around the route and are not sure if we will do 2 days on Orkney or maybe just extra nights along the route you describe. Trying to book all our hotels now.

We would like to do some water activities (kayaking, canoeing, rafting) and maybe a wildlife sightseeing tour to try to see dolphins, whales, etc. Where would you recommend along the route?

We would be very thankful for any advice! Sean & Gemma

August 18, 2019 at 11:47 am

Hi Sean & Gemma,

So happy to hear that you are finding our North Coast 500 blogs helpful in planning our upcoming road trip! That is great that you have 9 days as that will give you plenty of time. Orkney could be a great option and there are three towns where you can catch ferries over to Orkney along the route in or near John O’Groats.

If you decide to stay those extra two nights along the route, I might suggest adding a night on the Black Isle . The area around Cromarty is one of the best places to see dolphins in Scotland. There are at least two companies that offer wildlife tours from there (we did ours with EcoVentures) with a good chance of seeing dolphins, seals, and seabirds. Although many of the seabirds may be gone by Sept., the dolphins can usually be found year round in the area. If you don’t see them during a boat tour, you can also try seeing them from the shore at Chanory Point.

We haven’t seen whales along the route ourselves, but they are a possibility from any of the wildlife boat tours and people with telescopes have told us they’ve seen them from various spots along the coastline. I think the boat tour that focuses most on whales are the ones in Garloch so that would be my recommendation, you can check them out here .

For kayaking and/or canoeing, we can highly recommend this company which offers both sea kayaking and loch canoeing. The trips are private so be sure to contact Tim (the owner) in advance to book if you are interested. Most of his tours are in the Assynt area so a good base would be Lochinver or Achiltibuie.

So I guess if I had two extra nights with a priority on water activities and a wildlife cruise, maybe one night in Cromarty on the Black Isle (wildlife cruise, good chance for dolphins) and an extra night in Lochinver (or Achilitbuie) if you decide to do kayaking or canoeing there. I’d also check out the Gairloch whale cruises but you could book and do that within the Day 6 itinerary (as noted on our itinerary) between Ullapool and Kinlochewe as that day only has a short amount of driving.

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VisitScotland

Scotland's road trips, north coast 500.

The North Coast 500 is Scotland’s answer to route 66 and one of the most beautiful coastal touring routes in the world (well, we think so, anyway!). 

Bringing together just over 500 miles of stunning coastal scenery, the route follows the main roads along the coastal edges of the North Highlands. With ancient castles, glistening sandy beaches and spell-binding heritage, the North Coast 500 has captured the imaginations of thousands of people.

Download the NC500 Map here

For more information go to: www.northcoast500.com

Glen Ord Distillery in Muir of Ord, Black Isle

Sample a sweet, fruity Highland malt whisky on a tour.

Join angling experts for fishing lessons, guiding and holidays.

Dunrobin Castle, Sutherland

Be enchanted by this magical fairy-tale castle.

Duncansby Head

Explore the coast and see the magnificent Duncansby sea stacks.

The Castle and Gardens of Mey, Caithness

Tour the grand rooms and lush gardens once owned by the Royal Family.

An other-worldly underground experience.

Sandwood Bay

Walk through the machair to an unspoilt beach.

Discover the coastline on a guided watersports adventure.

Hebridean Whale Cruises

Board a boat for the wildlife watching trip of a lifetime.

Beinn Eighe

Choose from a variety of walking routes in the mountain range.

Begin route

See all routes

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Your full guide to scotland's nc500 this spring and summer.

With the spring and summer months upon us and many looking to get out and explore the awe-inspiring beauty of Scotland, some may be looking to complete the NC500.

The popular route in the Scottish Highlands takes visitors on a scenic tour of the country's far north, including the traditional counties of Sutherland and Caithness.

The North Coast 500, which has been dubbed the Route 66 of Scotland, was launched in 2015 and has since attracted thousands of tourists to the area.

How long does it take to complete the NC500?

Campervan and glamping opportunities are available on the NC500. (Image: Getty)

The NC500 , which begins in Inverness, is roughly 516 miles (830km) in length and should take around five to seven days to complete, according to the RAC .

The organisation advises drivers to make multiple stops along the route to take in the local scenery, culture and cuisine.

The best time of year to try the NC500

Most people visit the  route in Scotland between May and September with summer being its busiest time.

The advantages of taking this trip in the summer include better weather and access to stores and visitor attractions.

How do I plan my NC500 route and itinerary?

Regardless of the time of year, planning your route and itinerary along the NC500 is essential, says the North Coast 500 website .

Visitors should first decide how many days they would like to spend travelling before taking into account what they would like to see.

Luckily, there are tools to help you plan your itinerary and route such as the  Plan Your Adventure feature on the North Coast 500 website.

Once you know the places you would like to visit during your trip, you can make use of Google Maps and more.

The NC500 is over 500 miles in length and should take around a week. (Image: Getty)

Recommended Reading:

What are the wild camping rules in Scotland and can I use a disposable BBQ? 

What are the rules and exceptions around the 'right to roam' in Scotland?

Where can I charge my electric car on the NC500?

ChargePlace Scotland is one of the largest providers in the area for electric vehicle charging with stations being found on Harbour Road, Stadium Road, Bishop's Road and Kilveab Road in and around Inverness.

Several more ChargePlace Scotland stations exist along the A9 near Alness, Invergordon, Knockbreck, Ardgay, Dornoch, and Golspie.

On the Western side of the route, two can be found in Ullapool while another can be found in Achnasheen.

EV charging is also present in Dingwall on Ormidale Place off High Street.

To see all the charging points available, please visit the ChargePlace Scotland website .

Where can I hire a campervan near Inverness?

There are a number of campervan hiring services for those wanting to explore the NC500 in style.

One such firm is Highland Campervans located in Dalcross near Inverness. The company can be contacted via 44+ 1667 493976.

Glamping spots on the NC500

If you're looking to get closer to nature without losing those creature comforts, glamping may be ideal for you.

On Booking.com , there are dozens of glamping locations to choose from with these including the North Coast 500 Pods near Achmelvich.

For a more luxurious take on the traditional Scottish Bothy, try Tigh Eilidh (also located near Achmelvich) which includes running water, clean rooms and free WIFI.

Highland Bothies Glamping in Ullapool is a similar experience offering a humble place to sleep without copping out on all the luxuries we've come to expect from hotels.

Other spots can be found across the NC500 this spring, summer and autumn.

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