north coast 500 travel guide

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Ultimate north coast 500 itinerary [3, 5 and 7 day routes].

In November, Bradley and I drove the famous NC500 road trip in Scotland, which is basically Scotland’s answer to Route 66!

It was such an amazing experience and we saw lots of beautiful sights.

The north coast is one of the most popular places to visit in Scotland.

We completed the north coast 500 in our self-built campervan , so I thought I’d take you through our North coast 500 itinerary, how long it took us, and all the great things we did and saw!

So, if you’re looking for the perfect 7-day Scotland road trip then keep reading for all you need to know about the NC500 road trip!

NORTH COAST 500 ROUTE MAP

So before we start, I thought I’d give you a visual representation of the North Coast 500 drive.

It’s called the NC500 because it’s 500 miles long and as you can see it’s pretty much a nice loop around the northern highlands of Scotland!

Travellerspoint

Have you sorted your transportation? 

You can't road trip the NC500 without a vehicle, and if you haven't booked yourself a campervan/motorhome yet, then we can make it very easy: 

Check out Motorhome Republic !

Who are they?

They are essentially the best search engine campervan and motorhome rentals in Scotland .

And with useful filtering tools, you have the ability to quickly check availability for vehicles anywhere in Scotland, and find the right vehicle for you.

They are now the top pick for our round up Scotland's best campervan and motorhome rental options , so definitely check them out if your vehicle isn't yet sorted.

How long does it take to drive the NC500?

This will be completely dependent on the time you have to dedicate to the route.

It doesn’t take “that long” to actually drive 500 miles, BUT, you’ve got to consider that you’re going to want to stop at a lot of sights, and if you’re visiting in the high season, then actually you may find your driving behind traffic a lot of the time. 

Some people do the NC500 in around 3 days, but I would imagine that doing it in that amount of time would require a lot of sightseeing from the vehicle, rather than heading out and wandering around. 

Bradley and I spent 2 weeks doing the NC500, but we were taking it slow on purpose because we had time to kill, and we were working whilst travelling, so, therefore, dedicating one week to the NC500 road trip is a pretty good shout! 

1 week will allow you to see all the best sights, take your time, and even spend more time in locations you prefer and less in those you don’t. 

That’s why when I go into detail about the North Coast 500 itinerary further below, I will focus on a 7-day itinerary as it’s a perfect balance of time. 

I will drop in a couple of other itinerary suggestions for those who are restricted on time!

Should I drive the North Coast 500 clockwise or counterclockwise?

When Bradley and I road tripped the North Coast 500 in Scotland, there was hardly anyone around, so we didn’t really consider whether going clockwise or counterclockwise made a difference, but after some research it does! 

Bradley and I drove the North Coast 500 in a clockwise direction, so essentially going left from Inverness. 

I would imagine that in the summer months when the route gets super busy, it may be better to choose different routes to avoid a buildup of traffic, but in terms of beauty, you’ll be seeing the exact same sights on both routes, especially if you intend on doing the full loop! 

If you do NOT intend on doing the full NC500 loop and just doing the half, then I suggest going clockwise , and I think the scenery is slightly better. 

If you have an argument for either of these directions, then please do comment and let me know! 

When is the best time to drive the NC500 road trip?

The NC500 can be driven all year round, and I’m going to suggest an argument for each season: 

• ‍ Summer: Scotland tourism statistics show that this is the PEAK season. June, July, and August will be the busiest the NC500 will get. This is due to the fact people have time to drive it for their holidays, and the fact the weather is a lot nicer. But, the downside is that you’ll need to plan your campsites months in advance , all the tourist hotspots will be busy, and they are going to the midges. 

If you do not know what a midge is, then click here. We get them in Ireland too, and they’re the most annoying things ever, not to mention the fact that they just love your blood…

So if you are planning on doing the NC500 in summer, then make sure you pack your bug spray! 

• Autumn : This will be a lot quieter , and is technically when Bradley and I went. I personally love autumn colours, so it was beautiful seeing all the sights with a backdrop of orange, reds, and yellows. When we visited, the roads were fairly empty, on some days we didn’t drive past anyone for hours. You will have most of the tourist sights to yourself, however, because you’re visiting outside of peak season, you may find some attractions have already closed (this was true for us and castles), and you may have a lack of open campsites (if you don’t plan on wild camping for your trip). Oh, and no midges when we went either.
• Spring : Seems like a good time to visit because the weather will be more pleasant, and perhaps the crowds will be less than in summer, and you won’t have a problem with midges. 
• Winter : Scotland goes white in winter and in the highlands and the coast you might find the roads are icy and the conditions snowy. Whilst I imagine seeing Scotland in the snow is amazing, it might make a full-throttle road trip a little more difficult. Some mountain roads can be closed due to snow, which means you may miss out on some sights, but it depends on what you want from your trip! It’ll definitely be quieter!

Is the North Coast 500 Suitable for Motorhomes and Campervans?

Our campervan is a Peugeot Boxer LWB, and before we headed off on our trip, we often heard people say that the single pass roads on the NC500 might not be able to handle campervans or motorhomes. 

Well, on our first night, we met a lovely couple who had been motorhoming in Scotland for 3 months and had just completed the NC500. And bear in mind that they had a pretty darn big motorhome (bigger than our campervan) and they said it was absolutely fine.

Yes, it’s single pass roads, but there is a passing place every other minute, so you always have somewhere to pass. 

I imagine this all becomes more difficult in the summer months when it is busy, but Bradley and I didn’t have a single issue with “room” on the North Coast 500 route, and rarely had to use passing places since we were the only ones on the road! 

But it’s important to bare in mind that locals do have a love/hate relationship with motorhomes, especially those that aren’t “aware” drivers and don’t have the sense to avoid a road that can’t handle a motorhome, so just practice awareness when you’re driving, be respectful and don’t speed to park anywhere awkward to other drivers. 

So, yes, the North Coast 500 road trip is suitable for campervans and motorhomes. 

If you don't already have one, check out our rundown of the best motorhome rentals in Scotland .

Or go ahead and book now.

Wild camping on the North Coast 500

Wild camping in Scotland was one of our favourite memories in all of our Scotland adventures.

We love wild camping and since our campervan is fully self contained (shower and everything), we took advantage of the beautiful wild camping spots along the NC500! 

You can check out our post on wild camping in Scotland for a full throttle list of the best places to wild camp on the NC500, but I thought I would highlight some of my favourite.

1. Set of the “shell” film: so this is pretty easy to find, because on google it’s defined as the set of a film called Shell which was filmed here. It’s no longer in use so it’s a large car park with a couple of picnic tables. The views here are great, and the 4g with o2 was fantastic, so this was a great place to stay. Plenty of room for a few campers, but it is exposed so if it’s a windy night, then you will be rocking! 

2. Located on the beach side of a town called Strathy , this wild camping spot was literally a 5 minute walk from the beach with amazing views. It was sheltered from the wind and there were even 24 hour toilets too! A donation can be left to help with the upkeep of these toilets. This is a great spot on the North coast, and it’s closed to a town called BettyHill which has awesome coffee shops! 

If you want to find wild camping spots on the NC500 route, then we recommend the use of the Park4Night app and CamperContact . 

Our advice would be to only ever wild camp in places that are 100% legal and accepted by locals. These would be spots where express permission is given and there are donation boxes to help with upkeep. And please be fully self sufficient and take all waste away with you, it paints other vanlifers in a very bad light when there is rubbish and waste dumped at the side of the road. For further guidance, you should read this useful guide here from Visit Scotland .

Not into wild camping? Check out my list of the most romantic hotels in Scotland .

Chemical Waste disposal points on the NC500 

• Gairloch Harbour: This is technically free, but I think you can leave a donation. 
• Murkle Campsite in Thurso: Fee to use motorhome facilities including chemical waste disposal, grey water and refilling water. 
• Ferry View Campsite: £5 for chemical waste, grey waste disposal and you can refill your water. 
• I nner Park House & Inver Caravan Park, Dunbeath: £5 for chemical waste disposal, grey waste and water refilling. 
• Highland Campervans, Inverness : £5 for chemical waste disposal, grey water and refilling water tanks. 

The best things to do on the NC500

There are so many amazing things to do on the NC500! We did as much as we could with the weather we were given, and with what was open.

So I’m going to list all the best things to do on the NC500, as done by us on our North Coast 500 road trip! 

1. Take the mountain pass road to Applecross

It’s amazing how amazing the landscapes dramatically change when you’re driving the NC500, and one great example of this is the mountain pass road to Applecross.

Before we head off on our NC500 road trip, a few people had already mentioned Applecross as a place not to be missed, so we did it. 

When we arrived there was a sign saying the pass isn’t suitable for motorhomes, and I certainly would NOT attempt this drive if you have a caravan, but if you're in a campervan and know how to reverse well, then you’ll be absolutely fine.

I think the sign is to encourage people to take the alternative route, especially in the summer months when the NC500 is super busy! 

There are lots of viewing points along the way, but seriously just keep looking out your window and you’ll be amazed at the twisty turny road you are taking. The road is epic, the views are EPIC, but it’s not for the faint of heart. 

This reminded me of the mountain pass roads we crossed in Norway!

2. Check out Victoria Falls

There are lots of waterfalls along the NC500 route.

But the problem with waterfalls in Scotland is that probably, in comparison to waterfalls in the UK, they’re pretty good, but when you’ve been spoilt with waterfalls in Asia & South America, like Brad and I have, then they’re pretty….bland, BUT, that being said, of course, if you’re a fan of waterfalls, then go see them. 

We only see waterfalls now if they’re epic, and won’t bother hiking to one unless it’s epic, because we have a high waterfall threshold haha 

But Victoria Falls is an easy-breezy waterfall, it’s located next to Loch Maree, which is an absolutely beautiful loch in Scotland (there are many!). It’s run by the Forestry Commission, so it’s free to park up and it’s only 150 m to the waterfall.

There’s a little viewing platform too. 

I liked this waterfall because it was surrounded by beautiful autumn colours, which I love! 

And it’s one of the many free things to do on the NC500. 

3. Admire the beautiful Loch Maree

So I just mentioned Loch Maree above, and this is one of the most beautiful lochs in Scotland (in my humble opinion).

I think the fact the sun was shining and the skies were clear when we visited had a lot to do with that. 

This loch is the fourth largest freshwater loch in Scotland; it is the largest north of Loch Ness.

There are walking trails to be found here, and since the loch is so big, you’ll find little villages, restaurants, and hotels on your way. 

4. Have a coffee at the Mountain Coffee Co 

So during our NC500 road trip, I fell in love with Highland coffee.

I consider myself to be quite a coffee fanatic, and I’ve had the privilege of sampling some amazing coffee (Nicaragua is still the best in the world), but the “highland” coffee was delicious! But what’s unique about this little coffee shop is that they sell and stock Bob Marleys son's coffee. 

It’s a quirky place with a quirky bookshop attached and I highly recommend you visit. I also believe they offer accommodation too. 

5. Have a stroll at Gruinard Beach

Scotland is home to some pretty beautiful beaches, but of course, beaches are season dependent.

When we visited in November, the weather wasn’t exactly sunbathing or swimming material, but I have to say Gruinard beach was still very beautiful to visit. It’s large, it’s got golden sand and it’s a truly beautiful place to just wander. 

We were the only ones on the beach when we visited near sunset, but I imagine in the summer months this place would get pretty busy! 

Parking is free and you can wild camp here too, but there was no phone signal for us, so we moved on! 

6. Admire Ardessie Falls

Another waterfall to visit on the NC500, but this one you can see as you drive past.

There is a small parking place just a couple of hundred meters away from it, but again, in the summer this would fill up very quickly. 

Since the road was empty when we visited, we quickly pulled beside the waterfall to admire this powerful fall and took some pictures! 

It was raining when we visited, but the waterfall was SO strong which was really cool! 

This waterfall is free to visit. 

7. Visit the viewing platform at Corrieshalloch Gorge National Nature Reserve

I love a viewing platform and a bridge, and this spot offered me both!

This spot is run by the National Trust for Scotland. 

When we visited, there was a suggested donation at the parking machine of £2 per person, which I was happy to pay, but it was actually out of use, so we didn’t have to pay it! 

The walk to the suspension bridge is only 10 minutes, then a further 5 to the viewing platform.

The suspension bridge was really cool and offers great views of the surrounding forest and a waterfall. Since we visited during the autumn colours I was surrounded by red, oranges and beautiful yellows- I loved it! 

8. Visit Ullapool

I have to warn you, I was disappointed in Ullapool.

But I actually think that was a lot to do with the fact EVERYTHING was closed when we visited, so there was literally nothing to do, other than going to Tesco to buy food. So that was disappointing.

But it’s a very popular stop on the NC500, so I assume it’s popular for a reason... 

On a good day, you can wander around the loch, shop for souvenirs, grab some lunch, and visit museums! 

9. Eat & drink at The Store Cafe in BettyHill

Brad and I agree that this was the cutest little cafe we’ve been to! The Store Cafe is literally an old store that’s been renovated into a part store, part coffee shop, and part off-license.

When you enter you’ll be greeted by a large, warm fire, so find a cozy seat, order a coffee (or a whisky!) and enjoy the atmosphere. 

This was such a cool spot, and definitely worth visiting for the quirky nature. 

In the summer months, they have outdoor seating, and the alcoholic drinks are very reasonably priced, so I would imagine it gets pretty popular here! 

10. Visit Smoo Cave

Smoo cave was my favourite place to visit on the whole NC500 driving route.

I love caves, and whilst this wasn’t quite as exciting as the caves I’ve seen in Vietnam, it was still very cool! 

Smoo Cave is free to enter (which is a pleasant surprise) and it’s a nice stroll down to it.

If you want to walk down into the cave itself then you’ll need to be wary of tides and make sure you can actually get in. 

But you can freely wander into this cave via a trail and explore the depths and darkness!

There’s even a walkway to an almighty waterfall, which you will get soaked at when you stand beside it! 

It’s such a cool spot to visit in Scotland. 

When we were visiting we saw that there is also the chance to take boat tours under the waterfall in the cave at certain times of the year.

It wasn’t running when we visited, but we definitely would have done that if the opportunity had presented itself! 

If you want to know the origins of Smoo Cave, then you can check out our vlog where Bradley makes a pretty convincing story of Smoo….

Parking is free here. 

11. Achemlvich Bay

So this is actually one of the things on the NC500 that Bradley and I didn’t do, but I had to mention it because the only reason we didn’t do it was because the weather was absolute crap.

A beautiful blue, crystal clear beach isn’t the same when the rain will not stop pouring.

So we didn't think there was much point in going…

But if you’re visiting in the summer or spring, then definitely go! Just google the pictures of the stop and you’ll why...it looks amazing! 

12. Hike the Old Man of Stoer

If you aren’t planning on staying on the Isle of Skye and hiking to the Old Man of Storr, then you may as well check out this one!

This is a 60-meter-high sea stack of Torridonian sandstone in Sutherland and from there you can also hike to the nearby Stoer Head Lighthouse.

It takes around 3 hours to hike and you can find out all you need to know about the walk itself right here .

13. Check out Kylesku Bridge

You’ll naturally drive across this bridge as part of the North Coast 500 driving itinerary, but it’s worth pulling into the parking viewpoint on the other side and taking some pictures.

The backdrop of this bridge is beautiful mountains and actually we ended up seeing a few deer which was pretty cool!

14. Visit the most Northerly town in mainland UK: John O’Groats

John O’Groats is 11 miles from Dunnet head which is Just 11 miles from Dunnet Head, the most northerly point of mainland Britain, but John O Groats is the start or endpoint of people doing the trip to Land’s End in Cornwall (most south). 

The village itself is tiny but it has a lot of charm.

There are a bunch of coloured houses which remind me of Balamory, and there are a few souvenir shops (a really cool Christmas shop!), coffee shops, and you can even spot whales, seals, and sharks here when the season is right. 

A great place to visit and a must-stop on any North Coast 500 itinerary. 

15. Wander around Duncansby Head Lighthouse & the Geo of Sclaites

During our adventures around Scotland Bradley and I have visited A LOT of lighthouses (we even got to stay in a lighthouse cottage on the Isle of Skye ), but this one was very pretty. I

t’s free to park and walk around, and from here you can take a short walk to the Geo of Scalites which is actually a really cool spot to visit. We visited just before sunset and it looked really pretty.

What I will say is that it's extremely windy in this area! 

You may also like:  Staying on a Lighthouse Cottage on the Isle of Skye

16. Castle Sinclair remains, Wick 

As you’re driving down the coastal roads of Wick, you’ll just be impressed by the views, but if you fancy a nice viewpoint, then take a detour into the Castle Sinclair remains.

It adds an extra 20-30 minutes onto your NC500 route, (it’s a one way in, one way out road) but on a clear day you’ll be greeted with amazing views, and there’s an information point there telling you about the history of the castle remains. 

17. Visit Dunrobin Castle & Gardens

This is honestly one of the prettiest castles I’ve seen! It’s so well put together, but of course, when we visited, it wasn’t open to the public so we didn’t get to look inside, which is a pity.

But you can find out on their website, the history of the castle and opening hours ect.

18. Explore Inverness

Last but not least, no North Coast 500 road trip would be complete without exploring the capital of the Highlands, Inverness! 

I loved Inverness and thought it was the perfect size of a city. It’s small but oozes lots of charm.

We only had a few hours to explore, but there is lots to do in this city including visiting Inverness Castle, Inverness Cathedral, getting your own kilt made at the kilt shop, and much more!

More info: How To Spend One Day In Inverness

Ultimate 7 day North Coast 500 itinerary 

So now that you’ve discovered the best things to do on the Nc500, it’s time to put that into perspective in the form of a 7 day North Coast 500 itinerary! 

The NC500 starts and ends in Inverness (Inverness Castle if we are being specific!), so let’s start at the city of Inverness for all our Nc500 itinerary suggestions. 

Day 1: Inverness to Applecross 

• Drive time: 2 hours 10 mins
• Miles : 80 

This is a great first day on your North Coast 500 itinerary!

The drive to Applecross is absolutely beautiful, and you’ll get to travel the mountain pass road to get there. In the summer months, there is a detour in place so that the mountain pass isn’t clogged up with campervans.

But if it’s quiet, then take the mountain pass road as the scenery is EPIC!

This was one of my favorite drives in all of the NC500, the views were awesome, but if you’re afraid of heights, maybe don’t look down! 

Day 2: Applecross to Gairloch

• Drive time: 2 hours and 15 minutes 
• Miles : 62 miles 

So this route will only be significant to those who actually take the Applecross coastal road.

I do suggest you take this route as the views are beautiful and you’ll come across lots of beautiful Highland cows along the way!

You may find they hold up traffic for a little bit, but that presents a great opportunity to take pictures of them. There are great waterfalls on this route and many viewpoints! 

Don’t forget to get a delicious coffee at the Mountain Coffee Co! 

Day 3: Gairloch to KyleSku

• Drive time: 2 hours and 8 minutes (if you take the shortcut) 4 hours without 
• Miles : 87.9 miles 

This is another beautiful route that will take you through to Ullapool.

Ullapool is a popular stopping point on the NC500, but unfortunately, when Bradley and I visited in November, everything was closed.

We had planned on visiting a coffee shop but absolutely nothing was open.

However, they do have a large Tesco shopping center here so it’s a good place to stock up on food if you need to!

I suggest you take the longer route which goes via the Achmelvich Bay direction. That whole loop is beautiful and the scenery here is great! We actually drove most of it in the rain but still thought it was fantastic. 

Day 4: KyleSku to BettyHill 

• Drive time: 2 hours and 22 minutes 
• Miles : 76 miles 

This day you’ll be heading towards the North Coast! So expect the weather to change. Something that is interesting at this point, is that we had fantastic 4g signals all around the north coast with o2, so if you’re like us and work on the road, then you’ll be pleased with the signal on offer! 

There are lots of beauty on this route, including the awesome Smoo Cave, which really was a quality gem on the Nc500 itinerary! 

End your day at BettyHill for a coffee and a snack, then find a wild camping spot, or a campsite closeby.  ‍

Day 5: BettyHill to Wick 

• Drive time : 1 hour and 36 minutes 
• Miles : 66 miles

This is going to be a fun day! It’s a short day of driving, only coming in at 1 hour and 36 minutes, but that will give you plenty of time to stop at Thurso and grab a coffee, visit John O Groats and wander around the colourful houses, check out the shops, then head to the Duncansby Head Lighthouse & the Geo of Sclaites, both of which are beautiful as the sun starts to set.

At John O Groats you’ll have the opportunity to spot whales, sharks, and more (if the season is right). 

Day 6: Wick to Golspie 

• Drive time: 1 hour and 11 minutes 
• Miles : 52 miles 

Again this is another pretty short day, but it’s a beautiful coastal drive and there are actually quite a lot of castle ruins, and lighthouses that you can see on the way, so you’ll probably find you want to stop quite often and get some great walks in! 

Day 7: Golspie to Inverness 

• Drive time: 1 hour and 8 minutes 

The drive from Golspie to Inverness is great and there are some great castles to see on this drive including, Dunrobin Castle & Gardens, We were actually able to see some seals at Loch -- which was cool, and this was November time, so if you fancy doing some animal spotting, then now's your chance! 

When you get back to Inverness, take a few hours to explore the city if you haven’t already. Inverness isn’t overly big, but it’s super charming.

We only had a few hours to explore, but we checked out the castle, wandered around the town, visit the largest second-hand book shop in Scotland (which was awesome!), visited the Victorian Market, and went for dinner. 

There are lots of places to pick up souvenirs when driving the NC500, but if you’ve forgotten, then just hit the shops in Inverness! 

Not wild camping? Check out the awesome hotels in Inverness city !

And that is our 7 day North Coast 500 itinerary! 

This is the exact route Bradley and I followed, we just did it in two weeks because we were working too, but it’s entirely possible to do it in a week, and whilst you can visit it all quicker in a week, I think 7 days is the perfect amount of time to drive at a leisurely pace, visit all the sights, do great walks, and have time to visit coffee shops and restaurants for lunch! 

If you decide to go the other direction, then the route is exactly the same, just back to front! 

Other North Coast 500 itinerary suggestions 

Just in case you don’t have 7 days to dedicate to your North Coast 500 itinerary, I’ll mention two other itineraries, below. 

5 day Nc500 itinerary 

Again we are starting in Inverness, and I suggest something like this: 

• Day 1: Inverness to Gairloch (this is 4 hours if you go via Applecross, and 1 hour and 18 if you skip it) 
• Day 2: Gairloch to Kysku (around 3 and a half hours (less if you take a shortcut)
• Day 3: Kylesku to Thurso (should take around 2 hours and 50 minutes) 
• Day 4: Thurso to Golspie (1 hour and 15 minutes)
• Day 5: Golspie to Inverness (1 hour and 18 minutes) 

3 day Nc500 itinerary 

A 3 day North Coast 500 itinerary will mostly see you sightseeing from your car seat window, but if that’s okay with you, then you’ll be fine. This will be more bearable in the summer months when you’ll have far more daylight to work with.

I don’t think this is a good idea if you’re visiting outside of that season. Consider the sunsets at around 3.20 pm in November. 

• Day 1: Inverness to Ullapool via Gairloch (and or Apple Cross) If you decide to do Apple cross then that’ll probably be a busy enough day for you. IF you don’t you could probably go further than Ullapool if you wish, I would suggest Kylesku. 
• Day 2: KyleSku to John O Groats: should take around 3 and a half hours 
• Day 3: John O Groats to Inverness: Around 2 hours and 40 minutes 

I know at first glance that these drive times do not sound like a lot, but remember they aren’t including any delays and don’t include any stopping at sights, any walks, any toilet breaks, lunch, dinner breaks ect, so be wary of that when planning your North Coast 500 itinerary. 

So there you have it, I hope this North Coast 500 itinerary has been useful to you! I’ve tried to include all the places we went, all the things we did and all the fun we had! I highly recommend this Scottish road trip. 

Scotland has so many great road trips and some of my other favorites include the: 

• Southwest Coastal 300
• 3 Day Isle of Skye Itinerary
• 7 Best Road Trips in Scotland

If you have any questions about this North Coast 500 itinerary, or the NC500 in general, then please do drop me a comment below. 

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Kirstie Will Travel

Making Everywhere You Go An Adventure

Scottish Highlands · July 10, 2020

3 Day North Coast 500 Itinerary (Scotland Road Trip Guide)

Are you ready for a great Scottish adventure? Then welcome to my 3 Day North Coast 500 Itinerary ! This comprehensive guide will take you through three days of west coast adventure. There are hikes, beaches, beautiful views, and pretty much everything that makes Scotland so great.

I should clarify, this is not a full North Coast 500 route. It covers just over 200 miles. In fact, we could probably rename this the West Coast 200, but I’m not sure anyone would know what I was talking about! This is a great itinerary if you don’t have enough time to cover the full North Coast 500. You can have the chance to discover some of the best parts of the route in just 3 days. However, if you do have more time, you can still use this itinerary for the section of the North Coast 500 that this covers. You’d simply carry on further north when we turned back east.

I’ve included loads of practical information about what to pack, how much it cost and accommodation tips. The itinerary is very comprehensive and I’ve made an interactive map with all the stops on it.

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This post may contain affiliate links meaning I may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.   Read more in my  disclaimer .

3 Day North Coast 500 Itinerary Interactive Route Map

This interactive map takes you through the whole route in this 3 day North Coast 500 itinerary. The different colours indicated the stops for different days, and the yellow markers indicate surrounding towns that I recommend throughout the itinerary if you have some more time.

You can save this map to your Google Maps account by clicking the star button next to the title. It will then appear under Your Places>Maps in Google Maps.

Accommodation on the North Coast 500

My friend and I decided to camp during our North Coast 500 road trip . It worked really well for us, especially since my friend was a pro at putting up the tent (I, on the other hand, had never actually camped before so I happily observed).

We chose to stay in campsites and pay for camping . It wasn’t expensive, I mention the prices for each place on the itinerary, but I don’t remember paying more than £10 each for any campsite.

Wild camping is legal in Scotland, but make sure you read up on the rules and restrictions to avoid getting in trouble or ruining protected land. This website will help you.

If you don’t want to camp, you shouldn’t have any trouble finding accommodation at the stops, since the North Coast 500 route is so popular these days. I give a few suggestions of BnBs or hostels throughout the itinerary, and I would recommend booking these in advance to be sure of their availability – you definitely don’t want to be stuck without anywhere to stay in the middle of nowhere!

What to Take on a North Coast 500 Road Trip

Make sure you’re prepared for a road trip like this. Everyone’s needs will be different but here are some of my recommendations .

Clothing and Footwear

I would recommend taking clothing for all weather . The weather can be so unpredictable in Scotland. We went from shorts to jumpers, and it rained a lot. You’ll need a good pair of walking shoes that are comfy (and preferably waterproof), and I’d also take a comfy pair of trainers or sandals for driving and less adventurous activities.

We took a lot of food with us, and I’d recommend taking more than you think you’ll need. Hiking is hungry work and countless snacks were needed . Stick to non-perishable foods, but since the road trip was only a few days, we were able to take things like fruit and bread that we knew wouldn’t go off in that short amount of time.

The food we took was primarily for breakfast and lunches, as we planned to eat out for dinners. If you have the right equipment you could definitely cook your own dinners, but this was the best option for us.

Camping Equipment

If you’re planning to camp as we did, make sure you have everything to make it as comfy as possible. Of course, you’ll need a good tent with all its attachments, a mattress pad, and sleeping bag. An inflatable (or regular) pillow is good to remember, and you might want to look into some extra reinforcements for your tent in case the weather is windy. Make sure you have a good torch and/or lamp for when it gets dark.

Some other optional items to consider are collapsable camping chairs and table.

There are lots of miscellaneous items to remember as well. Take books and games to keep yourselves busy in the evenings. Don’t forget electrical items like phone chargers , and make sure your car is kitted out to charge them. You’ll want an AUX cable or CDs too, as road trip music is pretty much essential.

If you plan to do any water-sports or swimming, think about what you’ll want to take and where to store it. We took wetsuits and bodyboards. Also, consider where you’ll dry these items. You might want to take a washing line to hang up, but we just draped them across the car when we weren’t driving.

Cash is a good thing to consider. Once you’re on the west coast i t’s unlikely that you’ll have easy access to a bank or a cash machine , and some places won’t take card.

How much does a North Coast 500 Trip Cost?

We didn’t need to spend too much on our trip. The main things you’ll have to budget for are fuel, accommodation and food . All of the activities in this itinerary are free but it’s something to think about if you want to add any other activities to your route.

We covered just over 200 miles on the route. I don’t drive but I’m pretty certain you can do it on less than a tank of fuel.

I can’t remember exactly how much I spent on food but I’d estimate it was a maximum of £20 on the supermarket shop for snacks and non-perishable items. Then I’d say a maximum of £30 for cafe stops and dinners.

This is an estimate again, but I spent a maximum of £25 on campsite accommodation over the two nights.

Don’t have a car?

It’s hard to do a Scottish road trip without a car, but why not try joining a guided tour instead? You could opt for a day trip to the Scottish highlands or a multi-day tour!

Scottish Highlands Day Trips

3-Day Tours to the Scottish Highlands

3 Day North Coast 500 Itinerary – Day One

The first day of the road trip was fairly laid back, mainly because we didn’t set off until late afternoon. The main aim of the day was to get to Ullapool and set up for the night.

If you have more time during the day, I’d recommend exploring Inverness or the surrounding area of Cromarty and Ross-Shire. There are loads of great towns to visit but I’d recommend Fortrose , Dingwall and Strathpeffer (I’ve marked them on the interactive map). You could also drive to Ullapool earlier and spend the day there!

Driving to Ullapool

The driving route is very easy, as you will just drive the A835 all the way to Ullapool. From Inverness, take the A9 across the Kessock Bridge to Tore Roundabout. Take the second exit at the roundabout to start the A835. Then you simply follow that road all the way to the end and you’ll find yourself in Ullapool – the only other roundabout you’ll cross is the Maryburgh roundabout where you should take the second exit. The journey should take just over an hour.

Corrieshalloch Gorge

You definitely want to stop at Corrieshalloch Gorge on the way to Ullapool. During this road trip the bridge across the gorge was closed for construction so we could only look from afar, but luckily I’ve visited since and been able to enjoy it. The gorge is one of the deepest in Scotland, and the falls that run through are spectacular.

Corrieshalloch Gorge is situated just off the A835 so it’s really easy to stop at. You can read my guide to Corrieshalloch Gorge to get all the info you need about the exact location, and how to explore.

Setting up Camp in Ullapool

For our first night, my friend and I camped at Broomfield Holiday Park . It’s right on the water, so waking up in the morning was absolutely gorgeous. The price was around £20 for the two of us camping . If you’re looking for a guesthouse for the night, there are plenty of options for all budgets. Ullapool has a youth hostel and loads of BnBs around the town. I’ve never stayed in a BnB in Ullapool but I’ve been told that Riverside is nice.

We ate dinner at The Seaforth . It was a lovely space with a well-priced menu (and amazing quality food!), and their terrace was perfect for a summer evening. If you fancy eating at the beach or back at the campsite, they also have great takeaway options.

Ardmair Beach

After dinner, we drove to Ardmair Beach. It’s actually on the route that we would be driving the next day, but since we had such an action-packed itinerary already, we thought it best to visit the beach on the first night, instead of trying to cram it in the next morning. Although the weather was a little grey, the beach was still beautiful. One of my favourite things about Ardmair beach is that it’s filled with loads of flat stones, and people love to make towers out of them . Ours were a bit pathetic but some people managed to stack their towers really high!

3 Day North Coast 500 Itinerary – Day Two

Day 2 of our North Coast 500 Itinerary is where the real adventure starts! This is an action-packed day with a lot of walking and hiking . Day 2 of the itinerary will take us from Ullapool to Achmelvich, with around four stops along the way.

We set off bright and early after breakfast in the car, and here’s how we filled the day!

Knockan Crag

Our first stop, Knockan Crag, was about 30 minutes away in the car. It’s easily one of the most unique hikes I’ve done. Knockan Crag is a National Nature Reserve that focuses on the unique geology of the Moine thrust that runs through it.

There’s a visitor centre and dedicated trails to walk along, so you can learn while you hike. Knockan Crag is completely free to visit , and this extends to car park access as well. Also, you’re on the west coast of Scotland so, of course, the views are amazing.

The trails aren’t too long. I’d say we spent about an hour at Knockan Crag.

The Bone Caves

The second stop of the day is only another 15-minute drive away, which shows you how amazing the hills are in this area. This hike is a little longer (I’d say we spent a good few hours here), and a little more demanding , but definitely still accessible to a capable walker. I’ve marked the car park on the interactive map, but make sure you watch this closely because I can’t remember there being any signposts when approaching it.

We didn’t follow a route and although there isn’t an incredibly clear path, it’s still easy to find your way. You can check out this Bone Caves route to make sure you’re going in the right direction.

As the name suggests, the main attraction of this hike is the caves you’ll find at the top . Excavators found the remains of animals like polar bears and reindeer that used to roam the area. You can explore the caves with care , but I’m a big scaredy-cat so we just chilled out at the top and enjoyed (once again) the beautiful views.

Ardvreck Castle

After a wonderful lunch in the Bone Caves car park, composed of bread rolls with Dairylea cheese triangles and some crisps, we headed further north.

As far as I remember, we hadn’t planned to stop at Ardvreck Castle . One of my favourite parts of a road trip is being able to just pull over whenever you see something interesting! These medieval ruins sit right next to the road on the banks of Loch Assynt.

We didn’t spend too long at Ardvreck Castle, but it’s a great place to stretch your legs and explore.

It’s time to get back to civilisation! Lochinver is a lovely village. There isn’t much to do but it’s on the water and there are a couple of cute gift shops.

In the late afternoon, we ate at an amazing spot just on the edge of Lochinver called the Lochinver Larder . These guys know how to make a pie , and they have an extensive menu! We went for a sweet option and had some apple pie, but in retrospect, it would have been a good idea to have an early dinner here. We struggled to find anywhere that was open later on in Lochinver. As it’s such a small village, it’s worth doing some research into the available dinner options, or eat at the Larder.

There is a small shop and a chip shop in Achmelvich, where you’ll be camping for the night. You could also consider this for dinner, but check ahead because if they’re closed you’ll be stuck.

Achmelvich Beach

When you’re ready to set up camp, head along to Achmelvich beach. This place is beyond beautiful , and waking up here in the morning couldn’t be more peaceful. And if I’m not bigging it up enough, this is one of my favourite places in the world .

The Shore Caravan Site is right on the beach. It cost around £15 with the car and tent . There are a couple of other options if you aren’t planning to camp, like a small Youth Hostel , and some caravans and pods. Make sure you research well and book in advance, as I doubt you could show up and expect to book a place to stay on arrival. If you can’t find accommodation in Achmelvich you could stay in Lochinver.

Pretty much the only thing to do in Achmelvich is to visit the beach, but it’s so beautiful that you won’t want to do anything else! We had some fun swimming (with wetsuits on, even in summer the water is freezing!) and then relaxing on the beach.

3 Day North Coast 500 Itinerary – Day Three

The third and final day of our trip was a bit more laidback , we visited a couple of beaches. Unfortunately, the weather took a turn for the worse so we rushed through the second part of the day to head home. However, there are plenty of things that you can do along the route that I’ll recommend as I go through.

Exploring Achmelvich

We had a very relaxed morning on Achmelvich beach. I think I could have spent the whole day here! I woke up early in the morning to sit out on the sand, and then once we got up and ready for the day we went exploring in the hills. There is another small beach along from the main one that’s just as fun.

Stoer Lighthouse

After finally dragging ourselves away from Achmelvich beach, we carried on north and found ourselves at Stoer Lighthouse. The lighthouse juts out west so there’s nothing but sea all around you , it’s a beautiful sight.

We didn’t go inside the lighthouse because they’re actually self-catering accommodation ! After finding this out it immediately became our dream to come back and stay. Although there definitely wasn’t space for this in our budget at the time, the prices aren’t actually too expensive (£149 a night/minimum 3-night stay) and you can fit around 4 people in each one.

Clashnessie Beach

We came back inland and drove through Clashnessie. We had to pull over when we saw Clashnessie Bay and the beach! It’s another gorgeous sandy beach (as if we hadn’t seen enough already) and we stayed here for a while simply enjoying the sunshine.

Drumbeg Viewpoint

The further north we drove, the more picturesque the surroundings became. Between Clashnessie and Drumbeg we were surrounded by greenery, rocky hills and plenty of small lochs.

Drumbeg has another great viewpoint where you can look right out to sea. I might be wrong, but I think you can see over to Scourie in the distance, where we’ll end up later!

Kylesku Bridge

Unfortunately, this is where the weather started to turn. We stopped briefly at Kylesku bridge (mainly because I wanted to take a photo for my engineer dad) but then carried on driving. I’ve heard that Kylesku is a lovely, albeit tiny, hamlet, so if you wanted to have a wander around here I’m sure it would be great.

Heading Home

We grabbed a simple lunch at The Anchorage in Scourie. This was about as north as we went, as we turned down at Laxford Bridge towards Lairg. There isn’t much to do until you reach Lairg so we drove straight down to the Falls of Shin.

The Falls of Shin is a popular spot to watch salmon jumping and there are some nice woodland walks where you can follow the falls and the river.

That was our final stop, we then carried on driving, through Bonar Bridge, and heading south to Inverness. Since my friend and I were heading back home, we’d been to the surrounding towns many times, so we didn’t bother stopping. However, if you’re not a local resident, I’d recommend stopping at either Dornoch, Portmahomack/Tarbert Lighthouse or Glenmorangie (if you’re a fan of whisky and not the designated driver!).

Accommodation for the 3rd Night

As a final point, you should think about your final night’s accommodation . Luckily we could head home and sleep in our own beds, but you might need to brave another night in the tent if you live further away.

Since you’re back to a more built-up area, you shouldn’t have any problems finding a campsite for the night . You could stay up north in Dornoch, head to Dingwall or back to Inverness and stay in the city.

I hope you enjoyed this 3 Day North Coast 500 Itinerary, and are now inspired to go out and explore some of Scotland! If you liked this post, you might want to check out some of my other Scotland posts , such as Corrieshalloch Gorge: The Ultimate Day Trip Guide , or The Glasgow Mural Trail: Your Complete Guide (With Interactive Map)

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July 11, 2020 at 6:08 pm

I feel so rubbish that I’ve travelled to so many places but barely explored my home country at all! Your post has inspired me to get on that right away!

July 11, 2020 at 9:48 pm

I’m becoming a huge fan of road trips these days! Would love to do this someday. Looks like a gorgeous adventure.

July 11, 2020 at 10:30 pm

This looks like such a fun road trip! Ardmair beach is so cool, I’d love to visit! Thanks for sharing.

July 11, 2020 at 11:04 pm

Looks like you had sooo much fun! I’d love to return to Scotland and go on this road trip!

July 11, 2020 at 11:10 pm

What a great post! I’ve been to Scotland once and fell in love with it. I’ve been dying to go back and even though I saw a lot I haven’t seen any of these beautiful spots. Hopefully next year I can go back and take this route!

July 12, 2020 at 11:46 am

So lucky you leave so close to this. Scotland has always been in my bucket list

July 12, 2020 at 5:27 pm

I could not have read this post at a better time as we are planning to do this route! Thanks so much for all the great info. x

July 12, 2020 at 9:21 pm

Ive been dying to arrange a road trip ( currently wishing for Italy) but now you have turned my attention to Scotland too! 😍

August 12, 2020 at 11:55 pm

I loved Scotland and was intrigued about the wild camping. I heard many stories about locals opening their yards to campers. Sounds beautiful and like a great way to see the country!

August 13, 2020 at 12:50 am

Scotland is so high on my list right now! We want to ret a campervan and do a driving trip, so this itinerary is perfect. Thanks so much.

August 13, 2020 at 4:47 am

What a fun road trip! I really want to visit Scotland some day, adding some of these places to my list (especially those gorgeous beaches)!

August 13, 2020 at 5:52 pm

This looks awesome!! I travel to the UK annually to visit family and have only done a road trip down from Glasgow to the south of England, but would love to do more road trips, especially in Scotland! Thanks for the tips – saving for when we can go!!

August 17, 2020 at 12:16 am

I love the North Cost 500!! It is such a beautiful drive, your photos are stunning! Seeing your photos has made me want to do the road trip again.

October 3, 2020 at 10:12 am

Clashnessie Beach looks stunning – I’d love to explore some of Scotland one of these days.

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8-Day North Coast 500 Itinerary – A Beautiful Road Trip Along Scotland’s North Coast

In this article we want to share with you an NC500 itinerary filled with practical tips.

Scotland’s north coast, a land very much untamed by modern society, is not only a place of mythology and legend, it is also one of Scotland’s most popular tourist attractions.

Each year, people descend on this world-famous road trip in the thousands, all hungry to experience Scotland’s raw, natural beauty.

What is the North Coast 500 (or NC500)?

The North Coast 500 is a stunning 516-mile (830 km) scenic route around the north coast of Scotland , which starts and ends at Inverness Castle.

The route is also known as the NC500 route and links many features in the northern Highlands of Scotland. It takes you through some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world.

We were lucky enough to experience “Scotland’s Route 66” over a two-week camping trip.

And to share our tips for a perfect North Coast 500 road trip with you we’ve created this action-packed guide to the NC500!

The Ultimate North Coast 500 Itinerary for 8-Days

Scotland’s North Coast 500 Route

The North Coast 500 route is typically completed in a clockwise direction, heading up the west coast and down the east.

Going against the grain, we decided to do the opposite , and I suggest you do too!

By heading up the east coast, you will be able to experience all of the beauty it has to behold, before heading on to the even more breathtaking west coast of Scotland.

Everyone you will speak to about the NC500 will tell you the good parts are in the west, so save the best for last!

Day 1: Inverness to Dornoch

Our trip actually began a little further south of Inverness, in the small town of Aviemore.

If you are into your outdoor activities, then this is a definite stop for you. From windsurfing to mountain-climbing, as well as all the winter activities you can imagine, the Cairngorms is an outdoor lover’s playground.

Heading an hour north from Aviemore, you will reach the beginning of your North Coast 500 adventure.

Make a quick stop in Inverness to stock up on essentials and see the main sights around the city. The famous castle of Inverness is the main attraction in the city center.

Heading north from Inverness, your next stop is at the Falls of Shin.

This small group of waterfalls has a visitor center with a café, providing the perfect spot for a toilet break.

If you visit during the summer, you may just be lucky enough to witness the fascinating salmon migration. Watch in awe as these huge fish battle their way up the foreboding waterfalls. Amazing!

Spend the night in a cute B&B in Dornoch or choose to camp around Dornoch.

Dornoch is a cute town and seaside resort, which lies on the north shore of the Dornoch Firth (a narrow inlet of the sea).

Day 2: Dornoch to John O’Groats

Start your day off right at the Cocoa Mountain café in Dornoch town center, offering (quite literally) the “World’s Best Hot Chocolate”. Absolutely drool-worthy and definitely one for Instagram.

It’s a jam-packed day, however, so don’t hang around here too long!

First stop is the beautiful Dunrobin Castle, about 20 minutes north of Dornoch. At £14 a head entrance fee, this refurbished castle unfortunately wasn’t up our street of budget traveling . However, anyone with an interest in the castle’s heritage should pay a visit.

Onwards north to the small town of Brora, where you can park up and join the local cattle in wandering across the local golf course to the beautiful beach.

Next up are two of our favorite castles on the entire route, the Castle of Old Wick and Castle Sinclair.

First you will reach the smaller of the two, Castle of Old Wick, which sits right between two cliffs and offers incredible views of the ocean.

The larger Castle Sinclair Girnigoe sits further north and is one of our favorite stops on the NC500 route .  If you are a Game of Thrones fan, you do NOT want to miss this one!

Just imagine what life must have been like here, 500 years ago, when they had no clue what lay over that vast blue ocean.

Spend the evening in John O’Groats.

This highland village combines dramatic, unspoiled scenery with wildlife, including a great array of birdlife on the local cliffs, and seals, dolphins, minke and killer whales in the surrounding waters.

Day 3: John O’Groats to Thurso

If you haven’t already, head into John O’Groats town center to get a photo with the iconic signpost, before heading to your next stop of the day.

Today’s North Coast 500 itinerary starts with the awe-inspiring Duncasby Stacks. Sitting at the most northerly point of the east coast, these beautiful columns of stone need to be seen to be believed.

Next, Dunnet Bay Beach sits just beyond John O’Groats and is a good spot for a beach stop-off. Stretching for hundreds of meters, the beautiful white sands make a perfect spot for a picture.

Continue on to Thurso to end your day there. Thurso is a town situated in the historical area of Caithness. It is the northernmost town on the British mainland.

Day 4: Thurso to Durness

Start your day off with some morning yoga by the Strathy Point lighthouse, before hitting the road to Skerray Bay.

If you are feeling brave, then this beautiful, secluded harbor is the perfect place for a quick, North Sea dip!

The next part of this North Coast 500 itinerary is a drive to remember, as you wind your way between the greenest lochs and the bluest oceans you will ever see !

As if transported to Hobbiton from the Lord of the Rings, the rolling hills and greenery are absolutely breathtaking.

Finish off the day by making a quick stop at the stunning Coldbackie sands to experience your very own private beach and explore the nearby caves and waterfall!

Day 5: Durness to Scourie

As you travel from Durness to Scourie, you have the opportunity to explore the incredible Handa Island .

Catch a quick boat ride over to the almost uninhabited island and explore the nature walk around its entire perimeter.

Taking about three hours to complete, this walk will show you some of Scotland’s most rugged cliffs, as well as what beautiful birdlife it has to offer. Definitely worth a visit!

Day 6: Scourie to Ullapool

Two quick stops on today’s North Coast 500 route are the incredible Kylesku Bridge, a beautiful piece of modern engineering sitting amongst Scotland’s incredible countryside, and the famous Ardvreck Castle which sits guarded by the surrounding loch.

Head on further to the Knockan Crag Nature Reserve , where you can witness some fascinating examples of the raw power of nature.

Rock formations show younger rocks sitting on top of older ones, which left scientists over the last century absolutely perplexed. It was later discovered that this came about from young rock layers being forced up and on top of older layers as the continental plates rubbed against each other.

Ullapool, although still a small town, is the largest settlement for many miles around and an important port and tourist destination.

So you might enjoy the slightly more lively feel of this town than many others you have passed on the North Coast 500 route.

A tip from Sanne, Spend Life Traveling’s editor: “I once spent a summer working in Lochinver , a small town north of Ullapool. On a day trip to Ullapool I found out the hard way that gas stations close early… We ended up stranded in between Ullapool and Lochinver at night! So lesson learned: don’t wait until the last minute to fill up your car !”

Day 7: Ullapool to Poolewe

Browse the cute shops along Ullapool’s high street and take one last look at the beautiful scenery surrounding this vibrant town.

The first stop of the day is at the Falls of Mesach, sitting just beyond Ullapool.

With a newly built rope bridge and viewing platform, this waterfall is unlike any other on the north coast. One thing we will say is to make sure you get there early, as this is a popular stop for tourist buses!

The next stop on today’s NC500 itinerary is the small town of Poolewe itself ( pronounced Pool-You ). Explore the Inverewe Garden Centre and see the beautiful flower gardens it has to offer.

To round the day off, you can enjoy some classic Scottish folk music at the local ceilidh in the town center. Bring your dancing shoes as this will be a night to remember!

Check out their Facebook page to find out when the next ceilidh (a social event with Scottish folk music and singing, traditional dancing, and storytelling) will be.

Day 8: Poolewe to Applecross

The first stop of the day is at the Beinn Eighe visitor center, where you can learn all about the surrounding area and how the beautiful countryside has come to be.

With a custom-built bird hideaway and even a zoomable birdwatching camera, this is also the perfect spot for a relaxing picnic as you admire the wildlife.

Stop in at the loch-side town of Shieldaig in Wester Ross and grab a coffee in the quaint coffee shop Nanny’s. This beautiful little town has incredible views down Loch Shieldaig and is the perfect spot for an afternoon stroll to breathe in the fresh, sea air.

The final stop of our North Coast 500 trip was the small town of Applecross, nestled away on the other side of the Bealach na Ba pass. This is another of our favorite stops on this trip, so don’t miss out!

As you approach Applecross from the south, you will find yourself winding your way up the most beautiful road in the UK.

The Bealach na Ba pass is straight out of Top Gear, with its hairpin bends and knee-wobbling drops. Fear not however, as the view from the top of the hill is worth every heart-pounding moment of the drive, with spectacular views of the Isle of Skye!

Wind down your epic road trip in the quaint harbor town of Applecross and enjoy the best fish and chips Scotland has to offer in the Applecross Inn.

What an end to a road trip of a lifetime!

Best Places for Shopping Along the North Coast 500

Shopping around the north coast of Scotland can prove to be an expensive affair if not done properly.

With large shops few and far between on the northern and western coasts, if you do not plan your meals properly you will find yourself in the expensive local shops instead.

This is a list of the large, chain stores you can find along the North Coast 500 route. And we recommend stocking up here.

• Morrisons – Inverness
• Tesco – Wick
• Tesco – Thurso
• Tesco – Ullapool

Accommodation Along the NC500

As budget travelers, we aimed to experience this famous road trip as cheaply as possible, picking wild camping as accommodation for the vast majority of our trip.

In Scotland, it is perfectly legal to camp around the majority of the countryside, so long as you follow certain guidelines .

If camping is something you are into then you can check out our Wild Camping Spots around the NC500 .

Also Read: How to Plan an RV Road Trip

Alternatively, there are numerous Bed & Breakfasts in the different towns you will pass on the North Coast 500 route.

Because most B&Bs are small and with the NC500 becoming more and more popular we do recommend booking in advance, which you can simply do through Booking.com .

When is the Best Time to Visit the North Coast 500?

With the weather in Scotland being a fickle thing, choosing the perfect moment to travel along the North Coast 500 is tricky.

At the end of the day, you will never be able to predict when the good weather will come. The best you can do is pick a date and hope for the best!

The best time of year to visit the north of Scotland is between May and July , during the “dry season” (a term used very loosely), and before any “midges” wake up to haunt every Scottish local’s nightmares.

Given that the NC500 is growing in popularity year after year, it is also advisable to visit during the period before the school holidays begin , as the roads will soon become mayhem. This is any time before the end of June, or after August.

Whenever you choose to visit Scotland and whatever accommodation you decide upon, one thing that is certain is that you will fall in love with this country.

Give Scotland a go, dine in cozy restaurants with delicious food, meet the friendliest locals, and discover some of the most beautiful countryside in the world!

Also Read: Practical Tips for Driving Abroad for the First Time

The 8-Day North Coast 500 Itinerary on a Map

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This Scotland North Coast 500 itinerary contains an affiliate link. I may receive a commission for purchases made through this link, at no additional cost to you.

4 thoughts on “8-Day North Coast 500 Itinerary – A Beautiful Road Trip Along Scotland’s North Coast”

I traveled most of this in 1966 with a mate in an old (then!) Morris Oxford car. Great picture of the Bealach na Ba pass. Doesn’t look as though this has changed since then. In those days this was the only route, other than by sea, into the coastal village of Applecross. By the way the Scottish North Coast beaches are BEAUTIFUL, if only the water was warmer…

Thanks Gary! 🙂 I am happy you found the article helpful. Enjoy the NC500!

Excellent thank you for the info planning on doing the NC500 in April 19 and using this as our main guide.

That’s a beautiful place. I hope I get a chance to go someday.

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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 licence 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 .

Finding the Universe

Travel tales, photography and a dash of humor

The Perfect 5 Day North Coast 500 Itinerary: The Ultimate Scottish Road Trip!

Last updated: May 29, 2024 . Written by Laurence Norah - 35 Comments

We’ve driven Scotland’s North Coast 500 road trip multiple times, in all seasons. We’ve taken trips lasting between five days and three weeks, and we’ve shared a number of planning guides, highlights, and itineraries on our blogs already.

Today we’re going to share our idea of the ideal 5 Day North Coast 500 itinerary, to help you plan your own 5 day Scottish road trip!

We would suggest that five days is a good amount of time in which to drive the North Coast 500. Five days will give you enough time for sightseeing and stops along the way, without feeling too rushed.

You can of course drive the NC500 more quickly, but we would strongly advise against this. There’s so much to see on the way, and the roads are not fast. As a minimum, we’d suggest at least four days to complete the route, and five to give yourself a more relaxed and enjoyable experience.

Of course, you can take longer. We’ve taken multiple trips on the NC500, some over two weeks in length. There’s always more to see, back roads to explore, and far flung beaches to hike to! If you have longer, check out our detailed 1 week NC500 itinerary .

This itinerary assumes you’ll be driving the North Coast 500 in a car or motorbike, and staying in hotels or guesthouses along the way, and we have recommended some of our favourite accommodation options along the route for each night.

The North Coast 500 is also a popular route to do as a camping trip, either with a motorhome or a more traditional tent.

If you are planning on hiring a motorhome for the trip, then we recommend comparing prices across a range of providers using a service like Motorhome Republic . You can see their UK listings here . We can also recommend checking out Spaceships for camper rental, you can check their prices here .

Another good option to consider if you’d like a more robust camper vehicle are the four wheel drive camper trucks from Wild Camper Trucks. See their Scotland options here .

If you decide to camp, we have a 7 day North Coast 500 camping itinerary , as well as a detailed guide to all the North Coast 500 campsites . If you wanted to camp on a five-day trip instead of seven, we’d suggest using this post for the itinerary, and our campsite guide for ideas on where to stay.

Now, let’s get started with this detailed 5-day North Coast 500 itinerary.

Table of Contents:

5 Day North Coast 500 Itinerary

5 days on the North Coast 500 will give you a good amount of time to see many of the sights along the way. However, as the going is slower in some parts than others, we’ve tried to balance this itinerary so you get fairly similar amounts of driving time each day.

The slower parts of the route, largely due to winding single track roads, are to be found in the north west section around Durness, and the south west section around Torridon. So whilst the distances on some of these days might be less than other days, the slow going nature of the roads means they’ll take longer.

Any detours you take, especially those on the west coast such as to the beautiful beaches of Achmelvich or Achiltibuie will also add time as these are slow roads.

We’d recommend reading this post in parallel with our North Coast 500 planning guide , to get all the information you need for your adventure.

• Day 1: Inverness to Wick

The North Coast 500 starts and finishes in Inverness , so that is where our itinerary also starts and finishes. This is a very logical place for your adventure to begin, as it is well served by an airport and a fast train line, which links to the rest of Scotland and also England. You can even get an overnight sleeper train from London to Inverness.

Inverness is also fairly easy to reach by car, with a good road running between Edinburgh and Inverness, with a driving time of just over three hours. Inverness makes for a great base for exploring nearby attractions, including Loch Ness .

If you have time, we can recommend spending a day or two here at the start or end of your NC500 road trip. We have a guide to things to do in Inverness , as well as some suggested day trips from Inverness .

Once you have yourself sorted out, and have your vehicle ready with road trip supplies (Inverness is a good place for both filling up on fuel and picking up road trip snacks!), it’s time to head north as we have a lot to see and do today.

The first area to explore is the Black Isle. This is a peninsula of land just north of Inverness which is home to its own brewery , a ruined cathedral and even some beautiful waterfalls . The Black Isle is also one of the best places in the UK to watch dolphins from the shore, which you can do at Chanonry Point if the tides are right.

For more ideas on the Black Isle, see our complete guide to things to do on the Black Isle .

Continuing north from the Black Isle, a short detour off the A9 road will bring you to Dornoch. This is home to a lovely cathedral, as well of one of Scotland’s most well-known golf courses, the Royal Dornoch . There’s also a stone in Dornoch which marks the spot where the last witch was burnt in Scotland, in 1727.

Dornoch is a good place for a coffee or chocolate stop at the wonderful Cocoa Mountain Cafe . This started in Balnakeil, although that location sadly closed in 2022, so now you have to get your chocolate and coffee mix a bit earlier on in your journey in Dornoch.

From Dornoch it’s another 20 minutes drive north to one of the highlights of the day, the spectacular Dunrobin Castle . This is a beautiful castle that looks like it has fallen straight out of a fairy tale, and we highly encourage you to stop and spend some time visiting.

As well as a guided tour of the castle, you can explore the grounds, watch the falconry displays (see the falconry displays section of the website to see when they are on) and visit the Victorian era museum.

A short drive north of Dunrobin Castle is Carn Liath, or the Grey Cairn. There’s a small parking area just before the Cairn ( here on Google Maps), and it’s a 2 minute walk from here to the Cairn via a footpath.

Carn Liath is a broch – an iron age structure that is around 2,000 years old. There are many of these all around Scotland, and this is one of the better preserved and more easily accessible brochs along the North Coast 500, which we think makes it worth stopping at.

From Carn Liath you are on the final hour of driving to your destination for the first night, the town of Wick. You’ll pass through the pretty fishing village of Helmsdale, home to the excellent Timespan Museum . If you have time, it makes a good stop for learning about the history of the area, including the people, landscape and traditional trades.

The last location you’ll pass on the first day of our itinerary is the Whaligoe steps , a series of steps carved out of the cliff face here which lead down to the sheltered Whaligoe Bay. This was once a popular harbour for local fishermen due to its natural protection, but when artificial harbours were built nearby, it fell into disuse.

No doubt the women who had to cart the baskets of fish up these steps weren’t too sad about that!

Finally you’re going to arrive at the town of Wick. This has a few attractions that we suggest you cover on your next day. For now, it’s time to head for dinner and a good night’s sleep.

Day 1 Highlights : Black Isle, Dunrobin Castle

Day 1 Driving Distance : ~ 130 miles

Day 1 Driving Time : ~ 3 hours

Day 1 Accommodation : Overnight at (or near) Wick. We recommend Thrumster House if you’re looking for a B&B. If you’re looking for somewhere in Wick, we recommend Mackays Hotel , which also serves lovely meals. Here are some other options to consider:

• Clachan B&B in Wick – This 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.
• 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. Located about 10 miles north of Wick.

For more options see our guide to our favourite B&B’s along the NC500 , as well as our overall guide to NC500 accommodation .

• Day 2: Wick to Tongue

Your second day on the North Coast 500 will have you actually driving along Scotland’s northern coastline, and visiting the most northerly point in mainland Britain.

First though, there are a few attractions in and around Wick that we recommend visiting. First of these is the fantastic Wick Heritage Museum . This is found in a warren of former houses near what was the herring harbour.

Inside, you’ll find displays on all sorts of things relating to life in and around Wick. Naturally, there’s a strong focus on fishing, and the history of herring fishing in particular – Wick was once known as the herring capital of Europe!

If you prefer to learn about a different traditionally Scottish craft, then you should drop in at the Old Pulteney Distillery . Founded in 1826, this was for a long time the oldest distillery on mainland Scotland. They produce an excellent single malt with a distinctive flavour that comes from the whisky being exposed to the salty air during the maturation process.

We also have a guide to whisky distilleries on the North Coast 500 if you’re interested in visiting more distilleries along the route.

Other highlights of the area include some castle ruins such as the ruins of Castle Sinclair Girnigoe , although you might want to be making tracks by now as you’ve still got a fair way to go.

From Wick, you’re going to continue north on the A99 until you get to John O’Groats. From here you get lovely views of Orkney, a group of islands off the north coast of Scotland. You can also take a picture at the famous John O’Groats sign – famous because John O’Groats is the most northerly town on the UK mainland.

If you wish, you can take a short detour from John O’Groats (around a five-minute drive) up to Duncansby Head lighthouse. The view from the cliff top here is quite wonderful, and at the right time of year you might be lucky enough to spot whales. You can also take a ten-minute walk across the field to the Duncansby sea stacks.

Continuing west along the coast you will come to the next stop on our route for the day, the Castle of Mey . This was owned for a time by the Queen Mother. It’s possible to tour the castle, as well as the grounds, and there is a good cafe on site for tea, coffee and light snacks and meals.

Further along the coast from the Castle of Mey you will come to the town of Dunnet. There’s a lovely beach here, as well as a fantastic gin distillery. If you a gin lover, it is very much worth stopping at the Dunnet Bay Distillery to take their tour and sample some of their gins (unless you are the driver of course!).

You can take a detour from Dunnet up to Dunnet Head . This is home to an RSPB wildlife reserve, and is also the most northerly point in mainland Britain.

Enjoy the drive along the north coast, and do enjoy the dual lane roads while you have them, as you get further west you are going to find yourself on single track roads! If you’ve never drive on one lane roads, see my guide to driving on single track roads for some tips.

The town of Bettyhill is worth a stop for the Strathnaver museum . This is a lovely little museum which tells the history of the Scottish highlands, including the clan systems and the tragic tale of the Highland clearances. There’s also a Pictish standing stone here.

The next major village you’ll come to is Tongue, where there’s a small shop and a gas station, as well as various accommodation options. This is where we suggest you spend the night. The next town along is Durness if you would prefer to keep going, but we often struggle to find availability in Durness.

In Tongue, if you want to do a nice 40 minute round trip hike with spectacular views, we can recommend the walk up to the ruins of Castle Varrich. It’s only a small two storey castle, but the views really are worth it.

Day 2 Highlights : Wick Heritage Museum, Castle of Mey, most northerly part of mainland UK

Day 2 Driving Distance : ~90 miles

Day 2 Driving Time : ~ 2 hours 30 minutes

Day 2 Accommodation :  In Tongue we recommend and have stayed at both the recently refurbished Tongue Hotel (also does good evening meals) and Tigh Nan Ubhal guesthouse in Tongue. We can also recommend the Ben Loyal hotel – we haven’t stayed here, but we had a lovely evening meal here once.

There are not a huge number of options in Tongue beyond these, and this area of the NC500 is quite remote so other options require a bit of a drive to get to. If you can’t find somewhere in Tongue you can try Durness where there are a few options, such as the Smoo Cave Hotel and Mackays Rooms . However in our experience Durness can book out even faster than Tongue!

• Day 3: Tongue to Ullapool

The first stretch of driving from Tongue to Durness today is really pretty. It’s also winding and largely a single-track road, so do take your time. You’ll pass some incredible white sand beaches and lovely views before arriving into the town with our first attraction of the day – Smoo Cave.

As the name suggests, Smoo Cave is a large cave which is a combination freshwater and seawater cave. It has a number of impressive features, most spectacular of which in our opinion is the waterfall inside the cave.

Getting down to the cave is via a series of steps, and it will likely take you around ten minutes from the car park. You can explore the cave mouth area and visit the waterfall via a wooden walkway (be careful as it can be slippery). If you want to explore further, you can do so via a guided cave tour, with information on that available here .

Other highlights in Durness include the lovely Sango Sands beach and, a short drive to the west, the Balnakeil Craft Village . This was an early warning station in the 1950s, built to detect and warn of nuclear attack during the height of the cold war. However, it was never actually used, and it was instead repurposed, becoming the craft village that you see today.

This has been a long process, but today the village, which is now largely owned by the residents, is home to a number of lovely craft shops and cafes. It’s definitely worth exploring the craft shops, as you may find the perfect souvenir to take home from your trip.

It’s time now to turn south, and drive down the west coast of the North Coast 500. As a landscape photographer, I will admit that the west stretch of the route down through the county of Sutherland is one my favourite photography locations on the North Coast 500 .

There are lovely views to be had on this stretch of the drive, with one of the more iconic North Coast 500 photos being Kylsesku bridge. There’s a parking area here just before the bridge with nice views of the surrounding landscape.

A short way after the bridge, on the left-hand side of the road as you drive south, is the Rock Stop Cafe and Exhibition Centre . This is an excellent place to come and learn about the geology of the area, which was in fact instrumental in shaping our understanding of geological processes in general.

After the Rock Stop Cafe and a bit more driving you will come to where the A894 road meets the A837. If you turn right you can head down to Lochinver, home to an excellent pie shop and the Highland Stoneware centre , which is worth visiting if you are keen on pottery.

The trip to Lochinver will be at least a 30 minute detour though, so keep that in mind. Otherwise, just after you turn left (east) onto the A837 you will come to the ruins of Ardvreck Castle and Calda House on the shores of Loch Assynt.

Dating from the 16th century, these castle ruins are free to visit, and there’s parking on site, with information panels detailing what you are seeing. The castle was originally built by Clan MacLeod in 1590, although it was captured by Clan MacKenzie in 1672.

They were responsible for constructing Calda House, a more formal manor house, in 1726, but this burnt down in 1737 and was never restored.

From Ardvreck Castle, continue south on the A835. If you’re interested in geology, a stop at Knockan Crag National Natural reserve is a good option

But there is also a trail here that takes you up onto the ridge above the car park, where you can get even better views. Along the trail, there are a series of art installations and informational exhibits about what you are seeing and how it formed.

You are nearly at the end of your third day on the North Coast 500, with your final destination of the day being Ullapool, which is the largest town you’ll be visiting on the west coast. This is a good place to refuel and get any additional supplies you might need. It also has the largest choice of hotels and B&Bs in the region, as well as some good restaurants to choose from.

If you’d prefer to be a bit further out, and see some more spectacular beaches and scenery, we can recommend the half hour detour to the village of Achiltibuie. The drive out here is truly incredible. There’s also a hotel out here you can stay at, the Summer Isles Hotel .

Day 3 Highlights : Smoo Cave, Ardvreck Castle, Knockan Crag

Day 3 Driving Distance : ~ 100 miles

Day 3 Driving Time : ~ 3 hours

Day 3 Accommodation : Ullapool has a good range of accommodation options. Some places to consider are:

• The Arch Inn – a popular loch-front option with a good restaurant we have dined at many times
• Harbour House – a few minute’s walk from the town with lovely loch views, a range of rooms and a good sized car park. We have stayed here a number of times and always had a good experience.
• Westlea B&B – family-run B&B offering five comfortable and stylish themed rooms.
• Royal Hotel Ullapool – a 3-star 19th century hotel which is one of the largest and oldest in central Ullapool. Offers more amenities than many of the others and popular with families and groups
• Croft 17 B&B – a lovely B&B run by Ullapool locals Jaimie and Martin, found just five minutes drive from Ullapool.
• Ullapool Youth Hostel – an excellent budget option offering a central location
• Day 4: Ullapool to Torridon

From Ullapool you head south a short way on the A835 before turning right onto the A832 and heading out to the coast. The first attraction you’ll come to is the Corrieshalloch Gorge National Nature Reserve .

This is the home of a mile long box canyon, which you can see from a Victorian suspension bridge that crosses the gorge. This is reached via a short (if steep) walk, and there are also walking trails along both sides of the gorge.

Continue from Corrieshalloch on the A832 out around the coast. If you want to visit a beautiful and fairly deserted white sand beach, a detour to Mellon Udrigle beach is a great option, after which you’ll come to the village of Aultbea where there is a nice memorial to the wartime convoys. You’ll find this in a small park just north of the village.

Further on from Aultbea you will come to the Inverewe Garden and Estate . Managed by the National Trust for Scotland, this is lovely garden to explore which, thanks to a unique microclimate, is home to a wide variety of plant and animal species.

Most impressive perhaps are the huge California redwoods, but you might also be lucky enough to see red squirrels, red deer, otters, seals, and golden eagles.

If you have an interest in WW2 relics, a detour up to the Cove Light Anti-Aircraft battery from Poolewe is a good option. This is around 20 minutes drive each way. The coastal battery was built in 1941 to provide anti-air defences to the coastline here. Whilst it was manned throughout the war, it never saw action.

It was a fairly large installation though, and there’s still a lot left to see, although do take care as it is an old and unmaintained structure.

The A832 now loops back inland, and you will start to drive along the shore of lovely Loch Maree. This offers some lovely photo opportunities, especially as the loch has Siloch mountain providing an impressive backdrop.

There’s also a short walk to a waterfall here called Victoria falls . It’s a short walk to the viewing platform to see the falls, which are pretty, if not quite as impressive as their African counterpart!

After loch Maree you will get to the village of Kinlochewe, where you’ll turn on the A896. This is another stunning stretch of road that winds between mountains and lochs, and offers numerous excellent photography opportunities. Just be considerate of other drivers and only stop in parking areas, not passing places.

Finally, you arrive in Torridon, where we suggest you spend the night. You can also carry on to Locharron or Applecross, where there are further lodging options.

Day 4 Highlights : Corrieshalloch Gorge, Isle of Ewe Smokehouse, Loch Maree views

Day 4 Driving Distance : ~85 miles

Day 4 Driving Time : ~ 2 hours

Day 4 Accommodation : In Torridon if you want to spoil yourself we can highly recommend The Torridon , which is one of the few 5* hotels on the North Coast 500. We had a lovely nights stay, evening meal, and afternoon tea here. They also operate “ The Stables ” next door, a high end B&B style option.

Other nearby options to consider include:

• Torridon Youth Hostel – well-rated hostel offering both dormitory accommodation and private rooms with shared facilities.
• 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.
• Kinlochewe Hotel in Kinlochewe. A 3-star hotel offering good value rooms and an on-site bar and restaurant.
• Day 5: Torridon to Inverness

Today you’ll be finishing the North Coast 500 and returning to Inverness. Of course, if you have more time and want to continue exploring, you could also head to the Isle of Skye at this point. If that sounds good, see our tips for visiting the Isle of Skye to help you plan.

Assuming you stayed in Torridon, the first thing we recommend you do is drive around the Applecross peninsula. This will take you on some seriously winding roads which will also offer you views across to the Isle of Skye.

The road is also well known as being home to the Bealach Na Ba, an alpine style road which is one of the highest roads in the UK. The view from the top of the pass is legendary – as are the curves and gradient on the way down! Just take your time and enjoy the views.

Note that this road is generally considered unsuitable for larger motorhomes and if you are towing a caravan. It can also close due to poor weather, especially in winter. So instead, you would want to take the A896 that goes between Sheildaig in the north and Ardarroch in the south, and thus skips the Applecross peninsula.

From the bottom of the Bealach Na Ba you will pass through the village of Locharron. If you want to see deer, a tour with Colin Murdoch of Reraig Forest is a must. Colin is a deer stalker who manages a herd of these beautiful animals, and you’ll get about as close as is possible. The tour lasts around 90 minutes, and is well worth it. Just make sure to book well in advance if this is of interest.

Also near Locharron is the ruined Strome Castle, and Locharron Weavers . If you are interested in learning about how tartan is made, or want to pick up some tartan of your own, Locharron Weavers is the place to come!

From Locharron you will head back up to Achnasheen. You could take a detour to the left here to visit the Glen Docherty viewpoint , which is another great photo opportunity. Otherwise, continue east on the A832 back towards Inverness. If you have time on your way back, you could also stop at Rogie Falls .

If you visit at the right time of year, this is a good spot to see salmon leaping as they journey up to their spawning grounds. Otherwise, it’s a lovely place to enjoy the waterfalls.

Another stop as you near Inverness is the Dingwall Museum , which has a lot of information and displays about the local area.

Finally, you’ll find yourself back in Inverness, where your North Coast 500 road trip adventure comes to an end! We hope you had a wonderful trip.

Day 5 Highlights : Bealach Na Ba, Locharron, Rogie Falls

Day 5 Driving Distance : ~115 miles

Day 5 Driving Time : ~ 3 hours

Day 5 Accommodation : If you are staying the night, there are lots of options in Inverness. We’ve stayed at and can recommend the Bunchrew House Hotel , Kingmills Hotel and Invernevis B&B . For a hostel, consider the well rated Bazpackers .

We also have a general guide to where to book holiday cottages in the UK which will give you  more options for accommodation along the route.

Map of North Coast 500 Itinerary

To help with your route planning we’ve put together a map of this 5 day North Coast 500 itinerary. You can also see this on Google Maps here .

If you’re looking for a physical map to take with you, the two main options are the Collins NC500 Pocket Map or the “Hit the Road 500 Route Around the Highlands by Yellow Road Maps”.

These can be purchased online in advance of your trip from Amazon or Waterstones . They are also sometimes available on eBay . They are also usually available at stores and tourist information offices around the route, including the Inverness iCentre.

There used to be an official printed map produced by the NC500 themselves which was freely available in tourism offices. However, this has now been discontinued in favour of a digital app.

North Coast 500 Itinerary Overview

Here’s a quick overview of the itinerary for reference.

Tips for Driving the North Coast 500

We have written a detailed planning guide for the North Coast 500 , which we recommend reading as it contains a great deal of useful information.

However, we also wanted to include some essential tips in this post to help you plan your trip.

Booking Accommodation on the North Coast 500

The North Coast 500 has become very popular in the last few years, even being labelled Scotland’s Route 66.

Whilst this is great news for the local economies in this otherwise fairly remote part of the UK, it has also meant that it can be tricky to find accommodation. This is particularly the case if travelling during the busier months from May through to September.

As such, we highly advise booking your accommodation in advance if you are travelling in the busier months. There are not a huge number of options, especially in the more remote sections of the route, and just turning up in a town without reservations might result in you having to drive significant distances to find the next available room.

For some options see our guide to our favourite B&B’s along the NC500 , as well as our overall guide to NC500 accommodation . These tend to be some of the more popular places along the route, so booking well in advance is required.

If you are struggling to find accommodation along the North Coast 500, then we suggest trying some alternative websites. Take a look at our guide to where to book holiday cottages in the UK which will give you lots of options for accommodation.

Car and Motorhome Hire for the North Coast 500

This being a road trip, you’re obviously going to need some kind of vehicle. Most people choose to either drive a car or a motorhome on the NC500. If you don’t have your own vehicle, we recommend the following for hire:

• For motorhomes, we recommend comparing prices across a range of providers using a service like Motorhome Republic . You can see their UK listings here . We can also recommend checking out Spaceships for camper rental, you can check their prices here .
• For car hire, there are a range of providers and it’s always worth shopping around to see what prices are on offer. The main car rental companies include   Avis ,  Budget , Europcar , and Enterprise Rent-A-Car , but there are of course many options out there.

WiFi / Cell coverage on the North Coast 500

The North Coast 500 is in one of the most remote and beautiful parts of the UK, which has a low population density. As such, cell coverage can be spotty.

The majority of hotels and guesthouses we’ve stayed in have had WiFi, but don’t expect this to be super fast. It will likely be fine for social media and checking e-mails, but might not suit streaming video or downloading large files.

In addition, some of the older properties on the route, especially the castle hotels, have very thick walls. As such, WiFi might not be available everywhere.

Road Conditions on the North Coast 500

The North Coast 500 has a variety of road types, which vary between normal two lane roads, and single track roads. The roads are, for the most part, in pretty good condition, although some stretches will have pot holes.

If you’ve never driven on single track roads before, we urge you to read our guide to driving on single track roads . This will explain how to properly use passing places, single track road etiquette (who goes first?), and other useful tips.

Please only use the passing places for passing – don’t pull off onto the verges of the road as this causes long term erosion and damage. They are also not for parking in – only use designated parking areas for stopping.

If you are driving in winter, do be aware that conditions can become icy, and the roads can become snow covered. There are gritters, but this is a long stretch of remote road. When we drive the route in winter, we carry snow chains for our car just in case. We’ve not had to use them as yet, but we think it’s better to be safe than sorry!

Eating Along the North Coast 500

You will notice a theme about these tips, as they largely revolve around the remoteness of this area! There are not huge numbers of restaurants along the route, so you will definitely want to plan where you are going to be eating that day, especially for dinner.

Many of the hotels along the route do offer evening meals and breakfasts, and some of the towns also have restaurants. However, do please check opening times, as many restaurants are not open year round. Reservations are often a good idea in the busier months.

If you are staying in a smaller guesthouse or B&B, it is likely that they will not offer an evening meal. If this is the case, make sure you eat before you arrive, or have a plan for a nearby location for a meal, as some spots can be fairly remote. You don’t want to arrive somewhere hungry and realise you have to drive another 40 minutes to find some food!

Responsible Travel on the North Coast 500

The rise in popularity of the North Coast 500 has not been without its issues, as the increase in the visitor numbers has put pressure on the local infrastructure.

This includes things like public toilets and waste disposal, as well as the roads.

This is a wonderful part of the world and we’d love for it to stay that way. If everyone does their bit, including things like being careful with litter, disposing of chemical toilets at official disposal points and driving carefully, it will hopefully remain wonderful for many generations to come.

Further Reading for the North Coast 500

Hopefully this post has given you lots of ideas for planning your own 5 day North Coast 500 itinerary.

As mentioned, we’ve driven the route many times, in all seasons and weathers. We’ve put together a number of articles to help you plan your own adventure. We also have some third party resources to recommend.

• We have a detailed planning guide for the North Coast 500 , as well as a detailed list of reasons to drive the NC500
• For accommodation, we have a guide to where to stay on the North Coast 500 , which covers everything from luxury castle hotels to smaller guesthouses. We also have a list of our favourite B&Bs on the North Coast 500 .
• If you’re looking for a longer trip or tips for camping along the route, we have a 7 day North Coast 500 camping itinerary
• If you are planning on camping or glamping, we have a comprehensive list of all the campsites and glampsites on the North Coast 500
• I’ve put together some of my favourite photography spots on the NC500 , as well as some of our highlights of the NC500 , to help make sure you see everything you want to see.
• This being a driving route, we also have some tips in the area. We have a guide to single track roads , as well tips for driving in the UK in general.
• If you want to extend the route, you could do so from Inverness with the North East 250 driving route – see our 3 day NE250 itinerary for ideas. You could also visit the Isle of Skye or the Isle of Raasay . Alternatively, why not base yourself in Inverness and do some day trips from Inverness ?
• For budget planning, see our guide to  how much it costs to travel in the UK
• The  official website  for the North Coast 500, which has maps, itineraries and advice to help you plan your route.
• If you’re driving the North Coast 500 as part of a longer visit to the UK, check out some of our other guides to both  Scotland , and  England . These include detailed tips on things to do in Edinburgh , things to do in Glasgow , and  things to do on Islay .
• Looking for more road trip inspiration? Check out our guide to the world’s  best road trips  for more ideas!
• If you would like a guide book for your trip, check out the  Rough Guide to the North Coast 500 , as well as  Rick Steves Scotland  book
• You can sometimes buy a copy of the NC500 route map online here .

And that’s it! We hope you’ve found this guide useful, and are now feeling ready to tackle the North Coast 500! As always, if you have any questions or feedback about this post, do let us know in the comments below. Happy driving!

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There are 35 comments on this post

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Lucy Elizabeth Andrew-Willis says

5th January 2024 at 1:00 pm

hi we are looking to do the trip on the 21st July but im scared of the midges ruining our trip but then in September i really dont want to do the rain. Has anyone had experience in mid July is it still classed as high peak if the schools are not broken up yet? thanks

Laurence Norah says

6th January 2024 at 1:22 pm

So we have done the trip at all times of year, even during the height of the midge season, and we’ve never really had major problems with midges. They are definitely more of a problem if you are camping and sitting outdoors and are of course more of an issue during summer, usually from mid-May through to September. It’s only during very still days that they are likely to bother you.

If you are planning on staying in hotels or guesthouses rather than camping, they shouldn’t bother you too much. They’re very slow, so you can outpace them by walking. We would just recommend bringing and using a midge specific repellent, the best one we’ve found is Smidge . One other pest to be wary of are ticks, especially if you are hiking. Just make sure to check yourself over after a hike.

Weather wise we have also done the route in September with no rain and in summer with rain! The Scottish weather is very fickle. Personally I’d probably go with September as it’s likely to be a bit quieter in general but July will also be nice.

Anyway, have a great trip!

Keith Cochrane says

12th July 2021 at 3:59 pm

The ‘ Bealach Na Ba’. You say it’s not suitable for larger motor homes, is that just an advisory or it’s a definite don’t go? We’ve a 7.3m Motorhome and I consider myself a good driver, if I take it slow and the weather is OK then could I go that route? Thanks.

12th July 2021 at 4:26 pm

So it’s an advisory. The wording of the sign on the road specifically says:

“The road rises to a height of 2,053 ft with gradients of 1 in 5 and hairpin bends. Not advised for learner drivers, very large vehicles or caravans after first mile”.

The issue is that the bends are 180 degree hairpins with a steep drop, and drivers in longer vehicles have gotten themselves stuck trying to get around the bends. Then the only option is to reverse, which is obviously quite a hair raising experience on a steep single-track road with traffic in both directions. Burnt out clutches and motorhomes being stuck for hours causing chaos is not uncommon!

Of course, it is possible and it can be done if you are confident in your driving. The only legal restriction I’m aware of is an 18 tonne weight limit.

I’d recommend taking a look at it on Google Maps streetview here and seeing what you think 🙂

Enjoy the trip!

Kathleen says

5th May 2021 at 1:55 pm

I am thinking of doing the 5 day tour, I will be driving alone and not good at map reading . I would depend on my Sat Nav. Is that practical giving reception etc. Are places well signed. I intend to follow your 5 day Itinerary which is brilliant. This will be a challenge as i don’t do long drives very often.

5th May 2021 at 2:23 pm

Hi Kathleen,

Great question! So if you are using the sat nav on your phone, specifically Google Maps, it should allow you to download specific map areas which will allow it to work without phone reception. That is what I usually do when driving the route. That said, for most of the route it is hard to get lost as there aren’t many options! From Inverness you follow the coast up to John O’Groats, then along the north coast to Dingwall, then down to Ullapool. Probably the only complicated area is the south west corner of the route from Ullapool around Torridon and Applecross to Inverness. However as long as you have the sat nav maps available you should be fine.

Have a great trip and let me know if you have any more questions!

Laura Kavanagh-Jones says

30th October 2020 at 1:30 pm

We have followed your itinerary and are now in Achmelvich Beach, it’s been perfect for us and our two children. And today we absolutely loved Smoo Cave and Sango Sands Beach, thank you.

30th October 2020 at 1:31 pm

It’s my pleasure Laura, thanks so much for letting me know! Achmelvich is absolutely gorgeous, have a wonderful time!

Callum McCabe says

10th October 2020 at 7:37 pm

Good Evening,

Looking for some help in planning our NC500 trip, we have hired a campervan for 5 days.

The main interest is beaches and caves, want to do it East to West.

As I have no idea of distances and drive times, I am struggling to work out stops and book campsites for campervans and arrange places to eat.

Do you offer a route planning service at all and recommendations of places to park the campervan? If so what would the cost of this be?

Any help much appreciated.

10th October 2020 at 9:48 pm

Thanks for your comment. So we do have a detailed 7 day camping itinerary for the NC500 which lists a lot of the campsites we recommend – you can see that here: https://www.findingtheuniverse.com/7-day-north-coast-500-camping-itinerary/

My suggestion would be to adapt the 5 day itinerary on this page with the 7 day itinerary, and use the campsites suggested in the 7 day itinerary. On Day 2 I would probably switch Wick for Durness as there’s a good campsite in Durness, which is next to a pub.

Speaking of campsites and pubs, the time of year you are travelling will make an impact on which campsites and other services like restaurants are open. In addition, some of the more remote campsites like that at Achmelvich, don’t have an on-site food option. So that is something to consider when planning where to stay if you want places to eat in the evenings.

We don’t generally offer a route planning service as we already have so much content available for free online. However if you are struggling having gone through that, feel free to contact me from the contact page and we will see what we can come up with,

27th July 2020 at 2:23 pm

Hi My husband and I are planning a 7 day driving holiday to Scotland from London. We hope to do this in the second week of August. Could you please advice if we would be stretching ourselves to cover Isle of Skye and them embarking on the NC 500 route?

27th July 2020 at 4:34 pm

To be honest, unless you want to spend a huge amount of time in your car, I would say that this would be a stretch. We recommend a minimum of 5 days to really enjoy the NC500. Whilst you could do it in 2 or 3 days, this would be 2 or 3 days of almost non stop driving. It may only be 500 miles, but the roads are often single track, narrow and winding, with a lot of stopping required if there’s other traffic. Considering you are coming up from London, which is going to be a days drive minimum each way just to reach Skye, I would personally recommend against doing Skye and the NC500 in 7 days.

Instead, if you want to visit Skye, I would suggest spending time visiting the Glencoe area, as well as Loch Lomond, on your way up to Skye.

Alternatively, you could allocate a day of driving each way from London, and then five days on the NC500 as per our itinerary, but I wouldn’t try to do Skye as well.

I hope this helps with your planning 🙂

Have a great trip!

3rd August 2020 at 3:42 pm

Hi Laurence

Thank you for your reply. Could you please advise on my rough itinerary, and whether it will work? Drive from London to Lake District. Stay overnight. Drive to Isle of Skye. Overnight stay. 5 day drive along N500. Overall, 8-9 days

3rd August 2020 at 4:19 pm

This would work. Just be aware it’s around a 6.5 hour drive from the Lake District to the Isle of Skye, and then Skye itself is quite big (around 1.5 hours drive from bottom to top), so if you plan on seeing anything on the island you will want to plan carefully which sites those might be so you have time to actually see them. You will also drive through Glencoe and past Eilean Donan castle on your route, as well as through the Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park, all of which are worth a stop and photos at least 🙂

21st July 2020 at 4:17 pm

Hi, I am looking at doing this route this year instead of the abroad holiday I had planned, but would be flying in to Inverness to do this. Where would be the best place to rent a car from and what kind of car is most suitable for this trip? Many thanks, Emma

21st July 2020 at 4:48 pm

This is a great question. There are plenty of car rental options, including a number at Inverness airport which will likely be the easiest option. The main car rental companies include   Avis ,  Budget , Thrifty, Arnold Clark, Europcar , Hertz, Enterprise Rent-A-Car , and Focus Vehicle Rental. Enterprise are usually our favourite for car hire. Just ensure you get unlimited mileage so you aren’t limited.

In terms of the type of car, all the roads are sealed. In our experience, a smaller car is easier because the roads are smaller and it makes navigating passing places easier. You don’t need a 4WD or anything unless you are visiting in deepest winter, but even then, we’ve driven it in winter in a small car (think Ford Fiesta sized) with no problems. So as long as you can fit your luggage and passengers, you don’t need a big vehicle.

Let me know if you have any more questions, and have a great trip!

21st July 2020 at 8:36 pm

Thank you for the quick reply. This was very informative especially for someone who likes a list and plan so really appreciate all the recommendations.

21st July 2020 at 8:37 pm

My pleasure Emma. I hope you have a great trip, let us know if you have any more questions 🙂

Ursula says

3rd April 2020 at 6:41 pm

Lovely photographs. Very informative. I had a trip planned for this May 2020. Hoping I can re-arrange for September. I was going to do Snow Road and NC500 plus Isle of Skye. Would this be too ambitious in September do you think? Best wishes and keep safe

3rd April 2020 at 6:54 pm

Thanks very much! Not that this helps, but we’re in exactly the same boat, we have a trip planned to this part of the world in May with all our accommodation booked too, which we also hope to postpone to later in the year. So we know what it is like.

In terms of your question, assuming travel is permitted again in September (fingers crossed!), September would be a lovely month for this trip. It’s up with with May as our favourite month to travel in Scotland. The days will be slightly shorter, and I can’t comment on whether this is too ambitious without knowing how long you are planning to travel for.

The route you have planned though certainly makes sense, and you should be fine with the weather unless something really weird happens with the climate. The only part of the route to check in advance would be the snow roads, but they should be clear in September. We’ve done the NC500 at all times of year with no trouble, it’s just a question of driving to the conditions and being sensible.

Have a lovely trip when you do get to go, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any more questions,

All the best,

Barbara says

6th February 2020 at 3:34 pm

Thank you guys for the tips! I’ll do this trip in June 2020 and didn’t know where to begin.

7th February 2020 at 10:36 am

Our pleasure Barbara – have a great trip, and let us know if we can help at all!

11th February 2020 at 9:35 pm

Mark Janes says

15th September 2019 at 2:10 pm

I live on the NC500 (Tain) and this is a very good guide for a sprint-trip. You’ve covered off the major sites very well. My only advice would be; slow it down. There is so much more to see! Or at least, use it as a window-shopping trip to identify areas you might like to come back to for a more extended stay.

15th September 2019 at 2:19 pm

Thanks for stopping by and your kind comment 🙂

We entirely agree with you about the speed. The times we’ve driven the NC500 we’ve always taken at least a week, and usually more, to complete the trip. Unfortunately, many folks have less time, so we put what we think is the absolute minimum time required to have a positive experience on the route in this guide, and hope that folks find a few more days to add 🙂

Anne hodgson says

26th August 2019 at 8:54 pm

Followed this guide when did the North Coast 500 last week. It was very helpful.

27th August 2019 at 7:55 pm

THanks very much Anne, we’re delighted you found it useful and had a great trip 😀

Lynne W Carlson says

8th May 2019 at 4:46 pm

I’ve actually been to a few of these places, it is so beautiful. Our kids were kids when we were there and loved Smoo Cave. I always regret not getting up to John O’Groats, my dad always told me about it being the most northerly part of Scotland. LOL. Funny the little things we get fixated on. Time to plan another trip. Thanks for your tips.

8th May 2019 at 5:10 pm

It is so beautiful! We’re actually right now staying up in Durness just a few minutes walk from Smoo Cave. It’s howling a gale and pouring with rain, but thankfully the hotel has a nice warm fire to cosy around 😉 I hope you get up here soon (and have slightly better weather too!)

8th May 2019 at 5:13 pm

Sounds like some nice storm pictures may be coming. Hope you are having a wee tipple by the fire.

8th May 2019 at 5:37 pm

I certainly am 🙂

Elaine McAteer says

23rd April 2019 at 3:05 pm

Hi Laurence and Jessica, I’m a Scot who has been wanting to do the North Coast 500 for a years. My partner and myself are hoping to drive it this summer and camp. I’m so glad I’ve found your site,think we will be following your route. I’m so excited to get started. I’ve also read your post on the Devils Pulpit, another place on my bucket list.

Thanks so much for the beautiful pictures and narrative.

23rd April 2019 at 7:24 pm

Hey Elaine!

We hope this is the year you get to do it, it’s one of our favourite parts of the world. We’re actually setting of in a few days to do it again, and also to visit Orkney, Lewis & Harris as well 🙂 Can’t wait!

Enjoy your trip when it happens, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions at all 🙂

Agness | the adventure traveler says

13th April 2019 at 6:44 am

When you mentioned perfect in your title, I got a little skeptical. But as soon as I read the article and marveled at how beautiful the photos you took are, I was stunned. Definitely my idea of a perfect Scottish road trip too! Thanks, Laurence and Jessica!

13th April 2019 at 9:56 am

Thanks Agness 😀

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5 day north coast 500 itinerary – route guide 2024.

Table of Contents

In this guide we will share the best 5 day north coast 500 itinerary for 2024. Our aim is to share everything you need to know to plan your adventure in a single comprehensive guide. This in depth itinerary includes places to stay, route, activities, top tips and more. 

We absolutely love Scotland and highly recommend the north coast 500 if you’re hoping to explore some of the most remote and intrepid parts of the UK. There are many things to do along the route. Whether you love history, adventure, nature, photography or a bit of everything! We have included a wide range of activities and attractions to make sure you do miss any of the best bits. 

With 5 days you will need to be selective. You can’t do everything so you will need to pick a selection of your favorites. In this article we have also included booking links to make booking super convenient. In this article we have used affiliate links – this enables us to earn a small commission when you book and at no extra cost to you.

MAP – 5 day North Coast 500 itinerary

Here is a map of the route including stopping places and things to do along the way. Remember you can’t do everything! So pick your favorite things and focus on these. ALSO we have recommended a rhythm where you SEE and DO then DRIVE. In other words, make the most of each destination in the morning and then drive to the next place in the afternoon or evening. Pick a rhythm that works for you. 

Summary – 5 day North Coast 500 itinerary

What is the north coast 500.

The North Coast 500 is a beautiful and intrepid road trip around the north coast of Scotland. This route is a rich journey through history, culture and stunning scenery. As the name suggests, the total route is around 500 miles (830km). The official North Coast 500 Itinerary is a loop that starts and stops at Inverness castle (which actually makes it a 516 mile round trip).  

Don’t miss our guide on the best things to do in Inverness

The North Coast 500 was introduced as a “thing to do” in 2015 as an initiative to bring tourism into the very north of Scotland.  It is worth knowing that there is not just one single road that goes by the name ‘North Coast 500’, rather it is a route that joins many individual roads into a beautiful loop.  This makes it both more adventurous and more personalisable.  If anything there is too much choice which can make planning this Scotland road trip actually quite tricky. 

Looking for more inspo? Don’t miss our full guide on amazing things to do in Sutherland  also if you’re doing the North Coast 500 you will need to drive around the coast of Caithness – so we have published a detailled guide on things to do in Caithness

Why do the North Coast 500? 

The North Coast 500 is an amazing way to see and experience some of the most beautiful scenery and wilderness in the UK. On the route you can see ancient castle ruins, beaches, stunning view points, lochs and wildlife. If you love hiking there are many epic hikes along the way. If you love adventure, you can even take a zipline across a beach. Stop at cafes and make sure you try some amazing Scottish food. 

This is also an amazing way to escape the crowds and travel to some remote hidden gems. Many sections of the north and west coast are particularly beautiful and desolate – and at many points you really feel like you have an entire area to yourself. So if you’re looking to get off the beaten track and slow down – the North Coast 500 is a great choice. 

How long should you allow for the North Coast 500?

If you don’t have a lot of time it is possible to do the North Coast 500 in just 5 days and still have an amazing experience. 5 days still includes some of the BEST stops on the route and you will need to drive an average of 100 miles per day (roughly 160km). This is likely to be around 3 – 4 hours driving depending on the roads and conditions. 

If you have more time, we recommend taking one week as the ideal amount of time. A 7 day itinerary allows you to slow down, chill out and take more stops. You can see more and drive less per day. However, if you don’t have a full week, 5 days is still sufficient. 

Where does the North Coast 500 start and finish?

Inverness Castle is the short answer. The 3 North Coast 500 Itineraries we have designed for all start and stop here.  It is a great place to prepare, pick up supplies and if needed rent cars, camper vans and motorhomes.  

Inverness is also beautiful in its own right and worth exploring.  Every full North Coast 500 Itinerary does have to start and stop here if you want to say you have completed it as a route, but of course, how you do your Scotland road trip is totally up to you! Pretty much any direction you drive in is beautiful!

How much does it cost to do the North Coast 500?

The exact cost of the North Coast 500 itinerary depends how you do it, where you stay, how long you take and what you do along the way. Just uncase you’re wondering, there are no road fees, permits or tolls for this route.

Example budget for a cheap 5 day North Coast 500 itinerary:

• Accommodation: Wild camp & use campsites. Allow £40 for a few campsites along the way. Other people use a campervan or even sleep in cars! 
• Food: Eat basic supermarket food. Allow around £10 per day. Total £50 for the 5 day trip.
• Activities: Allow £20 to visit a couple of places of interest. 
• Petrol: Expect to use around 60 liters of petrol or more for the entire route. Most cars will need to refill at least once on the route. Expect to pay around £80 – £100 for petrol depending on the efficiency of your car, how you drive and whether you take detours. 

Overall a low budget trip like this is likely to cost around £200 for the 5 day itinerary . A big proportion of the cost is petrol. If you don’t own your own car you will also need to consider rental costs. 

Example of an average budget North Coast 500 itinerary: 

• Accommodation: Wild camp & use campsites. Allow £500 to stay in Pods, B&B’s and hotels along the way
• Food: Eat out a little. Allow around £20 per day. Total £100 for the 5 day trip.
• Activities: Allow £40 to visit places of interest. 

An average holiday itinerary for a 5 day trip is likely to cost around £740 . This could be cheaper if you save money by hunting for cheaper places to stay and also shopping beforehand so you are less reliant on eating out. 

In Depth – 5 day North Coast 500 itinerary

Day 1: inverness to john o’ groats.

The first day of this 5 day North Coast 500 itinerary starts with a drive up the east coast from Inverness to John O’ Groats. The route follows that A9 and then the A99. This beautiful drive is around 190km and is likely to take 2.5 – 3 hours plus stopping time. Here are a few things that you can see along the way:

On your way out of Inverness you may be interested in visiting Eco Ventures in Cromarty. This is an eco adventure company offering boat trips and wildlife watching trips. Don’t miss the Glenmorangie distillery just outside Tain. You can also take a short detour and watch seals on the south side of loch fleet.

Golspie is another lovely stop along this section. Dunrobin castle , Ben Bhraggie or check out the Big Burn waterfall walk (this is not as challenging or painful as it sounds. It is a relatively short walk to a lovely waterfall).

As you head further north you can see historical relics such as coastal castles. If you have time for a short detour check out the eerie Grey Cairnes of Camster.  This is an ancient neolithic burial mound. Also Castle Sinclair Girnigoe – a very beautiful castle ruin on the coast before you reach John O’Groats. Keep your eye open for Wick castle on the coast. 

Don’t miss our FULL GUIDE to John O’Groats

Places to stay around John O’ Groats: Horseshoecroft ( on Agoda and on booking.com ), Aurora Bed and Breakfast ( on Agoda and on booking.com ) and Braeside Retreats ( on Agoda and on booking.com )

Day 2: John O’ Groats to Sangobeg

The second day North Coast 500 itinerary is a scenic drive along the north coast. This section is around 140km. Expect this section to take around 2 – 3 hours. We recommend taking some time to explore John O’ Groats before you set off. 

John O’ Groats is a beautiful village, famous for being the longest distance point from Land’s end. The town has cafes, pubs and a few shops. And of course the famous John O’ Groats signpost. We also highly recommend a walk along the cliffs to see the Duncansby Sea Stacks. There are normally many puffins nesting in the panoramic cliffs. Near John O’ Groats, Dunnet’s head is actually the northernmost tip of mainland Britain. And don’t miss the stunning Dunnet beach. 

After exploring John O’ Groats, drive along the north coast to Sangobeg. Along the way don’t miss the Bettyhill Viewpoint. This is a great spot to stop for a cup of tea and enjoy views over rugged moorland. A little further you can visit the Strathnaver Museum (£5 entry). This is a small museum packed with artifacts and displays.

Oh yeah, and don’t miss the Golden Eagle Zip Line. This impressive zipline is located at Ceannabeinne Beach and reaches speeds of up to 45mph. It costs £15 per person. It is not possible to pre-book, just show up and see if they’re running. The zipline can be closed in periods of bad weather. We also recommend visiting Ceannabeinne Beach itself. This is a very beautiful beach. 

Places to stay around Sangobeg: Check out the Northern Lights (available on booking.com ) and the Tor Druim in Drumbeg ( on Agoda and on booking.com )

Day 3: Sangobeg to Achmelvich

Start by exploring the Durness area. There is a lot to do before you set off on your journey: Balnakeil Beach is very impressive. If you’re interested in history check out the Ard Neakie Lime Kilns. This is an abandoned Lime Kiln located on a chilly Peninsula. You may also be interested in the Cocoa Mountain chocolate cafe in Balnakeil and the Balnakeil Craft Village.

Make sure you don’t miss out on their hot chocolates! Just beyond Sangobeg village don’t miss Smoo Cave. This beautiful cave can only be explored by boat and it costs £10 per person for entry, cash only. 

Once you have finished exploring the Durness area, drive to Achmelvich. The journey is around 100km and is likely to take around 1.5 hours. The drive to Achmelvich is very beautiful. 

Don’t miss our FULL GUIDE to Achmelvich

Places to stay around Achmelvich: Check out the North Coast 500 pods in Achmelvich (available on Agoda ) or the Suilven View near Lochinver (available on Agoda and on booking.com )

Day 4: Achmelvich to Torridon

Start by exploring the Achmelvich area. Achmelvich is one of Scotland’s most beautiful beaches. Check out the Old Man of Stoer a short drive up the coast. This is a unique and spectacular cliff stack surrounded by very beautiful cliffs and clear water. Whilst you’re in the area make sure you check out the stunning Loch Assynt. If you have time and you’re up for a more challenging trek you can visit Eas a’ Chual Aluinn: Britain’s highest waterfall – It’s a big trek to get there but so worth it! You may need to allow an extra day for this intrepid adventure.

On the way to Torridon we recommend stopping in Ullapool (and don’t miss these fabulous hotels in Ullapool ). This is a larger town with shops, restaurants, pubs and even a supermarket. This is a great location to stock up. Don’t miss the spectacular Corrieshalloch Gorge: A Stunning gorge and waterfall with an Iconic suspension bridge with serious Indiana Jones vibes!

The route passes Loch Broom, Little Loch Broom, Loch Ewe and Loch Maree. Along the way you can also stop at the stunning Inverewe Viewpoint and the beautiful Gairloch Beach. Also don’t miss Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve. If you have time you can hike and explore one of the many stunning national nature reserve trails.

This journey finishes at Torridon (a lovely town by loch Torridon). From here you can get stunning views over the loch with a backdrop of steep panoramic mountains. Don’t miss the impressive Beinn Alligin. There is an impressive and challenging round walk up this steep mountain. 

Places to stay around Torridon: Torridon Youth Hostel ( on Agoda and on booking.com ) and Beinn Shieldaig Yurt ( on Agoda and on booking.com )

Day 5: Torridon to Inverness

For the final day of this 5 day north coast 500 itinerary take a scenic drive back to Inverness. We recommend taking a slow start to the day and enjoying Torridon before completing your epic journey. The route back to Inverness passes Loch a’ Chroisg and Loch Luichart.

Places to stay in Inverness: Chieftain Hotel ( on Agoda and on booking.com ), Alba B&B ( on booking.com ) and Ness Walk ( on Agoda and on booking.com )

Top tips for the North Coast 500

Here are a few top tips to help you make the most of your 5 day north coast 500 itinerary: 

• You can’t do everything: With 5 days you need to keep a reasonable pace and momentum. So plan and pick the best bits – the things you really want to see. 
• Work out your rhythm: Decide when you prefer to drive. If you’re doing the north coast 500 with kids you may need to work around their routine. We have recommended exploring each destination in the morning and driving in the afternoon (but whatever works for you)
• Fuel Up and Stock Up: Fuel stations can be sparse in some remote areas, so fill up your vehicle’s tank whenever you have the chance. Additionally, stock up on food, water, and other essentials at larger towns along the route to ensure you have everything you need during the journey.
• Book Accommodation well in Advance: The North Coast 500 has gained popularity, so it’s recommended to book accommodations in advance, especially during peak travel seasons. From campsites to cozy B&Bs and hotels, plan your overnight stays ahead to secure the best options.
• Drive with Caution: The North Coast 500 includes narrow, winding roads, and some sections can be challenging to navigate. Take your time, drive cautiously, and be prepared to encounter larger vehicles, cyclists, and wildlife on the road. Some of the roads are very narrow and can be steep in places.
• Take Breaks and Enjoy the Scenery: The North Coast 500 offers breathtaking landscapes, picturesque villages, and historic sites. Take breaks along the way to soak in the beauty, snap photos, and explore the hidden gems. Remember to follow parking regulations and respect the local environment.
• Use offline maps: We highly recommend using an offline map (such as maps.me) service or sat nav for navigation. Mobile data can be quite limited along some sections of the North Coast 500. 
• Consider taking breakdown recovery insurance: Check they cover more remote locations and always read the T&C’s even if they are mind numbingly boring. 

Packing list for the North Coast 500

Here’s a packing list for the North Coast 500 road trip in Scotland. This is not a comprehensive packing list. Rather, this is just a starting point to help you begin planning some things you might need:

• Warm and waterproof jacket
• Layered clothing for variable weather conditions
• T-shirts and long-sleeved shirts
• Sweaters or fleeces
• Waterproof pants or hiking trousers
• Comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots
• Hat and gloves (especially if traveling in colder months)
• Valid driver’s license
• Vehicle documents and insurance papers
• GPS or navigation device & offline maps (check out maps.me)
• Mobile phone and charger (a car phone charger could be very handy!)
• Cash and credit/debit cards
• Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, soap, etc.)
• Sunscreen and insect repellent
• Books or entertainment for the road
• First aid kit
• Water bottle
• Plenty of snacks (and meals if you’re staying in self-catered accommodation)
• Plastic bags for wet or dirty clothes
• Daypack or backpack for day trips

Remember to pack according to the time of year you’re visiting and the activities you plan to engage in. It’s always a good idea to check the weather forecast before your trip and make adjustments to your packing list accordingly. Also, plan your food carefully. Some sections of the north and west coast are very remote and you wont find many shops. 

What is the best time of year to do the North Coast 500

The best time of year to do the North Coast 500 road trip in Scotland is generally during the late spring to early autumn months, specifically from May to September:

• Weather: During these months, the weather in Scotland is relatively mild and better for outdoor activities. While it can still be changeable, you can expect longer daylight hours, warmer temperatures, and a lower chance of rain compared to the colder months.
• Scenic Beauty: The late spring and summer months offer lush green landscapes, blooming wildflowers, and vibrant colors throughout the North Coast 500 route. The scenery is at its most picturesque during this time, providing stunning backdrops for your journey.
• Accessibility: The North Coast 500 encompasses some remote areas, and some attractions, accommodations, and facilities may have limited availability or even be closed during the winter months. Traveling during the peak season ensures that you’ll have a wider range of options for accommodations, dining, and activities along the route.
• Longer Days: May to September offers longer daylight hours, allowing you to make the most of your road trip and explore the attractions and landscapes at a more leisurely pace. It provides ample time to take breaks, go for hikes, and fully enjoy the breathtaking views.
• Festivals and Events: Scotland hosts various festivals and events during the summer months, such as Highland Games, music festivals, and cultural celebrations. Incorporating these events into your North Coast 500 trip can add an extra layer of cultural immersion and entertainment.

It’s worth noting that the North Coast 500 has gained popularity in recent years, and it can be challenging to find accommodation in the peak summer months of July and August. If you prefer quieter travel and don’t mind slightly cooler temperatures, consider traveling in May or September, when the weather is still pleasant, and tourist numbers are slightly lower.

Life loving, adventure chasing, Mum of 3 who loves travel. Over 10 years of travel writing experience. Emma now loves to give the best tips to help other travel loving parents plan adventures with their kids. Whether you need to find the best accommodation or just need to know how to pack your bag Emma is that travelling mum who love to help you.

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The ONLY North Coast 500 Itinerary & Route PLANNER You Need

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North Coast 500 Itinerary and route planner

Planning any road trip to a place you’ve not been before can be daunting, but planning a route and itinerary for the North Coast 500 (NC500) in Scotland often seems more overwhelming than most.

There’s so much to see and do and it’s difficult to know how long to allocate to each section. Some people drive the NC500 in 3 or 4 days, while others can take several weeks!

North Coast 500 7 day Itinerary

I’ve just returned from the NC500 and did the western route in about 7 days. This is what I’m sharing with you in this post.

I’ve already done the east section (which includes John o’Groats) in an earlier trip (you can see this Scotland road trip here )

However, there are plenty of other places to visit on or near the NC500, such as the Isle of Skye or Orkney. I highly recommend you visit both if you can- I’ll share more details about them below.

I did the route in a motorhome. If you’d like to do the trip in a motorhome or campervan too, you can see the entire route (plus places to stop) in our North Coast 500 motorhome guide.

FREE NC500 Road Trip Itinerary

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North Coast 500 Itinerary- How to plan your road trip

As you can see in the map below, the North Coast 500 is a circular route. In some ways, this makes things easier, but in many ways it makes it harder to plan.

After all, people drive at different speeds, or like to have a few days exploring before moving on.

In the suggested NC500 7 day itinerary below, I’ve split the ‘days’ into parts. Each part can be driven in a day, but you can easily spend 2,3 or even more days in each area if you wish to explore.

Also, I’m assuming a start an end point from near Edinburgh. Obviously, if you have to drive from the south-coast of England (like me!) you’ll need to add a few days either side of your NC500 road trip to get yourself up there are back.

Which direction should you drive the NC500?

You can drive the North Coast 500 either clockwise or anti-clockwise. I did it clockwise and think that’s a great route, but you do whichever makes sense for you.

North Coast 500 Route Planner Map

Here’s a map of the NC500 route in its entirety.

If you’d like an interactive version of the places I visited on my last trip, you can find it here.

Day One- Kelpies to Eilean Donan

Driving Distance: 193 miles

Approx Driving Time: 4 hours

Highlights: Kelpies, Highlands, Eilean Donan Castle

I highly HIGHLY recommend you visit the Kelpies in Falkirk. These horse statues are so impressive. Ideally, you want to spend the night here because at night they’re lit up and look amazing.

From here, you’ve got a fairly big day of driving ahead of you. If it’s too long, feel free to break it up into two days.

There are a couple of route options to get from the Kelpies to Eilean Donan. I took the M9 to Stirling, then the A84 to Crianlarich, then the A82/ A85 to Glencoe and Fort William and the A87 to Eilean Donan.

Eilean Donan is an incredible castle set in a loch. You can visit inside it- if you’d like to do this you’ll probably need to add a day so you have time.

Where to stay

If you’re in a motorhome or campervan, it cost £7 for a night in the Kelpies car park. You pay the guard on the booth at the top car park (closest to the Kelpies) but the overnight parking is just down the road.

Near Eilean Donan, I wild camped in my motorhome about a 10 minute drive away, at a Stay the Night scheme at Loch Carron Viewpoint. This was free, but there are also campsites around the area you can use if you prefer.

Day Two- Bealach na Ba (The Applecross Road)

Driving Distance (approx): 92 miles

Driving Time (approx): 3h 30

Highlights: Bealach na Ba pass

Bealach na Ba (or the road to Applecross) is often regarded as one of the most scenic drives in Scotland . It’s also widely regarded as one of the most dangerous!

I decided to drive it, on my own, in a rain storm and thick fog. Because I am, apparently, insane.

I drove it in a 6.7m motorhome and had very little trouble. If you have a larger motorhome or campervan, you might struggle with some of the bends and I don’t recommend it at all for caravanners.

If you’re driving the NC500 in a car, you’ll be absolutely fine.

It took me about 90 minutes to get up to the top, where I then stayed for a few hours whilst waiting for the fog to clear. The route from the top down to Applecross is much easier.

From here, I drove around the coast from Applecross to Sheildaig, which took about 3 hours if you include all the stops for photos and for highland cows!

I carried on around to Gairloch, and I was exhausted when I got there. If I hadn’t already booked the campsite I’d probably have stopped near Sheildaig. There were a great looking campsites near there.

As it happened, I stayed at Gairloch Holiday Park and it was a lovely site, with great sea views. There’s also a lovely chip shop just down the way (they fry everything in beef dripping, which sounds awful but is delicious!)

Part Three- Scotland’s south West Coast

From Gairloch, you can choose how far you want to drive and how much time you want to spend on the west coast.

For reference, I drove from Gairloch to Ardmair Point just north of Ullapool in one day. This was about 90 minutes and 60 miles.

I enjoyed looking around Ullapool and stayed two nights on this site. Ullapool is the last big town before you head North, so be sure to stock up at the supermarket, fill up with fuel and refill your gas tanks if you have them.

If you want to keep going, you can push on to Clachtoll Beach campsite, which is another hour and an extra 40 miles, so easily doable in one day.

Both campsites I used in this section were wonderful. Ardmair Point has incredible views across the bay, but is very exposed if the winds are strong (which they were when I visited.)

Clachtoll Beach is possibly my favourite campsite along the NC500 for motorhomes and campers . It has unbelievable facilities, including a dog shower, laundry, a microwave & toaster (yep, I was excited!) and the most golden sandy beach I’ve ever seen.

It’s not cheap, but it was worth every penny and I’d stay there again in a heartbeat. I stayed there two nights and could easily have spent a third just lazying and enjoying the scenery.

Things not to miss

Definitely visit Clashnessie Falls (it’s muddy, but worth it!) and Clashnessie Beach. There’s also a great chip van near the campsite on certain days- well worth testing out.

Part Four- Scotland’s north west coast

Driving Distance (approx): 60 miles

Driving Time (approx): 1h 50

Highlights: Kylesku Bridge, Wailing Widow Falls

From Clachtoll, I continued up the A894, past Scourie and all the way to Durness. I took the slower route via Drumbeg. It was driveable in a motorhome but some passing spots were very tight.

Bear in mind if you do this route, you’ll miss the Wailing Widow Falls unless you double back slightly. As it happened, the weather was AWFUL that day so I decided not to bother, but apparently the falls are well worth visiting if it’s not blowing a gale!

The road from Scourie to Durness is pretty enough but not jaw-dropping (or perhaps I just became immune!) so it’s not worth spending too long on this section.

Having said that, if you have time and don’t mind driving down small lanes, there are LOADS of pristine white sand beaches to enjoy which most people don’t visit.

Sandwood Bay is the one you’ll see on postcards all over the place- it looks incredible but if you only have 7 days to do the North Coast 500, you’ll probably have to miss it on this occasion.

Where to Stay

Sango Sands Oasis is another incredible campsite, set right on the clifftop. Sadly, my experience there was marred by very unfriendly staff, but I’d probably still stay there again, as the beaches and views were incredible.

Things to see and do

They make a big deal about the ‘best hot chocolate’ at the Balnakeil craft village, which is about a 20 minute walk from the campsite. To be honest, I found it too sickly, and I wasn’t a big fan of the craft village either.

BUT- while you’re there you must ride the Golden Eagle zipline at Sango Sands. It’s £15 for a go and it’s so much fun. I also loved visiting Smoo Cave. Sadly, the boat tour wasn’t running due to the heavy rains, but it was incredible to visit inside the cave anyway.

Part Five- North or middle?

The next part of the North Coast 500 is a choice. If you only have a 7 day itinerary, you’ll need to choose what you do next.

Personally, if you’ve never visited John o’Groats before, I feel you should go there. Yes, it’s touristy, but yes, you need that photo by the post.

The road along the top of Scotland is pretty but nothing incredible. It’s about 90 miles and will take you around 3 hours.

If you just want to drive it, stop for a quick photo at John o’Groats and then carry on to Shin (see below), it will take you about 5 hours (190 miles). You’ll also pass Brora Beach (which is spectacular) and Dunrobin Castle, which is definitely worth a visit if you have time.

If you’d like to do these stopoffs, I’d definitely recommend at least two days for this section so you can see it all properly.

Where to stay on the north coast

If you’re in a motorhome, stop at Dunnet Bay campsite- it’s wonderful and the beach there is also incredible. Don’t miss the Duncansby Stacks- they make great photos.

Also, if you have time, I highly recommend a day trip to Orkney – it’s a fascinating place.

The Alternative route south

If you’ve already been to John o’Groats, you’ve seen one of the major highlights on the NC500 route.

If you’re limited on time, you can ignore the North East corner and cut down the middle, which is a much more dramatic route with incredible scenery.

I drove from Durness to Tongue, and then down past Loch Loyal, heading for the Falls of Shin.

The Falls of Shin near Lairg are famous for the salmon ‘jumping’ as they swim upriver to spawn. I’d been there only a few minutes when I saw one, and I saw several over the next half an hour or so.

The car park at the Falls of Shin was fantastic, level and FREE if you didn’t need amenities. Alternatively, there are places around Lairg to stay.

Planning a trip to Scotland?

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Part Six- Loch Ness or The Cairngorms

The North Coast 500 technically goes Inverness to Inverness, but my opinion is you should add on a couple of extra stops (and days, if you can!)

First of these is the Cairngorms. These mountains are home to Aviemore (the UK’s major ski centre) and also home to Balmoral.

I stayed overnight at Balmoral, but it was shortly after the Queen’s death so the castle wasn’t open. However, the walk up to King Albert’s Pyramid (yep, an actual pyramid!) was open and that was a fantastic experience (although it was VERY steep!)

In previous trips, we’ve visited Aviemore, taken cable cars up the mountain and enjoyed many of the other incredible things to do around the Cairngorms. You could easily spend a few days to a week here if you can.

However, if you’ve never seen Loch Ness and if you can only do one or the other, the drive down Loch Ness is well worth it, if only because it’s so famous and everyone should look for Nessie at least once in their life.

I’ve never been into Inverness City, but I hear it’s beautiful and worth a day if you can spare it.

If you drove past Loch Ness, you’ll end up in Fort William again, which technically closes the loop and you can now proudly display your North Coast 500 road trip sticker on your vehicle.

Part Seven- Loch Lomond

If you still have time, I highly recommend visiting Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.

The whole area is stunning, but Loch Lomond has to be one of my favourites. Every corner of it has incredible views.

I parked up at Firkin Point, where motorhome parking is allowed. In high season (March- end September) you need a permit (bought online), but I was there first week in October and was able to stay for free.

There was a fantastic little beach and also a great pedestrian-only walkway which went for about 3 miles and have Mac and I a flat and safe space to run.

I hope you found this 7 day North Coast 500 itinerary helpful. It’s a lot to cover in 7 days, so ideally if you have 10-14 you’ll find it much more relaxing and will be able to see and do more.

You might also find these posts useful:

• How to drive the North Coast 500 in a motorhome
• The BEST campsites along the North Coast 500
• 7 incredible scenic routes in Scotland
• The ULTIMATE Scotland Road Trip
• Motorhoming in Scotland- everything you need to know

Kat never planned to buy a motorhome. She also never planned to quit her job as an air traffic controller, go touring around Europe in said motorhome, start one of the UK’s largest motorhome travel websites… or get a cocker spaniel.

Find out how she went from stuck in the rat race to being a digital nomad and inspiring thousands of people to have their own epic adventures here.

If you’d like to connect with Kat, send her an email or follow her adventures on social media.

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The Ultimate North Coast 500 Guide

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North Coast 500 – Scotland Road Trip of a Lifetime

Buckle your seat belts! We’re about to take you on the ultimate road trip adventure along Scotland’s North Coast 500 route! Starting and ending in Inverness , this 500-mile circular drive takes you along stunning coastlines and countless lochs. You’ll navigate through winding mountain passes and awe-inspiring landscapes. Step back in time as you visit castles, historic ruins, and heritage centers. Tantalize your tastebuds as you sip award-winning whiskies, taste deliciously organic beer, and sample some of the Highland’s local delicacies. With numerous trails to hike, beaches to explore, and history to discover, there is certainly no shortage of things to do and see along this award-winning route around Scotland’s northern Highlands! Get ready! Here we go…

Ultimate North Coast 500 Guide

Which direction should i travel on the north coast 500.

Clockwise or anticlockwise… that is the question! Since the route is set up in a circular manner, you can go one of two ways. While many people choose to drive west from Inverness and complete the route in a clockwise direction, we decided to head north and travel counter-clockwise. There are benefits to both. Traveling clockwise , the coast will be directly to your left, whereas traveling counter-clockwise (or anticlockwise), you’ll have a lane of passing cars on your right between you and the coast. Despite this, we chose to travel counter-clockwise for two main reasons: 1) We didn’t want to encounter the Bealach na Ba pass near Applecross on our first day, as we were driving a semi-large campervan and felt that we needed to get used to the vehicle before tackling this challenging portion of the drive (more on that later), and 2) We wanted to add in a visit to Isle of Skye toward the tail-end of our journey. So, as to not backtrack, we started our journey north from Inverness !

What is the North Coast 500 Weather Like Throughout the Year?

Well, it is Scotland, and like with much of the UK, the weather can be unpredictable . We drove the North Coast 500 in the first week of April and as was expected, it was cold. And sadly, it rained… A  LOT! For the first few days we were covered in a perpetual foggy mist that on occasion would turn into a blinding downpour. There were a few times where we had to pull over and just wait, because we didn’t want to miss seeing anything along the route. The sun didn’t make an appearance until about 3 days into our journey. We weren’t exactly equipped with the appropriate weatherproof clothing and footwear, so this kept our hiking to a minimum as many of the trails were extremely muddy. That being said, the weather was absolutely glorious for days toward the tail-end of our road trip, so we know for a fact that the sun does shine in Scotland! So basically, be ready for anything! Our new slogan for Scotland is All Seasons, All the Time, as we experienced a little bit of everything on our early April journey! In general, May and June are typically the sunniest months in North Scotland, whereas July and August are the warmest months with daily average temperatures of 66 °F (19 °C) at lower levels. January and February are the coldest months with daily averages only reaching about 36 °F (2 °C).

What Animals Will I See Along the North Coast 500?

Amazing things to see along the north coast 500, inverness to dornoch.

This is where it all begins… and ends! Explore the small, yet bustling town of Inverness at the start or completion of your North Coast 500 itinerary. Because it was raining during our initial arrival into Inverness , we decided we’d check out the city on our way back through. So glad we did, as the weather was fantastic at the end of trip, though we only really had time to do a quick drive-through tour of the city. If you find yourself with time to spare in Inverness , stroll along the River Ness , visit the castle , stop by the Tomatin Distillery , and check out the Highlanders’ Museum .

Once you leave Inverness , stop by the Black Isle Brewery , Scotland’s only organic brewery, to take a tour and sample some of their barrel-aged oatmeal stout or pollinated heather honey beer, among other delicious brews. And since you’re now on the Black Isle, head on up to Chanonry Point in Rosemarkie to see if you can spot those bottlenose dolphins! If you feel up for a drive to the end of the peninsula, you can check out Hugh Miller’s Birthplace Cottage & Museum . Other attractions once you leave the Black Isle peninsula include: the Dalmore Distillery , Tain through Time , and the Glenmorangie Distillery . For a look at even more distilleries along the route, check out this NC500 Itinerary .

Although the town of Dornoch wasn’t too far from our starting point in Inverness , we didn’t want to pack too much into our first day, so we pulled into the Dornoch Campsite and called it a day! Give yourself time to explore this 13th-century charming small town and its expansive beach before moving on. Don’t miss its impressive cathedral . If you’re into golf, tee off on the Royal Dornoch championship course , ranked 13th in the world!

TIP: Remember! The dolphins only really come out to play at Chanonry Point in Rosemarkie during high tide. Unfortunately for us, high tide was very early in the morning and very late at night, after the sun went down. Sadly, we didn’t see any dolphins during our visit, as it is low tide most of the day.

Scroll through the pictures of things we saw between Inverness and Dornoch

Dornoch to John O’ Groats

Shortly after departing Dornoch , you’ll come upon Dunrobin Castle in Golspie (open April 1st-October 15th). The castle resembles a French château and is one of Britain’s oldest continuously inhabited houses, dating back to the early 1300s. Once you’ve had your fill of fancy curtains, pass Càrn Liath (an Iron Age broch), and  make your way to the Clynelish Distillery . We thoroughly enjoyed our hour-long tour of the factory and warehouse followed by a sample of their award-winning whiskey. There are a few heritage centers along the way from Clynelish to the bustling town of Wick , though we stopped off at the historic Grey Cairns of Campster . The site was about 5 miles off the main road, but we found the history and purpose of these structures quite fascinating. Though we tried to see the Sinclair & Girnigoe Castle ruins just north of Wick , we were unsuccessful. We knew it didn’t open for the season until May, but we were hoping to see it from the outside. No such luck, as it is situated on a cliffside inaccessible during our time of visit, unless we wanted to slosh through a muddy field. Our final stop of the day was John O’ Groats , Scotland’s most northeasterly point and home to the Duncansby Stacks .

TIP: Know the way! Although there is a well trodden path along the fence leading away from the lighthouse at Duncansby Head , go up and over the hill near the lamppost behind the ‘Coaches Only’ parking in the parking lot for a more direct route to the Duncansby Stacks .

Scroll through the pictures of things we saw between Dornoch and John O’ Groats

John O’ Groats to Scourie

Now that you’ve visited Scotland’s most northeastly point, head a few miles west to Dunnet Head and stand at the most northerly point on mainland Britain. Marvel at the cliffs near the lighthouse and take in 360-degree views at the hilltop lookout point. For incredible views of Dunnet Bay Beach , drive pass the beach into Castletown . There’s a carpark just before an eerily abandoned house on the right. Continue west on the A836. Before the small town of Reay , you’ll drive through the most industrial part of the route, as you pass wind turbines, power lines, and factories. Before reaching Strathy , turn right at the sign pointing toward Portskerra . You’ll drive through a residential area, take a right at the fork, then turn right at the sign for Portskera Harbour . We hadn’t read about this location previously, but definitely wanted to mention it, as it was quite a find! We made our lunch and enjoyed the views overlooking Melvich Beach and the seaside cliffs. We then made the drive out to Strathy Point , and while the views along the way were great, the car park is more than a mile out from the lighthouse.

The rest of the day, although overcast, was chock full of insanely beautiful scenery, including overlooks at Bettyhill , Borgie Glen , Torrisdale Bay , and Coldbackie . Skerray Harbor proved to be an interesting find as we came upon an abandoned artists’ haven in ruins of an old house. Kyle of Tongue was an impressive inlet including the ruins of Castle Varrich poised high on a hillside. After enjoying quintessential Scottish highlands scenery (including a beautiful rainbow) around Loch Eriboll , we arrived at Smoo Cave . Though tours through the cave are available April through September, we arrived too late in the day to take advantage of this, so we briefly explored this magnificent cave on our own (the cave is only partially accessible without a tour). There are some great beaches in this area, including Balnakeil Beach . To get to Balnakeil , you must drive off the main road for about 2 miles. Supposedly this is where the famous Cocoa Mountain chocolate shop is, though we couldn’t find it on our GPS. You’ll also find a gorgeous beach just behind the Durness Visitor’s Center , so if you have questions about the surrounding area or just want to admire yet another beautiful beach, stop on by! The drive leading away from Durness was breathtaking. And though we didn’t go much further on this day, the views of the valley were a great way to wrap up another day on the North Coast 500! We parked our campervan at Scourie Campsite for the night. The views of Scourie Bay at sunset from their cliffside pitches can’t be beat!

TIP: There’s more! During this portion of the drive you can also check out the Castle of Mey , the Castlehill Heritage Center , and the Strathvanver Museum if you need a history fix or somewhere to go if it’s raining!

Scroll through the pictures of things we saw between John O’ Groats and Scourie

Scourie to Ardmair

Though the roads became a little more harrowing during yesterday’s drive, nothing could compare to the narrow one-way lanes we were greeted with on the way to Drumbeg . Everyone mentions that the Bealach na Ba pass near Applecross is the scariest portion of the North Coast 500 , but following our drive to Drumbeg , we were puzzled as to how this portion of the drive was never mentioned. Well, we survived and lived to tell about it, but just be prepared for narrow roads, blind summits, and tight turns. There is a bypass road if you don’t want to drive this portion, but we’d be lying if we said you wouldn’t miss much. Since it’s a peninsula, there are plenty of gorgeous beaches to admire, including Clashnessie , Clachtoll , and Achmelvich (which is a little off the route on yet another narrow road, but totally worth a visit). At the completion of this peninsula drive, you’ll be rewarded with the intriguing ruins of Ardvreck Castle along the banks of Loch Assynt .

Driving through Knocken Crag National Nature Reserve , we saw countless red deer grazing and were able to snap some awesome shots of these majestic creatures. We didn’t get at far as we had hoped this day, as the rain really started to come down again as we were passing through the reserve. Rather than continuing down to Gairloch like we had planned, we stopped in the tiny town of Ardmair and set up camp at the Ardmair Campsite . Even though the weather was poor, the views from this site were still amazing. Highly recommended, though a little on the pricey side! I guess you’re paying for the views.

TIP: Know Your Roadside Manners! On one-way roads, pay attention to the signs reading ‘Passing Place’. When you encounter another car on the road, pull off to the side at the nearest Passing Place (note, it may be behind you) and flash your headlights to let the other person know it is safe to pass. Typically, if someone flashes their lights at you, it means they are safely off the road and are telling you to proceed.

Scroll through the pictures of things we saw between Scourie and Ardmair

Ardmair to Loch Carron

Once you’ve passed through Ullapool , keep your eyes peeled for Lael Forest Gardens . This is an excellent (and free) place to walk along brief and peaceful forest paths. Feeling like you need to connect with nature further? Head to Corrieshalloch Gorge near Braemore . You may experience a little bit of vertigo while on the gently swaying suspension bridge overlooking water cascading 150ft (46m) over the Falls of Measach , and though a little bit terrifying, it’s definitely worth a stop! Just a half-mile past the gorge is a lovely lookout spot where we recommend you take a few moments to simply enjoy the view! Continue on the route toward Dundonnell to be rewarded with amazing vistas and seemingly endless horizons. Waterfalls pour down to rivers below cutting through the picturesque landscape. After passing along Little Loch Broom you’ll come to the absolutely stunning Gruinard Bay . This epic scene called for a lunch break, so we parked our campervan and chowed down with a view! Mellon Udrigle is another beach a little off the path, but definitely worth a visit.

Inverewe Gardens near Poolewe is a botanical garden with an eclectic collection of vibrant florals and plants from all over the world. Our visit was a little early in the season, and while there wasn’t too much in bloom at the time, the grounds were a peaceful oasis to explore. Gairloch Beach and Big Sand Beach , both near to the gardens, are said to be spectacular spots to watch the sunset . Gairloch also has a Heritage Museum that may be worth checking out, as its displays and artifacts take you on a journey through time in the northwest Highlands.  Departing from Gairloch , as you drive south toward Talladale , you’ll pass by the Loch Maree Islands and also have a wonderful view of the magnificent Ben Eighe  as you make your way through the Ben Eighe National Nature Reserve . There are definitely some challenging hikes in this area if you’re looking to get your blood pumping!

For further exhilaration, get ready, because you’re now coming upon the most talked-about portion of this grand adventure – Bealach na Ba ( Pass of the Cattle ) by Applecross . Passing through Torridon and along Upper Loch Torridon , as you climb and descend on narrow one-lane roads, you will want to stop often to catch your breath and to take lots of pictures! The west coast of the peninsula drive offers panoramic shots of the Isles of Rassay and Skye . Like with the drive to Drumbeg , there is an alternative route to which you can by-pass this white-knuckle drive. But, if you’re ready for some added adventure, conquer what is to known to many as one of the best drives in the UK! Prepare yourself to conquer super tight hairpin turns and switchbacks along the steep hillside with gradients reaching 20%. Too bad there’s not a distillery at the end… we both could’ve used a shot of whiskey after that!

This was a rather long day, but who knew it would only get better from here?! For this was the night we tried wild camping in our campervan for the first time, and boy, did our sense of adventure pay off! We’re big night sky enthusiasts, so we picked a place to park away from city lights on an overlook at the edge of Loch Carron (in Stromeferry ). After a late dinner, we decided to take a step outside to photograph the stars, as there were billions visible. Within minutes, the Northern Lights appeared and danced across the dark sky! Their alluring display only lasted a few minutes before the clouds rolled in, but it was enough to capture some great shots and make it a very memorable first night of wild camping .

Curious about getting off the grid? Check out our post on Wild Camping in Scotland .   

TIP: Look Up! Scotland is an excellent place to view the Northern Lights (in the autumn and winter months). There are several locations around the country where you may have a chance at viewing this spectacular natural phenomenon including: Shetland , Orkney , and Caithness , Aberdeenshire and the Moray Coast , the Isles of Lewis, Harris , and Skye , Cairngorms National Park , Galloway Forest Park ( Scotland’s only Dark Sky Park ), Rannoch Moor and Perthshire , and Angus and the coast of Fife . And even if it isn’t the season for the Northern Lights, these locations should be perfect for star gazing, provided you have clear skies!

Scroll through the pictures of things we saw between Ardmair and Loch Carron

Isle of Skye

This was our second visit to Scotland . We regretted not having visited Scotland’s most talked about island on our first visit, so we vowed to go on a return trip. Though the North Coast 500 route doesn’t include the Isle of Skye , we added a few extra days to our itinerary so we could explore what was recently named as one of the UK’s most beautiful islands in TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Awards . Because this post is all about the North Coast 500 , you’ll have to head over to our Isle of Skye post to read more about our two days on this magical island! So for now, we’ll share a a few pictures with you to whet your appetite.

Loch Carron to Inverness

Following our 2-day detour to the Isle of Skye , we were committed to completing the North Coast 500 route on our way to Cairngorms National Park . Passing through Glen Carron was a scenic treat as we made our way to the stunning Rogie Falls . The sun was shining as we drove back through Inverness to close out the incredible North Coast 500 route!

Scroll through the pictures of things we saw between Loch Carron and Inverness

Making the Most of Your Journey on the North Coast 500

So, maybe you were already planning a trip along the North Coast 500 or maybe just by reading this post, we’ve inspired you to pack your bags and head off to northwestern Scotland! Either way, we hope we’ve provided you with the ultimate North Coast 500 Guide ! Before we close out this ridiculously long post, we want to give you a few more tips for making the most of your journey along the North Coast 500 !

• Plan Ahead! 500 miles is a lot of ground to cover, and with so much to see and do, it’s good to have an idea of what YOU want to experience. You could spend a few weeks traveling the North Coast 500 and not see everything. Know how many days you plan to be on the route and plan activities that are of interest to you. Utilize this guide along with the official North Coast 500 website and VisitScotland.com to plan all of the details. Visit Scotland also has several information centers along the route, providing free planning resources and offering great local advice.
• Take Your Time! Some of the roads are not in the best condition or are otherwise somewhat petrifying on their own. Particularly if this is your first time driving on the left side of the road, be prepared for narrow, one-way, and winding roads in parts! Know how passing places work and take your time. With so much to see along the way, there’s no need to rush. We found that there was nothing to worry about, as most drivers were very courteous and allowed us to pass if we could not pull off the road first.
• Be Prepared for Quick Changes in Weather! As mentioned before, we recommend you dress in layers that you can put on and take off, as the weather can change by the minute. Weatherproof jackets and shoes are highly recommended for this region.
• Check Opening Dates and Hours! On a few occasions, we missed out on being able to visit some attractions along the way, because it was either too early or late in the day, or it wasn’t yet open for the season. We also didn’t know that you’d only be able to spot the dolphins off Chanonry Point during high tide, so we missed out on that opportunity as well! So, learn from us and really plan ahead if there are things you definitely want to see or do along the route!
• Disconnect! We live in an age where many of us are constantly connected to our devices, and even though you’ll want to upload amazing photos from your journey to Facebook and Instagram, it’s important to note that cell towers and WiFi are very scarce along this route. If you absolutely need to connect, your best bet is to stop into a coffeeshop or café, make a purchase, and connect to their WiFi. The Visit Scotland information centers located along the route not only offer free planning resources and offer great advice, they also provide visitors with free WiFi. Though in order to avoid frustration by spending most of your trip searching for a signal, disconnect and simply enjoy the journey!
• Bring Your Sense of Adventure! Though we urge you to use maps and other resources to plan out your trip, we’d also like to encourage you to feel free to detour off the planned route a little bit to discover lesser known gems! There were a few times where we saw something that caught our eye that was not labeled on the map. We went off in search of adventure, and felt that we had discovered something new!

THANKS FOR FOLLOWING OUR NORTH COAST 500 ITINERARY!

Need help planning your own journey along the North Coast 500? For less than you’d pay for a coffee or hot chocolate on a chilly Scotland day, you can download our printable North Coast 500 Destination Guide which basically summarizes this post and contains some additional helpful information including: Suggested Travel Direction | Year-Round Weather | Camping Along the North Coast 500 Guide | Animals | List of Things to See/Do Between Points Along the Route | Suggestions for Making the Most of Your Trip | Sample 5-Day Itinerary | 3-Page Photo Guide (You can see a sample of the guide before making a purchase.)

For further inspiration, please check out the video we put together or our journey along the North Coast 500 !

If you’re interested in campervan / motorhome rental for the North Coast 500, Bunk Campers has pick-up locations in both Edinburgh and Glasgow . The size of our vehicle is the maximum we would recommend for the more harrowing drives to Drumbeg and along Bealach na Ba . For reference, we rented the Aero model. (Anything larger, and you’d probably want to take the bypass roads near Drumbeg and Applecross .) We did a few nights of wild camping in our motorhome during our journey and can definitely recommend this method of travel for this magnificent region of Scotland!

We’d like to thank Bunk Campers and Visit Scotland for their support in our journey along the North Coast 500 . As always, all opinions are our own and are an accurate representation of the experiences we had.

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18 Comments

Hi sam and toccara. I have just read your excellent blog on the north coast 500. My wife and i have already made plans to do this fantastic route in september, but your blog has just whet my appetite even more for our trip. Thank you for allowing people to experince your journey, and for passing on your tips etc for things to see do and visit.

Malcolm reah

Wonderful! I’m so glad the route was recommended to us and now we want to recommend it to others! When we were planning, I couldn’t find much in the way of things to do between points on the drive, so I wanted to create something useful that future travelers to the route could use. Feel free to download of our guide to take with you! https://forgetsomeday.com/north-coast-500-destination-guide/ Have a blast! It’s a beautiful region of Scotland!

For an extra few miles can I recommend you turn left of the A835 at Drumrunie and drive past Stac Pollaidh then right, at Badnagyle, towards Lochinver. The views are simply stunning across towards Suilven

Thanks for the added tip! We’ll definitely have to do this drive again in the future, as I know there is so much more to see!

Hello- fantastic blog/website and article on Northcoast 500. How long did this take? Could it be done safely and enjoyably in 5 days (no Skye as we will have already done that for 3 days)? Don’t laugh! My daughter and I find ourselves with 6 days to plan June 13-18 after the half marathon on Isle of Skye on 6/11. This has me really excited, just do not know if doable. Thanks for your GREAT accounts of your travels!

Thank you so much! We put a lot of time and energy into creating it, so our readers could have a great resource! We did the North Coast 500 in 5 days. Could’ve used another day or two, mostly due to poor weather, but yes it can be done! 🙂 We actually only spent 2 days on Skye and definitely could’ve used more time. Have a wonderful time on your journey along the North Coast 500!

We are going to Scotland this summer and are going to follow in your footsteps. It looks like a really beautiful drive. Hope there are not too many white knuckle parts.

How wonderful! We love Scotland and between our two separate trips, we’ve spent about 5 weeks there. We still have experiences we haven’t even written about. The North Coast 500 is a beautiful and adventurous drive. There are only a few white knuckle parts, but keep in mind, we were in a fairly large campervan during our journey. Have a wonderful time and let us know if you have any questions about the drive.

Thank you so much for sharing. We’re off on the NC500 trip with a campervan (campervanning for the first time and also terrified of the road to Applecross!). This has given me loads to look in to. Stunning pictures too – THANK YOU!

You are most welcome! Applecross wasn’t so bad; fortunately, there were not other cars on the road when we made our journey through the pass, so we had the curvy road all to ourselves! Have a wonderful time along the route!

Thanks for sharing I am hoping to talk my hubby into this next year. Looks really good.

You’re welcome! I hope you’re able to convince your husband to make the drive along the North Coast 500. It’s a wonderful road trip and an excellent way to explore the beauty of the Scottish Highlands!

Just did a section of the Northcoast 500 – along the west coast to Durness. It was fabulous although the weather was only average. We could not see past the edges of the road on our drive over the Bealach na Ba. The beaches are amazing – windswept with gorgeous white sand. Next time and there will be one, we will spend a couple of weeks and drive the full route.

Part of the route is better than none of the route! And I love that you’re already talking about going back for another visit. The weather was less than stellar during our trip, as well, so we’d also love to go back and drive the route again (preferably in better weather). That’s a shame that you couldn’t experience the beauty of Bealach na Ba; hopefully you’ll have better weather during your next trip!

Loved your post. We are leaving in a week although we have a home base in Beauly we will be taking day trips along the 500 rt. We are also stopping off in Orkney to visit rellies . Your suggestions were very helpful . Amber

Awesome Amber! So glad you found our post useful. Have a great time along taking day trips along the route.

Enjoyed your post very much. We are planning to do some of the North Coast 500 at the beginning of October and are renting a small motor home. Unfortunately we only have 5 days, leaving from Edinburgh. We would like to see a distillery on the way and having a hard time now to decide which way would be the most interesting to travel. The clockwise or the counter clockwise. Do you have any suggestion?

As we mentioned in our post – “Clockwise or anticlockwise… that is the question! Since the route is set up in a circular manner, you can go one of two ways. While many people choose to drive west from Inverness and complete the route in a clockwise direction, we decided to head north and travel counter-clockwise. There are benefits to both. Traveling clockwise, the coast will be directly to your left, whereas traveling counter-clockwise (or anticlockwise), you’ll have a lane of passing cars on your right between you and the coast. Despite this, we chose to travel counter-clockwise for two main reasons: 1) We didn’t want to encounter the Bealach na Ba pass near Applecross on our first day, as we were driving a semi-large campervan and felt that we needed to get used to the vehicle before tackling this challenging portion of the drive (more on that later), and 2) We wanted to add in a visit to Isle of Skye toward the tail-end of our journey. So, as to not backtrack, we started our journey north from Inverness!” We visited the Glenmorangie Distillery, though there are a few to choose from along the NC500. Have a wonderful trip!!

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The Essential Guide to the North Coast 500 Scotland

Written By: The Planet D

Road Trips , Scotland

Updated On: February 8, 2024

The North Coast 500 has been billed as Scotland’s answer to America’s Route 66 but this Scottish road trip is unlike anything you’ll see in the USA. The North Coast 500 takes you through the Scottish Highlands seeing legendary castles, extraordinary coastal scenery, and famous whisky distilleries lining the winding single track roads. The NC500 is one of the great road trips in the world.

When planning your North Coast 500 trip be sure to give plenty of days to explore the sights. We spent a very two weeks on this spectacular driving route through the Scottish highlands and we’ve put together the ultimate NC500 Trip Planner to help you make the most of your time in the Scottish highlands. 

Table of Contents

North Coast 500 Guide

Dave and I have done a lot of road trips. We’ve come to the conclusion that they just might be our specialty. We’ve driven a car from England to Mongolia in the  Mongol Rally,  we were the first media to drive Ireland’s entire  Wild Atlantic Way (the longest coastal route on earth) and yes, we have driven through large chunks of  America’s Route 66 .

When we had the opportunity to drive the North Coast 500, we jumped at the chance, we have always wanted to see the Scottish Highlands and this route takes you through the best of them. We love marking our map with must-see attractions, stocking up on snacks, putting together a playlist, and hitting the road.

The North Coast 500 loop counterclockwise from Inverness and we’ve put together the ultimate plan to help you plan ahead and make the most of your time in the Scottish highlands.

What is the North Coast 500

The North Coast 500 (NC500) is a scenic route that runs along the northern coast of Scotland, covering a distance of approximately 516 miles (830 km). It was created as an official loop around the north coast of Scotland, but the roads have always been there.

The official North Coast 500 was launched in 2015 to boost the Northern Highland economy and has now become a popular tourist destination offering stunning coastal views, rugged landscapes, and a chance to visit picturesque villages and towns.

The route starts and ends in the city of Inverness, taking visitors on a circular journey through the Scottish Highlands and along the coast of the North Atlantic, and down the west coast.

Along the way, travelers can visit iconic landmarks such as the Bealach Na Ba Pass, the ruins of Ardvreck Castle, and the white sands of Achmelvich Beach. The route also passes through several communities, providing opportunities for visitors to experience local culture and hospitality.

The NC500 has gained recognition as one of the world’s most scenic road trips, attracting visitors from all over the world who come to explore the natural beauty of Scotland’s rugged north highlands. When you visit Scotland, you are going to want to experience at least a portion its spectacular scenery.

Where is the North Coast 500

Our North Coast 500 drive started and ended in Inverness, the Capital of the Scottish Highlands. We drove counterclockwise along the north coast of Scotland in a 516-mile (830km) circle route through some of the most beautiful landscapes in the country, stopping at many towns and attractions before returning to Inverness.

The North Coast 500 is located in the North West corner of Scotland winding its way up the east coast, along the the north and down west coast of Scotland starting in Inverness.

NC500 Car Rentals

The best way to explore the North Coast 500 is on a road trip is by driving. If you don’t already live in the UK and have your own car, you’ll want to book a rental car well in advance. There are plenty of places to book rental cars in Scotland. We use  Rental Cars Connect to find the best deals on any rental car. You can compare prices on their website.

Hot Tip:  Be sure your rental car is a smaller car as roads are often single track roads along the North Coast 500 and a small car is easy to navigate through the North Highlands. The roads through the Scottish Highlands are winding and narrow there are several hairpin turns. Small cars can also fit easily into the passing places to let faster drivers overtake you. Rental cars are scarce these days, so be sure to book well in advance. Compare prices at RentalCars.com

Day 1: North Coast 500 – Inverness

We started our North Coast 500 road trip in Inverness and spent two days enjoying this historic city. Inverness is the main city on the North Coast 500 route and it is the capital of the Scottish Highlands.

The capital of the Scottish Highlands, Inverness is home to the very famous Loch Ness where you can search for Nessie herself. That was our main interest when visiting Inverness, but there are plenty of other things to see and do.

• St. Andrew’s Cathedral
• Abertarff House dating back to 1592
• Nessie Islands – Islands connected by beautiful walkways and gardens
• Golf and Spa at Kingsmills Spa
• Read our full article Things to do in Inverness

Day 2: North Coast 500

There are plenty of things to do in Inverness and in the surrounding area, so you will definitely want to spend some time here. Here are a few top attractions to see before moving along the North Coast 500.

Inverness is the main hub for exploring Loch Ness. People visit the legendary Loch Ness in search of the Loch Ness Monster, but it is worth exploring the sandy beaches and scenery around Inverness as well.

The visitors center in Drumnadrochit is fun and kitschy and is a must-stop to learn about the history of the Loch Ness Monster, but exploring the massive lake is the highlight.

 Drumnadrochit and Glen Affric

If you have more time, you can stay in Drumnadrochit, there are plenty of B&Bs in the area. If you are staying in the area take a drive to Glen Affric to take in its stunning landscape and view the beautiful Plodda Falls. This is the spot where the tour busses stop though so be prepared for large crowds and traffic.

Be sure to watch the sunset from Dores Beach and you may even run into the Nessie Hunter who has set up camp right in this spot to keep watch for the elusive monster.

Urquhart Castle

Urquhart Castle is another must-see stop on the lake. It is a beautiful ruin that has survived many a battle over the past 1000 years. The setting overlooks Loch Ness and the rolling hills of the Scottish Highlands, I can see why people fought over this beautiful setting.

Where to Stay in Inverness

Accommodation Suggestion: Kingsmills Hotel and spa with swimming pool and breakfast included. We stayed here and absolutely loved it.

The Kingsmills Hotel  is located on a golf course just outside the downtown core. Set in a large historic mansion on a massive treed property with spa and pool. We stayed in the newer spa portion of the hotel and the rooms were spacious, and comfortable. Parking is free and breakfasts are included. Check it out on TripAdvisor  /  Booking.com

The Rocpool Reserve Hotel is another recommended hotel: Trip Advisor  /  Booking.com

Suggested places to eat: Rocpool Restaurant or Dores Inn at Loch Ness in Dores after you’ve watched the sunset.

Day 3 – Drive North to Dornoch

Today you will leave Inverness and make your way to Dornoch for the start of your east coast drive up North Coast 500 Road trip. Your next overnight is just a little over an hour’s drive away, but it is the perfect base for your next set of explorations as there is a lot to see and do in the area.

Along the A9 towards the NC500 offers many things to see and places to stop. Dornoch is famous for the Dornoch Castle and makes a good base to explore the whisky route.

Don’t just beeline it to the next town, be sure to pop into these highlights on your way out of Inverness before hitting the North Coast 500 Route.

Culloden Battlefield

The Culloden Battlefield is one of the best stops on the North Coast 500 road trip. As you make your way through the Scottish Highlands, make sure to stop at one of the most historic sites on the itinerary. The modern visitor’s centre opened in 2008 and is a stark contrast to the empty land where one of the bloodiest battles on British soil took place.

On a spring day in 1746, more than 1200 men were killed in just one short hour. It was the final battle of the Jacobite uprising and it came to its fateful end.

Visitors are given headsets triggered by GPS telling them the story of the bloody battle as they walk both sides of the battlefield. One of the most powerful moments comes when you enter the interior museum and stand inside a room projecting a 360-degree reenactment of the battle. You are surrounded by the cries of the warriors meeting their fate.

If you are fascinated with Highland history (as we are) this is a place where you can easily spend hours. For more information see Culloden Battlefield Visitor’s Centre

Clava Cairns

Clava Cairns is not far from the Culloden Battlefield and is a good stop for this day of sightseeing on the North Coast 500. Cairns are ancient stone cemeteries dating back 4000 years . There are several cairns along the nc500 but none as famous as Clava Cairns.

Clava Cairns was used as the inspiration for the Outlander series (this is the place where Claire was transported back in time) you can understand why Diana Gambon felt time travel could happen here.

The standing stones and circular cairns feel like magic. The Cairns of Scotland were burial tombs used to house the dead and today, visitors can stroll the grounds and walk right into the centre of the tombs feeling the peace and quiet of the sacred site. It’s free to visit so don’t miss it!

It’s time to move on from Inverness and cross into the Black Isle portion of the driving route. Black Isle is a peninsula located just north of the city of Inverness. Despite its name, Black Isle is not an actual island but rather a peninsula, bounded by water on three sides: the Cromarty Firth to the north, the Beauly Firth to the south, and the Moray Firth to the east.

The name “Black Isle” is said to come from the fact that when viewed from a distance, the area appears to be black due to the forests that cover much of the peninsula. Black Isle is a popular stop on the NC500 for those who want a taste of the route with its scenic villages away from the larger towns, beaches, and wildlife reserves. You can easily explore Black Isle on a day trip from Inverness.

Road Trip Snacks

North Coast 500 Road Trip Snacks  – We stocked up on water and snacks in Inverness, but there are plenty of local shops along the route. One of our favorite stops for local meats & cheeses, fresh fruits, and local treats, be sure to stop in at Roberston’s The Larder.  

You can also meet the farm animals including Highland Cows. If you are worried about not seeing the famous highland cattle along the route, (don’t be) you’ll have a good chance here. It is located on the route from Inverness to Glen Ord Distillery.

Singleton Distillery

Located in the heart of Black Isle, The Singleton Distilerry is the closest distillery to Inverness so it can easily be done as a day trip from there. What makes a visit to Singleton unique is that it is one of the few distilleries in Scotland that still malts its own barley and their Singleton blend can only be bought in Scotland or if you visit Asia.

For us, it was also the first time we’d seen wooden fermentation barrels. Every other distillery tour we’ve ever taken was stainless steel.

Dornoch Castle

The end of day 3 on your North Coast 500 trip ends at Dornoch Castle. Dornoch is a destination unto itself with the castle at its center. The Scottish highlands are filled with old castles that have been converted into hotels. Do yourself a favor and book a night at least one castle hotel.

Dornoch Castle is located right in the market square of Dornoch directly across from the Dornoch Cathedral. This 12th-century cathedral is such a draw that Madonna had her son Rocco christened here.

The castle sets the tone for this unique Scottish road trip. The pub makes you feel like you are sitting in a 17th-century tavern as the fire roars and the whiskey pours. The set dinner menu is divine and the rooms make you feel like royalty.

Dornoch Castle and Whisky Bar

Dornoch Castle is home to one of the best whisky bars on earth. It was voted the #1 Whisky Hotel of the Year by whiskybase.com . It’s the whisky bar that is the main attraction. Sitting inside the thick old stone walls with the giant fireplace roaring with flame you feel as if you’ve stepped back in time to when clans ruled the land.

The extensive whisky stock has won awards as the best whisky bar in the world and is currently the reigning number 1 whisky hotel of the year as named by whiskybase.com.

Having the distillery tour helped us to understand the distilling process of Scottish whiskey and gave us insight into aromas and flavors when we decided to taste a few drams at Dornoch Castle’s whisky bar. This truly made us feel like we were taking a tour through history and our guide Alistair was as passionate about his scotch as he was informative.

We ordered a tasting flight of three whiskeys after chatting with the bartender who will help us decide what shots to choose. He will pick your brain to see what type of Scotch you prefer and offer up choices of different whiskeys at different prices to suit your needs.

Note:  Scotland spells whisky without an “e”. So when you visit Scotland, be sure to spell it the way they do in Scotland, it’s whisky NOT Whiskey. 

Where to Stay in Dornoch

Dornoch Castle – We loved our stay in the historic Dornoch Castle. Whenever we visit Ireland or Scotland, we always try to stay in a castle for a truly authentic and historic experience. Trip Advisor  /  Booking.com

There is also The Dornoch Hotel you can see more information on Trip Advisor  /  Booking.com

Royal Marine Hotel – Just a little farther up the East Coast is the Royal Marine Hotel which was voted one of the best places to stay in Britain. Just an hour from Inverness along the North Coast 500, this is a good place to make a base while exploring the east coast of Scotland. Check rates and availability on Expedia.com

Day 4: North Coast 500 – Dornoch to Wick

Click here for an interactive map of NC 500

Day 4 of your North Coast 500 road trip is all about the whisky and the spectacular scenery of the North Highlands. The drive from Dornoch to Wick takes approximately 4 hours but as with every part of the NC500 route, you’ll end up taking much longer as there is so much to see and do.

Distillery Tours

There are several distilleries in Northern Scotland where road trippers can pick up a bottle of their favorite Scotch whisky. It is worth stopping at least once but if you want to spend longer in the area, check them all out on a day tour. From the town of Dornoch, there are half a dozen distilleries to visit that are from mere minutes to only a couple of hours away.

• Glenmorangie
• Pulteney Distilleries are all nearby.

If you are looking for something outside of distilleries, make your way to the Black Isle Brewing Company. Black Isle is an organic brewer with a wide range of organic beers and seasonal specials.

If you are a whisky lover, Dornoch castle or Royal Marine Hotel is the perfect place to base your travels as you explore the distilleries of the route. Visit their website  for bookings and availability.

Dunrobin Castle

Open from April 1 to October 15, visiting Dunbrobin Castle is a must. You can visit the gardens and grounds year-round. We parked our car and walked down the steps to a magnificent view of this 800 year-old castle. It’s different from other castles in Scotland resembling a French Chateau rather than the stark stone structures in other parts we saw.

Dunrobin castle has been home to the Earls and Dukes of Sutherland since the 13th century.

This castle can be visited from Dornoch, or you can plan as we did and make it a stop along the way to our next destination which in our case is Wick. Read all about Donrobin Castle here.

Where to Stay – Ackergill Tower Hotel

Something we loved about driving the North Coast 500 was the chance to stay in historic castles. There are many unique accommodations along the route from farmhouses, B&Bs, lighthouses, and luxury estates. Making our way up the East Coast towards the northernmost tip of Scotland, we stayed at the Ackergill Tower Hotel.

We enjoyed a delicious meal in this grand hotel. Like Dornoch Castle, Ackergill Tower is an accommodation that is a destination. The Tower is an incredible 600-year-old stone tower that stands proud on the shores of Sinclair Bay. The Northernmost point of Scotland. This luxurious highland estate is as romantic as it is remote.

Dining in the great hall, we ate a delicious three-course menu before retiring to the sitting rooms for an after dinner drink. It felt fresh out of Downton Abbey. As we sat by the fire we read about the history of the castle and wondered what life might have been like back in time.

The most famous story of the castle tells the tale of Helen Gunn, known as the Beauty of Braemore who was kidnapped on her wedding night and held prisoner in this very tower. To escape her fate she leapt to her death. It is said that her ghost haunts the halls to this day.

Day 5: Wick to Dunnet Head

Once we reached the Northern Tip of Scotland, the scenery turned to dramatic views. This was probably our favorite area to explore on the road trip. Everyone told us the west coast was the best, but the northern tip was stunning. We could have spent at least two more days exploring the walking trails along the coast.

It is the area where you see those massive sea cliffs and sea stacks housing migrating seabirds and seals. If you like hiking and wildlife, you’ll love this area.

Whaligoe Steps

If you want to get down inside something similar to the Geo of Sclaites, the Whaligoe Steps is a superb trek. The Whaligoe Steps consist of 330 steps leading down to one of the most inaccessible harbors in Scotland. Dating back to the mid 18th century, the  Whaligoe Steps  were used by fishermen’s wives to haul fish up in their baskets. At its prime, 24 fishing boats were working these waters fishing for herring.

Wick Heritage Centre

If you want to learn more about the fishing and history of the area, the Wick Heritage Centre is the place to go. Wick was Europe’s premier herring fishing port during the 19th century and dedicated guides volunteer their time to tell share their historical knowledge.

There are many artifacts on display and rooms furnished to portray the past. To get directions and look up hours visit the Wick Heritage Centre website. 

Dunnet Bay Distillery

Scotland may be known for its Scotch, but Gin is making a huge mark in the country. Tours operate from May to Sept at 3 pm on Mon, Wed, Fri and on Saturdays at 11 am and 1 pm.

This was probably our favorite area to explore on the North Coast 500. Everyone told us the west coast was the best, but the northern tip was stunning. It is the area where you see those massive sea cliffs and stacks housing migrating seabirds and seals. If you like hiking and wildlife, you’ll love this area.

Ackergill Tower – Overnight

The Ackergill Tower Hotel became our base for exploring this portion of the Scottish Highlands and we stayed here another night.

Like Dornoch Castle, Ackergill Tower is an accommodation that is a destination. The Tower is an incredible 600-year-old stone tower that stands proudly on the shores of Sinclair Bay. The Northernmost point of Scotland. This luxurious highland estate is as romantic as it is remote.

The most famous story of the castle tells the tale of Helen Gunn, known as the Beauty of Braemore who was kidnapped on her wedding night and held a prisoner in this very tower. To escape her fate she leaped to her death. It is said that her ghost haunts the halls to this day. Check out Ackergill Tower to book your accommodation

Day 6: North Coast 500 – Wildlife and Scenery

Dave and I love taking tours. As much as we enjoy exploring on our own, we find that helps us discover hidden gems and areas we would never have thought of visiting. We spent a half day exploring with Caithness Wildlife Tours. Guide and owner Kate is a marine biologist and outdoor lover who takes visitors to see view seabirds, seals, and other wildlife in the area.

But she also showed us historic sites such as Mary Ann’s Cottage dating back to 1850 and The Castle of Mey. The Queen Mother bought and restored the Castle of Mey and King Charles still visits each summer.

Castle of Mey

It was the impressive views of Dunnet Head and Brough Harbour that really took our breath away. But what we loved the most was learning the interesting facts of the area from Kate. For example, Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin was a regular visitor to the area and nearly bought an estate in Caithness for a recording studio.

He never did buy the studio, but he did rebuild the harbor and there is a plaque with his name on the Harrow Harbour commemorating the reopening.

Castle Sinclair Girnigo

Located just a short walk or drive from Ackergill Tower the ruins of Castle Sinclair Girnigo is an imposing sight on the coast. We saw this from the road, but when we decided to go for a walk to it, the rain came down in full force.

There was one particular moment when we really appreciated being on the tour. We had stopped with Kate to view seals in the harbor (a regular tourist would miss seeing this on their own) and she told us to turn around.

The harbor was nice, but the scene behind us was beautiful. The peaceful setting housed an old mill and quiet brook that was just screaming to be photographed. Other tourists drove right on by looking at us instead of the scene and missed this highlight of the coast.

Duncansby Head

If you look up images of the North Coast 500 on Google, chances are you’ve seen countless images of Duncansby Head. Hiking here is spectacular with many walking paths along the coast. Located just a mile and a half from John O’Groats, make your way to parking at the Duncansby Head Lighthouse.

If you have more time, you can hike directly from John O’Groats to take in the entire spectacular view. It is the most northern point of mainland Scotland, We had limited time, so we started our hike from the lighthouse and made our way to the awe-inspiring stacks. It’s only about a 10-15 minute walk, but along the way, make sure to stick to the coast so you can view the dramatic narrow sea gullies known as the Geo of Sclaites.

After marveling at the views here, we moved along the North Highlands to the stacks of Duncansby Head. There’s a path right along the coast overlooking the stacks so you can view them from all directions.

 Geo of Sclaites

Be sure to keep an eye out for seabirds. Different are constantly migrating through the area at all times of the year. Including puffins! A Geo is a deep inlet of water with high seacliffs and while there are plenty along the northern coast of Scotland, none are quite as dramatic as the Geo of Sclaites.

Rock formations date back 4000 years and you can take walking paths right to the edge of the cliff to see migrating birds and the spectacular scenery.

Where to Stay near Dunnet Head

Ackergill Tower  was the perfect base for exploring the northernmost point of Scotland. This 16th-century tower has a lot of history, and you can sit by the fire reading about its checkered past as you enjoy a dram of whiskey. Dining in the great hall, we ate a delicious three-course menu before retiring to the various sitting rooms for an after-dinner drink.

• Check it out on Trip Advisor  /  Booking.com
• Another suggested hotel is Riverside Apartments view it on Trip Advisor  /  Booking.com

We love road trips! We included the North Coast 500 in our best road trips we’ve ever taken. 

Day 7: Dunnet Head to Tongue

This stretch of the nc500 takes you across the top of Scotland. It was surprising to look at our map and see just how far north we were. Northern Scotland is the equivalent of being halfway up the Hudson Bay in Canada’s north, or just one-degree shy of Oslo, Norway, Stockholm Sweden, or St. Petersburg, Russia. It’s no wonder Northern Scotland reminded us so much of Iceland! 

Surfing in Scotland

It was also really surprising to find out that this area is a popular surfing destination. World surfing events are held here. We didn’t brave the water, but while driving through the likes of Armadale Bay and Melvich, we did see surfers in the water taking on the swells. These bays are still way up in the north coast of Scotland so I can only imagine what the temperatures were like.

We were a bit too early in the season for kayaking and when we go back to Scotland we will definitely give it a go. But we did see a few experienced kayakers in the water. Looking at the rough seas, we decided it was best left to the professionals at this time of year. We’ll brave the North Sea when the weather is a little more inviting.

Castle Varrich

Hopefully, by the time you go, the ruins of Castle Varrich will be open. It was under scaffolding when we arrived as we were told that they had just discovered a bone and it was being excavated. It should be open now for you to see.

You can hike from the Tongue Hotel. It is believed that the castle was built in the 14th century upon an old Norse fort. So you can be sure there is a lot of history just waiting to be discovered here.

Kyle of Tongue

Instead of driving directly along the A383 to cross the Kyle of Tongue, take the scenic route around the tip of the loch for extraordinary scenic views. We had the single track roads all to ourselves. We’d spy a lake, park the car and hike to extraordinary views.

We spent the day here before meeting up again with the A383 at the Kyle of Tongue Bridge. We made sure to cross the bridge for a full view of the highlands before turning around again to continue our journey.

Overnight at Tongue Hotel

The Tongue Hotel  It has a cozy atmosphere with large rooms, and there’s always someone offering a drop of sherry when you arrive. There is a dining room and in town there is a store close by to stock up on supplies for the rest of your road trip. See prices on Trip Advisor  /  Booking.com

Ben Loyal Hotel is another suggested place to stay on this portion of the north coast 500. Located on Main Street Tongue. View it on Trip Advisor  /  Booking.com

Day 8 – Tongue to Balnakeil

This is another fabulous stretch filled with long deserted sandy beaches, more coastal hike and one incredible cave.

One of our favorite things on our trips was to explore the Smoo Caves. Stopping in the town of Durness, the Smoo Caves are beautiful to see inside and out. There are boardwalks leading down to the caves on either side giving you views of the steep path. A bridge lets you cross the river leading in from the sea while looking into the giant cavern.

Many people just go into the caves and take a quick look, but we highly recommend taking a geological tour. Previously it was run by Colin who spent his lifetime excavating these caves. We had the privilege of doing a tour with him, but sadly he passed away in 2019.

Check out the website  for more information on his tours and the geology of the caves. It’s a fascinating read and you’ll find yourself getting lost in the facts.

Balnakeil Bay

A beautiful stretch of sandy beach can be found just out of town and it is definitely worth visiting. Not only is it very picturesque, but you’ll also experience the unique feeling of walking on a beach while military vehicles drive by with great purpose.

The Royal Naval gunnery ranges are located out here and military personnel comes to this area to train. You constantly hear guns and bangs in the distance making you wonder “what on earth is going on out there?”

John Lennon

There is a scenic cemetery located on the site by the beach housing an old church and tombstones. It’s very photogenic and John Lennon’s aunt is buried here.

John Lennon visited the area many times to see his aunt and there is a memorial in the town of Durness. He revisited it again with Yoko Ono and it is said that some of his happiest memories took place here.

Belnakeil Craft Village

This is a cool spot where locals are starting to build a craft community converting an old military camp into an artist’s compound. The most famous attraction here is the Cocoa Mountain coffee shop. We stopped here to load up on chocolate and pick up a takeaway cappuccino for our drive out of town.

We didn’t try the hot chocolate, but we heard two different customers give glowing recommendations on our way out. Don’t worry though, we definitely had our fill of handmade chocolate and an oh so smooth cappuccino.

Be prepared to give your wallet a workout. When you walk in, you’ll want to sample all the truffles and handmade local chocolate in the store.

Smoo Cave Hotel

Smoo Cave Hotel a basic hotel, but the location is a perfect stop after driving from Tongue, giving you the chance to spend a day or two in Smoo. There’s a good bar and they have some of the best Haggis around.

Where to eat – Sango Sans, The Whale Tale, or Pick up a picnic lunch at the Carfour and stop at the Cocoa Mountain  coffee shop in Belnakeil Craft Village 

Smoo Cave Hotel has a good bar and they have some of the best Haggis around.

Day 9: North Coast 500 – Belnakeil to Lochinver

Today is a big day as we make our way down the west toward Achmelvich Bay. It is during this section that the driving gets really fun. The single track roads can get quite hair-raising and the drive is along huge lakes and through mountains is a thrill.

This is another stunning drive along a single track with views to die for. The scenery along the North Coast 500 is unique. It varies from place to place, so make sure to take your time to really enjoy all of the views. If you can, take your time and possibly stay in Lochinver for a night. We however moved on.

Kylesku Bridge

Located where Loch Glencoul and Loch Glendhu meet, this is a very picturesque spot in the heart of the highlands. The Kylesku bridge is one of the Most Photographed Stops on the North Coast 500.

Kylesku sits in the middle of Scotland’s 2,000 km 2  (770 sq mi) Global Geopark. There is a lot of history human and geological in this land and the Geopark is recognized by UNESCO and is set up to promote and preserve that history.

Many people cut this portion of drive and head directly to Lochinver along the A894 and A837 but one of the most picturesque road routes we took in the north highlands were toward Drumbeg. The open roads that we had seen thus far, gave way to narrow single track roads dropping off into deep valleys.

It was a beautiful winding trip. It was only 10 miles long but it took us well over an hour to navigate and take in the sights. It was here that we saw countless stags running through the hills. And, it was here that we came across the very pretty highland cows, and it was here that we saw hundreds of sheep grazing in the fields and skittering away whenever we drew near.

Stoerhead Lighthouse

The Stoerhead Lighthouse was certainly worth a short detour. The lighthouse itself isn’t tall, but it stands on a cliff that is 54 meters (162 feet) above sea level jutting out from the West Coast of Scotland.

The scene is impressive and you can actually book a stay in the lighthouse. There are two flats and a kitchen, so if you want to spend more time exploring the area, this is as unique as it gets for accommodation and you’ll have incredible views of the sea!

Dave and I love a good coffee on a road trip and admittedly the choices for on-the-go coffee on the North Coast 500 were few and far between. That’s why when we saw a sign promoting coffee ahead, we followed it.

Flossies is a tiny coffee shop located on the side of the road, but it is an institution in the area. Opened in 1972 by Mrs Flossie Machphail it has now been taken over by her son William and his wife Caroline who continue the tradition of making great coffee to warm your bones from the damp Scottish weather. When driving through this section, be sure to stock up!

The single track roads continue from Clachtol through an incredibly beautiful rocky and rolling landscape. When in Clachtol be sure to check out the stone broch. Scottish Brochs date back to somewhere around the first century BC.

Experts can’t quite agree on what they were, but these stone structures are worth a visit to witness how these mounds of stones have survived through the centuries.

Achmevilch Beach

Achmevilch Bay is apparently quite stunning and a good spot to park your caravan. Unfortunately for us, we were heading in that direction while the road was under construction. We were told to come back in a few hours by workers, but alas, we had to move on as we were on a mission to finish our NC500 road trip.

The time to visit Achmevilch Bay is during the summer season anyway as there is water skiing, windsurfing, lots of walking trails and fishing. Okay then, it’s settled, we must go back to Northern Scotland!

Where to Stay

Kylesku hotel is a good base There are boat trips, hiking trails and wildlife excursions where you can spot sea otters, seals and migrating sea birds. See it on Trip Advisor  /  Booking.com There is also the Drumbeg Hotel.

• We stayed at a small farmhouse called the Croft 338 B&B. It’s a basic B&B, but the Internet is good, there’s cable TV and she makes a hearty breakfast in the morning.

Day 10 – Lochinver to Ullapool

The scenery is breathtaking in the North Highlands, and once again as we make our way further down the west coast to Ullapool we are treating to stunning views. The single-track road weaves through mountainous terrain and heavily wooded areas. Have your camera ready, there are plenty of photo opportunities of wild deer on this leg from Lochinver to Ullapool.

Staic Pollaidh

On our way to Ullapool, we met up with adrenaline junkie and guide extraordinaire, Tim Hamlett. Tim runs Hamlett Mountaineering and we instantly became fast friends. He’s definitely that guy that you want to hang out with. He offers guided climbing trips and guided treks into the mountains. Tim really does it all!

With kayaking adventures and snorkelling trips coming soon, you could spend a week hanging with him exploring the highlands. He offers multiday treks, but we were on a schedule so only had the morning with him. You can walk the trails yourself, but to hire a guide is where you really get the true experience.

We met Tim at the Stac Pollaidh car park where we joined up to climb Stac Pollaidh. This is a premiere attraction in the area but we met early enough in the morning that the other trekkers had yet to arrive and we had the trail all to ourselves.

Tim told us of the geology and other climbs in the area. His wife works for the GeoPark and he is very passionate about promoting tourism and conservation in the highlands. His business is expanding rapidly and we can’t wait to come back in the near future to do some proper mountaineering with him.

You should definitely book a trip with him and let us know what we should do next! Visit  Hamlet Mountaineering for more details.

Corrieshalloch Gorge

Located just 15 minutes outside of Ullapool, the Corrieshalloch Gorge is an interesting stop. A short yet steep walk from the car park takes you to a deep and narrow box canyon where you can cross the suspension bridge.

The bridge is a bit hair-raising as it’s narrow and the railings are low, but it is worth the view. There are hiking trails to explore and a waterfall to visit.

Overnight in Ullapool

Ullapool is a picturesque fishing town that is bustling with business. It seems that everyone driving the North Coast 500 stays here. We loved our B&B and highly recommend it. We put it up there as the coolest accommodation on the NC500.

Where to Stay in Ullapool

Westlea House Boutique B&B was by far our favourite place to stay on the North Coast 500. You’ll want to sit by the fire perusing the huge choice of books and magazines, or you may want to pop into the music room and choose from the extensive collection of vinyl records.. Check it out on Trip Advisor  /  Booking.com

Argyll Hotel is another option for hotels on this portion of the NC500 – See it on Trip Advisor  /  Booking.com

Ullapool offers a considerable choice of dining options for the size of the town. Recommendations are the Arch Inn, Argyle Hotel Seafood Bar for fresh local seafood, The Ceilidh Place and Ferry Boat Inn.

We thoroughly enjoyed coffee at Mountain Supplies Coffee Shop. Located on the second floor of a mountaineering equipment store, this café has a hipster vibe with and outdoor lover’s twist. The friendly staff made us feel warm and welcome.

Day 11: North Coast 500 – Gairloch

Gairloch makes for a great base when exploring the west coast portion of the NC 500. You can go up and down the coast in both directions. There is a lot to see and do here and you can cover a lot of ground so if you want to make a base here for a couple of days, it’s a great option. Gairloch is an extremely important town in Scotland with a lot of history.

Gairloch was founded by the McKenzies as a safe destination for Scottish Highlanders to wear their kilts and continue their Scottish traditions when the British weren’t allowing them to do so. Dave has ties to Gairloch. We found out about it when we had our Ancestry DNA done just before leaving. 

Inverewe Gardens

Inverewe Gardens is an interesting stop filled with exotic plants that simply shouldn’t be able to grow in this corner of northern Scotland. In 1860 Osgood McKenzie created this carefully sculpted garden out of a few scrub willows and bare rocks.

The 50-acre garden stands on the shore of Loch Ewe and exotic plants from around the world thrive here because of the warm currents of the Gulf Stream and the North Atlantic. Drift In 2016 the house was opened to the public after undergoing a £2million restoration by the National Trust for Scotland.

Isle of Ewe Smokehouse

Fishing is a huge part of the economy in Northern Scotland and while you are in Gairloch, you may want to stop at the Isle of Ewe Smokehouse. It’s interesting to stop and see what happens to the fish after the catch. This family-run shop smokes all its fish in traditional stone kilns using whisky barrel staves & local Larch to give their fish its own unique flavor.

They have a gift shop where you can pick up supplies and local seafood for your road trip or grab a gift box for someone special at home. You can even order online! 

There are so many lochs in Northern Scotland it is difficult to choose where to stop, but Loch Maree is definitely a beautiful place to visit at sunrise. Campervans park overnight on the shores of this loch but you can drive in for a view as well. It’s not highly traveled and can be difficult to find.

At first, we parked at a logging road and started to walk the distance to the loch, but luckily we decided to move on. Just a couple of kilometers down the road we found the cut off to the beach and were treated to a spectacular view.

Beinn Eighe

Beinn Eighe is Britain’s oldest nature reserve and a premier hiking destination. There is 48 Square km to explore with trails as short as 1 1/2 km. Hiking is popular in Scotland and you can’t visit the country without doing a proper trek.

The main access is from Loch Maree near the village of Kinlochewe and trails leave from either the visitor centre here or the Coille na Glas-Leitir car park also on the shores of Loch Maree. For full trail maps and information see the visit Scotland National Nature Reserve website

Klinlochewe Viewpoint

Picking up a coffee at the newly opened Klinlochewe Coffee Shop at the gas station we chatted with the owners who gave us some pointers on the best viewpoint in the area. I can’t believe we almost missed this!

Many people miss this view because they take the coastal scenic route to Applecross. But be sure to at least drive up to the viewpoint. Top Gear named it one of the great drives of the UK.

We were lucky because we had a couple of days in the area so we drove the coast the day before and could take the shortcut through the mountains today. Both are highly recommended.

Diabag Viewpoint

Another incredible view that we stumbled upon was Diabag Viewpoint. Driving from Torridon we heard that this was a great place for panoramic views and whoever gave us that advice was right!

The road is an incredible thrill of one lane switching back and forth up a steep mountain. There are several stops to see views to the east, to the west, and over the water looking from Scotland’s stunning west coast.

It’s worth the drive and to do the entire route to Lower Diabag took us about an hour each way. (we do like to stop for a lot photographs though)

Where to Stay in Gairloch

The Old Inn.  It’s an old coaching inn remodeled with modern conveniences. Set on a beautiful estate, there are walking trails, gardens and streams running through the property. On-site, there is an excellent seafood restaurant and an award-winning pub. This is a place that felt like we were in the real Scotland. See it on Trip Advisor  /  Booking.com

Shieldaig Lodge This old hunting lodge is located on Loch Gairloch. It is set on a 26,000 acre estate in the West Highlands. See it on Trip Advisor  /  Booking.com

Day 12: North Coast 500 – Klinlochewe to Applecross

When it comes to the North Coast 500, the scenery is the star attraction so take your time to stop, go for hikes, enjoy the trails, book a trail ride (the Highlanders were great horsemen), go kayaking, sailing, and search for wildlife. The sky is the limit here.

This final stretch of  driving along the coast  is probably the most scenic and fun driving you’ll have along the North Coast 500. There are so many viewpoints to stop and enjoy the scene, you’ll spend an entire day getting through just a short 32-mile stretch. As you drive from Torridon the views are plentiful.

We picked up a delicious cappuccino for takeaway (have you noticed we like coffee?) at the Torridon Hotel and bar and began our scenic journey along Upper Torridon Loch. This is a great day trip for a coast journey taking you all the way around the route to Applecross where you drive the most spectacular pass Baelnabach Pass; The star attraction of the North Coast 500.

Town of Sheildag

Be sure to pull over as much as possible along this route as you are going to find some amazing overhead views. The initial climb up the coast has hairpin turns and viewpoints. A gorgeous one we found was a pull-off with a short trail leading to a view of the town of Sheildag.

Famous Red House

Have you ever seen the photos of the little red house in northern Scotland? Well, it’s here along this route that you’ll find it. Enjoy a quiet stop on the side of the road here and watch the sheep graze in the yard.

Non-stop pullovers  and Passing Places

This route around the North Highlands takes you along the ocean side of the west coast and there are so many stops you just may take an entire day to get to your destination. We saw a lot of highland cows along this road too. The narrow roads have pullovers and passing places where you can either get out of your car for photos or let faster drivers pass. This is a place you want to take your time, but also be considerate of faster drivers.

Flocks of sheep were plentiful and there were even views of the Isle of Skye. It was an incredible drive but be prepared for a lot of wind. We had beautiful sunny weather, but the wind was strong. When getting out of the car we had to put on a jacket. Never assume you’ll be fine in shorts or a t-shirt all day when driving in Northern of Scotland.

Applecross to Baelnabach Pass

This is the highlight of the entire North Coast 500 and it does not disappoint. Baelnabach Pass used to be an old cattle trail that was turned into a driving transport route and is now a popular tourist route.

The drive is thrilling with hairpin turns on single-lane tracks that you still share with transports. There are a few pullovers and it is worth stopping if you see one and feel confident. The views are magnificent looking down the valley.

When you get to the top of the pass be sure to get out of your car and go for a hike. The rocky landscape is like nothing you’ve ever seen leading out to the ocean.

Kishorn Seafood Bar

It’s been a big day and you’ve probably built up an appetite. If you keep following the main road towards Lochcarron you’ll come across the pleasant Kishorn Seafood Bar. Serving fresh local seafood, this is not to be missed.

This family-run eatery is filled with excellent choices for lunch or dinner and the staff is friendly. They even gave us a taste of the local specialty. If you haven’t tried oysters before, this is the place to do it. They even give certificates to first-timers.

Day 13: North Coast 500 – Plockton

Our final destination before finishing off the loop to Inverness took us to Plockton. Plockton became our home base to explore the area. Like other parts of the nc500, there is a lot of history, wildlife and scenery to enjoy and here are a few highlights of what you must see and do!

Reraig Forest Tour

We met our guide Colin at Lochcarron village not having a clue as to what we were doing or where we were going. Hopping into his truck he took us to Reraig Forest where we got into a buggy to make our way up a steep mountain.

The buggy was an adventure enough as we clung to the edge of steep banks, rammed through deep mud and trotted along the rocky landscape. But that was just part of the adventure.

The true beauty came when we reached the pack of deer and stags roaming the land. It’s here that you’ll find beautiful deer that roam free on thousands of acres of property.

Colin feeds the deer special pellets to subsidize their diet as he says the vegetation doesn’t give them the nutrients they need. You can tell he loves the herd and he even pointed out a few that jumped over the fence to stick around.

Colin also has sheep and rams on the land that come running when he arrives. It was quite funny to see the deer follow our buggy over the hills like a flock of sheep. They were very excited to see him!

Eilean Donan Castle

Possibly the most famous castle in the land, Eilean Donan Castle was used for the set of Highlander, James Bond’s The World is Not Enough, and the New Avengers. It’s a beautiful castle where you can tour and learn about the history of the clans that ruled the Highlands.

It tells the tale through an excellent audio-visual display about the Jacobite uprising and fall, and the wars of the clans. You can walk through the different rooms of the castle that are decorated just as they were hundreds of years ago and get a true sense of what life was like. The gift shop is excellent and it was here that we bought a woolen scarf in the colors of Dave’s ancestors the McKenzies.

Strome Castle

A far less intact castle but still beautiful to visit is Drome Castle. Today it is in ruins, the outer walls are still standing and you can walk inside and out exploring the coastal piece of land.

At low tide you can walk pretty far out to the sea for a good view of the castle and you can snap the obligatory picture through the doorway arch.

Duncraig Castle

Duncraig Castle is a castle that has been turned into a bed and breakfast and is worth a photo stop if you are not staying there. The road leading to the railway station goes directly through the castle grounds, you can easily drive your car right up to the front door to have a look. It’s located on Loch Carron and can be seen from the town of Plockton. There are even hikes that lead out to the castle.

Where to Stay in Plockton

The Plockton Hotel – Located on the waterfront of Plockton, the Plockton Hotel is the most popular spot in town. With a Michelin rated pub, it has some of the best pub food and atmosphere in Scotland. We ate there each night, enjoying local seafood with whiskey and wine. Trip Advisor  /  Booking.com

Plocton Inn is another hotel in town and it has excellent dining as well.

Duncraig Castle is a castle that has been turned into a bed and breakfast and is worth a photo stop

Where to eat in Plockton: The Plockton Inn, Plockton Hotel, and Plockton Shores all specialize in seafood and are all excellent. 

Day 14: Isle of Skye – North Coast 500

Visiting the Isle of Sky is an good optional side trip. While it is not located directly on the North Coast 500, it is a stones throw away. Plockton is also an excellent place to make a base for visiting the Isle of Sky. As one person said to us, “ You can’t really come to this part of Scotland and not visit Skye .” We made a point to visit the Isle of Skye to see some of the highlights. A day is not enough but was just enough to view its top attractions.

When visiting the Isle of Sky, don’t miss seeing the Old Man of Storr, its most famous site. We made a b-line out there while the weather was good and then weaved our way around the island to see its beautiful landscape from its dramatic sea cliffs, waterfalls, fairy pools and the town of Portree. If you are a whisky lover, pop into the Talisker Distillery for a tasting.

And that ends a two-week North Coast 500 itinerary. You can make your way back to Inverness or continue on to explore Scotland. If you have your own car, why not stay a month? There is still so much to see from Edinburgh to Glasgow and everywhere in between.

The NC500 is one of the greatest drives in the world. In the future, the single-track roads may be turned into double-lane highways and more hotels might be popping up everywhere. But if you get there quickly, you’ll enjoy old Scottish hospitality with some extraordinary scenic views. So what are you waiting for? Book your North Coast 500 Accommodation now, rooms fill up fast and you may miss out if you wait!

North Coast 500 Tips

The North Coast 500 covers a huge portion of mainland Scotland and planning can be overwhelming. We’ve put together a few tips to help you organize your accommodations, packing and car rentals for your official North Coast 500 road trip.

The weather changes dramatically in Scotland. When asking the locals what the temperature is like in the summer season, many said it wasn’t much different from when we visited in late March/early April.

So when touring Northern Scotland, be sure to  pack layers , waterproof hiking boots, and waterproof outer layers. We had all of this with us and other than this one time at Castle Sinclair Girnigo, we didn’t let wind or rain stop us from exploring and you shouldn’t either.

That is the charm of Scotland. It’s exactly the same as Iceland. If you don’t like the weather just wait a minute or so, it will change. 

How to Get to Inverness

There are several ways to get to Inverness, Scotland. If you aren’t driving your own car from one of the other countries in the United Kingdom, chances are you will be flying.

Inverness has its own airport (Inverness Airport – INV) with domestic and international flights. From major cities in the UK, such as London, Manchester, and Birmingham, you can fly directly to Inverness. There are also direct flights from some European cities, such as Amsterdam and Dublin. Once you arrive at the airport, you can take a taxi or bus to get to the city center.

By Train: Inverness is well-connected by rail to other major cities in the UK, including London, Glasgow, and Edinburgh. The train station in Inverness is located in the city center, making it convenient for travelers. You can check train schedules and book tickets online via websites such as National Rail Enquiries.

By Automobile: Inverness is accessible by car via the A9, which is the main road linking the city to the rest of Scotland. If you are driving from the south, you can take the M6 and A74(M) to reach the A9. The journey time from Edinburgh or Glasgow to Inverness is approximately 3-4 hours by car, depending on traffic conditions. There are several car rental companies available at Inverness airport or in the city center, if you need to rent a car.

Tips for Driving the North Coast 500

The North Coast 500 is a scenic driving route that covers the northern coast of Scotland, and it can be a thrilling adventure for drivers. Here are some tips to keep in mind when driving the North Coast 500.

When driving the North Coast 500 be prepared for singletrack lanes. You share one lane in both directions and you will have to back up or pull over often for oncoming traffic. The rules work that if there is a passing place on your side, you are the person to pull over. If the passing place is on the other side of the road, they will.

There are plenty of passing places where slower drivers can move out of the way if they have cars behind them, and there are pullovers where you can pull in to let oncoming traffic through. In the summer season, traffic is busier, if you travel in the off-season, you will come across fewer cars.

In Scotland, like in the UK, traffic drives on the left side of the road. If you are not used to this, take some time to adjust and be extra cautious when driving, especially on narrow and winding roads.

The North Coast 500 can get busy during peak season, so be respectful of other drivers and locals. Follow the speed limits, yield to other vehicles, and use pull-outs or designated passing places to let other cars pass if you are driving slower. There is no harm in pulling over to let someone pass you. It is a common courtesy so be respectful of the drivers behind you.

Driving the North Coast 500 can be challenging. The route runs through a diverse landscape with narrow single track roads winding through steep hills, and blind corners. Stay alert and focused, especially when driving in the evening or early morning when visibility is low.

Be prepared for all weather conditions: Scotland’s weather can be unpredictable, so be ready for all types of weather and weather can change in an instant. You could encounter snow, rain, wind and sunny weather. Dress in layers and pack waterproof clothing. Bring warm clothing, waterproof gear, and a first aid kit in case of an emergency. See our tips

Watch out for wildlife: The North Coast 500 takes you through some wild and remote areas, so keep an eye out for wildlife on the road, such as deer, sheep, and cows. They can be unpredictable, so slow down and drive cautiously.

Car Rentals and Driving

Make sure to be considerate of other drivers when driving the NC500. The roads are narrow and many people don’t use the passing places dedicated to allowing others to pass. If you are driving slowly, pull over when one of the passing places comes up to let another pass.

Plus, it’s easier to find parking in towns and you can pull off on small turnouts along the route to be out of the way while capturing those awe-inspiring shots of the landscape and stunning coastal scenery. If you have a smaller car, you won’t have too much trouble getting around.

We rented a  small car  and it made things much easier to pull over for oncoming traffic. Many people camp on the NC 500. Campervans are allowed, but cannot navigate some of the trails and smaller tracks. So take that into consideration when booking your vehicle.

Scotland is on the Pound Sterling – 1 Pound Sterling = 1.30 USD. For up to date exchange rates visit  XE Currency Convertor. 

Eagle Creek Plug Adapter –  This all in one adapter is all your need for Scotland outlets and other European and world travels.

Get your tunes ready, there are many places you won’t get radio service – See our  Road Trip Songs Playlist

Take your time and enjoy the scenery: The North Coast 500 offers some of the most breathtaking scenery in Scotland, so take your time and enjoy it. Stop often to take photos, stretch your legs, and enjoy the views. There are plenty of scenic spots to stop and admire, such as beaches, cliffs, and waterfalls.

By following these tips, you can have a safe and enjoyable driving experience on the North Coast 500 in Scotland.

North Coast 500 Packing Tips

The weather changes dramatically in Scotland. When asking the locals what the temperature is like in the summer, many said it wasn’t much different from when we visited in late March/early April.

Packing for the North Coast 500 in Scotland requires careful planning, especially if you are traveling during the cooler months. Here are some packing tips to consider:

Warm and waterproof clothing: Scotland’s weather can be unpredictable, and it can get chilly and wet even during the summer months. Pack warm and waterproof clothing, including a waterproof jacket, pants, and shoes. Layering is also essential to stay warm, so bring sweaters, long-sleeved shirts, and thermals.

Comfortable hiking boots : The North Coast 500 offers plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities, such as hiking and walking. Bring comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots with good traction to explore the countryside.

Sun protection: While Scotland’s weather can be cold and wet, the sun can still be strong, especially during the summer months. Pack sun protection, including sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat.

Insect repellent: Scotland has its fair share of midges, tiny flying insects that can be a nuisance during the summer months. Pack insect repellent to avoid being bitten.

Camera and binoculars: The North Coast 500 offers some of the most stunning landscapes and wildlife in Scotland, so bring a camera and binoculars to capture the scenery and wildlife.

Mobile phone and charger: Make sure to bring a mobile phone and charger, as there are plenty of scenic spots with no phone coverage. It is also essential to have a GPS and a paper map to navigate the route. We also carry a portable adaper.

Cash and credit cards: While there are ATMs and credit card facilities available along the North Coast 500 route, it is always good to have some cash on hand for smaller transactions, such as parking or purchasing items from local businesses.

Where to Stay on the North Coast 500

We broke down where we stayed on the North Coast 500 in each section, but to make things easier for you, we have rounded up the best luxury hotels, self catering accommodation, and BnBs for you to check out on this amazing driving route. You should book your accommodations in advance as this

• The Kingsmills Hotel is one of the best luxury hotels on the North Coast 500 and a great places to start your driving route. Check it out on TripAdvisor  /  Booking.com
• The Rocpool Reserve Hotel  is another recommended hotel:  Trip Advisor  /  Booking.com
• Dornoch Castle  – A historic castle located in the heart of Dornoch  Trip Advisor  /  Booking.com
• Royal Marine Hotel – One of the few luxury hotels on the North Coast 500 East Caost and makes for a great base to explore this portion of the driving route.

Wick / Dunnet Head

• Ackergille Tower Hotel – If you are looking for more luxury hotels on the North Coast 500, check out the castle hotels. We loved our stay at Ackergille Tower hotel making for a superb base to explore along the north coast. Check it out on Trip Advisor  /  Booking.com
• If you are looking for self catering accommodation, Riverside Apartments has kitchens, washing machines and free WiFi view it on Trip Advisor  /  Booking.com
• Tongue Hotel It has a cozy atmosphere with large rooms. See prices on  Trip Advisor  /  Booking.com
• Ben Loyal Hotel  is another suggested place to stay on this portion of the north coast 500. View it on  Trip Advisor  /  Booking.com
• Smoo Cave Hotel a basic hotel, but the location is a perfect stop after driving from Tongue. There’s a good bar and they have some of the best Haggis around. Compare prices on TripAdvisor

Lochinver / Drumbeg / Lochinver

• Kylesku hotel   is a good base   There are boat trips, hiking trails and wildlife excursions where you can spot sea otters, See it on  Trip Advisor  /  Booking.com   There is also the Drumbeg Hotel.
• Westlea House Boutique B&B   a chic and comfortable hotel that has an amazing common area.Check it out on  Trip Advisor  /  Booking.com
• Argyll Hotel  is another option for hotels on this portion of the NC500 – See it on  Trip Advisor  /  Booking.com
• The Old Inn.  It’s an old coaching inn remodeled with modern conveniences set on a beautiful estate. See it on  Trip Advisor  /  Booking.com
• Shieldaig Lodge  This old hunting lodge is located on Loch Gairloch. It is set on a 26,000 acre estate in the West Highlands. See it on  Trip Advisor  /  Booking.com
• The Plockton Hotel – Located on the waterfront of Plockton, the Plockton Hotel is the most popular spot in town.  Trip Advisor  /  Booking.com
• Plocton Inn   is another hotel in town and it has excellent dining as well.
• Duncraig Castle  is a castle that has been turned into a bed and breakfast and is worth a photo stop

Plan your route and stops in advance: The North Coast 500 route covers over 500 miles and takes you through some remote areas. Plan your route carefully, and research the attractions and book your accommodations in advance.

When you visit Scotland, make sure to add the North Coast 500 to your itinerary. It is one of the great road trips in the world and takes you through some of the most stunning coastal scenery in the country and truly lets you experience all the highlights of the Scottish Highlands.

Disclosure: There are some affiliate links on the post below where theplanetd will earn a commission. But it is no extra cost to you. This post is in partnership with Visit Britain , Check out their website for more details.

• 22 Best Things To Do in Edinburgh, Scotland
• Dunrobin Castle: A Fantasy-Like Castle in Northern Scotland
• 18 Best Day Trips From London
• 3 Days in Edinburgh – The Complete Edinburgh Itinerary
• Where to Stay in Edinburgh – A Guide To The Best Places and Neighborhoods

Travel Planning Resources

Looking to book your next trip? Why not use these resources that are tried and tested by yours truly.

Book Your Flights: Start planning your trip by finding the best flight deals on Skyscanner. We have used them for years and have found that they have the best flight deals.

Book your Hotel: Find the best prices on hotels with these two providers. If you are located in Europe use Booking.com and if you are anywhere else use TripAdvisor.

Find Apartment Rentals: You will find the cheapest prices on apartment rentals with VRBO . 

Travel Insurance: Don't leave home without it. Here is what we recommend:

• Safety Wing - Occasional Travelers.
• Medjet - Global air medical transport and travel security.

Book Your Activities: Looking for walking tours, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more? Then we recommend Get Your Guide.

Need more help planning your trip? Make sure to check out our Resources Page where we highlight all the great companies that we trust when we are traveling.

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42 thoughts on “The Essential Guide to the North Coast 500 Scotland”

The only repeat we did on our trip was Eileen Donan. We returned a month ago and I already want to go back after seeing what you did!

When I drove between Applecross and Kishorn, the pass was spelt “Bealach Na Ba”. Otherwise, I thoroughly enjoyed your post.

This was a joy to read. Thank you. When I left the army 30 years ago I walked the West Highland Way from Milngavie (Mullguy) to Fort William and back again. I love Scotland. Thank you for this. Alex

The captures are really stunning. Great bucket list!

Fantastic guide! I have done the east coast countless times, but I am finally driving the west coast in a couple of weeks and cannot wait! You’ve added a couple of stops to my list, too! By the way, I’ve just been reading up on Ackergill Tower (as I’ve always wondered what it was, haha), and apparently it’s been bought out and they closed the hotel with immediate effect. So tragic!! It looked like a beautiful place to stay (not to mention 40 people lost their jobs and 30 guests had their Christmas ruined last year, geez). Anyway, I’m excited for the trip!!

We are doing a 5 day trip from Ullapool to the Isle of Skye. Enjoyed your posts about places to stop for the scenery. From the photos, you are dressed for winter, with jackets and wool hats. We plan to do some walking. We are taking our trip the first week of Sept. I know the weather can change quickly in Scotland. What type of clothing should we wear? I assume waterproof and warm jackets, hiking boots, wool hats as well as rain hats, day pack?

Be prepared for any weather in Scotland. WE asked people what the weather is like in the summer and winter and they said it doesn’t change too much. I would dress in layers, and definitely bring a waterproof and windproof jacket. Everything that you said will work perfectly.

Thanks for the great information. I hope to do this trip in my campervan within the next year. I live in Scotland in the Borders and look forward to taking the round trip to visit places I’ve not been to see.

Not sure if it has been pointed out but there are spelling mistakes for example Sinclair & Girnigoe Castle not Girnigo

Apart from that a First class Guide and we shall certainly recommend it to all

Thank you for the tips! I appreciate it when people find my spelling mistakes. I definitely don’t catch them all. I will go and change that right now!

Hi, thank you… we’re just about to head off on the NC 500 and your summary has been sooo helpful!!

Wow just love this. Pictures are really awesome!

So many different experiences I really enjoyed the the article while reading.

Thoroughly enjoyed looking through this, as we are just back from Scotland and visited some of the same places. Started off on the 500 but took a rather different route as we wanted to take in Orkney. Your blog makes my (very recent) effort look amateurish. Really clear and well organised.

These photos are so inviting . Thanks for the detailed itinerary . This is very handy

Hi I was born in Scotland but have lived in Australia since 1974. I used to drive buses in Scotland and I have been a Driver Adviser in 4×4 driving. I am planning to drive the 500 route in summer with a medium sized motor home. How do you think the motor home would travel on this route? Any comment would be appreciated. Eddie

We saw some small motorhomes on the trip and it looked like a great way to explore. There are some roads that you can’t go down with larger vehicles, but you can get there in a campervan. It’s great in a van because you can pull over anywhere and make camp. Have a great time!

Great post! I live in the UK (northwest of England) and I have been meaning to do this for a while now – and I really should since it’s practically on my doorstep! This post might have just tipped me over the edge. Thanks so much!

Beautiful pictures, I will defiantly go there for my next holidays.

I agree the same with you

This is such a great comprehensive post on the North Coast 500 guide! There is so much to see and do. It looks like a really beautiful drive. Stunning pictures too – Thank you so much for sharing it… Keep posting like this! Always loved your post.

I can’t believe I live in Scotland and still haven’t embarked on this epic road trip! Thanks for the post guys!

Wow, awesome guide, guys! I love this and look forward to recreating this trip one day – great itinerary!

WOW what a jaw dropping scenery! i couldn’t decide where to go first beautiful photographs and amazing post. Your detailed post help for the future plans.

Detailed instructions, it will help a lot for the upcoming trip here.

I did it in 2016 and fall in love with this amazing place called Scotland!

I’ll be going to Scotland for about 5 days in October/November timeframe. Is there any of these that you would consider the “do-not-miss”‘s?

Amazing… Thanks for sharing

This was such a joy to read! Written so well and a fan post to read! i loved reading your experiences! you captured beautiful pic in your post. Thanks.

Scotland is a one of the best travel destinations to visit.

Guys this is jaw-dropping scenery! Like Route 66 but so much more. With like castles LOL. Not been on a good road trip in a minute but I am heading here for sure.

Saving this link for future reference! This looks like the roadtrip of a lifetime! Did you stay in B&Bs along the way, and did you find it easy to make last minute bookings or should we be booking and planning accommodation in advance?

You should definitely plan ahead as there aren’t a lot of options in certain places on the North Coast 500 and it is getting more popular each day. We stayed at a mixture of B&Bs, hotels and even castles. Here’s a link to our recommendations of where to stay on the North Coast 500. https://theplanetd.com/north-coast-500-accommodation-where-to-stay/

What an excellent, detailed resource! I will be in Scotland soon for 2.5 weeks with one week just one the Isle of Skye. I hope to be able to do a part of this route as a long day trip. Such a stunning country.

Have an amazing time on the Isle of Skye. You are not far from Applecross and Baelnabach Pass, so you should definitely take a drive there one day. Also, Reirig Forest with Colin was such a blast I highly recommend it. It’s great for a day trip too and not terribly far from Skye.

I just bookmarked this page and will spend my weekend reading it! Great experience and amazing tips! Thanks!

Enjoy the read. It is a long one, but full of details.

Wow! How long did the trip take? Stefano and I really love drive around, our trips are often on the road. We hope to follow your guide one day, we went to Edinburgh last winter and we fall in love with Scotland! Thank you for your amazing post and pics. You make us dream!

Ours was 10 days and we packed a lot in. People say you can do it in 5 but I think you miss a lot. We think 2 weeks is perfect.

Thank you! We spent several days on this one

So many different experiences! Really enjoyed reading about the lessons you have learned and are taking with you for your next adventures.Great pics. Thanks for sharing it.

Beautiful photographs! Stunning post! We are planing to take this trip too.

Thank you for all tips!

All the best Karolina

Savvy Travel Advice

North Coast 500 Hotels Guide: Where to Stay along the NC500

Last updated: May 25, 2022 - Written by Jessica Norah 44 Comments

The North Coast 500 is a 516-mile scenic route along Scotland’s northern coast, offering drivers rugged landscapes, sandy beaches, wildlife, museums, castles, whisky distilleries, and so much more! If you are planning to road trip around this scenic area of the Scottish Highlands, you may be wanting to spend the night at some special North Coast 500 hotels.

Castle hotels. Historic Georgian and Victorian mansions. Luxury guest houses. Old crofts and farmhouses. Romantic B&B’s. Sea and lochside cottages. All of these and more are possible, but it can be time-consuming to search and choose from the hundreds of properties along the route. So we’ve done it for you, providing a list of over 25 personally recommended North Coast 500 hotels that are well-rated, well-located, and/or offer something unique or special.

Our list includes everything from 5-star luxury castles to cozy family-run B&Bs, with information, a review, and tips provided for each of the properties. We also provide you with additional advice such as how far in advance to book hotels, what to expect from NC500 hotels, and how much to budget for North Coast 500 accommodation.

So let’s get on with finding you the perfect North Coast 500 hotels for your ultimate Scottish road trip!

Table of Contents:

Tips for Booking North Coast 500 Hotels

We’ll share a bit of what to expect of hotels along the North Coast 500, what not to expect, how far in advance to book, and other tips for choosing and booking hotels along the NC500.

What Amenities to expect at NC500 hotels? 

Like elsewhere in the UK, most hotels are going to include all the basic essentials like TVs, basic toiletries, and en-suite bathrooms. Most also include in-room kettles or coffee makers. Heated towel racks and even heated floors are pretty common and you can find rooms with working fireplaces at some properties.

Most NC500 hotel rates include a breakfast, which is often a choice of a cooked Scottish breakfast (eggs, meats, tomato, toast) or more simple continental one. Almost all are able to provide a vegetarian breakfast as well. Many hotels and some B&B’s offer a dinner option as well given the lack of nighttime dining options in many of the small towns.

If you book lodging along the North Coast 500 that does not include a dinner option, be sure to check on evening dining options BEFORE you arrive. Sometimes in small towns and rural areas, the nearest option for a hot meal may be a 20 to 35 minute drive away, so you will want to plan ahead. 

Free on-site parking is almost always provided, although you may want to check in larger towns (e.g., Ullapool and Inverness). Free wireless internet is also available at most, but not all, North Coast 500 hotels; however, in many hotels the WiFi is only available in the public areas.

We have almost always had good hospitality and friendly service in Scotland and this has been true whether staying at a luxury castle hotel or a small 2-room bed-and-breakfast. The friendliest service can often be found at the smaller family-run spots.

If you are planning to stay in hostels or budget hotels, you may need to share bathroom facilities, bring your own linens and towels, bring your own food for meals, etc. Just be sure to check the website or with the property to know what to expect and be prepared. For those staying in self-catering properties, be sure to plan where you’ll pick up groceries and supplies as not all towns have grocery stores or shops.

What NOT to expect from hotels along the North Coast 500? 

If you have traveled in rural Europe before, you’ll have a good idea of what to expect. There are exceptions of course, but here are some general things you should NOT expect along the North Coast 500.

Chain hotels. If you are used to staying in big chain hotels (e.g., Hilton, Sheraton) or budget chain motels (e.g., Travelodge), you won’t find many along this route. The norm is 4 to 20 room independent hotels, bed-and-breakfasts, historical properties, and boutique hotels, and each tends to have its own unique character and quirks. To us, this is refreshing and part of the travel experience, but may be a bit off-putting to those used to staying in one particular type of property.

Strong Wifi connections . Connections are typically good in Inverness but after you leave this city, expect less consistent WiFi.   This is for a couple of reasons. First, many of the North Coast 500 hotels are historical properties and many have very thick walls, making good and steady WiFi connections difficult. In these cases, WiFi is often only usable in the public areas. Second, most of the lodging options are in rural and remote spots where the quality of available Internet options is limited.

We had good WiFi connections at some places, but not others. We never went more than 24 hours without finding a WiFi connection at a hotel, cafe, or museum so we were always able to at least check our emails. If WiFi is important to you, I’d read hotel reviews about it before booking, but I would just not count on super fast WiFi anywhere to avoid disappointment.

If you really need to get online for something important and can’t get online, hotel staff at most places should be able to get you online from a wired connection at the front desk. Some areas along the NC500 have gained access to high-speed WIFI connections and more communities expect to do so in the near future, so coverage will likely improve in many spots over the next few years.

Consistent cell coverage. Like the WiFi connection, expect your cell phone coverage to be spotty in the more remote areas. Your coverage and signal strengths will vary and will depend on your provider, but expect to lose service in some areas. If you have no signal at your hotel, most hotels provide in-room phones with reasonable rates.

Enormous rooms. If you are used to traveling in the U.S., hotel rooms on average are smaller in Europe compared to the United States, and many of the hotels along the NC500 are historical properties built before the time of indoor plumbing and electricity. Although we did have spacious rooms on our trip, do expect smaller rooms and especially smaller bathrooms than you might be used to in the U.S. If you want a larger room, book a premium room or suite. 

Elevators. Elevators in Scottish hotels are rare, especially along the North Coast 500. So this means that if you choose to stay in a fourth floor tower room, you’ll likely be lugging your luggage up windy narrow staircases. In nicer hotels staff should be available to assist you with your luggage you but you’ll still need to walk up and down the stairs.

Accessibility. Those in wheelchairs and those with mobility difficulties are wise to check ahead to make sure the lodging can accommodate their needs and to book rooms that have good access. Many of the larger hotels (especially more newly built ones) offer at least one or two accessible rooms, but most of the small bed-and-breakfasts and historical hotels are not able to offer fully accessible rooms.

Many lodging options around the North Coast 500 offer guest rooms that can accommodate a wheelchair with step-free access and wide doorways, but do not have fully wheelchair accessible bathrooms (e.g., an enclosed shower that requires a step up). So these may work for those who have limited mobility, but would not work for someone who requires a roll-in shower or wet room.

Many of the hotels and B&Bs we have talked to say that for those who require accessible rooms should be sure to book in advance and early. Most properties with wheelchair-accessible rooms only have one room and these can book up well in advance. Some hotels suggest calling the day before your arrival to ensure that ramps are put out for your stay.

In our hotel reviews, have tried to note which hotels offer wheelchair-accessible rooms, but I’d definitely check the latest property details before booking. Some hotels may need to be contacted in advance to ensure that ramps are put out for your arrival and stay.

If you don’t find the hotel or B&B you are looking for in this article and are searching for a wheelchair accessible hotel, hostel, or B&B in a certain area along the route, feel free to leave us a comment in the Comments section at the end of the post and we will try to help. We do keep a list of notes on lodging that has disabled access and wheelchair accessible rooms.

Are there many dog-friendly hotels along the North Coast 500?

Yes, there are many hotels along the North Coast 500 that accept dogs. In fact, I think over 50% of our recommended hotels and B&Bs do accept well-behaved pets. We have tried to note which hotels are dog friendly and which do not accept pets, but I’d definitely check the latest pet policy before booking.

Just note that most hotels require that you inform them that you are bringing a pet as generally, they have only certain guest rooms for pet owners. Many also charge a small pet fee per pet per stay.

Many hotels require that someone be in the room with the pet at all times. Most do not allow pets in the dining areas, but a few do have dining areas or bars where well-behaved pets are permitted.

Note if you prefer B&Bs, it is harder to find B&Bs that accept dogs along the route, but you can still find them for most areas. A lot of holiday home rentals and North Coast 500 campsites do accept pets and a lot of people with dogs prefer the flexibility of camping with their pets.

How far in advance should I book North Coast 500 hotels? 

I would recommend that you start researching lodging options as soon as you know your dates. I would book at least 3 months in advance if possible. Staff at several of the busiest properties recommended to us that travelers should try to book 6 months in advance to guarantee a room as they had some dates fully booked 6 to 9 months in advance.

Now, six months is a pretty long time in advance so don’t worry if you just decided to drive the NC500 and it is 2 months away, you’ll still find plenty of places with availability, but start booking now. Just note that the most in-demand properties and the best value ones often get booked up well in advance.

The busiest time along the North Coast 500 is May to October with weekends being the most busy. During the mid-May to early September period, we would NOT recommend driving around without reservations unless you are not concerned about the type of lodging or where you stay.

Also be aware of festivals, Highlands gatherings, holidays (Christmas and Hogmanay), and other special events as these can cause entire areas to be booked out well in advance given the relatively limited amount of lodging in many of the towns. For example, we were not able to stay within an hour’s drive of Durness as we wanted even though our accommodation was booked months in advance because there was a marathon taking place.

Although summer is the busiest time, given that many North Coast 500 hotels are seasonal, it can still be difficult to find last-minute accommodation any time of the year as over the winter you have fewer options. When we traveled this past winter, we were booking about 3 days to 1 week in advance without an issue.

Can I just Drive the NC500 and Book Accommodation as I go?

Can you get away with not booking in advance? Yes, but it may make for a more stressful trip if you are having to hunt for a place to stay each night.

During our trip, we heard lots of stories of people having to significantly overpay, drive an hour out of their way, or even sleep in their car due to not having pre-booked accommodation. Although a few of the larger properties often have rooms available for more last-minute bookings, you’ll often pay higher rates for these if you wait until the last minute and will have little to no choice in room category.

If you are the kind of person who doesn’t want to commit to being in a certain place at a certain time, consider camping or at least bringing camping gear as a backup plan. See this NC500 camping itinerary for a suggested itinerary and camping advice. We also have a complete and list of campsites and glamping sites on the NC500 .

If the flexibility of a campervan appeals, there are also a number of places to rent campervans or RVs in Inverness. If you do rent a campervan, I would recommend getting the smallest size you need as some sideroads are not accessible to larger vehicles.

If you are planning on renting a campervan, we recommend using Motorhome Republic . They compare prices across the major rental firms in the UK to find the best price for you. You can book your campervan for the UK through them here .

How much should I expect to pay for North Coast 500 hotels? 

This really depends on what type of hotel you want to stay in and your budget as you’ll find a large range of accommodation along the route from hostels to simple inns to boutique B&Bs to luxury castle hotels.

So budget backpackers should be able to find a place to sleep for £20 to £30 per night and luxury seekers may pay up to £300 or more per night. But you’ll find lots of accommodation in the £70 to £180 range for a double room. Some of the NC500 hotels offer discounts for those booking multiple nights, and off-season rates can be 20% to 50% off high season rates.

Other NC500 Hotel Tips

• Book well in advance (worth repeating!), especially if there are certain hotels you really want to stay at or you have a strict budget.
• Note that most North Coast 500 hotels (and many places in the Scottish Highlands) don’t have exact addresses which can confuse some GPS systems. Most don’t have street numbers and sometimes they don’t even have a street. But don’t worry, it just means that they are located in a rural spot or small town and are generally easy to find once you get there. 
• There are a lot of properties in Scotland with the same or similar names, and there are even a few properties along the NC500 with very similar names (e.g., Mackays Hotel in Wick and Mackay’s in Durness). Be very sure that the area your GPS is taking you matches with where the hotel you reserved should be located!
• A note on official hotel ratings. In Scotland, the two main rating systems for hotels are the Automobile Association (the AA does UK wide ratings) and those from VisitScotland , the Scottish Tourism Board. Both parties rate some of the hotels, restaurants, and attractions in Scotland from one to five stars (five stars being the highest) so you may see two different ratings for the same property. However, we have not always found these ratings to be entirely useful. So I would use them as a guide as you would for any rating system from AAA to Tripadvisor. We find it best to focus on recent customer reviews.
• Don’t sweat the small things. Remember that some of the NC500 properties are operating in pretty isolated areas. Know that bad weather, a blocked road, or staff illness can really affect hotels along this route. If the promised WiFi isn’t working or there is no fresh melon for breakfast, these things may not be in control of the hotel staff. Don’t let the small things ruin a wonderful North Coast 500 road trip!
• Take the time to talk to the staff and owners. Most staff will be happy to chat with you, so take advantage of it to learn more about the property, the area, and their recommendations for what to do in the area. You’ll likely discover some new spots to add to your itinerary.

Where to find more information about the North Coast 500?

First, I’d recommend reading our North Coast 500 road trip guide , which has all the information you need about the route, how to drive it, when to drive it, where to rent a car, what to pack, etc. You can also find loads of information from the official North Coast 500 official visitor website , which has advice and route information.

Next, we recommend checking out our detailed 1 week North Coat 500 itinerary that includes detailed information about the recommended route, main attractions along the route, dining options, and recommended lodging for each day.

We also have lots of other North Coast 500 guides , including a recommended 7 day camping itinerary , a list of our favorite NC500 B&B’s , a list of North Coast 500 highlights that you’ll want to consider adding to your own itinerary, a list of reasons to drive the NC500 route , and this guide to best North Coast 500 photography spots . 

You may also want to pick up a copy of the latest edition of the Rough Guide guidebook to the North Coast 500, and a good Scotland touring map for your trip. If you start in Inverness, you can also stop by the Inverness Visitor Center where you can find printed maps and ask staff for information on planning your trip. 

Over 25 Recommended North Coast 500 Hotels 

Now let’s move onto a list of actual lodging options along the NC500 shall we? These hotels were chosen for inclusion on our list for one or more of the following 3 reasons: 1) they offer a unique experience (e.g., castle, historical building), 2) they are exceptionally well-rated, and/or 3) they are well-located along the route. Most on the list meet all 3 criteria!

We are not recommending any place we would not spend the night, and we have stayed the night in a large number of the hotels on this list and have visited almost all of them to either check out the rooms, have a drink at their bars, or a meal in their restaurant. In terms of budget most fall in the mid-range to luxury category with most rooms ranging from about £80 to £270.

If you are looking for budget stays, only a couple of places in this list are likely be a good fit; however, if you a budget traveler looking for one special splurge stay along your trip, this list should help you find it!

If you are primarily looking for B&B’s, check out this list of B&B’s along the NC500 route which range from simple to luxury B&Bs and generally fall in the budget to mid-range.

So let’s move onto the North Coast 500 hotels which are arranged in order as you go along the route. We put the hotels in the order in which we drove the NC500 so starting and ending in Inverness and following the route counterclockwise (east to west) although you can of course start the route in any place and go in either direction. Just reverse the list as needed. Hopefully this guide will help you choose hotels for your special NC500 road trip!

The map below shows the hotel locations along the NC500. Click here or on the map below for a closer look and to see exact locations of the recommended North Coast 500 hotels: 

North Coast 500 Hotels: Inverness

Inverness is known as the Capital of the Highlands and as the largest city in the Highlands, you’ll find the largest number and range of accommodation here. This is a common starting and ending point for North Coast 500 travelers, and a good place to pick up a rental car if you need one. This is also the best place along the route to stock up on any needed supplies for your trip.

Note that since this is a city (although a small one), most properties are going to be located next to a street and may not be able to offer rooms with scenic views.

Kingsmills Hotel  

The Kingsmills Hotel is a 4-star luxury hotel located just 20 minutes from the Inverness Airport, boasting two restaurants, a whisky bar, a leisure club (gym and pool), a spa, and six different types of room choices.

The hotel took its name from a former medieval grain mill that once sat on the same site, and part of the main building of the Kingmills Hotel is over 200 years old. The hotel furnishings mix the contemporary with the historical. Offering golf packages for 5 Scottish golf courses, the hotel is perfect for golfers as it sits next door to the Inverness Golf Club which we were able to see from our balcony. 

As noted the hotel offers a variety of different room types, but we actually stayed in the Kingsclub rooms which are exclusive rooms in a more modern building that are designed for guests who want a more quiet and secluded experience. Perks of these rooms include a complimentary welcome drink, complimentary tea and coffee, access to a private lounge, luxury bathroom products, fluffy robes, a cooked-to-order breakfast, and a number of other little extras.

We had a very delightful one-night stay here with a refreshing welcome drink and a tasty Scottish breakfast. 

Price: Room rates typically range from £80 – £280 per night for double occupancy, with Classic rooms being the lowest priced and Kingsclub rooms being the most expensive. Check Kingsmills Hotel prices here and book online.

Address:  Culcabock Road, Inverness, Scotland, IV2 3LP

Location: The hotel is located about 20 minutes from Inverness Airport and a 10 minute drive from the main central Inverness attractions. Great spot for golfers as it is located right next to the Inverness Golf Club. 

Dog Friendly?: Pets were allowed in certain bedrooms at last check and there is a pet fee of £20 per dog. Be sure to note that you have a pet when making your booking.

Wheelchair Accessible Rooms?: The hotel currently offers 6 wheelchair accessible guest rooms with wheelchair accessible en-suite bathrooms. Two of the guest rooms have bathrooms with wet rooms. This hotel a great option to consider for those who need a wheelchair accessible room.

Tips:  The Kingsmills Hotel has a lot of rooms, so if you are looking for something specific (e.g., view of golf course, ground floor Classic), I would call to request it as they can probably find something for you. If noise bothers you, ask for a room furthest from the road. Book in advance for best prices.

Rocpool Reserve Hotel  

The Rocpool Reserve Hotel is a 5-star luxury hotel located in a beautifully renovated Georgian mansion house in Inverness. The property offers an experience that is a mix between a bed-and-breakfast and a full-service hotel.

Offering 11 rooms across four categories, this chic boutique hotel with modern decor is perfect for anyone looking for a refined getaway. Amenities include large beds, deep baths, rainshowers, luxury bathroom products, Egyptian cotton bedlinen, and velvet bathrobes and slippers.  

Some rooms have a private outdoor terrace or balcony with hot tub. The hotel also has a stylish cocktail bar and popular restaurant. Definitely a place to consider if looking for a cocktail in Inverness before dinner.

We have not stayed here, but had drinks at the bar and dinner at the hotel restaurant Chez Roux and can highly recommend the food and service here. The chef uses fresh Scottish ingredients to make dishes with a French twist, and even if you are not spending the night here, we’d recommend making a reservation if you are looking for a nice dinner out while in Inverness. 

Price: Room rates typically range from £200 – £400 per night for double occupancy. Check Rocpool Reserve Hotel prices here to find the best rates.

Address: 14 Culduthel Road, Inverness IV2 4AG

Location: Hotel is located about a 20 minute drive from Inverness Airport and about an 8 minute walk from the center of Inverness. Great location to feel a bit out of the center (we saw deer here in the morning) but within a quick walk of all the central Inverness attractions.

Dog Friendly?: Pets were allowed at no extra fee at last check. Be sure to note you have a pet when booking.

Wheelchair Accessible Rooms?: The hotel does not have any fully wheelchair accessible guest rooms. However, there are ground floor rooms that may work for those with limited mobility who do not require a fully accessible bathroom. There is ramp access to the hotel, restaurant, and there is a wheelchair-accessible public guest toilet. Wheelchair users are asked to call ahead before arrival to ensure ramps are in place and staff is available to assist if needed.

Tips: Book well in advance, especially in the summer months. Even if you can’t stay here, highly recommend stopping by for a cocktail in the bar and/or a meal in the restaurant. Also note that there is a similarly named Rocpool Restaurant (unrelated to the hotel) in the city center of Inverness on Ness Walk, so just be sure you head to the correct one! 

Bunchrew House Hotel 

The Bunchrew House Hotel is a 4-star luxury hotel located in a partially pink 17th century baronial country home. It is located just outside Inverness, and has a wooded riverside location along the Beauly Firth.

This full-service country house hotel offers 16 guest rooms. Rooms are individually decorated and offer modern amenities.  Some rooms have four poster beds and/or whirlpool baths. The hotel also has a popular fine dining restaurant, bar, and lounge area.  

The hotel is beautifully situated out of the city for a peaceful stay and it offers nice views on a good weather day. A great place for couple looking for a romantic break.

We did not eat dinner here as we had already had dinner prior to arrival and we arrived too late to have afternoon tea. We did order sandwiches, enjoy drinks in the lounge, and had breakfast the next morning, but we wish would have had dinner here as well as other guests had really good things to say about the food. Next time! 

Price: Room rates typically range from £129 – £480 per night for double occupancy. Rates are much higher in the summer months. Check hotel prices here to find the best rates.

Address: Bunchrew House, Inverness IV3 8TA

Location: Hotel is located about a 25 minute drive from Inverness Airport and about a 10 minute drive from the center of Inverness. Great location for those with a car who want to be a bit out of the city but still within close reach. 

Dog Friendly?: Pets are allowed on request in some rooms. Charges may be applicable.

Wheelchair Accessible Rooms?: The hotel has one wheelchair accessible room with a roll-in shower that is suitable for most wheelchairs.

Tips: The food is well rated here, so we’d recommend enjoying dinner if you stay here. If you enjoy traditional afternoon teas, this hotel serves one of the best in the Inverness area. Tea is available to both hotel guests as well as non-guests (reservations needed), just be sure to book your tea time in advance.

Ap artments, Private Rooms, & Self-Catering Cottages along the North Coast 500

If you fancy self-catering apartments, houses, cottages, or private rooms during your North Coast 500 trip, there are a number of vacation rentals along the route.

If searching for a holiday home along the route, I’d recommend checking out Sykes Holiday Cottages , apartments and holiday homes on Booking, and Vrbo . These are four websites that generally have the most holiday home listings along the North Coast 500 route.

We have more recommendations in our guide to holiday home websites in the UK here . You can also check out our list of Airbnb alternatives for other websites to check.

Apartments and spare rooms along the North Coast 500 are not as plentiful as they are in other parts of the UK since most of this stretch is through small towns and countryside but you will find them scattered along the route.

Staying in cozy bed-and-breakfasts, historical properties, and luxury castles was part of the experience we wanted on our North Coast 500 journey, so we didn’t use apartments or self-catering options much. However, we did take an apartment for one night in Inverness, and as the largest city in the Highlands, it is where you’ll find the most options. We also booked a cottage for a 3-night cottage stay along the West coast. But even most of the hotel booking sites like Booking share apartments and you can search for them here. 

Prices: Many apartments and rooms range from £45 to £150 per night, with private rooms being the most common type of accommodation being available. For self-catering holiday homes, properties are often rented by the week and most range from between £250 to £2,000 per week.

Location: Various locations along the North Coast 500 route, but the highest number and most variety of properties are located in Inverness and surrounds.

Tips:  Carefully read descriptions and reviews on any booking site to minimize surprises. Also, double-check the location before booking as some properties may be a good 1 hour drive from where you want to be as some of the roads require slow speeds.

We’d also recommend booking in advance of your trip. Although many people book properties fairly last-minute, your choices will likely be pretty small if you wait, especially if traveling between May and August.

If you are booking last minute, we recommend Snaptrip , which specializes in last minute rentals of this kind.

Boath House Hotel

Boath House is a 5-star luxury country house hotel with a Michelin starred restaurant located about 20 minutes east of Inverness along the Moray Firth coast. Some of the buildings on the property date back to the 16th century although the main house was built in the nineteenth century and is a Grade A listed Georgian Mansion.

The hotel offers nine well-appointed rooms and is known for its changing collections of contemporary art. The restaurant highlights local and foraged ingredients and accepts booking for non-guests. The 22 acre estate also has an ornamental lake, streams, and beautiful walled gardens.

We didn’t stay here but we did visit and during our short visit we accidentally met one of the owners and her son, who were both hard at work on the property. It was clear to us that this family-run hotel is intimate, relaxed, and there is a great attention to detail here. The staff can also arrange bespoke tours for guests.

The location is not ideal for those wanting a central Inverness location, but is a beautiful location for those looking for a luxury stay outside the city.

Price: Room rates typically range from £285 – £450 per night for double occupancy. Check Boath House Hotel prices here to find the best rates.

Address: Auldearn, Nairn IV12 5TE

Location:  The hotel is about 2.5 miles from Nairn and 20 miles (35 minutes) east of Inverness.

Wheelchair Accessible Rooms?: The hotel does not have any fully accessible rooms, but one of the hotel cottages provides step-free accessible and wide doorways that can work for some wheelchair users. 

Tips:  Be sure to leave time to explore the property and gardens, and I would definitely take the opportunity to have dinner here if you spend the night. Boath House is a convenient location for visiting Fort George, Cawdor Castle, and the championship golf courses in nearby Nairn and Castle Stuart.

North Coast 500 Hotels: Dingwall to Tain

If you are staying in Inverness, you are unlikely to need to stop on this short stretch. However, you may want to spend the day golfing in the area or exploring the Black Isle , in which case these castle hotels or B&B may make a great stay for the night.

This is the best section of the route to stay in one of the North Coast 500 castle hotels, as you have three to choose from here! Tulloch Castle or Kincraig Castle are also well-situated for stops on the last day of your NC500 road trip and can make a great final night stay before heading into Inverness.

The Factor’s House

The Factor’s House is a well rated 5-star boutique B&B found in the historic town of Cromarty on the Black Isle. The B&B offers lovely en-suite accommodation and magnificent views across the Cromarty Firth.

It also appears in the Michelin guide and has been awarded a AA rosette for its food. The made-to-order award winning cooked breakfasts focus on locally sourced and organic produce. Evening meals are also available on some days of the week.

We received a friendly welcome from Fiona. She prepared coffee and little cakes for us after our arrival, which was a nice warm-up after getting cold sitting on the beaches watching the dolphins at nearby Chanonry Point.

We loved the comfortable rooms, warm welcome with coffee, and delicious breakfast here. There are lots of little extra touches here that make this a special B&B stay. It is our favorite place to stay on the Black Isle. Handmade soaps and crafts are also available for purchase.

Guests also have access to a private lounge which offers a log fire in winter as well as a licensed honesty bar. Handmade soaps and crafts are also available for purchase. There’s WiFi throughout the property, free parking on site, and it’s a short walk down into Cromarty where you’ll find a variety of pubs and eateries.

Price: Room rates typically range from £125 – £145 per night for double occupancy. Check The Factor House prices here to find the best rates for your dates.

Address: Denny Road, Cromarty Scotland IV11 8YT

Location: The B&B is located in Cromarty, about a 12 minute walk from the town center. It is about 24 miles (~ 45 minute drive) northwest of Inverness.

Dog Friendly?: Pets are not allowed.

Wheelchair Accessible Rooms?: The bed-and-breakfast does not have any fully accessible rooms. However, it does have ground floor rooms with step-free access that can work for those with reduced mobility.

Tips:  If you want to eat dinner here, be sure to book in advance. There are also a few cafe and restaurant options in town that are a short walk (or even shorter drive) from the B&B.

Tulloch Castle Hotel

Tulloch Castle offers 20 ensuite bedrooms to guests in a former castle with sections dating back to the 12th century. Originally the home of the Bain family, the barons of Tulloch, it is best known as the former seat of Clan Davidson and today houses a small Davidson museum that contains information and artifacts from the clan. The castle has a lively history and you can uncover a lot of interesting stories and tales during a stay here.

The castle has been significantly rebuilt and remodeled over the centuries but still retains many historical features such as original fireplaces and fixtures, a 250-year-old Great Hall, and a small “dungeon room” used for intimate dinners and meetings. The hotel also has a full-service restaurant, a bar, and a reception lounge with a fireplace.

This is not a luxury castle hotel, but it is has a lot of ambiance and is in the process of a major renovation to modernize all its rooms. We enjoyed our night here and felt it was good value for a stay in such a historical property.

Price: Room rates typically range from £90 – £200 per night for double occupancy. Check Tulloch Castle Hotel prices here to find the best rates for your dates.

Address: Tulloch Castle Drive, Dingwall, Ross-Shire IV15 9ND

Location:  The hotel is located in Dingwall, about 2 miles from the town center. It is about 16 miles (~30 minute drive) north of Inverness.

Dog Friendly?: Pets are allowed on request. Pet fees may be charged.

Wheelchair Accessible Rooms?: The castle hotel does not have any fully accessible rooms, but it does have one ground floor room that may work for some travelers with reduced mobility.

Tips: The lowest priced rooms are good value (often under £100), but these rooms are fairly small and cozy (see our photo). If you are looking for the best and largest rooms, ask for one of the 4-poster bed rooms or the apartment.

Even if you are not staying here, if you are a Davidson, be sure to stop at the small Clan Davidson museum at Tulloch Castle as it is worth a look around. The museum is normally locked but someone at reception can let you inside. Dingwall is a good place to stop for food, fuel, and other services and there is also the Dingwall Museum, a small town history museum run by friendly volunteers.

Kincraig Castle Hotel 

Kincraig Castle Hotel is a 4-star hotel set in an early nineteenth century castle. The castle was once the ancestral seat of the Clan MacKenzie, and the estate dates back to the early seventeenth century. The sandstone exterior of the Kincraig Castle was converted into the white-harled Scottish baronial building of today in the early twentieth century.

The hotel’s 15 rooms blend traditional Scottish with contemporary decor with some rooms offering unique elements such as fireplaces, turreted details, and antique 4 poster beds. The hotel also has a well-rated restaurant (open to non-guests), a bar, and a guest lounge. 

The staff members here are friendly, the castle has some wonderful history, the rooms are comfortable and well-decorated, and the grounds are well-tended. Our visit made us wish we had an extra night along the NC500 to spend here.

Price: Room rates typically range from £120 – £300 per night for double occupancy. Check Kincraig Castle Hotel prices here to find the best rates for your dates.

Address: Tomich, Invergordon, Ross-Shire, IV18 0LF

Location:  The hotel is located just off the A9, about 3 miles from Invergordon. It is about 23 miles (~35 minute drive) from Inverness.

Dog Friendly?: Pets are allowed on request in some rooms. Pet fees may be charged.

Wheelchair Accessible Rooms?: Kincraig Castle offers one ground floor room that is wheelchair accessible with a wheelchair accessible bathroom and shower.

Tips: Be sure to book a room in advance, especially if looking for a certain type of room during the summer. Even if you don’t spend the night, you might consider booking a meal here or stopping in for a drink, especially if staying around Invergordon.

Mansfield Castle Hotel 

Mansfield Castle Hotel is a traditional county house hotel set in a 19th century Victorian castle hotel. The hotel offers 19 rooms that are individually decorated and set about in a maze of hallways. Rooms are each individually decorated and offer a mix of traditional and contemporary decor. The hotel also has an on-site restaurant and bar. 

We had a comfortable stay here and had a pub style dinner in the hotel restaurant. It is not a luxury castle hotel but we had a very comfortable stay and the property is well-situated off the road with landscaped gardens away from the town center. But it is also close enough that you can easily walk into town.

Price: Room rates typically range from £120 – £249 per night for double occupancy with breakfast. Check Mansfield Castle Hotel prices here to find the best rates for your dates.

Address:  Scotsburn Road,  Tain  IV19 1PR

Location:  The hotel is located within the small town of Tain, a 8 minute walk from the town center. It is about 35 miles (~50 minute drive) from Inverness.

Dog Friendly?: Pets are allowed, note it when booking. Charges may be applicable.

Wheelchair Accessible Rooms?: The hotel does not have any fully accessible guest rooms. However, it can provide step-free access via the garden to one of the guest rooms, but the bathroom is not fully wheelchair accessible. 

Tips: If you want the best room, you can pay a little extra to book the “Executive Room” (also known as the “honeymoon room”). The Tower Room is great for families. You can easily walk into Tain from the castle where you’ll find a small museum (Tain Through Time), a couple of places to eat, a small supermarket, and a Tesco.

North Coast 500 Hotels: Dornoch to Brora

Little Dornoch is a great place to overnight with a grand old cathedral, castle, and walkable city center. It is also home to one of the oldest and best-rated golf courses in the world. Just a little north is the town of Brora which is also a nice town to stop that is also popular with golfers. Both towns are near the popular Dunrobin Castle.

Links House

The Links House is a 5-star luxury hotel that has won awards for being one of the best luxury hotels and golf hotels in the Scottish Highlands. Here you’ll find beautiful public rooms full of tartan, period antiques, vintage sporting equipment, and artwork that will make you think you’ve wandered into a Scottish country house from the 19th century.

The property has recently expanded and the now 14 rooms are situated across three buildings: a Georgian Main House, built in 1843, a former mews house, and a new building that opened in 2017. All rooms and suites include period antiques, heated bathroom floors, writing desks, reading chairs, bathrobes, and luxury toiletries.

Public areas include a drawing room, wood-paneled library with a fireplace, a single-malt whisky honor bar, a garden, and Sporting Bothy for guests to store raingear and sporting equipment.

The restaurant serves breakfast to guests (included in room rates), and both hotel guests and visitors can also book dinner and afternoon teas. We’ve had afternoon tea here and it was a very much needed pleasant break during a rainy day.

This is a popular hotel for golfers, as the hotel is adjacent to the 1st tee at Royal Dornoch Championship Golf Course (one of Scotland’s oldest and top rated courses) and you only have to walk a minute outside to start a round of golf! 

This hotel caters mainly to golfers, anglers, and hunters, but i f you are looking for a 5-star stay or fine dining experience in Dornoch during your NC500 road trip Links House is your place! 

Price: Room rates typically range from £270 – £725 per night for double occupancy. Check latest prices online here .

Address: Links House at Royal Dornoch, Golf Rd, Dornoch IV253LW

Location:  A 7 minute walk to Cathedral Square (central Dornoch) and the Dornoch Championship Golf Course is a 1 minute walk away. 

Dog Friendly?: Pets are not allowed at last check.

Wheelchair Accessible Rooms?: The luxury hotel does not have offer any fully accessible rooms, but 2 ground floor rooms in the Glenshiel House may work for some wheelchair users. There is a small lip to access the shower. A ramp can be placed for access to the public rooms of the main house.

Tips: In addition to booking your room well in advance, be sure to book any tee times at Royal Dornoch Golf Club (and other area courses) to make sure you get a tee time on your date(s) of choice.

If you are seeking the best room at Links House, The Mallart luxury apartment has its own private library, a peat-burning fireplace, breakfast porch, and a large bathroom suite! If the Links House is above your price range but you want to visit, the afternoon tea and dinners both get great reviews, just be sure to book in advance.

Dornoch Castle Hotel

If you are looking for a Scottish castle to stay in while in Dornoch, then the 3-star Dornoch Castle Hotel is the place for you. The oldest parts of this former castle are believed to date from the last 15th century and it sits right in the center of town across from the 13th century Dornoch Cathedral.

The castle has quite a history and was originally built as a palace for bishops, then was the long-term property of the Sutherland family until 1922. In latter years it was used as a jail, a school, a courthouse, and other functions before being turned into a hotel in 1947.

Today you’ll find 22 rooms, some in the original parts of the castle and some in the adjacent modern building with room types to suit a variety of tastes. Some are reminiscent of a castle whereas others have a modern decor, and all include all the essentials for a comfortable stay. Public spaces include the award-winning whisky bar with fireplace, an upstairs lounge, restaurant, and garden.

We did not stay here but we did check out the rooms with one of the friendly staff members, and had dinner in the restaurant which we can definitely recommend (the venison was excellent!).

One awkward thing about the hotel is that the reception check-in is currently located in the bar which can be crowded, so it can be a bit confusing and hopefully something that the hotel will clarify in the future.

Even if you are staying elsewhere, this is one of the most lively places in town for a dram of whisky or dinner.

Price: Room rates typically range from £125 – £325 per night for double occupancy. Check Dornoch Castle Hotel prices here to find the best rates for your dates.

Address:  Castle Street, Dornoch IV253SD

Location:  Located in the center of small Dornoch, right across from the Cathedral. It is an 8-minute walk or 1 minute drive to the Royal Dornoch golf courses.

Wheelchair Accessible Rooms?: The castle hotel does not offer any fully accessible rooms within the old main building; however, 2 of the garden rooms in the modern extension are wheelchair accessible with roll-in showers. 

Tips: If you really want to feel like you are in a castle, I’d recommend booking the Old Courtroom Deluxe Room with its stone walls, open fireplace, handcarved wood bed, and views of Dornoch Cathedral.

Note that there are a lot of stairs for the tower and upstairs rooms, and if you have limited mobility I’d recommend a ground floor or garden room. Don’t miss the Peter Pan statue in the garden, and if you want to know the full (and strange and complicated) history of the castle, ask the reception for a printout of the “Dornoch Castle Hotel brief history” (a 12 page document!).

Royal Marine Hotel

The Royal Marine Hotel is a 4-star hotel in the small town of Brora.  The building was built as a a mansion home for a wealthy industrialist in 1913 and was designed by Scottish architect Sir Robert Lorimer, who also did work on nearby Dunrobin Castle. It is located next to the Brora Golf Club and Brora Beach.

The hotel offers 21 comfortable en-suite rooms and three places to eat: a formal dining room, a more relaxed bistro bar, and The Garden Room. You can see the lovely design details by Lorimer in the entrance hall, formal dining room, paneled snooker room, and the grand staircase.

Our room was comfortable and we decided to eat here and had dinner in the dining room. We enjoyed our dinner as well as our breakfast the next morning. The hotel lounge area had a fire and is a nice place to relax before or after dinner.

This is a very popular spot for golfers and those planning a visit to nearby Dunrobin Castle. Walking distance to Brora Golf Club, the beach, and the town center.

Price: Room rates typically range from £125 – £280 per night for double occupancy. Check Royal Marine Hotel prices here to find the best rates for your dates.

Address: 7 Golf Road, Brora KW9 6QS

Location: Located in Brora, about a 3 minute walk from town center. It is a 3 minute walk to the Brora Golf Club. About a 10 minute drive to Dunrobin Castle.

Dog Friendly?: Pets are allowed on request. Pet fees may be applicable.

Wheelchair Accessible Rooms?: The hotel has one fully wheelchair accessible guest room.

Tips: For best rates, book online in advance. If you want the best room, book the Honeymoon Suite with 4-poster bed. 

North Coast 500 Hotels: Wick to John O’ Groats 

This northeast corner of Scotland is a rocky, windy coastal area with some good potential for wildlife viewing (seabirds, whales) and there are also a number of old ruins in the area. Dunnet Head is the most northerly spot in mainland Britain although many people erroneously think this honor belongs to John O’Groats.

Travelers wanting to explore some of the Scottish islands can get ferries to the Orkney Islands from John O’Groats. 

All the towns between Wick and Thurso are small with limited services, but there are still several places to stop and stay along this route. If are looking to stay in a town, consider choosing a hotel in either Wick or Thurso.

NOTE: For those looking for our hotel review of Ackergill Tower, it has been removed as the 5-star hotel has been closed. Ackergill Tower is no longer a hotel and has been reverted back into a private home. It is not open to the public.

Mackays Hotel 

Mackays Hotel is a 3-star hotel that is famous for being on the world’s shortest street (Ebenezer Place, 6 feet, 9 inches!). Built in the 19th century, this narrow hotel offers a mix of traditional and modern decor with comfortable rooms offering modern conveniences.

Rooms range from singles to family rooms, and the hotel also offers a few self-catering apartments and townhouses well-suited for families. A cooked Scottish breakfast is included in hotel room rates, and the hotel has a well-rated on-site restaurant No. 1 Bistro and a bar so you can stop in for everything from coffee to dinner to cocktails.

We did not stay here but did stop in for a meal while in Wick and were shown around by the friendly staff and owners who were very welcoming.

Price: Room rates typically range from £120 – £170 per night for double occupancy. Check Mackays Hotel prices here to find the best rates for your dates.

Address: Union Street, Wick, Scotland, KW15ED

Location:  Located in central Wick, and is 16 miles (about a 25 minute drive) south of John O’ Groats.

Wheelchair Accessible Rooms?: The hotel does not have any fully accessible rooms. However, many of its guest rooms can be reached step-free via a lift. However, bathroom doorways may be too narrow for some wheelchairs and scooters so guests should check ahead before booking. A small step required to enter showers.

Tips:  There is no dedicated on-site parking, but free street parking. If you want to explore Wick, ask the reception for “Mackays Staff Guide to Wick” for some local insight into the little town. If you want to try a local award-winning whisky, Old Pulteney is distilled here and you can make a stop at their visitor center or just have a dram at Mackays Bar.

John O’Groats Inn & Lodges

Together Travel (formerly Natural Retreats)  recently opened two self-catering lodging options in little 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.

The Inn at John O’Groats, a restoration of the former Victorian-era John O’Groats Hotel, offers studios to 4-bedroom apartments, and the Lodges at John O’Groats offers newly-built self-catering 3-bedroom villas located in the field nearby. Each of the wood-lined Lodge villas offer floor-to-ceiling glass fronts for great views and many of the apartments also offer sea views. 

All options are self-catering with cooking facilities, but they do come with a complimentary welcome hamper containing local produce (i.e., coffee, tea, oatcakes, bread, eggs, wine) and a concierge service. Expect modern decor, locally sourced furniture, and modern technology like flat-screen TVs and Playstations.

If you are not interested in cooking, you can stop into the adjacent Storehouse cafe which offers drinks, snacks, soup, sandwiches, and desserts. We’ve stopped for a hot sandwich and soup here and both were tasty. 

We haven’t stayed here yet ourselves, but it is a good place to consider for those looking for a self-catering option with some nice views, and a convenient location for those traveling as a family or group as well as those wanting to take a boat trip to the Orkney Islands. 

Price: Room rates and self-catering cottages typically range from £110 – £210 per night for double occupancy. Check John O’Groats Inn & Lodges prices here to find the best rates.

Address: A99, John o’ Groats, Wick KW14YR

Location:  Located just next to the main John O’Groats parking lot and within walking distance to the ferry to the Orkney Islands and other boat excursions. 

Wheelchair Accessible Rooms?: The Inn offers one fully accessible guest apartment. Many of the villas offer step-free access and may also be suitable for those in wheelchairs and those with reduced mobility.

Tips:  You’ll likely want to pick up any major groceries and other self-catering necessities before getting to John O’Groats as you’ll find little here except for a couple of gift shops, an ice cream shop, small farm shop, and a cafe. 

North Coast 500 Hotels: Dunnet to Durness

Now you drive across the northern stretch of the North Coast 500. Lots of lovely lochs, views, and beaches along this stretch. Note that restaurants are limited along this stretch of the route so be sure to have a plan for dinner if your hotel does not offer evening meals.

Northern Sands Hotel

The Northern Sands Hotel is a 3-star hotel with 12 en-suite rooms found in the village of Dunnet. It is conveniently located next door to the Dunnet Bay Distillery and Dunnet Beach.

The hotel has an on-site restaurant and full-service bar which serves meals throughout the day, and a full breakfast is included with every stay. Comfortable en-suite rooms feature flat-screen televisions and tea/coffee making facilities.

The hotel is very well located for those planning to visit places around Dunnet such as Dunnet Head, Dunnet Beach, Castle of Mey, Mary Ann’s Cottage, Dunnet Bay Distillery (this is just next door). We had a lovely stay here and enjoyed our meals. The staff were very friendly and helpful, and the room was spacious, clean, and bright.

Price: Room rates typically range from £105 – £160 per night for double occupancy. Check Northern Sands Hotel prices  to find the best rates.

Address: Northern Sands Hotel, Dunnet, KW14 8XD

Location: It is located in Dunnet, which is 30 minutes drive from John O’Groats or 15 minutes from Thurso.

Wheelchair Accessible Rooms?: No. All the rooms are on the first floor and require being able to climb one set of stairs as there is no elevator, so there are no wheel-chair accessible rooms

Tips: The hotel is well located for visiting nearby attractions such as RSPB Dunnet Head which is about a 12 minute drive away, Castle of Mey, and Mary Ann’s Cottage (open seasonally). The hotel is within walking distance of Dunnet Bay beach, Seadrift Visitor Centre, the Dunnet Bay Distillery (home of Rock Rose gin), and the Dunnet Forest hiking path.

There is limited dining in the area, so be sure to book dinner for your stay at the hotel or elsewhere in the area. There are several dining options in Thurso (about a 15 minute drive away) if you don’t want to eat in Dunnet.

Forss House Hotel

The Forss House Hotel is 4-star small hotel with 14 ensuite rooms spread across the main country house (built in 1810) and two nearby buildings, The River House and Fishing Lodge. Well-appointed rooms mix Victorian and Georgian elements with modern ones.

The hotel has a small lounge as well as a whisky bar. The hotel is set in its own 20 acres of woodland and the River Forss runs through the estate, making it a favorite place to stay among fishermen and those seeking outdoor pursuits. A full Scottish breakfast is included in room rates, and the hotel also hosts the best-rated restaurant in the area (open to non-hotel guests, reservations recommended).

We had a wonderful stay and dinner here and highly recommend this property for those looking for a peaceful country house environment. The grounds a lovely place to walk around and it is a very great place to get away for a couple of days if you are driving the NC500. Staff were very friendly and accommodating. 

Price: Room rates typically range from £125 – £185 per night for double occupancy. Check  Forss House Hotel prices  to find the best rates.

Address: Forss, Caithness, KW147XY 

Location: It is located about 5.5 miles west of Thurso (about a 15 minute drive).

Dog Friendly?: Pets are allowed on request. The cottages are dog-friendly which are next to the main house. Pet charges may apply.

Wheelchair Accessible Rooms?: Forss House does not have any fully accessible rooms. However, two of the cottages offer step-free access and can work well for those in wheelchairs. There is a small lip to enter the shower. A ramp can be placed to allow access to main house, but there are steps to access the main restaurant.

Tips:  There are a number of trails from and near the hotel with lovely river walks. If you love ruins, ask about the hike to St. Mary’s Church in Crosskirk. If are interested in fishing during your stay and don’t already have permission or a permit arranged, contact the hotel in advance to see what is possible nearby during your stay.

Salmon Landings

Salmon Landings  is a newly built and opened B&B (opened in late 2016) that was built from the foundations of an early 20th century salmon fishing station. It is scenically located on a clifftop near Strathy Point.

The bespoke B&B offers four guest rooms with modern amenities, which include smart TV’s, USB ports, in-room tea & coffee facilities, and down duvets. The B&B also has a comfortable shared lounge area with a TV, games, and magazines and a dining area. Breakfast and tea are served in the pretty new glasshouse tea room that just opened in Spring 2018. 

We were greeted with warm drinks by the owners, Julie and Kevan, on arrival. We were pleasantly surprised by all the modern touches (USB ports, sensor lights, smart TVs) in our room as these are not typical in the northern Highlands.

The B&B is also more spacious and modern than many Highland lodgings because the owners Julie and Kevan were able to build it as they wished although they have preserved some of the foundations and walls of the former salmon fishing station.

The food here was great, both breakfast and dinner. Note that meals, other than breakfast, are not typically offered here, and that you should figure out your dinner plans prior to arrival.

Price: Room rates typically range from £80 – £125 per night for double occupancy. Check  Salmon Landings prices  to find the best rates.

Address:  Port Ghrant, Strathy Point, Strathy KW14 7RY

Location: It is located about 22 miles west of Thurso (about a 35 minute drive).

Wheelchair Accessible Rooms?: There are no fully accessible rooms, but rooms on the ground floor offer step-free access and can work for some wheelchair users. The showers have a lip on them.

Tips:  This location is a bit away from any major towns so be sure to think about dinner before you arrive and I’d ask the owners for recommended options during your dates of stay. The local Strathy Inn (about a 5 minute drive) has a pub and restaurant that serves evening meals; however, whenever it is closed there are no local options so you will want to perhaps eat in Thurso first.

The owners are happy to provide tips to guests for things to do in the area (beaches, museums, hikes, fishing, kayaking, etc.). We recommend making time to take a walk out to beautiful Strathy Point, a good place to spot birds and marine wildlife and also a good place for stargazing in the evening. It is about a 25 minute walk from the B&B to Strathy Point and Strathy Point lighthouse, just be sure to keep children close by and away from the cliffs! 

The Tongue Hotel

T he Tongue Hotel is small 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, and some include fireplaces.

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. We played a fun game of Battleship before dinner!  The hotel has a full-service restaurant and a full-service public bar.

The hotel sits near the sea loch Kyle of Tongue and you can see the ruins of Castle Varrich from here, and some rooms have these views as well. We stayed here during the winter so it was very quiet here but we had a comfortable room and a good breakfast and dinner.

This is a simple, comfortable, and traditional place to stay and relax. Even if you do not stay here, you may want to stop in for a drink or meal as it is often the liveliest place in little Tongue!

Price: Room rates typically range from £95 – £165 per night for double occupancy. Check Tongue Hotel prices online to find the best rates for your dates.

Address: Tongue, Sutherland, IV274XD 

Location: Located in the center of the sleepy town of Tongue

Wheelchair Accessible Rooms?: There are no fully accessible rooms and all rooms require steps to access (a minimum of 6 steps). 

Tips:  Note that not all offered hotel rates include breakfast, so be sure to book the B&B rate if you want breakfast included (although you can always pay for it separately). If you want to learn a little about the history of the building and area, be sure to take a look at the memorabilia near the entrance.

There are some lovely hikes and drives around the hotel, and you can ask the staff for recommendations as we did. From the hotel you can view or walk (about a 1 hour walk, some uphill parts) over to the ruins of Castle Varrich which recently was stabilized with a visitor viewing platform added.

Mackays Rooms

Mackays Room is a boutique B&B offering 7 cozy rooms in one of the most rural parts of northwest Scotland. Owners Fiona and Robbie Mackay have turned what was a 150 year old hotel in Durness into a modern boutique hotel.

Mackays Rooms offers 7 cozy en-suite bedrooms, each with slightly different decorations and features. The decor is best described as “modern highland chic” and is a mix of traditional and modern with some quirky touches in the rooms (e.g., our bathroom door handle was a giant fuse).

There is also a small guest lounge with fireplace and another shared guest space with glass windows and tables. Both are nice places to read, work, or enjoy a glass of wine, a dram of whisky, or cup of tea. The B&B doesn’t offer lunch or dinner, but does offer a selection of drinks you can order.

We arrived here on a cold and wet day and were very happy to find warm comfortable cozy rooms, nice amenities in room, and a fire burning in the lounge. We spent the first few hours in the lounge next to the fire relaxing, reading, and drinking coffee and whisky.

Dinner was convenient as we just walked to Sango Sands Oasis, which is a restaurant and bar that serves simple pub food and drinks. We’ve eaten here two or three times and the food and service have always been good.

Price: Room rates typically range from £139 – £199 per night for double occupancy. Check online to find the best rates here .

Address: Mackays Rooms, Durness IV27 4PN

Location: Located in the center of the small town of Durness. It is within walking distance of town center, visitor center, Spar, restaurants, Sango Sands beach, and campsite.

Dog Friendly?: Pets are allowed in certain rooms by prior request. A supplementary £15.00 cleaning charge per dog is charged at last check.

Wheelchair Accessible Rooms?: There are no fully accessible rooms and all rooms require steps to access as there are no rooms located on the ground floor.

Tips: The B&B doesn’t offer dinner, but you are within walking distance or a short drive of 2 (sometimes 3) dining options. The staff at MacKays can tell you about your options on that particular evening. We recommend making sure you have time before or after dinner to enjoy a whisky or coffee in the lounge during your stay.

The MacKays also run the next door hostel, The Bunkhouse, and a few luxury self-catering cottages.

North Coast 500 Hotels: Scourie to Achiltibuie

This remote area of Scotland is full of wild and rural terrain and little remote fishing and crofting hamlets. When driving the North Coast 500, you can choose to skip the roads that goes off to both Lochinver and Achiltibuie if you are short on time, but we’d definitely recommend heading out that way if you can as it is a beautiful area.

We’ve provided hotel locations both on and off the main North Coast 500 route.

Eddrachilles Hotel

The Eddrachilles Hotel is a 10-room country hotel located in an 18th century former manse (clergy home). The hotel has recently changed owners and the rooms have been recently renovated and are designed for comfort and coziness. Some rooms have sea views. Lounge features an open fire and relaxing area for reading, and the hotel also has a bar, restaurant, and small garden area. 

We didn’t spend the night here as the dates didn’t work out on our most recent trip, but we have stopped in to see the hotel and chat with the owners. This is a very comfortable place with a pretty garden, and we recommend staying here if you are looking for a cozy typical Highlands hotel.

Also a great place to consider for a meal if you are in the area as they are often open to non-residents for afternoon tea and/or dinner depending on the season (call to book in advance). 

Price: Room rates typically range from £120 – £160 per night for double occupancy. See latest prices online here .

Address:  Badcall Bay, Scourie, Sutherland IV27 4TH

Location: Located about 3 miles south of Scourie.

Dog Friendly?: Well-behaved dogs are allowed at the hotel, please let owners know in advance. There is a £10.00 cleaning charge per dog per stay.

Wheelchair Accessible Rooms?: The hotel does not have any fully accessible rooms. However, the four ground floor rooms can be accessed without steps, have grip rails in the bathrooms, and may be suitable for some wheelchair users. 

Tips:  Lots of hiking, kayaking, beach, and adventure activity opportunities in this area. The owners are happy to give lots of suggestion for local activities and attractions.

Kylesku Hotel

The Kylesku Hotel is a small hotel perched on the shores of a sea loch, and offers 11 rooms located across a renovated 17th century coaching inn and a newer annex. The hotel is perched on the shores where Loch Glencoul and Loch Glendhu join to form a sea passage called Loch a’ Chairn, and many rooms come with loch views.

The rooms all have contemporary furnishings, but note some are fairly small. There is a public lounge with an open fire that guests can enjoy reading and drinks and an outdoor deck and small garden. The award-winning hotel also has a bar and a popular restaurant that focuses on local seafood. 

Price: Room rates typically range from £110 – £160 per night for double occupancy. Check latest prices online here .

Address: Kylesku, Sutherland. IV27 4HW

Location: Located in tiny Kylesku, and about 10 miles from Scourie and 18 miles from Lochinver.

Dog Friendly?: Well-behaved dogs are allowed at the hotel, please let owners know in advance.

Wheelchair Accessible Rooms?: The hotel has one fully accessible room with a wet room shower.

Tips: Book well in advance as often sold out at least a month in advance. Ask for a balcony room or head out to the deck to enjoy the sunrises or sunsets here. Great spot for those wanting to enjoy rural Sutherland.

Note that there is not much in Kylesku other than the bridge and a few houses, so you’ll want to eat at the hotel restaurant or make plans to eat elsewhere before you arrive (Scourie is a 16 minute drive and Lochinver is a 30 minute drive).

Inver Lodge

Inver Lodge is a 21-room hotel perched atop of a hill overlooking the charming little town of Lochinver and its loch. Although the hotel is not much to look at from the outside, it offers some great views, with all rooms and the restaurant having bay views.

The hotel strives for understated luxury and has a foyer with log fire for guests to relax as well as a library area. The restaurant serves breakfast (guests only), lunch, and dinner and offers views over the harbor. A more simple bar menu is available during the day as well.

Our room was lovely, clean, and spacious with lots of nice touches. We were not in one of the top category rooms, but it was still one of the nicer rooms we’ve stayed in when driving the North Coast 500. We had two desks in our room so we both spent a couple hours here catching up on some work.

The staff were friendly although I think they were a bit understaffed during our stay. When we rang the front desk to request milk for coffee, no one answered the first few calls. But other than that, our stay was fabulous.

In the evening, we had dinner at the hotel restaurant. Lots of good options on offer, I had a seafood special and Laurence had a steak. The views are lovely from the restaurant and we were able to watch the sunset.

Price: Room rates typically range from £270 – £580 per night for double occupancy. Check Inver Lodge prices here to find the best rates for your dates.

Address: Lochinver, Sutherland IV27 4LU

Location: Located in little Lochinver on a hill. It is about a 12 minute walk or 3 minute drive to the town center.

Dog Friendly?: Pet are allowed at no extra charge at last check. Just be sure to note you will be traveling with pets on your booking.

Wheelchair Accessible Rooms?: The hotel does not offer any fully accessible rooms. However, it does offer ground floor rooms that offer semi-disabled access and can be suitable for those with limited mobility. It is recommended that guests call the hotel to discuss room and access requirements.

Tips: Ask for a window table for breakfast (or dinner) to enjoy scenic views with your morning coffee. 

Davar Guest House

The Davar B&B  is small 4-star B&B located in Lochinver offering 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 and a breakfast dining area.

We had a lovely and comfortable stay here and the hosts were friendly and very willing to give suggestions for things to do and places to eat. The location is in Lochinver in a private residential strip of homes overlooking the loch. The breakfast here was delicious and includes a buffet of cold items plus a cooked to order option. Many of the items locally sourced and/or homemade – definitely one of the best breakfasts we have had along the NC500.

We can highly recommend if looking for a nice B&B in Lochinver.

Price: Room rates typically range from £80 – £120 per night for double occupancy for bed and breakfast. Check Davar Guest House prices here to find the best rates for your dates.

Address: Davar, Lochinver IV27 4LJ

Location: Located in Lochinver, about 1 mile from the town center. 

Dog Friendly?: Pet are not allowed.

Wheelchair Accessible Rooms?: The B&B does not offer any fully accessible rooms and 2 steps are required to access the main entrance to the house. However, they do have a ground floor room that may be suitable for those with reduced mobility who can handle the entrance steps.

Tips:  The hosts are very knowledgeable about the local area and can give you lots of recommendations for hikes, scenic drives, local museums, restaurants, etc. If it is a nice day and you are looking for some lunch, we recommend the 10 minute walk along the loch to Lochinver Larder (a local pie and lunch spot).

You are also a 10 minute walk or 1 minute drive (in the opposite direction) from Highland Stoneware which sells some great locally made pottery and stoneware. Note that the owners do have pets on the property, although they do not allow them to come into the guest rooms.

Summer Isles Hotel

The Summer Isles Hotel initially started life as a fishing inn in 1860 as part of the Cromarty Estates in this remote area of Scotland. It has been greatly expanded and renovated over the years.

This hotel is a little off the North Coast 500 but is a great place to stay for those who want to explore the Coigach peninsula or make their way out to the Summer Isles. Note that the single-track road to Achiltibuie and this peninsula is not recommend for motorhomes or other vehicles over 30 feet long.

The hotel currently offers 13 rooms, some in the main building and others which are next to the main building as eco-friendly “log cabin” rooms or cottages on the property. Many of the rooms have sea views. Dogs are welcome in some of the rooms.

We were greeted warmly by staff on arrival. We were in one of the rooms outside the main building, but it was just next to the parking area. Our room was comfortable and spacious. We were not very hungry so opted to have a light dinner in the hotel’s pub where we had soup and mussels, which were both tasty and filling.

Price: Room rates typically range from £99 – £290 per night for double occupancy for bed and breakfast. Check Summer Isles Hotel prices here to find the best rates for your dates.

Address: Achiltibuie, Scotland, IV26 2YQ

Location: Located in small village of Achiltibuie. Limited services in this area.

Dog Friendly?: Pets are allowed by request in some rooms. Additional pet fees may be applicable. Well behaved dogs were also allowed in the bar area (although not the more formal restaurant) where you can dine and get drinks at last check.

Wheelchair Accessible Rooms?: The hotel has one fully-accessible room in one of the “log cabin” cottages located next to the main building.

Tips: We recommend eating in the hotel restaurant or the more casual attached pub for dinner. You can make reservations in advance or when you check-in.

If you are looking for an adventure activity in the area, we recommend considering booking a sea kayaking, canoeing, or mountaineering activity with Tim Hamlet of Hamlet Mountaineering . Tim lives in Achiltibuie and can arrange half day, full day, or multi-day trips anywhere in the area. We’ve done a canoeing trip in the lochs in winter and Laurence did a kayaking trip to the Summer Isles on our last summer visit.

North Coast 500 Hotels: Ullapool & Surrounds

Ullapool is a village sitting alongside Loch Broom, and is worth taking the time to explore. Along the North Coast 500, Ullapool has the second largest number of lodging options, and you can find hostels to 50+ room hotels here with the majority of places being family run bed-and-breakfasts and inns. We’ve stayed both in Ullapool and outside of it, and with a car, both are good options.

Ferries run from Ullapool to the Isle of Lewis if you are planning a visit to the Western Isles or Outer Hebrides.

Royal Hotel

The Royal Hotel is a 3-star 19th century hotel and is one of the largest and oldest in central Ullapool, offering more amenities than many of the others. This is a place to consider if you are looking for a more traditional larger hotel. It offers 54 rooms across a number of categories, which include family rooms and rooms with a loch view. The hotel also has a full-service restaurant and a bar.

We haven’t stayed here but a family with small children told us they stay here because very few other hotels in central Ullapool offer the larger family rooms. Popular with bus tours and car club motoring tours since it is one of the largest hotels (along with the Caledonian) in the town.

Price: Room rates typically range from £105 – £150 per night for double occupancy. Compare Royal Hotel prices to find the best rates.

Address: Garve Road, Ullapool, Scotland, IV26 2SY

Location: Located in central Ullapool

Dog Friendly?: Pets are not allowed in the hotel.

Wheelchair Accessible Rooms?: The hotel does not have any fully accessible rooms. However, it does have ground floor rooms offering step-free access that may be suitable for those with reduced mobility.

Tips:  The hotel has a great lochside location. The nicest category of rooms are more spacious and come with balcony loch views.

Westlea House Boutique B&B

Westlea House  is a family-run B&B that offers five comfortable and stylish themed rooms in the family-run B&B. Rooms include powerful showers and 2 rooms come with freestanding bath tubs.

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 your favorites from the large vinyl selection. There is also a shed where guests can store bikes or other outdoor gear.

We have not stayed here but met one of the friendly owners and had a look around the guesthouse and we could see why guests rave about this little B&B.

Price: Room rates typically range from £50 – £95 per night for double occupancy. See latest prices here .

Address:  2 Market Street,  Ullapool, Ross-shire IV26 2XE

Wheelchair Accessible Rooms?: The B&B does not have any fully accessible rooms. All rooms require stairs to access.

Tips: The well-rated B&B is very popular and offers good value, so book well in advance to guarantee a stay here. For nearby dinner options, we can personally recommend Ceilidh Place (our favorite, reservations usually needed), The Arch Inn (reservations recommended), and The Seafood Shack (tasty seafood takeaway).

North Coast 500 Hotels: Poolewe to Shieldaig

Now you head down to explore the southwest corner of the North Coast 500. A couple attractions along this stretch include the the Russian Arctic Convoy sites in Aultbea and the Interewe Garden (managed by the National Trust) in Poolewe. There are also lots of opportunities for hiking, mountain climbing, fishing, and water sports along this stretch.

Shieldaig Lodge

Shieldaig Lodge is a refurbished former Victorian hunting lodge set in a 26,000 acre estate next to Shieldaig Bay near the village of Gairloch. If you are looking for a traditional Highlands hunting lodge sort of place to stay, this might be the place for you.

The 19th century building has been recently refurbished and offers 12 comfortable guest rooms. There is also a couple of lovely guest lounges with fireplaces, a bar, and an on-site restaurant. The bar is known for having a selection of over 250 whiskies and the bar also has a large selection of gin and other drink options.

Our room was comfortable but smaller than expected given the price (and photos of much larger rooms on website), and I think we must have had one of their smallest rooms. I would recommend choosing one of the better category rooms, especially if staying more than 1 night, as the smallest rooms don’t have much space to move around in after you get your luggage inside.

The hotel offers a number of activities that can be arranged for guests including archery, falconry, whisky tasting tours, fishing, hunting, guided hikes, canoeing, and kayaking. Booking the Shellfish Gastro Experience allows guests to go fishing on a creel boat with a local fisherman and later the day’s catch is turned into a 5-course seafood meal.

Bikes are also available for rent and there are a number of great hiking trails on the estate and nearby that you can explore on your own. We can definitely recommend trying at least one of the hiking trails as many offer wonderful views. The hotel staff can give you a list and directions.

We had dinner and breakfast here. The dinner we had here was delicious and there was a view out onto the garden and bay. The menu offered a nice selection of fresh seafood as well as local meats and seasonal vegetables. Definitely recommend having dinner here. Breakfast here was also good.

Price: Room rates typically range from £130 – £295 per night for double occupancy for bed and breakfast. Check latest prices here to find the best rates for your dates.

Address: Badachro, Gairloch IV21 2AN

Location: Located on a rural estate, about 10 minutes drive south of the town of Gairloch.

Wheelchair Accessible Rooms?: The hotel does not offer any wheelchair accessible rooms. All guest rooms require stairs to access and the guest bathrooms are not wheelchair accessible.

Tips: Many guests here stay 2 or more nights to explore the area and take advantage of the hotel activities. If you are interested in any of the activities, I’d book them in advance as we heard some people not being able to do them because they were trying to book last minute and they were already full or not possible.

As noted, our double room was smaller than expected given the price so we’d recommend choosing a better room category if you enjoy more spacious rooms.

The 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 (husband of mathematician Ada Lovelace), and is probably the most well-known hotel along the North Coast 500.

The hotel has a mix of traditional and contemporary decor and offers a number of luxury amenities and services. Rooms include fine cotton linens, flat screen TVs, bathrobes, tea and coffee making facilities, and luxury toiletries. Some rooms also have views of the loch and/or mountains and some have Victorian style bathrooms. 

Its public rooms include a large drawing room, bar known for its large selection of whisky, and a restaurant (open to non-guests with reservations). It has a lovely location on a 58-acre estate next to Loch Torridon, with a large kitchen garden and a field where you can see Highland cattle and Tamworth pigs.

The Torridon also offers a number of day activities on the estate or nearby that include clay pigeon shooting, guided hikes, archery, gorge scrambling, and kayaking. We had a lovely stay here, including a nice afternoon tea in the drawing room, drinks at the bar, and an excellent dinner in the restaurant.

The Torridon lives up to many people’s imagination of a Victorian country estate and is definitely a popular lodging option along the North Coast 500 with many people taking advantage of the offered day activities and tours.

Price: Room rates typically range from £250 – £475 per night for double occupancy. Check The Torridon prices online to find the best rates for your trip.

Address:  Annat, By Achnasheen, Wester Ross IV22 2EY

Location: Located 2 miles from the little village of Torridon next to Loch Torridon, about 12 miles southwest (25 minute drive) from Kinlochewe.

Dog Friendly?: Pets are not allowed in the hotel except for the Chestnut Cottage. Well behaved dogs are allowed in the ground room rooms of the next door The Stables (formerly the Torridon Inn) and in the pub there. So dog owners may want to consider staying at The Stables instead.

Wheelchair Accessible Rooms?: The hotel offers one fully accessible room on the ground floor.

Tips: Book well in advance to guarantee a room here as some dates can book up several months in advance as popular with motor clubs and other groups. If you want a really spacious room, book a suite. The Torridon also has a private self-catering option called the Boat House.

For a more casual (and inexpensive) stay or meal, check out the next door The Stables (formerly known as the Torridon Inn), which is owned and run by the same company and better suited for families. If you are not staying here, you can still book a meal, have a drink, or afternoon tea here. It offers one of the best afternoon tea options along the NC500.

North Coast 500 Hotels: Achnasheen to Inverness

This was our final leg of the trip before returning back to Inverness (or it might be your first leg if heading west), and while we found scenic spots and things to do along this stretch, we found fewer North Coast 500 hotels. We can highly recommend Coul House Hotel (below) which can make a nice final stop, or you can also check out the Dingwall to Invergordon hotels listed earlier as those are within a 30 minute drive of here as well.

For those returning to overnight in Inverness, you can see our Inverness hotel recommendations earlier in the article.

Coul House Hotel

Coul House Hotel  is a 22-room family-run country house hotel surrounded by gardens, a large lawn, and trees. The building was built in 1821 for Sir George Steuart Mackenzie by the same architects who designed the famous spire atop the Tron Kirk on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile.

The rooms offer traditional decor, modern conveniences, and most come with either a garden or mountain view. Public rooms include ornate ceilings, decorations, and fireplaces. The hotel also has a full-service restaurant, and although we only had breakfast here, the dinner menu looked tempting.

The outdoor spaces include  beautiful gardens, shaded places to sit under the trees, fairy trails designed with families in mind, and a golf practice area on the lawn. The Coul House Hotel is known as one of the most pet-friendly places to stay along the NC500, and you may even get a chance to meet the owners’ own dogs.

We found this to be a relaxing and scenic historical hotel with friendly staff, and we would highly recommend it for those looking for a place to relax at the beginning or end of their North Coast 500 road trip.

Price: Room rates typically range from £95 – £300 per night for double occupancy. Check Coul House Hotel prices online to find the best rates.

Address:  Contin, Ross-shire IV14 9ES

Location: Located in the small village of Contin, it is about 8 miles (15 minutes) west of Dingwall and 20 miles (35 minutes drive) northwest of from Inverness

Dog Friendly?: Pets are welcome at the hotel. There was a £7.50 charge per dog at last check.

Wheelchair Accessible Rooms?: The hotel offers one fully accessible room on the ground floor with a wet room. It has 3 other ground floor rooms offering step-free access that can also work for those in wheelchairs and those with reduced mobility.

Tips:  As you get near the hotel, be sure to keep a lookout for the sign for the turnoff as it is located a couple of minutes drive off the road so you won’t see the hotel from the road. Be sure to spend some time in the gardens here and if you have kids, be sure to check out the Fairy Trail. Nearby are Ben Wyvis and the scenic Falls of Rogie.

There you have it, our list of recommended North Coast 500 hotels along this new popular route around the top of Scotland. We hope you find these recommendations helpful in planning your own trip!

Is a North Coast 500 road trip on your radar? Which of these North Coast hotels would be on your accommodation wish list? If you have stayed in any of these hotels, or any other places along the NC500, we’d love to hear your personal experience and tips.

If you are planning a North Coast 500 road trip feel free to ask us any questions about any aspect of your trip below and as always we’ll do our best to answer your questions!

Want to remember this article, PIN it on Pinterest to read it again later:

**Disclosure: We partnered with North Coast 500 who helped us plan the logistics of our trip and also arranged some of our meals and accommodation in order for us to share our experiences as travel writers. We had input into every place we stayed, ate, and visited, and we covered our own transport costs and additional expenses. You can read more in our Ethics Code  about how we accept work.**

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Amina Post author

July 26, 2024 at 9:51 am

Waaaaahhh what a great adventure, I have always wanted to do this and will bookmark this NC 500 hotel guide!

Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author

July 28, 2024 at 6:07 pm

Hope you get a chance to visit the North Coast 500 soon! If you have any questions, just ask us.

Best, Jessica & Laurence

Phil Post author

June 3, 2023 at 9:00 pm

Excellent guide on where to stay, I viewed each place you’ve mentioned to gather further information and to check prices and whether we’d stay there or not. It has been a very interesting time doing my research and it’s a big thank you for what you’ve done. My wife and I are coming over from Adelaide in August 2024 and with other family from Leicester are planning the NC500. Looking forward to reading more about places to visit and sightseeing from the guides you’ve created. Very appreciative of all the work you’ve done. Phil

June 14, 2023 at 6:52 am

Thanks so much for taking the time to comment! Glad that our NC500 hotel guide has been helpful. Over on Finding the Universe, my husband has also put together some more suggested B&Bs and glamping/campsites in two different articles if you are looking more for B&Bs than hotels.

Wishing you a wonderful trip. If you have any questions as you plan your visit to the UK and Norther Coast 500 travels, just let us know!

Best, Jessica

Eileen Post author

June 6, 2022 at 4:12 am

Wow! Thank you for providing a list of so many good hotels on North Coast 500 route! I will definitely save this post so I can refer to it in the future! Thanks for sharing!

June 6, 2022 at 8:37 am

Glad it was helpful. If you have any questions about hotels or driving the NC500 just let us know once you start planning your trip.

Colin Powell Post author

April 20, 2020 at 12:03 pm

Hello Could you give names of places and towns that you would recommend to stay overnight more for distance purposes Looking at a 9 -10 night drive Regards Colin

April 21, 2020 at 5:12 am

I would suggest starting with our suggested 7 day North Coast 500 trip itinerary . This will give you an idea of where you might want to overnight along the route at regular intervals and lists lodging options for each stop.

Then if you have 9 or 10 days for the North Coast 500, I’d make 2 or 3 of the overnight stops 2 nights stays rather than moving on each day. So I’d suggest staying two nights in those areas where you want to do/see more. For instance, if you want to do any longer hikes, play golf, or join a tour or activity, it is good to plan more than 1 night in that area. The itinerary above should help you in thinking about where you might want to spend more time but let us know if you have further questions to help decide.

Of course, as you are probably aware, all the hotels, attractions, and non-essential businesses are all currently closed due to COVID-19 with no set date for re-opening. So if you decide to book you stays now, I would try to book for later rather than sooner and to make sure that you book stays that can be canceled or refunded.

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

Mark lucas Post author

October 7, 2019 at 3:11 pm

Would you recommend doing the 500 clockwise or anti clockwise.

October 8, 2019 at 10:24 am

We’ve driven it both ways now multiple times and the differences are pretty minor. There are advantages of driving it both directions, but we would recommend for a first time visitor to drive it counterclockwise, starting in Inverness and heading up along the east coast first. This way allows you to encounter the better roads and more populated areas first, get used to single track roads, and then save the steeper roads and more dramatic scenery for the latter part of the journey.

You can read more about choosing a direction and planning a route in our NC 500 planning guide . Let us know if you have further questions as you plan your trip.

Mark Post author

October 8, 2019 at 12:34 pm

Thanks Jessica I was planning the other direction (clockwise) but consider your point and will now rethink. Mark

Pat Post author

August 27, 2019 at 5:21 pm

We would like to o NS500 in Sept but cannot pin dayes down. Do you think we will find places to stay if we are not to fussy?

August 28, 2019 at 4:56 am

September will be a bit more flexible than July/August but it will still be busy along the route. We know from other readers that many of the hotels we recommend are sold out for many nights in September. But that said, yes, if you are not too picky about the type of accommodation (B&B, hotel, self-catering) and have a flexible budget, then you should be able to find something.

I’d recommend trying to book ahead at least a day in advance if you can. In some places along the route there are quite a few options (e.g., Inverness, Ullapool) so it is easier to find a place, but in other spots along the route there are only a couple of options which are more likely to be fully booked. So I would definitely not leave it until evening on the same day as you might find yourself wasting a lot of time searching for availability.

If you have a general idea of you dates and where you want to stay, I’d also consider booking hotels online that offer free cancellation policies. For example, many hotels on sites like Booking and Hotels.com offer free cancellation if you cancel a day or more in advance. That would give you the comfort of knowing you have accommodation but the flexibility to cancel if you change your itinerary.

Hope that helps and enjoy your trip!

Tom & Shirley Post author

August 29, 2018 at 9:45 am

Just wanted to say how wonderful your North Coast 500 hotel guide and your planning guide are. We could not have driven the NC500 as worry-free and organized as we did without your great guides. We used them before and throughout our road trip! So much great recommendations and advice, much superior to everything else out there as we could tell that you put a lot of time into them and obviously know this route very well! Thanks again!

Tom & Shirley from Birmingham

August 29, 2018 at 9:50 am

Hi Tom & Shirley, Thanks so much or taking the time to comment after your NC500 road trip! So happy that you found our blog content useful in preparing for your trip and driving the North Coast 500. Sounds like you had a great time (such a beautiful area!) and hope you venture back up north to Scotland again soon 😉

Happy travels, Jessica

John Day Post author

July 29, 2018 at 8:10 pm

Great post on the NC500. We will be using a lot of the information provided in your articles. We have just completed a fantastic tour of the Outer Hébrides in a motor home which was our proposed method for the NC500 next year. However, after seeing the hôtels you guys recommended we may have to do it twice. Once in the motorhome, then ditch the kids and complete a 2nd circuit staying at the hôtels. Very thorough blogging. Thanks!

July 30, 2018 at 3:21 pm

Hi John, Thank you very much for taking the time to comment and glad you had a great trip to the Hebrides! I am sure you will have a great time doing the North Coast 500 by motorhome. Definitely recommend doing the NC500 twice if you get the chance 😉 Best, Jessica

Kristina Post author

February 3, 2018 at 5:09 pm

Great job! Thanks so much for all these posts on the NC500. I’m trying to plan for June and I’m already finding many places fully booked. But these posts are very helpful.

February 3, 2018 at 5:32 pm

Hi Kristina, I am so happy you are finding our North Coast 500 articles helpful as you are planning your own road trip. We are actually headed back up there later this week to drive it in the winter.

I am a bit surprised so many are already fully booked for June. We do recommend booking NC500 lodging 6 months in advance if you can but obviously this is often not possible for people. We drove it in mid-May last year and there was still plenty of places with availability but early to mid-May is a quieter time than June-August. If there are any special must-stays for you, I’d call and ask what availability they do have during your trip to see if there may be a way to tweak your itinerary.

If there are any specific towns/areas you need additional NC500 lodging recs, just let us know. There are loads of great places throughout the route – we couldn’t include them all in our list!

Also note that some of the smaller places that only do direct bookings may not have their full summer availability up as many of the smaller spots don’t reopen until March or April.

Best of luck, and feel free to report back on your North Coast 500 experience!

Jane Post author

January 19, 2018 at 3:00 am

Wow, this is an amazing article about where to stay along the North Coast 500! It answered all of my questions I had about accommodation along the route and even provides a helpful map. I do have one question about if you have any recommendations for a place to stay a bit closer to Loch Ness? Mid-range to luxury, a castle stay would of course be cool 😉 I know this is a bit off the NC500 but we plan to drive to Loch Ness and then leave out of Glasgow Airport after our road trip. Thanks in advance, Jane

January 19, 2018 at 8:18 am

Hi Jane, So happy that your using our North Coast 500 hotel guide to help book your stays. There is great diversity of places along the route and some great castle stays 😉 In terms of visiting Loch Ness, you can easily visit as a day trip from Inverness if you wanted to do so, but if you are looking for something really close there are many places to stay nearby as it is a very popular tourist stop. In terms of castles, I’d suggest Aldourie Castle which sits just off the shore of Loch Ness. The castle itself is private hire only, but there are several cottages on the property that you can book at a much lower cost. If you have some time in Glasgow, here are some of our favorite places in Glasgow . Wishing you a great NC500 trip and do let us know if you have any more questions as you plan your time in Scotland! Best, Jessica

Mikal Shone Post author

October 30, 2017 at 8:48 am

Hey guys, this post is so informative for the people who want to do a NC500 road trip. Sounds great for those who love to travel and be outdoors.

Terri Post author

October 22, 2017 at 6:00 pm

wow! i love the pics of North Coast 500 hotels! all touch of classy, im going to show this to my hubby since he is planning for our 15yrs anniversary… i know he will like one of these hotels!

October 23, 2017 at 3:40 am

Hi Terri, A drive along the North Coast 500 would make for a great anniversary trip. There are great romantic hotels along the route like the castles, small B&B, seaside villas, and manor houses. I’d recommend 5 to 7 days (or more) if you can to fully experience the site along the NC500. Let me know if you have any other questions. Best, Jessica

Rob+Ann Post author

August 27, 2017 at 4:26 pm

First off, we didn’t even know there was a NC500, so thanks for putting that on our radar! It’s such an obviously great idea – so we’ve Pinned this one for later reference. Pairing the drive with a castle stay sound like a great plan…we just need to get a trip together.

August 28, 2017 at 7:23 pm

Hi Rob & Ann, Yes, I don’t think that many people outside Scotland have heard of the North Coast 500 yet but it is definitely becoming a popular route! Hope this is helpful in finding a NC500 castle hotel once you get a trip plan together 😉 Best, Jessica

Michelle | michwanderlust Post author

August 23, 2017 at 12:02 am

Fantastic pictures as usual – makes me recall how beautiful Scotland is, and how I’m overdue for another trip there! Love the castle hotels and the country manor-style of so many of the properties you’ve highlighted here. So atmospheric and full of history. One of the reasons I like getting away from the cities in the UK!

August 23, 2017 at 5:26 am

Thanks Michelle, yes there are so many lovely hotels in Scotland! A perfect destination to splurge on some castle and country house hotels 😉 I love that so many of these North Coast 500 hotel properties have so much history and it was fun learning some of the stories associated with each building. Hope you get a chance to return to Scotland and drive the NC500 soon! Best, Jessica

Jim ~ ReflectionsEnroute Post author

August 21, 2017 at 12:03 pm

We tend to stay in the midrange and there are some good options for us in your article. We also like to include one or two nights in something a little more upscale, and a castle certainly fits that bill. I would love to spend a night or two in that room with the fireplace at Kincraig Castle. Beautiful! Thanks for linking in to wkendtravelinspiration

August 22, 2017 at 5:33 am

Hi Jim, Glad that you found this useful for accommodation options in a mid-range budget, we tried to include a bit of a mix! Yes, a castle stay along the North Coast 500 is definitely a wonderful splurge, and most do have working fireplaces in the lounge and/or some of the rooms. Makes any rainy or cold day seem better if you can curl up in front of a good fire! Best, Jessica

Seana Turner Post author

August 21, 2017 at 5:59 am

I love being able to peek into all of these North Coast 500 hotel rooms. Your website has the MOST thorough information. That plaid carpet is something, and I love the bed in the Pool House. In terms of vibe, I think I like that dining room in Kylesku.. I love the water:)

August 21, 2017 at 6:10 am

Hi Seana, Yes, it is always nice to preview accommodation options being choosing them, and I hope this guide will be useful in providing useful information about booking hotels along the North Coast 500! You can find lots of plaid in Scottish hotels, especially in the Highlands, and antique furniture at Pool House is pretty special indeed. Kylesku has a lovely location right next to the loch and some great views from the restaurant and several of its rooms – perfect spot for sunset! Natural Retreats is John O’Groats is also great for those wanting a seaside spot along the route, and The Torridon, Broomview Cottage, and several hotels in Ullapool offer loch views. Jessica

Rhonda Albom Post author

August 20, 2017 at 7:39 pm

Wow. What a great selection of hotels. The Dornoch Castle Hotel photo really made me wish I had stayed there when I was touring several years ago. My daughter thanks you for the photo of the highland cattle; they are her favourite “large” animal and one still adorns her iPad as a screen saver.

August 21, 2017 at 4:40 am

Hi Rhonda, The Dornoch Castle Hotel is a great good value option for a castle along the NC500, and the hotel has a lively and relaxed atmosphere. We enjoyed learning about its history and having dinner while we visited Dornoch, and they have an extensive whisky selection in the bar. If you ever return with your daughter, among the North Coast 500 hotels I would recommend Braemore Square Country House B&B and The Torridon (or next door Torridon Inn) as both hotels have their very own herds of Highland cattle! Also Robertson’s Larder & Children’s Farm in Beauly has a couple of Highland cattle you can see while picking up some fresh food products. We have dozens of Highland cattle photos from our trip, feel free to email you if your daughter ever needs a new screensaver 😉 Best, Jessica

Anisa Post author

August 20, 2017 at 4:32 pm

I had not heard of the North Coast 500 before, but now I am really intrigued. It looks like a great road trip. And wow, you found some great places to stay. I really appreciate all the details that you provide. Pinning this for future reference.

August 21, 2017 at 5:04 am

Hi Anisa, The North Coast 500 is fairly new, being launched in 2015 as part of an initiative by a non-profit organization to encourage more tourists to visit the northern part of the Scottish Highlands. The initiative and marketing has been very successful and a lot of people are now driving the route. The route isn’t new (its just a collection of existing roads) and Laurence and I actually had been on part of it a couple of years ago before but the new name and marketing is luring a lot more visitors north of Inverness. Definitely recommend if you are in northern Scotland and have several days (a week or more is recommended). We’ll be posting a NC500 planning guide and itinerary soon! Best, Jessica

Lyn @ A Hole in my Shoe Post author

August 20, 2017 at 7:43 am

You have chosen a great selection there, I am not sure which one I’d choose first. A stay in one of those castles would be a treat and I’d love to see the Chinese Marriage bed.

August 20, 2017 at 8:15 am

Hi Lyn, Yes, there are a lot of great places to stay along the North Coat 500, I don’t think we could possibly choose a favorite. The Chinese marriage bed is pretty cool 😉 Jessica

Lolo Post author

August 20, 2017 at 5:20 am

Wow! These are all exquisite hotels! I wouldn’t even know which one to pick first!! The beds at the Pool Hotel look incredibly unique and amazing! Love that historic wood decor! If I were doing this route, I would definitely try to stay at as many of these as possible!! Thanks for linking up with TheWeeklyPostcard!

August 20, 2017 at 6:58 am

Hi Lolo, Yes, lots of great lodging options for those driving the North Coast 500! The Pool House definitely has some unique antique furniture, the other bedrooms are also really nice, including a vintage French style suite, a Victorian suite, a Scottish/nautical suite, and an Indian room. Since this is just one we visited, I would definitely love to actually stay here on a future trip myself. Hopefully you get a chance to drive the NC500 and now you’ll have a guide to where to stay! Best, Jessica

Anda Post author

August 20, 2017 at 12:20 am

Jessica, you and Laurence are always traveling in style. I’m glad to see all these “posh” places through your eye because most likely I’ll never get to stay in most of them. They look great, but I bet they are also expensive. I’m sure most visitors to Europe are not aware that these gorgeous castles are actually hotels with rooms for rent, so it’s great that you advertise them.

August 20, 2017 at 6:51 am

Hi Anda, We do indeed like to have a bit of luxury on our trips! All the prices ranges are actually listed in the post for each of the North Coast 500 hotels. Although many of the listed properties fall in the mid-range to luxury category, a couple are more budget-oriented with prices as low as £45/night. I would say average hotel costs on the NC500 for a basic double room at a hotel are around £70-£100 range but you can spend less if you stay in simple B&Bs (£40-£75 per night for 2 people) or obviously hostels (£17-£25/person) or camping. You can get a castle stay along the NC500 in the £90 to £130/night range if you book in advance and don’t mind the simplest rooms. A lot of budget travelers choose simple accommodation for most of their trip but then splurge to treat themselves to one nicer stay along the route 😉 So definitely a doable road trip for someone of any budget, from those with big pockets to those with more modest ones! Jessica

Ruth | Tanama Tales Post author

August 19, 2017 at 3:37 pm

So many fantastic properties! I would like to stay on a castle or tower hotel along the North Coast 500. A lot of the information you provided at the beginning of the post is essential. People who are not used to travel in Europe may not be aware of how hotels are different in certain countries. We experienced the part of staying in a hotel without an address in Iceland. I took a look at Google before the trip and noticed the hotel was not going to be even visible from the main road. So, I hoped for a big sign and sure it was there! But, we had to pay a lot of attention to spot the sign. In rural areas, there may not be anybody around to ask for directions.

August 19, 2017 at 5:52 pm

Hi Ruth, There are so many great places to stay along the North Coast 500, and the castle hotels are definitely popular! Yes, the lack of an exact address throws off a lot of people who are used to punching in addresses into their GPS. There are only a few places in the U.S. where I have experienced this but it is pretty common in the Scottish Highlands and in Iceland. Some people complain about poor WiFi, limited services in small towns, lack of elevators, etc. but these are just part of traveling in more rural parts of the world. Also if you are doing a NC500 road trip for the first time – you shouldn’t really need to be on your phone or computer that much! 😉 Jessica

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Scotland’s North Highlands (Slow Travel)

Including Inverness

Northern Scotland Slow Travel guide. Expert local tips and holiday advice to the north Highlands, including Sutherland, Caithness and Ross-shire. Features Inverness, Easter Ross, the Black Isle, the east coast, Mackay Country, John O’Groats, Assynt, North Coast 500 (NC500) driving route and Wester Ross. Includes castles, lochs and mountains.

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An Educational Journey

On Being from Nowhere

Walking the Wharfe

Scotland’s North Highlands (Slow Travel) is the latest title in Bradt’s series of distinctive, widely acclaimed ‘Slow’ travel guides to local UK regions. Written by a northern Scotland specialist who edits the award-winning JRNY Travel Magazine, this guidebook provides greater detail than any other to the whole of northern Scotland – roaming far beyond the increasingly popular 516-mile North Coast 500 (NC500) driving route. Coupling a wide, personal selection of places to explore with focused advice on travel practicalities, Scotland’s North Highlands (Slow Travel) encourages visitors to adopt a leisurely approach designed to tease out the region’s many special qualities – and contribute positively to local communities.

In the far northern reaches of Scotland, Sutherland, Caithness and Ross-shire are regions that, by their very nature, demand to be taken slowly. Single-track roads dominate, skirting lochs and winding up and over moorland and mountains carpeted with blanket bog, settlements are few and far between, and you’ll often feel outnumbered by sheep as yet another flock ambles across a road leading to a crumbling castle, old fishing port or alluring ancient site. But biding your time is no inconvenience here, not when every corner reveals a yet more staggering view, when remote coastal cliffs throb with the cries of seabirds, or when following a sign down a potholed road leads to an empty cove of sand that shimmers pink and blue in the ever-changing Highlands light.

There are no large settlements here – the second-largest town has barely 1,500 inhabitants – so visitors focus very much on the outdoors. Getting into wilderness is joyously easy: within moments of parking your car or stepping out of your B&B, you’re striding among scenery so enchanting and dramatic it feels like it’s been conjured up by someone’s imagination. Whether you crave clambering over rocks to discover secret beaches, watching dolphins leap, kayaking to uninhabited islands or trekking to the UK’s highest waterfall, northern Scotland is the kind of place that gets its teeth into you – a place that people return to again and again. Just the place, indeed, for Bradt’s Scotland’s North Highlands to provide the perfect travelling companion.

Before ordering ebooks from us, please check out our ebook information .

About the Author

Emma Gibbs (emmagibbseditorial.com) is a freelance travel writer and editor, specialising in northern Scotland, and with a particular interest in Slow and sustainable travel. She is the author of North Coast 500: Britain’s Ultimate Road Trip (a best-selling, illustrated guide that identifies the 100 best places to visit along this touring route in northern Scotland) and i-SPY Scotland. She has written for The Guardian, The I, The Independent and Scotland Magazine, among others, for articles about northern Scotland that have seen her snorkelling in the North Sea, stargazing from a campervan, and (perhaps hardest of all) sampling local whisky and beer. Her first experience of the region was on the far north coast where – despite being repeatedly rained off the beaches and attempting a picnic during a sandstorm – the craggy coastline, quiet roads and brooding mountains led to her realising there was nowhere she’d rather be than the Scottish Highlands.

Additional Information

Chapter 1 Going Slow in Scotland’s North Highlands Chapter 2 Inverness, Easter Ross & the Black Isle Chapter 3 East Coast & Inland Sutherland Chapter 4 Caithness Chapter 5 Mackay Country Chapter 6 Assynt Chapter 7 North Wester Ross Chapter 8 South Wester Ross Appendix Accommodation Index

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Primorsky Krai, Russia

The capital city of Primorye krai: Vladivostok .

Primorsky Krai - Overview

Primorsky Krai (informally Primorye ) is a federal subject of Russia located in the south-eastern part of the country, in the south of the Far East, part of the Far Eastern Federal District. Vladivostok is the capital city of the region.

The population of Primorsky Krai is about 1,863,000 (2022), the area - 164,673 sq. km.

Primorye krai flag

Primorye krai coat of arms.

Primorye krai map, Russia

Primorye krai latest news and posts from our blog:.

20 September, 2017 / Vladivostok - the view from above .

23 July, 2015 / Gamov lighthouse - the easternmost lighthouse in Russia .

24 February, 2014 / Abandoned shelter-base for Soviet submarines .

11 September, 2012 / These tanks are not afraid to go under the water .

28 April, 2012 / First demonstration flights of new Russian combat helicopters .

More posts..

News, notes and thoughts:

18 August, 2011   / A shark attacked a 16-year-old youth in Russia's Primorye region, officials said, a day after a man lost his hands in a similar shark attack unprecedented for the region. What is wrong with the sharks all over the world?

9 January, 2011   / A bear apparently wounded by hunters broke into a school in the Primorye Territory in Russia's Far East, police said Sunday. Yeah, bears walking the streets of Russian cities.

History of Primorsky Krai

The first people settled in the region more than 30 thousand years ago. According to ancient legends, the coastal line was densely inhabited. In the Middle Ages, there were three empires on the territory of Primorye, which successively replaced each other: Bohai (698-926), Jin (1115-1234), Eastern Xia (1215-1233).

In the early 13th century, the territory of East Asia suffered the Mongol invasion. This led to the fall of the empire of Jin, but some provinces in the east preserved independence and formed an independent state known as Eastern Xia. In 1233, after another invasion this state ceased to exist too.

After that, the region was in ruins and attracted people persecuted in surrounding countries (bandits, adventurers, political dissidents). The first documented Russian presence in the region dates back to the summer of 1655, when the northern Primorye was visited by Russian Cossacks under the command of Onuphrius Stepanov.

In the middle of the 19th century, the Russian Empire began to strengthen its position in the north-west coast of the Pacific Ocean. In 1856, Primorskaya oblast was formed from the coastal parts of Eastern Siberia and Kamchatka. The territory of present Primorye was incorporated into the Russian state on the basis of Aigun (1858) and Beijing (1860) peace treaties that legalized the border between Russia and China.

More historical facts…

Since then, the southern part of Primorye took its current shape. In 1860, Vladivostok was founded as a military post. Russian migration in the region began. In 1899, the Oriental Institute was opened in Vladivostok - the first higher educational institution in Eastern Siberia and the Far East, and one of the oldest in East Asia.

Further strengthening of Russian positions in the Far East was limited by the small size of the Russian population and remoteness from populated parts of the empire. Regular communication between St. Petersburg and Vladivostok was established after the completion of the Trans-Siberian Railway in 1903.

From 1861 to 1917, about 250,000 peasants arrived in Primorye and founded 342 settlements. In 1917, the population of Primorye amounted to 307,000 people. By the mid-1920s, the local population reached 600,000 people. In the 1930s, forced industrialization and collectivization began which led to another wave of migration. The migration was both voluntary and forced (prisoners).

In 1937-1938, about 200,000 people of Korean and Chinese nationalities were forcibly deported from the region. Until the end of the 1980s, as a result of ethnic deportations, the Chinese and Koreans disappeared from the national composition of the population of Primorye.

In the summer of 1938, on the southern boundary of Primorye, in the area of Lake Khasan, there were military clashes between Manchukuo (a puppet state under Japanese control) and the Soviet Union. After two weeks of fighting, the USSR was able to repel the aggression. On October 20, 1938, Primorsky Krai with the capital in Vladivostok was formed.

After the end of the Second World War, Primorsky Krai continued to develop as a major industrial and agricultural region of the Far East also specializing in the extraction of natural resources. Rail and sea transport played a significant role in the local economy. Migration from the European part of Russia and Siberia continued, which led to an increase of population of the region from 1,381,000 people in 1959 to 1,978,000 in 1979.

With the collapse of the Soviet Union, the region’s economy went into decline, reverse migration in the European part of Russia began. At the beginning of the 21st century, the social and economic situation in Primorsky Krai improved.

Beautiful nature of Primorsky Krai

On the coast in Primorsky Krai

Author: Andrej Serbskij

Hilly landscape of Primorsky Krai

Author: Kazakov Igor

Primorye scenery

Author: Viktor Koblov

Primorsky Krai - Features

Primorsky Krai is located in the south of the Far East, in the south-eastern part of the Russian Federation. It is bordered by Khabarovsk Krai in the north, China in the west, North Korea in the south-west, and is washed by the Japan Sea in the south and east. The largest cities are Vladivostok (601,300), Ussuriysk (172,000), Nakhodka (140,200), Artyom (104,500).

The maximum length of Primorsky Krai (from the mouth of the Tumannaya River to the source of the Samarga River) is about 900 km, the maximum width (from the valley of the Ussuri River to the coast of the Sea of Japan) - about 280 km. The highest peak is Mount Anik (1,933 meters) located in the north-easton of the region, near the border with Khabarovsk krai.

The climate of Primorye is temperate monsoon. Winters are dry and cold with sunny weather; springs are long, cool, with frequent changes of temperature; summers are warm and humid; autumns as a rule are warm and dry.

The main peculiarity - lots of precipitation and fog in summer. Summer is the period of typhoons. The average temperature in July is about plus 17-21 degrees Celsius, in January - minus 8-23 degrees Celsius.

Primorsky Krai - Economy

A number of large and unique deposits of various minerals have been discovered in Primorye. This region has the most powerful mining industry in the Far East of Russia. There are about 100 coal deposits (2.4 billion tons), 30 deposits of tin, 15 deposits of complex ores containing zinc, lead, copper, and silver. Gold deposits are located both in the south of the region and in the north.

The largest in Russia deposit of boron is located near the town of Dalnegorsk. Several phosphorite deposits are discovered on the shelf of the Sea of Japan. There are also several small oil fields, large deposits of germanium. Mountain rivers have significant hydropower potential. Diverse forests cover about 80% of the territory.

Primorsky Krai is the most developed region in the Russian Far East due to its favorable geographic location and abundance of various natural resources. The local economy is based on such industries as mining, timber, fisheries, trade, shipbuilding and repairing.

Primorye has a relatively well-developed transportation network. The main traffic artery is the eastern section of the Trans-Siberian Railway. Due to its proximity to Japan and the Republic of Korea (imports of relatively cheap used cars), Primorsky Krai occupies the first place in Russia in the number of vehicles in the population.

The seaports of Primorsky Krai play an important role in the economy of Russia. The largest container terminals in the Russian Far East are located here. Regional and international air flights are carried out from Vladivostok International Airport.

Attractions of Primorsky Krai

Primorsky Krai is known for its rich flora and fauna, the variety of landscapes, the warm sea in the south, springs with healing water. All this creates favorable conditions for tourism development.

In Primorye, there are more than 500 unique natural sites (lakes, waterfalls, ancient extinct volcanoes, caves, bays). There are six nature reserves and three national parks:

• Far East Marine Reserve in the Gulf of Peter the Great,
• “Kedrovaya Pad” Reserve,
• Lazovsky Reserve,
• Sikhote-Alin Reserve included in the UNESCO World Heritage List,
• Ussuri Nature Reserve,
• Khanka Reserve,
• “The Call of the Tiger”,
• “Udege Legend”,
• “The Land of the Leopard”.

The following places of interest are also noteworthy:

• The Rope Park in Andreevka - a sports-tourist trail that includes elements of sports tourism and mountaineering,
• Shanduyskie lakes - mountain lakes located in the north of Primorye,
• “Black Sand” beach located near the village of Zarubino in Aleut Bay - an interesting beach with volcanic black sand, which is considered to be curative,
• The lighthouse on the southern tip of Gamov Peninsula. Gamov Peninsula is the pearl of Primorye and the Far East.

Primorye krai of Russia photos

Landscapes of primorsky krai.

On the shore of the Sea of Japan in Primorsky Krai

Author: Konstantin Tkachenko

Primorsky Krai scenery

Small river in Primorye

Author: Melnitsky Stanislav

Primorsky Krai views

Forest in Primorsky Krai

Primorye landscape

Village in Primorsky Krai

Author: Roman Mikulchik

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The Rough Guide to North Coast 500

This practical travel guide to  the North Coast 500 features detailed factual travel tips and points-of-interest structured lists of all iconic must-see sights as well as some off-the-beaten-track treasures. Our itinerary suggestions and expert author picks of things to see and do will make it a perfect companion both, ahead of your trip and on the ground. This  North Coast 500 guide book is packed full of details on how to get there and around, pre-departure information and top time-saving tips, including a visual list of things not to miss. Our colour-coded maps make  the North Coast 500 easier to navigate while you’re there. This guide book to the North Coast 500 has been fully updated post-COVID-19   and it comes with a free eBook.

The Rough Guide to  the North Coast 500 covers: Inverness to the Black Isle and beyond, the road to John O'Groats, along the North Coast, exploring the Northwest and Wester Ross to Inverness.

Inside this North Coast 500 travel guide you’ll find:

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR EVERY TYPE OF TRAVELLER 

Experiences selected for every kind of trip to  the North Coast 500, from off-the-beaten-track adventures in the Black Isle, to family activities in child-friendly places, like  Dunrobin Castle, or chilled-out breaks in popular tourist areas, like Inverness.

PRACTICAL TRAVEL TIPS 

Essential pre-departure information including  the North Coast 500 entry requirements, getting around, health information, travelling with children, sports and outdoor activities, food and drink, festivals, culture and etiquette, shopping, tips for travellers with disabilities and more.

TIME-SAVING ITINERARIES

Includes carefully planned routes covering the best of  the North Coast 500, which give a taste of the richness and diversity of the destination, and have been created for different time frames or types of trip.

DETAILED REGIONAL COVERAGE

Clear structure within each sightseeing chapter of this  the North Coast 500 travel guide includes regional highlights, brief history, detailed sights and places ordered geographically, recommended restaurants, hotels, bars, clubs and major shops or entertainment options.

INSIGHTS INTO GETTING AROUND LIKE A LOCAL

Tips on how to beat the crowds, save time and money and find the best local spots for going whale watching off the west coast or hiking.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THINGS NOT TO MISS

Rough Guides' rundown of  the Caledonian Canal, Inverness, Ness Islands, and Thurso’s best sights and top experiences helps to make the most of each trip to  the North Coast 500, even in a short time.

HONEST AND INDEPENDENT REVIEWS

Written by Rough Guides’ expert authors with a trademark blend of humour, honesty and expertise, this North Coast 500 guide book will help you find the best places, matching different needs.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Comprehensive 'Contexts' chapter of this travel guide to  the North Coast 500 features fascinating insights into  the North Coast 500, with coverage of history, religion, ethnic groups, environment, wildlife and books, plus a handy language section and glossary.

FABULOUS FULL COLOUR PHOTOGRAPHY

Features inspirational colour photography, including the stunning Assynt and the spectacular Duncansby Head sea stacks.

COLOUR-CODED MAPPING

Practical full-colour maps, with clearly numbered, colour-coded keys for quick orientation in  North Coast, the Black Isle,  and many more locations around the North Coast 500, reduce the need to go online.

USER-FRIENDLY LAYOUT 

With helpful icons, and organised by neighbourhood to help you pick the best spots to spend your time.

Free eBook download with every purchase of this guide book to the North Coast 500 allows you to access all of the content from your phone or tablet, for on-the-road exploration. 

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Practical travel guides series covering countries, cities and regions, with detailed factual travel tips, perfect for independent, long-stay, backpacking and budget-conscious travellers seeking comprehensive travel information and off-the-beaten track experiences

Extensive practical travel information including getting there, getting around, climate information, safety tips, accommodation explanations, food & drink advice and shopping essentials 

Curated author picks with destination highlights at the beginning of each guide

Ready-made itineraries covering every corner of the destination

Colour-coded places chapters with detailed coverage of places and sights, presented in a points-of-interest structure 

Extensive recommendations for accommodation, restaurants, shops and leisure activities for all budgets

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• Places - Siberia and the Russian Far East

Russian Far East

The Russian Far East is a region in eastern Russia that includes the territories that run along the Pacific coast and the Amur River, the Kamchatka Peninsula, Sakhalin island and the Kuril Islands. It is a cold, inhospitable and sparsely populated area with stunning scenery, rich fisheries, virgin forest, remote towns, Siberian tigers and Aumur leopards. Sometimes the Russian Far East is regarded as part of Siberia.

Rachel Dickinson wrote in The Atlantic: Russia’s Far Eastern Federal District is huge — 2.4 million square miles, roughly twice the size of India — and takes up one-third of the country, but only 6.7 million people populate that vast space. (The district’s biggest city is Vladivostok — best known for being the last stop on the Trans-Siberian Railroad and home to the Russian Pacific fleet.) Provideniya was once a thriving military town with a population as high as 10,000; today the population is about 2,000. Most of the ethnic Russians have left, ceding the city to the region’s indigenous people. Now the government is struggling to stem the tide of people leaving the desolate Far East. [Source: Rachel Dickinson, The Atlantic, July/August 2009]

The entire Russian Pacific coastline extends for almost 16,000 kilometers (10,000 miles). The formal dividing line between Siberia and the Far East are the borders of the Khabarovsk territory and Magadan region, which extends between 160 kilometers (100 miles) to 1,600 kilometers (1,000 miles) inland from the Russia's east coast. Siberia, the Russian Far East and Kamchatka were largely covered by glaciers during the last Ice Age, which ended about 10,000 years ago. In the Soviet era, the Far East had its share of gulags and labor camps, Maksim Gorky called it " land of chains and ice." Since the break up of the Soviet Union, its people have largely been forgotten. The whole region would probably be forgotten if it weren't so rich in resources.

The Far East only has 6.7 million people and its population is falling. There used to be around 8 million people there. Eighty percent of the people live in the cities but have a strong ties to the land: hunting, fishing or picking berries and mushrooms whenever they get the chance. Some places only exist because the government subsidizes them, providing the people with shipped-in food and cheap energy for heat. In the early 2000s, the government has decided it has spent too much supporting these people and told them they have to move. In some places the people refused to move and the government cut off their water and heat and they still stayed. In recent years thing have stabilized somewhat as more money has flowed in from oil, natural gas, minerals, fishing and timber.

What the Russian Far East lacks in historical sites, old cities and museums — compared to the European parts of Russia and even Siberia — it makes up for with a wide variety of beautiful scenery and adventures. The Amur Rive boast sturgeons the size of whales. In the Primorskiy territory you can find rocky islands, steep cliffs, Siberian tigers and Amur leopards. There are isolated beaches on rivers and the see. If you like taiga, there lots of that along with wild mountains and many places to go hiking, fishing, hunting and camping. On Kamchatka there are dozens of very active 's volcanoes. Further north are some of the best places in the world to see walruses, polar bears and whales. Khabarovsk and Vladivostok are two major cities that define the eastern end of the Trans-Siberian Railway and have plenty of urban activities.

The Far Eastern Federal District is the largest of the eight federal districts of Russia but the least populated. The 11 federal subjects are: 1) Amur Oblast: 361,900 square kilometers, 830,103 people, capital: Blagoveshchensk 2) Republic of Buryatia: 351,300 square kilometers,, 971,021 people, capital: Ulan-Ude 3) Jewish Autonomous Oblast: 36,300 square kilometers, 176,558 people, capital: Birobidzhan 4) Zabaykalsky Krai: 431,900 square kilometers, 1,107,107 people, capital: Chita 5) Kamchatka Krai: 464,300 square kilometers, 322,079 people, capital: Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky 6) Magadan Oblast: 462,500 square kilometers, 156,996 people, capital: Magadan 7) Primorsky Krai: 164,700 square kilometers, 1,956,497 people, capital: Vladivostok 8) Sakha Republic: 3,083,500 square kilometers, 958,528, people capital: Yakutsk 9) Sakhalin Oblast: 87,100 square kilometers, 497,973 people, capital: Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk 10) Khabarovsk Krai: 787,600 square kilometers, 1,343,869 people, capital: Khabarovsk 11) Chukotka Autonomous Okrug: 721,500 square kilometers, 50,526 people, capital: Anadyr

Traveling in the Far East is troublesome. There are few roads, and they are in poor conditions. Many places can’t be reached by road anyway. Rivers are frozen much of the year. Helicopters can cost as much as US$500 an hour to rent. Corruption is rampant and it seems like everyone wants a cut. Even if paperwork is in order customs officials, police an other authorities demand, sometimes, huge outrageous "fees."

Economics of the Far East

The Far East is rich in gold, diamonds, oil, natural gas, minerals, timber and fish. It accounts for more than 60 percent of Russia's total sea harvest and fishing is the region’s leading industry, providing jobs for more than 150,000 people. People in the Far East should be rich from the wealth generated from fishing, timber and minerals but that is not necessarily the case. In the case of timber, in the early 2000s, local communities were supposed to get 30 percent of the profits but in reality Moscow took 80 percent and local officials took the rest.

In the early 2000s, gas and oil companies could not pay their workers and utility companies couldn’t pay the oil and gas companies and as a result electricity was only on for a few hours a day. Workers were among the last to receive their wages, factories were cannibalized of scrap metal and parts, students studied in sub-freezing classrooms, and people died at early ages. Those that could afford it moved away.

Many foreign companies were equally frustrated. The U.S. wood product giant Weyerhaueser, Korea's Hyundai conglomerate and Australian mining companies arrived in east Russia with high hopes but after some time there either packed up and left or scaled down their staff down to a skeletal crew.

Ussuri River

The Ussuri River forms the border between Russia and China in southern Khabarovsk Krai and . Primorsky Karia. A right tributary of the Amur, it is 897 kilometers long, with a basin area of more than 193,000 square kilometers. The Ussuri River originates in the spurs of the central Sikhote-Alin. Once it descends into it the valley, the river becomes flat and gentle but has a steep rocky coast. In many area there are meandering channels.

Among the tributaries of the Ussuri are: 1) the upper river: Izvilinka, Sokolovka, Matveyevka and Pavlivka. 2) the left tributaries: Arsen'evka, Muling, Naoli River and Songacha River; 3) and the right tributaries: Pavlovka, Zhuravlovka, Big Ussurka, Bikin and Khor.

In Khabarovsk Krai, near the village of Kazakevichevo, Ussuri River flows into the shallow Kazakevichevo channel and after that the confluence of the Ussuri is called the Amur channel. The Amur channel empties into the Amur River in the center of the city of Khabarovsk. The Ussuri is a full-flowing river from May to August. In the summer and when the ice breaks there are frequent floods. Ice on the Ussuri breaks up in April and forms in November. The water is used for water supply. Above Lesozavodsk the river is navigable. Previously it was widely used for timber floating.

The Ussuri River is good for fishing and rich in fish. Gudgeon, crucian carp, common carp, trout, burbot, pike, catfish, flax and grayling are all caught as are Kaluga sturgeon, which can reach a huge size (eight meters recorded in the Amur River). The river is a spawning ground for salmon and chum salmon. In the waters of the Ussuri fish mountain rivers are found near the bottom fish. Mountain fish comes to the Ussuri in the spring to spawn.

Ussuri Taiga and Dersu Uzala

The Ussuri taiga is a forest different from the normal Russian taiga. Located between the Ussuri and Amur Rivers in the Far East and dominated by the Sikhot Alim Mountains, it is a monsoon forest filled with plants and animals found nowhere else in Siberia or Russia and instead are similar to those found in China, Korea and even the Himalayas. In the forest there is s lush undergrowth, with lianas and ferns. Wildlife include Siberian tigers, Asian black bears, Amur leopards and even tree frogs. The Siberian Tiger Project is located here. The 1970 Akira Kurosawa Oscar-winning film “Dersu Uzala,” and the book it was based on, about a Tungus trapper, was set here.

Ian Frazier wrote in The New Yorker: ““Dersu Uzala,” the memoir and narrative of exploration by Vladimir K. Arsenyev, begins in 1902, when Arsenyev is a young Army officer assigned the job of exploring and mapping the almost unknown regions east and northeast of Vladivostok, including Lake Khanka and the upper watershed of the Ussuri River. The name for the whole area is the Primorskii Krai—the By-the-Sea Region. It and much of the Khabarovskii Krai, just to the north of it, consist of a unique kind of Pacific forest in which tall hardwoods hung with vines grow beside conifers almost equally high, and the lushness of the foliage, especially along the watercourses, often becomes quite jungly. [Source: Ian Frazier, The New Yorker, August 10 and 17, 2009, Frazier is author of “Travels in Siberia” (2010) ]

“In Arsenyev’s time, this jungle-taiga was full of wildlife, with species ranging from the flying squirrel and the wild boar to the Siberian tiger. Back then (and even recently) tigers could also be seen on the outskirts of Vladivostok, where they sometimes made forays to kill and carry off dogs. Arsenyev describes how tigers in the forest sometimes bellowed like red deer to attract the deer during mating season; the tiger’s imitation betrayed itself only at the end of the bellow, when it trailed off into a purr.

“The humans one was likely to meet in this nearly trackless forest were Chinese medicine hunters, bandits, inhabitants of little Korean settlements, and hunter-trappers of wild game. Dersu Uzala, a trapper whom Arsenyev and his men come upon early in their 1902 journey, is a Siberian native of the Nanai tribe whose wife and children have died of smallpox and who now is alone. After their meeting, Dersu becomes the party’s guide. The book is about Arsenyev’s adventures with Dersu on this journey and others, their friendship, and Dersu’s decline and end.

“In the nineteen-seventies, a Soviet film studio produced a movie of “Dersu Uzala,” directed by Akira Kurosawa. It won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Film of 1975. The movie is long and slow-paced, like a passage through the forest, and wonderfully evokes the Primorskii country. I own a cassette of the movie and in my many viewings of it even picked up some useful fractured Russian from the distinctive way Dersu talks.

Udegeh: People Who Live with Siberian Tigers

The Udegeh live around the Sikhotealin Mountains in the Far East, also home to many Siberian tigers, and traditionally survived by hunting in the forest. Their ancestors were farmers and members of the Zhurdzhen empire, which ruled parts of what is now China, Mongolia and Russia. In the 13th century, Zhurdzhen was defeated by Genghis Khan and the Mongols and survived in scattered communities in the forest, where they became nomadic hunters to survive and formed their own language and culture, called Udegeh. There are only about 2,000 Udegeh left. The largest group lives in a village called Krasnyr, about 175 miles southeast of Khabarovsk.

The Udegeh live in wooden houses that often have painted gables with images of bears, dogs, devils and pagan goddesses. Their villages are surrounded by forests, and in the winter deep snow. They primarily live on animals they hunt such as sable, mink, squirrel, deer and boar. They often earn what little money they have by collecting wild ginseng in the forest or selling furs.

About 80 Siberian tigers live in the Udegeh hunting grounds. The Udegeh worship tigers, which are considered sinful to kill. One Udegeh hunter told the Washington Post, "The tiger and the Udegeh people are the same."

In the 1920s, the Udegeh were organized into hunting cooperatives by the Soviets. They sold furs to the Soviets and were able to keep their culture alive even though the Communists frowned upon their pagan beliefs and shaman practices. Today most young Udegeh wear Russian clothes and few of them speak the old language. Intermarriage is common and there are few pure blood Udegeh left. In the early 1990s, the Udegeh were involved in a dispute with the South Korean conglomerate Hyundai, who wanted to log the Udegeh's hunting ground.

See Separate Article PEOPLE OF THE RUSSIAN FAR EAST factsanddetails.com

Ussuriisk (kilometer 9177 on the Trans-Siberian, an hour and a half drive from Vladivostok) contains a "Chinese Bazaar" that is more like a separate town. The market operates all night and approximately 2,000 Chinese traders live semi-permanently in metal freight containers near their stalls.

The Museum of History and Local Lore and the famous 800-year-old stone turtle will introduce you to the history of this city. At the end of summer, tourists come to see the city's blooming lotuses. In the winter, you can enjoy a swim in an outdoor pool, surrounded by snowy fir trees. There is a historical park of everyday life and customs of the Russian people called “Emerald Valley” located five kilometers away from the city . Various events are held here, including the celebration of Kupala Night, jousting tournaments, Christmas and Maslenitsa festivities.

Ussuriisk is located near the border with China and North Korea and stands at the confluence of the Komarovka, Rakovka and Razdolnaya. The city was founded in 1866 by Russians from Voronezh and Astrakhan province in East Russia and the Capian Sea area. The town began to grow when the construction of the Trans-Siberian Railway began in the area.

Places Where the Siberian Tigers Live

Siberian tigers today are confined primarily to the Ussuri Taiga, a forest different from the normal Russian taiga. Located between the Ussuri and Amur Rivers in the Far East and dominated by the Sikhot Alim Mountains, it is a monsoon forest filled with plants and animals found nowhere else in Siberia or Russia and instead are similar to those found in China, Korea and even the Himalayas. In the forest there is s lush undergrowth, with lianas and ferns. Wildlife include Siberian tigers, Asian black bears, Amur leopards and even tree frogs. The Siberian Tiger Project is located here. The 1970 Akira Kurosawa film Dersu Uzala, about a Tungus trapper, was set here.

Sikhot Alin Reserve and Kedrovaya Pad Reserve within the Ussuri Taiga are the last homes of the Siberian tiger. The largest wildlife sanctuaries in the Far East, they embrace 1,350 square miles of forested mountains, coastline and clear rivers. Other animals found in Sikhot Alin reserve and Kedrovaya Pad reserve include brown bears, Amur leopard (of which only 20 to 30 remain), the Manchurian deer, roe deer, goral (a rare mountain goat), Asian black bears, salmon, lynx, wolf and squirrels with tassels on their ears, azure winged magpies and the emerald-colored papilio bianor maackii butterfly. Over 350 different species of bird have been sen here.

Dunishenko and Kulikov wrote: “In the 19th century, aside from the Sikhote-Alin and Malyi Khingan portions of Russia, tigers were found in southeastern Transcaucasia, in the Balkhash basin, in Iran, China and Korea. Now the Amur tiger is found only in Russia’s Primorskii and southern Khabarovskii Krais. This is all that remains of an enormous tiger population that formerly numbered in the thousands and that lived mostly in China. In the spring of 1998, one of the authors of this booklet took part in an international scientific study investigating the best tiger habitat remaining in the Chinese province of Jilin. We found three to five tigers there, mostly along the Russian border. Our general impression is that there are no more than twenty or thirty Amur tigers in all of China. [Source: “The Amur Tiger” by Yury Dunishenko and Alexander Kulikov, The Wildlife Foundation, 1999 ~~]

The general area where Siberian tigers lives is called the Primorskii or Primorye, a region of the southeast Russian Far East that embraces Vladivistok. John Vaillant wrote in “The Tiger: A True Story of Vengeance and Survival”: “Primorye, which is also known as the Maritime Territory, is about the size of Washington state. Tucked into the southeast corner of Russia by the Sea of Japan, it is a thickly forested and mountainous region that combines the backwoods claustrophobia of Appalachia with the frontier roughness of the Yukon. Industry here is of the crudest kind: logging, mining, fishing, and hunting, all of which are complicated by poor wages, corrupt officials, thriving black markets — and some of the world's largest cats.” [Source: John Vaillant. “The Tiger: A True Story of Vengeance and Survival” (Knopf, 2010)]

Nezhino (100 kilometers north of Vladivostok, 20 kilometers east of the Chinese border) is used as a base for people who track Siberian tigers. They are particularly easy to track in the winter, if you can initially locate some tracks, when they leave big paw prints in the snow. Tigers tracking tours began being offered in 2005.

See Separate Articles: SIBERIAN TIGERS factsanddetails.com ; PLACES WHERE THE SIBERIAN TIGERS LIVE factsanddetails.com ; HUMANS, SCIENTISTS, CENSUSES AND SIBERIAN TIGERS factsanddetails.com ; ENDANGERED SIBERIAN TIGERS factsanddetails.com ; SIBERIAN TIGERS CONSERVATION factsanddetails.com ; SIBERIAN TIGER ATTACKS factsanddetails.com .

Ussuri Nature Reserve and Lake Khanka

Ussuri Nature Reserve (100 kilometers north of Vladivostok) is specially protected natural area located in the southern Sikhote-Alina range, It is rich in virgin liana conifer-deciduous forests, which have been cut down in other parts of the Russian Far East and the neighboring countries. The reserve is named after Academician Vladimir L. Komarov, a Russian botanist who studied the flora of East Asia. He first gave a description of the area, visiting her in 1913.

The reserve was created in 1932 and since then has significantly increased its area, which now amounts to 4,040 square kilometers. The reserve embraces lowlands and mountains and foot hools formed by the the southern spurs of the Sikhote-Alin (Przewalski Mountains). The average elevation is 300-400 meters above sea level. The highest peaks are 650-700 meters high. There are also mountain rivers in canyon-like narrow valleys and small waterfalls. Summers are warm and humid. Winters are moderately severe with little snow. The coldest month is January (average temperature of -17.9 degrees C). The warmest month is August 19.7 degrees).

The flora of the reserve is composed almost entirely of forest species, mainly those found in cedar-broadleaf forests, which are are characterized by high species diversity and different from ecosystems found in Russia and elsewhere in the former U.S.S.R. A typical plot of pine forests, contains trees, shrubs and vines from 50-60 species. Among the many rare plants and ginseng, hard juniper, mountain peony and Chinese Prinsep

The fauna of the reserve is typical of coniferous and deciduous forests: wild boar, red deer, musk deer, and black bear. Among the birds are common warblers, blue nightingale, nuthatch and grouse. The reserve is home to the largest beetle fauna of Russia: It is interesting that several attempts to "diversify" the species composition of fauna — through the the introduction of sika deer and Barguzin sable — did not work as hoped. Most of the reserve is off limits to visitors. Among the places that one can visit are the rehabilitation center for the education of orphaned bear cubs. Reserve staff tell the story of each bear and describe it character and habits. There is also a nature trail and small museum.

Lake Khanka (200 kilometers from Vladivostok) has an average depth of 4.5 meters and is home to more than 300 species of bird and 75 species of fish. Trips to the lake includes stops at the villages of Kamen-Rybolov and Troitskoye on the west side of the lake and a trip to Gaivoron, near the town of Spassk-Dalniy, where there is a 10,000 square meter open air cage with a family of Siberian tigers. The cage is made of a transparent metallic net. The enclose incorporates the surrounding forest so you can see the tiger is a pretty close facsimile to how they lin nature.

Biodiversity of the Ussuriskii Taiga Forest

Siberian tigers inhabits the Ussuriskii taiga forest, a coniferous broadleaf forest that specifically favors the so-called Manchurian forest type. The Manchurian forests are located in riparian areas and are particularly high in biodiversity. John Goodrich of NPR wrote: “The most bio-diverse region in all of Russia lies on a chunk of land sandwiched between China and the Pacific Ocean. There, in Russia's Far East, subarctic animals — such as caribou and wolves — mingle with tigers and other species of the subtropics. It was very nearly a perfect habitat for the tigers — until humans showed up. The tigers that populate this region are commonly referred to as Siberian tigers, but they are more accurately known as the Amur tiger. "Imagine a creature that has the agility and appetite of the cat and the mass of an industrial refrigerator," Vaillant tells NPR's Linda Wertheimer. "The Amur tiger can weigh over 500 pounds and can be more than 10 feet long nose to tail." [Source: John Goodrich, NPR, September 14, 2010]

Dunishenko and Kulikov wrote: "The range of biodiversity experienced by the early explorers in the Ussuriskii taiga forest is hard to imagine. Read Vladimir Arsenev and Nikolai Przhevalskii and you’ll realize that the region’s present-day richness is but a sad remnant of what was once found here. The fact is, that not all that long ago there was a lot more to be found in our taiga. Old-timers can still vividly recall the herds of deer, numbering in the hundreds, that migrated the lightly snow covered regions of China, the incessant moan in the taiga when red Manchurian deer were mating, the endless waves of birds, the rivers boiling with salmon. [Source: “The Amur Tiger” by Yury Dunishenko and Alexander Kulikov, The Wildlife Foundation, 1999 ~~]

"And my lord, how many wild boar there used to be in the taiga! All winter long, the southern exposures of oak-covered hills were dug up by droves of wild pigs. Snow under the crowns of Korean pine forests was trampled to ground level as wild boar gathered pine cones throughout the winter. A symphony of squeal and moan! Mud caked wild boar racing around the taiga, rattling around in coats of frozen icycles after taking mud baths to cool passion-heated bodies. Horrible, blood caked wounds, chattering tusks, snorting, bear-like grunting, squawky squeaking, oh the life of a piglet.~~

"This was an earlier image of the Ussuriskii taiga. Just 30 years ago a professional hunter could take 60 to 80 wild boar in a season! There was more than enough game for the tiger out there among the riotous forest “swine.” Tigers strolled lazily, baron-like and important. They avoided the thick forests: why waste energy with all the boar trails around — you could roll along them sideways! It was only later on that the tigers took to following human trails.~~

"How many tigers there used to be in the wild can only be conjectured. Southern Khabarovskii Krai is a natural edge of their habitat; at one point in history there was a substantial tiger population that spilled over into surrounding regions. The tiger’s range coincided, for the most part, with Korean pine and wild boar distribution, and the number of tigers in the Russian Far East in the last century was at least one thousand. Tigers densely settled the Malyi Khingan and the Korean pine, broad leaf deciduous forests typical of southern Amurskaya Oblast. Lone animals wandered out as far as Lake Baikal and Yakutiya."~~

Sikhote Alin Reserve

Sikhote Alin Reserve (400 kilometers northeast of Vladivostok) and Kedrovaya Pad Reserve are the last homes of the Amur (Siberian) tiger. The largest wildlife sanctuary in the Far East. It embraces 3,500square kilometers (1,350 square miles) of forested mountains, coastline and clear rivers. Other animals found in reserves include brown bears, Amur leopard (of which only 40 to 50 remain), the Manchurian deer, roe deer, goral (a rare mountain goat), Asian black bears, salmon, lynx, wolf and squirrels with tassels on their ears, azure winged magpies and the emerald-colored papilio bianor maackii butterfly. Over 350 different species of bird have been seen here.

Central Sikhote-Alin was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001. According to UNESCO: “The Sikhote-Alin mountain range contains one of the richest and most unusual temperate forests of the world. In this mixed zone between taiga and subtropics, southern species such as the tiger and Himalayan bear cohabit with northern species such as the brown bear and lynx. After its extension in 2018, the property includes the Bikin River Valley, located about 100 kilometers to the north of the existing site. It encompasses the South-Okhotsk dark coniferous forests and the East-Asian coniferous broadleaf forests. The fauna includes species of the taiga alongside southern Manchurian species. It includes notable mammals such as the Amur Tiger, Siberian Musk Deer, Wolverine and Sable. [Source: UNESCO]

Founded in 1935, Sikhote-Alin Nature Reserve covers an area of 3,902 square kilometers, plus and 2.9 square kilometers offshore. The reserve is located in the northern part of Primorsky Krai and includes the eastern slope of the Sikhote-Alin mountain range from its watershed to the coast (including one kilometer of shoreline), as well as a part of the western slope of the mountain range. The maximum elevation in the reserve is 1598 meters.

The reserve was originally established to protect sable populations that were on the verge of extinction. V.K. Arsenyev was one of the initiators of the reserve. K.G. Abramov and Y.A. Salmin substantiated the need to create the reserve. In our age when there are fewer and fewer untouched corners of nature on the globe, The profusion and diversity of the reserve’s ecosystems are attributable to the fact that the park includes different slopes of the Sikhote-Alin, range which differ in natural conditions and elevation. Availability of direct access to the sea is another important factor.

The reserve includes parts of three landscape areas: 1) Terney (cedar broad-leaved forests), 2) Samargino-Dalnegorsky (in the subzone of broad-leaved and coniferous forests) and 3) Mid-Sikhote-Alin (fir and spruce forests) in a boreal coniferous forest subzone. The flora and fauna in the reserve are strongly influenced by the presence of the Sea of Okhotsk: dark boreal coniferous forests are more strongly represented here than in other reserve in Primorye Krai. At the same time, conditions exist for the development of the Manchuria-like ecosystems. A distinctive feature of the flora and fauna in the reserve is the combination of heat-loving and cold-loving natural species. For its long-term research program and achievements in the conservation of the Amur tiger, the reserve was awarded with a CATS international certificate in 2015, becoming the only reserve in Russia (and the second in the world) to receive such recognition.

Traveling by Road Around Sikhote Alin Reserve

Ian Frazier wrote in The New Yorker: ““Rather than continue south, directly to Vladivostok, our ultimate destination, we had decided to turn east again, cross the Sikhote-Alin Mountains, and arrive at the Pacific (technically the Sea of Japan) in a less inhabited place on the mountains’ other side. The Sikhote-Alins, once we were among them, seemed more like hills, and not very forbidding, but the depth and silence of their forest made up for that. Arsenyev had described the taiga here as “virginal, primeval timberland.” From the altitude of the trees and the venerable length of the vines depending from them, I would guess that the taiga we saw was still original growth. That night, we camped above the small gorge of a river named for Arsenyev—the Arsenyevka. The sound of it was pleasant to sit beside; this was our first genuinely rushing stream. I stayed up for a while after Sergei and Volodya had gone to bed, listening to it and looking up at the stars and at the satellites tracking past. [Source: Ian Frazier, The New Yorker, August 10 and 17, 2009, Frazier is author of “Travels in Siberia” (2010) ]

“The next day, we continued winding generally eastward through the mountains. I noted villages called Uborka (Harvest), Shumnyi (Noisy), and Rudnyi (Oreville). Now we were in Arsenyev’s very footsteps. A little beyond Rudnyi, we crossed a mountain pass that hardly looked like one. This was the divide between the waters that flow roundabout to the Pacific via the Ussuri and the Amur, and those which drain down the front of the Sikhote-Alins and into the Pacific directly. At the crest of the divide, back among the roadside weeds, stood a cement obelisk on which was inscribed: “crossed over this pass: m. i. venyukov 1858*; N. M. PREZHEVALSKII* 1887*; V. K. ARSENYEV* 1906.”

Arsenyev’s passage across this divide happened during a mapping expedition guided by Dersu and described in detail in the book. The party continued from here until they came to the Pacific and the port village of Olga, where they were resupplied. Sergei said that we would also aim for Olga and camp near there.

“Often the taiga stood so close to the road that the vines almost touched the side of the car, and on the upgrades we were looking into the canopy. At one point in the movie “Dersu Uzala,” a tiger stalks Arsenyev’s party, and the Siberian tiger used for the scene was a splendid animal, all liquid motion and snarling growls. Though near extinction, the Siberian tiger has not yet been wiped out, and the thought that this Pacific forest—reminiscent in some ways of the American and Canadian Northwest—had tigers in it gave the shadows far back among the trees a new level of authority. I had been in a few forests that held grizzly bears, but a forest with tigers in it seemed even more mysterious and honorable.”

Kedrovaya Pad Reserve

Kedrovaya Pad Reserve (400 kilometers northeast of Vladivostok) is the oldest reserve in the Far East and the southernmost reserve of Primorye. Sikhote Alin Reserve and Kedrovaya Pad Reserve are the last homes of the Amur (Siberian) tiger. The largest wildlife sanctuary in the Far East. Kedrovaya (Cedar) Pad Reserve embraces 178.97 square kilometers (69.10 square miles) of forested mountains, coastline and clear rivers. Other animals found in reserves include brown bears, Amur leopard (of which only 40 to 50 remain), the Manchurian deer, roe deer, goral (a rare mountain goat), Asian black bears, salmon, lynx, wolf and squirrels with tassels on their ears, azure winged magpies and the emerald-colored papilio bianor maackii butterfly. Over 350 different species of bird have been seen here.

Kedrovaya (Cedar) Pad Reserve was one of the first officially organized reserves in Russia. The idea for establishing was raised at the beginning of the 20th century after the Trans-Siberian railway and built nearby and intensive development of the Ussuri region was accompanied by indiscriminate logging, forest fires, uncontrolled hunting. In 1908, the region created the first forest reserves, one of which was on Cedar River. Kedrovaya Pad Reserve, founded in 1916 close to the western shore of Amur Bay. Over time that status of the reserve was improved and the reserve was enlarged. In 2004 UNESCO designated the reserve as a biosphere.

Kedrovaya (Cedar) Pad Reserve is located in the Khasan district of Primorye Territory. The villages of Seaside, Perevoznaya, Cedar, Bezverkhova and Barabash located within a few kilometers of the reserve. . The reserve was established for the preservation and study of natural systems there of liana deciduous and mixed forests with hornbeam and black fir-broad-leaved forests and their animals and plants. The reserve provides shelter for two adult Amur leopard females and their offspring and one male. Among the rare species of insects found there are the excellent marshmallow beetle and Jankowski beetle.

The territory of the reserve is occupied by by two major low mountain ranges — the Gakkelevskaya and Suhorechensky — representing the extreme northeastern foothills of the Black (Changbai) Mountains, which are mainly in China and Korea. The length of the main Cedar River within the reserve is about 15 kilometers. The largest number of tributaries originating from Suhorechenskogo ridge flows into the forest, where many wild boars live. About 73.1 percent of the entire reserve is occupied by forests. The remaining area is occupied by scrub and secondary meadows resulting from logging in the past and especially forest fires.

The forest reserve contains numerous species of trees. The underbrush is represented by various bushes, that often blossom beautifully, such as early-flowering honeysuckle and Weigel, which produces fine-leaved mock orange flowers. Vines entwine tree trunks rising to a height of 30-35 meters. The diameter of the winding vines of wild grapes and the Amur Actinidia Argut reaches 10-15 centimeters. They are like giant snakes crawling from the ground and entangling shrubs and trees.

In places the reserve resembles a rainforest and it does have parallels with the temperate rain forests in coast British Columbia, Alaska and Washington state. Among the many plant species are Manchurian walnut, dimorfanta and aralia, with and velvet, spiny trunks, and several types of ferns. In the crevices of bark and crotches of trees attract epiphyte and small fern called Ussuri centipede.

Zov Tigra (“Roar of the Tiger”) National Park

Zov Tigra National Park(Near Lazo, 150 kilometers northeast of Vladivostok is a mountainous refuge for the Amur (Siberian) Tiger. Established in 2008, the park encompasses an area of 834 square difficult (322 square miles) on the southeast coast of Primorsky Krai. The park lies on both the eastern and western slopes of the southern Sikhote-Alin mountain range.,The relatively warm waters of the Sea of Japan are to the east, the Korean peninsula to the south, and China to the West. The terrain in rugged and difficult to access, with heavily forested taiga coexisting with tropical species of animals and birds. The park is relatively isolated from human development, and functions as a conservation reserve. Tourists may visit the portions of the park marked for recreation, but entry to the protected zones is only possible in the company of park rangers. The park’s name in English means "Call of the Tiger” or "Roar of the Tiger".

Zov Tigra National Park is occupied by Ussuri taiga and is located at the junction of Lazovsky, Chuguevsky, and Olginsky districts. The park covers 1,854-meter-high Oblachnaya mountain, the upper half of the Milogradovka's river basin, and sources of the Kievka River. There are more than 50 mountains more than 1000 meters high. The forest feature giant cedars, specimen trees, slender spruces entwined with gaily-coloured actinidia's lianas, emerald-green clusters of Amur grape and Schizandra brushwood.

Zov tigra was established in part as as a "source habitat" for the recovery of the Amur Tiger and its prey base. A survey in 2012 identified four Amur tigers resident in the park, and four more that visited the protected areas frequently. The base of prey consisted of 1,200 Manchurian deer, 800 Roe deer, and 99 Sika deer and 189 wild boars. These species make up some 85% of the Amur tiger's diet. Brown bears and lynx are relatively common in area. The Far Eastern Forest Cat is found in the broad-leaf and oak valleys. The critically endangered Amur Leopard has not been resident since the 1970s.

Amur Leopards

The Amur leopard inhabits an 800-mile long stretch of evergreen forest in the eastern Siberian taiga near the North Korean border. Named after the river that forms the border between Russia and China, they live in a narrow mountain chain that extends from Hanka Lake in the Russian Far East south to the borders of China and North Korea. It ranges further north than any leopard species, even the snow leopard.

Amur leopards weighs between 40 and 60 kilograms (90 and 140 pounds). They are reclusive, solitary creatures. They eat sitka deer and wild boars. Their numbers have declined as the numbers of their main food source, roe deer, have declined. They also suffer from declining numbers of sitka deer and wild boars. Leopards eat dogs of villagers to survive. Sometimes they are forced to make a single meal last for two weeks. Other times they reduced to scavenging for carrion. It’s winter coat has large spots.

Only 38 to 46 Amur leopard are believed to remain. Twenty to twenty-four in Russia. Fifteen in China and an unknown number in North Korea. They have been hurt by loss of habitat, loss of prey and poaching. Around 30 Amur leopards live in an area which borders China and is 150 kilometers long and 30 kilometers wide. At least 16 live in Nezhinkoye game reserve. This area contains many villages and is crisscrossed by roads, making survival problematic

Environmentalists have trouble securing funds to study the leopards. Most of what is known about them is based on studies conducted at Kedrovaya pad nature Reserve near Vladivostok. The Russian Academy of Science, the University of California and the International Wildlife Congress are studying the leopards using “phototraps”— motion sensitive cameras.

Land of Leopard National Park

Land of Leopard The National Park (200 kilometers west of Vladivostok) occupies 2,620 square kilometers and is located in the Khasansky, Nadezdinsky, Ussuriysky districts of Primorsky Krai as well as in the small area of Frunzenskiy district in Vladivostok. Kedrovaya Pad and Leopardovy reserves and number of other territories, with total area exceeding 2,800 square kilometers are as compounds of the National Park. The national park’s buffer zone covers about 800 square kilometers.

About 30 individual Amur leopards are thought to be living in the southwest area of Primorsky Krai. “Land of the Leopard” national park covers about 60 percent of the natural habitat occupied by the leopards and the main reason the park was set up was to preserve them. Many surviving Amur leopards live In the Nezhinkoye game reserve that is under partial protection of the Russian Pacific fleet. Hunting with dogs and hunting for fur animals is banned in the reserve. Deer and wild boars are fed. Some leopards used to follow hunters in hopes of snatching an easy meal. Work on the world’s longest pipeline — between Siberia and the Sea of Japan — was suspended in 2005 due to ecological concerns, among them the fate of the Amur leopard, whose territory would be bisected by the pipeline.

The “Land of Leopard” is divided into several zones, the smallest of which is a 230-square-kilometer conservation zone that you can’t visit without special permission. Other zones have a simplified visiting regime. Guided trips are allowed in the “specially protected” zone. The 7950-square-kilometer recreational zone allows more touristic activity. The “Leopard Trail” is the first tourist route, developed in the National Park. The 770-square-kilometer administrative zone accommodates villagers and interests of other people living in the territory of the National Park.

Leopardovy Sanctuary

Leopardovy Sanctuary (200 kilometers west of Vladivostok) embraces 1,694.29 square kilometers of the “Barsovy” and “Borisovskoe Plato” sanctuaries in the Khasansky, Ussuriysky, and Nadezhdinskiy districts. The state biological sanctuary “Barsovy” was founded in 1979 to preserve and restore not only the endangered animal species such as Siberian Tiger and Amur Leopard but also their natural habitat. The animal sanctuary “Borisovskoe Plato” was created in 1996 to conserve and increase the population number of Amur leopard; Siberian tiger and other threatened animals.

The sanctuary's natural environment is highly favorable for the forest faun's inhabitation. The low-level mountain ranges deeply dissected with the river valleys, extended rock masses, and plateau-like mountains create mosaic of forest, tree and shrubbery vegetation. Secondary broadleaved forests prevail here. Primary forests with fir trees, cedars and khingam fir remain in the west and northwest part of the sanctuary. The plateau-like mountains are covered with the leafed forest.

Amur leopard is the main protected species here.Siberian tiger, Asian black bear, leopard cat and other animals are also placed under special protection. There are six ungulates species such as Amur goral, Manchurian wapiti, wild boar, musk deer, roe deer, and deer in the sanctuary. Lot of rare vascular plants grows here, some of them such as water caltrop, stipa baicalensis, nepeta manchuriensis are not presented even in the neighboring “Kedrovaya Pad” reserve. More than 150 species of birds nest in the sanctuary and around 100 species traverse its territory or make stopover here during the migration period. It must be stressed that “Leopardovy” sanctuary is the only place of nesting for some bird species in this part of Primorsky krai. 15 of these species are threatened with extinction. Over 40 IUCN Red List insect species inhabit here, what is more some of them occur exceptionally at the sanctuary's territory.

This district has a monsoon climate. Its specific trait is the variability of the airstreams direction in the summer and winter seasons. Plenty of rivers and streams run at the sanctuary’s territory. There are no large lakes. The biggest one, Krivoe lake, covers 11 hectares. All types of hunting, commercial fishery, timber felling, resource development, ploughing the ground, and application of chemicals are prohibited here. Beyond that, public visiting, amateur fishery, and gathering wild harvest are brought under regulation. The sanctuary contains some populated places such as Barabash settlement and military firing range with total area in 3,490 squate kilometers A considerable part of the territory is the border territory separated from the rest of area by the plowed strip.

Image Sources: Wikimedia Commons

Text Sources: Federal Agency for Tourism of the Russian Federation (official Russia tourism website russiatourism.ru ), Russian government websites, UNESCO, Wikipedia, Lonely Planet guides, New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, National Geographic, The New Yorker, Bloomberg, Reuters, Associated Press, AFP, Yomiuri Shimbun and various books and other publications.

Updated in September 2020

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