In case you’ve ever dreamt of packing up the automobile and heading someplace distant, wild and wildly lovely, the North Coast 500 delivers.
Usually dubbed Scotland’s reply to Route 66 – although it’s actually its personal beast – this loop across the northern Highlands isn’t about flashy points of interest or big-city thrills.
It’s about house. Silence. The wind dashing off sea cliffs. The fun of a single-track highway with nobody else round. And perhaps a dram or two alongside the way in which.
The route begins and ends in Inverness, and follows the coast up the west aspect, throughout the highest of mainland Britain, then down the east.
Route Overview
Inverness → Applecross → Torridon (elective) → Ullapool → Achmelvich (elective) → Durness → Tongue → Thurso → John O’Groats → Dunrobin Citadel → Inverness
Ultimate journey size: 5–8 days
Greatest time to go: Might to September – lengthy days, higher climate, and fewer midges should you’re fortunate
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Begin: Inverness – gateway to the highlands
Begin in Inverness, the compact Highland capital that’s extra purposeful than flashy.
Fill up on highway journey snacks, refill the tank, and take a second to wander alongside the River Ness or go to Inverness Citadel.
In case you’ve acquired time, contemplate becoming a member of a strolling tour to get a deeper sense of the town’s layered historical past earlier than you detour to Culloden Battlefield for a sobering however important little bit of historical past.
Then cease at Clava Cairns, a Bronze Age website older than Stonehenge that manages to really feel each mystical and oddly under-visited.
Then hit the highway – westbound – and prepare for the surroundings to modify up quick.
Cease 1: Applecross – hairpins & highland drama
Your first actual take a look at (and thrill) comes with the Bealach na Bà, a winding mountain cross that results in Applecross.
It’s some of the scenic – and nerve-testing – roads within the UK, stuffed with tight hairpin bends, sheer drops and mind-blowing views.
Not beneficial in unhealthy climate or for campervans, but when situations are good, it’s unforgettable.
Applecross itself is small and atmospheric, with views throughout to Skye on a transparent day.
The Applecross Inn is a Highland basic – hearty meals, native seafood, and a whisky shelf value exploring. You’ll probably see Highland cattle by the roadside and perhaps even deer within the hills.
In case you’re not up for the Bealach, there’s a neater coastal route in, but it surely’s definitely worth the effort should you can handle it.
Torridon & Loch Maree – elective mountain detour
Earlier than heading north to Ullapool, contemplate a cease in Torridon – a paradise for walkers and photographers.
The Torridon mountains are brooding giants, and the close by Loch Maree is one in every of Scotland’s most lovely lochs, with little islands dotting the water and historical pine forests throughout.
It’s a spot to decelerate – whether or not you’re climbing or simply sitting on a rock watching the clouds shift.
For a cushty and budget-conscious keep, strive the Torridon Youth Hostel.
Nestled among the many Torridon Hills on the foot of Liathach, praised for its wonderful services, clear rooms, scenic views, and welcoming hostel environment.
Cease 2: Ullapool – small city, large views
Additional north, you’ll arrive in Ullapool, a fishing village turned artsy hub that manages to really feel each distant and welcoming.
It’s perched on Loch Broom, and whereas it’s small, it has the whole lot you want: a couple of good pubs, a bookshop, a seafood shack, and a ferry terminal that makes it really feel like the sting of one thing.
Stroll alongside the harbour, catch dwell music at The Ceilidh Place, or simply take within the night gentle bouncing off the water.
In case you’re tenting, Broomfield Campsite has top-of-the-line sundown views in Scotland.
For a comfortable, domestically beloved keep, contemplate Previous Surgical procedure Visitor Home for an ideal evening.
Non-compulsory Cease: Achmelvich Bay
North of Ullapool, detour west to Achmelvich Bay, a slice of white sand paradise that feels prefer it belongs within the Caribbean – till the wind picks up.
The seashore right here is beautiful, with turquoise waters and rocky outcrops which can be nice for clambering or sitting with a espresso and pretending you reside right here.
There’s a laid-back campsite proper subsequent to the seashore, and the realm is stuffed with little walks with large payoffs.
Cease 3: Durness – cliffs, caves & cocoa
As you comply with the coast round to Durness, the panorama will get wilder. Greater skies, fewer folks, and roads that snake via hills like they’re not fairly certain the place they’re going.
Durness is probably the most northwesterly village on the British mainland, and it has a splendidly distant vibe.
Don’t miss Smoo Cave, a sea cave that’s a lot larger than it seems to be from the skin. There’s a waterfall inside, and you’ll take a guided tour if the climate’s proper.
Close by, Balnakeil Seashore is a sweeping, empty stunner, and Cocoa Mountain in Balnakeil Craft Village makes top-of-the-line sizzling candies you’ll ever drink.
Cease 4: Tongue – quiet roads & large horizons
As you swing east alongside the highest of Scotland, the highway opens up into lengthy, rolling stretches with views for miles.
Tongue, perched close to Kyle of Tongue, is a good in a single day spot if you wish to break up the drive.
There’s a peaceable stillness to this a part of the route – fewer vehicles, fewer cities, more room to breathe.
Look out for Citadel Varrich, a brief stroll uphill with panoramic views, and look ahead to wildlife. This stretch of coast is thought for crimson deer, sea eagles and otters.
Keep: A comfortable place to relaxation your head is The Previous Schoolhouse Tongue, an enthralling transformed college with lovely backyard and mountain views.
Cease 5: Thurso to John O’Groats – the sting of Britain
Additional east is Thurso, a purposeful city with a browsing neighborhood and views in the direction of Orkney on a transparent day.
It’s value a cease should you want provides or need to discover Dunnet Head – the precise northernmost level of mainland Britain (John O’Groats will get the celebrity, however Dunnet will get the title).
Whilst you’re within the space, contemplate reserving a Dunnet Seashore surf lesson to expertise the wild northern waves firsthand.
That stated, John O’Groats remains to be value a go to – partly for the bragging rights, but additionally for the wildness of the place.
There’s not a lot there, however the views throughout the Pentland Firth, particularly in stormy climate, are nothing wanting epic.
In case you’ve acquired time, hop on a ferry to Orkney for a few days. It’s a unique world, stuffed with standing stones and sea stacks.
Ultimate cease: Dunrobin Citadel – a contact of grandeur on the way in which again
As you head south down the east coast, the surroundings softens – nonetheless lovely, however much less dramatic.
A standout cease is Dunrobin Citadel, a fairytale-style stately dwelling that appears extra prefer it belongs within the Loire Valley than the Highlands.
You possibly can tour the inside, watch a falconry show, or simply admire it from the gardens; it’s some of the photogenic spots on the route.
From right here, it’s a leisurely drive again to Inverness via Dornoch and Tain, each value a fast wander if time permits.
Necessities
Driving time (with out stops): Approx. 8–10 hours, however enable no less than 5–8 days.
Greatest time to go: Might to September – longer days, fewer storms, and open campsites.
What to pack: OS maps or offline GPS, waterproofs, sturdy boots, digicam, and loads of snacks.
Driving tip: Many roads are single-track with passing locations – take it sluggish, yield typically, and all the time wave.
Ultimate ideas
The North Coast 500 is an iconic highway journey, and for good cause.
The place the climate modifications within the blink of a watch. The place a quiet loch or a shock waterfall can fully derail your schedule – and that’s half the enjoyment of it.
Go ready for sluggish roads, intermittent sign and the occasional herd of sheep blocking your path. Pack layers, waterproofs, snacks and a strong sense of journey.
However most of all, depart room within the plan. A number of the finest moments on the NC500 aren’t the well-known landmarks – they’re the sudden ones. The quiet ones. Those you’ll be eager about lengthy after the journey’s over.
