The NC500 route starts in the City of Inverness, before driving up the east coast of Scotland to the very top of the UK, spotting dolphins and visiting amazing castles along the way.
The route then takes you along the far north coast of Scotland to John O’Groats and the incredible Duncansby Head Stacks, then to Scrabster and Thurso discovering white sand beaches, before exploring the huge Smoo Cave, and trying the famous hot chocolate at Cocoa Mountain at Durness.
Turning south, you will then travel through the otherworldly landscapes of Lochinver and Assynt and drive along a coastline pepper-potted with incredible white sand beaches with turquoise blue seas to Wester Ross.
Finally, you will drive through the huge Torridon mountains, past fiord-like lochs to the beautiful Applecross Peninsula where you end your trip driving the famous Bealach na Bà – completing the Scotland Route 66.
North Coast 500 road trip stop offs
Bask in the beauty of Achmelvich Bay, a stunning white sandy beach popular with hill walkers and water sports enthusiasts. Further north, spot dolphins and seals off the coast at Chanonry Point.
Top tip: Although there are several petrol stations along the route, don’t underestimate how many miles you have to drive before you can fill up.
Distance and ideal duration: 516 miles, 5-7 days.
Did you know? This area of the UK is one of the best places outside of Scandinavia to see the Northern Lights.
How to plan your North Coast 500 Itinerary
Whether you want to drive the route in 4 days or 3 weeks, take a tent or stay in luxury accommodation, there is a NC500 itinerary for you! A good way to plan out your NC500 road trip is to think of the route in four stages.
If you are travelling anti-clockwise – try this Scotland Route 66 itinerary:
- Stage 1 – Inverness & Easter Ross – Starting from the Highland capital, Inverness, drive up Scotland’s east coast
- Stage 2 – Caithness – Explore Scotland’s wild north coast including Cape Wrath and Durness
- Stage 3 – Sutherland & Assynt -Drive the beautiful coast from Durness to Gairloch and visit Scotland’s best beaches.
- Stage 4 – Wester Ross – Explore the Torridon mountains and drive the incredible Bealach Na Ba.
Things to do on the North Coast 500
The North Coast 500 starts in Inverness, the capital of the Highlands. Home to over 45,000 people, there are plenty of things to waylay you in Inverness before you start your journey around the North Coast 500!
- The River Ness – the city of Inverness is bisected by the River Ness and the Caledonian Canal. Take a stroll along the river, and cross back and forth across the bouncy bridges for a view of the castle.
- Inverness Castle – sitting on the banks of the River Ness, Inverness castle was built in the 1800s and now houses Inverness Sheriff Court. You can visit the castle grounds and the north tower which has a great viewpoint of Inverness.
- Leakey’s Bookshop – home to thousands of second-hand books, Leakey’s is an Inverness treasure trove.
- Take a walking tour of Inverness – take this walking tour of Inverness with a local guide or grab tickets for the Hop on Hop off bus tour.
- Black Isle Brewery Bar – serves up organic beers accompanied by delicious pizzas. The Castle Pub also serves a huge range of beer overlooking the river.
- The Caledonian Canal – stretching the length of Scotland’s spectacular Great Glen, take a walk along the 62-mile Caledonian Canal down to Loch Ness.
- Culloden Battlefield – managed by the National Trust for Scotland, a visit to Culloden is sobering and stark and tells the tale of one of the most important battles in Scottish History. Free for National Trust members, otherwise £11 for adults.
How long does it take to drive the route?
How long you take driving the NC500 is up to you. If you just want to experience one of the world’s best roads you could just about manage it in a day – but then you’ll miss everything the route has to offer.
Why not take longer to visit huge sea caves, sail to a tropical island to see puffins, or bag Scotland’s most northerly Munro … there is so much to see and do along the route it’s a shame to not do it justice.
If you just want to see the main sights I would suggest you will need a minimum of four days to do the main stages of the NC500, however, I would suggest a week to 10 days to really make the most of your trip.
What’s the best time of year to drive the North Coast 500?
- My favourite time(s) of year in Scotland are April – May and September.
- June and August can be wet months in Scotland.
- July is busy with UK school holidays – particularly campsites on the west and north coasts.
- Most attractions (from the National Trust or Historic Scotland) close from October to Easter. Many of the grounds are still open.
- There is always a risk of snow in winter months inland from the coasts.
What Will I See Along the North Coast 500 route?
The North Coast 500 route follows the main roads across the coastal edges of the North Highlands. The largest city (by far) is Inverness with a population of close to 50,000 people and the next biggest places are towns and villages like Ullapool, Durness, Dornoch, Wick, Thurso, and Lochinver which each have a population of under 2,000 people! So expect to spend time in lots of small villages and rural areas.
The highlights of the route for many people are the scenic views along the coast and the feeling of “being away” from it all for a while. Scenery includes rugged coastline, beaches, rural farmland, marshland, rivers, forest, lochs, and munros (Scottish mountains over 3,000 ft high). You’ll also have the opportunity to see local wildlife such as deer, squirrels, pine martens, birds of prey, seabirds, and sea mammals such as dolphins, whales and seals.
Of course there are also loads of sheep and the iconic Highland coos which you’ll spot in the fields. In addition to nature and wildlife, there are loads of things to see and do along the route which include hiking, golfing, castles, heritage sites, prehistoric sites, a geological park, museums, beaches, whisky distilleries, and much more.
When is the Best Time of Year to Travel the North Coast 500?
The best time to drive the North Coast 500 for most people is between May and October as during this period you’ll find most attractions and restaurants open, the greatest variety of lodging, and the best chances for warmer weather. However, this also corresponds with the busiest time along the North Coast 500 which is from early May to late September.
If you are looking to drive the route during a quieter time of year, I’d consider April, early May, late September, or October, avoiding holidays, festivals, special events, and school breaks.
Winter can be a nice time for photography and solitude, although the weather can be bad and certain minor roads (e.g. the Bealach Na Ba) may be closed due to bad weather. If you plan to drive the NC500 out of season (e.g., October to March) just note that many businesses (including hotels, restaurants, tourist information offices, and attractions) in the Scottish Highlands are seasonal or have reduced winter hours.
Obviously, the best time to drive the North Coast 500 is the time you have available, and if you need to set out at a less than opportune time of the year, just be prepared and be flexible.
If you are trying to plan your trip around Scottish weather, weather conditions are fickle in Scotland and we experience rain, clouds, and chilly weather year round (that is what keeps Scotland green!). However, we also get these bursts of sunshine and warm weather than can occur any time of the year with probably May and September being two of the better months in our experience thus far.
Our first time along the NC500 we were lucky in August with a few days of sunny warm weather. Out of an 8 day NC500 trip in May, we had 2 particularly rainy bad weather days, 3 mixed days (rain part of day, sunny part of day), and 3 nice weather days.
During our 12 day winter trip in February most days were mixed (rain/light snow/clouds/some sun) and it rained at least a little on almost every day of the trip. During that time we had 2 bad days (snowed all day, roads uncleared, stayed inside) and 1 especially nice and sunny day.
How Many Days Does it Take to Drive the North Coast 500?
This really depends on how much you want to see, how much you want to drive each day, and how many detours you plan to make. You could speed along the entire 500 miles in less than 24 hours if you don’t mind not sleeping or seeing anything along the way!
But the North Coast 500 is designed for touring, sightseeing, and taking things slowly. The minimum number of days we’d recommend to drive the North Coast 500 is 5 days, but 7 to 10 days would be ideal. If you plan to speed around, you could do it with 3 full days and night, but we’d recommend more time.
If you really want to explore the route slowly, relax, and maybe take some detours (e.g., visits to Loch Ness, Orkney Islands, Summer Isles, Isle of Skye), I’d recommend 2 weeks. For those with more time, you could easily fill up a few weeks and not run out of things to do, especially if you love hiking, nature, and historical sites.
Best Stops for Families with Children along the North Coast 500?
The North Coast 500 can be a fun trip for families. We’ve had several readers ask us if the North Coast 500 is appropriate for younger children and what stops we’d recommend for kids.
We haven’t traveled the route with kids, but we definitely think it doable and can make for a nice holiday for children of any age. I think you just need to do a bit more planning to make sure you allow more time for breaks and plan visits to places the kids will enjoy.
For those with younger kids, you might consider camping as a family (lots of campsites along the route for tent camping and motorhomes), planning picnics, or staying in self-catering accommodation. Not only can this save you money, but they are also great ways to accommodate picky eaters or early dinner times.
Crime rates in this region are low, so the main dangers to kids are cars and natural ones. Many of the scenic sites along the North Coast 500 don’t have any fences or safeguards and most beaches have no lifeguards, so always keep little ones in sight.
- Beaches & Pools – There are dozens of beaches along the North Coast 500 and they are great places to stop and let the kids explore and let out some energy. The water is often too cold for much swimming, so I’d consider bringing wetsuits or drysuits if the kids want to spend a lot of time in the water. Remember there are no lifeguards at most beaches. There are also a number of public swimming pools along the route as well if the kids prefer indoor swimming.
- Playgrounds – Many of the towns along the NC500 have community playgrounds and if you are camping, some of the campsites also have playground areas. There are also woodland playgrounds such as the ones in Evanton Woods (about a 10 minute walk from the free town parking area in Evanton) and Ben Wyvis Natural Playground near Garve.
- Guided Activities – There are many opportunities to book some fun activities and tours along the route. Examples include wildlife boat trips with EcoVentures, Caithness Sea Coast, or Hebridean Whale Cruises, ziplining with Golden Eagle Zip Line, geology walks (kids 10+ only) with Deep Time, fishing with Assynt Fly Fishing, loch canoeing or kayaking with Kayak Summer Isles, pony trekking with the Gairloch Pony Trekking Centre, and deer spotting and ATV trip at Reraig Forest. Note many of the above activities have age limits and most require advanced booking.
- Camping – Camping can be a fun family activity and allows you to prepare some of your own meals along the route. There are a number of campsites along the NC500 and most are very family-friendly.
- Short hikes – There are hiking trails all over the North Coast 500 and you’ll likely find many suitable for your kids. If you have babies or infants that need to be pushed in strollers, look for all-ability paths which are suitable for wheelchairs as they also work for prams.
- Robertson’s Farm Shop – In addition to being a farm shop, in the summer kids can go visit the farm animals and pet some of them (small fee). There are Highland coos, goats, sheep, etc. You can also pick up goodies from the farm shop to have a picnic later in the day.
- Dunrobin Castle – This might be a bit expensive for taking really young kids if they are not that interested in the interior, but there is also a beautiful garden here and the falconry display (usually once or twice a day in summer, check times in advance) is also often appealing to kids.
s the North Coast 500 Dog Friendly?
Many travelers, especially those who live in the UK, want to do the North Coast 500 with a dog. It is definitely a place that you can bring your dog, but a dog will limit some of the places you can visit or stay. Here are some tips for traveling the North Coast 500 with pets and how to find dog-friendly lodging.
If you are traveling from outside the UK you will need to make sure you check the laws and guidelines (papers, vaccinations, quarantine) for bringing a dog into the UK as it differs depending on the country of origin.
When dogs are in a vehicle in the UK they need to be properly restrained for safety. Specifically, Highway Code, Rules 57 states: “When in a vehicle make sure dogs or other animals are suitably restrained so they cannot distract you while you are driving or injure you, or themselves, if you stop quickly. A seat belt harness, pet carrier, dog cage, or dog guard are ways of restraining animals in cars.”
The main thing to know when bringing dogs to this area is that they will need to be kept on a lead (leash) in most places because of livestock and wildlife. April and May is lambing season in Scotland so lots of baby lambs will be around all spring and summer and you’ll want to keep dogs away from the sheep. Dogs can scare and cause harm to the baby lambs and other livestock.
How to Avoid the Crowds along the North Coast 500?
The busiest months are going to be the summer from June to August with some crowds in May and September. Festivals, special events (e.g., music concerts, bike races, car rallies), and holidays (e.g., Christmas, Hogmanay) also bring more people to the area. So avoiding these times of year can help but since they are also when there are the most daylight hours, most open attractions and lodging, and perhaps best chance of warm weather, chances are this is also when you plan to drive the route.
Even if you are planning to visit at the busiest time of year (say July or August), you can still avoid some of the crowds and find some peaceful spots along the route if you make an effort to do so. First, go out when fewer people are going to be around. Get up early or stay out late as most people don’t get onto the road until after 8:30am and stop for lodging around dinner time. Early risers will be rewarded by local wildlife sightings, especially the local deer and birds.
But even right along the route, few people get out of their cars to hike around lochs, hills, beaches, or fields so if you get out into nature you’ll probably find yourself relatively alone. Relatively few people even stop to visit the local museums and we’ve often had them to ourselves. You might also consider heading out on a boat to see the coastline from another angle.
How Much Should I Plan Ahead?
This really depends on your style of travel, some people plan little in advance and others plan in great detail what they are going to see each day. I’d recommend that you at least make a loose itinerary of places you definitely want to stop before you leave so you have an idea of how much time you want to spend in each area so you can plan your accommodation.
Have at least a tentative itinerary can also help you identify and fit in places you really want to see that have limited opening times (e.g., a museum or attraction only open 3 days a week or a restaurant only open on weekends for dinner).
In terms of making reservations, very few attractions take reservations or pre-sell tickets, but I’d strongly recommend booking your lodging in advance and also any special dinners. You’ll also want to book most activities such as guided hikes, kayaking, boat rides, fishing trips, wildlife tours, surfing lessons, etc. in advance as many require prior reservations.
For the North Coast 500, we 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. See our prior article for more information on where to stay along the NC500 which covers some of our favorite hotels and B&Bs along the route.
If you are someone who hates planning ahead and wants to be able to stop and spend as much time in a place as you wish, I’d consider doing a camping or campervan trip along the NC500. That way you won’t need to search for last-minute lodging each night which can be difficult on sections of the route. This way all you need to worry about in advance is your transportation and camping gear and you will have the flexibility of either traditional lodging or camping each night.
Dining along the NC500?
In terms of food, I’d expect fresh, rustic, and homestyle meals that rely on the local produce at most eateries along the NC500. However, whereas there are fewer options than you’d have in a large city like Edinburgh or Glasgow, there is still a wide variety of food stops that range from budget-friendly cafes serving simple salads and sandwiches to Michelin-starred restaurants serving four-course menus.
Lunch and coffee stops are generally easy to find along the route, but dinner options can be more limited (often at hotel restaurants) and some may require 24 to 48 hour pre-booking. Note that some cafes and restaurants, especially in the smaller towns and villages, are seasonal so be sure to check opening dates and hours in advance, especially if traveling outside of the main season (May to September).
Where to Stay on the North Coast 500?
Along the North Coast 500, you have a range of lodging options from hostels and campsites to inns and seaside cottages to historic castles and country homes. Lodging options cover just about every budget and lodging type, but don’t expect to find hotel chains or massive resort-style properties.
Staying in cozy bed-and-breakfasts, historical properties, and luxury castles was part of the experience we wanted on our North Coast 500 journey, and our lodging choices definitely added to the experience.
In terms of budgeting for lodging, it will depend a lot on your accommodation type and time of year. I would say average hotel costs on the NC500 for a basic double room at a hotel with private bathroom are around £75-£110 per night.
But you can spend less if you stay in simple B&Bs (£40-£80 per night for 2 people), hostels (£17-£25/person), or campsites (£5-£30). The least expensive B&B rooms usually have shared bathrooms. If you are looking for more luxury oriented properties, expect prices in the £160 to £350 range.
As noted earlier (worth repeating!), we’d recommended trying to book your lodging 3 months in advance (especially if you are thinking hotels, B&B’s or self-catering options) as the amount of lodging in some areas is currently not sufficient for the demand at the busiest times of the year.
Hotels & B&B’s
Hotels and B&B’s represent the most popular lodging option along the North Coast 500. Hotels range from simple budget options to luxury castles. We’ve written an article on lodging tips (what to expect, when to book) and created a list of over 25 North Coast 500 hotels.
Reasons to Drive the North Coast 500
Beautiful Scenery
Probably the most popular reason that people choose to drive the North Coast 500 is the scenery. The Scottish Highlands is well known for its scenery and this northern section is no exception! The diverse scenery along the route includes rugged coastline, wetlands, farmland, rivers, forests, lochs, sandy beaches, and mountains.
Diverse Outdoor Activities
If you enjoy outdoor activities, Scotland’s North Coast 500 absolutely has you covered. There are plenty of opportunities to get out of the car, stretch your legs, and get active. Whether your idea of outdoor pursuits is climbing a mountain or teeing off at a championship golf course, you’ll find plenty to do.
Some of the main activities include hiking, mountaineering, kayaking, golfing, boating, fishing, clay pigeon shooting, birdwatching, stalking, ziplining, canoeing, wildlife spotting, camping, and geo-cacheing. This area is also the gateway to many of Scotland’s northern islands like the Orkney Islands, Summer Isles, and Outer Hebrides which can all be reached by ferry.
There are some beautiful beaches along the North Coast 500, although the water tends to be fairly cold year round. Although some people do swim at the beaches in summer, you’ll notice most people use the beaches for walking, suntanning, picnicking, and beach activities like frisbee. Braver souls can go swimming, snorkeling, diving, and even surfing.
World-Class Golf Courses
We already mentioned golf as part of the outdoor activities, but it deserves a special mention as so many people come to Scotland because of its golf history and number of well-known courses. Golf originated in Scotland in the 15th century and the Old Course in St. Andrews is considered the world’s oldest existing golf course.
You’ll find over a dozen golf courses near or along the North Coast 500. Most of these golf courses are situated along the coast and have scenic views of the sea.
Whisky & Beer
Scotland is known around the world for its whisky, and most visitors to Scotland want to try at least a dram or two of whisky during their trip. You won’t have trouble finding local whisky along the North Coast 500, whether you want to drink it from a whisky bar, a local pub, a restaurant, or the distillery itself. The majority of the whisky distilleries are situated around the eastern and northeastern parts of the route.
Friendly Local Hospitality
One of our favorite things about driving the North Coast 500 is the opportunities it has given us to meet all sorts of lovely people. We have chatted with lots of people along the route with all kinds of backgrounds—crofters, fishermen, restaurant staff, hotel owners, bar keepers, park rangers, organization directors, farmers, scientists, and museum workers. The majority of people in the Scottish Highlands are easy to talk to and willing to share and give advice.
As you travel along the route, we highly recommend taking the time to stop and chat with the local people. Listen to their stories and ask their advice. Whether you are interested in local hiking trails, scenic viewpoints, or town history, these folks will almost certainly have some information to share.
Local Food
The North Coast 500 offers a wide variety in terms of food. Although you won’t find the large array of options that you would expect in larger cities like Edinburgh and Glasgow, you’ll still find a lot of great places to eat. Given the more remote locations, most focus on the use of local produce and products. Restaurants along the route range from Michelin-starred restaurants to simple cafes serving soup and sandwiches.
Inverness definitely has the most options in terms of eateries along the route, followed by smaller towns like Ullapool, Wick, Thurso, and Lochinver. It is definitely good to think ahead about where you plan to eat each day, especially for dinner as options can be limited in the evening if you are staying in a small town or rural area.
The Call of the Open Road
We absolutely love a good road trip! There’s nothing quite like the freedom of the open road, setting your own itinerary, stopping when and where you want, exploring side roads as you wish, and generally exploring at your own pace.
We’ve road tripped all over the world, including such iconic drives as Route 66, California’s Pacific Coast Highway, and Australia’s Great Ocean Road. All road trips offer something unique and the NC500 is no different.
Where to Stay on the North Coast 500?
Along the North Coast 500, you have a range of lodging options from hostels and campsites to inns and seaside cottages to historic castles and country homes. Lodging options cover just about every budget and lodging type, but don’t expect to find hotel chains or massive resort-style properties.
Staying in cozy bed-and-breakfasts, historical properties, and luxury castles was part of the experience we wanted on our North Coast 500 journey, and our lodging choices definitely added to the experience.
In terms of budgeting for lodging, it will depend a lot on your accommodation type and time of year. I would say average hotel costs on the NC500 for a basic double room at a hotel with private bathroom are around £75-£110 per night.
But you can spend less if you stay in simple B&Bs (£40-£80 per night for 2 people), hostels (£17-£25/person), or campsites (£5-£30). The least expensive B&B rooms usually have shared bathrooms. If you are looking for more luxury oriented properties, expect prices in the £160 to £350 range.
Guide to Driving the North Coast 500
In this section, we’ll assume you have decided to drive the North Coast 500, and we’ll discuss how to find the route, how to stay on the route, safe driving tips and laws you should know, and where you can rent a car, motorcycle, or RV for your North Coast 500 road trip.
We’ll also provide information about North Coast 500 tours you can book if you want to experience the NC500 without driving.
Where Specifically Does the Route Start and End?
The NC500 route officially begins and ends in the city of Inverness at Inverness Castle, forming a loop. However, you can begin and end the route anywhere you choose although Inverness, as the largest city along the route, is a convenient place to start and stop.