We created this "North Coast 500" itinerary long before anyone ever coined the slogan “NC500”. Note: Some posts may contain affiliate links. If you wish to explore deeper into the cave system, which is only accessible by boat, you will need to take part in an organised tour. 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!Â, There are lots of beauty on this route, including the awesome Smoo Cave, which really was a quality gem on the Nc500 itinerary!Â, End your day at BettyHill for a coffee and a snack, then find a wild camping spot, or a campsite closeby.Â. It is possible to visit the island by catching a ferry from the local port across to the island, where you will be met by an RSPCA volunteer who will give you a quick induction to the island. I’m sure you will have a story or two to tell! North Coast 500 is a series of roads forming a loop around the Northern Highlands of Scotland and there is no perfect way to structure your North Coast 500 trip. That whole loop is beautiful and the scenery here is great! The walk to the suspension bridge is only 10 minutes, then a further 5 to the viewing platform. If you’re arranging motorhome hire in Scotland for the trip, they can probably supply these, but always check first. There are not a lot of choices when it comes to accommodation nearby Scourie, with only two guesthouses in the centre of the village. We highly recommend you visit the western coast of the NC500 if you can only do part of it as, in our opinion, this is where the most spectacular scenery sits. In fact, we originally called it the "North Highlands Tour", but we have to admit that NC500 is a catchier title. The island is around 300 hectares in size and has a highest point of over 120-metres. When you get back to Inverness, take a few hours to explore the city if you haven’t already. Thank you for the feedback! This will be completely dependent on the time you have to dedicate to the route. The drive to Applecross is absolutely beautiful, and you’ll get to travel the mountain pass road to get there. Shieldaig Peninsula Walk. Continuing west along the northern coast, with the beautiful, blue waters of the North Sea, with nothing between you and the Arctic Circle, our next stop is at the small, isolated bay of Skerray Harbour. By the car park, there is a restaurant and cafe that is perfect to rest and grab a coffee before you set off again to the next stop. Click here for more options for accommodation near Scourie. Day 5: Durness to Achmelvich Bay. Read more about the campsites of the North Coast 500 in our full guide. 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. North Coast 500. To get here you can either cross the Dornoch Firth Bridge and turn west or simply follow the southern coast of the Dornoch Firth towards Invershin. Yes, it’s single pass roads, but there is a passing place every other minute, so you always have somewhere to pass.Â, 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!Â, 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.Â, So, yes, the North Coast 500 road trip is suitable for campervans and motorhomes.Â. 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! Today, the town is a peaceful place, with a community of around 80 locals. As one of the larger towns on the North Coast 500, there is plenty of accommodation available in the town centre of Thurso. Follow along on this couple’s round the world trip and get inspired to make every day a wonderful adventure. 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! If there is one part of Scotland that catches most people by surprise, it is the number of stunning beaches that it has. Read more. The remote Handa Island is one of the best day trips that you can take on the NC500 route. This is another beautiful route that will take you through to Ullapool. Day 7 of North Coast 500 Itinerary: Kinlochewe to Inverness Today you’ll drive the final section of the North Coast 500 route as you make your way back to Inverness. 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. Mind-boggling! Locals and travellers rub elbows in this cosy, low-roof pub, with mouthwatering food on offer from the kitchen, cold beers and wine from the bar, and live music from the local band. Our directions take you from Inverness on a clockwise tour around the scenic highlights of Scotland’s North coast. Whenever we travel abroad, we get covered with World Nomad’s Travel Insurance, a reliable, friendly and extremely affordable method of covering yourself on any adventure. We cover days needed, distances, driving time, costs and provide links to additional resources. Road trip Itinerary on the North Coast 500 What is the North Coast 500? Ride the best sections of the spectacular NC 500 touring route. These are mostly in the shape of B&Bs, Airbnbs, converted cottages and other quirky accommodations. Day 4: Dunnet Bay to Durness. 6 Sample North Coast 500 Itinerary. The horizon is endless and the sights along this remote part of the world are incredible, so let’s get going! You can read what else we keep in our camera bag over here. What did you think of the castles? I love caves, and whilst this wasn’t quite as exciting as the caves I’ve seen in Vietnam, it was still very cool!Â. Staying on a Lighthouse Cottage on the Isle of Skye. Upon reaching the beach, take a moment to appreciate the seclusion around you and stretch your legs along the shore. Just google the pictures of the stop and you’ll why...it looks amazing!Â. Epic coastlines, stunning beaches, endless horizons and beautiful wildlife are what awaits you along the north coast of Scotland. Ideally, you are going to want somewhere that is within walking distance to the local pubs and restaurants, which means your best options are the Pentland Hotel, the Pentland Lodge House, The Inn @ Y-Not, and Station Hotel. We toured with these guys around the up-and-coming Heart 200 road trip in Scotland’s central highlands and could not believe the comfort and customer service we experienced with their vans. You will see a small field on your left as you approach with campers and tents, ignore this and head up the hill! You may find they hold up traffic for a little bit, but that presents a great opportunity to take pictures of them. Touring the NC500 in a caravan or motorhome is a very popular choice, given the freedom that it brings. Click here for more options for accommodation near Thurso. There is one road, however, that is NOT suitable for larger vehicles and that is the Bealach na Ba pass towards Applecross. As well as this site there are some stunning lodges that overlook the sea if you are feeling fancy! The name of the castle was also changed during this time to Barrogill Castle. From multiple seizures to family murders, Castle Sinclair and Girnigoe has had a truly gruesome history on the north coast of Scotland. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. This sits about 20 minutes north of Dornoch and will cost you £12 to go inside the castle to have a look around. Like seriously, if you are a Game of Thrones fan you do NOT want to miss this! Day 2 … From Edinburgh head north on the A9 towards Inverness, stopping in Pitlochry at the world renowned House of Bruar to stock up on kit- fine sport cloth… This guide to the North Coast 500 contains all the information you need to know, including the best North Coast 500 accommodation, a complete NC500 camping itinerary, and all of the best sights to see. eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'highlands2hammocks_co_uk-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_7',118,'0','0'])); In order to get to the waterfalls, head down the hill from the car park, across the road, and you will find the waterfall at the bottom of the stairs. Surrounded by the still waters of Loch Assynt, the ancient ruins of Castle Ardvreck are a sure sight to behold. The roads become narrow and single-tracked, the hill become giants and the history of the landscape is absolutely fascinating. As for public transport, the use around the NC500 is understandably difficult due to how remote each location is, however, with the increasing problem of congestion along the route, this is a good option to research if you have time. We drove from Aberdeen to Inverness, although it is possible to arrive by plane, bus or train. But what’s unique about this little coffee shop is that they sell and stock Bob Marleys son's coffee.Â, It’s a quirky place with a quirky bookshop attached and I highly recommend you visit. This is a great first day on your North Coast 500 itinerary! In the town centre of Durness, you have a few options to choose from for comfortable accommodation for the night. If you are wanting a bite to eat, head back into town and take a walk along to the Eagle Hotel. No matter what type of adventure you are heading on, whether it is a mountain adventure or a relaxing beach destination, one thing we all need to be aware of is that accidents can happen. The harbour is a quiet place to visit, with plenty of space to spread out and find a peaceful spot despite how busy it may be. The town was originally known by the Gaelic term tarvodubron, or “bull water”, and was once an important Norse port until the Nordic rule ended in the 13th-century. The gateway to the North Coast 500 Inverness Castle. This castle ruin sits on an outcrop of land from the surrounding cliffs, with perilous drops on either side. North Coast 500 Itinerary. Further on towards the end of the world you’ll find the rather impressive remains of Castle Sinclair and Girnigoe. ITINERARY Day 1 - 64miles (2450ft elevation gain) Day 2 - 69miles (7230ft elevation gain) Day 3 - 80miles (4552ft elevation gain) Day 4 - 81miles (4428ft elevation gain) It’s no longer in use so it’s a large car park with a couple of picnic tables. As the type 1 diabetic half of Dream Big, Travel Far, I'm passionate about encouraging fellow type 1's to travel the world and not let their diabetes hold them back. It takes around 3 hours to hike and you can find out all you need to know about the walk itself right here. If you then continue along the with for another few minutes, you will eventually reach the man-made viewing platform that stretched out from the cliffside and gives a spectacular view down the gorge of the waterfall and bridge. You can also snap a photo at the iconic John O’Groats signpost. The backdrop of this bridge is beautiful mountains and actually we ended up seeing a few deer which was pretty cool! I highly recommend this Scottish road trip.Â, Scotland has so many great road trips and some of my other favorites include the:Â, If you have any questions about this North Coast 500 itinerary, or the NC500 in general, then please do drop me a comment below.Â. Another waterfall to visit on the NC500, but this one you can see as you drive past. 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.Â. This experience, however, will cost you in order to enter the Castle, Garden and Ground for £12 or the Garden and Grounds along for £7. Save this image to your Scotland Pinterest Board for later, North Coast 500 Highlights – 19 Best Sights Along the NC500, Castles of the North Coast 500 – The Best of Scotland’s History. This renovated ruin has an incredible garden and offers a full guided tour around the castle itself. The view from our tent was absolutely spectacular. YUM! Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Required fields are marked *. Dunnet Bay beach lies not too far from John O’Groats and offers another unbelievable, mile-long stretch of sand to enjoy and unwind on. Named after Queen Victoria, who visited these waterfalls in 1877, the Victoria Falls lie on the opposite side of the road from Loch Maree. Luckily, that is what travel insurance is for. Today, the harbour at the bottom lies in ruin, however, thanks to the hard work of the local volunteers the stairs remain in good condition. As you enter the 50ft opening to Smoo Cave (one of the largest Sea Cave entrances in the UK), you begin a journey through time back thousands of years. 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. The next stop is at the Castle of Old Wick, just 15 minutes on from Whaligoe. When it comes to packing for a trip along the NC500 there is one item of clothing that you are going to need all year round: a waterproof. 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!Â, The NC500 starts and ends in Inverness (Inverness Castle if we are being specific! 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. As you approach the small village of Tongue, keep an eye on the coast to your right. #2minutebeachclean equipment sitting beside the second car park. The small, ribbed boat from Tarbet across to the island, normally running between April to September. To help you plan your own epic adventure, we are giving you this North Coast 500 itinerary free of charge. The main spectacle at this sight is the natural phenomenon of the leaping salmon, an annual display of the resilience and power of nature. The famed city of Inverness acts as the gateway for most wanting to take on the North Coast 500. This is the final stop of our trip and what better place is there to reflect on the beauty that you have just witnessed than on the sheltered bay of Applecross, watching the sunset over the water. But you can find out on their website, the history of the castle and opening hours ect. The closest campsite to the small town of Thurso is the Dunnet Bay Caravan and Motorhome Club Site, located right on the edge of the beautiful Dunnet Bay. After years of dreaming, this couple finally took the leap and left their 9-5 lifestyle for some a little more unpredictable. The perfect place to stop for a bite to eat, some food and even a place to rest your head. Main Photography Camera – Sony A7 Mirrorless Camera. This will bring you to the Whaligoe steps cafe and a car park for you to explore the area. We here at North Coast 500 pods have put together a North Coast 500 tour plan and itinerary of key stops along the way for those wishing to experience a true Scottish adventure. Edinburgh to Inverness You’ll arrive in Edinburgh to pick up your campervan hire at Roseisle, and then head off on your first leg of the journey. It’s a circular route that starts at Inverness and it can be done clockwise, as we’ve done or you can do it the other way around. If you want to find them, look for a signpost for “Cairn of Get”, and instead of turning left towards it, turn right. The island itself is quite small, with a walking loop around the entire island taking only a few hours. Either prepare your own home-cooked breakfast or head into town to find some food. There are great waterfalls on this route and many viewpoints!Â, Don’t forget to get a delicious coffee at the Mountain Coffee Co!Â. If it is the brutal Scottish winter - props to you!- then you’ll need to check you have winter tyres and snow chains. One NC500 must see sight is the ancient Castle Ardvreck. The loop is suitable got families, however, due to the path, it is not suitable for pushchairs. Well, on our first night in Scotland we met a lovely couple who had just completed the NC500 in a pretty darn big motorhome (bigger than our campervan) and they said it was absolutely fine. Really Cool. eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'highlands2hammocks_co_uk-box-4','ezslot_4',116,'0','0'])); The NC500 road trip traditionally starts in the northern capital of Inverness, from which it either winds its way clockwise or anti-clockwise around the north coast. Stop and enjoy the view here before walking along the river until the castle comes into sight. Nowadays, it is open as a visitor attraction and attracted more than 27,000 visitors in the first year of opening in 2007. Starting off the day in Durness, if you haven’t already paid a visit to the famous Sango Sands then now is the time to do it. The Ultimate North Coast 500 Itinerary [3, 5 and 7 day routes!] So before we start, I thought I’d give you a visual representation of the North Coast 500 drive. This is going to be a fun day! The North Coast itinerary is now followed by drivers, cyclists, locals and visitors ticking over the 500 miles (516 to be exact) of ‘Scotland’s Route 66’. eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'highlands2hammocks_co_uk-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_8',121,'0','0'])); Over time, the stairs have been subject to heavy traffic and have resulted in quite a bit of wear. Driving back into town, continue on the road along the north coast until you see a sign for the visitor centre. I think the fact the sun was shining and the skies were clear when we visited had a lot to do with that.Â. This cafe is sister to the one in Dornoch and is a good stopping point before you head south to your next destination. The beautiful, white-sand beaches stretch along the coast for miles and the town is small and quaint. Inverness to Dornoch. A donation can be left to help with the upkeep of these toilets. Perched on the edge of a cliff, with a drawbridge entrance and over 3 stories, this castle has an incredible vantage point and stunning views over the ocean. A journey on Scotland’s North Coast 500 makes for a spectacular road trip in itself, with plenty of highlights along the way. But it’s a very popular stop on the NC500, so I assume it’s popular for a reason...Â, On a good day, you can wander around the loch, shop for souvenirs, grab some lunch, and visit museums!Â. Read more about these holiday parks in our complete guide to the best NC500 campsites. 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).Â, The village itself is tiny but it has a lot of charm. #freeyourlifetraveleval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'highlands2hammocks_co_uk-box-1','ezslot_3',114,'0','0']));report this ad. https://highlands2hammocks.co.uk/north-coast-500-itinerary-7-days Our Itinerary & Stops Day One. The Castle is a perfect starting point to the route as it is perched on the hill and offers unparalleled views over the capital city of the Highlands. We actually drove most of it in the rain but still thought it was fantastic.Â, This day you’ll be heading towards the North Coast! This is not a culturally significant stop on the NC500, however, it is a worthwhile one nonetheless and is a definite photo stop. Read more about the castles of the North Coast 500 in our full guide. Make sure to plan in advance for petrol stops, as the further north you get the fewer fuel stations become. Read more about the cave tour and the work being done on Smoo Cave on their website here. Smoo Cave is one of the most fascinating stops you can make on the NC500 and is one we highly recommend. The first stop of the day is at the beautiful Dunrobin Castle. 4.1 Day 1: Edinburgh- Inverness; 4.2 Day 2: Inverness to Shieldaig (Plus Bealach na Ba Viewpoint) 4.3 Day 4: Mellon Udringle – Port a Baigh; 4.4 Day 5: Port a Baigh – Durness; 4.5 Day 6: Durness – John O’ Groats; 4.6 Day 7: John O’Groats- Dornoch; 4.7 Day 8: Dornoch- Inverness/ Edinburgh; 5 Cost of the North Coast 500; 6 Tips for Driving the North Coast 500 Inverness isn’t overly big, but it’s super charming. The closest wild camping spot lies about 10-minutes north of Scourie, on the backs of Loch Laxford. The best hotels and holiday homes that you can stay in are all within close vicinity of the stunning sunset spot of the Duncansby Lighthouse. Sitting outside the village of Durness, the ruins of the old Ceannabeine (meaning “end of the mountains”) township can be found along a guided boardwalk. After it turns 9 you can check out the Cocao Mountain cafe. The laundry facilities are £2 for the washing machine and £1 for 30 minutes in the drier. This itinerary is, of course, a rough guide, so if you would rather go clockwise, or pick and mix the destinations you visit, then read this itinerary in whichever way you wish. Wild camping is a fantastic way to enjoy the beauty of the highlands, however, it must be done respectfully. It is believed that at one time they were home to the chief of Clan Mackay, and consists of two floors plus an attic. This route today provides lots of scenery of lochs, mountains, and coast as you take in the rugged vistas around Torridon and then head along the Applecross peninsula for coastal views. The basic answer is “it can take however long you want it to”.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'highlands2hammocks_co_uk-medrectangle-4','ezslot_5',115,'0','0'])); There are people who race around the NC500 in one day, making the most of the beautiful scenery, winding roads and white-knuckle driving conditions in certain areas. 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. The harbour and the steps here are believed to date back to the 18th century, when it was used to store more than 20 fishing boats. Read more about this wild camping spot in our full guide to wild camping spots on the NC500. However, if you fancy a trip a little more on the wild side, it is legal to wild camp in Scotland and there are a lot of wild camping spots along the NC500 route as well. The Official North Coast 500 route begins and ends in Inverness at Inverness Castle. If you are brave enough to face the cold North Sea, then this is the best spot for a quick dip or even to do some harbour jumping. NORTH COAST 500 ROUTE MAP. Get planning your trip of a lifetime with this guide and witness some the most beautiful scenery in the world for yourself. Browse the full range of vehicles on offer at Bunk Campers over here. Depending on your interests and trip duration, you should structure your own trip. Named as “between the rock and sea”, Skerray is a small town filled with artists, tree-planters and fisherman. There’s a little viewing platform too.Â, I liked this waterfall because it was surrounded by beautiful autumn colours, which I love!Â, And it’s one of the many free things to do on the NC500.Â. The campsite sits above the town of Applecross and delivers spectacular views of the distant Isle of Skye and its iconic Cullin Mountains. It’s small but oozes lots of charm. From here, walk over the hill to your right and the incredible towers of rock will come into view. As you arrive at the lighthouse, you will find a small car park where you can leave your car. This way you can admire the beauty of the east coast and have your road trip build to a climactic ending with the stunning west coast. This 5-day North Coast 500 itinerary takes you along the route and past all of the most famous stops and sites. Parking up at the Bone Caves carpark, about four kilometres south of Inchnadamph, the walk takes you on a loop of this ancient limestone valley. After only 24 years of living here, we decided it was finally time to make the trip to the true north and see what lay there. Arguably one of the best road trips in the world! This varies from guesthouses to bed and breakfasts, however, all of the options are sure to be clean, comfortable and affordable. The popular adventure, with four seasons in one day, heading west from Inverness to the top of Scotland’s mainland, John O’Groats, and back down the east coast (or in reverse). Read the signs as you walk along and you will see the incredible history behind this castle, and understand just how impressive it was in its day. Read about all of the best wild camping spots along the North Coast 500 in our full guide. North Coast 500 Budget – How Much Does the NC500 Cost? So this route will only be significant to those who actually take the Applecross coastal road. So there you have it, your ultimate 7-day itinerary to the North Coast 500. For such a small village, there are actually a good number of options for roofed accommodation nearby Applecross. Depending on how adventurous you are, there may be more accommodation choices than just the above, often with an even better view. Be sure to share this article with your family and friends to let them know all about your big plans. So expect the weather to change. Looking for inspiration on your North Coast 500 itinerary? Upon the discovery Moine Thrust Zone, which showed older rock layers situated on top of younger rock layers, the resulting shockwave among geologist at this period of time is comparative to that produced when Charles Darwin released his “Theory of Evolution”. 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. Continuing along the coast of Loch Maree, you will eventually reach the small town of Kinlochewe, which means “head of loch lu“. Two Scots with a passion for adventure and a craving to see, well .. everything! Click here for more options for accommodation near John O’Groats.