North Coast 500

NC500 at a glance

The iconic North Coast 500 offers something unique and magical – a captivating journey along rugged coastlines, through charming villages, with breathtaking Highland scenery at every turn.

This stunning route is the ultimate road trip, a 500-mile loop around the north of Scotland. Whether you drive it clockwise or anticlockwise, along the way you’ll encounter some of the country’s most amazing scenery, enjoy some of the finest food from Scotland’s natural larder and, at the end of a day, have the chance to sample some of the world’s best drams.

Taking an anticlockwise route, you’ll start in Inverness, the “Capital of the Highlands”, and head north to the historic town of Dornoch. If you have time for a detour, head to Fortrose on the Black Isle, one of the best opportunities to see dolphins, off Chanonry Point (check online for tide times). North of Dornoch you’ll find the extravagant Dunrobin Castle, more French-style château than Highland stronghold. Eventually you’ll arrive at John o’ Groats, the oft-noted northernmost tip of mainland Britain. However, just a short drive away is the actual most northerly point, Dunnet Head.

Head west along the remote north coast, perhaps stopping at the Castle of Mey, the former holiday home of the late Queen Mother. Before heading south, take a little pit stop at Balnakeil Beach, a stunning sandy headland near Cape Wrath. As you make your way down the picturesque west coast to Applecross, you’ll pass many more inviting beaches and spectacular viewpoints of the beautiful Torridon Hills. The journey back to Inverness is breathtaking over the Bealach na Bà (the Pass of the Cattle) but take it easy on this road as the views can easily distract!

Getting Around

Driving the North Coast 500 is the most popular way to get around, giving you the freedom to explore remote beaches, rugged mountains, and small Highland villages at your own pace. The route is well signposted, but many roads are narrow and winding, so taking your time is essential. Public transport is limited, so planning ahead is key if you’re not driving.

Get your tailor-made itinerary

As a Scottish company, based in Edinburgh, we know Scotland inside and out. We recommend allowing at least 7 nights for an NC500 self-drive, though we can tailor-make your itinerary to suit your pace, interests, and preferred style of travel. You can take your own car, or we can include rail travel or flights and arrange a hire car to be ready upon your arrival. And if you’d like to add a stopover on your way up to Inverness, or perhaps a detour over to Skye before heading south, we’ll help plan your perfect itinerary.

Visit our dedicated Scotland and Edinburgh pages for more inspiration.

Call our expert team on 0131 243 8098 to explore your options, or get in touch via our enquiry form today.