About North Coast 500 Tours
If you’ve got questions about the North Coast 500, read on. We’ve compiled expert tips about this incredible driving route to help you plan your tour. Here’s everything you need to know about enjoying a trip along Scotland’s North Coast 500 and beyond.
What is the North Coast 500?
The North Coast 500, or NC500, is one of the best road trips in the UK. The NC500 route takes you through striking scenery in the Scottish Highlands, encompassing just over 500 miles (516 miles or 830 kilometres, to be exact).
Where is the North Coast 500?
You’ll find the NC500 in the northernmost part of the British mainland in Scotland. Usually, you’d start your road trip in Inverness in northeastern Scotland and follow the coast as it heads north, before looping west and south to Applecross. Overall, you’d travel across 6 regions: Inverness-shire, the Black Isle, Easter Ross, Caithness, Sutherland and Wester Ross.
How long does the North Coast 500 take?
To allow yourself enough time to explore this part of Scotland, we highly recommend choosing a North Coast 500 itinerary of at least 7 or 10 days. This way you could get to know each region well and take your time to drive the route.
Choose a Nordic Visitor tour, and you’ll see the best of the NC500, plus other unmissable spots. These tours take anywhere between 12 and 17 days, giving you a taste of island life with stops in Orkney and the Isle of Skye.
Which direction to do the North Coast 500?
Our travel experts suggest driving the NC500 anti-clockwise, with Inverness as your starting point. You’d then head north along the east coast before following the road towards John O'Groats. From this northerly point, travel west to Durness and drive south down the western side.
The reason is that the scenery becomes more and more dramatic in this direction, culminating with the mountainous landscapes of the west coast.
Book a road trip with Nordic Visitor and you can leave the trip planning to our Edinburgh-based experts who know the country inside out. You’ll get to see more top spots with day trips and overnight stays in places like the Isle of Skye and Fort William.
Our Scotland travel experts will design your route for you, book you into handpicked accommodation, and share all their insider tips with you. What’s more, you’ll have access to our 24/7 helpline during your trip. Should you need any support, we are only a call away.
Must-see places on the North Coast 500
There are so many breathtaking sights awaiting you on a North Coast 500 self-drive tour. With sandy beaches, grand castles and majestic mountains, you’ll be treated to some of Scotland’s top highlights on your road trip.
Add these must-see spots to your NC500 itinerary:
Beyond the North Coast 500, northern Scotland offers countless other attractions you won’t want to miss. You could stop off at Loch Ness, known worldwide for the legendary Loch Ness Monster. Take a boat tour of the loch before admiring the beautiful ruins of Urquhart Castle on its banks.
Continue your deep dive into Scotland’s dramatic landscapes by going island hopping. You could explore the Isle of Skye off the west coast to see the dreamy Fairy Pools and the epic Old Man of Storr.
Venture north to the Orkney Islands, and you could explore the prehistoric village of Skara Brae, the mysterious Ring of Brodgar stone circle and the chambered cairn of Maeshowe.
Top things to do on the NC500
There are plenty of things to do on your adventure through northern Scotland. Imagine exploring the ruins of Ardvreck Castle on the shores of Loch Assynt, or sampling freshly caught seafood in Ullapool.
Here are the best things to do on your road trip:
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Stroll along white and golden sand beaches
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Go hiking in the hills, forests and glens
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Taste fresh, local seafood at fishing villages
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Uncover ancient ruins and regal castles
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Take on the highest mountain pass in the country
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Sample heady whisky at Highland distilleries and pubs
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Stop by the northernmost tip of mainland Britain, John o’Groats
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Discover hidden coves and mysterious sea caves
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Spot dolphins and seabirds from the shore at places like Chanonry Point
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Admire views of rivers, lochs and waterfalls
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Enjoy island-hopping between Orkney, Harris, Lewis and Skye
While you’re visiting Scotland, take advantage of the country’s small size and spend a day or two exploring the capital city, Edinburgh. Stroll down the Royal Mile and take a tour of the historic Edinburgh Castle.
Where to stay on the NC500
In terms of where you should stay on your North Coast 500 journey, we recommend the following places:
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Inverness
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Thurso
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Durness
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Ullapool
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Torridon
Leave the arrangements to Nordic Visitor, and we’ll book all your stays for you, whether that’s a charming guesthouse or a cosy bed and breakfast. We have guaranteed beds in desirable locations, and we quality-check all the accommodation on your itinerary to make sure it’s up to our high standards.
How to plan your NC500 trip?
The easiest way to plan your NC500 road trip is to have an expert organise it for you. By doing so, you can relax and look forward to your getaway without worrying about logistics and travel arrangements.
At Nordic Visitor, our Scotland travel consultants are based in Edinburgh. They’ll use their expertise to arrange a tour package that suits you.
When you book a North Coast 500 package with us, you can expect:
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A personal travel consultant based in Edinburgh who’ll arrange your trip
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Excellent accommodation at your chosen price point, with daily breakfast
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Car rental with CDW, unlimited mileage and authorisation for 2 drivers
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A hand-noted, personalised itinerary and route
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24/7 phone support during your adventure for peace of mind
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Cancellation Protection available to protect your booking
Best time of year to do the NC500
The best time to drive the North Coast 500 is between April and October. You’ll have the most daylight hours, open attractions, and accommodation options at this time of year.
Compared to the winter months (November to March), the roads are generally more accessible between April and October. It’s also good to know that certain highlights, such as castles, are only open to the public during the high season.
One thing to be aware of about Scotland in summer – between June and August – is that it attracts the most visitors. To avoid missing out, make sure to book your trip early.
Consider visiting Scotland in spring or autumn to experience the NC500 when it’s quieter. As a bonus, you can enjoy gorgeous landscapes dotted with blossoming flowers or red and gold foliage.
Tips for driving the NC500
When packing for your NC500 tour, you should be ready for all weather and bring plenty of warm layers. Waterproofs are a must as it can be wet in the Scottish Highlands.
Here’s our recommended packing list for Scotland:
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Comfortable hiking shoes or boots
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Waterproof jacket and trousers
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Warm, insulated jacket
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Fleece or woollen jumper
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Cosy hat, scarf and gloves
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Light base layer tops
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Lightweight trousers or shorts
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Sunglasses, sun hat and sun cream
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Rucksack
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Reusable water bottle
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UK plug adapter
If you’re visiting in the summer months, be sure to prepare for midges by bringing insect repellant. And we suggest you wear long sleeves and trousers, particularly at dusk when midges (small biting insects) are at their worst.
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