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North Coast 500 Packages

Soak up breathtaking views on a Scottish Highlands and North Coast 500 tour, which includes highlights of this iconic route. Your personal travel consultant at Nordic Visitor will plan and book your road trip for you. Plus, you’ll have 24/7 local support during your getaway for peace of mind.

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Discover the highlights of the NC500 and beyond

Thinking about a North Coast 500 self-drive tour? We can help!

Explore golden beaches, ancient castles, and towering mountains on the North Coast 500, an exhilarating driving route in Scotland. You’ll soon see why it’s such a renowned road trip in the UK.

When you book a self-drive tour of Scotland with Nordic Visitor, our Edinburgh-based travel consultants will organise your getaway for you. They’ll book your accommodation, plan your route, and be there for you during the planning process and via the 24/7 helpline while you’re away.

Plus, you can Book With Confidence knowing your money is safeguarded with our Cancellation Protection.

Get in touch and we'll happily plan your tour. You can call us on +44 (0)131 344 4630 or our toll-free numbers. Alternatively, reach us via our contact form or live chat.

Experience Highlights of the North Coast 500

Uncover the Highlands on a stunning road trip through northern Scotland. Tour packages include handpicked accommodation, rental car and daily breakfast.

Scotland
Save up to 630 GBP
Best seller
Self-drive
17 days / 16 nights
4.7
Apr - Oct

Grand Tour of Scotland

Scottish Highlands & North Coast 500

3684GBP

3369GBP

Eur

View map
Save up to 630 GBP
Best seller
17 days / 16 nights
Apr - Oct

3684GBP

3369GBP

GBP

Close map view
Scotland
Best seller
Self-drive
17 days / 16 nights
Apr - Oct

Complete Scotland at Leisure

Scottish Highlands, North Coast 500 & Outer Hebrides

3656GBP

Eur

View map
Best seller
17 days / 16 nights
Apr - Oct

3656GBP

GBP

Close map view
Scotland
Save up to 390 GBP
Best seller
Self-drive
14 days / 13 nights
4.8
Apr - Oct

Complete Scotland

Scottish Highlands & North Coast 500

2999GBP

2804GBP

Eur

View map
Save up to 390 GBP
Best seller
14 days / 13 nights
Apr - Oct

2999GBP

2804GBP

GBP

Close map view
Scotland
Best seller
Self-drive
12 days / 11 nights
4.6
Apr - Oct

Classic Scotland & The Orkney Islands

2509GBP

Eur

View map
Best seller
12 days / 11 nights
Apr - Oct

2509GBP

GBP

Close map view

EXPLORE MORE SCOTTISH ROAD TRIPS

Experience other stunning spots in Scotland on a self-drive tour designed by local travel experts. Your accommodation, rental car, and daily breakfast is included.

Scotland
Save up to 390 GBP
Best seller
Self-drive
10 days / 9 nights
4.8
Apr - Oct

Classic Scotland

1971GBP

1776GBP

Eur

View map
Save up to 390 GBP
Best seller
10 days / 9 nights
Apr - Oct

1971GBP

1776GBP

GBP

Close map view
Scotland
Save up to 390 GBP
Best seller
Self-drive
8 days / 7 nights
4.7
Apr - Oct

Scottish Highlands & Isle of Skye

1645GBP

1450GBP

Eur

View map
Save up to 390 GBP
Best seller
8 days / 7 nights
Apr - Oct

1645GBP

1450GBP

GBP

Close map view
Scotland
Self-drive
8 days / 7 nights
Nov - Mar

Scottish Highlands & Isle of Skye - Winter

1408GBP

Eur

View map
8 days / 7 nights
Nov - Mar

1408GBP

GBP

Close map view
Scotland
Self-drive
7 days / 6 nights
Nov - Mar

Express Scotland - Winter

1354GBP

Eur

View map
7 days / 6 nights
Nov - Mar

1354GBP

GBP

Close map view

Experience Scotland your way

We have tours for all varieties of travel styles and interests. See our options for exploring Scotland below.

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:

  • Stroll along white and golden sand beaches
  • Go hiking in the hills, forests and glens
  • Taste fresh, local seafood at fishing villages
  • Uncover ancient ruins and regal castles
  • Take on the highest mountain pass in the country
  • Sample heady whisky at Highland distilleries and pubs
  • Stop by the northernmost tip of mainland Britain, John o’Groats
  • Discover hidden coves and mysterious sea caves
  • Spot dolphins and seabirds from the shore at places like Chanonry Point
  • Admire views of rivers, lochs and waterfalls
  • 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:

  • Inverness
  • Thurso
  • Durness
  • Ullapool
  • 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:

  • A personal travel consultant based in Edinburgh who’ll arrange your trip
  • Excellent accommodation at your chosen price point, with daily breakfast
  • Car rental with CDW, unlimited mileage and authorisation for 2 drivers
  • A hand-noted, personalised itinerary and route
  • 24/7 phone support during your adventure for peace of mind
  • 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:

  • Comfortable hiking shoes or boots
  • Waterproof jacket and trousers
  • Warm, insulated jacket
  • Fleece or woollen jumper
  • Cosy hat, scarf and gloves
  • Light base layer tops
  • Lightweight trousers or shorts
  • Sunglasses, sun hat and sun cream
  • Rucksack
  • Reusable water bottle
  • 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.



Scroll down to learn more about Nordic Visitor’s services.

 

— LOCAL SUPPORT & KNOWLEDGE

Get the most out of your getaway

  • Relax knowing you can reach us 24/7 on our helpline
  • Explore places handpicked for you by local experts
  • Save time and effort with everything arranged for you
  • Enjoy professional service from Edinburgh-based experts

What do our customers say?

The reviews speak for themselves. See what Nordic Visitor travellers said about their experience with us.

Sharon, United States
Wonders of Scotland, September 2023

Highly recommend Nordic Visitor

This is our second tour with Nordic Visitor. Agents used before the tour were always very prompt with responses to our questions. During the tour, we found the accommodation perfect, guide very informative and friendly, and the driver got used to where we needed to go without any problems. We would definitely use Nordic Visitor again!

Alan, United States
Highlights of Scotland, May 2023

Smooth experience

Throughout the years we have travelled a lot, but never with a group tour. This trip was our first time and it did not disappoint. The tour guide, the bus driver, our fellow passengers, the weather, accommodation, variety of activities, and how smoothly everything went makes me question why we never toured like this before!

David, United States
Scottish Highlands & Isle of Skye, September 2023

An unforgettable holiday

It was an unforgettable holiday. They took care of everything, and we got to wonder and explore with little hassle. If you want to visit Scotland (or anywhere else Nordic Visitor has tours) they are the way to do it. Already talking about our next adventure with Nordic Visitor.

Carol, United States
Scottish Highlands & Isle of Skye - Private, May 2023

An indescribably fantastic experience!

We are two middle-aged women who had never been to the UK before. My sister-in-law always wanted to go to Scotland, so I started researching and came upon Nordic Visitor through internet searches. I checked for reviews and found the company to be highly recommended. I started corresponding with Kirsten. She was extremely kind, very helpful and was able to put my nervous mind at ease. The package she put together for us was perfect! From my first email, the airport pick up and drop off service, and the tour with Dave, it was an indescribably fantastic experience!

Andrew, United States
Classic Scotland, June 2023

Top notch

The tour package materials were top notch. Spiral bound itinerary, recommended activities, restaurant recommendations and the large-scale road map of Scotland were a nice touch. Magdalena, our Nordic Visitor representative, responded promptly to our questions. Accomodation was all great.

Bethany, United States
Classic Scotland, May 2023

Perfect vacation!

For our 50th wedding anniversary, we trusted Nordic Visitor to make our vacation a memorable one, and they made it beyond special. Chris, our tour planner, did everything to accommodate our needs and answered our questions quickly. It was an absolutely perfect vacation!

Barbara, United States
Best of Edinburgh - Loch Ness & Highlands, June 2023

We were in good hands

As first-time visitors to Edinburgh, and senior citizens, our choice to use Nordic Visitor was an excellent one. The welcome package we received at the hotel was really helpful, with our tour vouchers, maps and restaurant recommendations. We would not have known what hotel to select and the one selected for us was perfect. The choice of tours offered was perfect for a 5-day visit. So glad to learn about the Royal Mile and visit the castle. The trip through the Highlands and Loch Ness was beautiful. Our travel agent, Rebecca, always quickly responded to email questions prior to departure. Thank you! Nordic Visitor made our trip easy and rewarding. We were in good hands.

Noreen, United States
Complete Scotland & Ireland, April 2023

Highly professional service

Nordic Visitor is a highly professional tour company. From beginning to end, we have no complaints. Our travel consultant, Chris, was very quick to answer all our questions from start to finish. Could not be more pleased.

Scotland Travel Guide

Learn some conversation-starter facts and do some research before your Scottish adventure.

Our Services

Whether you travel independently or with a guide in your Nordic Visitor package, you will receive personalised service from a designated travel consultant and high-quality travel documents. What's more, all self-drive clients receive a hand-marked map that outlines the driving route, overnights and highlights along the way. Travel with ease knowing that Nordic Visitor has close professional relationships with local service providers, which are carefully selected by our staff for their consistently high standards.

Book With Confidence

  • Protect your money & plans with our flexible booking terms  .
  • 97% of customers say they’d recommend us to friends.
  • We work closely with trusted, high-quality suppliers.
  • Enjoy personal service from Scotland travel experts.
  • Get peace of mind with a 24/7 helpline during your stay.
  • We’re here for you in case of unforeseen circumstances.

Contact us

Get in touch to have your dream holiday arranged by one of our local travel experts. As a travel agency based in Edinburgh, we know Scotland inside out and we’ll use our expertise to plan your perfect trip.

Call

Our Scottish phone number is
+44 (0)131 344 4630

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