The North Coast 500 is one of the UK’s most iconic driving routes, taking travellers on an unforgettable journey through the northern Highlands of Scotland. Starting and ending in Inverness, the route winds past dramatic coastlines, towering mountains, white-sand beaches, remote fishing villages and some of the country’s most breathtaking scenery.
As part of our Scotland road trip, we spent eight days exploring the NC500, discovering spectacular landscapes, memorable places to eat and stay, fascinating attractions and warm Highland hospitality along the way. From scenic coastal drives and wildlife encounters to hidden gems and famous landmarks, our NC500 guide brings together all of our experiences from the route.
Inverness to Tain With A Spot Of Dolphin Watching
The NC500 adventure began with a scenic drive north from Inverness, taking in coastal views, charming Highland towns and unforgettable dolphin spotting along the Moray Firth.
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Tain to Helmsdale Stopping For A Wee Dram
Continuing along Scotland’s east coast, this stage combined sweeping Highland scenery with whisky tasting, picturesque villages and welcoming places to stop along the route.
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Helmsdale to Scrabster via John O’Groats
One of the most iconic stretches of the NC500, featuring dramatic northern coastlines, the famous John O’Groats signpost and spectacular sea views throughout the journey.
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From Scrabster to Tongue With A Detour Back To John O’Groats
Travelling west along Scotland’s rugged north coast brought remote landscapes, quiet roads and some of the most dramatic scenery of the entire NC500 route.
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From Tongue to Lochinver With Caves, Bridges & A Zipwire
A day packed with adventure, combining stunning coastal scenery with caves, suspension bridges and unforgettable Highland experiences along the way.
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From Lochinver to Gairloch
This spectacular section of the NC500 delivered winding coastal roads, dramatic mountain scenery and some of the most breathtaking views of the Scottish Highlands.
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From Gairloch to Kinlochewe via Bealach na Bà
Driving the legendary Bealach na Bà through Applecross was one of the highlights of the entire NC500 journey, with dramatic mountain roads and unforgettable Highland scenery.
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From Kinlochewe to Inverness With A Visit To Culloden
The final stage of the NC500 combined beautiful Highland scenery with a visit to the historic Culloden Battlefield before returning to Inverness.
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The North Coast 500 offers a wide range of accommodation, from cosy Highland inns and coastal hotels to welcoming guesthouses and traditional B&Bs dotted around the route. During our NC500 road trip, we stayed in a mixture of characterful Highland properties, many perfectly placed for exploring the dramatic scenery and remote landscapes of northern Scotland.
Some of the places we stayed along the NC500 included:
Ornum House, Beauly – A welcoming Highland guesthouse and an excellent base for beginning the NC500 adventure.
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Shandwick House, Tain – A comfortable and friendly stay on Scotland’s east coast.
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The Ferry Inn, Scrabster – A well-positioned coastal inn overlooking the harbour, ideal for exploring Scotland’s far north and nearby John O’Groats.
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Tigh-Nan-Ubhal, Tongue – A peaceful Highland stay surrounded by spectacular northern scenery.
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Bonnie Haven, Lochinver – A cosy guesthouse in one of the most scenic parts of the NC500 route.
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Gairloch Hotel, Gairloch – A classic coastal hotel overlooking the beautiful west coast scenery.
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Kinlochewe Hotel, Kinlochewe – A traditional Highland hotel ideally positioned for exploring the dramatic landscapes around Torridon and Applecross.
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You can check availability and current prices for NC500 accommodation here.
This page is still in development so please check back soon for further details
