So you want to tackle Scotland’s ultimate road trip?
This 516-mile route is on many a bucket list, offering adventurers a tantalising mix of dramatic coastlines, famous locks and mythical mountains.
Here’s everything you need to know!
What is North Coast 500?
North Coast 500 or NC500, is Scotland’s legendary road trip that takes drivers through the Highlands via 6 unique regions.
At just over 500 miles (516), the NC500 offers extraordinary scenery and is a perfect way to get into the heart and soul of Scotland.
The journey was launched back in 2015 by the Tourism Project Board of the North Highland as a way to entice tourists into this part of Scotland and 8 years later, the initiative has proven its worth with many tourists visiting to drive the route every year.
NC500 has been compared as Scotland’s answer to Route 66 but in reality, they’re worlds apart since NC500 is a series of roads that loop around coastlines and mountains, rather than a single highway.
The Route
The route traditionally starts and finishes from the Scottish Highlands capital of Inverness. Here you’ll find lots of things to do from sampling delightful Scottish cuisine, seeing live music and rambling along the beautiful River Ness.
In wider Inverness-shire, you’ll explore ancient castles, see breathtaking mountains and perhaps, look for the Loch Ness Monster.
Travelling clockwise, the next region you’ll encounter is Black Isle.
This peninsula features old seaside villages, historical monuments, and awesome nature, where you might just spot dolphins!
From Black Isle, you’ll travel through Easter Ross which sounds like something out of Game of Thrones, and given its historic Pictish past, maybe there’s something in that!
Along with stunning seaboard villages, travellers might want to drink it in by stopping off at the award-winning Glenmorangie distillery for a tour and sampling of this renowned single-malt whisky.
Next up, is the region of Caithness. This is the most north-eastern part of the NC500 and it’s where you’ll encounter the most northerly point in Mainland Britain: John O’Groats.
Continuing along the north coast, drivers will pass through Sutherland with an abundance of harbours, castles and specifically world-class golf resorts.
Sutherland is sometimes described as Europe’s “last great wilderness” and here you will be spoilt for choice for exploring beautiful beaches and hiking across extraordinary mountainscapes.
The final part of the journey culminates in Wester Ross where more incredible beaches, lochs and hills show off some of the best across Scotland.
Highlights
We’ve already mentioned some gems on the route, such as John O’Groats, Glenmorangie Distillery and Loch Ness.
Such highlights are only scratching the service of this awesome route though, here are other attractions you may want to seek out en route:
Ullapool
Ullapool is a beautifully quaint village and the gateway to the Northern Highlands.
Some NC500ers stop off here for a few days to explore the local beaches, caves and nature reserves whilst taking in the small village vibes to unwind.
Applecross Peninsula
Between mountains and the Isle of Skye, Applecross is a peninsula in Western Ross steeped deep in history. Cute villages are aplenty and one cannot miss the legendary Bealach na Bà Pass which is an adrenaline-stoking, steep mountain road on this famous route.
Dunrobin Castle & Gardens
This stately home in Sutherland looks like something straight out of Narnia. Dunrobin is Scotland’s most northerly of Scotland’s great houses and the largest in all of the highlands.
Should you wish to visit, Dunrobin Castle is open to the public between April and October.
Sandwood Bay
Sandwood Bay might just be one of the most spectacular beaches in all of Britain. This natural bay in Sutherland has no road access and can only be accessed via a 4-mile footpath from the hamlet of Blairmore.
It is perhaps this secludedness that some claim makes this beach the cleanest and most unspoilt beach across Scotland and afar.
Best Time To Visit
Scotland (and the rest of the UK for that matter), isn’t the most consistent place for fine weather and for that reason, the peak season for NC500 tourists is the summer months of June to August.
If one wants to avoid the crowds then the shoulder months of May and September could still be great options since it’s not unusual for those months to see some long sunny spells.
What’s more, winter has become a particularly popular time to drive the route in recent years as it offers the possibility to discover beautiful winter landscapes from snowy peaks to dark starry skies.
How Long?
It’s possible to drive the whole route in just 2/3 days but there’s something to be said about taking it slow.
5 days will give you plenty of time to soak in the route and fall in love with this beautiful land.
Top Tips
As noted, NC500 gets very popular in the peak summer months so if you’re travelling during this period, make sure to book up well in advance.
Given the unpredictability of Scottish weather, it would also be pertinent to pack a variety of clothing as the weather can turn instantly up in the Highlands.
Finally, familiarise yourself with the roads, especially if you’re driving a larger vehicle as it may not be suitable for certain sections such as ‘Bealach Na Ba’.
What are you waiting for?
Now you know all about the NC500, what are you waiting for?
With incredible landscapes across six breathtaking regions, the NC500 has to be high up on any budding road traveller’s bucket list.
Make sure you’re organised, pack lots of clothes and you’ll be golden for what will surely be an incredible trip!
What are your favourite spots on the North Coast 500?
Let us know in the comments below!
2 Responses
My wife and I drove along parts of the North Coast 500 earlier this month (May 5-9) from Inverness to Lochcarron, when we left the route to drive to the Isle of Sky. Can you tell me about how many miles of one-lane highway did we traverse between those two points? Just curious.
Overall, we spend three weeks in Scotland, from April 22, in Edinburgh to May 16, and driving the North Coast 500 was one of the many highlights of our visit. We took a thousand beautiful photos so we’ll be able to share our wonderful memories with friends and neighbors.
Thank you so much for your lovely message and for sharing a bit about your trip — it sounds like you had a wonderful time exploring Scotland!
Between Inverness and Lochcarron, following the North Coast 500 route, you would have driven roughly 80 to 90 miles in total. Of that stretch, approximately 30 to 40 miles are typical single-track roads, especially as you head west of Achnasheen toward Lochcarron. These sections are beautifully scenic but do require a bit of care with passing places.
We’re delighted to hear you enjoyed your adventure and captured so many memories to bring home. We hope you’ll be back again soon to explore even more!