grand tour north coast 287 route

Sat, 23 Mar

Scotland, UK

Scotland's Grandtour 287 FULL Now

Drive the Grandtours PENIS 287

Time & Location

23 Mar 2024, 08:00 – 25 Mar 2024, 18:00

About the event

Please note this trip is all about the roads and driving. 

Turning your head now and again to catch a glimpse of scenery. 

It is around 320 miles per day on some wonderful twisty scenic routes.

23rd March 2024  Leaving the North East early morning on 23rd Apr and heading up through Glencoe to our overnight stay in Fort William. Maybe a quick photo stop on the 007 Skyfall road. Evening meal included.

24th March 2024 Early start then after breakfast we head up the West coast, stopping for the odd photo before heading through the heart of the highlands and to our overnight stop in Stathpeffer. Evening meal included.

25th March 2024 Another early breakfast before heading across the Cairngorms to Glenshee. Then depending on time we either head back South via Kielder or Carter Bar.

This is a trip for those who just want to drive, eat and sleep. The roads are superb with plenty of scope for some progressive driving.

Please call for prices for a single room with Breakfast & Dinner included or for 2 sharing a twin room. 

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Piloting Extremely Nicely In Scotland 287 Route In Scotland

Discussion in ' Touring ' started by MikeM93 , Jul 26, 2020 .

MikeM93 Thread Starter New Member

Hey folks. I have done the NC500 a couple of times now, and thought I'd do only the bits I like the best last week. It very closely follows the PENIS287 route set out by the top gear guys (piloting extremely nicely in scotland 287 miles for those who haven't seen it). I always found the East coast rather boring to ride although there are a few good things to go see such as whaligoe steps , Lybster harbour etc. However a must detour to the 287 is adding in Durness. Absolutely spectacular scenery and such fun roads. Standout roads: A890 to stromferry A837 Ardvreck castle A894 - Alp like fast bends I could simply list them all, but these stood out  

cookster A.R.COOK - MOTORCYCLE MOTS Subscriber

7 hours!! Fair play  

if you haven't seen it....  

cookster said: ↑ 7 hours!! Fair play Click to expand...

Broduc64 Well-Known Member Subscriber

Nice. Is there a way to put a link to the actual route/coordinates (sorry I'm not Techno geeky enough) so they can be uploaded straight into a Garmin. I'd really like to give that a go. Cheers  

Broduc64 said: ↑ Nice. Is there a way to put a link to the actual route/coordinates (sorry I'm not Techno geeky enough) so they can be uploaded straight into a Garmin. I'd really like to give that a go. Cheers Click to expand...

MikeM93 said: ↑ Sorry I used google maps. I use my phone as satnav all the time. Click to expand...

Sev Just waiting for my wooden suit. Subscriber

Question... how did the multi cope with the stairs, and did you see Connor McLoud of the Clan McLoud at his castle?  

CAT3 Well-Known Member

What a beautiful place North Scotland is & on a sunny day, unbeatable  

CAT3 said: ↑ What a beautiful place North Scotland is & on THE sunny day, unbeatable Click to expand...

GarySN Well-Known Member Subscriber

Ducbird Mod & 2 i/c. Still no bike, even with stabilisers Staff Member Subscriber

Fab pics  

fatporker New Member

Try this link great for converting to the correct format https://mapstogpx.com/  

Sev said: ↑ Question... how did the multi cope with the stairs, and did you see Connor McLoud of the Clan McLoud at his castle? Click to expand...

Broduc64 said: ↑ Nice. Is there a way to put a link to the actual route/coordinates (sorry I'm not Techno geeky enough) so they can be uploaded straight into a Garmin. I did try exporting but doesn't let me in the phone. I'd need to log into a computer so.... Inverness to Muie Muie to Lairg. Stop here. Wee house on the loch is lovely and a great story behind it. https://www.scotsman.com/whats-on/arts-and-entertainment/true-story-wee-hoose-loch-597662 Lairg to durness via A838. A stunning single track road with passing places. Beautiful scenery just gets better and better further north you go. In durness go to Sango sands beach. I'd really like to give that a go. Cheers Click to expand...

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Scotland road trip / North Coast 500

• Add to quote
• Gleaner brand petrol stations have super unleaded - the Jet's don't. If you see a Gleaner fill up.
• Inverness and Thurso had BP's and Esso's. There aren't any Shells or Tesco's with Momentum.
• Booking the nights stay in the morning was easy and not stressful in early March - it won't be in summer
• The roads were, by enlarge, totally empty - seriously - totally empty. In summer they're not and honestly I don't think the NC500 would be worth doing in summer as you'd get frustrated having to constantly wait at passing places
• Yes big chunks of the route are single track and have passing places
• Yes that was occasionally worrying, especially as I'm precious about my wheels
• Its very tempting to go very fast but don't. Partially because you'll miss the scenery, partially because nature tends to jump out at random times (especially deer), partially because the weather changes very quickly, partially because you'll see people that got it wrong and there are mobile speed vans around
• Honestly I'm not sure its worth going beyond Tongue on the north coast towards John o Groats - the roads become wider, busier and less interesting. The Grand Tour 287 is probably more interesting - certainly Skye and the north west of Scotland were the highlights
• If you go to the top of Skye, they turn the street lamps off at 11pm and you see lots of stars
• It was possible to find decent places to stay under £100/night

Attachments

I'm going mid May in my Aston Martin Vantage, hoping its still not too busy then and get dryish weather. Ive already planned my hotels and route. Ive done a bit of looking around on streetview and was slightly concerned about the single tracks but mostly they seem open with good visibility? Wasnt planning any deviations for my first time but am going a different way there and back between Inverness and Glasgow. Will note your tips about the petrol stations but im definitely taking a gerry can as i expect to average 16-18mpg during the actual loop.  

@ sme101 honestly the worst bit was from Loch Lomond up to Inverness - I'm sure there must be super-unleaded between the two but I was getting low by the time I rolled into Inverness. After that I bought super unleaded whenever I saw it but did drive into a couple petrol stations and then straight out the other side... The narrowest bits I remember where from Kyle of Lochalsh to Plockton; which was really narrow and quite unsighted. But, you're not doing that bit. And then Lochinver to Drumbeg was pretty narrow but had better visibility. Durness to Tongue is narrow too but didn't come across any cars there (for well over an hour) and that had great visibility. Next time I do it, I'm not going to bother with the very north east and I don't think I'll bother with the A9 route through Aviemore and down to Edinburgh or the A1 route either. Driving back via the lochs and Glasgow is way more interesting as the A9 is dull straights and traffic. Maybe you can also work in the B6277 up near Penrith on your way back  

Cheers for the tips. I dont actually need super unleaded so will just top up any station we come across. :nice:  

@ sme101 oh you'll be fine then - Jet petrol stations were pretty regular  

Thanks for posting this I'm doing a trip around the end of April which is a mate who lives up there now's custom route but the tips will come in mega handy.  

I'll attach the route of the GT287. Next time I'll probably drive further round to Tongue and down to Lairg from there and do, what I'm going to call, the FiST409 .  

Xanda73 said: Hi 13twelve - fantastic thread and really good insight into something you have re-inspired me into seriously looking at doing this year in the ST - the NC500. I'll apologise now for spamming your thread with my similar tale of driving from Lancashire to Skye and back in my Renault days, but it's good to share :biggrin: As an aside, your avatar looks weirdly and scarily like me - I'm not joking who is it? ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Over the Sea to Skye Having recently returned from a much anticipated trip to Skye from the Ribble Valley and through Scotland, I thought I'd share. This was intended to be the first proper run out for the Trophy for myself and the wife. To summarise the following - it was epic. It was something approaching 1200 miles at slightly over 30 mpg all told. I'd like to post the proper figures but the trip computer had a recalcitrant moment from the beginning, not recording any information at all. I didn't notice this till well north of Glasgow. After some cajoling, it sprang into life but by then the stats were lost. View attachment 560945 I have to say that that was the only minor issue the car had though throughout, other than the brakes being sub-par, in my opinion. On a couple of occasions I did think the car wasn't slowing enough, almost missing a junction or two and nearly running into the back of a XK8. My R26 was the same; I much prefer Clio brakes. Anyway, first stop was the pretty village of Luss, on the shore of Loch Lomond. Picnic had, it was time to move on. View attachment 560947 The last few northern miles of Loch Lomond, along the A82 provided some 'racing' entertainment in trying to keep up with a speedboat around the twists and turns of the road. At the end of Britain's largest area of fresh water, a cheery wave saw us head off towards Glencoe. View attachment 560949 Before getting there we passed through Tyndrum, and at the Inn & Green Welly stop, there must have been a thousand bikers partaking of refreshments. We had barely left the village when what seemed like every one of said bikers decided to roar past the Megane. I don't know why, maybe it's the decals, but a few fearless chaps pulled alongside for a brief moment before wheeling off down the road, as if to say "not fast enough mate". This continued all the way through Glencoe, making my own progress a little slow as every time I glanced in the mirrors in preparation for an overtake, a dozen or so two-wheeled maniacs whizzed by. View attachment 560951 The road through Glencoe itself is truly stunning. We originally had planned to stay a night in the village but the prices were rather high. I can now understand why. View attachment 560953 View attachment 560955 We rolled on through towards Fort William and our overnight stop. A few folks had told me not to bother visiting this place, but I went in with an open mind, and the admittedly very little I saw of the place was perfectly respectable. View attachment 560957 The B&B had a great view of Ben Nevis. View attachment 560959 The next day dawned, well, miserably. We had wanted to tour around Loch Ness, and having read that the eastern shore was much less visited, we turned off the A82 at Fort Augustus. The B862, or General Wade's Military Road, was quite interesting. Once again, and for the second day in a row we found ourselves in the middle of a two-wheeled jam, albeit at a much slower pace. In my defence, the marshal that was supposed to stop us driving into the heart of a closed road bicycle race told us that we were okay to proceed. View attachment 560961 After passing a few hundred puffing, wheezing cyclists - some riding, most pushing - we were told to stop and informed that for safety reasons we must not go any further, and cannot return the way we came. An hour passed before they tentatively let us continue towards the first stop of the day at Foyers. View attachment 560963 The falls feed the river Ness, flowing into the famous Loch. View attachment 560965 The short walk down to the Loch shore is well worth it. Red squirrels too, if you're lucky. The walk back up was a particular highlight for the wife. View attachment 560967 From the Falls of Foyer we pressed on along the eastern shore of Loch Ness to the Dores Inn for lunch - highly recommended. On leaving (and to be honest, on arriving) the weather wasn't looking great. This is Scotland of course, so never mind, to be expected. The next stop was the Loch Ness Exhibition Centre. This meant continuing the Ness loop which is 70 miles all told, through Inverness and back down the other side. Then the snow started. We made it to the car park of the Exhibition Centre, but decided that the thought of 150 miles and three hours to our bed wasn't looking great, with a couple of inches of the white stuff covering the car, and getting worse. Disappointed as we were, the thought of having come this far and it being one of the things we wanted to visit (along with Urquhart Castle), but unable to, the thought of a beer, haggis and a bed had a greater pull. Of note on the roads here has to be the supercar convoys that we encountered; several. Porsche Ferrari Ferrari TVR Lamborghini GTR Porsche Lamborghini Ferrari - I couldn't call them fast enough - not that the wife cared. Within an hour of leaving the monster, the snow had gone. This was a pattern that would be repeated throughout our trip. I think they call it Atlantic Climate - different every hour. Never mind, no turning back, Skye beckoned. View attachment 560969 View attachment 560971 The Cullen Mountain Range is truly majestic - the best in Britain it's said. I have no reason to doubt that claim and would go further and say it's the best I've seen anywhere. View attachment 560973 Portree harbour, the main village on Skye. These next few pictures are from the A855 from Uig back to Portree, skirting the coast of the Trotternish peninsula. Hard to believe this is classed as an 'A' road - some of it is single track with passing places every 100 yards. View attachment 560975 View attachment 560977 View attachment 560979 This road passes Kilt Rock, Mealt Waterfall, The Quiraing and the Old Man of Storr - a must see all for any visitor. View attachment 560981 View attachment 560983 The following day has us drive out across Skye to the southerly peninsula of Sleat and the Clan Donald museum. This took us along the A851 which was a much better road, fast and flowing. The Megane was in its element here, tremendous fun. The views from here were fantastic too. View attachment 560985 This is the view over to Morar on the mainland and is the point at which the old ferry takes travellers that'd rather not use the bridge. Next up was Elgol, where you can take a Oahu boat trips on sunset on the Misty Isle to the unspoilt Loch Coruisk. This was the plan, but again, the inclement weather put paid to the idea. The road to Elgol is worth mentioning - turning off the main road at Broadford, the brilliant sat nav proclaimed it was 14 miles to go. Fourteen miles on the most tortuous, winding and twisting road surely in the British Isles. Again, single track with passing places, barely five foot wide, up, down, round and round - it really feels like you are driving to the end of the world. Too dangerous to push on at any reasonable speed, this took quite a while to navigate. The fact that the road (or my driving?) made the wife feel particularly sick didn't help the pace. The last few hundred yards is hairpin after hairpin, down a 1 in 4 hill with oncoming cars and walkers, all vying for a precious piece of tarmac. View attachment 560987 Another reason for visiting Elgol was that it provides some of the best views of the Cullins. Bloody weather! View attachment 560989 The Talisker distillery was to be the next stop but I really didn't fancy the interior of the Trophy surviving a vomit outbreak along another nine miles of Skye's finest. Next time maybe. The return trip home was done in one stint, with just one stop for fuel, seven hours and 415 miles. The Renault was more than up to the task, comfy, spacious, fun, fast, returning 30+ mpg. It was immense getting past well, everything, on the way to the motorway and saw off a DB9 and a XK8 combo with ease. The 17 miles of the A87 from the Bun Loyne junction to the A82 at Invergarry was a highlight that I won't forget in a long time. Click to expand...

@ Jonesy ST some of the roads are narrow and sometimes you come across tractors and HGVs and I was glad of my cars smaller size. That said, I did see giant SUVs and the like and people got round in them just fine. Just that the ST seems designed for these type of roads - I'd imagine a GTR wouldn't get to stretch its legs very much and would feel really wide in places @ Xanda73 your trip looks mega! Its also funny because I live very close to the Ribble Valley  

Looking to get this trip done at some point, possibly next year! Currently in the Black Forest in Germany, fingers crossed the roads here are as good to drive as they are to look at :nice:  

13twelve said: @ Jonesy ST some of the roads are narrow and sometimes you come across tractors and HGVs and I was glad of my cars smaller size. That said, I did see giant SUVs and the like and people got round in them just fine. Just that the ST seems designed for these type of roads - I'd imagine a GTR wouldn't get to stretch its legs very much and would feel really wide in places @ Xanda73 your trip looks mega! Its also funny because I live very close to the Ribble Valley It was mega and I'm earning for another in the ST. Your black ST looks ace BTW - I really think Ford have done a poor job with the colours (hence going for race red because I wasn't paying for something I didn't like), but looking at your car in the pics above, I should have chosen black I think. Click to expand...

@ Xanda73 thanks!  

I did this a couple of years ago in two parts. I'll add to the petrol locations too. Inverness has a Tesco filling station on the outskirts of town with momentum. Ullapool also has super unleaded too at the petrol station in the Main Street. As already said in the thread, outwith the summer is usually better. Although both times I went was in June but a few years back before it got so popular.  

@ sme101 looks ace! I stopped to take pictures in some of the same spots too  

Excellent pictures though a few of your car in there would have been nice. :grin:  

ST3spin said: Excellent pictures though a few of your car in there would have been nice. :grin: Click to expand...

Hi, Like your post, :nice: I'm doing the NC 500 in my mk 7 the end of September. We plan to do it anticlockwise over 5 days, plus a couple of days in Inverness. The thought here is it will just get better as we go, ending on the Bealach na Ba via Kalnakill. I'm was a bit concerned about my wheels but noted you was also, but had no problems. :thumbsup:  

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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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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 .

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• Uncover top things to see and do on 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.

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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:

• The Black Isle
• Dunrobin Castle
• Durness Beach
• Ardvreck Castle
• Inverewe Garden
• Corrieshalloch Gorge

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:

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.

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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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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.

• Check out these Scotland summer tour packages
• Read more advice about the best time to visit Scotland and the UK

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
• 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.

• Read about Scotland’s weather and daylight hours in these travel guides
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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!

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!

Amazing experience!

We had an amazing experience with Nordic Visitor! Our guides, Richard and Tim, were organised, knowledgeable, and very friendly! You can tell quality and customer satisfaction are very important. We will be back!

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.

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!

I can't thank Nordic Visitor enough

This is our second trip in two years to Scotland with Nordic Visitor, and we are seriously thinking about another. I can't thank Chris enough for his patience and expertise when booking this trip.

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.

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!

We booked a 4-day Christmas Tour of Edinburgh which included hotel accommodation, a walking tour of the Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle, a day tour of the Highlands and Lowlands, castles, and lochs, and also a whisky distillery tour. The hotel was in an amazing location near the Christmas Markets and popular attractions. The day tours were such a wonderful way to experience the countryside outside of Edinburgh. We also added a driving service to drive us to and from the airport and the drivers were so lovely. The care package left at the hotel consisting of maps and suggested eateries was such a delightful bonus. We loved that every aspect of our trip was planned and ready for us once we arrived which diminished any travel stress that one may experience when travelling abroad.

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.

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.

Absolutely wonderful!

Our trip was absolutely wonderful! Magda was great to work with and helped us through the whole process. Everyone we worked with from the beginning through the end of the trip was absolutely marvellous.

Scotland Travel Guide

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

North Coast 500

The North Coast 500, or NC500, is one of the most scenic drives in Scotland. In fact, many say...

Regarded as the capital of the Highlands, Inverness is a city on Scotland’s northeastern coast,...

Nestled on the shores of Loch Broom between rugged mountains, the small fishing village of...

What to bring

Come prepared for all seasons and activities with ..

From single malt whisky to traditional delicacies,..

What kind of temperatures can you expect in Scotla..

Where to buy essentials and what to bring home as ..

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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.

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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.

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

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Read About Scotland

Isle of skye: 9 top things to see & do, the best & most beautiful beaches in scotland, 5 best road trips in scotland : a local expert's view, scotland's nc500 - your guide to the north coast 500 route.

Whether you have a single question or a special request, we're here for you.

Drive the North Coast 500 - The ultimate Scotland road trip

Day 1: inverness and around.

Miles: 74.5

Arrive in Inverness

As the unofficial capital of the Scottish Highlands, it makes sense that the North Coast 500 (NC500) road trip starts in Inverness.

Known as much for its pretty facade as it is for its close proximity to Scotland's most rugged landscapes, Inverness has gone from the site of many a historic battle to an industrial port-town, to a thriving hub for tourism and major student city, proving itself one of Scotland's most dynamic urban centres in the process.

Only actually made a city in 2000 to mark the dawn of the new millennium, it is now one of the fastest growing in Europe and, according to the UK's Office of National Statistics, one of the the happiest.

Catch the earliest flight possible - the more time you have here, the better.

Car hire for the North Coast 500

It's best to pre-book your car hire in advance and collect your vehicle at the airport, as you're going to need it from the very first day.

Inverness Airport currently has booths for Avis and Europcar, and although airport collection can often work out more expensive, a taxi to the city centre (9 miles away) costs approximately £20 anyway, so you may find that the difference isn't that huge.

Once you've collected your ride for the week, let's get going; head into town, check into your hotel, put down your bags and then get straight back in the car - there's exploring to be done.

Fort George and The Highlanders' Museum

First built as a response to the Jacobite Rising of 1745, the star-shaped Fort George has all the ingredients for an impregnable fortress: positioned on a patch of headland that juts out into the choppy waters of the Moray Firth, it is protected by steep sea walls on one side, lined with cannons, has underground bunkers for the safety of its troops and possesses a 1km rampart, enclosing an area the size of five football pitches.

Just a 25-minute drive northeast of Inverness, a trip to this mighty stronghold provides a fascinating insight into Scottish military life, past and present.

Although Fort George has never actually been attacked (you wouldn't win, let's be honest), don't be surprised if you see a soldier or two walking about the place - it's still used as a barracks today.

Nonetheless, much of the site is open to the public and visitors can learn about the history of the fort, step inside the garrison chapel and pay their respects at the dog cemetery, the final resting kennel of the regimental mascots.

The Highlanders' Museum, which is located on-site, contains an extensive collection of items relating to the regiment such as uniforms, weapons, medals including Victoria Crosses, items from World War I and over 10,000 documents and photographs.

Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle

Less than 25 minutes south of the city centre, and an hour or so away from Fort George, sits Loch Ness, the largest loch in the whole of the UK and reputed home of the legendary Loch Ness Monster - or Nessie, as the locals like to call her.

Rumours of a mythical beast living here stretch as far back as 600AD, but the creature was only really brought to public attention in 1933 with the publication of "photos" of Nessie, which were later proven to be a hoax; nonetheless, since then crowds have flocked here hoping catch a glimpse of her humps.

Will you be one of the lucky ones?

Along the banks of the loch sit the ruins of the much fought over Castle Urquhart, once one of Scotland's largest and grandest castles.

Spend a minute or two pretending to be a Scottish laird, wandering over the bridges, underneath the arches, and between the battlements and prison cells.

Head back into Inverness for the afternoon

Now you've (hopefully) spotted Nessie and got a feel for Scotland's military past, it's time to head back to Inverness, park up and explore the city itself.

Built around the River Ness, it's easily walkable, with pretty waterside paths, grand old buildings including St Andrews Cathedral and Inverness Castle, and plenty of cafes to stop off at along the way.

Although the castle is not open to the general public - it's still used as a Sheriff's Court - the north tower contains a viewing platform that offers a superb view over the city.

Don't miss the Inverness Museum and Art Gallery, which will set you up with a useful understanding of the heritage and culture of the Scottish Highlands for the trip ahead.

Top tip: Many of the hotels in Inverness offer free parking for guests, but if you did need somewhere to leave the car then the Rose Street multi-story car park is affordable (£7 for 24 hours), secure and centrally located.

Where to eat in Inverness

In recent years Inverness has gained an increasingly strong reputation for its culinary scene and to say that it boasts more dining options than other towns on the North Coast 500 is quite the understatement, so all the more excuse to feast while you still can.

The Kitchen Brasserie often requires booking in advance thanks to its riverside location, fish dishes and delicious desserts, although if you're in the city on a Friday then make it the tiny River House Restaurant , where fresh oysters are just £1 a pop between 17.30-18.30.

Day 2: Drive Inverness to Thurso

While many roadtrippers choose to follow the North Coast 500 in a clockwise direction, we recommend doing the opposite, so that the hairiest lanes are at the end of the route, but more on that later.

Driven straight, the journey from Inverness up to Thurso would only take between two and three hours, but there's so much to see along the way that you should allow a whole day.

Bask in the beauty of the Black Isle

Dominated by lush, gently rolling farmland, and a haven for woodland wildlife, the Black Isle isn't necessarily what you picture when you think of the Scottish Highlands.

Just across from Inverness via the Kessock Bridge, it's not actually an island but a peninsula, and with so much to do it's worth veering off the A9 and taking a detour for; among the highlights is Chanonry Point, one of the most reliable places in the UK for dolphin spotting.

There are also numerous food and drink attractions on this strip of land, including the Black Isle Brewery and one of Scotland's oldest distilleries, Glen Ord.

Both of these establishments offer tours, but it will have to be the passenger(s) doing the taste tasting for now - at 0.5mg, Scotland has a lower driving alcohol limit than the rest of the UK, with strict penalties for offenders.

Climb the Whaligoe Steps

After exploring the Black Isle, follow the A9 north then continue on to the A99 to reach our next stop of the day, the Whaligoe Steps.

A set of 365 perilously steep stairs leading down to a craggy natural harbour that is sheltered between two steep cliffs, where fishing boats would once have landed their catches, they were carved by hand into the rock in the late 18th century.

Walk to the bottom and back up again, and (in between all of your wheezing) spare a thought for the Whaligoe fisherwoman, who would have trodden this same path carrying heavy wicker baskets full of herring unloaded from the boats.

Afterwards, reward yourself with some lunch and a cuppa in the cafe at the top.

Get the John O'Groats snap

Moving further north and passing through the town of Wick, taking a detour to visit the decrepit Castle Sinclair Girnigoe if you wish, the next stop on this Scotland road trip route is John O'Groats.

Famous for being at the northern end of the two furthest apart inhabited points of the UK, its iconic signpost attracts thousands of tourists every year, not to mention jubilant cyclists and hikers completing the trek from one to the other.

Unfortunately, the town itself is depressingly drab, so we'd suggest getting in, getting the obligatory snap and getting back on the road again.

Visit a Royal residence

The next stage of today's drive will, eventually, take you into Thurso, but first there's one more stop to make.

If you've ever watched The Crown, you'll have heard the story of how Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother purchased a ramshackle castle after the death of her husband, George VI. That castle is where we're aiming for: The Castle of Mey.

Initially built in 1572, it was purchased and restored by the Queen Mother in 1952, and functioned as a much-loved royal residence for over 40 years.

Today it still holds a place in royal life, closing to the public for a period of 10 days every July when Prince Charles and his wife Camilla come to stay.

See the Northern Lights

After you've checked into your accommodation in Thurso you'll no doubt be looking for something to do with your evening.

Unfortunately, in a town as quiet as Thurso there's not a lot going on after dark, but if you're visiting in autumn or winter then Mother Nature may well throw you a party instead.

On clear nights during these months, the north coast of Scotland is often treated to the Northern Lights, with colourful natural displays lighting up the night skies.

From Thurso, a great spot to watch is the beach at the tiny village of Castletown, about a 10-minute drive away.

Top tip: When going to see the Northern Lights, have your camera ready - they're sometimes actually clearer when seen through a screen.

Outside of these seasons, you're very unlikely to witness them, so instead treat yourself to a meal at Bydand , a restaurant that looks suspiciously like a hairdressers from the outside but actually serves traditional Scottish food with quirky twists.

Day 3: Thurso to Durness

After yesterday's many stops, today is going to seem considerably calmer as Scotland's north coast has fewer physical attractions, but a plentiful supply of beautiful, if blustery, beaches to enjoy and that starts right here in Thurso.

Nothing will shake you awake like a sea breeze, so enjoy an early morning run on the beach or, if you've got a board and a wetsuit with you, brave a very icy dip.

Over the last few years the town has become respected by surfers for its phenomenal right hand break and insane barrel, but do note that the locals are notoriously intolerant of snakers - provoke them at your peril.

When you're done, go into town to refuel with a leisurely breakfast, then start working your way eastward along the coast.

Before you leave, it may be a good idea to top up with fuel and car snacks; Thurso has a Tesco and a Lidl, but they're the last supermarkets you are going to see for a while.

Visit the Strathnaver Museum

Just under 30 miles from Thurso you will find Strathnaver Museum, which tells the story of the Highland Clearances - the forcible eviction of families from this area during the 18th and 19th centuries - from the former church in which those affected would have been told of their fates.

Shedding light on this turbulent period of Scottish history and the lives of the Mackay Clan, it's a "don't miss" as far as understanding the area is concerned.

The museum is really made, however, by the friendly and knowledgeable volunteers who bring such a human connection to the stories.

Afterwards, stretch your legs a little more with a stroll on the beach at the breathtaking Farr Bay, above which the museum is situated.

Strathnaver Museum is closed during the winter months, but visits can be made by prior arrangement so check their website for more information.

Coldbackie Beach and beyond

A little more driving should bring you along to Coldbackie Beach, a quiet, pristine stretch of sand that looks out over peacock blue waters towards the Rabbit Islands and the Orkneys.

Make this your next beach break or stop off at Weavers Cafe, just on the side of the main road, for a tasty lunch and a slice of cake.

Afterwards, take the A838 eastwards, crossing the Kyle of Tongue bridge and continuing on this road, which will take you around the hilly outskirts of Loch Eriboll.

There's not a lot surrounding this remote loch, other than the Ard Neakie lime kilns, a relic of 1840s industry and a wild terrain - but that's precisely the beauty of it.

Follow the Ceannabeinne Township Trail

Further along, the Ceannabeinne Township Trail takes visitors around the ruins of the town of Ceannabeinne, which was deeply affected by the Highland Clearances.

Starting from a gravel lay-by just off of the A838, a series of information boards chronicle how the population here fell from approximately 50 people in 1841 to precisely none the following year, and tells the story of the Riot of Durness, when the women of the village attempted to defy the order to leave.

Taking around 45 minutes to complete, it's a poignant trail with sensational views over Tràigh Allt Chàilgeag, although note that it may be challenging for those with mobility issues.

Stop off at Smoo Cave

About a mile before you get into Durness, you'll come across Smoo Cave, believed to have been used as everything from a Stone Age dwelling to a smugglers' hideout, and now known for its roaring waterfall.

Formed by the gradual merging of two separate chambers - one caused by rainwater dissolving the stone, the other by erosion from the sea - it's geographically unique within the UK. Another chamber, beyond the waterfall, is accessible by boat in good weather.

From the car park at the top, descend the set of stairs that take you down to the mouth of the cave and step inside, but bring a poncho, because the spray will hit you!

Smoo Cave is open all year and free to enter, with tours taking place from April to September.

Arrive into Durness

When you arrive into Durness, check into your accommodation, park the car and get walking.

From Durness it's a pleasant 20-minute stroll (or 5-minute drive) along to Balnakeil Beach, a little slice of paradise that - if it weren't for the wind - could been ripped straight from the pages of a travel brochure.

Soak up its moon-shaped bay, turquoise waters, spotless white sands and rolling dunes, then wander over to the dilapidated Balnakeil Church, which has a graveyard with some intriguing memorials, some dating back to the 1600s.

If you're still feeling sprightly, we recommend taking the roughly two-mile walk along the coast to Faraid Head, a rocky headland overlooking Cape Wrath.

This whole area is a haven for wildlife, so keep your eyes open for nesting seabirds (including a small colony of puffins) as well as seals playing in the waters.

Warm up at Cocoa Mountain

As far as places to warm up after your walk go, there really is only one contender: Cocoa Mountain , in Balnakeil Craft Village.

We're not joking when we say that this small chocolatier serves the best, most gooey, frothy hot chocolate, and even does scrumptious truffles, chocolate-themed pastries and cakes to go with them. If there's one guilt-free gluttony stop you make during the NC500, make it this.

Be sure to stock up on sweet treats for the rest of your journey too. If you fancy a little souvenir shopping, the village also features a number of other shops selling products made by local artists, including artworks, crafty bits and ceramics.

Dinner in Durness

Not to be harsh, but to say that dinner options are lacking in Durness is probably being kind, as there are just a handful of restaurants - at the end of the day, while this is one of the bigger villages on the north coast, it's still only home to about 400 residents.

The Smoo Cave Hotel, located next to Smoo Cave, is the better choice and has pub grub staples including fish n' chips and pie.

Day 4: Durness to Ullapool

Miles: 87.7

While the east coast of the NC500 route has many of the landmarks, and the north coast has the beaches, it's fair to say that the west coast is where the landscape is most spectacular - just in case you haven't been impressed enough by Scotland's beauty so far.

More than likely, you've exhausted Durness' to-do list by now, so leave as early as possible, going southwards on the A838 and eventually joining the A894 just after you cross the stone-arched Laxford Bridge.

Coming up not long after is the Kylesku Bridge, a vast curved crossing above Loch a' Chàirn Bhàin that has become an attraction in itself and was even featured in a 2015 IKEA advert.

The brainchild of Ove Arup, the same engineer that came up with the Sydney Opera House, it is super modern and yet has been crafted to fit into its surroundings - unusually for a concrete bridge, it's a lot of fun to drive across!

Drinks in Drumbeg, lunch in Lochinver

Next, take the B869 across to Drumbeg, where tea, cake and scones await at The Secret Tea Garden, part of the Assynt Aromas candle shop.

Tuck in, but do try to resist the temptation to eat too much as the remaining stretch of the B869, down to the village of Lochinver, is a real stomach-churner.

Dubbed the "Wee Mad Road" by locals and blessed with views that will make you want to stare out the window but switchbacks so sharp you'll need eyes on the prize, it's a hairy single track route with a number of steep inclines.

If you do need to rest your nerves along the way then stop off for a walk on Achmelvich Beach, which could give Balnakeil a run for its money.

When you do get down to Lochinver, make a beeline for Peet's restaurant , whose venison stew will make the drive more than worthwhile.

Macleods and mermaids

We're now heading towards Stac Pollaidh mountain, but first stopping at Ardvreck Castle, a ruinous former residence of the mighty Macleod family, which is perched on a patch of land that sticks out into the mountain-framed Loch Assynt.

Legend has it that the loch is haunted by the Mermaid of Assynt, the lost daughter of one of the castle's former inhabitants, who for many years was blamed by locals for anything that changed in the area.

You could take a more direct route down to Stac Pollaidh by following the road that passes through Inverkirkaig and grazes the northern shore of Loch Bad a' Ghaill, but for the extra 20 minutes or so the beauty of Loch Assynt merits a detour.

Complete the Stac Pollaidh circuit

Flat-topped and standing proud amid a backdrop of small lochs and wide empty space, Stac Pollaidh is a 612-metre-tall mountain that seems purpose-made for a spot of impromptu climbing; a ramble to the top and back down again takes a manageable three hours or so, isn't too strenuous and follows a well-trodden path, although it's a short and slightly more challenging scramble to top of the ridge itself.

Offering glorious panoramic views of the surrounding landscape and of one of Scotland's most distinctive mountains, Suilven, it's a rewarding but realistic hiking option and it would be a real shame to miss it.

The journey to the Stac Pollaidh car park should take about 30 minutes from Ardvreck Castle - when you get there, park up and go through the gate across the road, which will take you upwards into open moorland and onto the main path.

Dinner in Ullapool

Another 15 minutes or so on the road will take you into the pretty waterside village of Ullapool for a much needed shower and sleep.

Before you do call it a day, seek out the Arch Inn restaurant for a thoroughly Scottish dinner of cullen skink, a chunky soup made from haddock, potato and onion.

Alternatively, opt for some old school soul food by heading over to Deli-Ca-Sea, a chippie where everything is made fresh to order, then sit on the sea wall and scoff it all down. Their pickled eggs are pretty special too!

Day 5: Ullapool to Applecross

Miles: 118.4

You've probably heard the old adage that dictates that life is about the journey, not the destination? Well, today is the embodiment of that.

Traversing through glens, past lochs, along the coast and eventually ending up in the remote town of Applecross, today's drive showcases the best of untamed Scotland - expect to see stalking deer and get held up by Highland cattle along the way.

Top tip: Do stock up again on those road trip essentials and fill up with fuel while you're in Ullapool, because the next part of the journey is even less well-served.

Go sea kayaking in Ullapool

Before you leave Ullapool, however, there's just one more thing to do and that is to get out on the water.

A totally different way to see the Scottish coastline or inland lochs, kayaking offers endless opportunities for wildlife spotting, with jellyfish, seals and seabirds all regularly spotted here.

During the summer months, Norwest Sea Kayaking offer full and half-day trips for everyone from total beginners to seasoned pros, and provide homemade cakes and hot drinks for when you get out the water!

Get back on the road

Start off by following the A835 south from Ullapool, taking a right turn onto A832 after roughly 12 miles, at the sign towards Dundonnell and Gairloch.

Here, you could choose to make a quick stop at Corrieshalloch Gorge, a nature reserve with a Victorian suspension bridge and plunging waterfalls, before continuing on around the coast.

When you get to Gairloch stop for lunch, as it offers the biggest selection you're going to find for miles, including pub grub at The Shieling Restaurant or steak sandwiches, falafel flatbreads and warming soup at Coast Coffee Company.

The section of the A832 from Gairloch to Kinlochewe is a scenic and for the most part relatively easy drive, running in part along the shore of Loch Maree and offering glimpses of the Slioch mountain through the trees.

Although it's not technically necessary, when you get to Kinlochewe do continue on this road for a few more minutes to visit the Glen Docherty viewpoint - the vista of the twisting road below is worthy of a 90s album cover.

Continue on to Torridon via the A896, enjoying the sights of the Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve, before passing through Glen Torridon then winding through woodland near Annat.

Onward you go towards Shieldaig, shortly after which the road splits - take the unnamed single-track route to the right, which more or less hugs the water and gives life to the small coastal communities along the way.

Along the way, make a pitstop at the Applecross Smokehouse , where they produce smoked fish, cheeses, oatcakes and sauces, made using whisky-soaked oak shavings.

Arrive in Applecross

Rather than stopping in Applecross straight away, continue past it for 1.5 miles down to the Applecross Photographic Gallery, which is run by local photographer Jack Marris and exhibits photographs of magical mountain-top sunrises.

When you're back in the village, find its real heart inside the cosy Applecross Inn , having dinner and a pint with the locals before retiring for the night.

Sleep well - you're going to need to bring your A-game tomorrow.

Day 6: Applecross to Inverness

Miles: 80.4

Driving the Bealach na Ba

You've had almost a week of practice and now it's time for the ultimate Scottish road trip experience: the notorious Bealach na Ba.

If you thought the "Wee Mad Road" was a challenge, then this stretch between Applecross and Loch Kishorn is something else - a narrow single track loaded with steep climbs and hairpin bends that seem to stack on top of one another.

If you're of a nervous disposition, a new driver, have any hangups about your reversing skills or the weather is bad, then this route probably isn't the best choice; instead take the A896 north and along to Shieldaig, before cutting back down.

During winter, the Bealach na Ba is often closed for extended periods due to snowfall, so check online before you travel.

Although the driver will almost certainly be too busy concentrating to really take it all in, the landscape around Bealach na Ba is nothing short of spectacular, with jagged cliffs and calm lochs, and the weaving road below, as well as the chance to spot more Highland cows and wild deer.

At its highest point, 2053 feet above sea level, there is a viewpoint that comes complete with a plaque pointing out the local landmarks visible in the distance.

Walk to Rogie Falls

Along the side of the A835, which you will join at Garve, is the fearsome Rogie Falls, famous for leaping salmon and surrounded by lush forest with a number of waymarked trails.

Follow the Salmon Trail (20 mins) to a suspension bridge over the river which allows you to stare into the mouth of the beast, or take the Riverside Trail, a longer and more strenuous circuit (50 mins) starting from the viewing platform beside the falls and travelling along the banks before cutting through pinewoods, where you're likely to see deer and red squirrels.

Wellies are optional, but recommended!

Spend the afternoon in Inverness

After almost a week of hamlets and tiny villages, Inverness is going to seem like a giant playground, so go full-on hedonist with an afternoon of last minute gift shopping and making the most of Inverness' sterling food scene (if you haven't tried cranachan yet, do).

Return the car to Inverness Airport and catch a late afternoon flight home.

If you're continuing on the road, feel free to carry straight on to your next destination - the popular town of Aviemore is just 45 minutes south, Dundee is approximately 90 minutes away, and the "granite city" of Aberdeen, is less than three hours away.

We hope you've enjoyed your wee trip around Scotland!

When to do the North Coast 500

Generally, the best time to take a road trip in Scotland is between April and early October. Once the snow starts, those single track roads feel increasingly precarious and many routes, including the Bealach na Ba, are frequently closed.

Many of the NC500s attractions are also seasonal and do not open at all in the winter months. That said, with the increasing popularity of the NC500, it's also best to avoid the height of summer if you are able to, because reversing isn't so fun after the 100th time.

Scotland road trip glossary

• Loch: a lake or sea inlet
• Glen: a narrow valley
• Kyle: a narrow sea channel
• Munro: any mountain in Scotland that is over 3000 feet high

If you enjoyed this, you may like… Ireland road trip - A scenic 10 day round trip from Dublin

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TOURING THE NORTH COAST 500

Our website is designed to give you a flavour of the tours we offer., it is our expertise that will tailor your bespoke experience., helping you to create your tour, scroll through the following example tours to gain an insight into what is possible. we want to help you make the most of your tour, so all our tours can be designed to your needs and preferences., although single day tours focus on the far north-east of the scottish highlands, we can start a multi-day tour from further afield around the north coast 500 or within its heartland and welcome your call to discuss what would suit your needs best., to book a tour or make an enquiry, do take a look at our 'availability' page and then get in touch via email, phone or by using the form on our 'contact us' page., north coast 500 grand explorer.

An in-depth journey of discovery across this land of contrasts.

Covering both the iconic North Coast 500 coastal route as well as some of the vast and contrasting scenery of the interior, this comprehensive route of the North Highlands will provide a detailed and enjoyable insight into the landscape, people and culture of the area.

Enjoy the dramatic mountains and lochs of the west coast, the expansive sandy beaches of the north and the picturesque fishing harbours and medieval castles of the east – not to mention the distilleries, crafts people, an abundance of history and, if you are lucky, some stunning sunsets.

Tailored to your needs and preferences, this tour is intended to give you exactly what you want from a holiday and we will work with you to create your ideal itinerary.

Create a true souvenir of the Highlands to treasure long after you’ve headed home.

The North Coast 500 Explorer

Discover the real lives and experiences of this iconic route.

The North Coast 500 is a staggeringly beautiful route and this tour will show you the very best of the classic North Coast 500 - from the iconic attractions to an abundance of other sights, experiences and even surprises. With deserted beaches, mighty mountains, picturesque lochs and iconic wildlife as well as medieval castles, prehistoric burial chambers, local crafts and distilleries, you'll experience more than the average tourist along the way. 

With your experienced guide by your side, you'll discover the stories behind the landscape and you won’t have to concern yourself with navigating the miles of single track roads that you’ll encounter over long sections of the route.

Sit back, relax and allow us to lead you on a memorable exploration of the North Coast 500.

The Heart of the North Highlands Explorer (4 Days)

Experience the rich landscape, culture and heritage of the North Highlands.

If you would like to get a sense of the North Highlands but you are a little short on time, then this tour is a great one to choose.

The route gives a balance between the huge landscapes of the heartlands, the drama of the coastline, the rich history behind the scenery plus some local artisans along the way.

Touching all 3 coastlines of the North Highlands, you will acquire an understanding of life across the whole area, both now and in yesteryear - and we are sure you’ll be left wanting more.

Needing a brief time out from day- to-day life? Then this tour could be for you.

The West Highland Explorer

Learn what lies beneath the surface of the beautiful west coast.

Many people say that the west coast is the highlight of their North Highland adventures. To be sure, whether it is the impressive and notable geology of the region, the magnificent vistas around each corner, the abundance of white sandy beaches interspersed along the coastline or the retail and craft opportunities along the way which inspire you – the west coast will not disappoint. 

This tour takes in some of the most challenging roads in the North Highlands but also allows the possibility of a hill walk or even a boat excursion out to the Summer Isles (in-season and weather-permitting), depending on what you enjoy.

This uniquely curated insight into the North Highlands west coast will leave you with an unforgettable experience.

The North Highland History Explorer (4 Days)

Uncover 5000 years of 'Human Highland History'.

The Highlands landscape harbours an unrivalled collection of sites of national historical importance.

On this tour we will accompany you on a time traveller’s journey starting around 3500BC and taking you right into the modern era. We will visit ancient burial tombs, mysterious stone circles, Viking battle sites, ruined medieval castles and the deserted villages of the Highland Clearances.

The last 200 years have also contributed greatly to the development of the region - so we will go exploring for abandoned World War Two camps and investigate the boom and bust of the fishing industry too.

If you love history, you'll love this tour!

The Highland Clearances Explorer (3 Days)

Bring this infamous period of Scottish history to life.

Whilst the Clearances occurred right across the Highlands, the Clearances on the Sutherland Estate have gained a bleak notoriety unmatched in Scotland.

This 3 day tour follows the unfolding story of the Sutherland Clearances through the wild and rugged landscape. The key personalities will be introduced to you from the very places they lived and worked and using the landscape like a vast theatrical stage, you will be immersed in the unfolding drama.

This is not just a guided tour of the history of the Sutherland Clearances, however – this is an involving first-hand experience that will physically and emotionally engage you in history.

Relive this historical period in a very real way and enjoy some stunning landscapes along the way. 

The Caithness Explorer

Discover Caithness - a wee gem at the end of the lands.

The historic county of Caithness has so much to offer, yet if you only drive through on the main road without stopping – as many do – you are likely to miss out on the many sights and experiences which it holds.

Travel just off the beaten track and you can discover a land shaped by history dating back over 400 million years, a wild and scenic coastline marked by unspoilt sandy beaches and dramatic cliffs and a myriad of sea birds and other wildlife.

Ideal for cruise liner visitors to Scrabster port and those with limited time but who want maximum inspiration.

The Highland Explorer

Unearth the perfect location for peace, tranquillity, and an escape from modern-day life.

This excellent ‘showcase’ tour of the North East Highlands comprises vast empty vistas, picturesque glens - and a wealth of wildlife and human history too, if you know where to find it. 

Be mesmerised by the heart of the North Highlands where the horizon is always a long way off in the distance, ringed by mountains, threaded by rivers and enveloped by the domed sky. Discover the desolate Glen Loth, stopping to admire the vista from more than one thousand feet above the valley floor! And complete your trip by seeing the beautiful sandy beaches of the north coast.

This is a day trip into nature, scenery and the great outdoors – from the comfort of our luxury vehicle.

If you are looking for a moment of calm, this special day will no doubt find it for you. So take that time, invest just one day – and let us do the work while you escape to a place of dreams.

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Scottish Highlands driving holiday - recommendations please

ElizabethinherGermanGarden · 24/03/2019 18:50

The boyfriend has watched The Grand Tour and fallen in love with the route driven in the programme referred to as the PENIS 287 🧐 Having got over being mildly annoyed at the stupid acronym, I'm actually quite excited about it. The scenery is like nothing I've ever seen. We'll be stopping in the Lake District on the way up, possibly going through the Cairngorms to Inverness and then driving around the coast clockwise, going to Lochcarron, Ullapool, Durness, Thurso and then back down through the Highlands to Inverness again. Can anyone recommend any lovely hotels, pubs, views, villages, things not to miss? I'm happy to demand detours to make sure we see/stay in beautiful places. More to the point, can anyone recommend a really good midge repellent?

Hello! I'm looking at this from the opposite p.o.v - my partner's done a Highland Road trip before and found the times and distances to be immense, so we're considering taking the Caledonian Sleeper to Scotland and then hiring a car maybe at Fort William or trying to get to the Western Isles. Interested in any tips too - especially dog friendly as we have our lovley old girl with us.

I haven’t heard of this route but the North Coast 500 is incredibly popular. Smidge midge repellent is very good! Have a wonderful trip.

We’re spending a week on a loch near Loch Lomand, but I’ve just got the terms and conditions through for taking pets and it’s ridiculous so the excitement has been taken away. Will be watching this thread with interest of places for us to go too! 😊

Oh and Avon skin so soft - best midge repellent in the world. DH works outdoors and uses it and I always have with success when out with him!

You shouldn’t miss driving through glenvoe - it’s very atmospheric. Applecross is lovely and you get great food at the applecross inn but the drive over the bealach na ba is pretty scary. @chrispratt - Loch Lomond much further south but driving to Inveraray is very nice and the George Pub does good food

Just an aside, if it's Easter weekend then the Scottish surfing championships are on at Thurso which can be fun to watch a bit of.

Shamelessly following as doing this in June

Haven't done the route (but may it looks amazing) but can recommend the Hilton at aviemore especially if you like some outdoor activities, and I've stayed in a b&b in fort William

skin so soft is quite good as a midge repellent but nothing will defeat the bitey wee bastards. Stay away from still water on calm evenings....

If you'd consider going up the west coast rather than via Inverness, then you could see Glencoe, Eilean Donan Castle, Plockton, and take a wee detour to Skye. I'd recommend seeing Corrieshalloch Gorge (Fort William), Inverewe Gardens (if you like spectacular gardens) and Smoo Cave (Durness). You may find the midges are not too bad on the coast (and they hide when it's windy, which is often). Just stay away from wooded areas and still water.

We went a couple of years ago and I’d recommend going to Fort George.

Thank you all so much! Really helpful ideas. Applecross and Glencoe look beautiful and the midge repellent recommendations are great. I remember reading now you mention it that the Marines use the Avon moisturiser.

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The Grand Tour Season 3 – Well Aged Scotch – Episode Guide, Recap, Fun Facts

This episode starts with a conversation about money in the tent. Clarkson explains that by putting money in a savings account, you’re doing yourself a misfortune. You should rather invest in a classic car.

There are however, some classic cars that haven’t yet started to appreciate. So they go on an adventure to try and find the next best investment.

To Scotland…

They begin in a fishing port near Inverness, where Clarkson arrives in an Alfa Romeo GTV6. He bought it from an old man for £10,000, but before he talks too much about it, James May turns up in a Lancia Gamma Coupe. Clarkson says it’s one of the prettiest cars in the world, but doesn’t want to tell that to James who had bought it for £13,500.

James and Jeremy argue for a while before Hammond turns up in a Fiat X19 that he bought for £2,250. It’s starting to rust and has been painted a multitude of colours in its lifetime.

The trio decides to do the North Coast 500 road trip. It’s 500 miles around the North Coast of Scotland, but before they set off, Andy Wilman texts Jeremy. He tells him, if their cars don’t survive, they’ll be riding a bicycle home.

They set off, and straight away become disappointed with the scenery. Then one of James’ windscreen wipers falls off… This isn’t the only problem the car has, though. The car overheats, is prone to engine explosions, and, well, the main problem is the engine explodey bit.

Behind the scenes look at Scotland’s weather. #TheGrandTour (New episode tomorrow, etc etc) pic.twitter.com/HcOdaRRcE2 — The Grand Tour (@thegrandtour) February 21, 2019

On the way, Clarkson is having trouble changing gear in the GTV6, but he explains that he still loves it, despite its human-like flaws.

Hammond loves his Fiat, but isn’t a fan of the close proximity of the pedals.

Hammond decides they should have a drifting competition on a go-kart track. But unfortunately, none of them have the power to kick the tail out. And well… James’ car is front-wheel drive. He decides to cover his tyres in something very slippery to induce tail-happy handling. It eventually works, after quite a few attempts.

Hammond and Clarkson do the same to their tyres, but they try wrapping their tyres in some plastic they found – it doesn’t work. He crashes.

They do the same with Clarkson’s car, but there’s a bang. His prop-shaft is broken. Unfortunately this means Clarkson is on his bike back to the pub, just as it starts to get very cold and wet.

The Next Morning

With Clarkson getting safely back to where they were staying, overnight he removes Hammond’s roof, only for Hammond to accidentally reverse over it in the morning. And to top it all off, Clarkson got his car back, too.

Conversation Street

They begin by talking about James’ weird habit of putting insulating tape on the rear wheels of Scalextric cars to reduce their grip. But they quickly turn to how Clarkson fixed his Alfa Romeo – he didn’t, someone else did.

Onto the real news, firstly with Land Rover. They’ve developed a system to counter motion sickness automatically. They discuss sea sickness and their own horror stories. After that, they discuss a hover bike in Dubai. Hammond loves it, but Clarkson and May think it’s awful, complaining that it’s useless and dangerous.

Clarkson then goes on a rant about electric cars. For a long time…

The BMW M5 Review

Clarkson drives the M5 with an aim to find out if it’s actually what drivers want. It’s the fastest ever yet, so he has a drag race with a Mercedes AMG GT. The BMW wins by a long way, but Clarkson is put off by the four-wheel drive system and its turbo technology. But when driving it, he doesn’t feel like these are changing the driving experience. And when you turn off the AWD system, he loves it.

But there’s a competitor: the Alpina B5. It’s made to be comfortable and luxurious with a relaxed suspension and steering setup. It still does have a very 600hp V8 however. And that’s more than the M5. And because it doesn’t have a limiter, it will do 205mph. The M5 will pull away on a track, but the B5 will be the car that you’d want to take home.

Abbie Eaton takes the M5 around the Eboladrome and gets a time of 1:20.4, 4 seconds faster than the old M5. The Alpina gets a time of 1:21.6.

Back To Scotland

Back in Scotland, the trio start to travel through gorgeous scenic locations, but because Hammond is getting cold without a rood, they stop for a cup of tea. Hammond argues that they need to take another road because of its amazing views. They decide to do it, and are astounded by the incredible scenery.

In the next episode, #TheGrandTour heads to Scotland in 'Well Aged Scotch'. Watch on Friday only on Prime Video. pic.twitter.com/WBrE7zK5T2 — The Grand Tour (@thegrandtour) February 20, 2019

Clarkson tells the camera that it’s his birthday, but Hammond and May haven’t remembered. But while Clarkson pops into a local town to try and balance his prop-shaft, Hammond and May start to plan Clarkson’s birthday surprise.

They go ahead to set up his surprise party. Hammond cooks spaghetti bolognese, but goes on to deep dry it. During this time, May was organising the guests. Clarkson pulls up, can’t believe they’ve remembered, but is interrupted by James playing the bagpipes.

He quickly shouts that it’s the worst party he’s ever had.

The Next Day

Complaining that he’s not hung over and that the prop-shaft vibration was back, Clarkson continues through gorgeous Scotland, followed closely by Hammond and May.

Each presenter sums up their cars, explaining how they love each of them. Clarkson loves his Alfa so much that he takes it home to keep.

After an incredible drive, they arrive back at Inverness.

The Final Thought

Back at the tent, they explain that the drive around Scotland was possibly the best drive they’ve ever had. Since the film, James lost money on his car, as did Clarkson, and Hammond’s car blew up.

[button color=”white” size=”big” alignment=”center” rel=”follow” openin=”samewindow” url=”https://grandtournation.com/thegrandtour/season3/”]See Full Season 3 Guide[/button]

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