North Coast 500
One epic road trip with hefty mountains, dazzling beaches and tranquil lochs.
Why we love the North Coast 500
Looping around the uppermost tip of mainland Scotland, the North Coast 500 – AKA the NC500 – is where waterfalls roar and wildlife roams free. To drive this 516-mile (830km) route is to discover Scotland at its most ruggedly beautiful, a landscape that will ignite your inner adventurer.
The circular trail starts and ends in Inverness, from where you can head clockwise to the mighty peaks and dolphin-dotted waters of Wester Ross, or anticlockwise up the east coast, through Black Isle and Easter Ross. Whichever direction you choose, the north coast – Caithness and Sutherland – promises crumbling castles, tiny harbour villages, and mountains that teeter over the waves. Look out for silver screen landscapes, too. Black Rock Gorge can be seen in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005), while the 2007 film Stardust shot scenes on the cliffs overlooking Bealach Na Ba, as well as Lochs Maree and Coulin near Kinlochewe.
You’ll need at least five days to drive the NC500, but a week (or more) to really do it justice. From sea kayaking and puffin cruises, to whisky tasting and the Northern Lights, here’s what’s in store…
Head for the hills
The Highlands certainly lives up to its name: with its cloud-piercing peaks and plunging valleys, this region is heaven for hikers. The NC500 encompasses 37 ‘munros’ (summits over 914.4m/3,000ft), as well as countless gentler hills, walks and trails. For invigorating climbs, look to the likes of An Teallach, Quinag and Ben Hope – they’re best attempted with a local guide.
Take the high road
If the scenery of the Bealach na Bà road doesn’t take your breath away, its hairpin bends and white-knuckle gradients will. The NC500’s most famous stretch is one of the highest passes in Scotland, zig-zagging through the peaks of the Applecross Peninsula. It’s a real thrill, even for the most seasoned road trippers – and is just one of the route’s many incredible drives.
Make a big splash
Whether for wild swimming, windsurfing, coasteering or sailing, Scotland’s untamed coastline is ripe for exploring. Maybe you’ll take the plunge on the West Coast Snorkel Trail, try surfing on Thurso Beach, kayak on crystal-clear waters near Ullapool, or power through the waves on the Caithness Explorer speedboat from Wick? The choice is yours.
Kick back on the beach
Soft sand, turquoise waters, and barely another soul in sight… if that sounds like your perfect beach, you’ve come to the right place. The NC500 leads to some incredible shores: the white cove of Achmelvich Bay, the wildflower-topped dunes of Melvich, the wide sands of Dornoch – to name but a few. For thrill seekers, Ceannabeinne beach even has its own zipline.
Meet the locals
Scotland’s wildlife is a constant companion, whether you’re sailing alongside porpoises, sharing a cove with grey seals, or spotting eagles, puffins and ospreys while you walk. At every time of year, there’s always a natural spectacle: from newborn Highland cows in spring, and summertime’s dolphin sightings, to the raucous ‘rut’ battles of the red deer in autumn.
Toast your adventure
Just like the NC500 itself, Highland whisky deserves to be savoured. Look out for big-name distilleries such as Glenmorangie (in Tain) and Balblair (on Dornoch Firth), while Clynelish is one of Johnnie Walker’s ‘Four Corners’ producers. Not a whisky fan? Many outlets make other spirits too, such as Dunnet Bay Distillery’s official North Coast 500 Gin.
Things to do along the North Coast 500
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Ardvreck Castle, Lairg
Smoo Cave, Sutherland
John O’Groats, Caithness
Torridon, Ross and Cromarty
Falls of Shin, Lairg
Cruise Loch Ness
James Bond Tour
Loch Ness
Clava Cairns
Ullapool Book Festival
Shieldaig
Eastgate Shopping Centre
Canoeing on Loch Torridon
Surfing in Thurso East
North Coast Watersports
Aurorabearealis
The Wick Heritage Centre
MARA
Whisky Bar, Dornoch Castle Hotel
Glenmorangie Distillery
Whaligoe Steps
Rogie Falls
Black Isle Dolphin Spotting
Attadale Gardens
Applecross Smokehouse
George Cockburn & Son
Sandwood Bay Walk
Gairloch Museum
Tain Pottery
Aspen Spa
Fort George
The Loch Ness Centre
Loch Ness by Jacobite
Ardvreck Castle, Lairg
Smoo Cave, Sutherland
John O’Groats, Caithness
Torridon, Ross and Cromarty
Falls of Shin, Lairg
Cruise Loch Ness
James Bond Tour
Loch Ness
Clava Cairns
Ullapool Book Festival
Shieldaig
Eastgate Shopping Centre
Canoeing on Loch Torridon
Surfing in Thurso East
North Coast Watersports
Aurorabearealis
The Wick Heritage Centre
MARA
Whisky Bar, Dornoch Castle Hotel
Glenmorangie Distillery
Whaligoe Steps
Rogie Falls
Black Isle Dolphin Spotting
Attadale Gardens
Applecross Smokehouse
George Cockburn & Son
Sandwood Bay Walk
Gairloch Museum
Tain Pottery
Aspen Spa
Fort George
The Loch Ness Centre
Loch Ness by Jacobite
Featured things to do
Rock stars
Puffins galore! The sea cliffs of Dunnet Head – mainland Britain’s northernmost point – are full of these bright-beaked birds in spring, as they flock to build their nests.
Learn more about Dunnet Head
Highland fling
From hammer throwing and caber tossing to the gruelling Tug O' War, the Highland Games are a real only-in-Scotland spectacle – and they’re held throughout summer.
Learn more about the Highland Games
Fresh perspective
Hike the South Loch Ness Trail to the Suidhe Viewpoint for a different take on Loch Ness. A 20-minute walk from the roadside, get your cameras at the ready for sweeping views on a clear day.
Find out more about the South Loch Ness trail
Snow business
When winter descends, the North Coast sparkles – with snow-capped peaks, frozen waterfall walks, warming whiskies and the chance to spot the Northern Lights.
Learn more about winter on the NC500Places to stay in North Coast 500
Inverness
As the start (and finish) of the NC500, Inverness is a key place to rest your head – and the city has plenty of hotels, bed and breakfasts and guesthouses to choose from.
On tour
Want to snooze under the stars? Tour the NC500 in a caravan or motorhome, and spend your nights in the region’s beautiful campsites and farmstays.
Sutherland
The NC500 is not to be rushed, so why not stay in one place for a while? With its huge peaks and humbling sea views, Sutherland is a joy to linger in.
Explore nearby
Getting to the North Coast 500
The North Coast 500 is a circular route, so technically you could join it wherever you choose – but Inverness has the best transport connections, so is widely considered to be the start/finish.
Inverness Airport (for domestic and international flights) is a 10-minute drive from the city, and there are good road, rail and coach links with the likes of Edinburgh, York and Newcastle. Caledonian Sleeper offers overnight trains between London and Inverness.
Getting around
For all its wilderness, the NC500 is surprisingly easy to access – whether you choose to drive the whole route, or visit the highlights by public transport.
However you choose to explore, the North Coast 500 app – available on the App Store and Google Play – is full of useful tips and guides. For discounts on attractions and hotels, become a member of the North Coast 500, from £15 per year.
By car
Whether it’s a car, caravan or motorbike, hiring your own vehicle will give you the greatest freedom. Going electric? Chargeplacescotland.org lists the closest charging points.
By bike
One of Britain’s top road-cycling challenges, the NC500 isn’t for the faint hearted: expect long ascents and sharp corners, but an abundance of breathtaking scenery too.
By train
Though public transport is scarce, there are trains between Inverness and the likes of Thurso, Wick, Tain and Invergordon – which are useful for shorter adventures.
Want to know more?
Visit the NC500’s official website for all the latest travel advice and insider tips.