If you want to visit the Scottish Highlands, you may have heard of the North Coast 500 as a route that takes in some of the most spectacular scenery in Scotland. Read on for the essential information you will need to plan the ultimate road trip in Scotland!
Here are just five reasons to travel the North Coast 500:
- You will experience a range of varied scenery; from pine forests to lochs, huge sweeping beaches, dramatic mountains and clifftops, bustling towns and villages, the Highland’s capital Inverness and much more!
- The self-drive route is suitable for all, whether you are a solo adventurer, or travelling as a couple, family or a large group.
- You will find immense tranquility, beauty and space in the Scottish Highlands, along with exhilarating sporting experiences, stories and heritage going back to Neolithic times, world-class food and drink, a round of golf, traditional music and culture, friendly locals and wildlife on your doorstep – to name just a few!
- You can absolutely venture off-route! There are many opportunities to find hidden gems – venture inland for the scenery of a UNESCO World Heritage Site of The Flow Country, or the beauty of the ‘Straths’, rivers that flow from the interior of Sutherland out to the mouth of the sea, or take a drive off-route to find quiet village harbours in Easter Ross and Caithness.
- It’s also a great area for looking for the Aurora Borealis in the autumn and winter months. The Scottish Highlands enjoys little light pollution making it an ideal environment to engage in some stargazing and enjoying our dark, clear skies. Celtic Lodges is an ideal base to look for the Northern Lights!
How Long is the North Coast 500?
The title of North Coast 500 is somewhat misleading, as the route is actually more than 500 miles, taking you 516 miles around the northern Scottish Highlands on coastal roads through the areas of Inverness-shire, The Black Isle, Easter Ross, Sutherland, Caithness and Wester Ross. While the roads have always been in existence, it was the idea of a regional tourism organisation to launch the route as a tourism incentive in 2015, and it has been coined as Scotland’s Route 66.
The official start and end points of the North Coast 500 are in the Highlands’ only city – Inverness, and later in 2025, Inverness Castle will reopen after a renovation in a visitor attraction in its own right.
Which Direction Should you Travel in?
You are free to choose whether you want to travel the North Coast 500 in an anticlockwise or clockwise direction. Many people choose to drive north from Inverness up to John O’Groats and around to the west coast, thinking that they are saving the best scenery for later. This approach also allows visitors to experience driving on smaller roads, before they become single track roads on the north coast. Visitors also travel the North Coast 500 on cycles, motorbikes, or even walk the route!
If you are driving a vehicle, we recommend spending around 7-10 days on the North Coast 500, which provides the opportunity to spend one or two nights in different areas around the route, depending on your interests and what you want to see and do. Make the most of your trip and don’t rush if you can help it!
When to Drive the North Coast 500
It is possible to travel North Coast 500 all-year round, but here are few pointers to bear in mind:
- It’s said that in Scotland you can experience all four seasons in one day, and that is definitely true! Come prepared with appropriate wet weather clothing and footwear.
- The winter months can be beautiful, but you will need to be prepared to change your plans in case of road closures due to snow, ice or storms.
- It’s really important to book accommodation before you travel; in the winter not all accommodation options are open, especially on the west coast. However, Celtic Lodges are open all year round. In the summer, book your accommodation in advance to avoid disappointment.
- Scotland is infamous for midges; tiny biting insects which are most active during May-September in hot, humid, windless conditions, and whilst dealing with them is not a pleasant experience, they are an essential part of Scotland’s ecosystem. They are most prevalent on the west coast. Bring deterrents like mosquito nets or insect repellent to protect you.
The most populated areas on the North Coast 500 are the towns of Alness, Tain, Dornoch, Golspie, Helmsdale, Brora, Wick, Thurso, Ullapool, and Dingwall. Smaller settlements include John O’Groats, Tongue, Durness, and Lochinver.
Some of our top tips of things to be aware of when planning your North Coast 500 trip are:
- Brush up on your knowledge of the Highway Code including the use of passing places on single track roads
- Plan your fuel stops as they are few and far between, especially between Ullapool and Thurso.
- Support local around the route. Most places take card payments but it’s worth having some cash with you, especially for the many honesty boxes selling eggs, cakes, veg and preserves!
- Consider spending more than one night to properly explore an area. Here at Celtic Lodges we are closely located to John O’Groats, the Duncansby Stacks, Castle of Mey, Dunnet Head, award winning Distillery and Brewery Tours, and ferry routes if you want a detour to Orkney.
North Coast 500 Resources
- Road Safety Scotland for driving advice.
- Venture North for information about Caithness and Sutherland.
- Visit Inverness Loch Ness for information about Inverness and the surrounding area.
- Easter Ross Peninsula for local information.
- Visit Wester Ross for local information.
