The Scottish Highlands (North Coast 500)
A high-octane circuit of the northernmost tip of the UK, blending world-class driving roads with rugged Highland sports and dramatic coastal scenery.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1 · The Gateway to the North
Morning — Arrive in Inverness, the gateway to the Highlands. Start with a brisk walk up to Inverness Castle for panoramic views of the city and the start of the NC500 route.
Afternoon — Pick up your performance rental car and head north to the Black Isle. Visit the Black Isle Brewing Co for a tour and then stretch your legs with a hike to the Fairy Glen Falls in Rosemarkie.
Evening — Enjoy a seafood dinner at the Mustard Seed in Inverness and walk along the River Ness to see the cathedral lit up at night.
💡 Download offline maps; signal is spotty once you head north of Inverness.
Day 2 · Castles and Coastal Climbs
Morning — Drive north to Dunrobin Castle. Explore the falconry displays on the lawn—a historic Highland sport—and the French-style gardens.
Afternoon — Continue north to Golspie. Hike the steep trail up Ben Bhraggie to see the Duke of Sutherland statue and incredible coastal views. For the sports-minded, this is a top-tier spot for mountain biking.
Evening — Stay in the small village of Brora. Enjoy a hearty pub meal and some local single malt at a traditional inn.
💡 Book Dunrobin Castle tickets in advance to catch the 11:30 AM falconry show.
Day 3 · The Edge of the Continent
Morning — Drive the rugged coastline to John o' Groats. Take the obligatory photo at the signpost before hiking the path to the Stacks of Duncansby—dramatic sea stacks jutting out of the ocean.
Afternoon — Head to Thurso, the surfing capital of Scotland. Even if you don't surf, the world-class reef breaks at Thurso East are a sight to behold. Take a coastal walk to Holborn Head.
Evening — Dinner in Scrabster at Captain’s Galley, known for the freshest seafood in the UK, sourced right from the adjacent harbor.
💡 Thurso is very windy; high-quality windproof gear is essential for any outdoor sports.
Day 4 · Wild Landscapes and Single Tracks
Morning — Drive the stunning "North Coast" section toward Durness. Explore Smoo Cave, a massive sea cave with an internal waterfall. This area is the wildest part of the trip.
Afternoon — Continue to Lochinver. Stop at Kylesku Bridge for the iconic NC500 photo. If time permits, hike the first few miles of the Suilven approach for some of the most unique geology in the world.
Evening — Indulge in a "Lochinver Larder" famous savory pie—the perfect restoration after a day of driving and hiking.
💡 The road becomes single-track here; use passing places and keep an eye out for Highland cows!
Day 5 · The Greatest Drive in Scotland
Morning — Drive south through Ullapool. If you're feeling energetic, do a quick "sprint" hike up Stac Pollaidh—it takes about 2 hours but offers 360-degree views of the Summer Isles.
Afternoon — Drive through the Bealach na Bà, the UK's most famous cycling and driving mountain pass with hairpin turns and alpine gradients. Return to Inverness to drop off the car.
Evening — Celebrate the completion of the loop with a final pint and live traditional music at Hootananny in Inverness.
💡 Only drive the Bealach na Bà if you are a confident driver; it's extremely steep and narrow.