The NC500 - Your 7-Day Itinerary
The North Coast 500 (NC500) is an exhilarating 516-mile journey through the very soul of the Scottish Highlands, winding past dramatic sea stacks, turquoise bays, ancient castles, and some of the friendliest folk on Earth! This iconic route promises an adventure that will linger in your memory long after you’ve returned home.
This itinerary is designed for those who want to soak up the scenery without feeling constantly rushed – a 7-day itinerary that balances driving time with ample opportunities to explore, hike, and indulge in the local culture and cuisine. The NC500 might seem like a daunting endeavour, but once you understand what you need to prioritise and what to book in advance, the rest all falls into place.
Our itinerary relies on the traditional anti-clockwise approach for an equal blend of both culture and nature; however, if you would prefer to prioritise the latter, we would recommend going clockwise on the circuit to spend more time on the rugged West Coast.
If you’re still deciding whether this route is right for you, start with our NC500 overview first.
If you’re ready to plan, you’re in the right place!
The NC500: 7-Day Essential Tips
- Fuel: Fuel stations can be scarce in the far north and west; always fill up whenever you see one.
- Midges: If travelling between May and September, be prepared for midges (tiny biting insects). A strong repellent, like Smidge, is essential!
- Single-Track Roads: Be courteous and use passing places correctly. Always pull in on the left to let faster traffic behind you pass, and pull in on the left (or right) to let oncoming traffic pass. Never block a passing place.
- Booking: Accommodation, particularly during peak season (May-September), books up months in advance. Plan and book early to secure your preferred spots!
- Weather: Scottish weather is famously unpredictable. Be prepared for sun, rain, wind, and even snow (in the winter months) all in one day!
Where To Eat on the NC500
Where To Stay on the NC500
In Need of a Highland Steed?
Day 1: Inverness to Dornoch (Approx. 45 miles)
Indulge in some Invernusian history and sightseeing before heading north.
Morning/Midday
- Scenic Start: Your journey begins in Inverness, the bustling Highland hub! Don’t rush out of the city; take an hour to walk along the River Ness, perhaps visiting Inverness Castle for panoramic views (though the main castle is a courthouse, the viewpoint is excellent).
- Historic Detour: While to the east of the city, Culloden Battlefield is a sombre but essential visit to understand the region’s past, a site steeped in history where the final Jacobite rising met its tragic end in 1746.
- Cultural Detour: A short drive further is the iconic Clava Cairns, a Bronze Age cemetery rumoured to have inspired the standing stones in Outlander.
- Lunch: Tour the Victorian Market in Inverness and grab some fresh seafood at the Redshank.
Afternoon
- Cultural Stop: The drive itself quickly transitions into classic Highland scenery, but before reaching your destination, make a stop at the quaint town of Tain. Here, you can visit the Glenmorangie Distillery for a tasting (book in advance!) or explore the atmospheric Tain Museum.
- Scenic Stop: Head inland to the Falls of Shin, an incredible nature spot where you can watch salmon leap upriver (in season!)
- Scenic Detour: Stroll along the golden sands of Embo Beach!
Evening
- Dinner (Dornoch): Settle into the charming cathedral town famous for its championship golf course. For a cosy, high-quality meal featuring local game and seafood, try Links House at Royal Dornoch before grabbing a dram from the critically acclaimed whisky bar at The Dornoch Castle Hotel!
Day 2: Dornoch to John o’ Groats (Approx. 95 miles)
Follow the eastern coast, where the landscape opens up into sweeping cliffs and rolling farmland. This is a longer driving day, but peppered with fascinating stops.
Morning/Midday
- Historic Stop: Behold Dunrobin Castle, a magnificent French château-style stately home with some truly stunning gardens.
- Historic Detour: Turn off to tour the Whaligoe Steps, a unique architectural marvel constructed in the 18th-century to access a natural harbour beneath the cliffs. The fishing boats are no more, but the descent is well worth it!
- Scenic Stop: Just outside the town of Wick, seek out the dramatic cliffside ruins of Castle Sinclair Girnigoe, one of the most spectacularly located castles in Scotland!
- Lunch (near Wick): Head to Puldagon Farm Shop & Restaurant, a converted barn boasting excellent Scottish cuisine.
Afternoon/Evening
- Scenic Drive: The final leg takes you to the legendary John o’ Groats. While often considered touristy, it’s a rite of passage to get your photo taken by the iconic signpost marking the most northerly point of the British mainland (though the nearby Dunnet Head is actually further north!)
- Scenic Stop: Drive east to view the breathtaking Duncansby Stacks – towering sea stacks battered by the Pentland Firth.
- Dinner (near John o’ Groats): For a memorable meal, consider The Old Smiddy Inn near Thrumster for solid pub grub, or No 1 Bistro in Wick for a casual, friendly atmosphere.
Day 3: John o’ Groats to Thurso (Approx. 25 miles)
Today is a short drive, allowing you to thoroughly explore the culture of the North Coast.
Morning/Afternoon
- Historic Stop: To start, explore the Castle of Mey. This castle was the late Queen Mother’s beloved holiday home and is beautifully maintained. The gardens are particularly charming!
- Scenic Drive: Follow the coastline and visit the picturesque harbour village of Dunnet. From here, you can easily access Dunnet Head, the truly most northerly point of the British mainland, or stroll the expansive sands of Dunnet Bay.
- Lunch: Visit Northern Sands Hotel in Dunnet for a hearty meal.
- Cultural Stop: Tour Wolfburn Distillery in Thurso before settling in for the night.
Evening
- Dinner (Thurso): This is the largest town in the area and offers plenty of options. Take a wander with some fish and chips, or for something more substantial, try The Pentland Hotel or The Park Hotel, which offer traditional Scottish fare.
Day 4: Thurso to Durness (Approx. 70 miles)
Enjoy the drama of the North Coast as the roads narrow and the terrain grows even more dramatic.
Morning/Midday
- Scenic Stop: Break up the stunning drive along the A836 with a visit to Strathy Beach.
- Cultural Stop: Stop at Bettyhill, a small crofting township with a beautiful beach, or spend time at the Strathnaver Museum, which tells the poignant story of the Highland Clearances in this area.
- Lunch: Try the nearby Store Bistro & Bar for a quick bite, or head to The Bettyhill Hotel.
Afternoon/Evening
- Historic Stop: Spend time in Tongue, a charming coastal village. Stock up on snacks or grab a coffee, or hike up to the ruins of Castle Varrich, once the proud seat of Clan Mackay.
- Scenic Stop: Keep driving west until you reach the majestic Smoo Cave near Durness. This large sea cave, carved into the limestone cliffs, is easily accessible and features an indoor waterfall (when it’s been raining). Guided tours often take you further into the cave system!
- Scenic Detour: A short distance from Durness, you’ll find the spectacular white sands of Balnakeil Beach, a peaceful, stunning spot perfect for a relaxing walk. Adjacent to the beach is Balnakeil Craft Village, a quirky collection of workshops and studios housed in a former RAF station.
- Dinner (Durness): The Smoo Cave Hotel is a popular spot for NC500 travellers, serving hearty pub food and local ales.
Day 5: Durness to Scourie (Approx. 40 miles)
Today is a relatively short distance, focusing entirely on spectacular landscape photography and soaking in the mountains’ epic scale. Head south from Durness and you’ll immediately encounter the incredible coastal views of the western Highlands
Morning/Midday
- Scenic Detour: If you don’t fancy the lengthy hike out to Sandwood Bay, consider the secluded white sands of Oldshoremore Beach instead!
- Lunch: Drop by The Quay House in Kinlochbervie for an early lunch or quick snack before rejoining the circuit.
- Photo Stop: If the weather is good and you’re feeling adventurous, park up and take a photo of the iconic mountain Suilven, a distinct, sugarloaf-shaped peak that dominates the skyline.
Afternoon/Evening
- Wildlife Detour: Aim for Tarbet on the West Coast, north of Scourie – here, a small 10-minute ferry will carry you to Handa Island, an idyllic wildlife reserve that is home to massive seabird colonies. Boat tours also operate in the area.
- Dinner (Scourie): Scourie is a small village, and the Scourie Hotel is the main hub for food and drink, offering traditional Scottish cooking in a comfortable setting.
Day 6: Scourie to Ullapool (Approx. 65 miles)
The road today is famous for its hairpin bends and breathtaking mountain passes, which require concentration but reward you with world-class scenery.
Morning/Midday
- Scenic Stop: Grab some snaps of the iconic Kylesku Bridge, an elegantly curved structure spanning the narrow sea inlet. The old ferry route used to operate here, and the new bridge (built in 1984) is a marvel of engineering. If feeling peckish, jump into the Kylesku Hotel, specialising in fresh, locally landed seafood!
- Historic Stop: The drive around Loch Assynt is awe-inspiring. Hike out to the ruins of Ardvreck Castle, a desolate ruin jutting into the loch.
- Lunch (Lochinver): The Lochinver Larder pies are perfect for lunch, either eaten at their café or taken away to enjoy by a lochside view.
Afternoon
- Scenic Detour: Drive out to Achmelvich Bay on the West Coast and explore some of Scotland’s most stunning beaches.
- Hiking Detour: Alternatively, if the weather is clear, hike to the distinctive rocky heights of Stac Pollaidh (2-4 hours), an iconic Assynt peak with unbeatable views.
Evening
- Dinner (Ullapool): Ullapool is known for its fresh seafood. Try The Seafood Shack for incredibly fresh, street-food-style fish and chips, mussels, and scallops, or The Seaforth for a more traditional restaurant experience.
Day 7: Ullapool to Applecross/Inverness (Approx. 130 miles)
This final day offers the most challenging and spectacular driving of the entire route, culminating in one of the UK’s most famous roads.
Morning/Afternoon
- Wildlife Stop: Visit Corrieshalloch Gorge National Nature Reserve, where a Victorian suspension bridge offers dizzying views down to the plunging waterfall, Measach Falls.
- Scenic Detour: The extensive botanical gardens of Inverewe, benefiting from the warmth of the Gulf Stream, are a great excuse to break up the drive.
- Scenic Drive: The true highlight of the day, and arguably the entire route, is the drive to Applecross. To reach this isolated village, you must conquer Bealach na Bà (“Pass of the Cattle”). This road features hairpin bends, steep gradients, and dramatic sheer drops. Only attempt this road if you are a confident driver with a smaller vehicle and clear weather. It’s both a challenge and a rite of passage!
- Lunch (Applecross): The Applecross Inn is a legendary stop on the NC500 – its location is stunning, and the food is sublime. After enjoying the tranquillity of Applecross, the final leg takes you back inland, through Achnasheen and eventually to Inverness, completing the circuit.
Evening
- Dinner (Inverness): Celebrate your achievement back in Inverness. For a final taste of the Highlands, try Rocpool Reserve for a well-deserved splurge, or The Mustard Seed Restaurant for quality Scottish cuisine.
Want Help Planning Your Trip?
If you’d like a second opinion or help tailoring the route to your exact needs, we offer personalised trip planning calls.
These are ideal if:
It’s your first time on the route
You’re short on time
You’re travelling by campervan
You want reassurance before booking
You’ll speak directly with people who’ve driven the NC500 themselves and understand what works in practice – not just in theory!
Book a planning call
Ready to Take the Next Step?
You don’t need to have everything figured out at once. Start with a clear understanding of the route, choose a pace that feels comfortable, and build from there.
From here, you can:
Read the NC500 practical advice
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Like!! Great article post.Really thank you! Really Cool.
Thank you for the feedback! I’m glad you enjoyed the article
Just finished reading your 7-day North Coast 500 itinerary and I’m so excited to try it out! The detailed breakdown is super helpful, and I love the tips on hidden gems along the route. Can’t wait to hit the road and experience the stunning landscapes for myself—thank you for sharing this amazing resource!