A Campervan Road Trip Guide: The NC500’s Best Castles
The North Coast 500 road trip isn’t just a spectacular drive, but a journey weaving through Scotland’s history; a circuit lined not just with mountains and pristine beaches, but with centuries of power struggles, clan warfare, and romantic tragedy. For a traveller, particularly one on a campervan road trip, the castles along the NC500 offer perfect excuses to pull over, stretch their legs, and step straight into a real-life Highland saga.
From meticulously preserved royal residences to wild, crumbling ruins standing sentinel against the Atlantic gales, the NC500’s castles tell the real tales of the north. This isn’t a mere list of tourist traps, but a guide to the most essential, atmospheric, and historically rich fortresses you need to seek out on your journey through the remote Scottish Highlands.
Get ready to pack more stop-offs into your next northern itinerary!
Let’s get started.
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The NC500’s Best Castles: The East Coast Estates
The East Coast, defined by its wide roads and gentle landscape, is home to castles that speak of wealth, comfort, and sustained power. These structures are often easily accessible and provide a fantastic contrast to the wild ruins further north and west.
1. Dunrobin Castle, Sutherland (The Fairytale Fortress)
- The Appeal: Pure, Disney-esque splendour, standing proudly above the Moray Firth. With its towering conical spires, manicured gardens, and ornate interiors, Dunrobin is the largest house in the Northern Highlands and the family seat of the Earls of Sutherland.
- The History: Though the site has medieval origins, the current magnificent structure is heavily influenced by French châteaux architecture, thanks to extensive redesigns by Sir Charles Barry (who also designed the Houses of Parliament). It has served as a military hospital and a boys’ school, but today it remains a stunning family home and museum.
- Campervan Tip: Located right off the main A9, Dunrobin is straightforward to access. Parking is ample and well-organised for all vehicle sizes.
- Why Visit: It’s the antithesis of a wild Scottish ruin – enjoy wandering through the exquisite gardens (a rarity on the rugged NC500 route!) and make sure you time your visit to catch the impressive falconry displays on the castle lawn!
2. Castle of Mey, Caithness (The Royal Retreat)
- The Appeal: Authentic, homely, and steeped in poignant royal history. Located near John o’ Groats, this unassuming fortress was purchased and restored by Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother in 1952, following the death of her husband, King George VI.
- The History: Originally built in the 16th century, the castle was in disrepair when the Queen Mother saved it. She meticulously restored it as a personal, peaceful retreat, returning every August. It remains one of the northernmost inhabited castles in mainland Britain.
- Campervan Tip: This is a vital stop on the north-east corner. The castle operates excellent visitor facilities, including a popular tearoom and shop. Parking is plentiful. The castle is usually open to the public during the summer months and early autumn, but check seasonal opening times as they are strict.
- Why Visit: It offers a uniquely intimate view into royal life and patronage in the Highlands. The gardens, protected from the North Sea winds, are surprisingly beautiful.
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The NC500’s Best Castles: The Deep North
As you turn west across the top edge of the route, the castles become less about comfort and more about commanding strategic positions. These structures are often exposed, weather-beaten, and immensely atmospheric.
3. Sinclair Girnigoe Castle, Caithness (The Crumbling Citadel)
- The Appeal: This castle is raw, epic, and clings to the edge of the realm. This is not one, but two castles (Sinclair and Girnigoe) perched precariously on a jagged cliff edge just north of Wick. It is arguably the most dramatic coastal ruin on the entire North Coast 500 route, offering panoramic views of sand, sea and sky.
- The History: Home of the powerful Sinclairs (the Earls of Caithness), this castle complex saw centuries of vicious clan feuds, sieges, and political intrigue. It fell into ruin after a siege in 1679. The sheer audacity of its location speaks volumes about the defensive strategies of the time.
- Campervan Tip: Access is via a minor road (the A99 is nearby) and a pleasant walk over open farmland (about 15-20 minutes). Parking near the beginning of the track is straightforward. The walk is essential – the views of the ruins set against the crashing sea are unforgettable.
- Why Visit: For the sheer drama. The cantilevered walkway allows you to get incredibly close to the ruins without risking the cliffs – bring a good camera and brace yourself for the wind!
More from the NC500!
4. Castle Varrich, Tongue (The Silent Sentinel)
- The Appeal: Small, mysterious, and beautifully positioned with a view, Castle Varrich is one of our favourites. This is a compact ruin, more a tower house than a sprawling castle, but its location on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Kyle of Tongue is peerless, with stunning views.
- The History: Its origins are obscure. Some say it was a Norse fort, others link it to the powerful Clan Mackay. Whatever its past, it was a crucial strategic point controlling access to the Kyle and the land beyond.
- Campervan Tip: The ruin is visible from the A838 road near Tongue. To reach it, you’ll need to climb roughly 45 minutes from the village – a perfect chance to stretch those campervan-weary muscles! Parking is also available in the town.
- Why Visit: The walk is rewarded with phenomenal 360-degree views, encompassing the majesty of Ben Loyal and Ben Hope. It’s less about the structure itself and more about the incredible landscape it commands.
The NC500’s Best Castles: The Wild West
The castles of the West Coast tell a story of remoteness and resilience. They require more effort to reach, often sitting beside the single-track roads that define the Assynt and Wester Ross areas.
5. Ardvreck Castle, Assynt (The Lonely Legend)
- The Appeal: It’s isolated, melancholic, and utterly unforgettable. Ardvreck is little more than a tower ruin on a tiny peninsula jutting into the loch, backed by the imposing silhouette of the mountains, such as Quinag.
- The History: This was the 16th-century stronghold of the Clan Macleod of Assynt. Its fame, or infamy, is cemented by its role in the capture of the celebrated Royalist leader, the Marquis of Montrose, in 1650. The story of betrayal and execution hangs heavy over the site. It was later damaged by a lightning strike in 1795.
- Campervan Tip: Situated on a small headland in Loch Assynt, the castle is easily viewed from the A837. There is a small lay-by nearby for safe parking. The ruins are often accessible via a causeway, depending on the loch’s water level. Crucially, the road here is single-track – drive slowly and carefully!
- Why Visit: Ardvreck perfectly blends history with sublime, wild scenery, offering a powerful, evocative snapshot of Highland life long before the Clearances.
6. Eilean Donan Castle, Wester Ross (The Island Icon)
- The Appeal: The ultimate Scottish castle, recognised globally and standing proudly at the joining of three sea lochs (Loch Duich, Loch Long, and Loch Alsh).
- The History: The original castle was a stronghold of the Clan Mackenzie and their allies, the Clan Macrae. It was partially destroyed in 1719 by government ships during the Jacobite rising. It lay in ruin for 200 years until it was lovingly and meticulously reconstructed in the early 20th century.
- Campervan Tip: While not strictly on the NC500 (it sits just off the A87 before the Isle of Skye bridge), it is a non-negotiable detour for any Highland road trip! The access roads are good, and the parking facilities are excellent, designed to handle high visitor numbers.
- Why Visit: It’s essential. Despite its restoration, it holds a deep historical and cultural resonance, and the sheer majesty of the setting, connected to the mainland by a stone footbridge, makes it worth the brief diversion. Bring your camera!
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Beyond the Battlements: 5 Authentic NC500 Alternatives
Stops that are heavy on the history might not be for everyone, so here are some alternative places that we love so that you can enjoy the present as well as the past!
- Smoo Cave (Durness): A massive sea cave with a waterfall chamber, used by ancient man and smugglers alike. Fact: It’s one of the largest sea caves in the UK.
- Duncansby Stacks: Take time to park up and gaze at the famous Sea Stacks standing against the North Sea – break up the castles with some raw coastal clashes!
- Corrieshalloch Gorge National Nature Reserve: A dramatic box canyon featuring the powerful Falls of Measach, viewed from a Victorian suspension bridge.
- Glenmorangie Distillery: A world-renowned site offering tastings and tours. Don’t worry about learning history – sip it instead!
- Achmelvich Beach: The stunning, near-tropical white sands are an ancient landscape carved by time. A sneaky historical fact: The surrounding rock is some of the oldest in Europe (Lewisian Gneiss).
The NC500’s Best Castles: Embrace the Past
The many castles that dot the Scottish Highlands transform the NC500 into an odyssey through architectural, historical and cultural extremes: if you want French elegance and royal history, the East Coast has you covered; if it’s epic views and historical tragedy you crave, aim for the North; and if it’s to simply contemplate the weight of history, the Western stretch delivers solitude and atmosphere in spades.
Pack your hiking boots, charge your camera, and take every opportunity to (safely) roam the ruins, walk the ramparts and look beyond the battlements. On your next road trip, remember that these castles aren’t just stones and mortar; they are the keys to a greater understanding of this storied and ancient realm.
Happy travels!
Useful Links
- The North Coast 500 website – for local info!
- CalMac Ferries – book well in advance!
- Met Office – check the weather!
- Traffic Scotland – for route changes and updates.
- WalkHighlands – the best hiking trails and tips.
- Scottish Outdoor Access Code (SOAC) – be informed!
- Highlands2Hammocks (That’s us!) – for our online shop, other blogs, and brand-new campervan rental service.
