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North Coast 500 · 7 days
Embark on the ultimate Scottish road trip through the rugged Highlands. This loop from Inverness features dramatic coastal cliffs, white sand beaches, remote mountain passes, and historic castles along the wild northern edges of Great Britain.
7days
21stops
664km
Day 1: Inverness Castle → Bealach na Bà → Applecross
1h 17min · 115km3 stops
Inverness Castle, Inverness, Highland, GB
09:00 – 11:00
1h 7min · 107km
Bealach na Bà, Applecross, Highland, GB
12:00 – 14:00
10min · 8.0km
Applecross, Applecross, Highland, GB
15:00 – 17:00
Day 2: Beinn Eighe National Nature R… → Inverewe Garden → Ullapool
1h 6min · 104km3 stops
Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve, Kinlochewe, Highland, GB
09:00 – 11:00
18min · 29km
Inverewe Garden, Poolewe, Highland, GB
12:00 – 14:00
22min · 35km
Ullapool, Ullapool, Highland, GB
15:00 – 17:00
Day 3: Ardvreck Castle → Achmelvich Bay → Kylesku Bridge
53min · 83km3 stops
Ardvreck Castle, Lairg, Highland, GB
09:00 – 11:00
14min · 22km
Achmelvich Bay, Lochinver, Highland, GB
12:00 – 14:00
15min · 23km
Kylesku Bridge, Kylesku, Highland, GB
15:00 – 17:00
Day 4: Oldshoremore Beach → Smoo Cave → Durness
46min · 59km3 stops
Oldshoremore Beach, Kinlochbervie, Highland, GB
09:00 – 11:00
17min · 27km
Smoo Cave, Durness, Highland, GB
12:00 – 14:00
10min · 2.2km
Durness, Durness, Highland, GB
15:00 – 17:00
Day 5: Strathy Point Lighthouse → Dunnet Head → John o' Groats
1h 15min · 119km3 stops
Strathy Point Lighthouse, Strathy, Highland, GB
09:00 – 11:00
29min · 46km
Dunnet Head, Thurso, Highland, GB
12:00 – 14:00
14min · 22km
John o' Groats, John o' Groats, Highland, GB
15:00 – 17:00
Day 6: Duncansby Stacks → Dunrobin Castle → Dornoch
1h 29min · 127km3 stops
Duncansby Stacks, Wick, Highland, GB
09:00 – 11:00
1h 9min · 109km
Dunrobin Castle, Golspie, Highland, GB
12:00 – 14:00
10min · 15km
Dornoch, Dornoch, Highland, GB
15:00 – 17:00
Day 7: Glenmorangie Distillery → Chanonry Point → Inverness
41min · 57km3 stops
Glenmorangie Distillery, Tain, Highland, GB
09:00 – 11:00
21min · 33km
Chanonry Point, Fortrose, Highland, GB
12:00 – 14:00
10min · 16km
Inverness, Inverness, Highland, GB
15:00 – 17:00
Heads Up
- 1. Many sections are single-track roads with passing places; familiarize yourself with local driving etiquette.
- 2. Book accommodation and popular restaurants well in advance, as capacity is limited in remote villages.
- 3. The Bealach na Bà pass is not suitable for large motorhomes or inexperienced drivers in poor weather.
- 4. Midges can be prevalent from June to August; carry repellent and check the midge forecast.