1 / 5

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

The route

Tap a day or a town

You sleep in Applecross · Ullapool · Kylesku · Durness · John o' Groats · Dornoch — start and end in Inverness.

DAY01

Inverness → Applecross

115 km · 1h 17m driving · Overnight in Applecross
  1. 09:00
    Inverness Castle· start
  2. 107 km · 1h 7m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Bealach na Bà
  4. 8 km · 10m
  5. 15:00
    Applecross· overnight
DAY02

Beinn Eighe National Nature R… → Ullapool

104 km · 1h 6m driving · Overnight in Ullapool
  1. 09:00
    Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve· start
  2. 29 km · 18m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Inverewe Garden
  4. 35 km · 22m
  5. 15:00
    Ullapool· overnight
DAY03

Ardvreck Castle → Kylesku

83 km · 53m driving · Overnight in Kylesku Bridge
  1. 09:00
    Ardvreck Castle· start
  2. 22 km · 14m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Achmelvich Bay
  4. 23 km · 15m
  5. 15:00
    Kylesku Bridge· overnight
DAY04

Oldshoremore Beach → Durness

59 km · 46m driving · Overnight in Durness
  1. 09:00
    Oldshoremore Beach· start
  2. 27 km · 17m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Smoo Cave
  4. 2.2 km · 10m
  5. 15:00
    Durness· overnight
DAY05

Strathy → John o' Groats

119 km · 1h 15m driving · Overnight in John o' Groats
  1. 09:00
    Strathy Point Lighthouse· start
  2. 46 km · 29m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Dunnet Head
  4. 22 km · 14m
  5. 15:00
    John o' Groats· overnight
DAY06

Duncansby Stacks → Dornoch

127 km · 1h 29m driving · Overnight in Dornoch
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Duncansby Stacks· start
  2. 109 km · 1h 9m
  3. 12:00
    Dunrobin Castle
  4. 15 km · 10m
  5. 15:00
    Dornoch· overnight
DAY07

Glenmorangie Distillery → Inverness

57 km · 41m driving
  1. 09:00
    Glenmorangie Distillery· start
  2. 33 km · 21m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Chanonry Point
  4. 16 km · 10m
  5. 15:00
    Inverness
Heads Up
  • Many sections are single-track roads with passing places; familiarize yourself with local driving etiquette.
  • Book accommodation and popular restaurants well in advance, as capacity is limited in remote villages.
  • The Bealach na Bà pass is not suitable for large motorhomes or inexperienced drivers in poor weather.
  • Midges can be prevalent from June to August; carry repellent and check the midge forecast.