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North Coast 500 · 7 days

Embark on the ultimate Scottish road trip through the rugged Highlands. This loop from Inverness covers dramatic coastal cliffs, white sand beaches, and misty mountain passes, showcasing the wild heart of northern Scotland.

7days
21stops
664km

The route

Tap a day or a town

You sleep in Applecross · Gairloch · Achiltibuie · Durness · John o' Groats · Golspie — start and end in Inverness.

DAY01

Inverness → Bealach na Bà

113 km · 1h 11m driving · Overnight in Bealach na Bà
  1. 09:00
    Inverness Castle· start
  2. 32 km · 20m
  3. 12:00
    Rogie Falls
  4. 81 km · 51m
  5. 15:00
    ⭐ Bealach na Bà· overnight
DAY02

Shieldaig → Gairloch

67 km · 43m driving · Overnight in Gairloch Beach
  1. 09:00
    Shieldaig Village· start
  2. 24 km · 15m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve
  4. 28 km · 18m
  5. 15:00
    Gairloch Beach· overnight
DAY03

Corrieshalloch Gorge → Stac Pollaidh

88 km · 56m driving · Overnight in Stac Pollaidh
  1. 09:00
    Corrieshalloch Gorge· start
  2. 21 km · 13m
  3. 12:00
    Ullapool Harbour
  4. 20 km · 13m
  5. 15:00
    ⭐ Stac Pollaidh· overnight
DAY04

Ardvreck Castle → Smoo Cave

91 km · 58m driving · Overnight in Smoo Cave
  1. 09:00
    Ardvreck Castle· start
  2. 42 km · 27m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Oldshoremore Beach
  4. 27 km · 17m
  5. 15:00
    Smoo Cave· overnight
DAY05

Strathy → John o' Groats

117 km · 1h 14m 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 → Dunrobin Castle

116 km · 1h 21m driving · Overnight in Dunrobin Castle
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Duncansby Stacks· start
  2. 22 km · 14m
  3. 12:00
    Castle Sinclair Girnigoe
  4. 91 km · 57m
  5. 15:00
    Dunrobin Castle· overnight
DAY07

Dornoch → Inverness

72 km · 46m driving
  1. 09:00
    Dornoch Cathedral· start
  2. 41 km · 26m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Chanonry Point
  4. 16 km · 10m
  5. 15:00
    Inverness Old Town
Heads Up
  • Many sections are single-track roads; use passing places to allow overtaking.
  • Book accommodation and popular restaurants months in advance during peak season.
  • The Bealach na Bà pass is steep and narrow; avoid if driving a large motorhome.
  • Carry a physical map as GPS and mobile signal can be unreliable in remote glens.