Scotland North Coast 500 Road Trip - 8 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Edinburgh, Drive to Stirling, Visit Bannockburn & The Kelpies

Day 2: Explore Stirling Castle, Drive to Inverness via Crannog Centre

This morning you'll walk through one of the most significant castles in Scottish history. Stirling Castle is where the Great Siege took place in 1304, when Edward I, the Hammer of the Scots, besieged the fortress. Wander up to the rocky aerie and explore the Royal Palace, Chapel Royal, and Regimental Museum. After, visit the National Wallace Monument. This famous landmark commemorates the life of the patriot and martyr Sir William Wallace and overlooks the scene of his greatest victory at the 1297 Battle of Stirling Bridge.

Grab a quick lunch in town, then hit the road for Inverness, the gateway to the North Coast 500 (NC500). Along the 2.5-hour drive, stop at the Scottish Crannog Centre on the banks of Loch Tay to discover the lives of the Crannog dwellers, who lived on the loch some 2,500 years ago. Step back to the Iron Age as you gain a glimpse into prehistoric life. Return to the road and lap your way up the western edge of Cairngorms National Park to Inverness, a city rich with historical sites. End the day with a hearty Scottish meal at a cozy local pub, finishing with a dram of local whisky.

Day 3: Drive to John o' Groats via Dunrobin Castle, Thurso Walking Tour

The NC500 is Scotland's ultimate road trip, a scenic route of just over 500 miles (800 km) that takes in coastal scenes, white sandy beaches, rugged mountains, and quaint fishing villages. Today is all about the drive, taking you from Inverness to John o' Groats, a drive of just over 2.5 hours. Detour to Cromarty Firth, a narrow sea inlet where you can watch seals basking on the rocks, or Chanonry Point to spot local dolphins. Pause at the Black Isle Brewery for a refreshing organic ale, or detour to one of the oldest distilleries in Scotland, the Glen Ord Distillery.

You could pop out to the small fishing village of Portmahomack and visit the Tarbat Discovery Centre to see the only Pictish monastic site found in Scotland to date. Continue north to historic Dornoch for world-class golf and white sandy beaches. Halfway, you'll reach the 1300s-built Dunbrobin Castle, a hidden gem with 189 rooms and gardens and more than 1,600 plant varieties. Late in the afternoon, explore the mainland's most northern town, Thurso, and learn about its rich Viking heritage, history, and culture with a local guide who will share the great stories and legends.

Day 4: Drive to Lochinver via Durness, Smoo Cave Tours

Today you'll continue along the great NC500, where it's more about the journey than the destination. On today's route to Lochinver, you'll cross along the northern coast, by the villages of Mey (and its famous castle), Bettyhill, Tongue, and Durness, before heading south through Scourie and Achmelvich. While the total drive is only 150 miles (240 km), it'll take around 4.5 hours as you wind through this remote, dramatic, and untamed part of Scotland—just make sure to watch out for rogue sheep and Highland cows!

If you have time, pop out to Dunnet Head—the most northerly point of mainland Britain—where the wild sea cliffs and coastal grasslands are home to puffins, razorbills, guillemots, fulmars, and kittiwakes. Then in Durness, you'll take a short tour of Smoo Cave, an active cave that has taken millions of years to form underground. Your home for the evening, Lochinver, is a beautiful harbor town. Take a quiet stroll in the Culag Woods, or watch the potters at work at the Highland Stoneware Pottery. 

Day 5: Explore Beaches, Wildlife Spotting Boat Tour, Drive to Gairloch

After breakfast, set off for a mini beach adventure close to Lochinver. Just 20 minutes away, Clachtoll Beach is famous for its dunes, white sand, and blue water. If you can brave the chilly water, bring a snorkel and dive into the vivid sea! Nearby, Achmelvich Beach is just as beautiful and the perfect spot to lay a towel and read. If you're keen to get active, you can take a two-hour hike between the two.

This afternoon board a special vessel for a 90-minute wildlife spotting tour. Get up close with Scotland's wilder side on a scenic trip where you'll view the seals basking on the rocks around the islands of Soyea, Clete, and Loch Roe. If it's summer, you'll sail by the beaches and bays to view Split Rock and Stoer Lighthouse. Along the way, you'll hopefully see porpoises, dolphins, minke whales, gannets, cormorants, and much more. Continue on the NC500 and end the day in Gairloch, a scenic gem of Wester Ross with views to Raasay, Skye, and the Western Isles. 

Day 6: Drive to Inverness via Applecross & Culloden, Visit the Clava Cairns

Today you'll take a long, scenic six-hour journey back to Inverness. Keep following winding coastal backroads to the Applecross Pass, an infamous single-track road with switchbacks that quickly climbs 2,000 feet (600 m). Pause for a seafood lunch in Applecross and hear infamous tales from the locals. Then if you're brave enough, the pass will be the perfect climax to your North Coast 500 road trip. But be warned, it's a challenging, technical drive. 

Finally, continue to Culloden Battlefield, the site of the final Jacobite Rising, the last pitched battle fought on British soil. On 16 April 1746, supporters gathered to fight the Duke of Cumberland's government troops. In less than an hour, around 1,300 men were slain—more than 1,250 of them Jacobites. The visitor center has interactive exhibits and artifacts. After, visit the nearby Clava Cairns, an ancient cemetery thought to be 4,000 years old. This sacred place provides many clues to the beliefs of Bronze Age society. Then, you're only a 20-minute drive from Inverness.

Day 7: Drive to Pitlochry via Cairngorms National Park, Wildlife Safari Tour

Cairngorms National Park offers some of the best wildlife diversity in the United Kingdom. This morning you'll drive into the park for a half-day wildlife safari. Explore expansive heather-clad moorlands, pass through towering Caledonian pine forests, admire imposing peaks, and see pristine lochs from the back of a Land Rover. Your knowledgeable guide will seek out wildlife, including red deer, golden eagles, and ospreys, and some light walking may be involved. Admire the remote beauty of the Cairngorms and see the conservation efforts to preserve Scotland's natural heritage.

After your safari adventure, continue to the quaint Victorian town of Pitlochry. Take a walk down the charming main street, find a late lunch, and stretch your legs. Then, Queen's View just outside Pitlochry, which overlooks Loch Tummel, and on a good day, you can see the mountains of Glen Coe in the distance. Return to town and make a reservation at a local restaurant to make the most of your final evening in Scotland.

Day 8: Drive to Edinburgh via Blair Atholl Castle, Depart

It's your final day in Scotland, so squeeze in one final castle tour. The Atholl family has called Blair Castle home for over seven centuries, and today you'll explore the fine 18th-century interiors and Scots Baronial architecture. After wandering the grand halls, venture out into the 9-acre (3.6 ha) gardens, where you'll find an extensive wooded grove, a ruined kirk (church), a red deer park, and a Gothic folly. Admire Highland cows grazing in nearby fields and look for native red squirrels and peacocks.

Finally, just back in the car one last time for the 90-minute drive to Edinburgh. Arrive at the airport with enough time to drop off your rental car ahead of your flight home or next destination. Safe travels!

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