A Nomadic Scotland guide to the North Coast 500
If you’re a lover of breathtaking landscapes, rugged coastlines and the thrill of the open road, the North Coast 500 road trip should be at the top of your bucket list. What better way to experience it than in an iconic Land Rover 110? Known for its charm and capability, it is the perfect companion to explore the northern reaches of the UK mainland. Like the idea of the Defender but want the comfort of an automatic transmission? We have those too. Check out our full fleet of vehicles. So, here’s our guide to experiencing the North Coast 500 with one of our vehicles…
A once-in-a-lifetime trip on the NC500
Starting and ending in Inverness, the capital of the Scottish Highlands, the route weaves through dramatic landscapes and picturesque beaches. Past ancient castles, remote villages and charming old towns. The bonus of experiencing it in one of our vehicles is you can fully embrace the adventure – taking the road less travelled and tackling terrain some vehicles may not manage.
The NC 500 road trip can be divided into distinct sections, depending on how long you want to spend driving and exploring. Generally, a week works the best. We’ve split this guide over 8 days, with some longer and shorter days in the mix. If you’re heading from our base in Perth, we reckon a 10-day adventure works best. The beauty of a self-drive adventure with Nomadic Scotland is you set the rules and the route. You have the freedom to adapt on the day-to-day decisions and plans.
Inverness to Dornoch – Approx 50 miles, 1 hour driving total
Inverness is a great city to explore at the beginning or the end of this trip. Loads of great pubs, restaurants, a castle and a cathedral – a very picturesque city. From here you head over the Kessock Bridge, where you leave the urban life behind in exchange for open fields, forests and farmlands with glimpses of the Moray Firth. A suggested extension on day one is to head onto the Black Isle. Chanonry Point, near Fortrose, is a well-known place for dolphin spotting. Then head to the idyllic village of Cromarty where you can catch the seasonal ferry over to Nigg before joining the NC500 again. For any whisky lovers you’ll pass the infamous Glenmorrangie Distillery just before you reach Dornoch, a great spot for a distillery tour. Dornoch itself is known for its pristine beaches and historic Cathedral, dating back to the 13th century. Lots to explore and it’s only been day one.
Dornoch to Wick – Approximately 65 miles, 1 hour 30 driving total
Just north of Dornoch, you pass Dunrobin Castle, a fairytale-like home to the dukes and earls of Sutherland. They have extensive gardens and daily falconry displays. After you head further north you will see some stunning coastline, passing through fishing villages offering breathtaking views over the North Sea. Depending on the season, you could spot red deer, grouse and even seals off the coast. As the road starts to twist and turn, you are reaching the beginning of the untamed. You could stop on the way, for a hike up Ben Bhraggie Hill or head to the Falls of Shin at Lairg, where you could spot some leaping salmon. You will arrive in the town of Wick, a fishing port with rich maritime charm and history. Wick has a heritage museum where you can learn about the town’s fascinating past. Be sure to take a stroll down the harbour for some fresh seafood.
Wick to John O’Groats – only 16 miles and 30 minutes up to the tip of Scotland’s mainland
After exploring Wick, your next stop is John O’ Groats. The most famous and northerly town on Scotland’s mainland, it is an iconic bucket list destination for lots of travellers. The drive to reach it offers dramatic changing scenery, rolling hills along with cliffs and deep blue waters. With more chances to spot diverse bird species, seals and dolphins frolicking in the waves. Once you have arrived, head to the iconic signpost for a photo. Beware – lots of others will want to do this too! After, look at the old mill and learn about historic grain production. There are plenty of cafes to choose from and opportunities to take away a souvenir from the gift shops. Make some time to walk out to Duncansby Head to the true most north easterly point in the UK. There are some fantastic sea stacks and a feeling of raw beauty and remoteness compared to the town.
John O’Groats to Thurso – 30 minutes and 20 miles
Just a short step continuing along the coast, you’ll drive through the peaceful landscapes of the Caithness region. Offering panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean, with opportunities to stop at secluded beaches. Go and explore Dunnet Head Lighthouse, the true most northerly point on the UK mainland. Perhaps the call of the water is strong and you’d fancy surfing the waves? This part of Scotland is a well-known cold-water surf spot. You can get lessons from North Coast Watersports. We also offer a Beach Package, which includes a SUP and dry robes, everything you could need to enjoy the waters around the shoreline. The town of Thurso offers an opportunity to resupply before heading further across the top of Scotland.
Thurso to Durness – a longer stint, approx. 3 hours and 90 miles driving
This is the most rugged and remote section of the North Coast 500. Whether you’re a keen hiker, history buff or just someone who enjoys dramatic coastal scenery, this will be a highlight for you. Don’t worry, there are lots of areas to pull over and take a snap of the vast coastline. Arriving in Durness, this is a hotspot for adventure, with highlights such as Smoo cave and the white sands and clear waters of Balnakeil Beach. Surfing and hiking are also popular here. As you’ve more than likely been to the most northerly and most north-easterly points you should probably make the pilgrimage to Cape Wrath – the most north-westerly point of the UK. You can’t drive there and must take a ferry and then minibus out to the lighthouse. Explore the area and look in awe at the impressive Clo Mor cliffs, the tallest sea cliffs in the UK. With opportunities to spot local wildlife such as seals and even puffins. A round trip out to Cape Wrath takes around 3.5 hours.
Durness to Ullapool via Clachtoll – Approx 100 miles and 3 hours driving.
This stretch offers one of the most varied landscapes, mixing coastal and mountainous vistas. The route takes you past various lochs and through some quaint Scottish villages. You will be descending through the Assynt region, with its dramatic peaks such as Suilven and Stac Pollaidh, these are great places to stop for a challenging hike. Passing Clachtoll, this is a very well-known beach for its white sands, clear waters and spectacular campsite. Arriving in Ullapool, a beautiful fishing town on the shores of Loch Broom, you can take a stroll on the harbour, visit their museum and taste some fresh seafood or Scottish cuisine. Ullapool is a great place to take a boat trip to get up close with the local wildlife and explore the Summer Isles.
Ullapool to Gairloch and Applecross – 110 miles, 3 hours driving total
Onto another coastal road. This section is delightful for anyone who appreciates the unspoiled beauty of the Highlands. Take a short detour of the A835 to the Falls of Measach. A hidden gem where the river cascades over a rocky outcrop into a deep gorge. In a Land Rover, you have the ability to take scenic detours and venture into the surrounding wilderness. Onwards to Applecross, check out the Applecross Inn for some tasty local dishes. There’s plenty of history in Applecross, try the heritage centre and St. Maelrubha’s church as a testament to the area’s past.
Applecross back to Inverness – 80 miles and just over 2 hours
This route back will treat you to some outstanding lochs and glens. Along with the towering peaks of the Cairngorms. Leaving Applecross you will head up and over the Bealach Na Ba: The Pass of the Cattle. A twisting mountain road on the Applecross peninsula and one of the most famous sections of the NC500. As you get closer to Inverness you could also visit the infamous Loch Ness, be sure to try and spot a monster roaming the deep waters. Fun fact, Loch Ness is deeper than the North Sea and holds more water than the lakes in England and Wales combined. A worthy stop if you haven’t managed a distillery tour yet is the Singleton Distillery at Muir of Ord. Their tour was recently awarded the best in the world!
Wrapping up our journey
There really is something for everyone on the North Coast 500. Whether you’re a history enthusiast or lover of outdoor challenges. An avid wildlife spotter or someone who goes to the ends for a good view, or even someone who wants to travel the best roads, in the best type of vehicle you could imagine. It’s a bucket list contender for sure. The route oozes charm, with breathtaking views, authenticity and nature that will linger and beckon you back for more. It doesn’t all have to be done in one go and can be broken down into smaller sections. You can also do it anticlockwise. At our Nomadic Scotland base in Perth, we have several guidebooks in our shop, which you can purchase to help you when you’re on your dream trip.