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New for 2026 · Scotland · NC500

The Highland
Grand Tour

12 Days · Private Chauffeur · Luxury Motorhome · Dogs Welcome

Scotland's NC500 — Navigated, Curated and Driven for You

Discover
12
Days
516
Miles of Coast
11
Overnight Stops
2
Campsites/Night
1
Private Chauffeur
The Highland Grand Tour

Scotland's Greatest Road Trip,
Done Properly

The North Coast 500 is consistently voted one of the world's most spectacular road journeys — 516 miles of rugged Highland coastline, ancient castles, white-sand beaches and mountains that have stood since the dawn of time. Your private chauffeur knows every passing place, every hidden viewpoint and exactly where to park for the perfect sunset.

Motorhome Route Notes — 7.4m Vehicle

The Bealach na Ba pass is not suitable for vehicles over 7.5 metres. We take the stunning alternative coastal route via Shieldaig and Lochcarron — widely considered equally spectacular. The B869 Drumbeg Road is similarly avoided in favour of the A894. Your chauffeur knows every alternative and no NC500 highlight is missed.

The Route

12 Days Around Scotland's Crown

We follow the NC500 anticlockwise — east coast first through Dornoch and John O'Groats, then west along the dramatic north coast to Durness, Assynt and Torridon, finishing through Applecross and back to Inverness. Driving is evenly paced at 35–65 miles per day.

The Royal Capital to the Cathedral Town Day 1
01
Inverness to Dornoch

The Royal Capital
to the Cathedral Town

45 miles · 1.5 hours
Overnight Stays
Grannie's Heilan Hame, Embo
EHU, hardstanding, dog-friendly, beach access, 2mi north of Dornoch
Dornoch Caravan & Camping
EHU, dog-friendly, 10min walk to cathedral and town
Walks & Trails
Dornoch Beach & Dunes Walk
3.5mi circular · AllTrails · Easy · Dogs welcome
Chanonry Point Dolphins
1.2mi · OS Maps · Wild dolphin watching at incoming tide
Evening Dining
2 Quail Restaurant, Dornoch
Hand-dived scallops, Highland venison · Fine dining · Book ahead
The Eagle Hotel, Dornoch
Traditional pub · Highland beef burgers · Dogs welcome · 5min walk
Dunrobin Castle & the East Coast Day 2
02
Dornoch to Wick

Dunrobin Castle
& the East Coast

60 miles · 1.5 hours
Overnight Stays
Wick Caravan & Camping
EHU, dog-friendly, hardstanding, walking distance to Wick harbour
Riverside Campsite, Lybster
EHU, dog-friendly, close to the famous Whaligoe Steps
Walks & Trails
Whaligoe Steps & Harbour
1.5mi · AllTrails · 365 hand-cut steps to a hidden harbour · Steep but manageable
Duncansby Head Sea Stacks
2mi circular · AllTrails 4.8★ · Britain's most dramatic sea stacks
Evening Dining
The Bord De L'Eau, Wick
French-influenced bistro on the River Wick · Best east coast NC500 restaurant · Dogs on terrace
The Mackay's Hotel Bar
Hearty Highland food · Local ales · Whiskies · Dogs welcome in bar
John O'Groats & the Northern Tip Day 3
03
Wick to Thurso

John O'Groats
& the Northern Tip

45 miles · 1.5 hours
Overnight Stays
Thurso Bay Caravan & Camping
EHU, hardstanding, dog-friendly, modern facilities, short walk to town
Dunnet Bay Caravan Club (CAMC)
Official CAMC site directly behind one of Scotland's finest beaches · EHU · Dog-friendly
Walks & Trails
Dunnet Head Lighthouse Walk
4mi circular · OS Maps · Dramatic clifftop · Outstanding photography · Dogs welcome
Dunnet Bay Beach Walk
3mi · AllTrails 4.7★ · Finest sandy beach · Spectacular dunes · Dogs year-round
Evening Dining
The Central Hotel, Thurso
Traditional Highland pub · Local seafood, Highland beef · Dogs welcome · 5min walk
Le Bistro, Thurso
French-influenced · Daily fish specials · Book ahead in summer · 8min walk
Smoo Cave & Balnakeil Beach Day 4
04
Thurso to Durness

Smoo Cave
& Balnakeil Beach

65 miles · 2 hours
Overnight Stays
Sango Sands Oasis, Durness
NC500's most acclaimed campsite · EHU, hardstanding · Sea views from pitch · Bar on site · Book ahead
Balnakeil Farm Campsite
Quieter rural setting · EHU available · Dog-friendly · Mountain views
Walks & Trails
Faraid Head Peninsula
5mi circular · AllTrails 4.9★ · Dramatic headland · Puffin colonies in season · Dog-friendly
Smoo Cave & Coastal Path
2mi · AllTrails documented · Clifftop path to cave · Optional boat trip inside £10pp
Evening Dining
Sango Sands Restaurant & Bar
Highland beef burgers, local crab, daily fish · Dogs welcome · Stunning sea views
Mackay's Rooms, Durness
Fresh crab, Highland lamb, venison · Very popular — book early · 5min walk
Kylesku Bridge & Handa Island Day 5
05
Durness to Kylesku

Kylesku Bridge
& Handa Island

55 miles · 2 hours
Overnight Stays
Kylesku Hotel Pitches
Small number of motorhome pitches at the hotel · EHU · Exceptional loch location · Book direct · Dog-friendly
Scourie Caravan & Camping
7mi north · EHU, hardstanding, dog-friendly · Close to Handa Island ferry
Walks & Trails
Handa Island Circular Trail
3.5mi · Marked trail · 100,000 breeding seabirds · Ferry from Tarbet · No dogs
Kylesku Loch Walk
2mi along Loch Gleann Dubh · Otters, seals and sea eagles · OS route · Dog-friendly
Evening Dining
Kylesku Hotel Restaurant
NC500's finest seafood · Langoustines, local crab, hand-dived scallops · Dogs in bar · Book ahead
Ardvreck Castle & Loch Assynt Day 6
06
Kylesku to Lochinver

Ardvreck Castle
& Loch Assynt

45 miles · 2 hours
Overnight Stays
Clachtoll Beach Campsite
5mi north of Lochinver · Above a stunning beach · EHU, astro-turf pitches · Very dog-friendly · Book well ahead
Achmelvich Beach SYHA
Direct access to white sand beach · EHU available · Dog-friendly · Outstanding sunsets
Walks & Trails
Stac Pollaidh Mountain Walk
3.5mi circular · AllTrails 4.9★ · Iconic pinnacled ridge · Moderate · Dog-friendly · Unmissable
Clachtoll to Achmelvich Coast
4mi coastal walk · White sand · Rock pools · Sea caves · Dog-friendly
Evening Dining
Lochinver Larder
Famous throughout Scotland · Extraordinary homemade pies · Venison, smoked haddock, lamb
Caberfeidh Restaurant
Fresh local fish, Highland beef, home baking · Reliable quality · Dogs welcome
Ullapool Heart of Wester Ross Day 7
07
Lochinver to Ullapool

Ullapool
Heart of Wester Ross

55 miles · 1.5 hours
Overnight Stays
Broomfield Holiday Park, Ullapool
Right on the loch shore · EHU, hardstanding · Walking distance to all restaurants · Book ahead
Ardmair Point Caravan Park
3mi north · EHU, dog-friendly · Stunning loch and mountain views
Walks & Trails
Corrieshalloch Gorge NNR
1.5mi · 60m deep box canyon · Suspension bridge · Falls of Measach · AllTrails 4.8★ · Dogs on lead
Ullapool Hill Walk
4mi circular · Views over Loch Broom and Summer Isles · Moderate · Dog-friendly
Evening Dining
The Seafood Shack, Ullapool
NC500's most celebrated food stop · Haddock, lobster, crab, scallops · Dogs very welcome · Arrive early
The Dipping Lugger, Ullapool
Fine dining · Seasonal tasting menu · One of NC500's great culinary highlights · Book well ahead
Inverewe Gardens & Gairloch Shore Day 8
08
Ullapool to Gairloch

Inverewe Gardens
& Gairloch Shore

60 miles · 2 hours
Overnight Stays
Gairloch Holiday Park
Shoreside · Direct beach access · EHU, hardstanding · Spectacular sunset views
Sands Caravan & Camping
2mi north on Big Sand beach · EHU, dog-friendly · Dolphins and minke whales occasionally seen
Walks & Trails
Rubha Mor Coastal Walk
5mi · Views of Torridon mountains and Summer Isles · AllTrails 4.8★ · Dog-friendly
Inverewe Gardens Trails
1-3mi · NTS · Subtropical plants in Scotland · Dogs on lead · Entry fee applies
Evening Dining
The Old Inn, Gairloch
Scotland's most north-westerly real ale pub · Dogs welcome throughout · Fresh seafood · Live traditional music
Gairloch Marine Centre Cafe
Local seafood, home baking · Whale watching tours · Dogs welcome outside
Torridon Europe's Last Wilderness Day 9
09
Gairloch to Torridon

Torridon
Europe's Last Wilderness

50 miles · 1.5 hours
Overnight Stays
Torridon Campsite (NTS)
Directly below the Torridon mountains · EHU available · Dog-friendly · Run by National Trust Scotland
Shieldaig Camping & Cabins
5mi east · Shores of Loch Shieldaig · EHU, waterside pitches · Dog-friendly
Walks & Trails
Shieldaig Peninsula Walk
4mi circular · AllTrails 4.9★ · Loch Torridon views · Seals, otters and sea eagles · Dog-friendly
Beinn Eighe NNR Trail
2-8mi options · Britain's first nature reserve 1951 · Mountain and woodland trails
Evening Dining
The Torridon Inn
Famous NC500 burger · Local ales · Dog-friendly Beinn Bar · 2min walk from campsite
Shieldaig Bar & Coastal Kitchen
Fresh langoustines, local crab · Outstanding loch views · Live music evenings · Dogs welcome
Applecross The Hidden Peninsula Day 10
10
Torridon to Applecross

Applecross
The Hidden Peninsula

35 miles · via Shieldaig coastal route
Overnight Stays
Applecross Campsite
Right in the village above the bay · EHU, hardstanding · Very dog-friendly · 2min walk to Applecross Inn
Lochcarron Wee Campsite
15mi before Applecross · Hardstanding up to 7.5m · EHU · Dog-friendly
Walks & Trails
Applecross Bay & Sand Beach
3mi circular · AllTrails 4.8★ · Sheltered bay · Views to Skye · Stunning sunset photography
Applecross Heritage Trail
4mi · Ancient settlements · Iron Age sites · OS documented · Dog-friendly
Evening Dining
The Applecross Inn
A Highland institution · Freshly landed prawns, scallops, crab, lobster · Real ales · Live folk music · Book ahead
The Walled Garden, Applecross
Cafe in wildflower beds · Food from the garden · Local seafood · Open in season
Eilean Donan Castle & Plockton Village Day 11
11
Applecross to Plockton

Eilean Donan Castle
& Plockton Village

55 miles
Overnight Stays
Plockton Station Campsite
Right in the village · EHU, dog-friendly · 2min walk to harbour and pub · Book essential
Reraig Caravan Site, Balmacara
National Trust Scotland · Shores of Loch Alsh · EHU, hardstanding · Dog-friendly
Walks & Trails
Plockton Lochside Walk
2.5mi circular · AllTrails 4.9★ · Past palm trees and fishing boats · Seals on rocky outcrops · Dog-friendly
Balmacara Estate Walk (NTS)
3mi · Woodland and coastal · Views to Skye and the Cuillins · Dog-friendly on lead
Evening Dining
The Plockton Inn
Famous throughout the Highlands · Langoustines, scallops, crab · Traditional music most nights · Dogs welcome · Book essential
Plockton Hotel Restaurant
Seafood-focused · Panoramic loch views · Dogs welcome in bar
Loch Ness & the Journey Home Day 12
12
Plockton to Inverness

Loch Ness
& the Journey Home

95 miles · 2.5 hours
Overnight Stays
Bunchrew Caravan Park, Inverness
3mi west of Inverness · Shores of Beauly Firth · EHU, hardstanding · Dog-friendly
Inverness Leisure Caravan Park
Close to city centre · EHU, hardstanding · Dog-friendly · Walking distance to restaurants
Walks & Trails
Urquhart Castle & Loch Ness Shore
2mi · Historic Scotland · AllTrails documented · Loch Ness views · Best at early morning · Dogs on lead
River Ness City Walk
3mi · Walk the River Ness banks · Past cathedral and castle · Dog-friendly
Evening Dining
Contrast Brasserie, Inverness
Pan-seared Highland venison, hand-dived scallops, local cheeses · Sophisticated farewell dinner · Book ahead
The Kitchen Restaurant, Inverness
Award-winning · Highland beef, wild salmon, seasonal game · Warm and welcoming
What Travellers Say

Three Views of the NC500

★★★★★

"The scenery is consistent and extraordinary — you are not waiting for the next highlight because every mile is a highlight. Don't rush it. Two weeks would be amazing."

Independent Travel Cats
NC500 Road Trip Planning Guide 2026
★★★★★

"Not only is the NC500 one of the world's best road trips, but it's also one of the most beautiful. The rugged coastline, the ancient mountains, the white sand beaches — unlike anything else in the UK."

North Coast 500 Official
northcoast500.com
★★★★★

"This day was the highlight of our trip — majestic mountains, stunning landscapes and awe-inspiring views. We explored Loch Assynt and Ardvreck Castle. The west coast of Scotland is in a league of its own."

Roam With Ross
roamwithross.com — NC500 Ultimate Guide 2026
Book the Highland Grand Tour

Ready to Experience
Scotland's Crown?

The Highland Grand Tour departs from Inverness on selected dates. Private chauffeured touring in our luxury motorhome. Dogs welcome. Full itinerary planning included.

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