North Coast 500 - Scotland's Ultimate Road Trip

NEW TOUR FOR 2026! Officially launched in 2015, The North Coast 500 (NC500) brings together a route of stunning coastal scenery, white sandy beaches, rugged mountains, remote fishing villages, hidden gems, and a wealth of unforgettable experiences. Scotland's ultimate road trip explores Europe's “last great wilderness” with the most incredible and naturally stunning landscapes and seascapes. A day out on the wild and remote Applecross peninsula in Wester Ross with its secretive hill lochs and mist shrouded mountain peaks, creates the impression that you are at the 'edge of the world. Other highlights include a visit to the Queen Mother's Castle of Mey with its wonderful interiors just as she left them; entrance to Scotland's most recognisable castle, Eilean Donan, and discovering a world of wonderful botanicals at the award-winning Inverewe Garden. Join us on this wonderful adventure and explore the sights, history and culture of this most beautiful part of Scotland.Highlights
- 2 nights in Thurso with dinner & breakfast- 2 nights in Gairloch with dinner & breakfast- 4 overnight hotels with dinner & breakfast- Porterage at all hotels- Tea / coffee after dinner throughout- Itinerary and visits as stated- Entrance to Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre- Entrance to Castle of Mey- Entrance to Inverewe Garden- Applecross Peninsula by minicoach with local driver guide- Entrance to Eilean Donan Castle- Stop at Glencoe Visitor Centre- Packed lunch on Day 5 and Day 7

Scotland's Ultimate Road Trip
DAY 1 - After joining your holiday coach, you head north with suitable stops en-route for lunch and refreshments. Continue to your overnight stop at the excellent 3* Holiday Inn Gosforth Park near Newcastle DBB\n\nDAY 2 - Edinburgh & Pitlochry - Continue your journey and head to Scotland's delightful Capital City of Edinburgh. With its stunning architecture, endless winding streets and an awe-inspiring castle perched on a dormant volcano, there's nowhere else quite like it. Your driver may be able to offer a guided city tour - details locally. After some time at leisure, hop back on board and continue by way of the Three Bridges Viewpoint - the impressive Forth Bridge (opened 1890), the Forth Road Bridge (opened 1964) and the Queensferry Crossing (opened 2017) - three bridges that span three centuries. Onward to charming Pitlochry, in the heart of Highland Perthshire, to check-in for your overnight stay at the centrally located 3* Fishers Hotel. DBB\n\nDAY 3 - Culloden & North to Caithness - Continue north today travelling through the glorious mountainous scenery of the Cairngorms National Park en-route to Culloden Moor. Here you will discover the story of the last pitched battle to be fought on British soil under the command of Bonnie Prince Charlie - the Jacobite Uprising of 1745, culminating in the Battle of Culloden which marked the end of an era for Scotland. Start by visiting Culloden Battlefield and Visitor Centre (entrance included), you will get an insight into the magnificent story of the young pretender and the Jacobites. Then journey along the East Coast to Caithness before arriving in Thurso for your 2-night stay at 3* Pentland Hotel. DBB\n\nDAY 4 - John O'Groats & The Castle of Mey - Off to John O'Groats, with its dramatic coastal location, situated at the top of mainland Britain and certainly best known as the end point of the 874-mile trek from Land's End in Cornwall. Onto the Castle of Mey, the beloved residence of the Queen Mother, which stands in a magnificent setting on the north coast of Caithness with glorious views across the Pentland Firth. The castle, with its jutting turrets, is kept as it was when The Queen Mother was in residence and the gardens are a delight with her personal touch apparent everywhere. Make a stop at Dunnet Head, the most northerly point of mainland Britain - a rugged peninsula and designated nature reserve. Overnight at Pentland Hotel DBB\n\nDAY 5 - North Coast 500 Route - After breakfast, pick up a packed lunch for today's big drive with so many wonderful places to stop along the way. Head west across the famous North Coast 500 Route, described as Scotland's Route 66. The main roads along the northerly coastal edges of Scotland give you an opportunity to marvel at the breathtaking views around every corner. Stop in Durness, the most north westerly village in the British mainland, surrounded by the dramatic landscape of Sutherland. In the afternoon head south to the picturesque fishing town of Ullapool, nestled on the shores of Loch Broom to check into the centrally located 3* Caledonian Hotel for your overnight stay. There should be time this afternoon to explore Ullapool, one of the most alluring spots in the Highlands, a wonderful destination and gateway to the Western Isles. The town has a distinctive appeal with its row of whitewashed cottages arrayed along the harbour and special views of the loch and its flanking hills. The harbour once served as an emigration point when thousands of Scots headed off for a new life across the Atlantic including Nova Scotia. DBB at the hotel\n\nDAY 6 - Inverewe Garden & Gairloch - Depart Ullapool this morning and take a scenic drive along the coastal NC500 route via Dundonnell and Laide to Poolewe, home of the Inverewe Garden (entrance included) where rare species thrive as a side effect of the Gulf Stream meeting the Highlands. As you meander through the garden on this remote stretch of coastline, enjoy a paradise of unusual and wonderful plants, where the unexpected greets you at every corner. Just a short hop by coach, takes you to Gairloch where you check in for 2 nights at 3* Gairloch Hotel DBB\n\nDAY 7 - The Applecross Peninsula - Today your adventure takes you off the beaten track by minicoach with a local driver-guide to explore magnificent Wester Ross and to places inaccessible by a large coach. Packed lunch provided today. With over 3000 square miles of soaring mountains and atmospheric glens, ancient Caledonian forest and wild beaches set against a backdrop of fjord-like lochs, Wester Ross is one of the world's most spectacular regions and possibly the most beautiful part of the North Coast 500. Start the day along the shores of Loch Maree to Kinlochewe near the head of the loch before turning west along the Upper Loch Torridon to Shieldaig. Then you'll head across the remote Applecross Peninsula, famous for its spectacular 'edge of the world' scenery and on to the Bealach na Ba Viewpoint. The drive up is unforgettable and along one of the most dramatic roads on mainland UK (and one of the highest, reaching 2,053 ft), rivalling many a Swiss mountain pass and with terrific views across much of Wester Ross, the whole of Skye, and the Islands of Rum and the Outer Hebrides. Wind your way back to Gairloch after a day to remember! Overnight and dinner at The Gairloch Hotel. DBB\n\nDAY 8 - Eilean Donan & Glencoe - Your final day in Scotland sees you heading back south via the iconic Eilean Donan Castle, the famous 13th century castle for a guided tour this morning. Situated on an island at the point where three great sea lochs meet, and surrounded by some majestic scenery, it is little wonder that the castle has gained such iconic status. NB the design and layout of the castle feature uneven steps, narrow stairways, corridors and different floor levels within the castle walls. The Visitor Centre, café and gift shop are fully accessible. Head into famous Glencoe, the deep valley and towering mountains which were carved out centuries ago by icy glaciers and volcanic explosions. Glencoe has featured in many films including scenes from the Harry Potter films, The 39 Steps, Skyfall and Braveheart. Make a stop at the Glencoe Visitor Centre where you can learn about the glen, its wildlife and the feuding clans who lived here. Then it's through the wilderness of Rannoch Moor, a vast stretch of land composed of peat bogs, small lochs, streams and rocky outcrops before arriving at your final overnight stop at the popular 3* Winnock Hotel in the village of Drymen. (no lift but some ground floor rooms) DBB\n\nDAY 9 - As your epic Scottish adventure comes to end, an early start today to head back to interchange with comfort stops en-route, arriving home during the evening.\n\nNB sites visited on this tour may have uneven surfaces and good walking shoes are recommended. Warm clothing is also recommended as winds can be high and temperatures cool\nYour Hotels
PENTLAND HOTEL, THURSO - 2 nights\nCentrally located in the heart of Thurso, the popular 3* Pentland Hotel offers a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. It's also just a stroll to the beach. Comfortable guestrooms feature TV, WiFi, hairdryer and tea/coffee making facilities. There is a large split level dining room as well as a cosy lounge bar. The reception foyer features a fireplace with a carved wooden mantel on a Caithness stone hearth. There is no lift but there are two ground floor rooms.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nGAIRLOCH HOTEL, GAIRLOCH - 2 nights\nThis lovely 3* hotel overlooks Gairloch Bay with its quiet, secluded beaches. With panoramic views stretching as far as the famous Isle of Skye, the Gairloch Hotel offers a spectacular window to Wester Ross and the Northwest Highlands. Traditional Scottish hospitality lies at the heart of the hotel and the 70 bedrooms all come with hairdryer, TV and tea / coffee making facilities as standard. There is a restaurant and lounge bar. There is a lift to all floors although some rooms do have a few steps.