Currently few companies are offering NC500 tours, especially group tours, but the options will likely increase as the popularity of the route increases. We’ll try to keep this list updated but if you know of any other group tours, please let us know! Most attractions (from the National Trust or Historic Scotland) close from October to Easter. Many of the grounds are still open. I recommend that your stops are no more than 1-1.5 hours apart unless much of the journey is on a motorway or you know the rules of the road. 2 hours on mountain roads will exhaust even the most patient of drivers. I would recommend taking the route from Ullapool south to Inverness and stopping at the many scenic and interesting places along that part of the route. There is lots of lovely scenery, gardens, hiking, and wildlife viewing opportunities in that area and also a couple of whisky distilleries you could visit. Plenty to keep you busy for 1.5 to 2 days and you can follow the final two days of our recommended 1 week NC500 route itinerary. Perhaps also consider extending your trip if you can to do the rest of the route after the pipe band championship or planning a second trip where you’ll fully be able to enjoy the scenery and attractions that make this a wonderful area to visit.

The NC500 route officially begins and ends in the city of Inverness at Inverness Castle, forming a loop. However, you can begin and end the route anywhere you choose although Inverness, as the largest city along the route, is a convenient place to start and stop. Inverness Castle How Do I Find and Stay on the North Coast 500 route? Summer Isles Hotel in Achiltibuie – I think they allow dogs in many of the rooms plus in the bar area (but not the restaurant)Since the NC500 is not a single road or highway like Route 66 or the Pacific Coast Highway, you won’t find it on a regular map and your GPS probably won’t know the route. So just to be clear, there is no actual road named North Coast 500 but it is a designated tourist route. The two stretches of the road that are usually noted as unsuitable for larger caravans and motorhomes are:

The drink drive laws in Scotland were changed in 2014 and are now very strict with low limits to discourage drinking and driving. The legal drinking limit is now lower than in any other part of the UK. You could still be charged even if you are riding a bike. Glad you are finding our content on the NC500 and Scottish Highlands helpful in planning your trip 😉 As noted, the two stretches of the road that are usually noted as unsuitable for larger caravans and motorhomes are: We would recommend renting the smallest size campervan or RV that you need as the narrow roads of the Highlands are not designed for large vehicles and RVs are prohibited on some roads.Sands Beach – voted by Countryfile readers as the Beach of the Year in 2015/16. It is one of my favourite places in Scotland and a gorgeous 10km walk from the village on the Peninsula.

In this section, we’ll assume you have decided to drive the North Coast 500, and we’ll discuss how to find the route, how to stay on the route, safe driving tips and laws you should know, and where you can rent a car, motorcycle, or RV for your North Coast 500 road trip.Our preferred itinerary if NC500 doesnt cut will be (This is again a copybook of your 5 Day itinerary only difference is we will be driving self) For more on whisky, see our comprehensive guide to whisky distilleries in Scotland, which has everything you need to know. We also have a guide to whisky distilleries on the North Coast 500 specifically.