The North Coast 500 route runs 516 miles to and from Inverness, forming a loop around the northern Highlands. So if you drive the full route, you’ll end up where you started which can be very convenient if you are flying in and out of Inverness or renting a car.

The best time to drive the North Coast 500 for most people is between May and October as during this period you’ll find most attractions and restaurants open, the greatest variety of lodging, and the best chances for warmer weather. However, this also corresponds with the busiesttime along the North Coast 500 which is from early May to late September. This really depends on your style of travel, some people plan little in advance and others plan in great detail what they are going to see each day. I’d recommend that you at least make a loose itinerary of places you definitely want to stop before you leave so you have an idea of how much time you want to spend in each area so you can plan your accommodation.If you have never driven in Scotland before, you’ll want to review some of the driving laws and road safety tips before your North Coast 500 road trip. This is particularly true if you are planning to drive a rental car, caravan, or motorhome. Thanks for the very helpfull info. Unfortunately we don’t have an other option that go within the Dutch holliday weeks because of school. 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! BTW, if your son is interested in learning more about photography, Laurence runs an online travel photography course as well.

July is a busy time for both the NC500 and most of the Scottish islands, so just be prepared for crowds and to take things slow. But the weather is typically warmer and all the seasonal businesses and ferry routes should be open. It also depends, of course, on the coronavirus, but hopefully things will be much better next summer!This one is easy, don’t litter! Bring along bags or containers you can keep in your car to store your trash and wait until you get to a proper place to dispose of it responsibly. One common issue is that tourists are throwing garbage into proper trash receptacles but the receptacles are already overflowing so the garbage ends up on the ground or in the water anyway. Obviously, the best time to drive the North Coast 500 is the time you have available, and if you need to set out at a less than opportune time of the year, just be prepared and be flexible. I’d probably set your dates and flights first, and then you can think about hotels and any tours. Most attractions along the route don’t require any pre-booking or reservations, but if you want to do a specific activity (e.g., fly fishing, guided hike, kayaking, wildlife tour, etc.) that you would want to book in advance. But you have plenty of time 😉 The North Coast 500 (NC500) was created in 2014 by the North Highland Initiative, which is a non-profit organization that was established by Prince Charles in 2005 in an effort to develop economic growth across the North Highlands. Following its creation, private investment was raised and the route is promoted by a for-profit corporation called North Coast 500 Ltd. The company provides a number of resources for both visitors and local businesses. Pony trekking is possible at Red Point at the Gairloch Pony Trekking Centre. Need to book in advance.

You have provided a great deal of information on the North Coast 500 and I appreciate that. After your comments I have a question for you. We are planning to arrive in Ullapool from Stornoway late on June 24 and we need to be in Inverness by the evening of June 26 to attend the pipe band European Championship the next day. I had hoped, perhaps naively, to be able to drive along the north coast from Ullapool to Thurso, then south to Inverness in those two days. From your description and others I have read, the summer crowding may make this difficult. So my question: Is this at all doable or do I need to plan something else? I understand that what I’m contemplating does not include many stops along the way. That’s OK; I just want to see the north coast region. (BTW I’m a west coast American and have driven Scotland’s single lane roads before, but my British son-in-law will be driving on this trip, so we’ll be less of a menace!) Photos: The Storehouse Restaurant & Farm Shop, Applecross Smokehouse, West Coast Delicatessen, Robertson’s the Larder 10. Be a safe driver It is recommended by the NC500 to not drive anything over 18 feet (about 5.5 meters) on these. Partly because of the narrow stretches and also because you need to be able to safely pull into and reverse the vehicle into passing places which are not always that long. The North Coast 500 brings together a route of more than 500 miles of stunning coastal scenery – 516 miles, to be exact. Not only is the NC500 one of the world’s best road trips, but it’s also one of the most beautiful. While the North Coast 500 is an experience in itself, you’ll also find plenty of adventures to be had along the way. We want everyone who visits the North Highlands to have the best time possible when driving the North Coast 500, so, in this article, we’ll bring you some top tips on how to make the very most of your trip.Just note that 3 days is not very much time and you’ll be very limited in what you will be able to see or how long you can stop. If you have more time, we’d recommend at least 5 days to complete the route. Plan the route you wish to take, and remember that the official North Coast 500 map is simply a guideline. Venture off the path less travelled, explore Highland villages, coastal towns and the rugged countryside of the North Highlands.