The North Coast 500 (NC500) isn’t just a scenic route  it’s a journey through one of Europe’s last untouched wilderness regions.

A 516-mile loop that unveils the soul of the Scottish Highlands: ancient stone, violent seas, lonely cliffs, silver sand beaches, whisky towns, forgotten castles, dramatic mountain roads, and villages where time seems to slow down.

If you want adventure, silence, mystery, and views that hit the heart  this is it.

📱 Download NC500 App

Before you go, download the official NC500 travel apps. They include:

• Offline maps

• Accommodation lists

• Fuel stops

• Viewpoints

• Emergency information

They’re extremely helpful, especially when your phone shows “No Service” (which happens a lot in the Highlands).

🌄 What Is The NC500?

The NC500 is a circular road trip around the northern tip of Scotland, starting and ending in Inverness. Created by the North Highland Initiative, it connects tiny coastal villages, epic mountain passes, and some of the most dramatic landscapes in the world.

You’ll pass:

• Fairy-tale castles like Dunrobin

• White-sand beaches such as Achmelvich & Balnakeil

• Cliffs so tall they swallow the horizon

• Single-track roads winding through mountains

• Quaint villages with whisky, seafood, and stories

🔥 Essential NC500 Tips (Must-Read Before You Go!)

1️⃣ Travel Anti-Clockwise if You’re a First-Timer

The route works both ways, but the experience changes:

• Clockwise: You start with rugged mountains and Applecross Pass early.

• Anti-clockwise: You warm up with gentler roads and build up to the narrow, challenging west coast.

Beginners often prefer anti-clockwise because the trickiest sections come later — once you’re more confident.

2️⃣ Book Accommodation Early (Especially Summer)

The NC500 has limited accommodation, and the small villages sell out months in advance.

Book early for:

• Hotels

• Inns and B&Bs

• Campsites

• Motorhome pitches

3️⃣ Don’t Rush  5–7 Days Minimum

Many travellers try to finish the NC500 in 2–3 days … and spend the whole time driving instead of experiencing.

Here’s a simple guide:

• 3 - 4 days: Too rushed unless you skip big sections

• 5 days: Covers highlights

• 7 days: Perfect balance

• 10+ days: Slow, peaceful trip with room for detours and hidden gems

The Highlands are meant to be savoured, not checked off.

4️⃣ Fuel Up Whenever You See a Station

Petrol stations are rare — especially on the northern stretch.
Some villages only have a single pump, and they close early.
Rule:
If your tank hits half, top it up.

5️⃣ Prepare for Single-Track Roads

A large part of the NC500 consists of narrow, single-lane roads with passing places.
It’s part of the charm you truly feel like you’re driving through untouched nature.

Tips:

• If someone behind is faster, use a passing place to let them go.

• Don’t stop in passing places for photos.

• Wave 👋 it’s Highland culture.

6️⃣ The Weather Will Change Every 15 Minutes

The Highlands have a personality of their own:

• Bright sunshine

• Sudden rain

• Strong winds

• Fog

• Rainbows

• Clear skies again

7️⃣ You Don’t Need a 4x4 But a Good Car Helps

Most of the route is paved, but the terrain can be challenging:

• Steep climbs

• Sharp bends

• Occasional gravel

• Tight cliffside routes

📍 Best Places to See on the NC500

🏝️ 1. Durness & Balnakeil Beach

Balnakeil is one of Scotland’s finest beaches — a long stretch of white sand with turquoise water that looks unreal on sunny days. You’ll often share it only with the wind, a dog walker, or a few travellers.

Nearby is the Balnakeil Craft Village, a quirky place full of handmade crafts, art, and chocolates.

🕳️ 2. Smoo Cave

A dramatic limestone sea cave with:

• A huge cathedral-like entrance

• A waterfall pouring inside

• Hidden chambers accessible by boat (seasonal)

It feels like stepping into a Viking saga.

🌅 3. Duncansby Head & Sea Stacks

The walk here is stunning — green cliffs, seabirds, and endless sea.

📍 4. John o’ Groats

🪨 5. Dunnet Head

This is the true northernmost point of mainland Britain.
A wild, windy headland with a lighthouse, dramatic cliffs, and incredible views across the Pentland Firth.

Distance from John o’ Groats: ~18 km west

🏰 6. Dunrobin Castle

A fairytale-like castle overlooking the sea.
It looks more French than Scottish, with its pointed towers and manicured gardens.

⛰️ 7. Bealach na Bà (Applecross Pass)

One of the most iconic and hair-raising roads in the UK.
The steep zigzag climb gives spectacular views across the Isle of Skye and the west coast.

If the weather is bad (fog or heavy rain), drive cautiously  or skip it.

🏖️ 8. Achmelvich Beach

Another postcard-perfect beach with unbelievably clear water.
Great for drone photography, short hikes, or simply sitting on the sand and breathing in the silence.

🌲 9. Ullapool

A picturesque fishing village with great seafood, live music pubs, and ferries to the Outer Hebrides.Ideal place to stay overnight.

🌊 10. Rogie Falls

A short detour off the main road but totally worth it.
You’ll walk across a suspension bridge overlooking the rushing falls  especially powerful after rain.

🚗 Suggested NC500 Itinerary (Expanded + Realistic)

Day 1: Inverness → Wick

Highlights:

• Dunrobin Castle

• Whaligoe Steps (crazy 330-step descent to an old harbour)

• Duncansby Stacks

• Famous signpost at John o’ Groats

It builds anticipation — coastal cliffs, dramatic landscapes, and the feeling that you're heading toward the edge of the map.

Day 2: Wick → Durness

Stops:

• Smoo Cave

• Balnakeil Beach

• Dunnet Head (the true north)

• Zipline over the ocean (if you dare)

This stretch feels remote and peaceful  long empty roads and rugged coastlines.

Day 3: Durness → Scourie → Ullapool

Highlights include:

• Assynt mountains (mystical silhouettes)

• Ardvreck Castle ruins

• Lochinver pies

• Knockan Crag (geology site explaining how old these mountains really are)

You’ll experience the wild heart of the Highlands.

Day 4: Ullapool → Gairloch

Stops:

• Corrieshalloch Gorge suspension bridge

• Mellon Udrigle Beach (hidden gem)

• Inverewe Gardens

• Gairloch viewpoints

This day mixes beaches, forests, and deep gorges  very different from the northern coast.

Day 5: Gairloch → Applecross

Highlights:

• Shieldaig village

• Coastal views

• Bealach na Bà Pass

• Applecross Inn for fresh seafood

This is the dramatic day — mountains, twisting roads, and jaw-dropping panoramas.

Day 6: Applecross → Inverness

Finish your loop by passing:

• Loch Carron

• Plockton village

• Eilean Donan Castle (optional detour)

Drive back to Inverness with a heart full of views you’ll remember forever.

🍽️ Best Food Stops on the NC500 (Expanded)

Cocoa Mountain, Durness

Famous for “the best hot chocolate in Scotland.”

Kylesku Hotel

Stunning scenery + fresh seafood.

Lochinver Larder (Pie Shop)

Steak & ale pie = legendary.

The Storehouse (near Inverness)

Great breakfast before starting the route.

Applecross Inn

A must-stop for seafood lovers.

❓ NC500 FAQ 

1️⃣ Can I see the Northern Lights on the NC500?

However, a few things matter:

• Time of year: Best between September and March

• Clear skies: Cloud cover ruins the view

• Solar activity: High KP index = stronger lights

• Darkness: Late autumn and winter nights are ideal

Tip: Download an aurora forecast app and keep a jacket handy  the aurora often appears when you least expect it.

2️⃣ Are RVs and Motorhomes Suitable for the NC500?

Yes, RVs and motorhomes can absolutely complete the NC500, but with some important considerations.

Pros:

• Total freedom

• Stay close to nature

• Cost-efficient compared to hotels in peak season

Challenges:

• Many sections are single-track roads  tight for large vehicles

• Passing places require patience and confidence

• Some steep, winding routes (especially Bealach na Bà) may be unsuitable for big motorhomes

• Limited parking in small villages

• Campsites fill up fast

3️⃣ Can I Wild Camp on the NC500?

Tent wild camping is allowed, but motorhome/van roadside parking is restricted.

Allowed (Tents Only):

• Small tents

• Short stays (1–2 nights)

• Far from houses, farms, and fenced land

Not Allowed:

• Parking overnight in lay-bys

• Sleeping in your car at the roadside

• Pitching tents beside roads, beaches with signage, or private land

Motorhomes must use:

• Campsites

• Approved motorhome stopovers

• Community-run overnight spots

Always follow “Leave No Trace.”

4️⃣ How Do I Avoid Midges on the NC500?

Midges peak in summer, especially on still evenings.

Tips:

• Best months to avoid them: April, May, September

• Use Smidge or Avon Skin-So-Soft

• Choose breezy coastal spots — wind keeps them away

• Keep moving; midges attack when you stand still

• Wear long sleeves around dusk

The west coast gets the most midges — the north and east are usually better.

✨ Why People Fall in Love With the NC500

Because the Highlands strip life back to its essentials  nature, silence, wind, sea, sky.
A place where you realise how wide the world is, how old the land is, and how short life feels.
A reminder to travel more, slow down, and let landscapes change you.