The ONLY North Coast 500 Itinerary & Route PLANNER You Want (2025 replace)

Planning a street journey to the North Coast 500 in Scotland? Questioning the place to remain or tips on how to plan your route? This itinerary is the one one you want to discover the very best locations to go to and work out how far to drive every day.

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North Coast 500 Itinerary and route planner

Planning any street journey to a spot you’ve not been earlier than may be daunting, however planning a route and itinerary for the North Coast 500 (NC500) in Scotland typically appears extra overwhelming than most.

There’s a lot to see and do and it’s troublesome to understand how lengthy to allocate to every part. Some folks drive the NC500 in 3 or 4 days, whereas others can take a number of weeks!

North Coast 500 7 day Itinerary

I’ve simply returned from the NC500 and did the western route in about 7 days. That is what I’m sharing with you on this publish.

I’ve already performed the east part (which incorporates John o’Groats) in an earlier journey (you’ll be able to see this Scotland street journey right here)

Nonetheless, there are many different locations to go to on or close to the NC500, such because the Isle of Skye or Orkney. I extremely suggest you go to each if you happen to can- I’ll share extra particulars about them beneath.

I did the route in a motorhome. Should you’d love to do the journey in a motorhome or campervan too, you’ll be able to see all the route (plus locations to cease) in our North Coast 500 motorhome information.

North Coast 500 Itinerary- Methods to plan your street journey

As you’ll be able to see within the map beneath, the North Coast 500 is a round route. In some methods, this makes issues simpler, however in some ways it makes it tougher to plan.

In any case, folks drive at completely different speeds, or prefer to have a number of days exploring earlier than transferring on.

Within the urged NC500 7 day itinerary beneath, I’ve break up the ‘days’ into components. Every half may be pushed in a day, however you’ll be able to simply spend 2,3 or much more days in every space if you happen to want to discover.

Additionally, I’m assuming a begin an finish level from close to Edinburgh. Clearly, if it’s a must to drive from the south-coast of England (like me!) you’ll want so as to add a number of days both facet of your NC500 street journey to get your self up there are again.

Which route do you have to drive the NC500?

You may drive the North Coast 500 both clockwise or anti-clockwise. I did it clockwise and suppose that’s an incredible route, however you do whichever is smart for you.

North Coast 500 Route Planner Map

Right here’s a map of the NC500 route in its entirety.

Should you’d like an interactive model of the locations I visited on my final journey, you will discover it right here.

Day One- Kelpies to Eilean Donan

I extremely HIGHLY suggest you go to the Kelpies in Falkirk. These horse statues are so spectacular. Ideally, you need to spend the evening right here as a result of at evening they’re lit up and look superb.

From right here, you’ve obtained a fairly large day of driving forward of you. If it’s too lengthy, be at liberty to interrupt it up into two days.

There are a few route choices to get from the Kelpies to Eilean Donan. I took the M9 to Stirling, then the A84 to Crianlarich, then the A82/ A85 to Glencoe and Fort William and the A87 to Eilean Donan.

Eilean Donan is an unbelievable fortress set in a loch. You may go to inside it- if you happen to’d like to do that you’ll in all probability want so as to add a day so you could have time.

The place to remain

Should you’re in a motorhome or campervan, it value £15 for an evening within the Kelpies automobile park. You pay the guard on the sales space on the prime automobile park (closest to the Kelpies) however the in a single day parking is simply down the street.

Close to Eilean Donan, I wild camped in my motorhome a couple of 10 minute drive away, at a Keep the Night time scheme at Loch Carron Viewpoint. This was free, however there are additionally campsites across the space you should use if you happen to want.

Day Two- Bealach na Ba (The Applecross Street)

Bealach na Ba (or the street to Applecross) is usually considered one of many most scenic drives in Scotland. It’s additionally extensively considered probably the most harmful!

I made a decision to drive it, alone, in a rain storm and thick fog. As a result of I’m, apparently, insane.

I drove it in a 6.7m motorhome and had little or no bother. In case you have a bigger motorhome or campervan, you would possibly battle with a number of the bends and I don’t suggest it in any respect for caravanners.

Should you’re driving the NC500 in a automobile, you’ll be completely high quality.

It took me about 90 minutes to rise up to the highest, the place I then stayed for a number of hours while ready for the fog to clear. The route from the highest right down to Applecross is far simpler.

From right here, I drove across the coast from Applecross to Sheildaig, which took about 3 hours if you happen to embrace all of the stops for pictures and for highland cows!

The place to remain

I carried on round to Gairloch, and I used to be exhausted once I obtained there. If I hadn’t already booked the campsite I’d in all probability have stopped close to Sheildaig. There have been an incredible trying campsites close to there.

Because it occurred, I stayed at Gairloch Vacation Park and it was a stunning web site, with nice sea views. There’s additionally a stunning chip store simply down the best way (they fry every thing in beef dripping, which sounds terrible however is scrumptious!)

Half Three- Scotland’s south West Coast

From Gairloch, you’ll be able to select how far you need to drive and the way a lot time you need to spend on the west coast.

For reference, I drove from Gairloch to Ardmair Level simply north of Ullapool in sooner or later. This was about 90 minutes and 60 miles.

I loved trying round Ullapool and stayed two nights on this web site. Ullapool is the final large city earlier than you head North, so make sure you top off on the grocery store, replenish with gasoline and refill your gasoline tanks if in case you have them.

If you wish to preserve going, you’ll be able to push on to Clachtoll Seaside campsite, which is one other hour and an additional 40 miles, so simply doable in sooner or later.

The place to remain

Each campsites I used on this part have been great. Ardmair Level has unbelievable views throughout the bay, however could be very uncovered if the winds are sturdy (which they have been once I visited.)

Clachtoll Seaside is probably my favorite campsite alongside the NC500 for motorhomes and campers. It has unbelievable amenities, together with a canine bathe, laundry, a microwave & toaster (yep, I used to be excited!) and probably the most golden sandy seashore I’ve ever seen.

It’s not low-cost, however it was value each penny and I’d keep there once more in a heartbeat. I stayed there two nights and will simply have spent a 3rd simply lazying and having fun with the surroundings.

Issues to not miss

Undoubtedly go to Clashnessie Falls (it’s muddy, however value it!) and Clashnessie Seaside. There’s additionally an incredible chip van close to the campsite on sure days- nicely value testing out.

Half 4- Scotland’s north west coast

From Clachtoll, I continued up the A894, previous Scourie and all the best way to Durness. I took the slower route by way of Drumbeg. It was driveable in a motorhome however some passing spots have been very tight.

Keep in mind if you happen to do that route, you’ll miss the Wailing Widow Falls until you double again barely. Because it occurred, the climate was AWFUL that day so I made a decision to not trouble, however apparently the falls are nicely value visiting if it’s not blowing a gale!

The street from Scourie to Durness is fairly sufficient however not jaw-dropping (or maybe I simply turned immune!) so it’s not value spending too lengthy on this part.

Having stated that, if in case you have time and don’t thoughts driving down small lanes, there are LOADS of pristine white sand seashores to get pleasure from which most individuals don’t go to.

Sandwood Bay is the one you’ll see on postcards all around the place- it seems unbelievable however if you happen to solely have 7 days to do the North Coast 500, you’ll in all probability need to miss it on this event.

The place to Keep

Sango Sands Oasis is one other unbelievable campsite, set proper on the clifftop. Sadly, my expertise there was marred by very unfriendly workers, however I’d in all probability nonetheless keep there once more, because the seashores and views have been unbelievable.

Issues to see and do

They make a giant deal in regards to the ‘greatest sizzling chocolate’ on the Balnakeil craft village, which is a couple of 20 minute stroll from the campsite. To be trustworthy, I discovered it too sickly, and I wasn’t a giant fan of the craft village both.

BUT- when you’re there you need to trip the Golden Eagle zipline at Sango Sands. It’s £15 for a go and it’s a lot enjoyable. I additionally liked visiting Smoo Cave. Sadly, the boat tour wasn’t operating because of the heavy rains, however it was unbelievable to go to contained in the cave anyway.

Half 5- North or center?

The subsequent a part of the North Coast 500 is a alternative. Should you solely have a 7 day itinerary, you’ll want to decide on what you do subsequent.

Personally, if you happen to’ve by no means visited John o’Groats earlier than, I really feel you need to go there. Sure, it’s touristy, however sure, you want that picture by the publish.

The street alongside the highest of Scotland is fairly however nothing unbelievable. It’s about 90 miles and can take you round 3 hours.

Should you simply need to drive it, cease for a fast picture at John o’Groats after which keep on to Shin (see beneath), it’ll take you about 5 hours (190 miles). You’ll additionally go Brora Seaside (which is spectacular) and Dunrobin Fort, which is certainly value a go to if in case you have time.

Should you’d love to do these stopoffs, I’d undoubtedly suggest a minimum of two days for this part so you’ll be able to see all of it correctly.

The place to remain on the north coast

Should you’re in a motorhome, cease at Dunnet Bay campsite- it’s great and the seashore there may be additionally unbelievable. Don’t miss the Duncansby Stacks- they make nice pictures.

Additionally, if in case you have time, I extremely suggest a day journey to Orkney– it’s an interesting place.

The Different route south

Should you’ve already been to John o’Groats, you’ve seen one of many main highlights on the NC500 route.

Should you’re restricted on time, you’ll be able to ignore the North East nook and minimize down the center, which is a way more dramatic route with unbelievable surroundings.

I drove from Durness to Tongue, after which down previous Loch Loyal, heading for the Falls of Shin.

The Falls of Shin close to Lairg are well-known for the salmon ‘leaping’ as they swim upriver to spawn. I’d been there just a few minutes once I noticed one, and I noticed a number of over the following half an hour or so.

The place to remain

The automobile park on the Falls of Shin was improbable, stage and FREE if you happen to didn’t want facilities. Alternatively, there are locations round Lairg to remain.

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Half Six- Loch Ness or The Cairngorms

The North Coast 500 technically goes Inverness to Inverness, however my opinion is you need to add on a few further stops (and days, if you happen to can!)

First of those is the Cairngorms. These mountains are residence to Aviemore (the UK’s main ski centre) and in addition residence to Balmoral.

I stayed in a single day at Balmoral, however it was shortly after the Queen’s loss of life so the fortress wasn’t open. Nonetheless, the stroll as much as King Albert’s Pyramid (yep, an precise pyramid!) was open and that was a improbable expertise (though it was VERY steep!)

In earlier journeys, we’ve visited Aviemore, taken cable automobiles up the mountain and loved lots of the different unbelievable issues to do across the Cairngorms. You would simply spend a number of days to per week right here if you happen to can.

Loch Ness

Nonetheless, if you happen to’ve by no means seen Loch Ness and if you happen to can solely do one or the opposite, the drive down Loch Ness is nicely value it, if solely as a result of it’s so well-known and everybody ought to search for Nessie a minimum of as soon as of their life.

I’ve by no means been into Inverness Metropolis, however I hear it’s lovely and value a day if you happen to can spare it.

Should you drove previous Loch Ness, you’ll find yourself in Fort William once more, which technically closes the loop and now you can proudly show your North Coast 500 street journey sticker in your automobile.

Half Seven- Loch Lomond

Should you nonetheless have time, I extremely suggest visiting Loch Lomond and the Trossachs Nationwide Park.

The entire space is beautiful, however Loch Lomond must be one in every of my favourites. Each nook of it has unbelievable views.

The place to Keep

I parked up at Firkin Level, the place motorhome parking is allowed. In excessive season (March- finish September) you want a allow (purchased on-line), however I used to be there first week in October and was capable of keep totally free.

There was a improbable little seashore and in addition an incredible pedestrian-only walkway which went for about 3 miles and have Mac and I a flat and protected house to run.

I hope you discovered this 7 day North Coast 500 itinerary useful. It’s lots to cowl in 7 days, so ideally if in case you have 10-14 you’ll discover it way more enjoyable and can have the ability to see and do extra.

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