The North Coast 500: route, stops and how long to take

A loop around the Scottish Highlands on single-track roads with passing places.

Distance

About 516 miles / 830 km

Time needed

6–8 days

Best time to drive

May to early June, and September — long light, fewer midges, and the roads not yet overwhelmed

The NC500 loops from Inverness up the east coast, along the north shore and back down the west through Applecross. It's become extremely popular since being branded as a route, which is worth knowing: the roads are the same single-track lanes they always were, and the villages have not grown.

Drive it clockwise, keep the days short, and use passing places properly. The west coast section from Applecross to Ullapool is the reason people come, and it deserves more than a single day.

The stops

bothways Get started

The North Coast 500: route, stops and how long to take

A loop around the Scottish Highlands on single-track roads with passing places.

Distance

About 516 miles / 830 km

Time needed

6–8 days

Best time to drive

May to early June, and September — long light, fewer midges, and the roads not yet overwhelmed

Drive it clockwise, keep the days short, and use passing places properly. The west coast section from Applecross to Ullapool is the reason people come, and it deserves more than a single day.

The stops

InvernessOVERNIGHT

The start and end. Stock up here — supermarkets get sparse fast.

Dornoch and Wick

The east coast run: links golf, distilleries, and a castle or two. Fastest section of the loop.

John o' Groats and Duncansby Head

The corner. The stacks at Duncansby are better than the signpost at John o' Groats.

Durness and Smoo CaveOVERNIGHT

The north coast beaches are genuinely world-class — white sand, turquoise water, and freezing.

Assynt and LochinverOVERNIGHT

Suilven, Achmelvich beach, and the best seafood on the route.

UllapoolOVERNIGHT

The west coast's main town: ferry port, harbour, and a good night out.

Applecross via Bealach na BàOVERNIGHT

The famous mountain pass. Steep, exposed, and closed in bad weather — the coast road is the alternative.

Torridon and back to Inverness

Mountains straight out of the sea, then the run back inland.

Map your nights on bothways

Plan the trip by where you're sleeping, not by mileage.

Logistics worth sorting first

Book accommodation months ahead — the route has far more drivers than beds in summer
Fuel up whenever you're below half a tank; stations are far apart and close early
Learn passing-place etiquette: pull in, let locals through, don't reverse uphill
Bring midge repellent for June to August, and expect rain in any month

Driving this with a group

One car and self-catering cottages are the way to do this affordably — B&Bs on the route price for couples and fill early. Give one person the accommodation bookings and keep them on a shared itinerary; mobile coverage on the west coast is patchy enough that you won't be able to look anything up.

How many days do you need for the NC500?

Six to eight. Five is a lot of driving; anything under that means seeing the road rather than the Highlands.

Is the North Coast 500 hard to drive?

Not technically difficult, but a lot of it is single-track with passing places, and the Bealach na Bà pass is steep and exposed. Take it slowly.

Which direction should you drive the NC500?

Clockwise from Inverness. It saves the dramatic west coast for the end and puts you on the inside of the coastal cliff edges.

The North Coast 500: route, stops and how long to take

The stops

The North Coast 500: route, stops and how long to take

The stops

Logistics worth sorting first

Driving this with a group

Common questions