North Coast 500 Scotland Road Trip + Map: Highlands, Beaches & Viewpoints 🚗
I’ve done a fair few road trips where you get a nice view, a decent coffee, and you’re grand. The NC500 is not that. The NC500 is Scotland grabbing you by the collar, pointing at the coastline, and going “Look at that” every five minutes until you’re laughing like an eejit. I did it clockwise from Inverness, and it was the time of my life, the kind of trip where you’re tired in a good way and your camera roll looks like it belongs to someone far more outdoorsy than you actually are. As I like to say, “Craic was good”.
This guide is a clockwise loop that links up properly and keeps the pacing sane. East coast first (easy driving), then the far north (big skies), then the west coast (full drama). If you’re flying in, book car hire early. And for overnights, I’d grab places on Booking.com because the NC500 isn’t exactly a “leave it to the last minute” sort of situation.
I have added the FREE Google Map Itinerary lower down!
North Coast 500 Scotland Road Trip
🚗 Quick Trip Facts
✅ Start/finish: Inverness (best base for supplies and an easy start)
✅ Route direction: Clockwise (east coast → north → west → back to Inverness)
✅ Distance: ~516 miles / 830 km
✅ Best trip length: 7 days for a proper holiday pace, 5 if you’re tight on time
✅ Road reality: Single-track sections + passing places (and the occasional sheep stand-off)
✅ Fuel + food: Fill up when you can, especially north and west
✅ Signal: Patchy in spots, an Airalo eSIM helps for maps and bookings
🗺️ Map-ready route overview (clockwise)
Use these overnight bases as your spine, then add beaches/viewpoints as pins along the way:
Inverness → Dornoch/Tain → Wick → Thurso → Durness → Lochinver/Ullapool → Gairloch/Poolewe → Applecross/Lochcarron → Inverness
🔹 Tinker’s Tip: Download offline maps and pin your overnights before you leave Inverness. I learned this after my sat nav tried to send me into what I can only describe as “a bog with ambition” 😅
🚗 Recommended Car Rental: Discover Cars
The Itinerary (7-days that link up perfectly) 🗺️
Day 1: Inverness ➝ Black Isle ➝ Dornoch (or Tain)
This is the warm-up lap, and it’s a lovely one. You’ll leave Inverness with big plans, then the Black Isle will immediately ruin your schedule in the best way because you’ll be pulling over for viewpoints like it’s your new job. Dornoch is an ideal first overnight: small, calm, and you can get an early night if you’ve got a long drive day tomorrow.
📍 Things to do
- Chanonry Point for coastal views (and a chance of wildlife spotting)
- Harbour wander in Cromarty
- Dornoch Beach for a sunset stroll if the light’s behaving
👉 Good to know: Day 1 is where you learn the NC500 rule: if you think you’ll arrive at 5pm, you won’t.
🚗 Recommended Tour to get you started: From Inverness: Lochness, Outlander, and whisky distillery tour
🗺️ FREE Road Trip: United Kingdom Castles Road Trip + Map 🚗
Day 2: Dornoch ➝ Dunrobin Castle ➝ Helmsdale ➝ Wick
This is a classic “castles and coast” day with nice, straightforward driving. Dunrobin is properly dramatic, the kind of place that makes you want to start speaking in a posh accent for no reason. The east coast has loads of simple pull-ins and sea views, and Wick is a handy base with services and food so you’re set up for the far north tomorrow.
📍 Things to do
- Dunrobin Castle (even if you just do the outside and gardens)
- Coastal viewpoints as you head north
- Quick leg-stretch walk near Wick’s coastline
Day 3: Wick ➝ John o’ Groats ➝ Duncansby Head ➝ Dunnet Head ➝ Thurso
Right, this is the day you start properly grinning. John o’ Groats is the famous photo stop, but Duncansby Head is the one that genuinely made me stop talking for a minute. The cliffs and sea stacks are unreal. If you push on to Dunnet Head, you’ll feel like you’ve hit the top of the map.
📍 Things to do
- Quick photo at John o’ Groats
- Walk to Duncansby Head for sea stacks and cliffs
- Detour to Dunnet Head for lighthouse views
- Overnight in Thurso (handy base, good reset point)
🔹 Tinker’s Tip: Wind up here is no joke. Keep a warm layer in the front seat even in summer.
🗺️ Recommended Read: All Our Guides Scotland
Recommended Tours and Tickets From Get Your Guide
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Day 4: Thurso ➝ Strathy Point ➝ Tongue ➝ Smoo Cave ➝ Durness
This is where the scenery starts getting wild and spacious, like Scotland has turned the volume up. Tongue is brilliant for viewpoints, and the drive itself is half the joy. Then you roll into Durness, and suddenly you’ve got beaches, cliffs and one of the coolest caves on the route.
📍 Things to do
- Strathy Point for lighthouse + coastline
- Viewpoints around Tongue (the causeway views are class)
- Explore Smoo Cave
- Sunset beach walk near Balnakeil Bay if you’ve got time
Day 5: Durness ➝ Kylesku Bridge ➝ Lochinver (+ Sandwood Bay optional)
This day is all about the “remote Highlands” feeling. If you’ve got the legs and the weather, Sandwood Bay is an optional hike that’s absolutely worth it, but it’s not a casual pop-in. Then you’ll hit Kylesku Bridge, which is a full postcard moment. Lochinver is a cosy base and a perfect “reward yourself” stop.
📍 Things to do
- Sandwood Bay (optional hike, only if you’re up for it)
- Stop at Kylesku Bridge for photos
- Scenic pulls-offs on the way to Lochinver
🔹 Pro tip: Keep your camera accessible. I kept mine buried in a bag once, and I’m still raging about the shot I missed.
🗺️ Scotland Guide: Unforgettable Scotland Travel Tips For First-Timers
Day 6: Lochinver ➝ Achmelvich Beach ➝ Ullapool ➝ Gairloch/Poolewe
This is the day the west coast starts showing off properly. Achmelvich is one of those beaches that makes you say “you’re joking” out loud when you see the water. Ullapool is a brilliant practical stop for lunch and supplies, then you drift south through a run of ridiculous scenery.
📍 Things to do
- Achmelvich Beach (even in rubbish weather it’s gorgeous)
- Lunch + harbour wander in Ullapool
- Viewpoints around Loch Maree as you head towards Gairloch/Poolewe
💡 Fact: This stretch is why people fall in love with the NC500 and start planning a return trip before they’ve even finished the first one.
🗺️ Further Guides to Scotland: Top 10 Places to Visit in Scotland: Land of Myths and Mountains
Day 7: Gairloch ➝ Torridon ➝ Bealach na Bà (optional) ➝ Applecross ➝ Inverness
Final day, and it’s a belter. Torridon is mountains and glens that look like a film set. Then there’s the famous Bealach na Bà into Applecross, which is stunning but steep, twisty, and very weather-dependent. If it’s not looking sensible, take the lower coastal road instead and you’ll still have an amazing time.
📍 Things to do
- Scenic stops through Torridon
- Drive Bealach na Bà if conditions allow (or go coastal)
- Meal stop in Applecross before heading back to Inverness
🤚 Must-do: Don’t rush the last day. I tried to “just power through” back to Inverness and ended up stopping 10 times anyway because the views kept ambushing me.
🗺️ Extended Your Stay in Scotland?: Edinburgh: The Ultimate Guide To The Scottish Capital
Grab the Map
Access to the map
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Map will be located under "YOU" and then under "MAPS".
ℹ️ Add the map to your Google Maps app.
After opening Google maps, click YOU and then scroll down to MAPS. It should be located there. Any issues, just get it touch, it’s no problem!
Pit Stops & Side Detours 🚗✨
| Detour | Best for | Time cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Isle of Skye add-on | Epic landscapes | +1 to 3 days | Best as an extension |
| Orkney add-on | History + cliffs | +2 days | Needs ferry planning |
| Cape Wrath trip | Remote adventure | Full day | Logistics-heavy, but special |
| Extra beach hopping | Slow travel | +Half day | Easy to sprinkle in |
🍽️ Local Eats Worth Chasing
You don’t need a spreadsheet for food on the NC500. You just need a healthy respect for seafood, soup, and “I’ll grab a bakery thing for the car” decision-making 🥐🍲
- Inverness: pub classics, cosy dinners, and a “right, let’s stock up” supermarket sweep
- Dornoch/Tain: seafood when you can get it, plus cafés that do dangerously good cakes
- Wick: fish and chips, proper no-fuss comfort food, and bakery grabs for tomorrow
- Thurso: warm bowls of soup, hearty lunches, and anything that feels like it’ll fight the wind for you
- Tongue/Durness: café bites and simple plates (eat when you see food, not when you plan to)
- Lochinver: pies, seafood, and the kind of meal that feels earned after a long scenic day
- Ullapool: harbour-side eats, fresh seafood, and an “accidental second coffee” situation ☕
- Gairloch/Poolewe: small local spots, home-style comfort, and whatever’s open gets your loyalty
- Applecross: the “victory meal” stop, best enjoyed slowly before you roll back to Inverness
🎶 Road Trip Playlist
- Big views: Sigur Rós, M83, Explosions in the Sky
- Scottish energy: Biffy Clyro, Frightened Rabbit, CHVRCHES
- Cosy coastal: Bon Iver, Fleet Foxes, The Paper Kites
- Long-drive singalongs: The Killers, Florence + The Machine, Oasis
👉 Good to know: Download offline. Signal can be patchy and your playlist deserves better. 📲
🎙️ Podcasts to Queue Up
- Travel story pods for inspiration
- Scottish history (castles, clans, dramatic feuds)
- Outdoors/hiking pods for trail ideas
- Comedy for the longer driving days
Road Trip Essentials (All Year Round) 🎒🚗
This is the stuff I was genuinely glad I had, no matter the season.
| Essential | Why it matters | Real-life use |
|---|---|---|
| Layers (warm + waterproof) | Weather flips fast | Beach walk in sideways wind |
| Decent shoes | Mud and uneven paths | Viewpoints, short hikes |
| Offline maps + power bank | Signal drops | Navigation and emergencies |
| Snacks + water | Remote stretches | When “next café” is optimistic |
| Sunglasses | Glare off water | Even on cold days |
| Microfibre towel | Beach stops | Quick dry, low hassle |
| Emergency kit (blanket, torch, first aid) | Peace of mind | Remote roads |
| Reusable bottle | Easy habit | Fewer petrol station stops |
👉 Must-do: If you’re hiking, doing remote viewpoints, or just want the peace of mind (recommended), grab travel insurance before you go.
Rent a Car
What to know How to Plan or Save for a Trip? Here are our best:
FAQs
How many days do I need for the NC500?
7 days is ideal for a relaxed pace. 5 days works, but you’ll be choosier with stops.
Clockwise or anti-clockwise?
Clockwise is a great build-up: easier roads first, drama later on the west.
Is the Bealach na Bà safe?
It’s safe if you drive sensibly and conditions are good. If weather is rough, take the coastal alternative.
Do I need a 4x4?
Usually no. A normal car is fine, just take it slow on single-track stretches.
Travel Planning Resources
Ready to book your next trip? These trusted resources have been personally vetted to ensure a smooth travel experience.
Book Your Flights: Kick off your travel planning by finding the best flight deals on Trip.com. Our years of experience with them confirm they offer the most competitive prices.
Book Your Hotel: For the best hotel rates, use Booking.com . For the best and safest hostels, HostelWorld.com is your go-to resource. Best for overall Hotel ratings and bargains, use TripAdvisor.com!
Find Apartment Rentals: For affordable apartment rentals, check out VRBO. They consistently offer the best prices.
Car Rentals: For affordable car rentals, check out RentalCars.com. They offer the best cars, mostly brand new.
Travel Insurance: Never travel without insurance. Here are our top recommendations:
- EKTA for Travel Insurance for all areas!
- Use AirHelp for compensation claims against flight delays etc.
Book Your Activities: Discover walking tours, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more on Get Your Guide. They have a vast selection of activities to enhance your trip. There is also Tiqets.com for instant mobile tickets.
Book The Best Trains: Use Trainline to find the most affordable trains or Rail Europe for rail passes!
Travel E-SIMS: Airalo Worldwide! Use your mobile phone anywhere!
Need More Help Planning Your Trip? Visit our Resources Page to see all the companies we trust and use for our travels.
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Author
Dara Walsh
I’m Dara Walsh, a worldwide traveller and travel writer with a habit of booking “just a quick trip” and somehow ending up on the other side of the planet. I’m drawn to places that feel real, a bit rough around the edges in the best way, and full of stories you don’t get from a highlights reel.
I grew up in Ireland with the outdoors basically baked into my personality, so even when I’m city-hopping, I’m always looking for the nearest coastline, viewpoint, or walking trail. My trips usually sit somewhere between exploring iconic spots and disappearing down side streets for a proper local meal, a decent coffee, and a chat with whoever’s behind the counter.
At The Travel Tinker, I share practical, no-fluff guides for travelling worldwide, from big bucket-list routes to underrated destinations that deserve more love. Expect honest budgets, smart planning tips, and the kind of advice that saves you time, money, and that classic “why didn’t I think of this sooner?” moment.
When I’m not writing, you’ll find me plotting my next trip, chasing a sunrise (and regretting the alarm for about ten minutes), or testing the local speciality because that’s basically research… right? 🌍✈️🍻
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