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Scottish Highlands North Coast 500 Route
A route taking in just over 500 miles of breathtaking beauty in the Scottish Highlands, the North Coast 500 is one of the world’s most picturesque road trips. This has been referred to as 'Scotland's Route 66' and is a touring route that takes in magnificent sights and scenery. We enjoy a visit to Inverness, the 'capital of the Highlands’ and the start and end point of the route, before snaking our way along the beautiful western coast, through pretty Ullapool, calling at stunning white sandy beaches and rugged mountains along the way. We make our way to the very tip of Scotland, stopping at famous John O'Groats as we journey back down the eastern coast, we stop to discover fairy tale Dunrobin Castle.
Itinerary
Please choose your preferred 8 day itinerary
Local departure by coach or Home Connect service, then we journey north and cross the border to Scotland where we will spend our first night.
Included Meals
- Dinner
After breakfast today we set off to travel through Perthshire. We make a stop in ancient Perth where you will have time to visit the free museum which is home to the "Stone of Destiny" which has seated all the ancient Kings of Scotland. There is a lovely coffee shop to enjoy before we depart and travel north through the Cairngorms National Park. Enjoy spectacular scenery as we travel deeper into the Scottish Highlands to our hotel for two nights stay,
Included Meals
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Included Highlights
- Perthshire
- Perth
Today we enjoy a visit first to Fort Augustus before continuing along the breathtaking Loch Ness – have your cameras ready in case you spot the infamous 'Nessie.' We then have some free time in Inverness, the capital of the Highlands and the official starting point of the NC500 touring route.
Included Meals
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Included Highlights
- Inverness
- Loch Ness
- Fort Augustus
Today we head for the North Coast of Scotland along the Western shores of Loch Maree to start our journey along the North Coast 500 route. We will pass Gairloch and call at Poolewe, a pretty fishing village situated at the sheltered south side of Loch Ewe, We continue with views of Gruinard Bay along the coast to our home for overnight in Ullapool. Situated in one of the most unspoilt natural environments in the UK, the town boasts a wealth of things to see and do. There is a great choice of varied walks in the area and the harbour is filled with fishing boats of all sizes; spend some time watching the fishermen at work sorting out their catch for the day or perhaps enjoy them for lunch in a local restaurant. Ullapool is also an artist’s dream with many local painters, potters, musicians and free spirits residing or performing here.
Included Meals
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Included Highlights
- Ullapool
- Poolewe
Sit back and relax as we journey up the eastern coast and marvel at the beautiful scenery. The coastline is stunning with the clear blue waters and white sandy beaches you may easily be mistaken for being in the Caribbean rather than Scotland. We then enjoy included lunch at Smoo Cave Hotel which is set in spectacular scenery close to the famous Smoo Cave and Cape Wrath, famous for puffins, fishing and golfing and in the heart of Scotland’s first Geopark. After lunch we continue to Thurso, where we stay for two nights.
Included Meals
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Included Highlights
- North Coast 500
Today is a day at leisure. Relax and recharge in the hotel or for those wishing to explore there are plenty of lovely walks. Thurso is the northernmost town on the island of Great Britain and has scenic views of Thurso Bay and the Pentland Firth. It has a fine harbour and beach popular with surfers, that looks out to the island of Orkney and you can view the Old Man of Hoy. One of the attractions in Thurso is the Wolfburn Distillery which has been distilling Single Malt Scotch Whisky since 1821 and offers tours and tasting for visitors. A visit to Old St Peters Church is also popular. Dedicated to Saint Peter, it dates to at least 1125, and at one time was the principal church for the county,
Included Meals
- Breakfast
- Dinner
We then continue along the eastern part of the North Coast 500. En route, we call at the fairy tale Dubrobin Castle and admire the scenery of the Black Isle. Dunrobin Castle is the most northerly of Scotland’s great houses and the largest in the Northern Highlands. The castle is also one of Britain’s oldest continuously inhabited houses dating back to the early 1300s, home to the Earls and later, the Dukes of Sutherland. Entrance is included and visitors can take a self-guided tour through the state rooms on the first floor before making their way through the smaller rooms in the older parts of the castle plus formal garden and Victorian museum..
We then journey to our overnight hotel in the highlands area.
Included Meals
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Included Highlights
- John O'Groats
- Dunrobin Castle
Today, we wave farewell to Scotland and make our way back home.
Included Meals
- Breakfast
Local departure by coach or Home Connect service, then we journey north where we will spend our first night.
Included Meals
- Dinner
After breakfast today we set off to travel through Perthshire. We make a stop in ancient Perth where you will have time to visit the free museum which is home to the "Stone of Destiny" which has seated all the ancient Kings of Scotland. There is a lovely coffee shop to enjoy before we depart and travel north through the Cairngorms National Park. Enjoy spectacular scenery as we travel deeper into the Scottish Highlands to our hotel for overnight stay.
Included Meals
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Included Highlights
- Perthshire
- Perth
This morning you will have some free time to explore Inverness, the capital of the Scottish Highlands before we head for the North Coast 500 route via some stunning highland scenery. We call at Poolewe, a pretty fishing village situated at the sheltered south side of Loch Ewe, before continuing on with views of Gruinard Bay before reaching Ullapool.
Situated in one of the most unspoilt natural environments in the UK, the town boasts a wealth of things to see and do. There is a great choice of varied walks in the area and the harbour is filled with fishing boats of all sizes; spend some time watching the fishermen at work sorting out their catch for the day or perhaps enjoy them for lunch in a local restaurant. Ullapool is also an artist’s dream with many local painters, potters, musicians and free spirits residing or performing here.
We stay overnight in Ullapool.
Included Meals
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Included Highlights
- Inverness
- Ullapool
After lunch we continue to Thurso, where we stay for two nights.
Included Meals
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Included Highlights
- North Coast 500
Today is a day at leisure. Relax and recharge in the hotel or for those wishing to explore there are plenty of lovely walks. Thurso is the northernmost town on the island of Great Britain and has scenic views of Thurso Bay and the Pentland Firth. It has a fine harbour and beach popular with surfers, that looks out to the island of Orkney and you can view the Old Man of Hoy. One of the attractions in Thurso is the Wolfburn Distillery which has been distilling Single Malt Scotch Whisky since 1821 and offers tours and tasting for visitors. A visit to Old St Peters Church is also popular. Dedicated to Saint Peter, it dates to at least 1125, and at one time was the principal church for the county,
Included Meals
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Included Highlights
- Thurso
We then continue along the eastern part of the North Coast 500. En route, we call at the fairy tale Dubrobin Castle and admire the scenery of the Black Isle. Dunrobin Castle is the most northerly of Scotland’s great houses and the largest in the Northern Highlands. The castle is also one of Britain’s oldest continuously inhabited houses dating back to the early 1300s, home to the Earls and later, the Dukes of Sutherland. Entrance is included and visitors can take a self-guided tour through the state rooms on the first floor before making their way through the smaller rooms in the older parts of the castle plus formal garden and Victorian museum.
We then journey to our overnight hotel in the highlands area.
Included Meals
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Included Highlights
- John O'Groats
- Dunrobin Castle
We then journey on across the Scottish Border for an overnight stay in northern England,
Included Meals
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Included Highlights
- Queens View
- Pitlochry
Today, we wave farewell to Scotland and make our way back home.
Included Meals
- Breakfast
Accommodation
You will stay for 7 nights at a variety of Scottish hotels, all minimum 3-star.
Single Room Supplements
Single Room Supplement from £299.00
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