Self-Drive
The North Coast 500

Day 1 – Begin the North Coast 500 - Travel to Torridon 

Today you’ll start your journey on the NC500 and make your way to Torridon where you will spend the next two nights in a wonderful Highland Lodge located on the shores of Loch Torridon, where you can enjoy the spectacular beauty and diverse wildlife of Loch Torridon.

Day 2 – Walking Torridon/Applecross

After breakfast, meet your Wilderness Scotland guide to discuss options for today’s walk in the Torridon or Applecross area. Your guide will help you select a suitable hike, choosing from coastal or mountain walks, and keeping in mind the weather and your experience. Applecross is a sleepy and idyllic part of the Highlands, surrounded by stunning mountain and coastal scenery. Torridon has a different character altogether, being surrounded by bold, towering peaks, separated by spectacular glens with a real sense of wilderness. Both are wonderful areas to explore on foot so this is a great way to start your adventure. (B)

Day 3 – Morning walk; then onwards North

Your guide will meet you at your hotel this morning to discuss the day. Another hike lies ahead and there are many great options to choose from – your guide will suggest the best route. This could include a circuit of the shapely peak of Stac Pollaidh; or exploring the coastline and sandy beaches of Gairloch. After your walk, you will make your way to your next cosy stop for the coming 2 nights.  (B)

Day 4 – Self Guided and Boat trip Kylesku

In the morning you have some free time – you could enjoy a short hike on your own, explore Lochinver village, or simply relax at the hotel. A visit to Lochinver Larder is a must for one of their famous pies. If you are keen to walk, great options include a walk to Stoer lighthouse and the Old Man of Stoer (a sea stack); or a coastal beach walk to the gorgeous Achmelvich beach.

In the afternoon, drive north and board a boat at Kylesku for a journey along Loch Glencoul through the UK’s wildest mountain range. On board, you will have fantastic views of Britain’s highest waterfall Eas a’Chual Aluinn, with an impressive height of 650 feet. Return via the ‘wee mad road’, as it’s known by the locals, where every twist and turn is rewarded with spectacular scenery.

Day 5 – Cape Wrath

This morning you can visit Cape Wrath, the most north-westerly point of the Scottish mainland. It’s not easy to reach and your journey there will involve crossing by boat over the Kyle of Durness you will be met on the other side and then driven across the moors to reach the wild and lonely Cape Wrath lighthouse. You will have an hour to explore the area, taking in the dramatic coastline, looking for passing whales, or simply enjoying a refreshment in what is surely Scotland’s most remote coffee shop. To take the ferry simply pay on arrival at Keoldale.

Alternatively, if you’d prefer, you can continue on eastwards to Forss. On your way, you can explore some of Scotland’s finest beaches such as the sand dunes at Durness and Balnakeil. (B)

Day 6 – No Further North! Dunnet Head and John O'Groats

Today is a free day to explore the most northerly points in the Scottish mainland. You’ll want to visit Dunnet Head, officially the furthest north point of the British mainland. Enjoy the stunning sea cliffs and a diverse range of birds including puffins, razorbills, guillemots, fulmars, kittiwakes, shags and cormorants.

John O’Groats is the most northerly settlement on the British mainland and is fun to visit. There is a great cliff-top walk at nearby Duncansby Head. A great way to appreciate the wild coastal scenery is a boat trip. This can take in Duncansby Head and its sea stacks, the Isle of Stroma and the Swilkie whirlpool – Viking legend would have you believe this is where the salt for the oceans is churned. (B)

Day 7 – Journey to Inverness

After breakfast, begin your journey to Inverness passing the stunning white sand beach on Sinclair Bay. Along the way you may want to pay a visit to the Glenmorangie distillery – ensure you have a designated driver! Once at Inverness, there are various options for the afternoon – perhaps visit Culloden Battlefield or take a boat cruise on Loch Ness. (B)

Day 8 – Depart

After a leisurely breakfast, and having completed the NC500, you can make your way home. (B)

Optional Orkney Extension

We can extend your trip to include a visit to the beautiful Orkney Islands, starting on Day 6 of your trip. The crossing lasts around one hour, and as you sail you can look out for marine wildlife such as dolphins and whales which frequent these waters. Orkney is world famous for its rich archaeological sites such as Skara Brae and the Ring of Brodgar. It also offers a fascinating military history from two world wars and links to the exploration of North America.

If you would like to include Orkney please contact the office team to discuss. You may spend just a day there or as long as you like!

Love the idea of this trip but want to know more? Check out the official NC500 Twitter page for loads of images from this iconic route around the north of Scotland.

Please note ‐ The itinerary is indicative only and may be subject to change at the discretion of the Wilderness Scotland Guides with regard to weather conditions and other factors.