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    | North Coast 500

    Self Drive

    The North Coast 500

    7 reviews


    Deposit From: £370£370
    Region: Multi-Location
    Duration: 8 Days / 7 Nights

    All you need to know about your trip, this essential document is a must for all adventures.

      From: £1,435.00 Book Now

      Trip Overview

      Created by: Stevie Christie


      This self-drive holiday explores the dramatic North Coast 500 on a tour of the north of Scotland while enjoying privately guided walks, wonderful boat trips, and comfortable Highland hotels and guesthouses.

      The North Coast 500 is Scotland’s answer to Route 66. Starting in Inverness, this 500-mile round journey takes in some of Scotland’s most stunning scenery. On this 8-day self-drive holiday, you will meander through the impossibly quiet roads of the Northern Highlands. Enjoy privately guided walks while exploring the unspoilt scenery at your own pace along the way. Relax in cosy and welcoming country house hotels at the end of each day.

      This price is based on a group of 4; prices will vary depending on group size. Please contact the team to confirm the trip price for your group.

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      Day by Day
      Itinerary

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

      Day 1

      Begin the North Coast 500 - Travel to Torridon

      Today, you’ll start your journey on the iconic North Coast 500 and make your way to Torridon, where you will spend the next two nights. You’ll get to soak up the area’s spectacular beauty, including the rugged mountains, the scenic loch, and diverse wildlife.

      Day 2 – Walking Torridon/Applecross Read Less

      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 from coastal or mountain walks, considering 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, 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.

      Meals Included: Breakfast

      Day 3 – Morning walk; then onwards North Read Less

      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 two nights.

      Meals Included: Breakfast

      Day 4 – Self Guided and Handa Island Read Less

      Day 4

      Self Guided and Handa Island

      Enjoy some free time this morning – venture on a short hike, 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.

      A fantastic option for today is to take the Handa Island ferry across to the island to explore. Handa Island is home to over 200,000 seabirds such as guillemot, razorbills, and upwards of 250 pairs of puffins breed here. May, June and July are the perfect time of year to see the puffins, along with other marine life such as minke whales, dolphins and, if you’re lucky, even orca. 
The ferry cannot be booked in advance as it is very small, so arrive and pay on the day (the last ferry outwards to the island departs at 2pm, and the ferry does not run on Sundays).

      Meals Included: Breakfast

      Day 5 – Cape Wrath Read Less

      Day 5

      Cape Wrath

      This morning, you can visit Cape Wrath, the most north-western point on 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 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 Scotland’s most remote coffee shop. To take the ferry, pay on arrival at Keoldale.

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

      Meals Included: Breakfast

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

      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 on 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 near 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.

      Meals Included: Breakfast

      Day 7 – Journey to Inverness Read Less

      Day 7

      Journey to Inverness

      After a hearty breakfast, embark on 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.

      Meals Included: Breakfast

      Day 8 – Depart Read Less

      Day 8

      Depart

      On your last day, savour a leisurely breakfast and reflect on the stunning landscapes and memorable experiences from your journey along the NC500. You can take your time as you prepare to make your way home.

      Meals Included: Breakfast

      Optional Extra – Optional Orkney Extension Read Less

      Optional

      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.

      X
      Self Drive
      The North Coast 500

      To download a PDF copy of our Trip Itinerary, containing full details about this holiday, please complete the form below:

      Fields marked with * are mandatory

      The phone number field is not required but if you would like us to give you a call to help find the trip for you, then enter your telephone number including the country code.

      Book Now

      Price from: £1,435

      X
      Self Drive
      The North Coast 500

      For private departure enquiries, please complete the form below:

      Trip Details

      Accommodation Read More

      Our self-drive holidays feature a range of hand-chosen hotels and guesthouses in locations across the north of Scotland where a warm welcome is assured. Accommodation is in double, twin or family bedrooms. Breakfast is included each morning.

      Please note that alternative accommodations may be offered when you book if availability at any of these is limited.
      At all stages of your trip, you will be able to enjoy the finest of Scottish cuisine, enjoying delicious meals prepared from superb local ingredients.

      Packed lunches are not included in the trip cost but will be available from your hotel or a local cafe/deli.

      Meals Read More

      Breakfast is included each morning at your accommodation.

      Packed lunches are not included in the trip cost but will be available from your hotel or a local cafe/ deli.
      You may dine at your hotel or a local restaurant each evening.

      You can enjoy the finest Scottish cuisine and delicious meals prepared from superb local ingredients at all stages of your trip.

      Inclusions Read More
      • 7 nights accommodation in comfortable highland hotels and guesthouses.
      • Breakfast each day.
      • 2 days of privately guided hikes led by an expert Wilderness Scotland guide.
      • Route notes and maps, allowing you to explore the region at your own pace.
      Grading Read More

      At Your Own Pace

      On this adventure, you will be accompanied by a Wilderness Scotland hiking guide for several days, who will be able to suggest and lead you on a range of hikes from gentle low level rambles to challenging days visiting remote summits. Just let them know what type of hike you would like to do and they will be ready.

      On the other days of the trip, you will self guided and can explore at whatever pace you feel comfortable.

      Travel - Arrival and Departure Read More

      Your adventure begins in Torridon and ends in Inverness.

      Speak to an Expert

      Rachael Gavan

      Our friendly office team hail from across the world but share a passion for the outdoor and wild spaces of Scotland. We are committed to providing you with the best customer service and are more than happy to chat through options and provide help and advice. Get in touch to find your perfect adventure.

      Ask Rachael a Question

      Difficulty Grades Explained

      At Your Own Pace

      On this adventure, you will be accompanied by a Wilderness Scotland hiking guide for several days, who will be able to suggest and lead you on a range of hikes from gentle low level rambles to challenging days visiting remote summits. Just let them know what type of hike you would like to do and they will be ready.

      On the other days of the trip, you will self guided and can explore at whatever pace you feel comfortable.

      Find Out More

      Trip Reviews

      Rated 4.86 out of 5 based on 7 review(s) of Self-Drive – The North Coast 500

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      Every client receives a feedback survey when they return from their guided, self guided or tailor made holiday with us. Once completed the review is published on our website just as soon as our database updates. The little touches and details are important to us and where issues are raised we make positive changes to our trips to improve your experience.

      That’s why we read each of our client’s reviews and although we don’t respond to all of them, if it’s glowing feedback then we get the satisfaction of helping to make your holidays truly memorable.

      TG

      Trisha Green

      Reviewed on 23/08/2024

      Age: 60 - 70
      Country: USA
      Trip Date: 12/08/2024
      Trips Taken: 1

      The Bottom Line

      RG

      Ross Glasson

      Reviewed on 15/09/2022

      Age: 80 - 90
      Country: Australia
      Trip Date: 05/09/2022
      Trips Taken: 1

      The Bottom Line

      The Bottom Line

      Wonderful experience enhanced by fortunate perfect weather and excellent accomodation.

      AF

      Alastair Ford

      Reviewed on 16/05/2022

      Age: 50 - 60
      Country: United Kingdom
      Trip Date: 03/05/2022
      Trips Taken: 1

      The Bottom Line

      The Bottom Line

      It was a high-end experience with high quality service, accommodation and support. Well done by all involved. A big thank you to Bridget, who helped make all the arrangements.

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