Set off with this North Coast 500 Guide and trace a 14-day loop through the Highlands. Discover raw coastal scenery from the comfort of our caravan. Prepare for narrow roads, big skies, and constant sea views. Follow each day in order and know exactly where to stay each night. Browse our Gallery before you go.
Starting Your Scottish Highlands Trip in Inverness
Day 1: Arrive in Inverness on Your North Coast 500 Guide
Arrive in Inverness and gather the last supplies for the road ahead. Then head west to Bunchrew Caravan Park. Park your home on wheels beside the Beauly Firth and watch the shoreline settle the mood. Afterwards, stroll by the water and let the trip properly begin.
Day 2: Drive Toward Dornoch on the North Coast 500 Guide
Leave Inverness after breakfast and point north toward Dornoch. Break the drive at Black Isle Brewery and pick up local supplies. Then continue through Easter Ross and watch the road unfurl toward the coast. Check into Dornoch Caravan & Camping Park and wander into town. Afterwards, visit the cathedral and finish with a walk along the beach.
Coastal Wonders of Your Scottish Highlands Trip
Day 3: Visit Dunrobin Castle on the North Coast 500 Guide
Set off from Dornoch and follow the coast toward Dunbeath. Pause at Dunrobin Castle and explore the grand rooms and sea-facing gardens. Moreover, catch the falconry display if the timing works. Continue north through cliffs, moorland, and open views. End the day at Inver Caravan Park and settle near the water.
Day 4: Reach John O’Groats on the North Coast 500 Guide
Drive onward to John O’Groats and enjoy the pull of the far north. Stop by the famous signpost and take the expected photo. Afterwards, walk out to Duncansby Stacks and follow the clifftop path. Let the sea spray and wide views carry the day. Stay at John O’Groats Caravan & Camping Site.
Day 5: Visit Dunnet Head on the North Coast 500 Guide
Head to Dunnet Head and visit the lighthouse at mainland Britain’s northern edge. Look across the Pentland Firth and search the horizon for Orkney. Then drop down to Dunnet Bay Caravan Club Site. Stay by the beach and listen to the waves after sunset.
Exploring the Rugged NC500 Route
Day 6: Climb to Castle Varrich on the North Coast 500 Guide
Travel west toward Tongue and take care on the winding roads. Notice the landscape change as open ground gives way to steeper hills. Then climb to Castle Varrich and take in the wide view across the Kyle. Reward the effort with a long pause at the top. Spend the night at Kyle of Tongue Caravan & Camping Park.
Day 7: Explore Smoo Cave on the North Coast 500 Guide
Reach Durness and feel the route turn even wilder. Head straight for Smoo Cave and step into the vast limestone chamber. Hear the underground waterfall and watch the darkness open ahead. Afterwards, park our caravan at Sango Sands Oasis and face the sea. Watch the evening light stretch across the cliffs.
Day 8: Rest in Durness on the North Coast 500 Guide
Stay in Durness and enjoy a slower day. Walk into the village and treat yourself at Cocoa Mountain. Then browse Balnakeil Craft Village or return to the beach. Use the pause to check over our caravan before the next stretch. Stay again at Sango Sands Oasis and savour another clifftop night.
Navigating the Western NC500 Route
Day 9: Cross Kylesku Bridge on the North Coast 500 Guide
Leave Durness and continue south toward Scourie. Stop at Kylesku Bridge and admire its sweeping curve across the water. Moreover, pull over safely and take in the Assynt scenery. Continue through one of the route’s most dramatic sections. Check into Scourie Caravan & Camping Park and enjoy the mountain backdrop.
Day 10: Find Hermit’s Castle on the North Coast 500 Guide
Drive toward Achmelvich beach and enjoy one of the prettiest coastal stretches. Search out Hermit’s Castle and smile at its tiny scale. Afterwards, spend time on the bright sand and watch the water glow turquoise. Let the slower pace shape the afternoon. Stay at Shore Caravan Site and unwind by the sea.
Highland Harbours and Gardens
Day 11: Explore Ullapool on the North Coast 500 Guide
Travel south to Ullapool and arrive at one of the route’s busiest harbours. Walk the waterfront and watch the ferries come and go. Then browse the shops and pick up something local for dinner. Let the town bring a little bustle after the remote miles. Park your home on wheels at Broomfield Holiday Park.
Day 12: Visit Inverewe Garden on the North Coast 500 Guide
Head for Gairloch and break the drive at Inverewe Garden. Wander among exotic plants that feel surprising this far north. Afterwards, continue to the coast and follow the evening light in. Stay at Gairloch Holiday Park and settle near the water. Watch the Minch fade into the distance.
The Final Stretch of Your Scottish Highlands Trip
Day 13: Explore Torridon from Shieldaig on the North Coast 500 Guide
Journey to Shieldaig and enjoy one of the trip’s most memorable drives. Pass through the rugged Torridon mountains and watch for deer near the roadside. Then slow down in the village and take in the loch views. Let the scale of Liathach and Beinn Eighe dominate the afternoon. Stay at Shieldaig Camping and Caravan Site.
Day 14: Complete the Loop to Inverness on the North Coast 500 Guide
Leave Shieldaig and begin the final run back to Inverness. Avoid the Bealach na BÃ for safety with our caravan or a motorhome. Choose the safer coastal route instead and keep the journey calm. Then complete the loop with a final stretch into the Highland capital. Carry home memories of sea stacks, white beaches, mountain roads, and clifftop pitches.
Where to stay on the NC500
Choose from these campsites and book direct:
- Bunchrew Caravan Park
- Dornoch Caravan & Camping Park
- Inver Caravan Park
- John O’Groats Caravan & Camping Site
- Dunnet Bay Caravan Club Site
- Kyle of Tongue Caravan & Camping Park
- Sango Sands Oasis
- Scourie Caravan & Camping Park
- Shore Caravan Site
- Broomfield Holiday Park
- Gairloch Holiday Park
- Shieldaig Camping and Caravan Site
Caravan Adventuring is not affiliated with any of these sites.
One Response
đ Ready to tackle the ultimate Scottish road trip? đī¸đ°
Weâve mapped out every single day of the North Coast 500 so we can focus on the views (and those narrow roads! đ ).
From the best clifftop pitches to must-see castles, we hope this 14-day itinerary helps you plan your next adventure! đī¸âī¸