RoadAtlas
North Coast 500 — Scotland — Scenic
Europe

North Coast 500

Scotland

Point-to-point
Inverness to Dornoch Shieldaig to Inverness

In short: North Coast 500 is a 830 km scenic road trip in Scotland, typically driven over 6 days, best in May–Sep. Highlights: Inverness to Dornoch, Dornoch to Thurso, Thurso to Durness.

Distance
830 km
Duration
6 days
Best Season
May–Sep
LegendaryModerateScenicEV-friendly

A correctly ordered six-day clockwise NC500 from Inverness along the east and north coasts, then through Ullapool, Wester Ross, Applecross and back to Inverness.

~1 refuel
~2 charges
Practical notes
The west-coast single-track section is unsuitable for oversized or inexperienced drivers; follow official NC500 vehicle advice and choose an alternative where your vehicle or confidence does not fit. Never stop or park in a passing place. If traffic queues behind, pull into the next safe proper passing place or lay-by and let it overtake. Check weather, closures, daylight and attraction calendars daily; Bealach na Bà is optional only when open and safe. This six-day plan removes the overloaded final day.

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Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1Inverness to Dornoch

Dornoch cathedral and beach · The Mustard Seed

Day 2Dornoch to Thurso via Dunrobin, Castle of Mey and Duncansby

Dunrobin Castle · Castle of Mey and Duncansby Stacks · La Mirage

Day 3Thurso to Durness

North-coast viewpoints and Smoo Cave · Y-Not Bar & Grill

Day 4Durness to Ullapool via Kylesku

Kylesku Bridge and Assynt viewpoints · Kylesku Hotel Restaurant

Day 5Ullapool to Shieldaig via Inverewe, Gairloch and Torridon

Inverewe Garden · Beinn Eighe and Torridon · The Old Inn

Day 6Shieldaig to Inverness via Applecross, Bealach na Bà and Lochcarron

Applecross and Bealach na Bà · Lochcarron to Inverness · Applecross Inn

Stops along the route

Inverness to Dornoch — Departure — North Coast 500 — Scotland
Departure
Inverness to Dornoch
A measured opening day.
Shieldaig to Inverness — Arrival — North Coast 500 — Scotland
Arrival
Shieldaig to Inverness
Classic final order.

Things to Do

Dornoch cathedral and beach — Town and coast — North Coast 500 — Scotland
Town and coast
Dornoch cathedral and beach
Keep the opening day local; Dunrobin moves to tomorrow.
Dunrobin Castle — Castle — North Coast 500 — Scotland
Castle
Dunrobin Castle
Visit once within official opening.
Castle of Mey and Duncansby Stacks — Castle and coast — North Coast 500 — Scotland
Castle and coast
Castle of Mey and Duncansby Stacks
Book/check the castle, then use a weather-safe coast stop before Thurso.
North-coast viewpoints and Smoo Cave — Coast and cave — North Coast 500 — Scotland
Coast and cave
North-coast viewpoints and Smoo Cave
Drive west without returning to Castle of Mey; enter the cave only when conditions permit.
Kylesku Bridge and Assynt viewpoints — Scenic road — North Coast 500 — Scotland
Scenic road
Kylesku Bridge and Assynt viewpoints
Use proper lay-bys, then end in Ullapool; Inverewe waits until tomorrow.
Inverewe Garden — Garden — North Coast 500 — Scotland
Garden
Inverewe Garden
Check National Trust opening and allow a real visit.
Show 3 more
Beinn Eighe and Torridon — Nature reserve — North Coast 500 — Scotland
Nature reserve
Beinn Eighe and Torridon
Choose one short signed walk/viewpoint before Shieldaig.
Applecross and Bealach na Bà — Mountain road — North Coast 500 — Scotland
Mountain road
Applecross and Bealach na Bà
Drive only in suitable conditions and vehicle; let queues pass safely.
Lochcarron to Inverness — Route finish — North Coast 500 — Scotland
Route finish
Lochcarron to Inverness
Complete the loop without another attraction stack.

Where to Eat

The Mustard Seed — Scottish — North Coast 500 — Scotland
Scottish
The Mustard Seed
Use the exact Inverness lunch before departure; verify current service.
Dornoch Castle Hotel Restaurant — Scottish — North Coast 500 — Scotland
Scottish
Dornoch Castle Hotel Restaurant
Reserve/check the exact Dornoch dinner.
La Mirage — Scottish seafood — North Coast 500 — Scotland
Scottish seafood
La Mirage
Use the exact Helmsdale meal after Dunrobin—not as a Tain stop—and confirm current hours.
Captain's Galley — Seafood — North Coast 500 — Scotland
Seafood
Captain's Galley
Reserve/check the exact Scrabster dinner.
Y-Not Bar & Grill — Scottish — North Coast 500 — Scotland
Scottish
Y-Not Bar & Grill
Use the exact Thurso departure meal and verify hours.
Sango Sands Oasis — Scottish — North Coast 500 — Scotland
Scottish
Sango Sands Oasis
Use the exact Durness dinner and confirm seasonal service.
Show 6 more
Kylesku Hotel Restaurant — Scottish seafood — North Coast 500 — Scotland
Scottish seafood
Kylesku Hotel Restaurant
Keep this restaurant only on the Kylesku day; reserve and verify current service.
The Ceilidh Place — Scottish — North Coast 500 — Scotland
Scottish
The Ceilidh Place
Reserve/check the exact Ullapool dinner.
The Old Inn — Scottish — North Coast 500 — Scotland
Scottish
The Old Inn
Reserve/check the exact Gairloch meal on the actual line.
Nanny’s — Scottish café — North Coast 500 — Scotland
Scottish café
Nanny’s
Use the exact Shieldaig option and confirm current hours.
Applecross Inn — Scottish seafood — North Coast 500 — Scotland
Scottish seafood
Applecross Inn
Reserve/check current service; use only if the pass/route plan is safe.
Lochcarron Hotel Restaurant — Scottish — North Coast 500 — Scotland
Scottish
Lochcarron Hotel Restaurant
Use the identifiable Lochcarron meal on the actual return line.

Nearby and similar drives

Frequently asked questions

How long is the North Coast 500 drive?

The North Coast 500 covers 830 km from start to finish.

How long does the North Coast 500 take to drive?

Most travellers spend 6 days on the North Coast 500, depending on stops and pace.

When is the best time to drive the North Coast 500?

The recommended season for the North Coast 500 is May–Sep.

Where does the North Coast 500 start and end?

The North Coast 500 runs from Inverness to Dornoch to Shieldaig to Inverness.

What are the main stops on the North Coast 500?

The North Coast 500 passes through Inverness to Dornoch, Dornoch to Thurso, Thurso to Durness.

How difficult is the North Coast 500 to drive?

The North Coast 500 is rated moderate and is best handled with any vehicle.

Can I drive the North Coast 500 in a regular car?

Yes — the North Coast 500 is paved end-to-end and a regular car is fine in normal conditions.

How many fuel stops are needed on the North Coast 500?

Plan around 1 refuels (or about 2 EV charges) along the North Coast 500, based on its 830 km length.

Is the North Coast 500 EV friendly?

Yes — the North Coast 500 has charger coverage along the route and works as an EV road trip.

Is the North Coast 500 safe to drive?

The west-coast single-track section is unsuitable for oversized or inexperienced drivers; follow official NC500 vehicle advice and choose an alternative where your vehicle or confidence does not fit. Never stop or park in a passing place. If traffic queues behind, pull into the next safe proper passing place or lay-by and let it overtake. Check weather, closures, daylight and attraction calendars daily; Bealach na Bà is optional only when open and safe. This six-day plan removes the overloaded final day.

What scenic tier is the North Coast 500?

The North Coast 500 is a legendary drive — The world's most extraordinary drives — once-in-a-lifetime road trips with cinematic scenery, legendary roads, and unmatched cultural depth.