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In this North Coast 500 itinerary guide, I cover options for a 5-day, 7-day, and 10-day journey along Scotland’s iconic coastal route.
These itineraries are fully customisable to suit your schedule, whether you want to linger in certain areas or take detours to must-see spots just off the route, like the Isle of Skye or Orkney. You can plan your trip to match your pace, interests, and sense of adventure.
This short and sweet guide is designed to help you optimise your time on the NC500 for each itinerary length without feeling rushed.
North Coast 500 Itinerary: 5 Days
Day 1: Inverness to Thurso
Day 2: Thurso to Durness
Day 3: Durness to Ullapool
Day 4: Ullapool to Applecross
Day 5: Applecross to Inverness
Five days is a bit short for the full North Coast 500, especially if you want to soak in the scenery. Rather than rushing through the whole route, consider focusing on one section to explore in depth. I’d highly recommend the west coast, from Applecross to Durness — in my opinion, it offers some of the most breathtaking views on the entire route.
North Coast 500 Itinerary: 7 Days
Day 1: Inverness to Brora
Day 2: Brora to Thurso
Day 3: Thurso to Durness
Day 4: Durness to Lochinver
Day 5: Lochinver to Gairloch
Day 6: Gairloch to Applecross
Day 7: Applecross to Inverness
Seven days is enough to take the route at a nice pace, soak in the scenery, and truly enjoy the NC500.
North Coast 500 Itinerary: 10 Days
Day 1: Inverness to Brora
Day 2: Brora to Thurso
Day 3: Thurso to Bettyhill/Tongue
Day 4: Bettyhill/Tongue to Durness
Day 5: Durness to Lochinver
Day 6: Lochinver to Ullapool
Day 7: Ullapool to Poolewe
Day 8: Poolewe to Torridon/Applecross
Day 9: Applecross to Strathpeffer
Day 10: Strathpeffer to Inverness
Ten days is the perfect amount of time to either really take your time and enjoy the route. Alternatively, it also gives you time to explore highlights just off the NC500, from iconic spots like Eilean Donan Castle and the Isle of Skye, to venturing further afield to Orkney, Shetland, or Stornoway on the Isle of Harris.
Must-See Stops on the North Coast 500
The North Coast 500 is packed with breathtaking stops, but some highlights are unmissable. These are some of my favourites along the route:
- Dunrobin Castle. A fairytale gem with stunning gardens and falconry displays.
- Dunnet Head. The northernmost point of mainland Britain.
- Explore the nearby Dunnet Beach for dramatic cliffs and sweeping sea views.
- The towering Duncansby Stacks offer one of Scotland’s most iconic coastal photo spots.
- The rugged landscapes of Torridon showcase the Highlands at their wildest.
- The striking Kylesku Bridge provides a perfect viewpoint for a quick stop and photos.
- Stop in Lochinver to enjoy a charming harbour and fresh seafood.
- Smoo Cave in Durness, which is a spectacular sea cave with a hidden waterfall, is well worth a stop.
These are just a few of the stops that make the NC500 one of the world’s most scenic road trips. To discover all the key sights along the route, check out my full in-depth North Coast 500 guides, covering different sections including Inverness to Thurso and Thurso to Durness.
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Kirsty x
