Scottish North Coast 500 Route and Orkney

Local departure by coach or Home Connect service, then we journey north and cross the border to Scotland. We continue to the Fort William area where we will spend our first night.

Today, we’ll arrive at Fort Augustus before continuing along the breathtaking Loch Ness – have your cameras ready in case you spot the infamous 'Nessie.' We then have some free time in Inverness, the capital of the Highlands and the official starting point of the NC500 touring route, before continuing to our overnight hotel.

We travel to the western coast of the NC500 and to Gairloch. The village has a golf course, museum, hotels and restaurants. There are many stunning beaches nearby, such as Redpoint beach, which is well known for its red-hued sand and picturesque dunes.

We stay overnight at the Gairloch Hotel.

A relatively short journey to Ullapool takes us via some stunning scenery. We call at Poolewe, a pretty fishing village situated at the sheltered south side of Loch Ewe, before enjoying time at leisure in Ullapool. Situated in one of the most unspoilt natural environments in the UK, the town boasts a wealth of things to see and do. There is a great choice of varied walks in the area and the harbour is filled with fishing boats of all sizes; spend some time watching the fishermen at work sorting out their catch for the day or perhaps enjoy them for lunch in a local restaurant. Ullapool is also an artist’s dream with many local painters, potters, musicians and free spirits residing or performing here.

We stay at the Caledonian Hotel for the night.

Sit back and relax as we journey up the eastern coast and marvel at the beautiful scenery. We call at Achmelvich Bay, where the clear blue waters and white sandy beaches may easily be mistaken for the Caribbean rather than Scotland. We then enjoy lunch at Smoo Cave Hotel before continuing to Thurso, where we stay for two nights.

Today, we continue to the very tip of Britain and have a photo stop at the famous John O' Groats sign.

We then leave the NC500 route and make the short crossing to Orkney, an archipelago of islands with incredible history. Our local guide joins the coach for a memorable day out. As the day unfolds, the islands' Neolithic ancestry is evident as we visit many ancient monuments, stone circles, settlements and tombs – a testament to its UNESCO World Heritage status. Our scenic circular tour of the island includes most of the main sights, including 5000-year-old Scara Brae, Standing Stones, and the Italian Chapel. Along the way, listen to the tales of Viking intruders and wartime exploits, immersing yourself in Orkneys' rich maritime heritage.

We begin our journey back south, following the eastern coast of the NC500. En route, we call at the fairy tale Dubrobin Castle and admire the scenery of the Black Isle, before continuing onto the Perthshire area for our final night.

Today, we wave farewell to Scotland and make our way back home.