A route taking in just over 500 miles of breathtaking beauty in the Scottish Highlands, the North Coast 500 is one of the world’s most picturesque road trips. This has been referred to as 'Scotland's Route 66' and is a touring route that takes in magnificent sights and scenery. We enjoy a visit to Inverness, the 'capital of the Highlands’ and the start and end point of the route, before snaking our way along the beautiful western coast, through pretty Ullapool, calling at stunning white sandy beaches and rugged mountains along the way. We make our way to the very tip of Scotland, stopping at famous John O'Groats as we journey back down the eastern coast, we stop to discover fairy tale Dunrobin Castle.
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Local departure by coach or Home Connect service, then we journey north where we will spend our first night.
After breakfast today, we set off to travel through Perthshire. We make a stop in ancient Perth where you will have time to visit the free museum which is home to the "Stone of Destiny" which has seated all the ancient Kings of Scotland. There is a lovely coffee shop to enjoy before we depart and travel north through the Cairngorms National Park. Enjoy spectacular scenery as we travel deeper into the Scottish Highlands to our hotel for overnight stay.
This morning you will have some free time to explore Inverness, the capital of the Scottish Highlands before we head for the North Coast 500 route via some stunning highland scenery. We call at Poolewe, a pretty fishing village situated at the sheltered south side of Loch Ewe, before continuing on with views of Gruinard Bay before reaching 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 overnight in Ullapool.
After lunch, we continue to Thurso, where we stay for two nights.
Today is a day at leisure. Relax and recharge in the hotel or for those wishing to explore there are plenty of lovely walks. Thurso is the northernmost town on the island of Great Britain and has scenic views of Thurso Bay and the Pentland Firth. It has a fine harbour and beach popular with surfers, that looks out to the island of Orkney and you can view the Old Man of Hoy. One of the attractions in Thurso is the Wolfburn Distillery which has been distilling Single Malt Scotch Whisky since 1821 and offers tours and tasting for visitors. A visit to Old St Peters Church is also popular. Dedicated to Saint Peter, it dates to at least 1125, and at one time was the principal church for the county,
We then continue along the eastern part of the North Coast 500. En route, we call at the fairy tale Dubrobin Castle and admire the scenery of the Black Isle. Dunrobin Castle is the most northerly of Scotland’s great houses and the largest in the Northern Highlands. The castle is also one of Britain’s oldest continuously inhabited houses dating back to the early 1300s, home to the Earls and later, the Dukes of Sutherland. Entrance is included and visitors can take a self-guided tour through the state rooms on the first floor before making their way through the smaller rooms in the older parts of the castle plus formal garden and Victorian museum.
We then journey to our overnight hotel in the highlands area.
We then journey on across the Scottish Border for an overnight stay in northern England,
Today, we depart our overnight hotel in Northern England and continue our journey home.
Our North Coast 500 tour is a fabulous way to explore this stunning part of the UK. Whilst the itinerary will be followed as closely as possible we do reserve the right to amend days of visits due to the location of the accommodation we can source on the far north of Scotland coast. We will ensure this not distract from the overall enjoyment of your tour. Hotels used throughout the tour all will be minimum 3 star however they will vary from city style hotels to traditional independent family run properties some of which may not have lifts. As this is a touring holiday we may not be able to guarantee mobility requests.
You will stay for seven nights at a variety of city style and traditional Scottish hotels, all minimum 3-star. Hotels will be named with final holiday details. Please note we cannot guarantee on touring holidays any mobility requests and some hotels may not offer lifts.
Single Supplement from £299.00
