Scotland & North Coast 500

Scotland & North Coast 500

9 nights|Scotland, UK|Group & club tours|1,200 miles

Discover the very best of northern Scotland, including most of the North Coast 500 route. Starting in Perthshire you will be immediately captivated by wonderful roads winding through the incredible scenery of glittering lochs, dense forests, towering mountains and golden beaches, punctuated with castles, small steadings and villages. The route encompasses Perthshire, the Cairngorms, Aberdeenshire, the NC500 and much of the Highlands. Scotland’s west coast is absolutely enthralling with incredible vistas around every bend, across mountains, rolling hills, deep glens and moorland.


Stay in a variety of excellent hotels, varying from stately manor houses to charming coastal retreats.

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Departure date Sep 20, 2026
Price from £3495

Scotland & North Coast 500 tour highlights

The route & itinerary

Sunday 20th September

Arrival & Scone Palace Visit

The tour starts in Perthshire, to the north of Edinburgh. Start at Scone Palace to visit this wonderful palace, and location of the world-famous crowning place of the King of Scots.


Then make your way to our first hotel. Enjoy a welcome drinks followed an excellent dinner.

Arrival & Scone Palace Visit

Monday 21st September

Distilleries & Castles

Leave Perthshire and enjoy a gorgeous drive north to visit the Glenturret Distillery, home of The Famous Grouse or the Dewars Distillery. Continue north to visit Blair Castle or indulge in a spot of shopping at House of Bruar. It is then a wonderful drive into the Cairngorms National Park and over the highest public road in the United Kingdom past the ski area of Glenshee to Braemar. Continue into Aberdeenshire, and visit Balmoral, the Scottish home of the Royal Family. It is then a short drive to a fabulous gem of a hotel, with the most glorious gardens and gorgeous views over the hills.

Distilleries & Castles

Tuesday 22nd September

Over the Cairngorms to Dornoch

Drive back into the Cairngorms National Park, on the mountain road over the Lecht to Tomintoul and on to Speyside, renowned for its whiskies. Visit the 15th century Cawdor Castle and then Culloden Battlefield where the 1745 Jacobite Rising came to a tragic end.


The North Coast 500 route starts in Inverness. From here drive around the Beauly Firth and on to the pretty Victorian village of Strathpeffer. Continue to Dornoch, a lovely little town with a beautiful beach. Stay for two nights in a fabulous five-star hotel.

Over the Cairngorms to Dornoch

Wednesday 23rd September

Head to John O’Groats

After a luxury breakfast enjoy a long day of driving but wonderful scenery more than makes up for it. Drive up the coast, with a visit to the amazing Dunrobin Castle, to John O’Groats and Dunnet Head, the most northerly point of mainland Britain. It is then a beautiful drive along the north coast, past Thurso to Bettyhill, then inland, across the Highlands back to Dornoch.

Head to John O'Groats

Thursday 24th September

Through the Highlands to the Summer Isles

Another stunning route through awe-inspiring scenery. Drive to the Falls of Shin, renowned for the salmon leaping upstream. then continue through the Highlands on one of the most remote roads in the UK to Tongue. Follow the coastal road past the enormous Smoo Caves and down the north-west coast. Cross the Kylesku Bridge and drive to a excellent hotel for a two-night stay overlooking the beautiful coast and isles.

Through the Highlands to the Summer Isles

Friday 25th September

A Day at Leisure

An optional day to drive a circular route from Lochinver. Or enjoy a day off and maybe take a boat trip to see seals and the Summer Isles, or perhaps walk along the wonderful beaches or a hike on the hills.

A Day at Leisure

Saturday 26th September

West Coastal Drive & Applecross Pass

A superb drive south with simply outstanding scenery and vistas. Head south, past Ullapool to Inverewe, to the wonderful gardens. Continue to Loch Torridon and take the wonderful and narrow coastal road past Applecross and over the Bealach-na-ba, or Pass of the Cattle. This twisting, single-track mountain road is the third highest road in Scotland. Continue to Plockton to stay for the next two nights. We shall be split between the Plockton Inn and Plockton Hotel. Parking is on the road in the village, but this is a safe little haven. Dinner is included.

West Coastal Drive & Applecross Pass

Sunday 27th September

Explore the Isle of Skye

Spend the day exploring Skye. Drive over the Quiraing and on to Dunvegan to see the superb castle and seat of the MacLeods. Perhaps enjoy lunch at the famed Three Chimneys restaurant. Head south to the Talisker Whisky distillery and then return Plockton. Dinner is at leisure.

Explore the Isle of Skye

Monday 28th September

Over Glencoe & Rannoch Moor

Drive south, past the exquisite Eilean Donan Castle, which is open to visitors. Continue to Invergarry and through Fort William. Continue to Glencoe with a fabulous drive up the glen and across Rannoch Moor. There is the option to drive the ‘James Bond Skyfall’ road of Glen Etive. Head to gorgeous hotel for the final night of the tour overlooking Loch Doine.

Over Glencoe & Rannoch Moor

Tuesday 29th September

Depart for Home

After a great Scottish breakfast depart for home at your leisure.

Depart for Home

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What's included

Included

Carefully created tour to encompass the best of northern Scotland
Nine nights in excellent hand picked hotels
Full Scottish breakfast each morning
Multi-course dinners on evenings with wine
Welcome drinks reception
Private guided tour of Scone Palace
Whisky tasting experience
Comprehensive tour pack & route book
Accompanied by an experienced Tour Director

Everything for a Smooth Ride

Moments from the journey

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