Travelling the North Coast 500 is on many travellers' bucket lists. It’s one of the most beautiful routes to take in the world and ideal for those of us who enjoy experiencing the more adventurous side of life. Before you plan your trip, it’s best to lay out a North Coast 500 itinerary.
5 days on the route should be more than enough to get to see all the sights and explore some of the charming towns along the way, but if you feel like you want to extend your trip, there will still be plenty to see and do on a more relaxed holiday.
To give you an idea of how to plan your trip to get the most out of it, we’ve put together a sample NC500 5-day itinerary.
For a truly unforgettable NC500 experience, you’ll need the right vehicle. Compass Campers specialises in providing our customers with top-end campers to experience the NC500 in true luxury.
Our fully equipped campers are designed to accommodate those on romantic couples’ getaways or for larger groups like families and friends. We’ve been helping people plan their NC500 trips for years, so we know exactly where to stop, for how long, and what to see and do in the area.
With our depot located very close to Edinburgh, we’re in a convenient location for anyone who wants to explore Scotland more thoroughly. You can use our recommended North Coast 500 itinerary for 5 days as a template to start planning your own trip.
We recommend getting to Edinburgh a couple of days before starting your NC500 trip so that you can explore the exciting Scottish capital.
Starting from the Compass Campers depot in Edinburgh, your first-day route will take you to the picturesque town of Inverness. Along the way, you’ll be immediately taken aback by the rolling hills of the Scottish Highlands as you get closer and closer to the NC500. The Highlands are famous for offering some of the most beautiful views in the UK, and you’ll feel yourself instantly relax the more into the stunning rural surroundings you get.
45 minutes into your drive, you’ll come across the charming town of Linlithgow, which has a wealth of picturesque landmarks and quaint homes on the banks of the Linlithgow Loch. If you’ve left early and fancy a bite to eat to fuel up for a day of road-tripping, then there are several cafes and breakfast spots serving up a scrumptious spread. Some of the top ones we recommend include So Strawberry Caffe, The Westport Hotel, and The Coffee Neuk.
Other towns well worth stopping in include Crieff, Pitlochry, and Cairngorm Herd. These little villages are all treasure troves for discovering hidden gems and will certainly make for some beautiful photo opportunities on the first day of your trip.
When you arrive in Inverness in your camper, you’ll have the luxury of choosing one of several stunning campsites, including Riverside and Kessock Caravan Park, which are ideal for anyone who wants a spot to stay with a view. These are great for campervans, as these spots allow you to simply pull up and enjoy. However, if you want to stay somewhere cosy, then there are ample BnBs and hotels in Inverness, too.
Before you set off on the NC500, you should make Loch Ness one of your first stops on Day 2 of your highlands road trip. Loch Ness is famous for the legend of Nessie, the Loch Ness Monster. The massive lake gives you stunning views of the natural highland surroundings and is the perfect spot to breathe in the fresh air.
Another super popular spot for those travelling the NC500 is Dunrobin Castle. Its spires and towers resemble something out of a fairytale and are certainly worth the visit for those interested in Scotland’s nobility history. You can take a self-guided tour around the castle, where you can see stately rooms, artefacts, and artworks.
Although the route from Inverness to Dornoch is only an hour long, you’ll enjoy taking a slow meander along the NC500 while stopping to explore some of the sweet towns along the way. When you arrive in Dornoch, you can stay at one of the many campervan parks designed for campers, like the one you’ll be travelling in. Some of the best ones are the Dornoch Caravan and Camping Park, Dornoch Firth Caravan Park, and Davochfin Farm Caravan and Motorhome CLSite.
Leaving Dornoch, you’ll continue to head towards the top of Scotland, where you’ll notice the vegetation and surrounding natural landscapes start to change. Although the direct route to Thurso will only take you around an hour and a half, exploring the charming town of Wick is highly recommended.
Wick is a popular NC500 destination known for attractions like the Castle of Old Wick and Ebenezer Palace. You’ll also appreciate taking in the stunning views from Sinclair’s Bay.
If you completely fall in love with Wick, no one would blame you. It’s another great spot to stop for the night, with ample caravan parks and quaint bed and breakfasts. However, if you want to keep trekking onto Thurso, you’ll also be in for a treat.
One of the top nearby attractions in Thurso is Dunnet Head, a charming lighthouse doused in maritime history. You’ll also love exploring some of the natural scenery that surrounds these sites, such as the cliffs that surround Dunnet Head and stunning ocean views. You can also explore these on foot using one of the many walking trails in these spots.
Day 4 of your North Coast 500 itinerary will start taking you down the Western side of the route. If you go via Durness and continue along the route, you can look forward to a slightly longer drive with many incredible stops along the way. As your first stop on day 4, you should certainly consider Holborn Head, where you can explore the cliffs and enjoy views of the ocean. The area features a lighthouse and scenic paths, perfect for a peaceful morning walk.
As you make your way along the route, you can look forward to other attractions like Kyle of Tongue, Smoo Cave, Ard Neakie and Loch Eriboll, and Loch Assynt. Each of these will satisfy the craving for nature you probably have while planning your trip along the NC500.
Some of the towns you can try out for a spot of lunch include Durness, Kinlochbervie, and Lochinver, each of which boasts quaint, quiet towns that offer warm, hospitable pubs, cafes, and restaurants. Their old-age architecture will make you feel like you’re in an entirely different world, and the locals in each are nothing short of the friendliest people you’ll ever meet.
After a long day, you’ll surely be craving a warm dinner and somewhere peaceful to rest for the night. Ullapool has loads of restaurants and activity resorts which are perfect for keeping the family busy. If you arrive early enough, many recommend having a round of golf at the Ullapool Golf Club.
If you want to end your trip on day 5, then it’s recommended you make your way straight back to Edinburgh. The direct route will only take you around 4 hours and 20 minutes, so if you leave early, this is ample time to still enjoy the surrounding towns of Gairloch, Kinlochewe, and, slightly more off the beaten track, Lochcarron. In fairness, going via Lochcarron en route back to Edinburgh will only add around an hour and a half to your trip. The total of 6 hours is certainly doable in a day; it just gives you less time to stop in each town.
If you do have another day to carry on your NC500 meander, then another stop off in Inverness before heading back to the Scottish capital will be the perfect way to close the loop on your route. Plus, you’ll get to spend more time exploring attractions like Loch Maree, Loch Torridon, and the beautiful nearby towns.
Your trip back to Edinburgh from Inverness will take you around three and a half hours without stops, so make sure you leave some time to get back, drop off your camper, and have a lovely city dinner to end your NC500 excursion on a high.
For the best possible adventure on the road, choose Compass Campers to take you through your North Coast 500 itinerary over 5 days. We have ample experience and can recommend some of the best spots for camping and what to look out for along the way.
Whether you’re travelling with a special someone or want to experience the NC500 with a group of mates or family, we have campers to suit small group sizes. Trust us to make your Scottish road trip holiday an unforgettable experience you’ll cherish forever.
