Scottish Highlands

North Coast 500

Scotland's coastal loop from Inverness

7 days~830 kmCalculating… drivingCircular route

The balanced loop — time for the passes, the beaches and the castles.

About this route

The North Coast 500 links the roads around the northern Highlands into one loop starting and finishing in Inverness. It is short in miles by road-trip standards but slow in practice: much of the west coast is single-track with passing places, and the scenery invites constant stops. Seven days is the sweet spot — five is a fast tour, ten lets you walk, swim and linger. Roads are open year-round but services thin out sharply outside the summer season.

Scenic drivingBeachesCastlesSlow travelPhotography

Day by day

Head west across the Highlands, then climb the country's most dramatic road to a remote coastal village.

Roads: A835 · A832 · A890 · Bealach na Bà

Where to stay

Applecross

Very limited beds — book far ahead, or use the campsite.

Roadly suggestions

Applecross Campsite

campsite · budget

Walking distance from the Applecross Inn.

Applecross Inn

guesthouse · comfort

Rooms are limited and book out months ahead in summer.

Campervan & Motorhome Stops

Find campsites, motorhome areas, overnight stops and useful services near Applecross.

Park4Night can help you discover campsites, motorhome areas, parking and stopping places, water, waste services, laundry and other traveller services.

Open Park4Night

Opens an external service

Download Park4Night for iPhone Download Park4Night for Android

Park4Night is an external service. Always check current local signs, site rules and overnight restrictions before staying.

Check the pass is open before committing; the Shieldaig coast road is the signed alternative.
Fill up in Inverness — fuel west of Achnasheen is scarce.

Weather on this route

Starting

The Bealach na Bà can close in snow and high winds; the Shieldaig coast road is the signed alternative. Dates beyond the 16-day forecast window show a seasonal outlook.

Weather along the way

Checking the forecast for your dates…

Approximate costs

Indicative totals for 7 days, 2 adults. Fuel is based on the live route distance.

Budget

£440–£900

Accommodation£180–£360
Food & drink£180–£280
Attractions & activities£0–£110
Fuel£80–£120
Parking£0–£55

Comfort

£1,250–£2,050

Accommodation£650–£1,000
Food & drink£390–£600
Attractions & activities£110–£250
Fuel£80–£120
Parking£0–£55

Premium

£2,400–£4,200

Accommodation£1,300–£2,300
Food & drink£750–£1,250
Attractions & activities£210–£490
Fuel£80–£120
Parking£0–£55

No toll roads or ferries are required on the standard loop.
Fuel is noticeably more expensive in the far north-west than around Inverness.
Estimates only — Roadly never quotes live prices.

Who this route suits

Families

good

Great for families who like beaches and short walks, if you keep driving days modest.

· Beaches at Achmelvich, Clachtoll, Balnakeil and Dunnet are excellent for children.
· Smoo Cave and Dunrobin Castle are easy, high-interest stops.
· The west-coast single-track sections are slow going and can feel long with young children.

Campervans

good

One of the UK's best campervan routes, with a real responsibility to park considerately.

· Good campsite coverage in Applecross, Gairloch, Ullapool, Durness, Thurso and John o' Groats.
· Single-track roads with passing places require patience and confident reversing.
· Overnight only where permitted; several coastal car parks explicitly prohibit it.

Motorhomes

moderate

Large motorhomes can complete the loop, but some sections need planning.

· The Bealach na Bà is not advised for long vehicles or caravans; the Shieldaig coast road is the alternative.
· Some passing places are tight for vehicles over about 7 metres.
· Service points are limited on the north coast — plan water and waste around campsites.

Electric vehicles

Charging exists in Inverness, Ullapool, Durness, Thurso, Wick and Dornoch, but rural chargers can be single-unit. EV planning becomes precise when you use Roadly EV mode with your own vehicle range.

· No tolls or ferries on the standard route.
· Fuel prices in the far north-west are typically higher than Inverness — check current prices locally.

Practical travel notes

Driving side: Left. Speed limits are in miles per hour.
Road type: A mix of fast A-roads on the east coast and long single-track sections with passing places in the west and north. Passing places are for passing and for letting faster traffic overtake — not for parking.
Currency: Pound sterling (GBP). Card payment is widely accepted.
Tolls & ferries: None required on the main loop.
Fuel: Fill up in Inverness, Ullapool, Durness, Thurso and Wick. Some rural stations close on Sundays and in the evening.
Mobile signal: Patchy on the west and north coasts. Download offline maps before you leave Inverness.
Campervans: Overnight parking is only permitted where signed. Use campsites and designated aires, and use waste facilities properly.
Supplies: Larger supermarkets are in Inverness, Ullapool, Thurso and Wick. Midge repellent between June and August.

Roadly tips

· Drive the loop anti-clockwise to reach the single-track west coast early in the day.
· Start early for Bealach na Bà — it is far less stressful before the coaches.
· Refuel whenever you're below half a tank in the north-west.
· Book Applecross, Durness and Ullapool well ahead in July and August.
· Leave one unplanned hour a day for beaches you didn't know were there.

Loading map…

Highlights

Best time to go

bestgoodpossiblechallenging

The Bealach na Bà can close in snow and high winds; the Shieldaig coast road is the signed alternative.
Many west-coast cafés, campsites and small hotels operate seasonally, typically Easter to October.
Midges are most active on still, damp evenings between June and August.