The North Coast 500 is one of the most famous road trips to tick off if you’re wanting to truly experience the beauty of Scotland. This 500 mile route takes in some of the most stunning scenery in the country, from rugged coastlines to towering mountains, and charming villages to ancient castles. If you’re planning a trip along the North Coast 500, here are seven must-see destinations that you won’t want to miss.
1. Inverness: The Gateway to the Highlands
The starting point for the trip — this historically significant city is the perfect place to grab some food and check out the (hopefully opened) Inverness Castle. It was unfortunately closed for refurbishment when we both started our NC500 trip.
If you are anything like us, then you’ll have already spent a good few hours in the car/van prior to getting to Inverness, so it is a great place to stretch the legs, pick up supplies or grab a bite to eat before heading onwards. Take a wander down the River Ness whilst you’re at it — it’s a lovely spot and a good way to shake off the travel fatigue before the adventure properly begins.
2. Dornoch: A Historical Haven
Dornoch is a fantastic little seaside town with a rich history. The town is home to the stunning Dornoch Cathedral, which dates back to the 13th century.
The town itself features a fantastic cafe, Cocoa Mountain, which is a must visit for any chocolate lover looking for a rich and indulgent hot chocolate. They are dog friendly, so bring your pups along too!
We stayed at the campsite right on the beach here and it has to be one of my favourites of the whole trip. There are a few good places for food onsite and it’s a brilliant spot to settle in for your first night on the road.
3. Dunrobin Castle: A Fairy-Tale Fortress
Dunrobin Castle is one of those places that catches you off guard. You’re driving along the east coast and then suddenly this enormous French chateau-style castle appears with its manicured gardens stretching down towards the sea. It’s the largest house in the Northern Highlands and dates back to the 1300s, though much of what you see today is from later renovations.
You can easily spend a few hours wandering around the gardens and the castle itself, although it’s a little pricey at £14.50 per person. If you time your visit right, you might even get to see the falconry display which is well worth sticking around for. The gardens alone are worth the visit — they’re modelled on those at the Palace of Versailles and are impressive to say the least.
Dunrobin Castle from the gardens
4. Smoo Cave: An Underground Wonder
This one was a highlight of our whole trip. Smoo Cave sits just outside the village of Durness on the north coast and is a massive limestone sea cave with an impressive internal waterfall. The sheer scale of the cave entrance is something you really have to see in person to appreciate.
You can walk into the main chamber for free, and there are boat tours available that take you further into the cave system if you want the full experience. Even just standing at the entrance looking in is worth the stop.
Whilst you’re in the area, make sure to check out Sango Bay — we stayed at the Sango Sands Oasis campsite which sits right on the cliffs above the beach. The views from the campsite are absolutely incredible and the beach is worth a visit even if you aren’t staying in Durness.
5. The Assynt Region: Wild Scotland at its Best
The Assynt region on the west coast is where the NC500 really starts to feel properly wild. The landscape here is unlike anywhere else in Scotland — ancient Lewisian gneiss rock creates this almost lunar terrain dotted with lochs and punctuated by dramatic isolated peaks like Suilven and Stac Pollaidh.
Make sure you stop in at the ruins of Ardvreck Castle on the shores of Loch Assynt. It dates back to 1490 and there’s ample parking along the road beside it. A short walk from the car will get you right up to the ruins — it’s a brilliant photo opportunity with the loch and mountains as a backdrop.
If you’re up for a hike, the Bone Caves are well worth the detour. These impressive caves once contained the remains of northern lynx, polar bears, arctic foxes and even brown bears. The circular route will take you around 1.5 to 2 hours and you’ll cover about 288m of elevation — bring your hiking boots as the path can be boggy in places.
6. Bealach na Bà and Applecross: A Driver’s Paradise
If there’s one stretch of road on the NC500 that will stay with you long after you’ve returned home, it’s the Bealach na Bà. This famous single-track road climbs steeply up through a series of tight hairpin bends with gradients that will have you gripping the steering wheel. It’s not one for the faint-hearted, and definitely not suitable for larger motorhomes, but the views from the top are absolutely worth the white knuckles.
Once you’ve navigated your way over the pass, you’ll descend into the peaceful Applecross Peninsula. It’s a completely different world on the other side — sheltered, serene and with gorgeous views out across the water towards Skye. We spent our final night of the trip here and it was the perfect place to wind down and reflect on the journey.
7. Torridon: Mountain Majesty
The Torridon area is home to some of the most dramatic mountain scenery in all of Scotland. The Torridon Hills rise sharply from the glen floor, and the drive through the area with views of Liathach and Beinn Eighe is nothing short of spectacular.
On our trip, we passed through the Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve which is a truly special place — Britain’s first national nature reserve and somewhere that feels properly untouched. Whether you want to tackle one of the bigger peaks, take on a shorter lochside walk, or simply pull over and take it all in from the roadside, Torridon delivers.
The charming village of Shieldaig is also well worth a stop. It sits on the shores of Loch Torridon and has a lovely wee pub where you can grab some food and enjoy the views across to Shieldaig Island.
Wrapping it Up
The North Coast 500 is one of those trips that truly lives up to the hype. Whether you’re doing it over a long weekend or spreading it out over a week or more, these seven destinations should be at the top of your list. Each one offers something completely different — from fairy-tale castles to underground caves, wild mountain passes to peaceful coastal villages.
If you’re after a more detailed breakdown of how to plan your days, check out our 8-day NC500 itinerary which covers campsites, driving times and all the smaller stops in between.
If you’ve got any questions or want some advice for planning your own trip, feel free to reach out to us on Instagram — @donnaandelliot.