I love a good road trip and whilst looking into 'staycations' closer to home but a little off the beaten track for some clients, this really caught my eye, especially as it’s known as the UK’s answer to Route 66.
If awe-inspiring landscapes, spectacular beaches, mountains, castle ruins and exciting hairpin bends revealing lochs of the deepest blue sound enticing, then this is the road trip for you.
The North Coast 500 (NC500) is a 516-mile (830 km) scenic route around Scotland’s spectacular far northern coast, starting and ending at Inverness. The NC500 is not to be driven quickly - you will want to cruise at a relaxed pace to absorb the wonderful scenery.
My advice is to allow at least five days to drive the full round-trip, although if you have additional time, it will obviously enable you to see more.
I can tailor-make this holiday, from the duration to the accommodation, with options ranging from small luxury hotels to bed and breakfasts and even a choice of arrival: self-driving, flying from your local airport, or my preferred option, the overnight sleeper train from London Euston.
Example Itinerary
Here’s an excellent 7-night itinerary that has proven popular with some of my clients...
Night 1
Starting at Inverness, staying the night at the 4-star Kingsmill Hotel Inverness, B&B in a Double Room
Drive from Inverness to Torridon: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Night 2
Staying at the 3-star Torridon Estate, B&B in a Classic Double Mountain View Room
Drive from Torridon to Ullapool: Just over two hours.
Night 3
Staying at the 4-star Torran B&B Ullapool, B&B in a Standard Double
Drive from Ullapool to Tongue: 2 hours and 40 minutes.
Night 4
Staying at the 3-star The Tongue Hotel, B&B in a Standard Double.
Drive from Tongue to Thurso: Just over an hour.
Night 5
Staying at the 4-star Forss House Hotel in Thurso, B&B in a Standard Double.
Drive from Thurso to Dornoch: 2 hours and 15 minutes.
Night 6
Staying at the 4-star Royal Golf Hotel Dornoch, B&B in a Classic Double.
Drive from Dornoch to Inverness/Loch Ness: roughly just under 2 hours.
Night 7
Final night at the 4-star The Lovat Loch Ness, B&B in a lovely Garden Room to conclude your trip back to Inverness.
There are several ways to tailor-make the right itinerary for you, dependent on the number in your party, preference of travel, duration, and standard of hotels.
• Accommodation Only (self-drive)
• Accommodation/ Flight/ Car Hire
• Accommodation/ Sleeper Train/ Car Hire
Contact me for further details, costs and the latest availability.
