North Coast 500 (NC500)Five Day Extended Tour

Embark on an adventure with us and explore the astonishing North Coast 500 route. Make your journey effortless by allowing our expert guide to handle all of the driving and booking challenges, while you relax and savour the breath-taking scenery and views, perhaps even indulging in a few sips of whisky along the way. Take the scenic route with our North Coast 500 Tour and experience the beauty of the Scottish Highlands. This 5-day adventure begins in Inverness and takes you on a journey of remarkable discovery along some of the most picturesque coastal roads of Scotland. Travel in the comfort of our Luxury Mercedes Viano (seats up to 7 passengers) with your expert tour guide Emma. There will be plenty of time for sightseeing and stops, making moments to cherish forever. Enjoy the perfect balance of sightseeing and stops without feeling rushed. Itineraries will be perfectly tailored to each individual group on guests requests but we have included lots of options and suggestions below for you to explore to create your perfect Trip. Join us now and make unforgettable memories! *Note that not all stops will be visited. An itinerary will be individually crafted for your group based on your preferences and subject to time and availability at time of booking. Options for first three days Itineraries are shown below.

Prices starting from £2700 for a group of up to 4 people for 5 days.£3500 for a group of 7 people for 5 days.Prices do not include accommodation, drinks, meals or entry tickets for venues.

Day 1

Collection from Inverness. The NC500 Route officially starts at the Statue of Flora Macdonald which is situated beside Inverness Castle. We will arrange to collect you from your selected location and take you to Inverness Castle to view the Statue of Flora Macdonald (currently closed for renovations).

From Inverness we will head towards Beauly and Muir of Ord on the Black Isle.

Choose one or two of the optional stops for this area:

Beauly Priory - One of three priories founded in Scotland around 1230 (popular Outlander Fan Location in the centre of Clan Fraser Lands).
The Robertson's Larder, a small farm shop to see some Hairy Highland Cows up close.
Glen Ord Whisky Distillery for a distillery tour and / or tasting experience.

We then make our way towards the A9 where we can make a stop at the Storehouse of Foulis to enjoy some Lunch in a beautiful location next to the Cromarty Firth. A great spot for seeing seals and a huge abundance of other wildlife. After Lunch we will drive a little further up the A9 towards the small town of Dornoch. If some of the earlier stops are not selected we could instead enjoy lunch in Dornoch which has many options.

Choose 2 or 3 options from the below list of recommended options for Dornoch area:

Glenmorangie Whisky Distillery
Balblair Whisky Distillery
Shin Falls and bypass of the Carbisdale Castle
Millionaire's Viewpoint
Historylinks Museum - learn about the rich history of Dornoch
Historylinks trail follow the town map to explore lots of Interesting points
The Dornoch Cathedral - 13th Century cathedral where Madonna married Guy Ritchie
The Witches Stone - stone marking the spot where the last executed witch in Scotland is buried
Dornoch Beach - beautiful sandy beach on the east coast of Scotland
Dornoch Jail - Built as original Jailhouse in Dornoch in 1842 but now a beautiful contemporary shopping outlet for fabulous and unique Scottish gifts.
Royal Dornoch Golf Club - Drive through the golf course and stop off at the official Royal Dornoch Golf Club shop to pick up some official merchandise.
Loch Fleet - drive along the shores of Loch Fleet to explore the natural beauty and wildlife. Designated as a National Nature Reserve.
Dunrobin Castle (potentially Day 1 or day 2 depending on selected options)

Accommodation Recommendations Night 1

(Accommodation can be arranged by us but must be paid by guests individually / directly - not included in tour price).

Dornoch Station Hotel

Dornoch Castle Hotel

Links House

Royal Marine Hotel Brora (A little further North than Dornoch - would highly recommend if you wish to explore Dunrobin Castle on day 1).

Drop off at hotel of choice at approximately 5pm.

Day 2

Collection from your hotel at 9am.

On day two we will head further north through Golspie and onwards towards Brora and Helmsdale. We will explore the scenic East Coast of the North Highlands before ending up in Wick or John O'Groats for the Evening.

Choose 4 or 5 options from the below list of optional stops for this area:

Dunrobin Castle (If not toured on day 1)
Carn Liath - a broch, a sophisticated type of Iron Age settlement just outside Golspie.
Brora Heritage Centre - learn about the history of Brora from its Saltworks to it's coal mines and the wool industry.
Capaldi's of Brora - Italian Gelato Ice Cream Shop
Clynelish and Brora Whisky Distillery - Home of blended Johnny Walker Whisky
Timespan in Helmsdale - Heritage and Art Institution
Dunbeath - Filming location for TV series 'The Crown'

Lunch Stop Recommended at one of the following (Must be pre-booked as very busy in the summer months):

The Bay Dunbeath

Laidhay Tea Rooms

The River Bothy Berriedale. (Beautiful short walk available from the river bothy following the river down to the old Berriedale Harbour).

After Lunch head further North towards Wick

Further Options to visit:

Lybster Harbour (Filming Location for TV Series 'The Crown)

Whaligoe Haven - one of the most remarkable harbours to be found in Scotland surrounded on three sides by 250 feet cliffs and reached by walking down the Whaligoe Steps which Zig Zag down the Cliffside.
Camster Cairns - two of scotlands oldest stone monuments built more than 5000 years ago.
Old Pulteney Whisky Distillery
Old Pulteney town
Wick Harbour and Seafarers Memorial
Noss Head, Staxigoe, Papigoe and Castle Sinclair Girnigoe
Duncansby Head & Duncansby Stacks (Great point to see puffins from late spring to early summer).
John O'Groats (Most Northerly Inhabited Point on Mainland Britain).
8 Doors Whisky Distillery - New distillery opened in 2022 inspired by the story of Jan De Groot - the man that John O'Groats takes its name from. Blended Liquers and Whisky Cocktails available

Accommodation Recommendations Night 2

(Accommodation can be arranged by us but must be paid by guests individually / directly - not included in tour price).

Caithness View Luxury Farm Lodges

MacKay's Hotel, Wick

John O'Groats Lodges

John O'Groats Luxury Holiday Accommodation

The Inn at John O'Groats

Drop off at hotel of choice at approximately 5pm.

Day 3

Collection from your hotel of choice at 9am.

on day three we will travel from Wick / John O'groats and start to make our way down the North West coast of Scotland.

Choose 4 or 5 options from the below list of optional stops for this area from North to South:

John O'Groats (Most Northerly Inhabited Point on Mainland Britain).
8 Doors Whisky Distillery - Brand New distillery opened in 2022 inspired by the story of Jan De Groot - the man that John O'Groats takes its name from. Offers Blended Liqueur and Whisky Cocktails for a little something different from the norm. Recommended for those not so keen on standard whisky!
Dunnet Head (Most Northerly point on mainland Britain).
Castletown
Rock Rose Gin Distillery
Castle of Mey (Queen Mothers former residence)
Thurso Harbour (potential to see seals in the Harbour)
Walk around Thurso Town Centre
Walk to Holburn Head Lighthouse 1.5KM moderate difficulty
Wolfburn Whisky Distillery
Smoo Cave walk and waterfalls
Balnakeil Bay & Cape Wrath

Accommodation Recommendations Night 3

(Accommodation can be arranged by us but must be paid by guests individually / directly - not included in tour price).

Durness - Smoo Lodge

Tongue Hotel

Scourie Hotel

Drop off at hotel of choice at approximately 5pm.