Fuel stations on the NC500 & Highlands

One of only two fuel stops between Thurso and Durness on the north coast (the other being Tongue). Essential knowledge for anyone driving this 80-mile stretch — if this station and the one at Tongue are both closed, you face a very long drive on an empty tank. Fill up whenever you can on this section.

The main filling station on the Isle of Skye, conveniently located in Broadford — the first major settlement after the Skye Bridge. Fill up here before heading north to Portree, Dunvegan, or the Trotternish peninsula, as fuel options further north on Skye are limited.

A reliable fuel stop on the A835 between Inverness and Ullapool, around 15 miles north of Dingwall. Notably one of the few places on this stretch with a 24-hour self-service pump, so you can fill up outside normal hours including Sundays. Super unleaded also available.

The most north-westerly fuel stop on the NC500 and the only fuel available for a considerable distance in either direction on the north coast. Hours are limited and Sunday opening is unreliable — phone ahead before relying on this station. Small shop attached.

Fort William has multiple filling stations including a Tesco with competitive supermarket fuel prices. If you are heading north towards Spean Bridge and the Great Glen, or south to Glencoe, fill up here where prices are lower and opening hours are longer than the remote west coast stations.

Small village filling station on the A835 between Contin and Ullapool. One of the last fuel stops before the long run to Ullapool — worth topping up here if your tank is not full.

A filling station in Golspie on the east coast NC500 section, near Dunrobin Castle. A useful stop if you are heading north towards Brora and Helmsdale.

A reliable stop just north of Inverness on the A9, immediately after crossing the Kessock Bridge. Useful as a last fill-up before heading onto the quieter stretches of the east coast NC500.

One of the cheapest fuel stops on the entire NC500 route. Fill up here before setting off — supermarket prices in Inverness are consistently 10-20p per litre cheaper than the remote stations further north. 24-hour ATM on site.

A small filling station in Kinlochbervie, one of the most northerly fuel stops on the west coast. A short detour from the main Durness road but valuable if you are heading to or from Sandwood Bay, or need fuel before the long north coast run. Can be closed on Sundays.

A small filling station in Kinlochewe at the junction of the A832 and A896, on the approach to Torridon. Petrol and diesel available. Note: super unleaded is not always stocked here — check ahead if you need it. Combined with the Kinlochewe Hotel and a small shop, it is a useful services stop on the remote Wester Ross roads.

The main fuel stop at the gateway to the Skye Bridge, carrying petrol and diesel including super unleaded (E5). A key stop for anyone coming off Skye or heading to the island, and a confirmed location for premium fuel on the west coast NC500 route.

A Spar shop with fuel pumps in Lochcarron village on the A896. Open on Sundays but with limited hours — closes around 4pm. A useful stop if you are heading up the Bealach na Ba road to Applecross.

A small filling station in Lochinver village, a short detour from the main NC500 route via the B869 coast road or the A837 from Ledmore Junction. The pumps accept card payment. Worth the detour if your tank is getting low between Ullapool and Durness.

The fuel station in Portree, the main town on Skye. One of the few fuel options in the north of the island — if heading to Dunvegan, Staffin, or the Trotternish peninsula, fill up here.

A small but critically placed filling station in Scourie on the A894 between Ullapool and Kinlochbervie. The unmanned pumps accept credit and debit cards when the station is closed, making this one of the more reliable remote stops. Between Ullapool and Durness this is essentially your only option if you do not detour to Lochinver or Kinlochbervie.

One of the main fuel stops in Thurso, the largest town on the north coast. Gleaner is a Scottish independent fuel brand. This station carries super unleaded (E5, 97 RON) — one of the confirmed locations on the north coast if you need higher octane fuel.

A small village filling station in Tongue, one of only two fuel options between Thurso and Durness. Can be closed on Sundays. Fill up whenever you pass through regardless of your current tank level if you are heading west — the next confirmed fuel is at Bettyhill going east or Durness going west.

The key fuel stop on the remote north-west section of the NC500, carrying both petrol and diesel including super unleaded (Jet Ultra 97 RON, E5). If you are heading north from here, fuel is available at Scourie and Lochinver (a detour) but options are limited — top up here. Note: a separate LPG depot on the Ullapool industrial estate is available weekdays only, phone 01854 612290.

Wick has several filling stations and is a reliable refuelling point on the east coast NC500. If you have driven from John O'Groats, top up here before the long run south down the A9.