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NC500 Route Planner

Build your personal NC500 itinerary — add stops, save your route, and hit the road.

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516

Miles total

5–7

Days recommended

4

Counties crossed

0

Your stops planned

Suggested stops

Click “Add to route” on any stop to build your itinerary in the panel on the right.

Pace:
Start

Inverness

Capital of the Highlands. Stock up, fuel up, and begin.

Day 1

Dornoch

Cathedral town, links golf, and great seafood.

Day 1

Dunrobin Castle

Scotland's largest northern castle, overlooking the Firth.

Day 2

Duncansby Head

Scotland's true northeastern tip — dramatic sea stacks.

Day 2

John o' Groats

The iconic northern milestone.

Day 2

Thurso

Scotland's most northerly town. Good fuel and overnight stop.

Last reliable fuel for ~80 miles heading west — only Bettyhill and Tongue between here and Durness, both can close Sundays. Fill up here.
Day 3

Smoo Cave

One of Britain's largest sea caves, with a waterfall inside.

Day 3

Durness

White sand beaches and cliffs at the north-west corner.

Day 4

Torridon

Ancient sandstone mountains and glassy sea lochs.

Day 4

Ullapool

Best town on the west coast — seafood, ferry port, sunsets.

Day 5

Applecross

The Bealach na Ba pass and an inn at the end of the world.

Bealach na Bà pass: steep 20% gradient, sharp hairpins. Not suitable for large motorhomes or novice drivers — the A896 via Shieldaig is a gentler alternative.
Day 5

Isle of Skye

Detour for the Quiraing, Storr, Fairy Pools, and Portree.

Isle of Skye — unmissable detour

The Skye Bridge is just off the NC500 route. Add a day or two for the Quiraing, Old Man of Storr, Fairy Pools, and Portree harbour.

Read the Highland driving guide before you go

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