Scotland's North Coast Route 500

Day 1

A morning departure as we travel north via Carlisle to Glasgow and then our overnight hotel the Glynhill at Renfrew. Dinner in the hotel.

Day 2

Our journey begins along the shores of Loch Lomond,“The Queen of Lochs” before heading through the dramatic landscape of Glencoe to Fort William, free time for lunch. Our afternoon journey has breathtaking loch and mountain scenery as we travel through the Great Glen on our way to the Isle of Skye, where we spend two nights at the Dunollie Hotel, dinner in the hotel.

Day 3

Today our local guide will entertain us with stories of Jacobite battles ,feuding clans, the Highland clearances and the ever changing scenery of Skye, time for lunch in Portree the islands capital before an included visit to Dunvegan Castle, home of the Macleod Clan for over 800 years. Dinner at the hotel.

Day 4

Leaving Skye after breakfast, we head Northwards to the vast region of Wester Ross. Along the shores of Loch Maree, regarded as one of Scotland’s bonniest lochs. We stop in Gairloch with its pretty harbour before our drive snakes it’s way along the coastline, dotted with islands, inlets, beaches and cliffs before descending into the picture-perfect harbour town of Ullapool. Dinner and overnight at the Caledonian hotel.

Day 5

After breakfast today our journey take us on the most spectacular section of the North Coast 500, mile upon mile of crumbling cliff’s, sheer rocky headlands, picturesque lochs, sheltered bays & deserted perfect white beaches. We stop for lunch at the Smoo Cave Hotel, Durness, before continuing along route 500 to Thurso and then Wick for a 2 night stay at the Norseman Hotel. Dinner in the hotel.

Day 6

This morning we visit the former royal residence of the Queen Mother, the Castle & Gardens of Mey, where we get an insight into Her Majesty’s life in Caithness and spend time enjoying the peaceful gardens and grounds. We then head to the most northerly point of the mainland, John O’ Groats, We can explore the village and admire the beautiful scenery before an afternoon tour and tasting at the Wolfburn distillery . Dinner in the hotel.

Day 7

We leave Wick after breakfast and follow the picturesque coastal road south passing historical Helmsdale, the white sands at Brora & fairytale Dunrobin Castle, on our way to our last overnight stay at Highland hotel in Stirling. Dinner in the hotel.

Day 8

A final breakfast before returning home via Glasgow and Carlisle.

B=Breakfast, D=Dinner