Planning a North Coast 500 road trip? Here's our guide to the best accommodation
It’s no secret that Scotland has some of the most spectacular scenery on the planet and much of it can be found along its now-famous NC500 route. And you can make your road trip last longer by checking in to some North Coast 500 accommodation along the way.
How long does it take to drive the North Coast 500?
It varies – the scenic route is 516 miles long, but you can take your time to stop off for hikes and overnight stays to truly take it all in. To really see it properly, a weekend getaway won't do and you’ll need at least five days to make the most of the scenic route.
Is the NC500 worth it?
Short answer: yes. Scotland has been blessed with some wonderful scenery, especially in the Highlands, and this route in its furthest reaches takes you past some of the best of it. You’ll see spectacular shorelines, historic castles, windswept coastal towns, remote villages and the northeasternmost point of the UK mainland, John O’Groats.
What is the best part of the North Coast 500?
It’s hard to say, but one of the highlights is visiting where the UK ends at John O’Groats, which sees 21 hours of daylight in high summer. Castles worth stopping off for include Dunrobin and Mey, and almost-tropical Achmelvich and Portmahomack are just some of the beautiful Scottish beaches along the way.
Where does the North Coast 500 start and finish?
Inverness Castle is the starting point – and the finish line. The route is a circuit from Inverness, along the east coast past Dornoch and John O’Groats, up to Thurso and then around to Ullapool, Torridon and Applecross, before looping back to Inverness.
Where is the best NC500 accommodation?
From a fairy-tale castle and the home of whisky royalty to a riverside retreat, we've picked the very best places to stay on your NC500 road trip so you can take your time, soak up the scenery and stay overnight at the best North Coast 500 accommodation…
Links House at Royal Dornoch, Dornoch
This is the North Coast 500 hotel for you if you’re coming to the Highlands to play on one of the region’s famous golf courses – and with fairways this spectacular, it's certainly worth teeing off when you're here. But Links House is not just somewhere for those hoping to play golf – the hotel is an ideal first stop on an NC500 road trip, since it's located near Dornoch on Scotland’s north-east coast.
You may like to stay a while to enjoy some of the activities on offer, which include fishing, cycling and shooting, visiting local castles and hiking in the Highlands – all of which can be enjoyed long into the evenings in the summer, since the days are so long here. It's the perfect spot for a holiday in the great outdoors.
Newhall Mains, Black Isle
A little more modern than many of the classic country house hotels that feature among the North Coast 500’s accommodation options, Newhall Mains is on a 900-acre farm on the Black Isle peninsula, near Balblair. The distance from Inverness is just 20 miles. The hotel closes during the winter, but you'll be able to time your stay to coincide with spring, when it reopens in mid-April – it's a lovely time to visit, since the NC500 route gets rather busy during the peak summer months.
The 18th-century mains (or farm buildings) are now the hotel’s various cottages and suites, styled with contemporary interiors and, you'll be pleased to hear, completely transformed from their agricultural days. It has its own airstrip for any incoming private jets should you wish to swap your car for arriving by aeroplane.
Rocpool Reserve Hotel, Inverness
This North Coast 500 hotel is in Inverness, the official capital of the Highlands and where you’ll start your road trip. It is a convenient city base, especially for visitors arriving by air, since it's less than 20 minutes by car from the airport. The Georgian mansion overlooks the River Ness. Rocpool Reserve Hotel is a short walk to the official starting point of the NC500 route, Inverness Castle, and the city centre, so you'll be able to see the sights before you hit the road.
And before you do set off on your drive, the hotel can help to arrange other activities, such as trips to Cawdor Castle and the Culloden battlefield, along with whisky tastings at the Glenlivet and Glenfiddich distilleries, for the quintessential Scottish itinerary.
Shieldaig Lodge Hotel, Gairloch
There are lots of vast country piles in Scotland and with this NC500 hotel – a Victorian hunting lodge near the village of Gairloch – you can stay in one. Shieldaig Lodge Hotel is towards the end of the NC500 route, as you come back down along the west coast, past Ullapool and just before Torridon and Applecross.
The huge Highland estate is precisely the place to experience the very best of Scotland and its culture, whether you want to work your way through its staggering selection of 250 whiskies, read beside a cosy fire, enjoy views of Shieldaig Bay, go deer stalking or set off by canoe on Loch Maree. The 26,000-acre grounds also include pristine gardens, beaches, lochs and lofty Munros.
Achnagairn Estate, Kirkhill
This NC500 hotel is in the village of Beauly, most famous for its priory, which is thought to have been founded in 1230. It is located just five miles west of Inverness, making the Achnagairn Estate the perfect pitstop for the start or end of your scenic Scottish drive.
Unsurprisingly, the fairy-tale castle (and its 30-acre estate) is often used for especially magical weddings – it can accommodate 55 guests in the castle and a further 75 in the bedrooms and the aptly named ‘mini manors’ spread across the grounds. Activities on offer include archery, traditional Highland games, whisky tastings and helicopter trips in search of a certain creature over Loch Ness – it's a true Scottish playground fit for a laird.
Coul House Hotel, Contin
A 20-minute drive from Inverness, this hotel – run by a couple who returned to their native Scotland in 2003, after a decade running hotels in America – is a good choice for the start or end of your drive. Coul House Hotel, which was built in 1821, is in the hills above the quaint village of Contin in Ross-shire, with eight acres of woodland as its back yard. The decor includes grand fireplaces, ornate ceilings and, of course, captivating views down the glen.
You’ll be able to cycle to the Rogie Falls, and it’s five miles from the scenic shores of Loch Achilty and Loch Ussie. Other nearby attractions of note include both Dunrobin and Cawdor castles. It's a pet-friendly NC500 accommodation option too, making it the ideal choice for anyone bringing their pets along for the ride.
The Glenmorangie House, Tain
Calling all whisky fans, this is the NC500 stay for you. Once the home of whisky royalty, The Glenmorangie House is now open to guests – it’s the ultimate North Coast 500 accommodation for connoisseurs of the water of life. The charming, remote inn has just nine bedrooms (six in the main house and three cottages just behind it), designed by Russell Sage, along with an intimate restaurant and a backdrop of spectacular countryside.
Don’t miss a visit over to the whisky distillery for tastings and stockpiling, or venture out further afield – castles within day-trip distance include Urquhart and Dunrobin. The hotel is in Tain, a royal burgh in the Highland county of Ross.
Forss House, Thurso
All the way north near Thurso, Forss House is a riverside retreat with 20 acres of woodland on the banks of the Forss Water. The 200-year-old building has modernised rooms in the main house, along with more rustic cottages at the edge of the water, as well as a restaurant that puts the produce from neighbouring estates and waters to good use. Guests can stroll down along the riverbank to the sea, locate the nearby waterfall and set sail on a ferry to the Orkney isles.
It’s in the county of Caithness, famous for its vast skies and wide open spaces, making it the ideal destination for adventurers in search of Scotland’s spectacular landscapes and deserted beaches.
Dornoch Castle Hotel, Dornoch
An excellent choice for the first overnight stop on your scenic loop, Dornoch Castle Hotel is in the historic town of Dornoch, an hour’s drive north of Inverness, and directly opposite the 12th-century cathedral. Dining options at the hotel include candle-lit suppers in the peaceful restaurant that overlooks the walled garden, where you can enjoy 'wee plates' such as Dornoch Gin-cured salmon, Isle of Mull Cheddar arancini and maple and miso carrots; and fine-dining with wine and whisky pairings in the Vault, once the building's dungeons (but don't let that put you off).
Unsurprisingly, the 500-year-old castle’s characterful rooms have original features intact, and for something extra special, you can stay in the tower itself. The Tower Suite has a carved four-poster bed, wood-panelling, high ceilings and a fireplace.
Boath House, Nairn
Extend the NC500 route by starting a little further along the coast from Inverness in Nairn instead. The ancient fishing port and county town of Nairnshire is just 17 miles east of Inverness, where the River Nairn enters the Moray Firth.
Boath House is a restaurant with rooms housed within a listed Georgian mansion near Findhorn Bay, with 10 bedrooms and a four-bedroom lodge, a 400-year-old walled garden (now home to a charming café and shop), and a cabin and sauna secluded in the grounds. A meal at the restaurant is sure to be the highlight of your stay – be sure to make a reservation.
White Rose Tower, Invergordon
And for North Coast 500 accommodation that’s fit for a fairy tale, look no further than White Rose Tower, a stately, turreted retreat that’s surrounded by woodland in the Ross-shire countryside, just south of Dornoch in Invergordon and close to the Cromarty Firth.
The adults-only bed and breakfast has ensuite bedrooms, a hot tub, free parking and welcoming hosts, making it the perfect pitstop after a day on the road. The guestrooms are an ideal mix of old and new, with lots of modern touches aiding the comfort, but a distinctly Scottish feel courtesy of the antler motifs, tartan throws and four-poster beds.
The Royal Highland Hotel, Inverness
If you want a city stay before setting off on your scenic coastal drive, spend a few days exploring Inverness. This city-centre retreat in the Highland capital is one of Scotland’s historic railway hotels, having opened back in 1856. It’s also a good first-night option for anyone coming to do the drive from further afield – The Royal Highland Hotel is just steps from the railway station, of course, and only 15 minutes by car from Inverness’s airport.
All of the hotel's original Victorian grandeur is intact, with chandeliers, columns and the centrepiece staircase, and it's now also adorned with various pieces of art. The hotel has a gallery that champions local artists – it's open every day, with free entry.
More UK travel ideas:
- The best places to stay in Pembrokeshire
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