Uncover Britain North Coast of Scotland

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North Coast of Scotland

Scotland’s North Coast & Highlands - Self-Drive Road Trip - inspired by NC500

Name: Scotland’s North Coast & Highlands - Self-Drive Road Trip - inspired by NC500
Brand: Uncover Britain

Explore Scotland’s North Coast and Highlands with a flexible self-guided road trip through glens, sea cliffs, beaches and mountains. Inspired by the NC500, this guide links Inverness, Caithness, Sutherland, Assynt, Torridon and Applecross.

The Scotland’s North Coast & Highlands Road Trip is a flexible self-guided travel guide designed to help you explore one of Europe’s most dramatic and remote landscapes at your own pace.

Inspired by the regions made famous by the North Coast 500, this guide goes beyond simply following a signposted loop. It helps you understand how the landscapes of northern Scotland connect — from lochs and glens to fishing harbours, sea cliffs, mountain passes, white beaches and remote Highland peninsulas.

This journey works especially well over 7–14 days, although it can also be adapted for shorter 3–10+ day trips depending on your time, travel style and chosen sections. Distances in the Highlands can be significant, and many roads are slow, scenic and exposed, so the guide is structured to help you plan with realistic pacing.

The route is organised into four main touring areas:

Inverness & the Great Glen

Begin in the gateway to the Highlands, with routes through forested glens, Loch Ness, historic landscapes and the natural corridors that lead towards the far north.

Caithness & the Far Northeast

Explore big skies, fishing harbours, coastal settlements and the northern edge of the Scottish mainland around John O’Groats and the wider Caithness coastline.

The North Coast

Follow Sutherland’s Atlantic edge, where wide beaches, limestone cliffs, remote roads and coastal villages shape the journey between Tongue, Durness and the surrounding landscape.

Northwest Highlands

Travel through some of Scotland’s most powerful mountain scenery, including Assynt, Torridon, Applecross and the famous Bealach na Bà.

Inside the guide, you’ll find:

A structured self-drive route through Scotland’s North Coast and Highlands
Flexible planning ideas for 3–14 days
A wider Highland route inspired by the North Coast 500
Four main touring sections to help organise your journey
Scenic roads, coastal villages, remote landscapes and major viewpoints
Narrative introductions to each area
Practical route structure to help with day planning
Flexible ideas that can be adapted around weather, ferries and travel pace
12 months’ access, so you can choose a booking date that gives you time to plan before travelling

This guide is ideal if you want to experience the freedom of a Highland road trip, but with enough structure to avoid rushing or missing how the region fits together. You can follow the full circular route or use the guide to explore individual sections, depending on your timeframe.

Rather than treating the North Coast as a checklist, the guide helps you travel through northern Scotland in a natural progression — linking deep glens, sea lochs, cliffs, beaches, mountains and remote communities into one unforgettable journey.

If you're looking for other road trip ideas in Scotland, take a look at our Scottish road trips.

From £14.99 per adult

Departure days

Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday

February — October

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Contact details

Uncover Britain

Kipling Road
Herefordshire
United Kingdom
HR8 2GU

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Starting

Applecross
Inverness
Thurso
Ullapool
Wick

Length

Bespoke

Transport

Self drive

Type

Bespoke

Themes

Adventure
Architecture
Canoeing/Kayaking
Castles
Family
Film and TV
Food and drink
History
Island Hopping
Landscapes
Outdoor Activities
Photography
Walking
Walking/Hiking
Whisky
Wildlife

Tour prices

From £14.99 Per Adult

Book now

Prices are subject to change depending on season

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Tour company information

Uncover Britain

Uncover Britain provides road trip itineraries for some of the best and most scenic Scottish road trips. The road trips in Scotland include the well-known and well-loved North Coast of Scotland (inspired by the NC500). However, road trippers can uncover their own Scotland with one of the other popular routes, such as the West Coast of Scotland, including the amazing Isle of Skye, the former 'Kingdom of Fife, with a visit to none other than the home of Golf, and discover more about Edinburgh and the Romantic Borders.

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Opening times

9.00 - 5.30 Monday to Friday

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Scotland’s North Coast & Highlands - Self-Drive Road Trip - inspired by NC500

From £14.99 per adult

Departure days

Contact details

Tour information

Tour prices

Tour Stops

Tour gallery

Tour company information

Uncover Britain

Social Channels

Opening times

Other tours from this company

Self Drive Scottish Heritage Golf Trail

Scottish Borders Self-Drive Road Trip - Scenic drives f...

Fife Self-Drive Road Trip (St Andrews, East Neuk, Coast...

Scotland Self-Drive West Coast Road Trip: Argyll, Mull...

Start Your Story in Scotland

Inspiration for your trip

Discover unique experiences in Scotland

Discover Scotland's vibrant events and festivals

Countdown to Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games

Start planning your summer break

Your Scottish adventure starts here

As seen on TV!

Your pictures of Scotland

Share on

Join our Newsletter Clan