Multi Activity View Trip Dates North Coast 500 Book Now Trip Grade: Your Own Pace North Coast 500 This self-drive holiday explores the dramatic North Coast 500 on a tour of the north of Scotland, while enjoying privately guided walks, wonderful boat trips and staying in cosy and comfortable small Highland hotels. The North Coast 500 is Scotland’s answer to Route 66, starting in Inverness this 500 mile round journey takes in some of the most stunning scenery Scotland has to offer. On this 8-day self-drive holiday, you will meander through the impossibly quiet roads of the Northern Highlands. Enjoy a number of boat trips and privately guided walks while exploring the unspoilt scenery along the way. At the end of each day, relax in cosy and welcoming accommodation. Highlights • Soak up the magnificent views of Britain’s highest waterfall while cruising on Loch Glencoul • Enjoy a walk out to Dunnet Head, the most northerly point on mainland Britain • Choose from a variety of cliff, coastal or mountain guided and self guided walks Book with confidence • You pick the dates that suit you – we make all the arrangements required Planned Itinerary Day 1 | Begin the North Coast 500 – Travel to Torridon Day 2 | Walking Torridon/Applecross Day 3 | Morning walk; then onwards North Day 4 | Self Guided and Boat trip Kylesku Day 5 | Cape Wrath Day 6 | No Further North! Dunnet Head and John O’Groats Day 7 | Journey to Inverness Day 8 | Depart Arrival • Make your own way to Torridon for the first night of your trip. This is a self drive holiday - you can bring your own car or hire from anywhere in Scotland Departure • The final night of the trip is in Inverness. Depart from here by your own arrangements PLEASE NOTE – The itinerary is indicative only and may be subject to change at the discretion of the Wilderness Scotland Guides with regard weather conditions and other factors. Day 1 | Begin the North Coast 500 – Travel to Torridon Today you’ll start your journey on the NC500 and make your way to Torridon where you will spend the next two nights in a wonderful Highland Lodge located on the shores of Loch Torridon, where you can enjoy the spectacular beauty and diverse wildlife of Loch Torridon. Day 2 | Walking Torridon/Applecross After breakfast, meet your Wilderness Scotland guide to discuss options for today’s walk in the Torridon or Applecross area. Your guide will help you select a suitable hike, choosing from coastal or mountain walks, and keeping in mind the weather and your experience. Applecross is a sleepy and idyllic part of the Highlands, surrounded by stunning mountain and coastal scenery. Torridon has a different character altogether, being surrounded by bold, towering peaks, separated by spectacular glens with a real sense of wilderness. Both are wonderful areas to explore on foot so this is a great way to start your adventure. (B) Day 3 | Morning walk; then onwards North Your guide will meet you at your hotel this morning to discuss the day. Another hike lies ahead and there are many great options to choose from - your guide will suggest the best route. This could include a circuit of the shapely peak of Stac Pollaidh; or exploring the coastline and sandy beaches of Gairloch. After your walk, you will make your way to your next cosy stop for the coming 2 nights. (B) Day 4 | Self Guided and Boat trip Kylesku In the morning you have some free time – you could enjoy a short hike on your own, explore Lochinver village, or simply relax at the hotel. A visit to Lochinver Larder is a must for one of their famous pies. If you are keen to walk, great options include a walk to Stoer lighthouse and the Old Man of Stoer (a sea stack); or a coastal beach walk to the gorgeous Achmelvich beach. In the afternoon, drive north and board a boat at Kylesku for a journey along Loch Glencoul through the UK’s wildest mountain range. On board, you will have fantastic views of Britain’s highest waterfall Eas a’Chual Aluinn, with an impressive height of 650 feet. Return via the ‘wee mad road’, as it’s known by the locals, where every twist and turn is rewarded with spectacular scenery. (B) Day 5 | Cape Wrath This morning you can visit Cape Wrath, the most north westerly point of the Scottish mainland. It’s not easy to reach and your journey there will involve crossing by boat over the Kyle of Durness you will be met on the other side and then driven across the moors to reach the wild and lonely Cape Wrath lighthouse. You will have an hour to explore the area, taking in the dramatic coastline, looking for passing whales, or simply enjoying a refreshment in what is surely Scotland’s most remote coffee shop. To take the ferry simply pay on arrival at Keoldale. Alternatively, if you’d prefer, you can continue on eastwards to Forss. On your way you can explore some of Scotland’s finest beaches such as the sand dunes at Durness and Balnakeil. (B) Day 6 | No Further North! Dunnet Head and John O’Groats Today is a free day to explore the most northerly points in the Scottish mainland. You’ll want to visit Dunnet Head, officially the furthest north point of the British mainland. Enjoy the stunning sea cliffs and a diverse range of birds including puffins, razorbills, guillemots, fulmars, kittiwakes, shags and cormorants. John O’Groats is the most northerly settlement on the British mainland and is fun to visit. There is a great cliff-top walk at nearby Duncansby Head. A great way to appreciate the wild coastal scenery is a boat trip. This can take in Duncansby Head and its sea stacks, the Isle of Stroma and the Swilkie whirlpool – Viking legend would have you believe this is where the salt for the oceans is churned. (B) Day 7 | Journey to Inverness After breakfast, begin your journey to Inverness passing the stunning white sand beach on Sinclair Bay. Along the way you may want to pay a visit to the Glenmorangie distillery – ensure you have a designated driver! Once at Inverness, there are various options for the afternoon – perhaps visit Culloden Battlefield or take a boat cruise on Loch Ness. (B) Day 8 | Final Hike, then Return to Inverness and Depart After a leisurely breakfast, and having completed the NC500, you can make your way home. (B) Optional Orkney Extension We can extend your trip to include a visit to the beautiful Orkney Islands, starting on Day 6 of your trip. The crossing lasts around one hour, and as you sail you can look out for marine wildlife such as dolphins and whales which frequent these waters. Orkney is world famous for its rich archaeological sites such as Skara Brae and the Ring of Brodgar. It also offers a fascinating military history from two world wars, and links to the exploration of North America. If you would like to include Orkney please contact the office team to discuss. You may spend just a day there or as long as you like! Trip Grading | At Your Own Pace On this adventure you will be accompanied by a Wilderness Scotland hiking guide for several days, who will be able to suggest and lead you on a range of hikes from gentle low level rambles to challenging days visiting remote summits. Just let them know what type of hike you would like to do and they will be ready! On the other days of the trip you will self guided and can explore at whatever pace you feel comfortable. Accommodation and Meals Our classic self drive holidays feature a range of country houses and hotels in locations across the north of Scotland. Accommodation is in double, twin or family bedrooms. Breakfast is included each morning. Food is sure to be a highlight on this trip, enjoying excellent Scottish cuisine made from local ingredients throughout the trip. Please note that alternative accommodations may be offered when you book if availability at any of these is limited. At all stages of your trip you will be able to enjoy tasty Scottish cuisine, enjoying delicious meals prepared from superb local ingredients. Packed lunches are not included in the trip cost, but will be available from your hotel or a local cafe/ deli. Inclusions This trip includes the following: • 7 nights accommodation in comfortable highland hotels. • Breakfast each day • 2 days of privately guided hikes, led by an expert Wilderness Scotland guide • Kylesku boat trip and Loch Ness boat trip or Culloden Battlefield (Cape Wrath excursion is notincluded and can be paid locally) • Route notes and maps, allowing you to explore the region at your own pace Our holidays reviewed in your words… Excellent trip. The North Coast of Scotland has to be one “of the most beautiful places on earth! Accommodation was superb in every way. Each room had a lovely view, comfortable rooms and delicious food. Don't miss the Lochinver Larder in Lochinver, or the hot chocolate at The Cocoa Mountain cafe in Balnaseil Bay! Kirstin Pellom ” All Trip Reviews Here Your Guide During this trip you will be accompanied and led by one of our professional guides. Our guides are among the most highly experienced and qualified in the country. Defined by their passion for Scotland’s wild places, they have an intimate knowledge of the natural and social history of this land which they will be delighted to share with you.