Home › Journeys › Scotland North Coast 500 › 9 days
Scotland North Coast 500: 9-Day Plan You Can Actually Drive
Last updated:
The 9-day version for June: every day fits real transit, opening hours and daylight. Prefer more or fewer days? 9-day plan · best time to go.
Use this plan → Customize this plan →
9
days
644 km
distance
26.4 h
driving
48
curated stops
💡 Good to know for this plan
- ~18 hours of daylight in June — the plan keeps days inside a realistic window.
- Check Highland Council road status and weather daily, allow generous single-track delay and use signed alternatives when a pass is closed or unsuitable for the vehicle.
- Peak season: book accommodation ahead and carry midge repellent, while keeping the route’s daily slack for traffic and weather rather than extra stops.
Day 1 Inverness → Torridon
- Transit
- 3h35
- Finish
- ~17:55
- Temperature
- 8.8°C–13.6°C
- Rainy days
- ~17
- Daylight
- 17.7h
09:00
10:00
Admire the elegant pink sandstone structure standing proudly.
50 min · Inverness
11:00
Explore Pictish stones and vibrant art exhibitions.
50 min · Inverness · Donation
open: Apr-Oct Tu-Sa 10AM-5PM; Nov-Mar Tu-Th noon-4PM, F Sa 11AM-4PM
14:45
16:05
16:55
Applecross Inn applecrossinn.co.uk
Delight in hearty pub grub at this cozy Scottish inn.
60 min · Torridon · B&B double £150
open: W 3-10PM, Th-M 11:30AM-10PM
Overnight: Torridon
e.g. Torridon Campsite · The Torridon
Day 2 Gairloch
- Transit
- 2h21
- Finish
- ~16:50
- Temperature
- 8.8°C–13.6°C
- Rainy days
- ~17
- Daylight
- 17.7h
10:00
Stroll through vibrant gardens filled with exotic plants.
50 min · Gairloch · Adult £15, child £1, NTS/NT free
open: Daily 10AM-5PM
11:00
Pool House pool-house.co.uk map ↗
Step into a 300-year-old hunting lodge with a lively past.
50 min · Gairloch · Adult £9.50, child £5
open: Apr-Oct M & Sa at 4:30PM
12:20
Arctic Convoy Museum racmp.co.uk map ↗
Discover the daring Arctic convoy routes that supported the Soviet Union.
50 min · Gairloch · Adult £8, conc £7, child £4
open: Apr-Oct M-Sa 10AM-4PM
13:40
15:00
15:50
Black Pearl Creole Kitchen blackpearlcreolekitchen.com
Taste rich, spicy Creole flavors in a warm, inviting setting.
60 min · Gairloch
open: W-Sa 5-8PM
Overnight here
e.g. Gairloch Sands Youth Hostel · Myrtle Bank Hotel
Day 3 Ullapool
- Transit
- 3h01
- Finish
- ~17:15
- Temperature
- 8.4°C–13.9°C
- Rainy days
- ~15
- Daylight
- 17.8h
10:25
11:25
13:10
Ullapool Museum ullapoolmuseum.co.uk map ↗
Discover local history in a charming church-turned-museum.
50 min · Ullapool · Adult £5, child free
open: Apr-Sep: Th-Tu 11AM-4PM
14:20
15:25
16:15
The Seaforth theseaforth.com
Enjoy classic Scottish dishes, cash only, in a reliable setting.
60 min · Ullapool
open: Daily 11:30AM-9PM
Overnight here
e.g. Broomfield Holiday Park · Ullapool Youth Hostel
Day 4 Lochinver
- Transit
- 3h09
- Finish
- ~17:30
- Temperature
- 8.4°C–13.9°C
- Rainy days
- ~15
- Daylight
- 17.9h
10:00
11:05
12:30
14:30
15:40
16:30
Peet's peets.co.uk
Savor delicious seafood in a relaxed setting.
60 min · Lochinver
open: M-F noon-2:30PM, 5:30-8:30PM; Su 5:30-8:30PM
Day 5 Durness
- Transit
- 1h57
- Finish
- ~15:45
- Temperature
- 9.7°C–13.1°C
- Rainy days
- ~12
- Daylight
- 18.0h
10:15
Explore a stunning hybrid sea cave.
50 min · Durness · Adult £15, child £5
open: Tours Jun-Aug 10AM-5PM, Apr May & Sep 11AM-4PM
11:20
Golden Eagle Zipline durnesszipline.com map ↗
Zip over a stunning beach with coastal views.
90 min · Durness · £15 pp
open: Apr-Aug daily 10AM-4PM, Sep Oct to 3:30PM
13:15
14:15
Overnight here
e.g. Sango Sands Oasis · Lazy Crofter Bunkhouse
Day 6 Thurso
- Transit
- 3h31
- Finish
- ~17:55
- Temperature
- 9.3°C–13.7°C
- Rainy days
- ~11
- Daylight
- 18.0h
11:00
13:40
14:40
16:05
16:55
Bydand bydandthurso.com
Delight in tender beef cheeks in a cozy European setting.
60 min · Thurso
open: M-W F Sa 6-10PM
Overnight here
e.g. Sandra's Backpackers · Thurso Bay Caravan & Camping Park
Day 7 John o' Groats
- Transit
- 2h33
- Finish
- ~15:50
- Temperature
- 9.9°C–13.6°C
- Rainy days
- ~10
- Daylight
- 18.0h
09:35
11:40
12:55
13:55
15:00
Admire restored grandeur in a historic tower house.
50 min · John o' Groats · Adult £13, conc £10.50, child £7
open: May-Sep: W-Su (but closed late July-early Aug) 10:30AM-4PM
Day 8 Wick
- Transit
- 2h20
- Finish
- ~15:40
- Temperature
- 9.9°C–13.6°C
- Rainy days
- ~10
- Daylight
- 17.9h
09:30
11:20
12:25
13:50
14:50
Overnight here
e.g. Wick River Campsite · Nethercliffe Hotel
Day 9 Tain → back to start
- Transit
- 3h54
- Finish
- ~17:05
- Temperature
- 9.6°C–13.6°C
- Rainy days
- ~12
- Daylight
- 17.8h
10:45
Discover local history in a charming volunteer-run museum.
50 min · Tain · Adult £3.50, conc or child £2.50
open: Apr-Oct: Tu-F 10AM-4PM
11:45
Experience the smooth, unique taste of Speyside single malt.
90 min · Tain · Standard tour £23
open: M-F 10AM-4PM (+Sa Su Jun-Aug)
13:35
🔍 Check before you book
Every stop is a real, sourced place, but opening hours change, roads close and businesses move. Check anything you're paying for before you book.