Are you ready for a great Scottish adventure? Then welcome to my 3 Day North Coast 500 Itinerary! This comprehensive guide will take you through three days of west coast adventure. There are hikes, beaches, beautiful views, and pretty much everything that makes Scotland so great.
I should clarify, this is not a full North Coast 500 route. It covers just over 200 miles. In fact, we could probably rename this the West Coast 200, but I’m not sure anyone would know what I was talking about! This is a great itinerary if you don’t have enough time to cover the full North Coast 500. You can have the chance to discover some of the best parts of the route in just 3 days. However, if you do have more time, you can still use this itinerary for the section of the North Coast 500 that this covers. You’d simply carry on further north when we turned back east.
I’ve included loads of practical information about what to pack, how much it cost and accommodation tips. The itinerary is very comprehensive and I’ve made an interactive map with all the stops on it.
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3 Day North Coast 500 Itinerary Interactive Route Map
This interactive map takes you through the whole route in this 3 day North Coast 500 itinerary. The different colours indicated the stops for different days, and the yellow markers indicate surrounding towns that I recommend throughout the itinerary if you have some more time.
You can save this map to your Google Maps account by clicking the star button next to the title. It will then appear under Your Places>Maps in Google Maps.
Accommodation on the North Coast 500
My friend and I decided to camp during our North Coast 500 road trip. It worked really well for us, especially since my friend was a pro at putting up the tent (I, on the other hand, had never actually camped before so I happily observed).
We chose to stay in campsites and pay for camping. It wasn’t expensive, I mention the prices for each place on the itinerary, but I don’t remember paying more than £10 each for any campsite.
Wild camping is legal in Scotland, but make sure you read up on the rules and restrictions to avoid getting in trouble or ruining protected land. This website will help you.
If you don’t want to camp, you shouldn’t have any trouble finding accommodation at the stops, since the North Coast 500 route is so popular these days. I give a few suggestions of BnBs or hostels throughout the itinerary, and I would recommend booking these in advance to be sure of their availability – you definitely don’t want to be stuck without anywhere to stay in the middle of nowhere!
What to Take on a North Coast 500 Road Trip
Make sure you’re prepared for a road trip like this. Everyone’s needs will be different but here are some of my recommendations.
Clothing and Footwear
I would recommend taking clothing for all weather. The weather can be so unpredictable in Scotland. We went from shorts to jumpers, and it rained a lot. You’ll need a good pair of walking shoes that are comfy (and preferably waterproof), and I’d also take a comfy pair of trainers or sandals for driving and less adventurous activities.
Food
We took a lot of food with us, and I’d recommend taking more than you think you’ll need. Hiking is hungry work and countless snacks were needed. Stick to non-perishable foods, but since the road trip was only a few days, we were able to take things like fruit and bread that we knew wouldn’t go off in that short amount of time.
The food we took was primarily for breakfast and lunches, as we planned to eat out for dinners. If you have the right equipment you could definitely cook your own dinners, but this was the best option for us.
Camping Equipment
If you’re planning to camp as we did, make sure you have everything to make it as comfy as possible. Of course, you’ll need a good tent with all its attachments, a mattress pad, and sleeping bag. An inflatable (or regular) pillow is good to remember, and you might want to look into some extra reinforcements for your tent in case the weather is windy. Make sure you have a good torch and/or lamp for when it gets dark.
Some other optional items to consider are collapsable camping chairs and table.
Other
There are lots of miscellaneous items to remember as well. Take books and games to keep yourselves busy in the evenings. Don’t forget electrical items like phone chargers, and make sure your car is kitted out to charge them. You’ll want an AUX cable or CDs too, as road trip music is pretty much essential.
If you plan to do any water-sports or swimming, think about what you’ll want to take and where to store it. We took wetsuits and bodyboards. Also, consider where you’ll dry these items. You might want to take a washing line to hang up, but we just draped them across the car when we weren’t driving.
Cash is a good thing to consider. Once you’re on the west coast it’s unlikely that you’ll have easy access to a bank or a cash machine, and some places won’t take card.
How much does a North Coast 500 Trip Cost?
We didn’t need to spend too much on our trip. The main things you’ll have to budget for are fuel, accommodation and food. All of the activities in this itinerary are free but it’s something to think about if you want to add any other activities to your route.
We covered just over 200 miles on the route. I don’t drive but I’m pretty certain you can do it on less than a tank of fuel.
I can’t remember exactly how much I spent on food but I’d estimate it was a maximum of £20 on the supermarket shop for snacks and non-perishable items. Then I’d say a maximum of £30 for cafe stops and dinners.
This is an estimate again, but I spent a maximum of £25 on campsite accommodation over the two nights.
Don’t have a car?
It’s hard to do a Scottish road trip without a car, but why not try joining a guided tour instead? You could opt for a day trip to the Scottish highlands or a multi-day tour!
Scottish Highlands Day Trips
3-Day Tours to the Scottish Highlands
3 Day North Coast 500 Itinerary – Day One
The first day of the road trip was fairly laid back, mainly because we didn’t set off until late afternoon. The main aim of the day was to get to Ullapool and set up for the night.
If you have more time during the day, I’d recommend exploring Inverness or the surrounding area of Cromarty and Ross-Shire. There are loads of great towns to visit but I’d recommend Fortrose, Dingwall and Strathpeffer (I’ve marked them on the interactive map). You could also drive to Ullapool earlier and spend the day there!
Driving to Ullapool
The driving route is very easy, as you will just drive the A835 all the way to Ullapool. From Inverness, take the A9 across the Kessock Bridge to Tore Roundabout. Take the second exit at the roundabout to start the A835. Then you simply follow that road all the way to the end and you’ll find yourself in Ullapool – the only other roundabout you’ll cross is the Maryburgh roundabout where you should take the second exit. The journey should take just over an hour.
Corrieshalloch Gorge
You definitely want to stop at Corrieshalloch Gorge on the way to Ullapool. During this road trip the bridge across the gorge was closed for construction so we could only look from afar, but luckily I’ve visited since and been able to enjoy it. The gorge is one of the deepest in Scotland, and the falls that run through are spectacular.
Corrieshalloch Gorge is situated just off the A835 so it’s really easy to stop at. You can read my guide to Corrieshalloch Gorge to get all the info you need about the exact location, and how to explore.
Setting up Camp in Ullapool
For our first night, my friend and I camped at Broomfield Holiday Park. It’s right on the water, so waking up in the morning was absolutely gorgeous. The price was around £20 for the two of us camping. If you’re looking for a guesthouse for the night, there are plenty of options for all budgets. Ullapool has a youth hostel and loads of BnBs around the town. I’ve never stayed in a BnB in Ullapool but I’ve been told that Riverside is nice.
We ate dinner at The Seaforth. It was a lovely space with a well-priced menu (and amazing quality food!), and their terrace was perfect for a summer evening. If you fancy eating at the beach or back at the campsite, they also have great takeaway options.
Ardmair Beach
After dinner, we drove to Ardmair Beach. It’s actually on the route that we would be driving the next day, but since we had such an action-packed itinerary already, we thought it best to visit the beach on the first night, instead of trying to cram it in the next morning. Although the weather was a little grey, the beach was still beautiful. One of my favourite things about Ardmair beach is that it’s filled with loads of flat stones, and people love to make towers out of them. Ours were a bit pathetic but some people managed to stack their towers really high!
3 Day North Coast 500 Itinerary – Day Two
Day 2 of our North Coast 500 Itinerary is where the real adventure starts! This is an action-packed day with a lot of walking and hiking. Day 2 of the itinerary will take us from Ullapool to Achmelvich, with around four stops along the way.
We set off bright and early after breakfast in the car, and here’s how we filled the day!
Knockan Crag
Our first stop, Knockan Crag, was about 30 minutes away in the car. It’s easily one of the most unique hikes I’ve done. Knockan Crag is a National Nature Reserve that focuses on the unique geology of the Moine thrust that runs through it.
There’s a visitor centre and dedicated trails to walk along, so you can learn while you hike. Knockan Crag is completely free to visit, and this extends to car park access as well. Also, you’re on the west coast of Scotland so, of course, the views are amazing.
The trails aren’t too long. I’d say we spent about an hour at Knockan Crag.
The Bone Caves
The second stop of the day is only another 15-minute drive away, which shows you how amazing the hills are in this area. This hike is a little longer (I’d say we spent a good few hours here), and a little more demanding, but definitely still accessible to a capable walker. I’ve marked the car park on the interactive map, but make sure you watch this closely because I can’t remember there being any signposts when approaching it.
We didn’t follow a route and although there isn’t an incredibly clear path, it’s still easy to find your way. You can check out this Bone Caves route to make sure you’re going in the right direction.
As the name suggests, the main attraction of this hike is the caves you’ll find at the top. Excavators found the remains of animals like polar bears and reindeer that used to roam the area. You can explore the caves with care, but I’m a big scaredy-cat so we just chilled out at the top and enjoyed (once again) the beautiful views.
Ardvreck Castle
After a wonderful lunch in the Bone Caves car park, composed of bread rolls with Dairylea cheese triangles and some crisps, we headed further north.
As far as I remember, we hadn’t planned to stop at Ardvreck Castle. One of my favourite parts of a road trip is being able to just pull over whenever you see something interesting! These medieval ruins sit right next to the road on the banks of Loch Assynt.
We didn’t spend too long at Ardvreck Castle, but it’s a great place to stretch your legs and explore.
Lochinver
It’s time to get back to civilisation! Lochinver is a lovely village. There isn’t much to do but it’s on the water and there are a couple of cute gift shops.
In the late afternoon, we ate at an amazing spot just on the edge of Lochinver called the Lochinver Larder. These guys know how to make a pie, and they have an extensive menu! We went for a sweet option and had some apple pie, but in retrospect, it would have been a good idea to have an early dinner here. We struggled to find anywhere that was open later on in Lochinver. As it’s such a small village, it’s worth doing some research into the available dinner options, or eat at the Larder.
There is a small shop and a chip shop in Achmelvich, where you’ll be camping for the night. You could also consider this for dinner, but check ahead because if they’re closed you’ll be stuck.
Achmelvich Beach
When you’re ready to set up camp, head along to Achmelvich beach. This place is beyond beautiful, and waking up here in the morning couldn’t be more peaceful. And if I’m not bigging it up enough, this is one of my favourite places in the world.
The Shore Caravan Site is right on the beach. It cost around £15 with the car and tent. There are a couple of other options if you aren’t planning to camp, like a small Youth Hostel, and some caravans and pods. Make sure you research well and book in advance, as I doubt you could show up and expect to book a place to stay on arrival. If you can’t find accommodation in Achmelvich you could stay in Lochinver.
Pretty much the only thing to do in Achmelvich is to visit the beach, but it’s so beautiful that you won’t want to do anything else! We had some fun swimming (with wetsuits on, even in summer the water is freezing!) and then relaxing on the beach.
3 Day North Coast 500 Itinerary – Day Three
The third and final day of our trip was a bit more laidback, we visited a couple of beaches. Unfortunately, the weather took a turn for the worse so we rushed through the second part of the day to head home. However, there are plenty of things that you can do along the route that I’ll recommend as I go through.
Exploring Achmelvich
We had a very relaxed morning on Achmelvich beach. I think I could have spent the whole day here! I woke up early in the morning to sit out on the sand, and then once we got up and ready for the day we went exploring in the hills. There is another small beach along from the main one that’s just as fun.
Stoer Lighthouse
After finally dragging ourselves away from Achmelvich beach, we carried on north and found ourselves at Stoer Lighthouse. The lighthouse juts out west so there’s nothing but sea all around you, it’s a beautiful sight.
We didn’t go inside the lighthouse because they’re actually self-catering accommodation! After finding this out it immediately became our dream to come back and stay. Although there definitely wasn’t space for this in our budget at the time, the prices aren’t actually too expensive (£149 a night/minimum 3-night stay) and you can fit around 4 people in each one.
Clashnessie Beach
We came back inland and drove through Clashnessie. We had to pull over when we saw Clashnessie Bay and the beach! It’s another gorgeous sandy beach (as if we hadn’t seen enough already) and we stayed here for a while simply enjoying the sunshine.
Drumbeg Viewpoint
The further north we drove, the more picturesque the surroundings became. Between Clashnessie and Drumbeg we were surrounded by greenery, rocky hills and plenty of small lochs.
Drumbeg has another great viewpoint where you can look right out to sea. I might be wrong, but I think you can see over to Scourie in the distance, where we’ll end up later!
Kylesku Bridge
Unfortunately, this is where the weather started to turn. We stopped briefly at Kylesku bridge (mainly because I wanted to take a photo for my engineer dad) but then carried on driving. I’ve heard that Kylesku is a lovely, albeit tiny, hamlet, so if you wanted to have a wander around here I’m sure it would be great.
Heading Home
We grabbed a simple lunch at The Anchorage in Scourie. This was about as north as we went, as we turned down at Laxford Bridge towards Lairg. There isn’t much to do until you reach Lairg so we drove straight down to the Falls of Shin.
The Falls of Shin is a popular spot to watch salmon jumping and there are some nice woodland walks where you can follow the falls and the river.
That was our final stop, we then carried on driving, through Bonar Bridge, and heading south to Inverness. Since my friend and I were heading back home, we’d been to the surrounding towns many times, so we didn’t bother stopping. However, if you’re not a local resident, I’d recommend stopping at either Dornoch, Portmahomack/Tarbert Lighthouse or Glenmorangie (if you’re a fan of whisky and not the designated driver!).
Accommodation for the 3rd Night
As a final point, you should think about your final night’s accommodation. Luckily we could head home and sleep in our own beds, but you might need to brave another night in the tent if you live further away.
Since you’re back to a more built-up area, you shouldn’t have any problems finding a campsite for the night. You could stay up north in Dornoch, head to Dingwall or back to Inverness and stay in the city.
I hope you enjoyed this 3 Day North Coast 500 Itinerary, and are now inspired to go out and explore some of Scotland! If you liked this post, you might want to check out some of my other Scotland posts, such as Corrieshalloch Gorge: The Ultimate Day Trip Guide, or The Glasgow Mural Trail: Your Complete Guide (With Interactive Map)
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I feel so rubbish that I’ve travelled to so many places but barely explored my home country at all! Your post has inspired me to get on that right away!
I’m becoming a huge fan of road trips these days! Would love to do this someday. Looks like a gorgeous adventure.
This looks like such a fun road trip! Ardmair beach is so cool, I’d love to visit! Thanks for sharing.
Looks like you had sooo much fun! I’d love to return to Scotland and go on this road trip!
What a great post! I’ve been to Scotland once and fell in love with it. I’ve been dying to go back and even though I saw a lot I haven’t seen any of these beautiful spots. Hopefully next year I can go back and take this route!
So lucky you leave so close to this. Scotland has always been in my bucket list
I could not have read this post at a better time as we are planning to do this route! Thanks so much for all the great info. x
Ive been dying to arrange a road trip ( currently wishing for Italy) but now you have turned my attention to Scotland too! 😍
I loved Scotland and was intrigued about the wild camping. I heard many stories about locals opening their yards to campers. Sounds beautiful and like a great way to see the country!
Scotland is so high on my list right now! We want to ret a campervan and do a driving trip, so this itinerary is perfect. Thanks so much.
What a fun road trip! I really want to visit Scotland some day, adding some of these places to my list (especially those gorgeous beaches)!
This looks awesome!! I travel to the UK annually to visit family and have only done a road trip down from Glasgow to the south of England, but would love to do more road trips, especially in Scotland! Thanks for the tips – saving for when we can go!!
I love the North Cost 500!! It is such a beautiful drive, your photos are stunning! Seeing your photos has made me want to do the road trip again.
Clashnessie Beach looks stunning – I’d love to explore some of Scotland one of these days.