[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"ge":3,"en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fglobal\u002Ffooter":211,"story-\u002Fen-gb\u002Fexperiences\u002Feurope\u002Fnorth-coast-500":286},["Reactive",4],{"name":5,"created_at":6,"published_at":7,"updated_at":8,"id":9,"uuid":10,"content":11,"slug":18,"full_slug":196,"sort_by_date":197,"position":198,"tag_list":199,"is_startpage":200,"parent_id":201,"meta_data":197,"group_id":202,"first_published_at":203,"release_id":197,"lang":204,"path":197,"alternates":205,"default_full_slug":197,"translated_slugs":197},"Header","2022-07-25T09:41:40.982Z","2026-10-25T14:47:59.976Z","2026-10-25T14:47:59.991Z",167377631,"aedb7dba-a9c4-4919-a156-7811e7dfa393",{"_uid":12,"logo":13,"items":17,"title":14,"component":18,"metaTitle":19,"nav_menus":20,"strapline":191,"search_page_link":192,"search_bar_placeholder_text":195},"79db3d30-00b1-497c-987c-f5f00938f54f",{"name":14,"filename":15,"fieldtype":16},"","https:\u002F\u002Fres.cloudinary.com\u002Fpicolo\u002Fimage\u002Fupload\u002Fv1663659218\u002FPicolo\u002FAssets\u002Fpicolo_logo_black-1_yml543.svg","asset",[],"header","Picolo Travel Tips",[21,59,93,139],{"_uid":22,"items":23,"title":57,"component":58},"308eea60-0253-48ab-98d9-615c6d12ffc0",[24,33,39,45,51],{"_uid":25,"link":26,"label":31,"component":32},"fec624b1-f4dd-4e39-8000-a482d71c41db",{"id":27,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":30},"eadd2a7c-1ee1-4e43-ae8c-af0cbedece52","story","multilink","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fhotels\u002Fchristmas-breaks","Christmas breaks","link_list_item",{"_uid":34,"link":35,"label":38,"component":32},"18b2c236-8930-4151-ba6f-716ba652d3b8",{"id":36,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":37},"07e6db85-e2af-4b73-92e2-343e025252ee","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fflights-and-hotels\u002Fnorthern-lights-holidays","Northern lights holidays",{"_uid":40,"link":41,"label":44,"component":32},"9799db86-f9fa-41b1-a1e0-08d2a2adb2a3",{"id":42,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":43},"159f3d9c-5d41-4fe5-9ffa-82c8e9f0839b","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fhotels\u002Fwhere-is-hot-in-november","Where is it hot in November",{"_uid":46,"link":47,"label":50,"component":32},"69e1de62-4510-4ab1-862d-a4b096ac4163",{"id":48,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":49},"dad708db-4d7e-4b98-9e74-21fe14320433","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fhotels\u002Ffebruary-half-term-sun-or-snow","Half term: sun or snow",{"_uid":52,"link":53,"label":56,"component":32},"60c47ed5-0af2-48d0-886a-9369d7820213",{"id":54,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":55},"e2fca915-bfea-4138-a458-6030be48ab28","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fhotels\u002Fchristmas-market-breaks","Christmas market breaks","Right now","link_list",{"_uid":60,"items":61,"title":92,"component":58},"076dab03-0dc1-4428-b543-541e4f74c20a",[62,68,74,80,86],{"_uid":63,"link":64,"label":67,"component":32},"0467df0d-120e-47da-9167-7c59a66264d1",{"id":65,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":66},"2e2c00b1-d5f1-481e-9075-66f57043529e","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fhotels\u002F","Hotels by theme",{"_uid":69,"link":70,"label":73,"component":32},"6a60804e-9f79-4a67-a83e-d29f8581b578",{"id":71,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":72},"7227e7b7-1e79-4544-9a16-4947234ba7da","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fflights-and-hotels\u002F","Flights and hotels",{"_uid":75,"link":76,"label":79,"component":32},"cf311dbb-ff85-48f0-a805-848523029511",{"id":77,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":78},"3a730dc4-4926-4589-b1a4-11f85f26ca22","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fhotels\u002Fwinter-sun-destinations-europe","Winter sun in Europe",{"_uid":81,"link":82,"label":85,"component":32},"85334270-beb3-4a12-afd0-0937a2cb43a8",{"id":83,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":84},"e869e6a5-4388-456b-9e67-d5494078f88e","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fhotels\u002Fnature-spa-breaks-europe","Nature spa breaks",{"_uid":87,"link":88,"label":91,"component":32},"33981365-4783-43ce-9dc3-4f73aa12b20f",{"id":89,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":90},"4197aa74-299f-4c2c-bb89-3bf995e8d516","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fhotels\u002Fvalentines-breaks","Romantic weekends","Find a hotel",{"_uid":94,"items":95,"title":138,"component":58},"bb4c77e6-620a-4cb5-a558-e9509808c4f9",[96,102,108,114,120,126,132],{"_uid":97,"link":98,"label":101,"component":32},"20873083-1a6b-480f-9d6b-e9487fdd3896",{"id":99,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":100},"d4bec25e-b0ce-454e-94d6-aabab96617a1","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fexperiences\u002Fnordics\u002F","Nordic experiences",{"_uid":103,"link":104,"label":107,"component":32},"926badc3-b116-47b1-96c7-8e5b1639334d",{"id":105,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":106},"e854f0f1-1618-4117-88a7-069db9211b76","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fexperiences\u002Feurope\u002F","Europe experiences",{"_uid":109,"link":110,"label":113,"component":32},"22ce5e3a-5767-4673-a037-557ccaea4318",{"id":111,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":112},"71798c40-9b2b-4115-b340-77f2006f4054","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fexperiences\u002Fski-resorts\u002F","Ski holidays",{"_uid":115,"link":116,"label":119,"component":32},"168333e8-fcea-4b43-82fd-0db41ecb0600",{"id":117,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":118},"13108ae9-ca64-4510-a112-6b1c3ea2944e","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fexperiences\u002Fusa\u002F","USA",{"_uid":121,"link":122,"label":125,"component":32},"2b26525f-4bf3-4242-a85e-d30a4900507e",{"id":123,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":124},"904ed885-bd21-4400-97a4-830a30341989","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fexperiences\u002Flong-haul\u002F","Long-haul",{"_uid":127,"link":128,"label":131,"component":32},"a0c1883d-a044-4509-b2c3-83d565975dfb",{"id":129,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":130},"3c8767b2-37cc-487c-b4c8-ce277e4e8cbb","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fexperiences\u002Ffood-and-wine\u002F","Food and wine",{"_uid":133,"link":134,"label":137,"component":32},"41561fb3-d852-4cc3-81b8-59a72d343ffe",{"id":135,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":136},"65b6931b-f03f-42c5-83b4-51a22d0c53f3","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fexperiences\u002F","See all experiences","Things to do",{"_uid":140,"items":141,"title":190,"component":58},"faf95dbe-68cc-42ec-9f95-c047b12f6445",[142,148,154,160,166,172,178,184],{"_uid":143,"link":144,"label":147,"component":32},"f88be9cb-56b1-43bd-87e5-61b909e6d028",{"id":145,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":146},"4cfd8153-93bc-4589-8f91-f4ea9e124b55","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fdestinations\u002Feurope\u002Fnorway\u002F","Norway",{"_uid":149,"link":150,"label":153,"component":32},"71215f2d-3d4b-4631-aeaf-ade259f4c4f5",{"id":151,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":152},"bee8a472-ed8a-4679-8c3f-8c0a8cab414f","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fdestinations\u002Feurope\u002Fitaly\u002F","Italy",{"_uid":155,"link":156,"label":159,"component":32},"bedbfc2b-15df-45e0-bb55-5cfa5d962be1",{"id":157,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":158},"3d2c1717-b78f-46be-886c-a50329a1d5fb","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fdestinations\u002Feurope\u002Fspain\u002F","Spain",{"_uid":161,"link":162,"label":165,"component":32},"05d2e472-f3ab-499e-aed0-309c563eb265",{"id":163,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":164},"43400836-9ef5-4c7d-8738-8b52cf2ea330","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fdestinations\u002Feurope\u002F","Europe",{"_uid":167,"link":168,"label":171,"component":32},"b9d4845c-7006-4b34-a8e3-38256248a729",{"id":169,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":170},"75196b14-bd87-4113-9065-94eacad4509e","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fdestinations\u002Fasia\u002F","Asia",{"_uid":173,"link":174,"label":177,"component":32},"9adf8203-f8af-417f-a8e6-584e36f1a052",{"id":175,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":176},"869bd101-b4f3-4ef6-99b7-aeffb194bb1a","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fdestinations\u002Famericas\u002F","Americas",{"_uid":179,"link":180,"label":183,"component":32},"5fc3e140-ef59-4467-be36-edf30539e8f7",{"id":181,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":182},"522bcfc3-baa4-49f3-9403-8a65dc026d65","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fdestinations\u002Fafrica\u002F","Africa",{"_uid":185,"link":186,"label":189,"component":32},"af7c3323-096e-4eb2-a0d3-e3ce3a41d313",{"id":187,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":188},"9c79c139-575e-48ee-8138-b26efe313f6a","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fdestinations\u002F","All destinations","Destinations","Inspiring and exciting experiences",{"id":193,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":194},"a9877681-b62b-4eae-8125-e96847aca2b1","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fsearch\u002F","Where to?...","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fglobal\u002Fheader",null,10,[],false,167377332,"5ce8deff-b415-4f40-bb4b-c82a15584076","2022-07-28T21:11:26.000Z","default",[206],{"id":207,"name":5,"slug":18,"published":208,"full_slug":209,"is_folder":200,"parent_id":210},187661765,true,"nb-no\u002Fpicolo\u002Fglobal\u002Fheader",187661764,["Reactive",212],{"name":213,"created_at":214,"published_at":215,"updated_at":216,"id":217,"uuid":218,"content":219,"slug":275,"full_slug":277,"sort_by_date":197,"position":278,"tag_list":279,"is_startpage":200,"parent_id":201,"meta_data":197,"group_id":280,"first_published_at":281,"release_id":197,"lang":204,"path":197,"alternates":282,"default_full_slug":197,"translated_slugs":197},"Footer","2022-08-01T10:17:45.534Z","2026-10-09T14:45:33.722Z","2026-10-09T14:45:35.849Z",170410593,"a3c27be4-5ddf-4376-9917-39ec88c6de35",{"_uid":220,"logo":221,"text":225,"columns":226,"component":275,"copyright":276,"strap_line":191},"aa4a67f6-5d8d-423e-b53f-a4c6411af5e0",{"id":222,"alt":223,"name":14,"focus":197,"title":14,"filename":224,"copyright":14,"fieldtype":16},5439798,"Picolo","https:\u002F\u002Fa.storyblok.com\u002Ff\u002F166375\u002Fx\u002F377c9060a6\u002Fpicolo_logo_black.svg","Picolo gives you lesser-known stories about the best destinations and experiences around the world.",[227,248],{"_uid":228,"items":229,"title":247,"component":58},"6a300a87-a4c4-4643-9b24-1928696fcb77",[230,233,237,241],{"_uid":231,"link":232,"label":190,"component":32},"72634048-c738-4699-9680-b44f47d6b3ff",{"id":187,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":188},{"_uid":234,"link":235,"label":236,"component":32},"175aaac6-aab6-44c8-ac79-4e0b025e273c",{"id":65,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":66},"Hotels",{"_uid":238,"link":239,"label":240,"component":32},"89c14a67-b335-4516-9ace-d532414548bb",{"id":135,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":136},"Experiences",{"_uid":242,"link":243,"label":246,"component":32},"0d5b99cc-091c-42e4-9f9c-90705b181a16",{"id":244,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":245},"e33d1592-d92e-4d10-9fc5-bcd5d9a5fc47","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Foffers\u002F","Offers","Be Inspired",{"_uid":249,"items":250,"title":223,"component":58},"0c687126-87ed-4cb2-9072-be77225de293",[251,257,263,269],{"_uid":252,"link":253,"label":256,"component":32},"b9bedb2d-0db0-4467-bfd6-513146efcc43",{"id":254,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":255},"fdbc39a5-b257-491d-bb4f-dd2e97b0757d","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fabout\u002F","About Picolo",{"_uid":258,"link":259,"label":262,"component":32},"094480ff-71fb-4df7-a5c1-bf3ab81cda3e",{"id":260,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":261},"4873e643-35c6-43ae-951c-9fee3b82596c","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fabout\u002Fprivacy-policy","Privacy Policy",{"_uid":264,"link":265,"label":268,"component":32},"00851bfe-b5bd-4153-8110-822904a67d47",{"id":266,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":267},"0b522400-1ca4-43e2-aba3-c05be57bec77","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fabout\u002Fterms-conditions","Terms and Conditions",{"_uid":270,"link":271,"label":274,"component":32},"a419e3c8-e0ed-4ef6-8e4c-bb88839fae2a",{"id":272,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":273},"35c57c05-32a6-4878-a541-59c7e9d650e9","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fabout\u002Fcontact-us","Contact Us","footer","© Picolo 2026","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fglobal\u002Ffooter",0,[],"235946ca-f453-4f27-9755-dad13461f1b9","2022-08-02T09:14:29.527Z",[283],{"id":284,"name":213,"slug":275,"published":208,"full_slug":285,"is_folder":200,"parent_id":210},187661766,"nb-no\u002Fpicolo\u002Fglobal\u002Ffooter",["Reactive",287],{"name":288,"created_at":289,"published_at":290,"updated_at":291,"id":292,"uuid":293,"content":294,"slug":904,"full_slug":905,"sort_by_date":197,"position":906,"tag_list":907,"is_startpage":200,"parent_id":908,"meta_data":197,"group_id":909,"first_published_at":910,"release_id":197,"lang":204,"path":197,"alternates":911,"default_full_slug":197,"translated_slugs":197},"North Coast 500","2026-10-30T10:36:15.434Z","2026-10-30T16:31:21.068Z","2026-10-30T16:31:21.086Z",236203931418555,"7eae2c56-50e0-401a-a79d-e7826fc7262c",{"SEO":295,"_uid":303,"body":304,"title":313,"author":14,"summary":316,"duration":315,"no_index":200,"overline":318,"tag_list":14,"component":901,"image_caption":14,"date_published":311,"featured_image":902,"transparent_header":208},{"_uid":296,"title":297,"plugin":298,"og_image":299,"og_title":300,"description":301,"twitter_image":299,"twitter_title":300,"og_description":302,"twitter_description":302},"3e28eff3-c9cd-44d3-9f0c-49121c262295","North Coast 500: route, tips and hotels in Scotland","seo_metatags","https:\u002F\u002Fres.cloudinary.com\u002Fpicolo\u002Fimage\u002Fupload\u002Fv1\u002FPicolo\u002FHotels\u002Fnorth-coast-500-kylesku-bridge-scotland-colin-horn.jpg","North Coast 500: Scotland's great road trip","How to drive the North Coast 500 in the Scottish Highlands: the route from Inverness stage by stage, how many days you need and the best hotels on the way.","830 kilometres of single track roads, white beaches and mountains. The route and the hotels we would choose.","501212e3-4b7b-4d29-b930-e99efdfa2bab",[305,334,338,438,518,530,574,582,610,621,649,657,685,752,812,884,892],{"_uid":306,"component":307,"scrolly_blocks":308},"10e9f647-f566-4594-bdd5-1790e171c37a","Scrollytelling",[309,331],{"_uid":310,"date":311,"theme":312,"title":313,"author":14,"opacity":314,"duration":315,"body_text":316,"component":317,"overline_text":318,"breadcrumb_link":319,"background_asset":320,"breadcrumb_label":14},"8b926ea6-f60f-4926-a173-8ed6cadff4f0","2026-10-30 00:00","noon","North Coast 500: a Scottish Highlands road trip with route and hotels","100","8 min","The North Coast 500 is a loop of around 830 kilometres from Inverness, along the west and north coasts of Scotland and back again. Here is the route stage by stage, how long you need, what to know about the roads and the hotels we would choose along the way.","ScrollyHero","Scotland",{"id":14,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":14},{"id":14,"alt":321,"name":14,"focus":14,"title":322,"width":323,"height":324,"source":325,"filename":326,"copyright":325,"fieldtype":16,"meta_data":327,"public_id":328,"aspect_ratio":329,"content_type":330,"is_external_url":200},"The Kylesku Bridge over the narrows in Sutherland on the North Coast 500","The Kylesku Bridge",3200,1800,"Colin Horn \u002F Unsplash","https:\u002F\u002Fres.cloudinary.com\u002Fpicolo\u002Fimage\u002Fupload\u002Fc_fill,ar_16:9,g_auto\u002Fv1\u002FPicolo\u002FHotels\u002Fnorth-coast-500-kylesku-bridge-scotland-colin-horn.jpg",{"alt":321,"title":322},"Picolo\u002FHotels\u002Fnorth-coast-500-kylesku-bridge-scotland-colin-horn",1.7777777777777777,"jpg",{"_uid":332,"Click":200,"component":333},"75c7b083-a5e2-4b20-a15e-7ea4c41d5c6a","StorytellingEnd",{"_uid":335,"content":336,"component":337},"2a0fd59e-c054-4838-bc20-52d611d75ca8","\u003Cstyle data-picolo-spacing>.blok__page>div:not(:first-of-type){margin-top:3rem;margin-bottom:3rem}@media (min-width:1024px){.blok__page>div:not(:first-of-type){margin-top:4rem;margin-bottom:4rem}}.blok__block-listing>.pb-40{padding-bottom:2.5rem}.blok__article-footer .grid{row-gap:1rem}.blok__page>div:has(style[data-picolo-spacing]){display:none!important}.blok__page>div:has(img.fixed){clip-path:inset(0)}\u003C\u002Fstyle>","Embed",{"_uid":339,"body":340,"card":435,"layout":436,"component":437,"article_rounded":200},"19148e74-a9cd-4d72-b11c-725e77964b0c",{"type":341,"content":342},"doc",[343,353,358,363,370,375],{"type":344,"attrs":345,"content":346},"paragraph",{"textAlign":197},[347],{"text":348,"type":349,"marks":350},"This page contains affiliate links. If you book through them, Picolo earns a commission at no extra cost to you. Our picks are made independently by our editors.","text",[351],{"type":352},"italic",{"type":344,"attrs":354,"content":355},{"textAlign":197},[356],{"text":357,"type":349},"The road is so narrow that only one car fits, and ahead it climbs in hairpins towards the pass. Down in the glen a loch reflects the clouds, and behind you the sea shines. A car appears, you pull into a passing place and wave. Then you are alone again.",{"type":344,"attrs":359,"content":360},{"textAlign":197},[361],{"text":362,"type":349},"The North Coast 500 was launched in 2015 and has become Scotland's best known driving route. It gathers the best of the Highlands in one loop: the mountains of Wester Ross, the white beaches of the north-west, the cliffs at Durness and the wide, open country of Caithness. Here are the route, the advice and the hotels we would choose.",{"type":364,"attrs":365,"content":367},"heading",{"level":366,"textAlign":197},2,[368],{"text":369,"type":349},"Short answer: how long do you need for the North Coast 500?",{"type":344,"attrs":371,"content":372},{"textAlign":197},[373],{"text":374,"type":349},"Allow five to seven days. The route is around 830 kilometres, but much of it runs on single track roads with passing places, so you rarely drive faster than 30 to 40 miles per hour. Drive clockwise from Inverness to the west coast first, and save the north coast and the east for the end.",{"type":376,"content":377},"bullet_list",[378,391,402,413,424],{"type":379,"content":380},"list_item",[381],{"type":344,"attrs":382,"content":383},{"textAlign":197},[384,389],{"text":385,"type":349,"marks":386},"Best stage:",[387],{"type":388},"bold",{"text":390,"type":349}," Applecross and the Bealach na Bà",{"type":379,"content":392},[393],{"type":344,"attrs":394,"content":395},{"textAlign":197},[396,400],{"text":397,"type":349,"marks":398},"Best beach:",[399],{"type":388},{"text":401,"type":349}," Achmelvich",{"type":379,"content":403},[404],{"type":344,"attrs":405,"content":406},{"textAlign":197},[407,411],{"text":408,"type":349,"marks":409},"Best hotel:",[410],{"type":388},{"text":412,"type":349}," The Torridon",{"type":379,"content":414},[415],{"type":344,"attrs":416,"content":417},{"textAlign":197},[418,422],{"text":419,"type":349,"marks":420},"Best time:",[421],{"type":388},{"text":423,"type":349}," May, June and September",{"type":379,"content":425},[426],{"type":344,"attrs":427,"content":428},{"textAlign":197},[429,433],{"text":430,"type":349,"marks":431},"Number of days:",[432],{"type":388},{"text":434,"type":349}," five to seven",[],"0","BodyBlock",{"_uid":439,"body":440,"card":517,"layout":436,"component":437,"article_rounded":200},"bebda67e-c5b0-42ca-a322-27a4433dbd28",{"type":341,"content":441},[442,447,452,457,462,467,472,477,482,487,492,497,502,507,512],{"type":364,"attrs":443,"content":444},{"level":366,"textAlign":197},[445],{"text":446,"type":349},"The route stage by stage",{"type":344,"attrs":448,"content":449},{"textAlign":197},[450],{"text":451,"type":349},"The North Coast 500 starts and ends in Inverness. Driving clockwise, you head west through Wester Ross, then north along the coast to Durness, east along the north coast to John o' Groats and back south down the east coast.",{"type":344,"attrs":453,"content":454},{"textAlign":197},[455],{"text":456,"type":349},"A common plan is Inverness to Applecross or Torridon on the first day, on to Gairloch or Ullapool, then Ullapool to Kylesku or Durness. On the fourth day you drive the north coast to Thurso or John o' Groats, and the final stage runs south via Dornoch back to Inverness.",{"type":364,"attrs":458,"content":459},{"level":366,"textAlign":197},[460],{"text":461,"type":349},"Applecross and the Bealach na Bà",{"type":344,"attrs":463,"content":464},{"textAlign":197},[465],{"text":466,"type":349},"The pass to Applecross is the most famous stretch of the whole route. The road climbs to over 600 metres with gradients of up to 20 per cent and hairpin bends near the top. It is not suited to motorhomes or new drivers, and a longer coastal road goes round for those who want to avoid it.",{"type":344,"attrs":468,"content":469},{"textAlign":197},[470],{"text":471,"type":349},"The reward is the view over to Skye and Raasay from the summit, and a seafood lunch in Applecross once you are down.",{"type":364,"attrs":473,"content":474},{"level":366,"textAlign":197},[475],{"text":476,"type":349},"Torridon, Gairloch and Ullapool",{"type":344,"attrs":478,"content":479},{"textAlign":197},[480],{"text":481,"type":349},"Around Loch Torridon stand some of the oldest mountains in Britain, and it is worth an extra day here to walk. Further north lies Gairloch with sandy beaches and whale watching, and Inverewe Garden, where exotic plants grow in the mild air of the Gulf Stream.",{"type":344,"attrs":483,"content":484},{"textAlign":197},[485],{"text":486,"type":349},"Ullapool is the largest town on the west coast, with fishing boats, pubs with live music and the ferry to the Outer Hebrides.",{"type":364,"attrs":488,"content":489},{"level":366,"textAlign":197},[490],{"text":491,"type":349},"The north-west: beaches and Kylesku",{"type":344,"attrs":493,"content":494},{"textAlign":197},[495],{"text":496,"type":349},"North of Ullapool the landscape grows wilder. Achmelvich and Clachtoll have white sand and turquoise water, and the peaks of Suilven and Stac Pollaidh rise like lone towers over the moorland. At Kylesku you cross the curved bridge that replaced the ferry in 1984.",{"type":344,"attrs":498,"content":499},{"textAlign":197},[500],{"text":501,"type":349},"Near Durness lies Smoo Cave, a large sea cave you can walk into, and some of the finest beaches on the whole route.",{"type":364,"attrs":503,"content":504},{"level":366,"textAlign":197},[505],{"text":506,"type":349},"The north coast and the east",{"type":344,"attrs":508,"content":509},{"textAlign":197},[510],{"text":511,"type":349},"Along the north coast the road crosses open moorland and drops to small bays. Dunnet Head is the most northerly point of mainland Britain, and from John o' Groats you look across to Orkney.",{"type":344,"attrs":513,"content":514},{"textAlign":197},[515],{"text":516,"type":349},"The east coast is gentler, with Dunrobin Castle at Golspie and the small cathedral town of Dornoch, also home to one of Scotland's best known golf courses. From here it is just over an hour back to Inverness.",[],{"_uid":519,"image":520,"theme":14,"author":14,"component":529,"caption_text":521,"caption_title":522,"image_caption":14},"092183fe-37ee-4498-97a6-3ad45b89ab4a",{"id":14,"alt":521,"name":14,"focus":14,"title":522,"width":523,"height":524,"source":525,"filename":526,"copyright":525,"fieldtype":16,"meta_data":527,"public_id":528,"aspect_ratio":329,"content_type":330,"is_external_url":200},"Ness Walk on the River Ness in Inverness.","Ness Walk",3840,2160,"Hotels.com (Expedia Group)","https:\u002F\u002Fres.cloudinary.com\u002Fpicolo\u002Fimage\u002Fupload\u002Fc_fill,ar_16:9,g_auto\u002Fv1\u002FPicolo\u002FHotels\u002Fness-walk-inverness-north-coast-500.jpg",{"alt":521,"title":522},"Picolo\u002FHotels\u002Fness-walk-inverness-north-coast-500","FullImage",{"_uid":531,"body":532,"card":573,"layout":436,"component":437,"article_rounded":200},"3a784185-bb98-4494-b502-0ff942699c92",{"type":341,"content":533},[534,539,544,550,555],{"type":364,"attrs":535,"content":536},{"level":366,"textAlign":197},[537],{"text":538,"type":349},"Hotels along the North Coast 500",{"type":344,"attrs":540,"content":541},{"textAlign":197},[542],{"text":543,"type":349},"Four hotels we would choose along the route, from the city hotel in Inverness to the inn at Kylesku. Book early in summer, as places to stay are few on the north-western part of the route.",{"type":364,"attrs":545,"content":547},{"level":546,"textAlign":197},3,[548],{"text":549,"type":349},"Ness Walk: start and finish in Inverness",{"type":344,"attrs":551,"content":552},{"textAlign":197},[553],{"text":554,"type":349},"Ness Walk is a five-star hotel on the River Ness, a few minutes on foot from Inverness Castle. The route begins and ends in the city, so it makes sense for the first and last nights. The rooms are calm and spacious, and breakfast is generous enough for a long day at the wheel.",{"type":344,"attrs":556,"content":557},{"textAlign":197},[558,562,564],{"text":559,"type":349,"marks":560},"Book your stay:",[561],{"type":388},{"text":563,"type":349}," ",{"text":565,"type":349,"marks":566},"Check availability and prices at Ness Walk",[567],{"type":568,"attrs":569},"link",{"href":570,"uuid":197,"anchor":197,"target":571,"linktype":572},"https:\u002F\u002Fno.hotels.com\u002Faffiliates\u002Fness-walk-inverness-united-kingdom.MBn1JLB","_blank","url",[],{"_uid":575,"image":576,"theme":14,"author":14,"component":529,"caption_text":577,"caption_title":578,"image_caption":14},"79ee4d64-30d6-424f-b0ed-25905bc55aa4",{"id":14,"alt":577,"name":14,"focus":14,"title":578,"width":523,"height":524,"source":525,"filename":579,"copyright":525,"fieldtype":16,"meta_data":580,"public_id":581,"aspect_ratio":329,"content_type":330,"is_external_url":200},"The Torridon on Loch Torridon in Wester Ross.","The Torridon","https:\u002F\u002Fres.cloudinary.com\u002Fpicolo\u002Fimage\u002Fupload\u002Fc_fill,ar_16:9,g_auto\u002Fv1\u002FPicolo\u002FHotels\u002Fthe-torridon-achnasheen-north-coast-500.jpg",{"alt":577,"title":578},"Picolo\u002FHotels\u002Fthe-torridon-achnasheen-north-coast-500",{"_uid":583,"body":584,"card":609,"layout":436,"component":437,"article_rounded":200},"54fe89c6-bb53-4d7c-bd13-80107caafe17",{"type":341,"content":585},[586,591,596],{"type":364,"attrs":587,"content":588},{"level":546,"textAlign":197},[589],{"text":590,"type":349},"The Torridon: a Victorian shooting lodge on Loch Torridon",{"type":344,"attrs":592,"content":593},{"textAlign":197},[594],{"text":595,"type":349},"The Torridon was built as a Victorian shooting lodge and stands at the head of Upper Loch Torridon with the mountains right behind it. The hotel has its own farm with Highland cattle, and the bar holds a large collection of malt whisky. Stay two nights if you want to walk in the Torridon hills.",{"type":344,"attrs":597,"content":598},{"textAlign":197},[599,602,603],{"text":559,"type":349,"marks":600},[601],{"type":388},{"text":563,"type":349},{"text":604,"type":349,"marks":605},"Check availability and prices at The Torridon",[606],{"type":568,"attrs":607},{"href":608,"uuid":197,"anchor":197,"target":571,"linktype":572},"https:\u002F\u002Fno.hotels.com\u002Faffiliates\u002Fthe-torridon-achnasheen-united-kingdom.vb65mtb",[],{"_uid":611,"image":612,"theme":14,"author":14,"component":529,"caption_text":613,"caption_title":614,"image_caption":14},"5156a2df-3119-4b57-8a20-e112ebd6a5cc",{"id":14,"alt":613,"name":14,"focus":14,"title":614,"width":615,"height":616,"source":525,"filename":617,"copyright":525,"fieldtype":16,"meta_data":618,"public_id":619,"aspect_ratio":620,"content_type":330,"is_external_url":200},"Shieldaig Lodge on Loch Gairloch.","Shieldaig Lodge",3000,1688,"https:\u002F\u002Fres.cloudinary.com\u002Fpicolo\u002Fimage\u002Fupload\u002Fc_fill,ar_16:9,g_auto\u002Fv1\u002FPicolo\u002FHotels\u002Fshieldaig-lodge-gairloch-north-coast-500.jpg",{"alt":613,"title":614},"Picolo\u002FHotels\u002Fshieldaig-lodge-gairloch-north-coast-500",1.7772511848341233,{"_uid":622,"body":623,"card":648,"layout":436,"component":437,"article_rounded":200},"bc180644-9174-4698-8b4b-597ba86aa47e",{"type":341,"content":624},[625,630,635],{"type":364,"attrs":626,"content":627},{"level":546,"textAlign":197},[628],{"text":629,"type":349},"Shieldaig Lodge: a hunting lodge on Loch Gairloch",{"type":344,"attrs":631,"content":632},{"textAlign":197},[633],{"text":634,"type":349},"Shieldaig Lodge is a stone hunting lodge on Loch Gairloch, set in a large estate of woodland, lochs and hills. The hotel offers falconry and fishing, and the lounge with its open fire is a fine place to end the day. Gairloch lies halfway up the west coast, between Torridon and Ullapool.",{"type":344,"attrs":636,"content":637},{"textAlign":197},[638,641,642],{"text":559,"type":349,"marks":639},[640],{"type":388},{"text":563,"type":349},{"text":643,"type":349,"marks":644},"Check availability and prices at Shieldaig Lodge",[645],{"type":568,"attrs":646},{"href":647,"uuid":197,"anchor":197,"target":571,"linktype":572},"https:\u002F\u002Fno.hotels.com\u002Faffiliates\u002Fshieldaig-lodge-hotel-gairloch-united-kingdom.cBtiTHg",[],{"_uid":650,"image":651,"theme":14,"author":14,"component":529,"caption_text":652,"caption_title":653,"image_caption":14},"abc8cb24-d993-4a74-a6c6-b28667cc36f1",{"id":14,"alt":652,"name":14,"focus":14,"title":653,"width":523,"height":524,"source":525,"filename":654,"copyright":525,"fieldtype":16,"meta_data":655,"public_id":656,"aspect_ratio":329,"content_type":330,"is_external_url":200},"Kylesku Hotel by the water in Sutherland.","Kylesku Hotel","https:\u002F\u002Fres.cloudinary.com\u002Fpicolo\u002Fimage\u002Fupload\u002Fc_fill,ar_16:9,g_auto\u002Fv1\u002FPicolo\u002FHotels\u002Fkylesku-hotel-sutherland-north-coast-500.jpg",{"alt":652,"title":653},"Picolo\u002FHotels\u002Fkylesku-hotel-sutherland-north-coast-500",{"_uid":658,"body":659,"card":684,"layout":436,"component":437,"article_rounded":200},"37e1d56b-41b7-4659-a8a0-bc421d8d7f8d",{"type":341,"content":660},[661,666,671],{"type":364,"attrs":662,"content":663},{"level":546,"textAlign":197},[664],{"text":665,"type":349},"Kylesku Hotel: an old inn by the ferry slipway",{"type":344,"attrs":667,"content":668},{"textAlign":197},[669],{"text":670,"type":349},"Kylesku Hotel is an old coaching inn where the ferry crossed the narrows before the bridge was built. It sits right by the water facing the Sutherland hills, and the kitchen is known for shellfish landed nearby. One of the best places to stay on the wild north-west coast.",{"type":344,"attrs":672,"content":673},{"textAlign":197},[674,677,678],{"text":559,"type":349,"marks":675},[676],{"type":388},{"text":563,"type":349},{"text":679,"type":349,"marks":680},"Check availability and prices at Kylesku Hotel",[681],{"type":568,"attrs":682},{"href":683,"uuid":197,"anchor":197,"target":571,"linktype":572},"https:\u002F\u002Fno.hotels.com\u002Faffiliates\u002Fkylesku-hotel-kylesku-storbritannia.9mnESCh",[],{"_uid":686,"body":687,"card":751,"layout":436,"component":437,"article_rounded":200},"2836bdac-992e-4198-ada4-bcd093835275",{"type":341,"content":688},[689,694],{"type":364,"attrs":690,"content":691},{"level":366,"textAlign":197},[692],{"text":693,"type":349},"Good to know before you drive",{"type":376,"content":695},[696,707,718,729,740],{"type":379,"content":697},[698],{"type":344,"attrs":699,"content":700},{"textAlign":197},[701,705],{"text":702,"type":349,"marks":703},"Single track roads:",[704],{"type":388},{"text":706,"type":349}," use the passing places, and let cars behind you overtake.",{"type":379,"content":708},[709],{"type":344,"attrs":710,"content":711},{"textAlign":197},[712,716],{"text":713,"type":349,"marks":714},"Fill up often:",[715],{"type":388},{"text":717,"type":349}," petrol stations are far apart in the north-west.",{"type":379,"content":719},[720],{"type":344,"attrs":721,"content":722},{"textAlign":197},[723,727],{"text":724,"type":349,"marks":725},"Midges:",[726],{"type":388},{"text":728,"type":349}," from June to August they can be fierce, so pack repellent.",{"type":379,"content":730},[731],{"type":344,"attrs":732,"content":733},{"textAlign":197},[734,738],{"text":735,"type":349,"marks":736},"Book early:",[737],{"type":388},{"text":739,"type":349}," hotels in the north-west fill up in summer.",{"type":379,"content":741},[742],{"type":344,"attrs":743,"content":744},{"textAlign":197},[745,749],{"text":746,"type":349,"marks":747},"Drive on the left:",[748],{"type":388},{"text":750,"type":349}," as everywhere in Britain.",[],{"_uid":753,"body":754,"card":811,"layout":436,"component":437,"article_rounded":200},"2e4c8c2d-872f-4ebf-9121-9e03967758e5",{"type":341,"content":755},[756,761,766,771,776,781,786,791,796,801,806],{"type":364,"attrs":757,"content":758},{"level":366,"textAlign":197},[759],{"text":760,"type":349},"North Coast 500: frequently asked questions",{"type":364,"attrs":762,"content":763},{"level":546,"textAlign":197},[764],{"text":765,"type":349},"How long is the North Coast 500?",{"type":344,"attrs":767,"content":768},{"textAlign":197},[769],{"text":770,"type":349},"Around 516 miles, or 830 kilometres, from Inverness and back.",{"type":364,"attrs":772,"content":773},{"level":546,"textAlign":197},[774],{"text":775,"type":349},"How many days do you need for the North Coast 500?",{"type":344,"attrs":777,"content":778},{"textAlign":197},[779],{"text":780,"type":349},"Five to seven days is usual. With fewer, you spend most of the time driving and little at the stops.",{"type":364,"attrs":782,"content":783},{"level":546,"textAlign":197},[784],{"text":785,"type":349},"Which direction should you drive the North Coast 500?",{"type":344,"attrs":787,"content":788},{"textAlign":197},[789],{"text":790,"type":349},"Most people drive clockwise and take the west coast first, so the most dramatic scenery comes early.",{"type":364,"attrs":792,"content":793},{"level":546,"textAlign":197},[794],{"text":795,"type":349},"When is the best time to drive the North Coast 500?",{"type":344,"attrs":797,"content":798},{"textAlign":197},[799],{"text":800,"type":349},"May, June and September bring long days, fewer visitors and fewer midges than high summer.",{"type":364,"attrs":802,"content":803},{"level":546,"textAlign":197},[804],{"text":805,"type":349},"Can you drive the North Coast 500 in a motorhome?",{"type":344,"attrs":807,"content":808},{"textAlign":197},[809],{"text":810,"type":349},"Yes, but avoid the Bealach na Bà pass and be ready for narrow roads with passing places.",[],{"_uid":813,"body":814,"card":883,"layout":436,"component":437,"article_rounded":200},"af467be5-2bec-4f6d-a6df-05f540e75b43",{"type":341,"content":815},[816,821,860],{"type":364,"attrs":817,"content":818},{"level":366,"textAlign":197},[819],{"text":820,"type":349},"Read next",{"type":376,"content":822},[823,836,848],{"type":379,"content":824},[825],{"type":344,"attrs":826,"content":827},{"textAlign":197},[828],{"text":829,"type":349,"marks":830},"Best places to visit in Scotland",[831],{"type":568,"attrs":832},{"href":833,"uuid":834,"anchor":197,"target":835,"linktype":28},"\u002Fen-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fdestinations\u002Feurope\u002Fuk\u002Fscotland\u002Fbest-places-to-visit-in-scotland","70122c44-a0fb-49cd-8b22-0e1ad4d6521a","_self",{"type":379,"content":837},[838],{"type":344,"attrs":839,"content":840},{"textAlign":197},[841],{"text":842,"type":349,"marks":843},"Best golf hotels in Scotland",[844],{"type":568,"attrs":845},{"href":846,"uuid":847,"anchor":197,"target":835,"linktype":28},"\u002Fen-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fhotels\u002Fbest-golf-hotels-scotland","83644f18-219a-441e-988c-9a06eb962bc8",{"type":379,"content":849},[850],{"type":344,"attrs":851,"content":852},{"textAlign":197},[853],{"text":854,"type":349,"marks":855},"Road trips and rail journeys",[856],{"type":568,"attrs":857},{"href":858,"uuid":859,"anchor":197,"target":835,"linktype":28},"\u002Fen-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fexperiences\u002Fadventures\u002Froad-trips-and-rail-journeys","90bd2f4f-85d4-4a75-a2d7-8e078dc5b2e0",{"type":344,"attrs":861,"content":862},{"textAlign":197},[863,867,873,877],{"text":864,"type":349,"marks":865},"Photo: ",[866],{"type":352},{"text":868,"type":349,"marks":869},"Colin Horn",[870],{"type":568,"attrs":871},{"href":872,"uuid":197,"anchor":197,"target":571,"linktype":572},"https:\u002F\u002Funsplash.com\u002F@colinhorn?utm_source=picolo&utm_medium=referral",{"text":874,"type":349,"marks":875}," \u002F ",[876],{"type":352},{"text":878,"type":349,"marks":879},"Unsplash",[880],{"type":568,"attrs":881},{"href":882,"uuid":197,"anchor":197,"target":571,"linktype":572},"https:\u002F\u002Funsplash.com\u002F?utm_source=picolo&utm_medium=referral",[],{"_uid":885,"theme":14,"author":14,"component":886,"author_name":887,"author_text":14,"author_image":888,"section_overline":889,"facebook_share_link":890,"instagram_share_link":891},"1dfb5737-6c5d-4e25-97a7-fe332aa1c26c","ArticleFooter","Picolo editors",{"id":197,"alt":197,"name":14,"focus":197,"title":197,"filename":14,"copyright":197,"fieldtype":16},"Enjoy the drive",{"id":14,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":14},{"id":14,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":14},{"_uid":893,"card_type":894,"component":895,"filter_by":896},"e9d85cbe-97fa-422a-afe9-86e547f61131","stories to inspire your next trip","PaginatedArticles",{"_uid":897,"plugin":898,"values":899},"89a8e2f5-d640-4cad-891a-3371be4e110c","storyblok-tags-select",[240,318,900],"Road trips","Article",{"id":14,"alt":321,"name":14,"focus":14,"title":322,"width":323,"height":324,"source":325,"filename":326,"copyright":325,"fieldtype":16,"meta_data":903,"public_id":328,"aspect_ratio":329,"content_type":330,"is_external_url":200},{"alt":321,"title":322},"north-coast-500","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fexperiences\u002Feurope\u002Fnorth-coast-500",-300,[240,900,318],228535185839167,"d6e539a7-168f-4030-8493-4d6f9a394125","2026-10-30T10:37:23.079Z",[912],{"id":913,"name":288,"slug":904,"published":208,"full_slug":914,"is_folder":200,"parent_id":915},236203928846266,"nb-no\u002Fpicolo\u002Fopplevelser\u002Feuropa\u002Fnorth-coast-500",228535184831550]