1 night Loch Lomond / Glasgow area, 1 night Thurso, 2 nights Orkneys, 1 night Perthshire
Scotland’s North Coast 500
Regarded as a trip of a lifetime. Discover Route 500 - Scotland’s Route 66 – a jaw dropping journey skirting the very top of the UK’s Northwest coastline passing deserted beaches and ancient castles. 430 miles of some of the most unspoilt and picturesque scenery in Europe, with its diverse array of wildlife and a culture which has little changed in generations. To top it all with a wonderful, guided day tour of the Orkneys. Coach hire can be arranged for the transfer to the ferry.
The NC500 has reached a global audience of over 11.2 billion and ranked by so many independent sources as the best road trip on the planet.
1 night Loch Lomond / Glasgow area, 1 night Thurso, 2 nights Orkneys, 1 night Perthshire
Day 1– Overnight in desired area
Day 2 - West Highlands & to Skye
Along the shores of Loch Lomond, “The Queen of Lochs”. Then Glencoe “The Weeping Glen”. Free time in Fort William. After lunch, along the Great Glen with loch & mountain scenery all the way. Stop for photos at Eilean Donan Castle, one of Scotland’s most photographed castles, before reaching your Skye hotel for 1 night.
Day 3 Isle of Skye, Loch Maree & Ullapool
This morning we tour Skye, stopping in Portree, the island’s colourful capital, before turning northwards into the vast region of Wester Ross. Along the shores of Loch Maree, regarded as one of Scotland’s bonniest lochs. Time free to take in the Highland air in Gairloch with its pretty harbour. From here the drive snakes its way along the coastline, dotted with islands, inlets, beaches and cliffs before descending into the picture-perfect harbour town of Ullapool.
Day 4 Caithness & Sutherland on Route 500
Todays’ tour makes up a large part of the North Coast 500 and will leave a lasting memory too. Mile upon mile of crumbling cliffs, sheer rocky headlands, picturesque lochs, sheltered bays & deserted perfect white beaches to rival those abroad. It is here you will feel Scotland in an entirely different way – its’ not all about tartan and bagpipes! Included is lunch at Smoo Cave Hotel, Durness Arrive Thurso for 2 nights.
Day 5 The Orkney Isles
At John O’ Groats, board the 40-minute crossing across the Pentland Firth, a graveyard for many a ship. On arrival, a private coach and experienced driver/guide awaits to commence a magical day on the Orkneys crossing the Churchill Barriers, visiting 2000 year old Scara Brae, Ring of Brodgar, The Italian Chapel and Kirkwall with its 12th century cathedral. Returning to John O’Groats and your hotel.
Day 7 Inverness & Pitlochry
The coastal road between Wick and Inverness passes many interesting places -historical Helmsdale, white sands at Brora & fairytale Dunrobin Castle. Time free in the Highland capital Inverness, before continuing through the Spey Valley then over the Drumochter Pass and into Perthshire for your final nights’ stay (if a suitable location).