North Coast 500: Your Guide to Scotland's Greatest Road Trip

Experience Scotland's greatest road trip with North Coast 500, published in association with © North Coast 500 Ltd.

Driving the North Coast 500? Good choice. Winding through Scotland’s northern Highlands, this unforgettable route is one of the UK’s greatest road trips. But driving it isn’t about racing from one stop to the next – it’s about slowing down, looking beyond the obvious and experiencing the place as it really is.

North Coast 500 helps you do just that. Written by Scotland expert Rachel Laidler, this refreshingly honest guide takes you beyond the road and into the heart of the Highlands. It’s packed with local insights, lesser-known detours and must-do experiences that support the communities you'll pass through, like hiking through the cinematic mountains of Assynt and Torridon; sipping on whiskey at the centuries-old Balblair distillery; and taking a sustainable fishing trip with Ian and his plucky dog Dubh.

Inside North Coast 500 you’ll find:

• 100+ handpicked highlights, mixing icons like the hairpin bends of the Bealach na Bà with quieter, local favourites
• the best places to eat, drink, shop and stay, including an independent smokehouse near Applecross and a woodland cabin close to Ullapool
• off-the-beaten-track detours, so you can explore even more of the Scottish Highlands
• practical tips to plan your trip, travel safely and explore responsibly
• what3words for every stop – so you’ll never get lost

So what are you waiting for? Whether you're driving the full loop or dipping into a section, this is the only guide you need for a North Coast 500 road trip that goes deeper, treads lighter and stays with you long after the road ends.