Things to do in

John o' Groats

Gaze across the vast landscapes of the iconic Scottish Highlands on a day trip from Inverness. Visit Dunrobin Castle, John O’Groats, and Wick, and keep your eyes peeled for wildlife sightings along the way. Depart Inverness and head north to Loch Fleet, where you might spot seals and native bird species and snap stunning photos. Next, visit the village of Golspie, a charming seaside resort on the North Sea coast, nestled beside Ben Bhraggie. Take a break for refreshments here before continuing to Dunrobin Castle. Dunrobin Castle, the ancestral home of Clan Sutherland, boasts a striking resemblance to a French chateau with its soaring spires and views over the Moray Firth. Take time to explore the castle, gardens, and museum (optional extra), or enjoy a snack in the tearoom. Before reaching John O’Groats, venture further into the Northern Highlands, stopping in Wick, the main town in Scotland's far north. Have lunch in this vibrant town with Viking roots while soaking up views across Wick Bay. After Wick, arrive at John O’Groats, the northernmost point on the British mainland. Stroll along the cliff path, take a photo at the iconic signpost, and marvel at the stunning coastal views. Keep an eye out for Atlantic puffins, grey seals, and possibly even orcas. As you begin your return to Inverness, stop for photos at Dunbeath Harbour and Brora, known for their golf courses and spectacular coastal scenery, before heading back home.

-This online travel guidebook helps you create a bespoke road trip to help with planning your break before you travel as well as when you are on your break, with 12 months of access. -Therefore, we suggest you don’t wait until your travel date, purchase the guidebook in advance to help you with your planning. Choose an early date and get planning straight away! • Embark on the picturesque North of Scotland, based on the well-loved NC500 route, tracing Scotland's north coast from Inverness. • Marvel at dramatic cliffs, pristine beaches, and rugged coastlines. • Visit historic gems like Dunrobin Castle and Eilean Donan Castle. • Get the best out of your break with our user-friendly, online guide that will make planning a breeze. Simply cherry-pick from the options provided ensuring you won’t miss a thing! Scotland’s North Coast: • The online guidebook's suggested mapped route is fully flexible, helping you plan your trip with places to go and things to see and do, whether for 3 to 14 days. • The route is a fully flexible route that can begin at Inverness and traces the north coast of Scotland. As a circular route, this is around 500 miles, or conclude by taking a detour from the “official” route with a visit to the Isle of Skye. • This route is around 400 miles with a drive time of around 10 hours and 35 minutes. • Depending upon stops, however, you can adjust this to between 3 and 14 nights. • The North Coast boasts Scotland's breathtaking beauty, featuring striking mountains, wild coastlines, and charming villages. • The North Coast is steeped in history and culture, inviting exploration through its myriad castles, museums, and historical sites. • Engage in a multitude of activities on the North Coast 500, from invigorating hikes and fishing expeditions to captivating wildlife watching and enjoyable rounds of golf. • Look in awe at magnificent sea stacks and bustling sea bird colonies along the coastline, and venture to the Orkney Islands to discover its UNESCO World Heritage sites. Online & Interactive Destinations Guidebook: • Save hours using our inspiration and signposting to plan your perfect North Coast of Scotland (based on the NC500) driving route. • The destination guidebook covers 30 destination locations and guides on essential places to visit including iconic John O'Groats and the Orkney Islands with its UNESCO World Heritage sites • The destination guide includes over 100 attractions, experiences and activities to uncover your own North Scotland coast. • The Uncover More map includes: 60+ Viewpoints, 140+ Places of interest, 25+ Hidden gem, 10+ Wild swim spots • The Overnight Stay map includes: 50+ North Coast of Scotland Campsites, 15+ Motorhome stops, 55+ Hotels, 125+ B&Bs, guesthouses and lodges

Day 1: Set off from Inverness and begin your journey on Scotland’s ‘Route 66’. It’s an epic drive with loads to squeeze in. Just make sure you have plenty of space on your camera. Heading for Ullapool, we spend the first day weaving through the North Coast 500’s winding roads. Your driver-guide will take you to towering mountains, banks of shimmering lochs, and the shores of beautiful beaches. We reach the scenic port town of Ullapool in the late afternoon. *From November to March, Applecross may be inaccessible due to bad weather and daylight timings. Day 2: Today, the scenery gets progressively more beautiful, rocky, and mountainous. As you travel north, your driver-guide will take you to some of the most beautiful sights in Scotland. Your itinerary depends on the weather and your guide’s expert tips, but you may have a chance to venture into the deep Smoo Cave, wander the ruins of Ardvreck Castle, and gaze at gorgeous white beaches. You stop for lunch in a Highland village and spend the evening in the beautiful town of Thurso. Day 3: Today, get plenty of opportunities to explore cosy fishing villages, epic cliffs, and ancient Neolithic sights. In the morning you will have a chance to visit a fine Scottish Highland Whisky distillery. The road leads you further south, where you have a chance to stop for lunch. Continue on your epic North Coast 500 route southwards where you can enjoy the green valleys and sea views as you travel to Dunrobin Castle. You have time to explore the stately home, learn about the Dukes of Sutherland, and find out how it has been used as both a school and a hospital. Finally, you will arrive back in Inverness in the early evening to finish your tour.

We begin our tour in the city of Inverness, the capital of the Scottish Highlands. Inverness is a vibrant city steeped in history, with the impressive Inverness Castle dominating the landscape. Built in the 19th century, this castle stands on a hill overlooking the River Ness. From here, you can explore the picturesque town, enjoy a walk along the riverbank, and visit St. Andrew's Cathedral, a 19th-century architectural gem. We continue our journey towards Bealach na Bà, a mountain pass on the Applecross Peninsula. This is one of the highest and most challenging walks in the UK, offering spectacular views of the Scottish landscape. The steep, winding path is an adventure in itself, rewarding you with stunning panoramas of the sea and surrounding islands. We descend into the quiet village of Applecross, known for its natural beauty and hospitality. Here you can enjoy lunch at the famous Applecross Inn, which offers fresh seafood and traditional Scottish dishes. The picturesque setting, with views of the sea and mountains, makes this stop a perfect place to relax. We head towards Torridon, a region famous for its majestic mountains and wild beauty. The area is a paradise for hiking and nature lovers, with routes varying from gentle walks to challenging climbs. The Torridon Mountains, formed millions of years ago, are a spectacle of nature and an ideal place to explore. Our next destination is the fishing port of Ullapool, located on the west coast. This charming town is the starting point for exploring the Outer Hebrides. You can stroll around its lively harbour, visit Ullapool Museum to learn about local history and enjoy dinner in one of its cozy restaurants. We continue towards Smoo Cave, an impressive sea cavern in Durness. This cave, formed by the action of the sea and the river, has a massive entrance and an internal waterfall. It is one of the most spectacular places on Route 500, offering a unique experience of Scottish nature. Our tour takes us to the majestic Dunrobin Castle, one of the largest and oldest castles in Scotland. This castle, with its architecture inspired by French castles, is a perfect example of Scottish splendor and history. The gardens and interior of the castle are impressive, offering a glimpse into Scotland's aristocratic past. We conclude our adventure at John O'Groats, the northernmost point of the route. This place is known as the tip of the British Isle and offers stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean. It is the perfect place to reflect on the journey and enjoy the serenity of the Scottish landscape. Did you know that Dunrobin Castle has been inhabited since the 13th century and is still the home of the Sutherland family? The Bealach na Bà is one of the few roads in the UK that is still described as an "alpine pass", with hairpin bends and steep gradients.

Day 1 Depart Edinburgh, heading west towards Stirling. Pass Stirling Castle and the Wallace Monument, and continue to Doune Castle, used for location shoots in Monty Python’s “Holy Grail.” Stop in the small town of Callander for refreshments. Then, marvel at the splendor of Loch Luibnaig, Loch Earn, Glen Ogle, and Glen Dochart on a scenic drive over the wild and remote Rannoch Moor. The views of the extinct volcano will take your breath away, and were also the scene of the infamous Clan Macdonald massacre of 1692. Continue north up the Great Glen to mysterious Loch Ness, with plenty of time to try and spot “Nessie” the Loch Ness Monster. The evening will be spent in Inverness, with free time to explore the “Capital of the Highlands.” Day 2 Depart Inverness early to cross over the Black Isle, and continuing past Dunrobin Castle. From here, drive the northeast coastline, traveling into some of Scotland’s most dramatic scenery. Enjoy the views of some of Europe’s oldest landscapes, and the chance to spot wildlife such as golden eagle and red deer. Close to Scotland’s most northerly mainland village, John O’ Groats, board the ferry to cross the Pentland Firth to the Orkney archipelago. It is a short drive on arrival to the famous Italian Chapel, where you will stop for a quick visit before continuing to the Viking stronghold of Kirkwall, your home for the next 2 nights. Look inside Kirkwall’s magnificent Viking cathedral, and wander the winding streets of the historic town center. Day 3 Explore the ancient island of Orkney, and discover a land of contrasts, where fertile green pastures are fringed by shores of golden sands, and washed by the waters of the North Sea and Atlantic Ocean. Highlights include a visit to Skara Brae, the mystical prehistoric stone circle at Brodgar, the standing stones of Stenness, and Maeshowe, where Vikings left one of the largest collections of Norse runic inscriptions in the 12th century. Day 4 It’s time to leave Orkney and sail the Viking waters back to the mainland. From here, travel across the very top of Scotland, driving past the stunning Ben Loyal and Ben Hope mountains, following the rocky cliffs and stunning golden sand beaches of the northern coastline. Go to the far northwest of the Highlands, and admire the grandeur of the wild Assynt mountains. Stop to view the 15th-century ruins of Ardvreck Castle. Continue to Ullapool at the mouth of Loch Broom, a beautiful whitewashed fishing village where you will spend your last night. Day 5 Your morning includes visits to Corrieshalloch Gorge, and the ancient Clava Cairns, as well as exploring the more recent bloody history of the Culloden battlefield. Return south through the magnificent Cairngorm National Park, driving past the ancient Caledonian pine forests of Highland Perthshire, before your drop off in Edinburgh.