North Coast 500

The North Coast 500 is a loop around the northern Highlands of Scotland, starting and ending in Inverness. It follows the wild west coast, crosses the north coast to John o' Groats and returns down the gentler east coast.

Expect castles, white beaches, mountain passes and long stretches of single-track road with passing places — and, outside the main towns, very little traffic.

Highlights

• The Bealach na Bà pass to Applecross, one of the steepest roads in the UK
• Torridon and the mountains of Wester Ross
• Ullapool and the coastline of Assynt
• Durness, Smoo Cave and the north coast beaches
• Dunrobin Castle and the east coast back toward Inverness

Best time to ride

May to September. Midges are a nuisance in summer at dusk, and some services close in winter.

The road

A mix of good A-roads and narrow single-track roads with passing places, sharp crests and livestock on the road. Some sections are steep with tight hairpins.

Riding tips

• On single-track roads, pull into passing places on your left — or wait opposite one on your right — to let others pass.
• Fuel stations are sparse in the northwest; fill up whenever you can.
• The UK drives on the left.