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Over 2,000 respondents participated in this study, choosing the route that commences in Inverness and meanders through the scenic landscapes of northern Scotland as the top road trip in the country. It surpassed other renowned routes such as Wales’ coastal way and the Jurassic Coast extending from Poole to Lyme Regis.
What the NC500 Surveys Don’t Tell You
The NC500 consistently wins “Britain’s favourite road trip” polls. Deserved. But polls measure aspiration, not experience. The reality of driving it is more nuanced than any survey suggests.
- The NC500 in a motorhome is a different trip from the NC500 in a car. Single-track roads, tight passing places, and limited motorhome-friendly stops make large vehicles a challenge. If you’re hiring, choose a small campervan (under 6m) or a car with B&B stops. The NC500 was not designed for 7.5m motorhomes.
- Durness is the most underrated stop on the entire route. Most NC500 itineraries rush through Durness to reach John o’ Groats. Stop. Smoo Cave is extraordinary — a sea cave meeting a freshwater cave with a waterfall inside. Balnakeil Beach is pristine. And the Cape Wrath minibus takes you to Britain’s north-western tip.
- The east coast section between Thurso and Inverness is the least scenic stretch. After the drama of the west and north coasts, the east side feels flat by comparison. Don’t rush through it — Dunrobin Castle and the Brora beaches break up the drive — but manage expectations.
- The NC500 is best done anti-clockwise and starting from Inverness on a Wednesday. Anti-clockwise puts the sea on your left. Starting mid-week avoids the Saturday changeover when B&Bs are busiest. By the time you reach the popular west coast section, it’s midweek and quieter.
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In today’s email:
- The North Coast 500 has earned the title of Britain’s favourite road trip.
- Plan a North Coast 500 (NC500) Road Trip- Guide
- Collect your gift! – A Free Digital Copy Of The Ultimate Scotland Travel Guide
- Around the Web: Power cuts leave hundreds of Highland residents without power amid Storm Babet gales, A Deep Dive Into The Magnificent Castles Of Scotland, Edinburgh’s Castle of Light returns with ‘Magic and Mystery’ theme and more
- From Social Media – St. Kilda.
- Scottish Food You Will Love – The Edinburgh bakeries causing a stir on TikTok with their delicious offerings
- Coo Wee – American ‘genius’ living in Edinburgh creates ‘peak Scottish hangover food’
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The North Coast 500 has earned the title of Britain’s favourite road trip.
The survey was conducted by the automotive brand Dacia, which has introduced a collection of scented air fresheners designed to encapsulate the essence of the top 10 road trips across the UK.
For the North Coast 500, they’ve aptly named it ‘Scent-sational Highlands,’ describing it as an aromatic blend reminiscent of the earth and sea, enriched with the fragrant notes of pine trees and wild raspberries, and featuring subtle hints of haggis. These air fresheners can be obtained at no cost from Dacia outlets throughout the country.
Plan a North Coast 500 (NC500) Road Trip- Guide
The North Coast 500 (NC500) is a scenic 500-mile road trip around the northern coast of Scotland. It is considered one of the most beautiful drives in the world and offers a diverse range of landscapes, from rugged cliffs and sandy beaches to rolling hills and lochs.
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Around The Web
UK weather: Storm Babet forces evacuations in red alert area of Brechin due to floods
I went to Scotland’s first rodeo bar to let you know if it’s worth the visit
Came for the mechanical bull, stayed for the vibes
Luke Combs Rocks a Kilt Onstage in Scotland [Watch]
Luke Combs wore a kilt onstage in Scotland and the crowd absolutely loved it.
Scotland fans at Euro 2024 set to benefit as Uefa bring in amazing new FREE travel scheme – here’s how to claim it
A Deep Dive Into The Magnificent Castles Of Scotland
The Languedoc comes to Edinburgh
Edinburgh’s Castle of Light returns with ‘Magic and Mystery’ theme
Quirky Edinburgh cafe named amongst the top five places for coffee in the UK
Edinburgh city centre cafe ranked as one of the very best coffee shops in the UK.
Edinburgh’s Christmas 2023 – four weekends of fun ahead
Power cuts leave hundreds of Highland residents without power amid Storm Babet gales
From Social Media
As if you needed another reason to add a trip to St Kilda to your visit list!
Credit: – Instagram.com/hebridean.mermaid
— in St. Kilda.
Scottish Food You Will Love
The Edinburgh bakeries causing a stir on TikTok with their delicious offerings
Coo Wee
American ‘genius’ living in Edinburgh creates ‘peak Scottish hangover food’
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A Traveller’s Perspective
The North Coast 500 being voted Britain’s favourite road trip is no surprise to anyone who has driven it. The route takes you around the very top of Scotland through landscapes that feel like they belong on another continent — vast empty beaches, mountains rising straight from the sea, single-track roads winding through treeless moorland. It is genuinely world-class driving.
Plan your NC500 trip for late May or September. July and August are busy, with campervans on the single-track roads causing queues. Drive anticlockwise to keep the sea on your side of the road along the west coast. Book accommodation in advance — there are limited options in the far north and west, and everything fills up fast. Allow at least five full driving days, ideally seven. Key stops: Torridon, Ullapool, Durness, John o’Groats, and Dunrobin Castle. Fill up with fuel at every opportunity.
Rounding a headland on the north coast, somewhere between Durness and Tongue, the road drops and a beach appears below — white sand, turquoise water, and not a single footprint. You pull over, walk down, and stand on sand that squeaks under your feet. The Atlantic wind is strong enough to lean into. The sea smells of salt and kelp. To the west, the sky stretches to the horizon, vast and empty. This is what the NC500 is really about — not ticking off landmarks, but finding moments of absolute, staggering beauty in the most unexpected places.
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