Today’s Newsletter Presented By
(Your business could be featured in our Newsletter )
Important Housekeeping: – Before we continue, we want to make sure you are happy to receive our emails: – You can unsubscribe or manage your subscription here.
Please spread the word to other Lovers of Scotland
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.
Want more honest Scotland travel advice? Join 43,000+ readers in our free Scotland newsletter.
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’
Our Daily Newsletter is free and will remain free for our loyal followers forever.. ( if you are not subscribed then just enter your email below ) But as they say in the infomercials, that’s not all.. For less than the price of a wee dram, you can upgrade to our premium Newsletter which will give you access to our archive of travel deep dives, travel itineraries as well as special deals curated for our premium subscribers. So consider buying us a drink and upgrade to get all the goodies…….
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.
Collect your gift!
Ready to plan your Scotland trip?
Start with our Planning Hub — itineraries, budgets, accommodation, and everything you need. Subscribe for weekly Scotland travel guides delivered free.
Get Your Free Digital Copy Of The Ultimate Scotland Travel Guide
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’
Thank you for reading Love Scotland— your support allows us to keep doing this work.
If you enjoy Love Scotland, it would mean the world to us if you invited friends to subscribe and read with us. If you refer friends, you will receive benefits that give you special access to Love Scotland
Our Daily Newsletter is free and will remain free for our loyal followers forever.. ( if you are not subscribed then just enter your email below ) But as they say in the infomercials, that’s not all.. For less than the price of a wee dram, you can upgrade to our premium Newsletter which will give you access to our archive of travel deep dives, travel itineraries as well as special deals curated for our premium subscribers. So consider buying us a drink and upgrade to get all the goodies……
Need more inspiration?
43,000 Scotland lovers can’t be wrong.
Every week, our free newsletter delivers hidden Highland gems, seasonal travel guides, local stories, and practical tips — straight to your inbox. Join the community that loves Scotland as much as you do.
FREE GUIDE: 25 Hidden Gems of Scotland That Most Tourists Never Find (PDF)
Download our free Scotland Travel Guide (PDF)
Love Scotland?
Get the best of Scotland delivered to your inbox every week — free.
Join 43,000+ readers. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
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.
🏴️ You Might Also Love
🏴️ Join 43,000+ Scotland Lovers
Every weekday morning, get Scotland’s hidden castles, whisky secrets, and Highland travel inspiration — the kind you won’t find in any guidebook.
Love more? Join 65,000 Ireland lovers → · Join 30,000 Italy lovers → · Join 7,000 France lovers →
Free forever · Fresh stories, Mon–Fri · Unsubscribe anytime
Secure Your Dream Scottish Experience Before It’s Gone!
Planning a trip to Scotland? Don’t let sold-out tours or packed attractions dampen your adventure. Iconic experiences like exploring Edinburgh Castle, cruising along Loch Ness, or wandering through the mystical Isle of Skye often fill up fast—especially during peak travel seasons.
Booking in advance guarantees your place and ensures you can fully immerse yourself in the rich culture and breathtaking scenery without stress or disappointment. You’ll also free up time to explore Scotland's hidden gems and savour those authentic moments that make your trip truly special.
Make the most of your journey—start planning today and secure those must-do experiences before they’re gone!
***************************************************
DISCLAIMER Last updated May 29, 2023
WEBSITE DISCLAIMER
The information provided by Love to Visit LLC ('we', 'us', or 'our') on https:/loveotvisitscotland.com (the 'Site') is for general informational purposes only. All information on the Site is provided in good faith, however we make no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability, or completeness of any information on the Site.
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCE SHALL WE HAVE ANY LIABILITY TO YOU FOR ANY LOSS OR DAMAGE OF ANY KIND INCURRED AS A RESULT OF THE USE OF THE SITE OR RELIANCE ON ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED ON THE SITE. YOUR USE OF THE SITE AND YOUR RELIANCE ON ANY INFORMATION ON THE SITE IS SOLELY AT YOUR OWN RISK.
EXTERNAL LINKS DISCLAIMER
The Site may contain (or you may be sent through the Site) links to other websites or content belonging to or originating from third parties or links to websites and features in banners or other advertising. Such external links are not investigated, monitored, or checked for accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability, or completeness by us.
WE DO NOT WARRANT, ENDORSE, GUARANTEE, OR ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ACCURACY OR RELIABILITY OF ANY INFORMATION OFFERED BY THIRD-PARTY WEBSITES LINKED THROUGH THE SITE OR ANY WEBSITE OR FEATURE LINKED IN ANY BANNER OR OTHER ADVERTISING. WE WILL NOT BE A PARTY TO OR IN ANY WAY BE RESPONSIBLE FOR MONITORING ANY TRANSACTION BETWEEN YOU AND THIRD-PARTY PROVIDERS OF PRODUCTS OR SERVICES.
AFFILIATES DISCLAIMER The Site may contain links to affiliate websites, and we receive an affiliate commission for any purchases made by you on the affiliate website using such links. Our affiliates include the following:
- Viator
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated websites.
