Castle Varrich is a castle ruin in Scotland believed to be nearly 1000 years old

SCOTLAND BY CAR, NORTH COAST 500 “SCOTLAND’S ROUTE 66” 

This route includes some of the most beautiful scenery in Europe, and has been dubbed “Scotland’s Route 66”. Touring the North Coast 500 with Scottish Terrier Tours will take the stress out of driving these windy roads and allows you to sit back and take in all its breathtaking beauty.

DAY 1: GLASGOW/EDINBURGH TO INVERNESS.
Your tour will start in Glasgow/Edinburgh, firstly driving through Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, stopping off at the atmospheric Glencoe before stopping at the Clachaig Inn for a delicious lunch. Next destination is Inverlochy Castle at Fort William, afterwards driving through The Great Glen following the route of the early nineteenth century Caledonian Canal built by Thomas Telford. The tour will continue to Drumnadrochit on Loch Ness, this part of the loch is famous for the most sightings of the Loch Ness Monster. Overnight stay at Inverness, Capital of the Highlands.

Glasgow Cathedral

DAY 2: INVERNESS TO THURSO
The following morning you will set off for John O’Groats, travelling the East Coast of Scotland to Tain, visiting the famous Glenmorangie Whisky Distillery for a one hour tour and tasting. Crossing the Dornoch Bridge along the spectacular coastline to the fairytale Dunrobin Castle, after visiting the castle there will be time for lunch. Next destination is Whaligoe, a small fishing port, one of Scotland’s hidden gems. Afterwards, your tour will continue on to the most Northerly point of the Scottish mainland, Dunnet Head, a bird sanctuary and used as a radar station during World War II. Heading on to Thurso for an overnight stay.

Dunnet Head, The most northern UK & Scotland mainland.

DAY 3: THURSO TO DURNESS
Next morning we leave the most northerly town on the UK mainland and continue west to the picturesque Strathnaver Museum where we will hear the tragic tales of the Highland Clearances. Next stop is the wee village of Tongue for a short walk to the ruined Castle Varrich which provide stunning views across the Kyle of Tongue to Ben Hope. Next on the agenda is a well- deserved spot of lunch before a short journey to visit the Smoo Caves for a one hour guided tour of the underground sea and freshwater caves. Overnight stay in Durness.

Large Sea Cave in the Scottish Highlands

DAY 4: DURNESS TO TORRIDON
Next stop is Ullapool, for a walk around the picturesque seaside town before setting off for Gairloch, our first stop is the nail-biting Corrieshalloch Gorge, where you can test your head for heights on the Victorian suspension bridge. There are fantastic photo opportunities for some dramatic crashing waterfalls then lunch before leaving for our next destination, picture perfect Shieldaig on Loch Torridon. Overnight stay in Torridon.

Glenmorangie Distillery

DAY 5: TORRIDON TO INVERNESS
Bidding farewell to Torridon we will follow one of the most famous roads in Scotland, the Bealach na Ba, a 2000 foot mountain pass to the village of Applecross, where weather permitting you will marvel at the views over to the Isle of Skye and the Outer Hebrides. For the final leg of this fabulous North Coast tour we will pass Loch Carron on the way to Inverness for some lunch and shopping before heading home to Edinburgh/Glasgow.

On this amazing tour, there will be plenty of opportunities for quick stop offs for photo opportunities and have a wee dram of whisky or two….

Stunning views of Loch Carron in the Scottish Highlands