Day 1 - Flight to Inverness
Flight to Inverness. Pick up your rental car or campervan at the airport. For campervan, full briefing on the camping equipment provided and the technical aspects of the vehicle. First food and water supplies on the way to Nairn, an old fishing village, and stroll in the Fishertown area with its pretty rows of cottages. Then bed down for the night on Findhorn beach, a very pleasant seaside resort facing the North Sea, a few kilometres from Nairn. Keep your eyes open and you might spot seals and dolphins. Option : night in B&B accomodation
Day 2 - Nairn - Dornoch
Towards Inverness via Culloden. Visit its museum, which tells the story of the last battle on British soil between the Jacobites and the Hanoverians. In Inverness, walk along the river to the Ness Islands. Surrounded by pine, fir, beech and maple trees, it’s an enchanting setting for a picnic. Continue to Dornoch. On the way, whisky lovers can taste light single malts at Glenmorangie distillery. Finally, arrive in Dornoch, an old village with character, known for its golf and very pretty beachfront strand – explore on foot. Its cathedral is one of the most beautiful in the Highlands. Park the campervan at the edge of Dornoch’s large beach. Option : night in B&B accomodation
Day 3 - Dornoch - Wick
On the road to Wick and the area of Caithness, former Viking territory, historically more connected to Orkney and Shetland than the mainland. It’s a corner full of surprises, with remarkable archaeological sites. Stop en route to visit Dunrobin Castle, the largest great house in the Highlands. Then go hiking on Mount Ben Bhraggie. In the evening, a lovely campsite awaits you in Wick, in a calm spot that’s still very close to the town. Perfect for spending an evening in town and returning peacefully on foot! Option : night in B&B accomodation
Day 4 - Wick - Tongue
Travel to Tongue, a quiet, attractive village with fine examples of old stone buildings such as the Tongue Hotel. Next, discover John O’Groats. There are plenty of nice places to explore, and breathtaking rambles on the coast. An incredible itinerary awaits you here: visit Mey Castle and gardens, Castle Sinclair Girnigoe, the Pulteney distillery and, for those who love history and ornithology, the Orkney Islands are visible on the horizon. In the evening, park and spend the night on THE Scottish campsite, a very well-equipped site near the beaches and the Cape Cod canal. Option : night in B&B accomodation
Day 5 - Tongue - Durness
Off to Durness, the most northerly village in Scotland. A true haven of peace, the landscape is sublime, with steep coasts, pristine beaches with turquoise water, vast heaths and moors and stunning cliffs. An ideal setting for beautiful hikes. You can also go inside the magnificent Smoo Cave. You can choose between two sites to camp. Option : night in B&B accomodation
Day 6 - Durness - Scourie (40 km +/- 45 min)
Start on the road between Durness and Ullapool. one of the most beautiful stretches of the North Coast 500. Arrive in Scourie, a village in the heart of Assynt. This area continues to be sparsely inhabited. After a ferry crossing via Tarbet, discover the “Handa Island Wildlife Reserve” on foot. Numerous colonies of seabirds nest here, including great skuas, arctic skuas, puffins, kittiwakes, auks and guillemots. Option : night in B&B accomodation
Day 7 - Scourie - Ullapool
Towards Ullapool, the capital of north-west Scotland. An adorable, picturesque little fishing port. If the sea is calm enough, you can take a boat trip to see seals, whales and other marine animals off the Summer Isles. This region has fabulous landscapes with a smattering of mountains surrounded by moors as far as the eye can see. Option : night in B&B accomodation
Day 8 - Ullapool - Gairloch (90 km +/- 1h30)
En route to Gairloch, one of the wildest regions in Great Britain, with sublime sandy beaches and primitive forests of Scots pine. Inland is dominated by rocky mountains and sharp peaks like An Teallach, perhaps one of the most beautiful mountains in the country. From Gairloch, it’s also possible to go out to sea to watch whales and dolphins, or go trout fishing. Option : night in B&B accomodation
Day 9 - Gairloch - Applecross
Before arriving in Applecross, drive on Bealach na Bà, the third highest road in the United Kingdom. It is one of the most spectacular in the world, with hairpin bends and a gradient that sometimes reaches 25%. Arrive in Applecross, a remote village in the west of Scotland. It’s a magical place surrounded by beaches and mountains, far from the modern world. Take a quick tour of Lochcarron, a charming village with whitewashed houses, before settling your little house on wheels facing Applecross Bay. Option : night in B&B accomodation
Day 10 - Applecross – Strathpeffer
Head towards Strathpeffer, north of Inverness, still on the very popular route to Bealach na Bà. If the weather isn’t too overcast, you can see the Isle of Skye. On the way to Strathpeffer are places of particular interest such as Dingwall, the ancient Viking capital of Scotland, the rich agricultural region of the Black Isle, and Cromarty, a port village with a beautiful blend of historic old houses. Option : night in B&B accomodation
Day 11 - Strathpeffer – Fortrose (34 km +/- 40 min)
Return to Inverness with a detour to Ben Wyvis, the highest point in this area. This munro is an important habitat for several species of plants and birds. You can also take a trip to the Black Isle. This green peninsula is sprinkled with characterful villages and bordered by a charming coastline where it is not uncommon to spot dolphins. Option : night in B&B accomodation
Day 12 - Bye Bye Scotland
Depending on the time of your return flight, take the time to stroll through the alleys of Inverness.
Road to the airport, return of your car or campervan and take your return flight to your home … Beanneachd leat!
N.B. :
The program is given for information only. The stages can be modified on site for meteorological, security, organizational, flight schedule or any unexpected event reasons. In these difficult times, the local guide will do their utmost to mitigate the effects of these events beyond our control.
