Scotlands North Coast 500

Day 1

Home Area to Lichfield to Preston
We depart home area making suitable refreshment stops we arrive our hotel, The Holiday Inn Preston, in time to freshen up before our evening meal.

Day 2

Preston To Gretna Green Village to Perth
After breakfast we continue via Gretna Green, possibly the most romantic place in Scotland, synonymous with romance and runaway lovers. Opportunity to obtain lunch before departing for Perth arriving at The Salutation Hotel, early afternoon, centrally located within the town’s main shopping area.

Day 3

Perth to Pitlochry to Inverness to Thurso
After breakfast a short distance to charming Pitlochry, time to purchase morning refreshments before we continue through the fabulous Cairngorm National Park, via Kingussie and Aviemore to arriving Inverness for our lunch stop. The iconic Inverness Castle overlooks the River Ness. Afterwards we continue to The Pentland Hotel in Thurso where will be spending the next two nights. Time to relax before our evening meal.

Day 4

Thurso to Orkney Islands
After breakfast, we had to John O’Groats and take a short sea crossing to Burwick where a local coach will be waiting to take us on a fascinating day tour of the Orkney Islands. The driver provides interesting commentary whilst we see Churchill Barriers, Italian Chapel, Kirkwall with St Magnus Cathedral, Stromness, Skara Brae (stone-age village), Standing Stones and the Ring of Brodgar, an unforgettable experience

Day 5

Thurso to North Coast 500 road to Gairloch
We depart our hotel and travel along part of the North Coast 500 road via John O’Groats, Wick, Latheron, and Lothmore with fantastic views of the North Sea. We stop at the Evanton Arms Hotel situated in the picturesque village of Evanton for a soup and sandwiches lunch with tea/coffee. We then continue along the North Coast 500 road via Dingwall, Contin, Achanalt, Loch Maree to our overnight hotel, the Gairloch Hotel.

Day 6

Gairloch and the North Coast 500 road to the Isle of Skye
Today after breakfast we continue on part of the North Coast 500 road and head for the Kyle of Lochalsh. Time here to purchase lunch before crossing the Isle of Skye bridge to our hotel in Kyleakin, the Kings Arms hotel, where we will stay for the next two nights. Time to relax or take a walk along the coastal road where we get a fantastic view of Skye Bridge and Eileanan Dubha Lighthouse.

Day 7

Kyleakin, Isle of Skye to Dunvegan Castle to Kyleakin
Today we visit Dunvegan Castle & Gardens, situated in the heart of the 42,000 acre MacLeod Estate on the Isle of Skye. Dunvegan Castle is the oldest continuously inhabited castle in Scotland and has been the ancestral home of the Chiefs of Clan MacLeod for 800-years. Delight in the beauty of its formal gardens, take a boat trip to see the Loch Dunvegan seal colony (extra cost), browse the gift shop, or purchase refreshments at the cafe.

Day 8

Isle of Skye to Fort William to East Kilbride
After breakfast we start our return journey stopping in Fort William on the shores of Loch Linnhe and the base of Ben Nevis, the highest peak in the United Kingdom. Afterwards we continue through Queen Elizabeth Forest Park and the Trossachs, and journey alongside Loch Lomond to our overnight hotel in East Kilbride.

Day 9

East Kilbride to Home Area
After breakfast we return to home area making suitable comfort stops enroute

B=Breakfast Included, D=Dinner Included